ADJUSTABLE DESK

Abstract

An adjustable desk comprising: a desk top; a first outer sidewall attached to the desk top; a second outer sidewall attached to the desk top; a first inner sidewall in slideable communication with the first outer sidewall; a second inner sidewall in slideable communication with the second outer sidewall; a first plurality of pairs of holes on the first outer sidewall, where each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first outer sidewall; a second plurality of pairs of holes on the first inner sidewall, where each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first inner sidewall; a third plurality of pairs of holes on the second outer sidewall, where each of the third plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second outer sidewall; a fourth plurality of pairs of holes on the second inner sidewall, where each of the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second inner sidewall; where the height of the desk top can be fixed by aligning a pair of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the second plurality of pairs of holes, and aligning a pair of holes form the third plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the fourth plurality of pairs of holes, and fastening the aligned pair of holes with a fastener that will attach the first outer sidewall to the first inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other, and will attach the second outer sidewall to the second inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other; and where the height of the desktop can be adjusted by changing which pairs of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes and the second plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener, and by changing which pairs of holes from the third plurality of pairs of holes and the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES

The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/556,351, entitled “ADJUSTABLE DESK”, filed on Nov. 7, 2011 by Peter T. Pfaff, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to desks and more particularly to a height adjustable desk.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally stand-alone desks and workstations have been configured for sitting. These desks often do not have height adjustments because users often change the height of their chair to fit the desk for their body makeup. Studies have shown that sitting all day is not good for a worker's health. Using a desk that requires a worker to stand has been shown to provide health benefits. With a desk that a user would stand at to work, the desk height should change with respect to different body types and heights. Conventional desks typically do not include height adjustment features that will allow the desks to be adjustably elevated to accommodate a standing worker. Further, while standup “work stations” and drafting tables exist that allow their users to stand, the size and use of such work stations is very limited, with a small work surface for special uses. There are custom made standing desks available to match a particular user's height, but they are usually expensive.

Therefore, there is a need for a desk that overcomes the above and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention relates to an adjustable desk comprising: a desk top; a first outer sidewall attached to the desk top; a second outer sidewall attached to the desk top; a first inner sidewall in slideable communication with the first outer sidewall; a second inner sidewall in slideable communication with the second outer sidewall; a first plurality of pairs of holes on the first outer sidewall, where each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first outer sidewall; a second plurality of pairs of holes on the first inner sidewall, where each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first inner sidewall; a third plurality of pairs of holes on the second outer sidewall, where each of the third plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second outer sidewall; a fourth plurality of pairs of holes on the second inner sidewall, where each of the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second inner sidewall; where the height of the desk top can be fixed by aligning a pair of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the second plurality of pairs of holes, and aligning a pair of holes form the third plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the fourth plurality of pairs of holes, and fastening the aligned pair of holes with a fastener that will attach the first outer sidewall to the first inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other, and will attach the second outer sidewall to the second inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other; and where the height of the desktop can be adjusted by changing which pairs of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes and the second plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener, and by changing which pairs of holes from the third plurality of pairs of holes and the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the desk;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the desk;

