Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Code: 1754-70544
Ref. No.: 014314.0000
WO 9812550 PGTI>rP97106718
Work Table, specifically, ~omputcr Table
Description
The invention pertains to a work table, specifically a computer table, with a
table plate
provided with a viaw opening, said plate is attached to a table frame, with an
extendible
keyboard drawer and a pivot-mounted, large-size monitor located underneath the
table plate.
Work tables of this kind, in particular computer tables with, in general, a
horizontal table
plate, are known in various designs. For example, there arse work tables in
whose table plate a
view opening is supplied, which often is covered by a transparent glass pane.
Below the table
plate, namely in the base arcs surrounded by the table flame, there is a
monitor or video display
rigidly positioned, so that the operator seated at the work table will have
free view of the monitor
located under the table plate. In this case it is a severe disadvantage that
the monitor under the
table plate considerably restricts the foot space for the operator. rf the
operator wants to move as
near as possible to the front edge of the table plate of the work table, he
will not have sufficient
leg mom. Therefore, such tables are also of particularly low-height design. In
addition, the
optional, crgonomicatly favorable view angle range is dependent on the seated
position of the
operator, which of course cannot be attained due to the Iack of leg room.
Furthermore, the
transparent view-glass pane as a rule is positioned planar to the table plate
and is not coverablc.
When using the work table as writing table, this can result in scratching and
damage to the glass
pane.
Now there has been a sc~at~ch for solutions that will position the monitor
located under the
table plate in an opfimurn view angle range for the operatar when the monitor
is located
underneath the table plate of a work table or computer table. Pram EP 0 222
788 81 one such
video display table is known, in which the monitor can be moved or pivoted
beneath the table
plate in three dimensions. Due to complicated and expensive motor controls,
the monitor can be
moved both in the longitudinal direction and also in the transverse direction
into any position
desired by the user. In addition, the monitor, which is seated in a tripod
support-frame, can be
pivoted about a hori2ontal axis, so that the monitor can be adjusted
essentially to a position
acceptable for the user. However, a disadvantage here is the general
positioning of the monitor in
the immediate foot region of the user at the work table. Thus, larger persons
in particular have
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difficulties extending their legs under the table, and as a rule, a collision
of the legs, in particular
of the knee of the user with the frame supporting the monitor, will occur.
Another solution according to DE 42 39 045 A1 discloses a work table for
computers in
which the monitor can pivot by means of a pivot device about an axis parallel
to the video
display in a stowed and in a working position. In the working position the
video display is
located primarily above the working surface and in the stowed position beneath
the table plate.
But a disadvantage in this case is that depending on the weight of the
monitor, the monitor can
only be brought into its particular position by the exertion of significant
amounts of force. rn one
refinement of this design, a counter-balancing weight is used. Hut this has
the disadvantage that it
will have to be replaced, depending on the particular weight of the monitor.
In addition, the total
weight of the work table is increased enormously. Likewise, this design allows
only limited leg
space for the user when the monitor is in the stowed position.
Furthermore, from US-PS 5,651,594 a computer table is known for use with flat
monitors. In this case the flat monitor is placed into a working position by
means of a lever
linkage connected to the keyboard drawer, and the flat monitor will pivot from
a horizontal
position coincident with the plane of the table plate, into an inclined
position. During non-use of
the monitor and while pushing back the keyboard drawer, the monitor goes into
the stowed
position, and the top side of the monitor fits essentially flush with the
table plate.
LFS-PS 5, k99,T73 discloses a computer table with a table plate equipped with
closeable
opening, said table piste is attached to a table frame, with an extendible
keyboard drawer and a
- large-size monitor pivot mounted beneath the table plat. This monitor can
pivot by means of the
keyboard drawer from a stowed position directly underneath the closeable
opening into a
working position in which the monitor protrudes fmm the opening in the table
plate.
