Computer work station

Abstract

A computer work station (10) is disclosed having a base (11), a lower support (12) pivotally mounted to the base (11) about a pivot joint (13), and a lifting mechanism (14) for pivoting the lower support (12) about pivot joint (13) between a range of position extending between a declined position and an inclined position. The computer work station (10) also includes a chair (17), a desk (18) mounted to the lower support (12), and a computer key board support (19) pivotally mounted to the desk (18) for movement between a lifted position and an operating position.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/483,996 filed Jan. 18, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to computer work stations, and specifically to computer work stations that are repositionable for ergonomic advantages. cl BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In today's workplace environment, people oftentimes spent many hours each day composing work on computers. Spending such extended period of time upon computers however may cause many health problems, including repetitive stress injuries known as cumulative trauma disorders. These injuries are typically brought on by stresses that build up in the body as one performs repetitive tasks, such as typing on a computer keyboard. Furthermore, other types of health problems also exist which are directly associated with extended computer usage, such as muscle soreness, eye fatigue, and numbness in the hands.

[0004] In order to prevent or at least minimize these problems, it is recommended that one provide proper ergonomic controls while operating a computer. It is believed that posture is one of the most important factors contributing to a proper ergonomic positioning of an operator. It has been recommended that a computer operator should sit with the spine against the back of the chair with the shoulders relaxed, the elbows along the sides of the body, and wrists straight. Typing materials should be at eye level so that the neck does not bend over the work. These factors help to keep the neck flexible and upright so as to maintain fluids circulation and nerve function to the arms and hands. The computer monitor should be set so that the top of the screen is at or just below eye level, because an improperly set monitor causes an operator to look up or down resulting in strain to the eyes and neck muscles.

[0005] Even though computers have now become a staple in the workplace for many years, the furniture associated with the computer's use has changed very little. Today's work desks are very similar to those that existed centuries ago. One of the few improvements over recent years has been the advent of an adjustable monitor support which enables a computer operator to adjust the height of the computer monitor. Computer operators however still utilize the desks and chairs which existed long prior to the advent of the computer. As such, it is oftentimes difficult to ergonomically position the computer monitor and keyboard while maintaining a proper posture and positioning of the hands for computer use.

[0006] Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for a computer work station which provides an ergonomically proper environment for a computer user. It is to the provision of such therefore that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a preferred form of the invention a computer work station comprises a base, a seat pivotally mounted to the base, a computer monitor support pivotally mounted to the base, and pivot means for vertically pivoting the seat and the computer monitor support together relative to the base.

[0008] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of the invention, together with reference to the drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a computer work station embodying principles of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the computer work station of FIG. 1, shown in a neutral position.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the computer work station of FIG. 1, shown in a pivotally declined position.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the computer work station of FIG. 1, shown in a pivotally inclined position.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the computer work station of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective skeletal view of a second embodiment of a computer work station embodying principles of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of the computer work station illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0016] With reference next to the drawings in which like parts have like reference numerals throughout the several views, there is shown a computer work station 10 incorporating principles of the invention in a first embodiment. The computer work station 10 has a base 11, a floor or lower support 12 pivotally mounted to the base 11 about a pivot joint 13, and a lifting mechanism 14 for reciprocally pivoting the lower support 12 about the pivot 13. The lifting mechanism 14 moves the lower support 12 between a range of positions extending between a declined position, shown in FIG. 3, and an inclined position, shown in FIG. 4, relative to the base 11. The computer work station 10 also includes a chair 17 and a desk 18 mounted to the lower support 12. As discussed below, the chair 17 and the desk 18 are movable relative to each other, and the lifting mechanism 14 accordingly moves the chair 17 and the desk 18 as positioned relative to each other relative to the base 11.

[0017] A computer key board support 19 pivotally mounts to the desk 18 for pivotal movement between a lifted position and an operating position. The desk 18 is adapted to hold securely a computer monitor 20 thereon, as well as other peripheral equipment such a printer 21 while the keyboard support 19 supports a computer keyboard 16 thereon.

[0018] The keyboard support 19 includes a keyboard support member 22 and a pair of vertically oriented tracking rails 23 coupling the support member 22 to the desk 18. The tracking rails 23 allow for generally vertical movement of the keyboard support member 22 relative to the desk 18 and chair 17, as indicated by the vertical directional arrow V in FIG. 5. The keyboard support 19 also includes a horizontal tracking rail 24 which allows horizontal movement of the keyboard support member 22 relative to the chair 17, as indicated by the horizontal directional arrow H in FIG. 5.

