ADJUSTABLE WORKSURFACE WITH INTEGRATED DISPLAY
A workstation includes a base having at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. The display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base about a fixed rotational axis and is pivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality of vertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations. A method of using the workstation is also provided.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/586,365, filed Jan. 13, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to an adjustable worksurface, and in particular, to an adjustable worksurface having an integrated display.
BACKGROUNDIt is known to provide workstations, for example tables, that are pivotable between horizontal and draft positions. Typically, such tables do not allow for further movement to a vertical orientation. It also is know to provide tables with integrated displays fixed in a horizontal configuration. However, the displays integrated into such tables typically are too heavy and bulky to allow for alternative configurations, whether pivotally or vertically adjustable. Accordingly, the need remains for an improved workstation that provides improved reconfigurability while incorporating a display.
SUMMARYThe present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims.
In one aspect, one embodiment of a workstation includes a base having at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. The display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base and is pivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality of vertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
In another aspect, a method of using a workstation includes adjusting a vertical height of a worksurface member including a display, wherein the display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member, pivoting the worksurface member between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical, and viewing the display in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical orientations.
The various embodiments of the workstation, and methods of use thereof, provide significant advantages over other such structures and methods. For example and without limitation, the workstation may be easily reconfigured between various position, such as a horizontal configuration wherein the worksurface member may be used in a conventional fashion, for example to support various materials such as papers, books and the like, while also allowing for a user interface with the display. At the same time, the worksurface member may be pivoted to other configurations suitable for particular uses, such as providing a display to a larger audience while still providing a user interface via the display screen. The worksurface member may also be vertically adjusted, whether to accommodate different height users when in the horizontal or draft configurations, or to provide an elevated configuration to allow for greater visibility when in the vertical configuration. Auxiliary fixed worksurfaces provide for storage and additional workspace, while grippable handles facilitate manipulation of the primary worksurface member.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The various preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the term “plurality,” as used herein, means two or more. The term “longitudinal,” as used herein means of or relating to length or the lengthwise direction, e.g., a length of a primary worksurface 2. The term “lateral,” as used herein, means directed between or toward (or perpendicular to) the sides 24 of the primary worksurface 2. The term “coupled” means connected to or engaged with, whether directly or indirectly, for example with an intervening member, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent. The term “transverse” means extending across an axis or surface, including but not limited to substantially perpendicular to the axis or surface. It should be understood that the use of numerical terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., as used herein does not refer to any particular sequence or order of components (e.g., consecutive); for example “first” and “second” worksurface members may refer to any sequence of such worksurface members, and is not limited to the first and second worksurface members of a particular configuration, e.g., primary and auxiliary, unless otherwise specified.
Referring to
The auxiliary worksurface members 4 are secured to the beam 18, and move therewith to a plurality of vertical positions, via brackets 36, configured in one embodiment as a U-shaped strap that forms an angle θ relative to the beam 18. In one embodiment, the auxiliary worksurface members 14 are horizontally fixed, meaning they are not rotatable about a horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the worksurface of the auxiliary worksurface members are maintained in a substantially horizontal plane. The worksurface of the auxiliary worksurface member may be substantially parallel to, and in one embodiment substantially co-planar with, the worksurface of the primary worksurface member when the primary worksurface member is in a horizontal configuration as shown in
As best shown in
A pair of grippable handles 46, shown in one embodiment as rods or cylindrical tubes, are secured, one each, to the spaced part end portions 44 of the straps. The primary worksurface member 2 is secured to the base portion 42 of the straps, for example with mechanical fasteners, and has front and back edges 48 extending proximate the grippable handles 46, but spaced apart sufficiently therefrom to permit a user to insert their hands and grip the handle 46. In one embodiment, the primary worksurface member 2 includes a display 20, preferably a touch screen 52, which allows the user to interface with and control graphics displayed on the display 20. The display 20 defines at least in part a worksurface 50, which is capable of supporting loads up to 250 lbs. when in a horizontal configuration. The display 20 may be surrounded by a peripheral housing 22, which provides for an additional worksurface area. In one embodiment, the display worksurface 50 is at least 75% of the total worksurface area of the worksurface member 2, which may also include the surface area of the housing 22.
Referring to
The display may be powered by conventional means such as electrical cords (not shown), or by batteries or other localized power sources coupled to the workstation.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A workstation comprising:
- a base comprising at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions;
- a worksurface member comprising a display, wherein said display defines at least in part a worksurface of said worksurface member, and wherein said worksurface member is pivotally coupled to said base, wherein said worksurface member is pivotable about a fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontal orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein said worksurface of said display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially vertical, and wherein said worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to said plurality of said vertical leg positions when said worksurface member is positioned in any one of said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display comprises a touch screen.
3. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display supports at least a load of 250 lbs when said worksurface member is in said horizontal configuration.
4. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said worksurface member comprises a first worksurface member and said worksurface comprises a first worksurface, and further comprising at least one second worksurface member defining a second worksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupled to said base, wherein said second worksurface is maintained in a horizontal configuration when said first worksurface member is positioned in any one said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
5. The workstation of claim 4 wherein said at least one second worksuface member comprises a pair of second worksurface members disposed on opposite sides of said first worksurface member.
6. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising at least one grippable handle coupled to said worksurface member.
7. The workstation of claim 6 comprising at least a pair of grippable handles coupled along opposite edges of said worksurface member.
8. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display defines at least 75% of said worksurface.
9. A method of using a workstation comprising:
- adjusting a vertical height of a worksurface member comprising a display, wherein said display defines at least in part a worksurface of said worksurface member;
- pivoting said worksurface member about a fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontal orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein said worksurface of said display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially vertical; and
- viewing said display in any one of said horizontal, draft or vertical orientations.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising interfacing with said display, wherein said display comprises a touch screen.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising supporting a load of at least 250 lbs on said display when said worksurface member is in said horizontal configuration.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein said worksurface member comprises a first worksurface member and said worksurface comprises a first worksurface, and further comprising at least one second worksurface member defining a second worksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupled to said base, and maintaining said second worksurface in a horizontal configuration when pivoting said first worksurface member to any one said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one second worksurface member comprises a pair of second worksurface members disposed on opposite sides of said first worksurface member.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein said pivoting said worksurface member comprises gripping at least one grippable handle coupled to said worksurface member.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said gripping said at least one grippable handle comprises gripping one of a pair of grippable handles coupled along opposite edges of said worksurface member.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein said display defines at least 75% of said worksurface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 10, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 30, 2014
Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc. (Zeeland, MI)
Inventors: Lawrence Kallio, III (Grand Haven, MI), Daniel Grabowski (Grand Rapids, MI), Mike Johnson (Grand Rapids, MI)
Application Number: 13/738,402
International Classification: A47B 13/08 (20060101); A47B 9/00 (20060101);