The purpose of the invention is to create a work table, specifically a
computer table of the
kind described above, which allows sufficient leg roots both in the working
position and also in
the stowed posiEion of a large-size monitor, and which in the working position
of the monitor
allows free visibility to the monitor for the user and which moreover is of
simple design, is low
in manufacturing cost and is easy to handle.
According to the invention, the problem is solved in that the monitor can
pivot by means
of a pivot device connected to the extractable keyboard drawer about a
horizontal axis through
operation of the keyboard drawer into a rear, stowed position essentially
perpendicular below the
table plate, and from this stowed position it can pivot into an inclined,
front working position.
Due to the direct linkage of the keyboard drawer with the pivot device holding
the monitor, in
every situation during the work of the user at the work table, optimum leg mom
will be ensured
As is known, the keyboard belonging to a computer is stowed in a drawer which
can be
shoved under the table plat of the work table when the keyboard is not in use,
so that this
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keyboard will not interfere during the continuing work of the user when the
user is not working
specifically on the computer. If the user intends to use the computer and thus
also the associated
monitor, he must pull the drawer out from the underside of the table plate in
order to be able to
use the keyboard located therein. This horizontal back and forth movement of
the keyboard
drawer is used to bring the monitor located on the pivot device, either into
its stowed position or
into its working position. Of course, the pivot device in this case is
designed so that the monitor
in its working position will ensure an optimum range of viewing angle far the
user who can view
the monitor through the view opening provided in the table plate. When pushing
the keyboard
drawer under the table plate, the monitor kocated on the pivot device will be
automatically
positioned in the direction of the back side of the work table in its stowed
position, so that leg
room for the user beneath the work table will be increased. After pushing in
the keyboard drawer,
of course, the user can move his chair nearer to the front edge of the table
plate of the work table
and thus move his legs farther under the work table. Due to the pivoted-back
monitor, the
reQuired leg mom will thus be made available. Conversely, when the user pulls
out the keyboard
drawer, he moves himself and his chair away from the front edge of the table
plate, so that the
monitor can pivot without hindrance into the now freed-up leg room.
According to one refinement of the invention, the pivot device is designed as
a
monitor-supporting profiled frame whose rear end is pivot mounted to the table
frame and whose
front end is connected by means of a guide rod to the keyboard drawer. The
profile frame
guarantees a low weight, so that the mass of the work table as a whole, can be
kept rctativoly
tow. Due to the attachment of the tear end of the profile frame to the table
frame, a horizontal
pivot axis is created for the profile frame and thus for the monitor, about
which it will pivot. A
simple rod connection makes it possible to initiate the pivot movement by
pulling out or pushing
in the keyboard drawer.
In one special design embodiment of the invented work table, the profiled
frame consists
of two spaced, essentially Z-shaped side parts which arc connected to each
other by at least two
transverse supports, where the free end of the lower rear Ieg of each Z-shaped
side part is
supported by mear~ of a tipping clement to the table frame and the free end of
the upper, front
leg of each Z-shaped side part is pivot-mounted to the end of a guide rod
distant from the
keyboard. drawer. In this case, a simple profiled frame is created which is
easy to manufacture in
large quantities and due to the transverse support and the Z-shaped side
pacts, it has the sole
purpose of holding the usually relatively heavy monitor and creating a
connection via the guide
rod to the keyboard drawer. Tn this regard it is sufficient if the underside
of the monitor rests
upon the front transverse support and the back silo of the monitor at the rear
transverse support,
so that the monitor will trove itself into this position due to its inherent
weight, and specifically
both in the stowed position as well as in the working position.
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In another refinement of the idea of the invention, the free ends of the
lower, rear legs of
the two Z-shaped side parts are additionally connected to each other by a
transverse strip which is
connected to the table frame by means of the tipping element. The tipping
element attached to the
transverse strip is designed preferably as a hinge. For example, two mutually
spaced hinges can
be attached to the table frame on one side, and to the transverse strip on the
other side, or a hinge
strip can be provided.