[0019] The chair 17 has a backrest 25, a seat 26 mounted to the backrest 25, a pair of arm rests 27 mounted to the seat 26, a leg rest 28 pivotally mounted to the seat 26, and a heel rest 29 pivotally mounted to the leg rest 28.

[0020] The lifting mechanism 14 may utilize any conventionally known mechanical lifting means such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, rotating camming bars, mechanically driven lifting jacks, electric motor actuators to drive pistons that extend or retract relative to the actuators, or other similar devices. The lifting mechanism 14 also includes a conventional controller 31 mounted to the desk 18 adjacent the chair 17. The operator actuated controller 31 controls the activation of the mechanical lifting means.

[0021] In use, with the keyboard support 19 raised to its lifted position a computer operator may position himself or herself upon the seat 26 of the chair 17. The computer operator may then pivot the keyboard support 19 to its operating position and adjust the vertical V and horizontal H position of the keyboard support member 22 to the operator's proper ergonomic position. The vertical positioning of the keyboard support member 22 is provided through the vertical tracking rails 23 while the horizontal positioning of the keyboard support member 22 is provided through the horizontal tracking rail 24.

[0022] With extended use of the computer within the computer work station the operator may become tired or develop muscle fatigue within the muscles supporting the weight of the operator. When such occurs, the operator may reorient the inclination of the chair 17 and desk 18 so as to shift the pressure upon a different muscle or a different location of the muscle supporting the weight of the operator. In order to reorient the chair 17 and desk 18, the operator actuates the controller 31 to selectively activate the lifting mechanism 14 to pivot vertically the lower support 22 relative to the base 11. The operator may elect to incline the lower support 12, and thereby incline the chair 17 and desk 18 as shown in FIG. 4, or conversely decline the lower support 12 as shown in FIG. 3. It is important to note that throughout the pivotal movement of the chair 17 and desk 18, the relative orientation between the chair 17 and desk 18 remains the same. As the relative position between the chair 17 and desk 18 does not change, the operator's ergonomic positioning of the computer keyboard 16 and computer monitor 20 remains constant. As such, an operator need not readjust the positions of these computer components with each movement. It should be understood that this factor is critically important with regard to the line of sight between the operator seated upon the chair 17 and the computer monitor 20. For the mis-positioning of the computer monitor 20 enhances an improper posturing of the operator and an improper tilting of the head in order to view the monitor, two factors which greatly contribute to health problems associated with extended computer use. It should be noted that the leg rest 28 and heel rest 29 may also be pivoted to different locations for enhanced comfort with the inclination of the lower support 12.

[0023] It should be understood that the just described computer work station 10 may also include a sealed housing 35, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2, to enable the operator to control the atmosphere of the work station. Also, the work station may include physical monitoring devices 36 such as heart monitors or blood pressure monitoring devices and a conventional massager 37 within the chair.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective skeletal view of a second embodiment of a computer work station 50 according to the present invention. The work station 50 includes a seat portion generally 52 and a computer desk portion generally 54 supported by a base frame 56. A pair of opposing side supports 58 extend upwardly from the base frame 56. A pair of opposing seat sides 60 are spaced-apart from the side supports 58. A seat pivot bar 62 extends between the opposing side supports 58 and passes through the seat sides 60, for a purpose discussed below. A tilt frame 64 attaches to a bottom edge of the seat sides 60 and includes a pair of opposing longitudinal members 66 that extend to the desk portion 54. Cross supports generally 68 connect between the members 66.

[0025] A lifting mechanism generally 67 is provided to move the tilt frame 64 relative to the base frame 56. An upper tilt pivot shaft 70 extends between the members 66 and a lower tilt pivot shaft 72 extends between opposing members of the base frame 52. A tilt linkage 74 pivotally connects the tilt frame 64 and the base frame 52 in the desk portion 54. The tilt linkage 74 includes opposing pairs of pivotally connected lower and upper arms 76, 78. The lower arm 76 of each pair of arms pivotally connects to the lower tilt pivot shaft 72; the upper arm 78 of each pair pivotally connects to the upper tilt pivot shaft 70. The arms 76, 78 in each pair pivotally connect to a tilt shaft 80. An actuator 81 with a piston pivotally connects at its distal ends between one of the cross supports 68 and the tilt shaft 80.

[0026] As best illustrated in side view in FIG. 7, a desk support 82 attaches to the tilt frame 64. The desk support 82 includes a lower support member generally 83 and a pivotable upper support member 85. A printer tray 86 mounts to a distal portion of the upper support member 85. A monitor support plate 88 attaches to the distal end portion of the upper support member 85. Articulatable arms 90 connect between the monitor support plate 88 and a keyboard support 92. An actuator 94 connects at one end to the lower support 83 and a distal end of a movable piston 96 in the actuator 94 connects to the upper support member 85. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the desk portion 54 includes a lower cover 98 attached to the lower support member 83, while an upper cover 100 attaches to the upper support member 85. The lower support member 83 is slidable in guides relative to the opposing members 66 by an actuator 102 that with a movable piston connects between the tilt frame 64 and the lower support member 83.

