Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title
An ergonomic monitor support device.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to supporting monitors, including VDUs,
television and
video monitors and notebook and laptop computers. In particular, the present
invention
is related to a universal standards based adjustable ergonomic monitor
support/security
device designed to house at least part of a monitor beneath the surface of a
desk or
worktop and present it at the optimum viewing angle and distance to the user.
Background to the Invention
Computer displays and monitors have traditionally been mounted on the surface
of a
desk or work station, and are typically positioned either at eye level or
within 10 to 20
degrees below horizontal eye level. The accompanying mouse and keyboard are
traditionally also located and used on the desk surface. However, it has been
found that
these arrangements are ergonomically sub-optimal. Neck, shoulder and eye
strain can
occur with use of such arrangements over an extended period. The most
naturally
comfortable position to review material, such as reading material or
information
displayed on a VDU is looking down at an angle of between 10 degrees and 40
degrees
from the horizontal from a distance of between 600 and 900mm (ISO 11064 Part
4:2004). The eyes naturally accommodate this with minimal head movement. The
current practice of mounting monitors on desks can cause undue stress and
strain on the
neck, shoulders and eyes. Touch typists in particular regularly switch their
line of sight
between a keyboard, working papers and the screen. It is desirable to have all
three of
these views to fall within a single plane or line of sight.
Initial attempts to overcome these problems ameliorated some of the drawbacks,
but still
required the user to look up at the screen. For example, lowering the desk
height to
accommodate the keyboard and mouse resulted in the desktop being too low for
comfortable use, writing, reading, etc.
For example, DE4240349 discloses an ergonomically efficient keyboard for use
with
computer terminals, wherein the keyboard is set beneath the level of the
surface of a
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work desk on which the computer monitor is located. A problem with this
arrangement
is that the keyboard is not at the correct height for optimal typing and the
viewing angle
of the VDU is not addressed.
There are a number of solutions to the problem that rely on embedding the
monitor or
display within the desk.
US5120117 relates to a preformed platform for assembly into a cut-out section
of a
work table or counter to support a computer keyboard and monitor according to
accepted ergonomic principles. The base of the keyboard is supported at a
level below
the ordinary desk height so as to allow typing to be done with the wrists
substantially
level and straight. A wrist support bar is provided to support the wrists and
reduce wrist
strain. The monitor and the keyboard are positioned with their operative
centres at
similar heights from the floor and at similar distances from the operator for
optimum
operator comfort and efficiency. This system is limited for use and security
with CRT
monitors. Furthermore, an additional problem with this system is that if the
monitor is
moved and/or changed, the critical angle may not be reset, as the system does
not offer a
full range of adjustments. The working desk height is also difficult to
achieve, and the
system cannot be retrofitted to a desk.
DE4225662 discloses a work desk with a frame that supports a main desk panel
and at
the rear is an upstand that has a glass front panel. Within the main body of
the upstand is
a computer monitor that is supported on a carriage. The carriage is mounted on
a
vertical column that allows the height and angle of inclination to be
adjusted. The
carriage may also be positioned horizontally by moving along a guide that
consists of
two profiled section rails. This system is limited to use with CRT monitors
and requires
a large and cumbersome purpose built desk. Furthermore, the monitor screen
remains
positioned substantially on top of the working surface of the desk, and could
easily be
used at the wrong angle.
FR2774571 discloses an arrangement where the computer monitor is held under
the
work surface by a support made of fabric. The sides of this are fixed to
tubular frames
that are articulated on two bars that are fixed under the work surface. One
frame is held
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in slots in the back of the bars and the other frame is held in hooks in the
front of the
bars. A problem with this arrangement is that the fabric does not allow for
air
circulation, and as a result, overheating of the computer monitor may occur.
Furthermore, the fabric is not designed to securely hold the monitor at any
particular or
correct angle. Again, this arrangement is limited to use with CRT monitors. It
is well
known that a health and safety aspect is involved with the lifting of CRT
monitor which
are heavy in weight. Retrofitting is not possible with this system either.