In order to ensure the stability of the pivot device as a whole, the points of
intersection of
the one Z-shaped side part are connected by means of the transverse support of
the profiled frame
to the particular, corresponding points of intersection of the other Z-shaped
side part, whereby
the points of intersection represent the connecting points between the
particular, free legs and the
intermediate leg of each Z-shaped side part. The stability of the pivot device
will be additionally
increased in that at least the particular, upper, front points of intersection
of the Z-shaped side
parts feature a piece of reinforcing sheet metal. These pieces of reinforcing
sheet metal ate
welded preferably between each free leg and the intermediate leg of the Z-
shaped side part.
Of course, it is possible to use monitors of differing design, manufacturer
and size.
Specifically in the stowed position of the monitor, under sonic circumstances
it may happen that
the monitor will not be pmpcrly liked is the pivot device or in the profiled
frame. For this
reason, the monitor can be locked in place with a length-adjustable or elastic
belt attached to the
profiled frame. The belt thus surrounds the housing of the monitor and
provides it with sufficient
support on the profiled frame. Thus, the monitor can remain upright in the
stowed position
without becoming detached from the profiled frame. Due to the elasticity or
length-adjustability
of the belt, specific adjustment to the monitor is possible.
The very differing designs of the monitors to be placed under the table plate
of the work
table can be taken into account in that the lower, rear legs of the two Z-
shaped side parts are of
height-adjustable design. This can take place in a simple manner such that the
Iower near leg of
the Z-shaped side parts is each inserted into a casing provided at the table
frame and they can be
locked at a particular height by means of a screw connection.
In order that operating personnel of differing size can always find an optimum
range of
viewing angle to the monitor, in another refinement of the invention, the
table frame is of
height-adjustable design. In this case, so-called elevating tables are already
sufficiently
well-known. Work tables can also be used whose upright longitudinal posts are
height-adjustable
by rt'reans of a screw connection or by means of a threaded spindle
connection.
Td prevent abrupt pivot movements of the monitor placed upon the profiled
frame, for
example, in case of an impact in its front or back tipped position, at least
one of the lower rear
legs of the Z-shaped side parts is engaged with a damping device provided on
the table frame.
Preferably, the damping device is designed as an adjustable, lifting cylinder.
Thus, a more or less
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gentle pivot movement is achieved, without hard end-stops of the profiled
frame, and harmful
shaking of the monitor is prevented.
To limit the front working position and the rear stowed position, the pivot
device features
in the lower rear region, an adjustable stop device for adjusting a front
tipped position and/or a
stop for the rear, tipped position of the profiled frame. The stop device for
the working position
can be preferably a rotary screw spindle which is provided with a rotary knob
and which cart turn,
for example, in a supplemental transverse strip provided with a corresponding
threading, and
whose front end is braced against the table frame. For this purpose, the table
frartre can be
provided in this region with a transverse beam, for example. Likewise, the
stop for the stowed
position of the profiled frame can be attached by welding tv the table frame
or to the mentioned
transverse beam, whereby one free end of this stop is behind the supplemental
transverse strip of
the profiled frame.
Preferably, the one end of the guide rod is connected to one rotary joint
attached to the
underside of the keyboard drawer. Thus, the rotary movement of the guide rod
relative to the
profiled frame will be assured. Due to the attachment of the rotary joint
underneath the keyboard
drawer it is possible to support it laterally in the table frame and to guide
it therein during an
extension or insertion movement.
In order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances between the profiled frame
arid the
guide rod components and to allow a certain degree of spring-suspension in the
particular
position of the monitor, the end of the guide rod distant from the keyboard
drawer, or the end
near the keyboard drawer, features an elongated holy into which the free end
of the upper, front
leg of the corresponding Z-shaped side part is introduced.
In addition, the invention provides that the guide rod is seated on one and to
the silo,
beneath the keyboard drawer, at~d on the other end against the associated,
Z"shapcd side part.
