Multi-functional linear utility station
A linear arrangement comprising a pole having at least one adjustable arm for storing and using devices in a utility space, such as workspaces for home entertainment, accessory storage, for use by automotive mechanics, artists, seamstresses, beauticians, aestheticians, doctors, dentists, manicurists, cosmetologists, jewelers, musicians, or anyone requiring easy access to a multiplicity of work areas and equipment is provided. The present invention could also be used for display purposes in a retail setting, or for storage. It could also be used as a host stand in a restaurant, or in a kitchen for holding a multiplicity of appliances.
This invention relates to the field of utility spaces. Specifically this invention relates to a linear arrangement for storing and using devices in a utility station, such as workspaces for home entertainment, accessory storage, for use by automotive mechanics, artists, seamstresses, beauticians, aestheticians, or anyone requiring easy access to a multiplicity of work areas and equipment. It is also useful for storage or display of a variety of components. The linear utility station of the present invention can be utilized in any orientation such as vertical, horizontal or any angle in between vertical and horizontal, according to the needs of the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe utility or work station, or desk as it was previously known, is an integral part of most people's homes. Over the years, devices such as computers and all their accessories and peripherals have added considerable requirements to the desk from a simple table to an accessory storage system, a.k.a. utility station. Depending on how many accessories you wish to have, these utility stations can be considerable in size. In addition, there are ergonomic concerns due to the time spent at these utility stations, using keyboards and sitting in chairs for longer periods of time. Therefore, inventors have created several solutions to make the utility stations more adjustable to the specific user, while keeping the utility station footprint or area required as small as possible.
Bollman U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,327 discloses a multi adjustable multi functional work station system. This system appears to use a plurality of work surfaces and therefore has a considerable footprint.
Schwartz U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,835 discloses an automatic vertically adjustable work surface. This system appears to attach a work surface to a wall and does not consider the other components to a modern utility station such as a computer or monitor.
Maguire U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,666 shows an ergonomic operator utility station having a monitor with wing unit. This system appears to have a considerable footprint and does not appear to be adaptable to any new accessory that the user may wish to add at a later date.
Richard U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,323 shows an ergonomic computer utility station that appears to use a desk configuration and therefore a considerable footprint. In addition, it appears to lack adaptability to any new accessory or component that may come in the future.
Sweere U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,849 discloses a lift system for a monitor and keyboard that attaches to the wall. This is specifically for the lift system and does not consider other utility station components.
US patent publication to Johnson, Publication number 2006/0054751 includes a vertically adjustable mobile computer utility station that appears to be a cart system to carry and store a computer, monitor and keyboard. It does not consider any other accessories. The keyboard and monitor may also not be adjustable relative to each other.
Weener U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,783 discloses a portable multipurpose floor ceiling pole for an office. This pole appears to be a telescopic support pole for offices with clamps or brackets for office furniture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides improvements over these previous designs by providing a more comprehensive utility station, capable of managing many electronic components or accessories, using minimal space and with maximum ergonomic potential. Electronic components are defined as modern technology elements such as computer components, including monitors, key boards, scanners, fax machines, “x-box” consoles, “m-box” consoles, “Ipod” or Mp3 accessories as well as speakers, lamps and work space, for example.
Specifically, this invention relates to a linear arrangement for storing and using devices in a utility space, such as workspaces for home entertainment, accessory storage, for use by automotive mechanics, artists, seamstresses, beauticians, aestheticians, doctors, dentists, manicurists, cosmetologists, jewelers, musicians, or anyone requiring easy access to a multiplicity of work areas and equipment. The present invention could also be used for display purposes in a retail setting, or for storage. It could also be used as a host stand in a restaurant, or in a kitchen for holding a multiplicity of appliances.
In many home, commercial and office environments, abundant space is not always available, especially for the ever growing number of components and accessories that can be part of a utility station, such as speakers, camera printers and multiple monitors. This invention provides a method of managing these components at positions convenient to the user while minimizing the amount of space required. The present invention facilitates the use of a single work station by multiple users, such as shift workers. The instant invention is also useful in dorm rooms or loft homes, which have a minimum of space.
In addition to spatial constraints, wiring for the growing number of components is also a consideration. Many utility stations require at least one, and often more than one power strip to accommodate all of the components. The present invention provides a means for accommodating a multiplicity of wiring and communications cables together with an integrated electrical power strip to conveniently, safely and neatly provide access for all components. Such wiring for components may include, for example an Ethernet jack, phone jack, or other network and connectivity components, and electrification for lighting or other components.
This utility station is intended to be easily moved or repositioned when necessary. The arms of the invention can then be folded and the unit moved to a corner when not in use, providing the user with more space when required.
The individual accessories and components may be repositioned to the user's benefit using a variety of hinges and joints. The joints may be of a variety of configurations including elbow joints and block joints, for example. The joints may be locking joints. Any joints for permitting the movement and stabilization of the various platforms of the work station are envisioned. The present invention provides improved ergonomics over many existing utility stations.