CH686022 discloses a desk with a number of different support surfaces for
receiving the
various components of a personal computer, e.g. the keyboard, the monitor and
the
processor. The monitor is supported by a surface which is angled rearwards and
downwards, behind the front support surface for the computer keyboard, so that
the
monitor screen is visible to the keyboard operator without further movement of
the
head. However, the arrangement requires that the desk surface be interrupted
to
accommodate the top of the monitor. The resultant loss of available work space
on the
desk surface is undesirable. Furthermore, the system is not adaptable for use
with
varying monitor sizes or types. Further problems include its unsuitability for
retrofitting
and poor security.
US4,207,405 and US 6,796,536, as well as US registered designs Des 430,165,
Des430,570, and US design application 29/205,730 all relate to free-standing
supports
suitable for supporting a monitor at an angle.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention there is provided an monitor support device
incorporating a
desk attachment and monitor mounting means enabling a monitor to be mounted at
least
partially beneath an aperture in a desktop so as to be viewable through said
aperture.
The monitor support device of the invention may be used with specially
designed desks
or worktops or may be easily, quickly and securely retrofitted to existing
desks,
worktops, tables, workstations or the like. The ease and speed at which the
device can
be fitted to any desk or the like is one of the many advantages of the
invention. Once
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fitted, the device enables a monitor to be mounted securely and quickly. It is
very easy
for a monitor to be both mounted on and removed from the device. It is also
possible to
securely lock a monitor to the device, which is a big advantage in terms of
security.
The monitor mounting means is preferably adapted to position a monitor mounted
thereon at a fixed predetermined angle relative to the desktop.
Preferably the desk attachment is mountable on the underside of a desktop or
on the
back wall of a desk.
The monitor mounting means enables a monitor to be securely mounted to a desk.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention the monitor mounting
means
comprises a monitor bracket for supporting a monitor, and a spacer arm member
for
maintaining the monitor at said fixed angle, wherein said monitor bracket is
releasably
engageable to said spacer arm member. Preferably the spacer arm member
comprises
means for attachment to said desk attachment.
The monitor support device preferably further comprises fastening means for
releasably
fixing said monitor bracket to said spacer arm member. The monitor bracket may
comprise at least one bolthole and said fastening means may be bolts.
Preferably, the
spacer arm member comprises at least one elongate slot along its longitudinal
axis
through which a bolt may be received to secure said monitor bracket onto said
spacer
arm member.
Preferably the monitor bracket comprises at least two bolt holes and said
spacer arm
member comprises at least one pair of parallel elongate slots, said elongate
slots having
a relative spacing matching that of the bolt holes of the monitor bracket to
enable a pair
of bolt holes to cooperate with a pair of elongate slots.
Preferably the space arm member permits a translation of a monitor mounted
thereon
relative to the desk, the translation having a horizontal component and a
vertical
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component. It will be appreciated that said translation enables a monitor to
be fully or
partially submerged beneath a desktop.
According to one aspect of the invention, the monitor bracket is adapted for
attachment
5 to a flat panel monitor. The monitor bracket may be adaptable to fit any
size of flat
panel monitor. The monitor bracket may comprise means for attachment to the
back of a
flat panel monitor. Preferably the means for attachment to the back of a flat
panel
monitor is adapted to be cooperate with standard mounting arrangements found
on the
back of standard flat panel monitors. The means for attachment to the back of
a flat
panel monitor preferably comprises a substantially X-shaped plate receivable
into a
square or rectangular recess in the back of a flat panel monitor. Preferably
the
substantially X-shaped plate has four corner extensions, each extension having
a
frangible removable end portion, the removal of which decreases the size of
the X-shape
plate. Preferably each corner extension is provided with a bolt hole for
cooperation with
a corresponding bolt hole on the back of a flat panel monitor.
In addition to the X-shaped plate, the flat panel monitor bracket preferably
further
comprises a spacer arm engaging plate incorporating the monitor bracket's bolt
holes
for cooperation with a pair of elongate slots in the spacer arm member.