Thus, the guide and is located at a sufficient distance to the side from the
legs of the user, so that
the user cannot collide with the guide rod. Furthermore, a disturbance-free
and unhindered pivot
motion of the profiled frame will be assured.
In order to obtain a planar table plate throughout, which cart be used without
restrictions
just like a standard writing table plate, the view opening in the table plate
is covered with a
transparent covering plate. rn order that interfering light effects cannot
adversely affect the
optimum viewing of the monitor, the cover plate, in turn, is covered with a
light screen or plate
open in the viewing direction of the user. This light screen or plate darkens
the viewing region to
the video display of the monitor in an optimum manner, so that the information
displayed thereon
is easy to see.
In addition, the invention provides that the side turned away from the user,
and possibly
also the side regions of the table frame, arc covered by a plate lining
attached to the table frame.
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These plate linings prevent not only an open view of the leg region of the
user, and possibly also
prevent draft air from blowing onto the leg region of the user, but they can
also support a device
connecting unit. However, this device connecting unit can be located on the
table frame itself. In
addition, it is expedient to place a device frame on the table frame. For
example, a computer unit
allocated to the monitor can be stationed directly on the table frame of the
working table and he
connected to the monitor.
It is additionally an advantage for the profiled frame and the table frame to
be
manufactured from metal prof lee, since these are in general very stable and
can handle a large
monitor weight. In addition, profiled frames of this kind are easy to
manufacture and handle.
Finally, to ensure a local mobility of the working table, the invention
provides that the
table frame has rolling foot elements at its lower comer points.
It is also self-evident that the properties stated above and those to be
discussed in detail
below can be applied not only in the combinations stated, but also in other
combinations or as
stand-alone features, without leaving the framework of the present invention.
The idea underlying the invention will be explained in greater detail in the
text below,
based on one design example which is illustrated in the figures. ~Ve have:
Figure 1 a side view of the invented work table,
Figure 2 an enlarged detail Z of the work table according to Figure 1,
Figure 3 a schematic, side view (partial cut-away) of the region of the view
opening in the
table plate when closed,
Figure 4 a view of the region of the view opening in the table plate in the
half opened state
from Figure 3,
Figure 5 a view of the region of the view opening in the table plate in the
opened state from
Figure 3, and
Figure 6 another view of the region of the view opening in the table plate in
the
half-opened state according to Figure 3.
'r'he work table 1 designed as computer table consists essentially of a table
frame 2, which
features ugper and lower side supports 3, which are connected to each other by
a perpendicular
post 4. In addition, the sides of the table frame 2 are connected to each
other by means of a
transverse beam 5. A table plate 6 is attached to the table frame 2; this
plate features a view
opening ~' in its front region. The view opening 7 is covered by a transparent
covering 8,
preferably of glass. rn addition, the view opening 7 is surrounded by a light
screen 9, which is
open in the direction of a viewing angle range x0 for the user, as represented
by dash-dot-dash
lines.
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In the upper supports 3 beneath the table plate 6 there is a keyboard drawer
11 on which a
keyboard 12 is stowed in a computer unit (not illustrated) which can be
attached to the table
frame 2. This keyboard drawer I 1 call be pushed in or pulled out in the
direction of the double
arrow A underneath the table plate 6.
The lower supports 3 of the table frame 2 each feature a rolling foot element
(illustrated
schematically) at their corner points. Furthermore, a plate lining x4 is
attached to the table frame
2 at the back side of the work table 1. The work table 1 is also composed of a
device connection
15 to which the computer unit, for instance, can be connected.
In the foot region beneath the table plate 6 of the work table 1, there is a
pivot device lb
which holds a monitor 17 connected to the computer unit. The pivot device 16
is formed by a
profiled frame 18. This profiled franne 18 consists of two Z-shaped side parts
19 positioned to the
side of the work table i. Each of these Z-shaped side parts 19 consists of a
lower, rear Ieg 20, one
upper, front leg 21 and one intermediate leg 22 connecting them. The
particular points of
intersection of connection of the legs 20 and 21 with the intermediate leg 22
of the two mutually
opposing Z~-shaped side parts 19, are each connected together by a transverse
support 23 and 24.