The accessories or components could easily be repositioned when not in use. This invention could therefore take up less space when not in use.
Furniture such as lap tables, shelving or filing cabinets could be attached to this utility station also if necessary to add utility.
Any number of arms could be added to the utility station pole to add utility and maximize space efficiency.
The utility station of the present invention provides many advantages over the existing utility station designs. It is flexible and able to adapt to the changing technology world. It takes up minimal space and will accommodate a wide range of ergonomic requirements and can be repositioned for multiple users.
An alternative embodiment comprises hydraulic means for repositioning the various arms of the invention.
An alternative embodiment comprises a utility station having a multiple leg or support base such as a tripod base fixture.
An alternative embodiment comprises a work station having a base fixture and the top of the pole comprises a torchiere light fixture for accommodating an upward directed light bulb.
An alternative embodiment comprises a utility station which has a mount from the ceiling.
An alternative embodiment comprises an arm for holding an adjustable magnifying glass. This is useful for jewelers, anglers and other hobbyists.
An alternative embodiment comprises a control panel to control the position of the arms electronically and to control the lighting.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a table top having a hole in the middle to accommodate the vertical pole, for use by a multiplicity of users simultaneously with or without seating for these users situated on a multiplicity of arms.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention can have at least one end of the pole fastened to a wall, and the pole can be oriented in a horizontal position.
An additional alternative embodiment can have the pole in a horizontal orientation overhead of the user with the arms holding the components hanging down to a suitable position for the user.
The components of the present invention can be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to: wood, aluminum, graphite, plastic, alloys, other metals and thermoplastic materials and composite materials, for example.
The term “work station” and “utility station” are to be construed as meaning the same thing. Also, even though most of the following description is directed toward a vertical utility station, it is to be understood that other orientations, such as horizontal, or any other angle is also encompassed by the present invention.
In
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
Claims
1. A utility station pole assembly, said pole having a first end and a second end for management of components comprising;
- an elongate pole with a base structure at the first end for engagement with a supporting surface and at least one accessory arm located on the pole;
- attachment means to connect the accessory arm at the desired location along the pole;
- and at least one component attached to said accessory arm for use as part of a utility station system.
2. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising stabilization means for pole stabilization incorporated in the base structure.
3. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1, for management of components comprising;
- an elongate pole with a ceiling flange structure at the pole's upper end for engagement with the ceiling and at least one accessory arm located on the pole;
- attachment means to connect the accessory arm at the desired location along the pole
- and at least one component attached to said accessory arm for use as part of a utility station system.
4. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 wherein the supporting surface is the floor and the pole is vertical.
5. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising telescoping means to contract and extend the length of the pole.
6. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 4 further comprising a ceiling flange structure located at the second end.
7. A utility station pole assembly to fit into a span, wherein the span comprises a first surface and a second surface and space there between, wherein the pole is split into a first section having a first end and a second end and having a first circumference and a second section, having a first end and a second end and having a second circumference, wherein the second section is hollow with a longitudinal spring connecting the second end of the first section and first end of the second section, and the first circumference of the first section is smaller than the second circumference of the second section so the first section rides inside the second section so as to create an overall pole length that is greater than the span, and wherein the longitudinal spring fits inside the second section and the longitudinal spring can be compressed so as to reduce the overall length of the pole to fit into a span and then released to form a friction fit of the first end of the first section against the first surface of the span and the second end of the second section against the second surface of the span.
8. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 7 wherein a flange structure includes a plate, said plate is rigidly attached to the first section of the pole in an approximate perpendicular position to the pole and comprises mechanical means to rigidly attach said plate to one surface of the span for pole stabilization.
9. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 6 wherein the ceiling flange structure retains at least one light fixture for utility station illumination.
10. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 9 wherein the flange structure retains at least one light switch to switch the light fixture on and off.
11. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a at least one wall bracket mechanism consisting of a collar that is slidably attached to the pole, a bracket connected to said collar that projects radially from the pole and a plate connected to said bracket for mechanical attachment to a wall for pole stabilization.
12. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 10 wherein said bracket is hingedly attached to said collar.
13. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 10 wherein said bracket is rotatably attached to said collar.
14. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 10 wherein said bracket is rotatably attached to said plate.
15. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 wherein at least one accessory arm has a series of ball and socket joints located along the accessory arm for further accessory positioning.
16. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising at least one wiring clamp located on the pole for accessory wiring and communication cable management along the pole.
17. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising at least one wiring clamp located on at least one of the accessory arms for wiring and communication cable management from the accessory.
18. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 1 further comprising at least one electrically connected socket located on the pole for connection to an attached accessory.
19. A utility station pole assembly as in claim 17 wherein at least ones electrically connected socket is electrically connected to a centrally located power strip on the pole at a desired location.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2008
Inventor: Matthew Terry (Denver, CO)
Application Number: 11/820,076
International Classification: A47F 5/04 (20060101);