Preferably the X-shaped plate is attachable to a monitor when in any
orientation. This
allows the spacer arm engaging plate to protrude from the base, side or top of
the
monitor. It will be appreciated that each orientation of the spacer arm
engaging plate
results in a different position of the monitor relative to the spacer arm
member, and
subsequently to the desk attachment. This allows the monitor to remain
centrally
positioned under or through the desk aperture irrespective of the position of
the desk
attachment relative to the aperture.
According to another aspect of the invention, the monitor bracket is a laptop
computer
cradle. Preferably said lap top computer cradle comprises a base portion for
supporting
the base of a laptop and a rear portion for supporting the screen portion of a
laptop in its
open configuration. The base portion of the cradle may comprise an external
raised lip
to securely maintain a laptop on the base portion. Preferably the lap top
computer cradle
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comprises at least one ventilation hole. The lap top computer cradle may
comprise at
least one cable aperture to accommodate at least one laptop cable. The lap top
computer
cradle may be adapted to receive a laptop security strap.
In this embodiment, the bracket's bolt holes for cooperation with a pair of
elongate slots
in the spacer arm member are provided in the rear portion (back plate) of the
cradle.
The invention further provides a desk adapted for use with the monitor support
device
of the invention, the desk comprising a desktop. The desk may be any size. The
desk
preferably comprises an aperture in its desktop through which a monitor
mounted within
the monitor support device is visible. Preferably said aperture comprises at
least one
removable pane of clear glass. The glass is preferably reinforced.
Alternatively the aperture may comprise at least one removable opaque panel.
The desk may be adapted for a left or right-handed user, wherein an aperture
is provided
either on the left or right side of the desk.
In alternative embodiments, the entire desk surface may be clear to enable the
user to
view a monitor mounted thereunder. A glass or clear plastic such as Perspex TM
surface
may be used. There may be an aperture in this surface to enable a monitor to
be semi-
submerged.
Preferably the desk further comprises a slidable keyboard tray mounted beneath
the
desktop. The keyboard tray enables a keyboard to be positioned below the desk
surface.
The keyboard tray preferably is provided with an adjustable mounting system
such as
slide rails for mounting the keyboard tray beneath the desktop. Preferably the
keyboard
tray is height adjustable relative to the desktop. Further still, the keyboard
tray is
preferably slidable towards and away from the desk to achieve a optimum typing
position for the user. In accordance with one embodiment of desk, the keyboard
tray is
approximately 71 lmm in length, 254mm in width, with a thickness of
approximately
18mm. An ant-eject system may be provided for the keyboard tray.
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The desk may further comprise a central processing unit, CPU, bracket for
supporting a
CPU. The bracket may be adjustable. The adjustable CPU may be attachable to
one of
the side panels of the desk and comprise a base portion on which the CPU sits.
The
bracket may take the form of a shelf, holding the CPU a short distance off the
underlying floor. The bracket is preferably adjustable to accommodate
different sizes of
CPU.
Locking means may also be provided for locking the monitor to the monitor
support
and/or desk assembly.
A monitor security strap may additionally be provided to support a monitor
relative to
the desk. The strap is preferably secured at each end to the underside of the
desk
adjacent each side of the aperture. The central portion of the strap
preferably passes
between the rear of the monitor and the monitor bracket. The monitor security
strap
provides additional support for the monitor and is particularly useful with
heavy
monitors.
The desk may be static or may alternatively be movable. The desk preferably
comprises
at least two wheels for movement of the desk, to enable the desk to be rolled
across an
underlying surface. In one embodiment, wheels are provided only at the rear of
the desk
so that the desk may be moved by slightly raising the front of the desk
(adjacent the
user) while manoeuvring the desk into position. The wheels may be provided on
a frame
on which the desk sits. Four wheels may be provided on such a frame. The
wheels are
preferably heavy duty wheels. Locking means may be provided on the wheels.
A lockable security panel may also be provided for the front of the desk to
prevent
unauthorised access to the underside of the desk.
Anti-reflection means such as an anti-reflection hood may further be provided.
The invention further provides a kit incorporating a monitor support device
according to
the invention. The kit may also comprise fixtures and fittings required to fit
the device
to a desk or similar structure. It will be appreciated that the monitor
support device may
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be retrofitted to any desk-like structure or may be used with a pre-prepared
desk or
desk-like structure.