To stabilize the profiled frame 18, a reinforcing sheet metal plate 25 is
welded at the point of
intersection or connection between the upper, front leg 21 and the
intermediate leg 22.
The monitor i7 is seated in the profiled frame I8 in such a manner that the
underside of
the monitor 17 rests upon the front transverse support 24 and the back side of
the monitor I7
rests on the rear transverse support 23. In addition, the monitor 17 is
attached by a belt 26
- mounted to the prof le frame 18, which belt runs around the housing of the
monitor 1?. The belt
26 features a snap connector 27 so that the belt 16 [sic; 26] can be detached
from the monitor 17
or its length can be adjusted. '
The free end of the upper, front leg 21 of the Z-shaped side part I9 of the
profiled frame
18 is attached so that it can slide on a guide rod 28. The guide rod 28
features an elongated hole
29 at the cornesponding, free end, in which a pin 30 formed on the leg 21 can
slide. The other end
of the guide rod 28 is attached to a pivot joint 31 located at the underside
of the keyboard drawer
1 I. By means of a push-in or pull-out movement of the keyboard drawer 1I in
the direction of
the double arrow A, the guide and 28 pushes or pulls the upper front leg 21,
with a certain
tolerance, through the elongated hole 29 and thus the entire profiled frame 18
in a pivot motion
according to the double arrow H about a horizontal axis 32 in the lower region
of the table frame
2. In the extended state of the keyboard drawer 11, the monitor 17 indicated
by solid lines moves
into the working position L In the closed state of the keyboard drawer 11,
however, the monitor
17 moves over into its stowed position it, whereby the monitor 17 and the
profiled frame 18 are
indicated by the dashed line.
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The lower, rear leg 20 of the Z-shaped side part 19 of the profiled frame 18
is engaged
with an adjustable tuba 33 holding the leg 20. The leg 2U is height-adjustable
in the tube 33
according to the indicated, double arrow, and is locked in place by an
adjusting screw 34, in
order to lock differing monitor sizes in the profiled frame 18.1n addition, a
support arm 35 is
attached to the table frame 4; the damping device 36 designed as elevating
cylinder is connected
to the tube 33 holding the leg 20 of the profiled frame 18. This tube is
preferably an oil damper
whose oil pressure can be manually adjusted. This pressure is eased for
damping the motion and
as a stop for the particular tipped settings I or It.
The lower, rear legs 20 of the Z-shaped side parts 19 are additionally
connected to each
other by a transverse strip 37. The transverse strip 37 itself is connected by
means of a tipping
element 39 designed ss hinge 38, in which the horizontal tipping axis 32 runs
to pivot the
profiled frame 18, foldingly combine with the transverse beam 5 of the table
frame 2. In addition,
a threaded stop 40 is provided for the transverse strip 37 with this stop
braced against the
transverse beam 5 of the table frame 2. In addition, the stop 40 contains a
rotary knob 41 that is
used to adjust the stop 44 to limit the fo~rard tipping motion (working
position 1].
An additional stop 42 is welded to the transverse beam 5 of the table frame 2.
The
opposing, not welded end 43 of the stop 42 fits behind the transverse strip 37
located on the
profiled frame 18 and forms a movement limner for the stowed position II of
the profiled frame
18 supporting the monitor I7. Finally, there is a retaining plate 44 at the
profiled frame 18
beneath the underside of the monitor 1? for additional support of the mount of
the monitor 17 in
the profiled frame 18.