[0027] The seat portion 52 of the computer work station 50 is thereby supported in the base frame 56 by the seat pivot bar 62 at one end and the tilt mechanism 67 at an opposing end. The seat portion 52 includes opposing seat members 110 with cross supports 112. The distal ends of the seat members 110 connect at a pivot 116 to a frame 118 of a seat back 120 (the cushioning which covers the seat back 120 is not illustrated in FIG. 6, for convenience.) The seat back 120 includes a seat back pivot member 122. An actuator 124 connects between the seat back pivot member 122 and one of the cross supports 112. An upper end of the seat back 120 include a head rest 126 with a pair of audio speakers 128 pivotally attached on opposing sides. The speakers 128 are selectively movable for comfortable positioning relative to the head of the occupant of the seat. The headrest 126 includes support arms 130 that are received in support columns 132 of the seat back, whereby the support arms 130 are received in the columns 132 for positioning the headrest 126 selectively relative to the seat back. For convenience of illustration, the cushioning pad in the seat back 120 is not illustrated.

[0028] A seat base frame 140 connects at back sides to the pivot 116 connections of the seat back frame 118 and the seat members 110, 112. A forward side of the seat base frame 140 is supported by an actuator 142 that connects between a forward cross support 143 and the seat pivot bar 62. A leg rest 150 pivotally connects with collars 152 to the forward cross support 143 of the seat base frame 140. An upper tube 154 extends from each of the collars 152. The upper tubes 154 slidably receive a small diameter lower tube 156. A footrest support 158 connects between the opposing lower tubes 156. For convenience of illustration, the cushion pad defining the footrest is not illustrated. A footrest actuator 160 connects to a pivot shaft 162 extending between the opposing seat sides 60 and a back side of the footrest support 158.

[0029] An elongate member 170 with opposing legs 172 defines a U-shaped support for a pair of arm rests 174, 176. In the illustrated embodiment, the legs 172 receive slidable members 175 with a fan-shaped support 177 attached at a distal end. The members 175 are selectively positionable relative to the legs 172. For example, a knob 178 includes a pin that is selectively received in one of a plurality of spaced-apart holes in the legs, for raising and lowering the arm rests 174, 176. In another embodiment, the knob 178 rotates with a cam that acts against a support in the leg 172, for selective positioning of the arm rests. Such rotating cam mechanism is conventional with certain types of desk chairs commercially available for use in offices and homes.

[0030] The supports 176 have arm rest pads 180. In the illustrated embodiment, the pads 180 are pivotably pinned at a forward portion, and a rearward pin is selectively positionable in one of a plurality of holes. In this way, the pads 180 are movable inwardly and outwardly of the seat portion for the comfortable positioning by the occupant of the computer work station 50.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the computer work station 50 includes a controller (not illustrated) for operating selectively the various actuators, whereby the various components of the work station are independently and selectively positioned for ergonomic convenience and comfort of the occupant of the work station. In that regard, the actuator 102 is operative for moving the desk portion 54 towards and away from the seat portion 52, whereby a computer monitor on the monitor support plate 88 is movable closer or away from the occupant of the work station 50, selectively. Likewise, the angle of the monitor is adjustable by operating the actuator 94 to adjust the angle of the upper support member 85 relative to the lower support member 83. In an alternate embodiment, the upper support member 85 is movable longitudinally relative to the lower support 83, such as an embodiment in which the upper support member 85 is telescopically received by the lower support 83. In this embodiment, the movable piston 96 in the actuator 94 moves the upper support vertically relative to the lower support, for selective positioning of the desk portion 54 relative to the seat portion 52.

[0032] The various posturing elements of the seat portion 52 are adjusted by operation of the actuators. The angle of the seat back 120 is changed by operating the actuator 124. The seat back frame 118 pivots at the connection 116. The angle of the seat base frame 140 is changed by operating the actuator 142. The foot rest support 158 is raised and lowered by operation of the actuator 160. A person using the computer work station 50 accordingly positions the desk portion 54 at a desired ergonomic orientation relative to the seating portion 52. Preferably a central controller provides switches for operation of the selected actuators, for positioning of the seat back frame 118, seat base frame 140, and the foot rest support, as well as the desk portion 54, and the tilt mechanism 74.