The monitor support device of the invention may be provided with an adapted
desktop
alone, a desktop and set of legs, or with mobile desking or desk modules. If
existing
desks are too low, risers may be used to raise the desktop.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in
which:
Figure 1 depicts a desk incorporating one embodiment of monitor support device
of the
invention, with a monitor in a fully submerged position beneath the desk.
Figure 2 is a side view of the desk of figure 1 showing the monitor support
device in use
on the underside of the desk.
Figure 3 is a base view of the desk of figure 1.
Figure 4 depicts the monitor support device from the desk in figures 1 to 3
with its
monitor support inverted.
Figure 5 depicts the monitor support device of figure 4 with its monitor
support in an
uppermost position.
Figure 6 depicts a desk incorporating the monitor support device of figure 5,
with a
monitor semi submerged through a hole in the desk.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the desk of figure 6.
Figure 8 depicts a desk attachment according to one embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 9 depicts the underside of the desk attachment of figure 8.
Figure 10 depicts an spacer arm member according to one embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 11 depicts the underside of the desk attachment of figure 10.
Figure 12 depicts a monitor support device according to one embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 13 depicts the underside of the monitor support device of figure 12.
Figure 14 depicts the monitor support device of figure 4 in a further set up
with its
monitor support in a sideways orientation.
Figure 15 depicts the support of figure 14 with its monitor support inverted.
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Figure 16 depicts an alternative embodiment of monitor support device adapted
to
support a lap top computer in its open configuration.
Figure 17 is a reverse view of the monitor support device of figure 16.
Figure 18 is a front perspective view of the laptop cradle of figure 16.
Figure 19 is a back perspective view of the laptop cradle of figure 16.
Figure 20 is an alternative embodiment of monitor support device of the
invention for
attachment to a rear wall of a desk.
Figure 21 depicts an alternative embodiment of spacer arm member according to
one
embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
The present invention provides an adjustable ergonomic monitor support device
adapted
to house a monitor securely and at the correct angle beneath the surface of a
desk.
Figure 1 shows a desk incorporating a monitor support device according to the
invention. As shown, the monitor support device allows a monitor, in this case
a flat
panel monitor, to be supported beneath the working surface of a desk, the
screen of the
monitor being visible through an aperture provided in the desk's upper
surface. The
monitor support device enables the monitor to be presented at the optimum
viewing
angle and distance for the user.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the monitor support device has a desk attachment
10
shown affixed to the underside of the desk, a monitor bracket shown affixed to
the back
of a monitor, and a third component, a spacer arm member linking the desk
attachment
and the monitor bracket. The resultant monitor support device combination
permits the
monitor to be in effect suspended and locked beneath the desktop.
Figure 4 shows the assembled support arrangment from Figure 2 in greater
detail. Desk
attachment 10 is securable to the underside of a desktop by way of screw holes
13.
Spacer arm member 20 comprises a desk mounting plate 21 connected to an
inclined
slotted plate 22. The desk mounting plate 21 is slidably receivable within
desk
attachment 10 by way of corresponding flanges 15 on the underside of desk
attachment
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10. Finally, monitor bracket 30 is a flat panel monitor bracket having a
spacer arm-
engaging plate 31 connected to a monitor mount 33 via an intermediate portion
32.
Mating bolts (not shown) are used to releasably but securely couple the spacer
arm-
5 engaging plate 31 to inclined slotted plate 22 by threading the mating bolts
through
screw holes 34 and two of the slots provided in the inclined slotted plate 22.
In the
arrangement shown in figure 3, the two inner slots 19 are used, resulting in
the monitor
bracket 30 being centrally orientated relative to the inclined slotted plate
22. As
mentioned below, the multiple slots in the inclined slotted plate 22 may be
used in
10 alternative combinations to alter the position of the monitor bracket 30
relative to the
inclined slotted plate 22.