In Figures 3 to 6 we see the region of the view opening 7 in the table plate
6. In the view
opening 7 the transparent cover plate 8--preferably a pane of glass--is
instahed at an offset. A
light screen or plate 9 made of plastic covers the cover plate 8 and in its
region covering the
cover plate 8, it has a thickness which corresponds to the distance between
the top side of the
cover plate 8 and the top side of the table plate 6. The tight shield 9 has
two mutually connected
angles 45 and 45 at its rear longitudinal edge and they hold the light acr~een
9. The rear angle 46
(as seen by the user) is articulated to a first hinge 47 which, in turn, is
connected to an actuating
lever 48 running perpendicular under the table plate 6. At the back side of
the actuating lever 48
there is an additional hinge 49 which is connected to the rear fr~ce edge in
the view opening 7 of
the table plate 6.
The actuating lever 48 extending perpcndicutar under the table plate 6 is
equipped with a
guide roller 50. In the stowed position, that is, with the cover plate 8
covered by the light screen
9, the guide roller 50 rests upon the surface of the pushed in keyboard drawer
I 1 or on an
actuating rocker arrn (not illustrated). The actuating lever 48 is also
connected to a pull spring 51
whose other end is securely attached to the table frame 1.
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9
In the closed state of the Iight screen 9 according to Figure 3, the guide
roller 50 rests
upon the keyboard drawer 11. due to the inherent weight of the light screen 9,
the pull spring 51
is under maximum tension. Now if the keyboard drawer 11 is pulled out in the
direction of the
arrow forward toward the user, that the guide roller 50 disengages from the
keyboard drawer 11,
as is shown in Figure 4. Since the keyboard drawer 11 is moved away from the
guide roller S0,
the tensile force of the pull spring 51 causes a folding of the light screen 9
in the direction of the
arrow about the second, rear hinge joint 49. Thus, the transparent cover plate
8 is initially partly
released. In this state, the light screen 9 can be manually folded fully away
from the user toward
the rear in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, so that the view opening 7
and thus the
transparent cover plate $ are fully released. Because the opening width of the
hinge 49 is limited
by the relaxation path of the pull spring 51, the hinge 47 also opens up, so
that the light screen 9
can be pivoted 180°, without any hindrance occurring. The keyboard
drawer I1 is then in the
extended state, and the work table 1 can lx used as a computer table. The
keyboard located on
the keyboard drawer 11 is now readily accessible and operable and the view
opening 7 in the
table plate 6 is released for viewing of the monitor located underneath.
Figure 6 shows the state of the region of the view opening 7 in which the
keyboard
drawer 11 has been pushed back into its initial position according to Figure
1. Thus the guide
taller 50 again comes into contact with the surface of the keyboard drawer 11,
while at the same
time, the pull spring 51 is fully tensiotaed. If for any reason a foreign
object 52 is located between
the transparent cover plate 8 and the folded back light screen 9, although the
roar hinge 49 will
indeed fully fold up, the front hinge 47 prevents the light screen 9 from
folding down. Thus, any
damage to or destruction of the actuating rt~echanism will be prevented, even
though the
keyboard drawer 11 has been fully pushed in again. After removal of the
foreign object, the light
screen 9 can be manually returned to its closed state.
List
of
Reference
l~Iumbers
1 Work labia
2 Table frame
3 Support
4 Post
Transverse beam
5 Table plate
7 View opening
8 Cover plate
9 Light screen
or plate
View angle range
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11 Keyboard drawer
12 Keyboard
13 Foot element '
14 Plate lining
Device connection
16 Pivot device
17 Monitor
18 Profiled frame
19 Side part
Lower, rear leg
21 Upper, front leg
22 Intermediate leg
23 Transverse support
24 'Transverse support
Reinforcing sheet metal plate
26 Eelt
27 Snap connector
28 Guide rod
29 Elongated hole
Pin
31 Pivot joint
32 Horizontal axis
33 Tube
34 Locking device
Support arm
36 Damping device
37 Transverse strip
38 Hinge
39 Tipping element
4.0 Stop
41 Rotary la~ob
42 Stop
43 Fnd
44 Retaining plate
Angle
46 Angle
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