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the desk;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the desk from FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the desk with a support member;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the desk;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the desk from FIG. 6, at a different height;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the desk with two drawers; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting the height of the desk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the invention is an adjustable desk, where the desk height can be adjusted. In one embodiment the height may be adjusted for users varying height only using the desk for standing. In another embodiment, the desk may be adjustable for users to either sit at or stand, or sit with a higher chair or stool. FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the desk 10. The desk 10 comprises two (2) outer sidewalls 14, 18 and two (2) inner sidewalls 22, 26. In FIG. 1, outer sidewall 18 is generally not visible, but is on the outside of inner sidewall 26. The inner and outer sidewalls have sets of holes 30 that can be aligned, and depending on which set of holes are aligned, the height of the desk can be adjusted. Fasteners can be placed in the adjacent holes to lock the inner sidewall with respect to the outer sidewall. Any suitable fastener may be used, including but not limited to pegs, locking nuts, dowels, etc. Knock down fittings, and connector bolts may be used to control the height of sides as well as connect the sides together. In one embodiment the desk height can be adjusted from a suitable height for a very small person sitting at a desk to a desk height for a very tall person standing at the desk. In other embodiments, the desk height may be adjustable to be suitable for a short person to a tall person standing at the desk, depending on the height of the person standing at the desk. In one embodiment the height of the desk may range from about 33″ to about 44″. In other embodiments the height of the desk may range from about 20″ to about 60″. Due to the simplicity of design, the height adjustment is easy, you simply push and tilt the desk on its front side, so that the front of the desk (that is the side of the desk that usually faces away from the user and out towards people sitting in front of the desk) is laying on the floor, and then the fasteners can be removed from the sidewalls, and the sidewalls can be adjusted so that the desk will be of a different height, and then the fasteners can be reinstalled in the newly aligned holes. Then simply stand the desk upright again. FIG. 2 shows a slightly more angled view of the desk 10.

FIG. 3 shows a front view the desk 10. This view shows an optional adjustable shelf system 34. Shelf system 34 comprises a first side unit 38 and a second side unit 42. The side units 38, 42 may be configured to be bookcases, shelf units, or in/out boxes. There is a space 46 between the first and second side units 38, 42. Generally located in the space 46 is the adjustable shelf 50. The shelf 50 can be adjusted in height with respect to the first and second side units 38, 42. The shelf 50 may be adjusted and locked in place by any of a number of known adjustment means, including but not limited to: dowels and holes, a sliding bracket assembly, etc. The adjustable shelf system 34 may be used for many different uses. One use for the shelf system 34 may be to easily adjust the height of a computer monitor that can rest or be attached to the shelf 50 simply by raising or lowering the shelf 50. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the desk 10 and shelf system 34. The shelf system 34 may comprise a lower member 54 that can be attached to the desk 10. In one embodiment the shelf may use the shelf supports supplied by Woodworker's Supply Inc., 5604 Alameda Place NE, Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87113, catalog number 826-021, 7-¾″ “STEALTH” SHELF CLIP; catalog number 8 26-028, 9-¾″ “STEALTH” SHELF CLIP (webpage: http://woodworker.com/7-34-stealth-shelf-clip-mssu-826-021.asp?search=Shelf%20Support&searchmode=2). The stealth shelf clip uses a series of holes in the side supports and then there is a groove cut into the shelf itself so one can just put in the part and slide the shelf into place. Also, there may be connector bolts that tie in the two side pieces of the desk, In one embodiment, the height of the shelf may range from about 2″ to about 8″.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the disclosed desk 10. In this embodiment, there is a support member 58 that is attached to the two inner sidewalls 22, 26. The support member may provide additional stability to the desk, especially when the desk is adjusted to its full height.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the desk 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the desk is at its lowest height, h₁. In this embodiment, the highest pair of holes 30 (indicated by the darkened pair of holes) on the outer sidewall 18 are connected to the highest pair of holes 30 on the inner sidewall 26 (not visible in this view). The height h₁ may range from about 33 inches to about 20 inches.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the desk 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the desk is at its highest height, h₂. In this embodiment, the lowest pair of holes 30 (indicated by the darkened pair of holes) on the outer sidewall 18 are connected to the highest pair of holes 30 on the inner sidewall 26 (not visible in this view). The height h₂ may range from about 60 inches to about 44 inches.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the adjustable desk 10. In this embodiment, the desk 10 has two drawers 62 attached to the underside of the desk top 66.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the disclosed adjustable desk. At act 100, a user tilts the desk forward, until at act 104, the desk is laying on its front. At act 108 the user removes the fasteners from the holes in the sidewalls. At act 112, the user lines up a different pair of holes for the first outer sidewall and first inner sidewall. At act 116, the user lines up a corresponding set of holes in the second outer sidewall and second inner sidewall, such that the height of the desk top will generally be uniform on the left and right side of the desk. At act 120, the user attaches fasteners to the newly aligned pairs of holes in the sidewalls. At act 124, the user stands the desk back up. The desk will now be at a different height.