It will be noted that the position of the monitor bracket 30 in figure 4
differs slightly
from its position in figure 2. This is to show that the monitor bracket may be
rotated
through 180 degrees and re-secured to part 22 using the same screw-hole 34 and
slots 29
combination. This arrangement allows the monitor mount portion 33 to sit
higher than
the spacer arm-engaging plate 31. The provision of the slots 19 allows the
whole
monitor bracket to slide the length of the elongate support plate 20 to reach
a desired
position for a monitor secured thereto. As shown in figure 5, by orientating
the monitor
bracket with the monitor mount 33 up most, the highest possible position for a
monitor
is achieved, in which the monitor would protrude through the hole in the desk.
This is
shown clearly in figures 6 and 7.
Figures 8 and 9 show a desk attachment 10 according to one embodiment of the
invention. The desk attachment 10 comprise a substantially planar base plate
11 formed
by a substantially quadrilateral plate. A pair of corners 12 extend from
opposite sides of
the side of the base plate 11, forming a substantially H-shape.The corners 12
are each
provided with a screw hole 13. The screw holes 13 are used to affix the desk
attachment
10 to the underside, or as discussed later the inner wall, of a desk. The base
plate 11 is
also provided with a substantially straight ventral slot 14. As best seen in
figure 9, a pair
of curved flanges 15 are set on opposing sides of the base plate 11 and
disposed
substantialy parallel to each other. The curved flanges 15 provide between
them a
support groove 16 to receive plate 21 of spacer arm member 20, described
below.
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Spacer arm member 20 is shown in full in figure 10 to comprise a desk mounting
plate
21 connected to a inclined slotted plate 22. The desk mounting plate is
substantially
quadrilateral and comprises two side edges 23 substantially parallel to each
other and an
end edge 24 substantially parallel to a connecting edge 25, which in turn
connects the
desk mounting plate 21 to the inclined slotted plate 22 via an angled portion
27. The
desk mounting plate 21 contains a threaded bolt hole 26 centrally located with
respect to
the side edges 23 and located close to the end edge 24. The desk mounting
plate 21 is
substantially equal in width to the distance between the two flanges 15, so as
to enable
the desk mounting plate 21 to slide between the flanges. In use, the spacer
arm member
can be affixed to the desk attachment 10 by means of a screw or bolt (not
shown)
through the bolt hole 23 and through the ventral slot 14. The ventral slot 14
allows the
position of the spacer arm member 20 to be adjusted relative to the desk
attachment 10
when installing. Once installed, the position of the monitor is fixed. The
bolt may then
15 be further secured to the desk (especially if the desk is wooden). This
provides security
in the event of an attempt to remove the monitor from the desk.
The desk mounting plate 21 is connected to the inclined slotted plate 22 by an
angled
portion 27. The angle between the desk mounting plate and slotted plate is
desirably
20 approximately 135 degrees. The angle is fixed to ensure that the most
desirable viewing
angle (of between 10 and 40 degrees from the horizontal) of the user to the
screen of
the monitor is achieved.
The inclined slotted plate 22 comprises is an elongate rectangular shaped
plate with five
substantially parallel slots running along most of its length. The slots
comprise an outer
pair 28, each located proximal to the edge of the inclined slotted plate 22,
an inner pair
29, each located proximal to the centre of the inclined slotted plate 22, and
a central slot
40. The outer pair 28 are spaced apart in a parallel relationship
approximately 100 mm
apart. The inner pair 29 are in spaced apart parallel relationship
approximately 70 mm
apart. The dimensions are chosen to be mate-able with the Video Electronics
Standards
Association (VESA) standards, such as the Flat Display Mounting Interface
(FDMI).
This is a VESA standard for mounting flat panel monitors, and other displays.
The
FDMI standard is also referred to as VESA mount.
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As shown in detail in figures 12 and 13, monitor bracket 30 comprises a spacer
arm-
engaging plate 31 connected to a monitor mount 33 via an intermediate portion
32. The
spacer arm-engaging plate 31 comprises a substantially planar quadrilateral
plate with a
series of screw holes 34. The spacer arm-engaging plate 31 comprises a
substantially
rectangular plate; the intermediate portion 32 being connected at one of the
short sides
of the rectangle. The intermediate portion 32 has a substantially S-shaped
cross-section
to enable the maintain spacer arm-engaging plate 31 substantially parallel to,
but spaced
apart and offset from, the plane of the monitor mount 33. The monitor mount 33
extends
from the intermediate portion 32 in a direction away from the spacer arm-
engaging plate
31. The monitor bracket may therefore be said to comprise a dogleg profile.
Mating bolts (not shown) are used to affix the spacer arm-engaging plate 31 to
the
inclined slotted plate 22 by threading the mating bolts through the screw
holes 34 and
slots 28, 29, 40. The monitor mount 33 is of substantially cruciform shape.