[0033] In accordance with the present invention, the seating portion 52 and the work desk portion 54 selectively positioned as described above are then selectively positionable relative to the base frame 56. Operating the actuator 81 causes the arms 76, 78 that define the V-shaped (in side view) tilt linkage 74 to open or close, and thereby move the tilt frame 64 relative to the base frame 56. The present invention of a work station accordingly provides the user/occupant with independent angular relations between the seat portion and the desk portion, with selective and independent angular positioning of the seat elements (the seat back, seat base, and foot rest), while also providing selective angular positioning of the combined seat portion 52 and work desk portion 54 about a pivot point. This permits the user/occupant to position the seating relative to the work room for comfortable ergonomic seating while also positioning the seat and the work desk for comfortable and ergonomic seating.

[0034] During use, the operator may reorient the inclination of the seat 52 and the desk 54 so as to shift the pressure upon a different muscle or a different location of the muscle supporting the weight of the operator. This is accomplished by the operator actuating the controller to selectively activate the tilting mechanism 67 to pivot vertically the tilt frame 64 relative to the base frame 52. The operator may elect to incline the tilt frame 64, and thereby incline the seat 52 and the desk 54, or conversely decline the tilt frame 64. It is important to note that throughout the pivotal movement of the seat 52 and the desk 54, the relative orientation between the seat and desk remains the same. As the relative position between the seat 52 and the desk 54 does not change, the operator's ergonomic positioning of the computer keyboard and computer monitor remains constant.

[0035] While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A computer work station comprising:

a base;

a seat;

a computer monitor support; and

pivot means for vertically pivoting said seat and said computer monitor support relative to said base.

2. The computer work station of

claim 1 wherein said seat and said computer monitor are pivoted about a common pivot point.

3. The computer work station of

claim 2 wherein said pivot means includes a lower support coupling said seat to said computer monitor support, and wherein said lower support is pivotally coupled to said base to provide the pivotal movement of said seat and said computer monitor support relative to said base.

4. The computer work station of

claim 1 further comprising a key board support mounted adjacent said seat.

5. The computer work station of

claim 4 wherein said pivot means also pivotally moves said key board support relative to said base.

6. The computer work station of

claim 5 wherein said seat, said computer monitor and said key board support all pivot about a common pivot point.

7. The computer work station of

claim 4 further comprising key board support moving means for moving said key board support relative to said seat.

8. The computer work station of

claim 7 wherein said key board support moving means allows generally horizontal, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

9. The computer work station of

claim 7 wherein said key board support moving means allows generally vertical, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

10. The computer work station of

claim 9 wherein said key board support moving means also allows generally horizontal, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

11. A computer work station adapted to be positioned upon a support surface comprising:

a seat;

a computer monitor support adapted to support a computer monitor thereon, said computer monitor support being coupled to said seat; and

reciprocal pivot means for vertically pivoting said seat and said computer monitor support relative to a support surface underlying said computer work station,

whereby the relative distance and orientation between the seat and the computer monitor support remains the same throughout their pivotal motion.

12. The computer work station of

claim 11 wherein said seat and said computer monitor support are pivoted about a common pivot point.

13. The computer work station of

claim 12 wherein said pivot means includes a base pivotally coupled to said seat.

14. The computer work station of

claim 13 wherein said pivot means further comprises a lower support pivotally coupled to said base, and wherein said lower support couples said computer monitor support to said seat, and wherein said lower support is pivotally coupled to a base to provide the pivotal movement of said seat and said computer monitor support relative to said base.

15. The computer work station of

claim 11 further comprising a key board support mounted adjacent said seat.

16. The computer work station of

claim 15 wherein said pivot means also pivotally moves said key board support relative to said base.

17. The computer work station of

claim 16 wherein said seat, said computer monitor and said key board support all pivot about a common pivot point.

18. The computer work station of

claim 15 further comprising key board support moving means for moving said key board support relative to said seat.

19. The computer work station of

claim 18 wherein said key board support moving means allows generally horizontal, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

20. The computer work station of

claim 18 wherein said key board support moving means allows generally vertical, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

21. The computer work station of

claim 20 wherein said key board support moving means also allows generally horizontal, reciprocal movement of said key board support between a first position adjacent said seat and a second position distal said seat.

22. The computer work station of

claim 11 further comprising a sealed housing enclosing said seat, said computer monitor support and said pivot means, and filter means for filtering air conveyed into said housing.

23. The computer work station of

claim 11 further comprising monitoring means for monitoring select bodily status levels.

24. The computer work station of

claim 11 wherein said seat includes massaging means for massaging a person seated upon said seat.