The disclosed invention has many advantages. The desk may be easily adjusted in height to allow a user to sit at the desk, or stand at the desk, or sit with a higher chair or stool. The ease of adjustment includes only requiring the aligning of pair of holes on the first inner sidewall with a pair of holes on the first outer sidewall, and aligning a pair of holes on the second inner sidewall with a pair of holes of the second outer sidewall. The desk may be further height adjustable to allow a tall or a short person to comfortably stand at and use the desk. The unit may be a full sized desk allowing for the necessary desk space for a standard office user, plus space for shelves and drawers for storage. Further, the desk may optionally have an adjustable shelf system that will provide for additional storage. In addition, the adjustable shelf system will allow a user to set his or her computer monitor on the adjustable shelf, and adjust the height of the shelf (and monitor) for superior ergonomic positioning. The adjustable monitor shelf provides more flexibility for the standing user in adjusting the height of the work surface and to where they would position the height of the monitor depending on body type. Further, the desk has a professional appearance, and may be used in business environment.

It should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable desk comprising:

a desk top;

a first outer sidewall attached to the desk top;

a second outer sidewall attached to the desk top;

a first inner sidewall in slideable communication with the first outer sidewall;

a second inner sidewall in slideable communication with the second outer sidewall;

a first plurality of pairs of holes on the first outer sidewall, wherein each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first outer sidewall;

a second plurality of pairs of holes on the first inner sidewall, wherein each of the first plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the first inner sidewall;

a third plurality of pairs of holes on the second outer sidewall, wherein each of the third plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second outer sidewall;

a fourth plurality of pairs of holes on the second inner sidewall, wherein each of the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are at different heights from the bottom of the second inner sidewall;

wherein the height of the desk top can be fixed by aligning a pair of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the second plurality of pairs of holes, and aligning a pair of holes form the third plurality of pairs of holes, with a pair of holes from the fourth plurality of pairs of holes, and fastening the aligned pair of holes with a fastener that will attach the first outer sidewall to the first inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other, and will attach the second outer sidewall to the second inner sidewall such that they will not slide with respect to each other;

and wherein the height of the desktop can be adjusted by changing which pairs of holes from the first plurality of pairs of holes and the second plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener, and by changing which pairs of holes from the third plurality of pairs of holes and the fourth plurality of pairs of holes are aligned and fastened with a fastener.

2. The adjustable desk of claim 1, wherein the height of the desk is adjustable from about 33 inches to about 44 inches.

3. The adjustable desk of claim 1, wherein the height of the desk is adjustable from about 20 inches to about 60 inches.

4. The adjustable desk of claim 1, further comprising a support member attached to the first inner sidewall and the second inner sidewall, wherein the support member provides stability to the desk.

5. The adjustable desk of claim 1, wherein to adjust the height of the desk, only four pairs of holes need to be aligned and fastened together.

6. The adjustable desk of claim 1, wherein the height of the desk is adjustable by about 1 and ½ inch increments.

7. The adjustable desk of claim 1, where the desk top is about 59 and a half inches wide and about 30 inches deep.

8. The adjustable desk of claim 1, further comprising at least one drawer attached to the underside of the desk top.

9. A method of adjusting the height of an adjustable desk, the method comprising:

tilting the desk forward;

laying the desk on its front;

removing fasteners from the holes in the sidewalls;

aligning a different pair of holes for a first outer sidewall and a first inner sidewall;

aligning a corresponding set of holes in the second outer sidewall and the second inner sidewall, such that the height of the desk top will generally be uniform on the left and right side of the desk;

attaching the fasteners to the newly aligned pairs of holes in the sidewalls; and

standing the desk back up.