Each
cruciform arm 35 is provided with a first monitor attachment point 38 and a
second
monitor attachment point 39 in the form of screw holes. The first and second
monitor
attachment points 38, 39 are separated from each other by a frangible portion
37 of the
cruciform arm 35. A weakened neck 37a is formed by way of indentations on each
edge
of the arms 35, together with an elongate slot 37b between each indentation.
These
features enable the frangible portion 37 to be easily snapped off the rest of
its arm,
preferably by hand.
In one embodiment of the invention the full sized X-shaped monitor mount may
be
dimension for use with a VESA 100 monitor. The frangible portion 37 permits
the user
to snap off the second monitor attachment portions 36 to suit a monitor having
a lower
VESA specification, such as VESA 70 or VESA 75.
It will be appreciated that the length of intermediate portion 32 is chosen to
keep the
planes of parts 31 and 33 sufficiently far away from one another so as to
allow the
monitor support fit different sizes and shapes of flat panel monitor. One
skilled in the art
will be aware that the backs of many flat panel monitors are provided with a
shallow
square or rectangular recess into which a mounting support may be received.
Portion 33
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is designed to be received into any such recess if required, wherein
intermediate portion
32 extends out of the recess to keep part 31 clear of the monitor housing.
As mentioned above, holes 34 in the flat plate section 31 are used to secure
component
30 to the inclined slotted plate 22. This fitting allows the monitor to be
moved up and
down the support plate to accommodate different sizes of flat panel monitors
(FPM) and
to be inverted to allow the FPM to appear above the worktop/desk level as
shown in
figures 4 to 7.
With reference to figures 14 and 15, it is shown that the provision of a
central slot 40 in
angled support 22 also allows flat plate 31 to be rotated through 90 degrees
and secured
to the spacer arm member to allow a monitor to be positioned either side of
the spacer
arm member's central longitunal axis. In such arrangements, intermediate
portion 32
would be adjacent one side of the monitor rather than adjacent its base (as in
Figure 6)
or adjacent its top (as in figure 2).
In addition to its use with flat-panel monitors, the monitor support device of
the
invention is also suitable for use with laptop computers. Figure 16 shows a
laptop
version of the assembly. In this assembly, monitor bracket 30 has been
replaced by a
laptop support 50. Laptop support 50 follows the shape of an open laptop, with
two
substantially rectangular faces linked along one of their longer edges. The
angle
between the two faces is shown to be just greater than a right angle, although
alternative
angles could be provided. In this embodiment, laptop support 50 would have
started out
as a single substantially rectangular sheet of metal or hard plastic and been
folded about
its central axis, although in alternative embodiments the laptop support may
comprise
any number of parts joined together to provide the required shape.
As seen in figures 18 and 19, laptop support 50 comprises a laptop receiving
base plate
51 and a back plate 52. Back plate 52 is provided with holes 57 identical in
shape and
relative position to the holes 34 provided in monitor mount 33. Accordingly,
holes 57
enable backplate 52 and hence laptop support 50 to be mounted on the inclined
slotted
plate 22 of spacer arm member portion 20. Again it will be appreciated than
either slot
pair 18 may be utilised to centre the laptop support, or alternatively central
slot 40 may
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be used in combination with one of slots 18 to position the laptop support
either side of
inclined slotted plate 22.
As best seen from Figure 17, the laptop receiving base plate 51 is provided
with a series
of ventilation holes/slits 56 to provide ventilation and air circulation for a
laptop
positioned thereon. It is well known in the art that as with any electrical
equipment,
laptops generate a substantial amount of heat when powered on and a laptop's
own
ventilation holes are often located on around its base. The ventilation slits
56 ensure that
a laptop located thereon does not overheat as a result of insufficient
ventilation. The
ventilation holes or slits may take an alternative form in other embodiments.
