POSTAL WORKSTATION

POSTE DE TRAVAIL POSTAL

English Abstract

A postal workstation for high volume computerized printing of labels, cards,
an
the like comprises a main support surface including a front portion and a rear
portion,
wherein the front portion includes an open cut-out region for a person to
stand within to
comfortably reach the rear portion, which is intended to support primary and
secondary
printers and a monitor mount. A worksurface pivotally connected to the support
surface
adjacent a lateral side of the cut-out region is movable between a working
position
wherein the worksurface covers the cut-out region and provides area for a
keyboard and
mouse, and a servicing position wherein said cut-out region is exposed for
facilitating
worker access to the rear portion of the main support surface for printer
maintenance. A
storage compartment adjacent an opposite lateral side of the cut-out region
has an
upwardly facing compartment opening covered by the worksurface when the
worksurface
is in a working position. The workstation further comprises an auxiliary
support surface
slidably mounted on the main support surface for travel along a path extending
between
the rear and front portions of the main support surface so that a secondary
printer
supported thereby can be easily accessed. A tray is supported for movement
between a
working position above the path of the auxiliary support surface, where it
receives output
from the secondary printer, and a servicing position removed from above the
path of the
auxiliary support surface so as not to block forward positioning of the
secondary printer.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A workstation comprising:
a main support surface including a front portion and a rear portion, said
front portion having an open cut-out region;
a worksurface pivotally connected to said support surface adjacent said
cut-out region, said worksurface being movable between a working position
wherein said worksurface substantially covers said cut-out region and a
servicing
position wherein said cut-out region is exposed for facilitating worker access
to
said rear portion of said main support surface; and
a monitor mount positioned on said rear portion of said main support
surface.
2. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein said worksurface is pivotal
about a horizontal pivot axis extending front to rear of said main support
surface.
3. A workstation according to claim 1, wherein said worksurface is elevated
relative to said main support surface when said worksurface is in said working
position.
4. A workstation according to claim 1, further comprising a storage
compartment on said front portion of said main support surface, said storage
compartment having an upwardly facing compartment opening.
5. A workstation according to claim 4, wherein said worksurface covers said
compartment opening when said worksurface is in said working position.
6. A workstation according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary
support surface slidably mounted on said main support surface for travel along
a
path extending between said rear portion and said front portion of said main
support surface.
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7. A workstation according to claim 6, further comprising a tray adjustably
connected to said worksurface, said tray being movable between a working
position wherein said tray is substantially horizontal and resides above said
path
of said auxiliary support surface and a servicing position wherein said tray
is
removed from residing above said path.
8. A workstation according to claim 6, further comprising a tray adjustably
connected to said storage compartment, said tray being movable between a
working position wherein said tray is substantially horizontal and resides
above
said path of said auxiliary support surface and a servicing position wherein
said
tray is removed from residing above said path.
9. A workstation comprising:
a main support surface including a front portion and a rear portion, said
front portion including an open cut-out region having first and second lateral
sides;
a worksurface pivotally connected to said support surface adjacent one of
said first and second lateral sides for rotation about a pivot axis extending
front to
rear of said main support surface, said worksurface being movable between a
working position wherein said worksurface substantially covers said cut-out
region and is elevated relative to said main support surface, and a servicing
position wherein said cut-out region is exposed for facilitating worker access
to
said rear portion of said main support surface;
a storage compartment adjacent another of said first and second lateral
sides, said storage compartment having an upwardly facing compartment opening
covered by said worksurface when said worksurface is in said working position;
an auxiliary support surface slidably mounted on said main support
surface for travel along a path extending between said rear portion and said
front
portion of said main support surface;
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a tray supported for movement between a working position wherein said
tray is substantially horizontal and resides above said path of said auxiliary
support surface and a servicing position wherein said tray is removed from
residing above said path; and
a monitor mount positioned on said rear portion of said main support
surface.
10. A workstation according to claim 9, wherein said path runs proximate to
said one of said first and second lateral sides, and said tray is pivotally
connected
to said worksurface.
11. A workstation according to claim 9, wherein said path runs proximate to
said another of said first and second lateral sides, and said tray is
pivotally
connected to said storage compartment.
9

Description

CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
577.988183
POSTAL WORKSTATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computerized workstations for printing
labels,
forms, and the like, and more particularly to a novel workstation suited for
use and
service of dual printers supported thereby.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, computerized postal workstations for printing labels, forms,
cards,
and the like have generally comprised a large table having sufficient surface
area to
support a computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and at least one attached printer
while
leaving space for collecting, sorting, and/or processing the printed output.
It is
commonplace in workstations of this type to find thermal printers dedicated to
high
volume use, and consequently it is necessary to restock such printers with
labels, cards,
etc., and to change printing ribbons or cartridges on a regular basis. In
workstations
comprising a large table-top, access to a primary and/or a secondary printer
is often
restricted, particularly if the printer is located at a rear portion of the
table and the rear
portion of the table abuts against a wall, and disruption of workstation
operation becomes
necessary to perform printer maintenance tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a workstation
for
high volume computerized printing and processing operations that offers
ergonomic
placement of computer components, as well as convenient location of both a
primary and
a secondary printer for receiving and processing output therefrom. It is a
related object of
the present invention to provide such a workstation wherein the primary and
secondary
printers are each readily accessible for changing ribbons, sheet stock, card
stock, labels,
etc., and for performing service and repair.

CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
A workstation formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention includes a main support surface elevated by a plurality of legs. The
main
support surface includes a rear portion and a front portion having an open cut-
out region
sized to receive a person, for example an operator or service technician, to
bring the rear
portion of the main support surface within the comfortable reach of such
person. A
worksurface is pivotally connected to the front portion of the main support
surface by a
hinge and normally resides in a horizontal working position to close the open
cut-out
region and simultaneously close an upwardly facing compartment opening of a
storage
compartment located adjacent to the cut-out region. The rear portion of the
main support
surface is intended to support a primary printer, a monitor mount, and a
secondary
printer, while the worksurface provides an area for a keyboard and mouse. The
worksurface pivots from its working position to a vertical servicing position
to enable an
operator or service technician to occupy the exposed cut-out region to
facilitate access to
the primary printer as needed. The secondary printer is situated atop an
auxiliary support
surface slidably mounted on the main support surface for movement between the
rear and
front portions of the main support surface, and a tray for receiving output
from the
secondary printer normally extends laterally from the worksurface to reside
above a
forward portion of the travel path of the auxiliary support surface. The tray
is pivotally
connected to the worksurface to allow it to be removed from above the travel
path so that
the auxiliary support surface and secondary printer can be slid forward to the
front
portion of the main support surface as needed.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the lateral positions of the
storage compartment and worksurface hinge are interchanged, and the tray is
pivotally
connected to the storage compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more
fully
described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments
taken with
the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
Fig. 1 is a top left perspective view of a workstation formed in accordance
with a
first embodiment of the present invention;
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CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
Fig. 2 is a top right perspective view of the workstation shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, however showing a worksurface of
the
workstation in a servicing position;
Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the workstation shown in Fig. 1, showing
adjustment of a tray of the workstation;
Fig. 5 is a partial top right perspective view showing use of the tray of the
workstation when the tray is in a working position;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, however illustrating forward
positioning
of a secondary printer by way of a slidable auxiliary support surface of the
workstation
with the tray in a servicing position; and
Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a workstation formed in accordance with
a
second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a workstation formed in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown and
identified
generally by the reference numeral 10. Workstation 10 is intended for use in
an
environment requiring computerized printing of labels, forms, and the like,
and
processing of these items in high volume. For example, workstation 10 is
suitable for use
in a postal facility or business mailroom. By way of illustration, workstation
10 supports
a computer monitor 12, a keyboard 14, a mouse 16, a primary thermal printer
18, and a
secondary thermal printer 20, all of which are connected to a computer (not
shown) in
well-known fashion.
Workstation 10 generally comprises a main support surface 22 elevated from the
floor by a plurality of legs 24, a worksurface 26, a storage compartment 28,
an auxiliary
support surface 30, a tray 32, and a monitor mount 34. Main support surface 22
includes
a front portion 22a and a rear portion 22b, with front portion 22a being
closer to an
operator than rear portion 22b. As shown in Fig. 1, primary printer 18,
monitor mount
34, monitor 12, auxiliary support surface 30, and secondary printer 20 are
normally
located on rear portion 22b.
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CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
Referring also now to Fig. 3, it can be seen that main support surface 22, and
more specifically front portion 22a thereof, includes an open cut-out region
36 with
spaced lateral sides 36a and 36b sized for an operator or service technician
to stand
within the cut-out region to facilitate access to equipment on rear portion
22b. Cut-out
region 36 enables the operator or service technician to stand close to primary
printer 18
for loading a printer ribbon and/or labels, and for performing maintenance and
repair
service. Primary printer 18 may be orientated such that its output is
collected on rear
portion 22b for further processing.
Worksurface 26 includes a right-angle side member 38 pivotally connected to
main support surface 22 adjacent lateral side 36b of cut-out region 36 by a
hinge 40
having a pivot axis that extends in a front to rear direction relative to main
support
surface 22. During normal printing operation at workstation 10, worksurface 26
is
moved to a horizontal working position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 such that it
covers cut-