The base
plate 51 is also provided with turned-up or rolled edges 53 to securely hold a
lap top
base within the laptop support to prevent it falling off. The rolled edges are
angled so as
to accommodate any size of laptop.
Referring again to figure 16, apertures 54 for wires are formed in the back
plate 52
adjacent the backplate/base plate interface. The apertures 54 allow a laptop
to remain
plugged into the mains and/or to any other equipment while it is supported in
the laptop
support.
The side edges 58 of the backplate 52 have been rolled back to impart strength
to the
backplate. Strap holes 59 are provided towards the base of each side edge 58
to
accommodate a security strap or straps (not shown) for securing a laptop to
the laptop
support. Security straps may also be provided for the flat panel monitor
support.
In figures 2 and 6, the desk attachment is shown affixed to the underside of
the desk. In
alternative arrangements, desk attachment 10 may be fitted to a substantially
vertical
surface at the back of the desk. This would be desirable for a desk wherein
less than the
required 600mm of desktop is available behind the desk's aperture for
attaching the
desk attachment to the underside of the desktop.
Figure 20 shows how the monitor support device is adaptable for a desk
connection of
this sort. Monitor bracket 30 is secured to what would have been previously
considered
the "underside" of spacer arm member piece 20, with the previously-considered
"upper"
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face of the desk mounting plate 21 cooperating with the previously-considered
"underside" of base plate 10. With base plate 21 secured to a vertical surface
under and
to the rear of the desk, a flat panel monitor may be mounted onto the monitor
mount 33
at the correct height for a correct viewing angle.
5
When the monitor is full submerged beneath the desk, as seen in figure 1, a
toughened
glass panel may be used to fill the aperture enabling the total desktop to be
used as a
desk. A half panel can be inserted where the monitor is semi submerged as in
figure 7.
It may be desirable to have the monitor screen semi submerged where touch-
screen
10 technology is being utilised.
If the screen is not being used, the entire aperture may be filled by one or
multiple wood
panels to provide a full desktop surface.
15 Figure 21 shows an alternative embodiment of spacer arm to that shown in
Figures 10
and 11. Spacer arm member 220 is shown in figure 21 to also comprise a desk
mounting
plate 221 connected to a inclined slotted plate 222. The desk mounting plate
221 and
inclined slotted plate 222 have the same form as desk mounting plate 21 and
inclined
slotted plate 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 21, the angle of
connection of plate
221 to plate 222 is different however.
The desk mounting plate 221 is still connected to the inclined slotted plate
222 by an
angled portion 227, but the angle between the desk mounting plate and slotted
plate is
desirably approximately 45 degrees. This embodiment allows the spacer arm to
be used
in conjunction with a desk attachment mounted to the underside of a short
section of
desk (such as region 250 in Figure 2). When used with spacer arm 220, the desk
attachment would be reversed so as to enable the desk mounting plate 221 to
slide into
the desk attachment in a direction from the front/rear edge of the desk
towards the desk
aperture, resulting in the angled portion 227 resting at the front/rear edge
of the desk.
The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used
herein
with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of
stated
CA 02719408 2010-09-23
WO 2008/116841 PCT/EP2008/053424
16
features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or
addition of
one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
The term "monitor" when used herein with reference to the present invention
refers to
any type of monitor incorporating a screen, with or without VESA connections,
including but not limited to a flat panel monitor, the monitor of a laptop
computer or
notebook computer, a television monitor or a video monitor.
The term "desk" when used herein with reference to the present invention
refers to any
desk or desk-like structure including but not limited to tables, worktops,
workstations or
any other structure having a work surface supported by way of brackets, legs,
panels or
other support means. The term "desktop" when used herein with reference to the
present
invention refers to the surface of any desk or desk-like structure including
but not
limited to tables, worktops, workstations or any other similar structure.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for
clarity, described in
the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a
single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for
brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided
separately or in
any suitable sub-combination.
30