out region 36 and provides an area to place computer input devices including
keyboard
14 and mouse 16. Side member 38 serves to elevate worksurface 26 relative to
main
support surface 22 for ergonomic reasons. A free side 42 of worksurface 26
opposite side
member 38 is supported by storage compartment 28, as will be described further
below,
when worksurface 26 is in a horizontal working position. If access to primary
printer 18
is desired, items on top of worksurface 26 may be removed and free side 42
lifted
upwardly to pivot worksurface 26 to an upright servicing position to open cut-
out region
36. As will be appreciated from Fig. 3, side member 38 provides a stable base
for
worksurface 26 when worksurface 26 is in an upright servicing position.
Storage compartment 28 is located adjacent the first lateral side 36a of cut-
out
region 36 and is preferably in the form of a rectangular box having a partial
lid 44
defining an upwardly facing compartment opening 46. Free side 42 of
worksurface 26
sits immediately adjacent to partial lid 44 when worksurface 26 is in a
horizontal working
position, such that compartment opening 46 is closed by an overlapping portion
of
worksurface 26. Storage compartment 28 can be used to store replacement
ribbons,
cartridges and labels for printers 18 and 20, as well as service tools and
maintenance
instructions for the printers.
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CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
Auxiliary support surface 30 is provided to support secondary printer 20 for
use
when primary printer 18 is out of order or otherwise unavailable, and is
slidably mounted
on main support surface 22 by way of telescoping or retracting parallel tracks
48
connected to main support surface 22 and the underside of auxiliary support
surface 30,
as can be seen in Fig. 6. Tracks 48 define a travel path between rear portion
22b and
front portion 22a of main support surface 22, whereby secondary printer 20 can
be moved
forward from rear portion 22b to front portion 22a to permit servicing and
regular
maintenance of secondary printer 20.
Attention is presently directed to Figs. 4-6, which depict tray 32 as being
pivotally connected to worksurface 26 near side member 38 by hinged cantilever
support
brackets 50. Tray 32 normally rests in a horizontal working position such that
it extends
laterally from worksurface 26 to reside above a forward portion of tracks 48.
As will be
understood by reference to Fig. 5, auxiliary support surface 30 and secondary
printer 20
carried thereby are positioned at a rearward portion of tracks 48 when
secondary printer
20 is in use, and tray 32 rests in a working position adjacent an output
feeder 52 of the
secondary printer to collect output from the secondary printer. If access to
secondary
printer 20 by the operator or a service technician becomes necessary, tray 32
may be
swung upward to a servicing position wherein it is removed from above tracks
48, as
shown in Fig. 6, and secondary printer can be slid forward on auxiliary
support surface
30. Tray 32 could also be mounted for laterally directed sliding motion into
and out of a
slot in worksurface 26 to accomplish selectable positioning of the tray above
tracks 48.
Monitor mount 34 is supported by rear portion 22b of main support surface 22
and is chosen to provide mounting capability for an ergonomic viewing
adjustment
mechanism, such as a retractable monitor stand or the like. Monitor mount 34
is situated
between primary printer 18 and secondary printer 20, and elevates a monitor
sufficiently
relative to main support surface 22 to give the operator an unimpeded line of
sight over
worksurface 26.
Referring once again to Fig. 1, workstation 10 preferably includes shelving 54
under main support surface 22 for storing the computer housing, supplies and
other items
used at the workstation.
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CA 02270622 1999-OS-03
Fig. 7 shows a workstation 10' formed in accordance with a second embodiment
of the present invention. Workstation 10' is similar to workstation 10 of the
first
embodiment, however storage compartment 28 is located proximate to lateral
side 36b of
cut-out region 36 and supports tray 32, while side member 38 and the hinged
connection
of worksurface 26 to main support surface 22 are located adjacent lateral side
36a of cut-
out region 36. Accordingly, worksurface 26 pivots counter-clockwise as viewed
in Fig. 7
to move from a working position to a servicing position. This embodiment has
the
advantage of allowing tray 32 to remain in a horizontal working position while
worksurface 26 is in a generally upright servicing position.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that an operator using a
workstation according to the present invention can sustain productivity even
when
primary printer 18 or secondary printer 20 is not operational. Moreover, a
workstation of
the present invention allows maintenance or repair of one printer while the
other printer is
in use. For instance, if primary printer 18 is not operational, a printing
command can be
redirected to secondary printer 20, any input devices can be temporarily
removed from
worksurface 26, and worksurface 26 can be pivoted to an upright servicing
position to
open storage compartment 28 and simultaneously expose cut-out region 36 for
facilitating access to the primary printer. By way of further example, if
secondary printer
is in need of maintenance or repair, tray 32 can be pivoted to an upright
servicing
20 position and secondary printer 20 moved forward along tracks 48 for easy
access thereto.
6

Representative Drawing