Abstract:
This invention describes a computer workstation which places the monitor below and behind the keyboard. The shelf for holding the monitor is rotatable independently of movement of a shelf for holding the keyboard. A plurality of shelves are also provided for additional equipment and supplies. In one embodiment, the workstation has separate paper supply and used paper holding shelves. In another embodiment, these shelves are combined.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/233,561, filed Aug. 18, 1988, now abandoned, and is related to design patent application Ser. No. 07/233,571, filed Aug. 18, 1988, now U.S. Design Pat. No. 311,291, issued Oct. 16, 1990. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to furniture which is used to hold computers and related equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to portable computer workstations primarily designed for an office environment. 
     As the use of computers continues to become more necessary, related equipment which allows for the more efficient use of computers becomes more important. Computer workstations allow multiple pieces of equipment to be in close proximity for easier use. A variety of computer workstations are currently available. While they are in varying sizes and configurations they all have many similarities. The most striking of these is that the computer monitor is invariably above the keyboard, sometimes significantly higher, as exemplified in the patents to Papich, U.S. Pat No. D284,337, and to Ugalde, U.S. Pat. No. D287,319. This configuration requires that the user must significantly change his line of sight, back and forth, in order to watch both the keyboard and the monitor. Further, in order to watch the printer, the user must often shift his chair or leave the computer entirely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,19 (to Zigman) discloses a computer workstation with a horizontally adjustable keyboard supporting shelf. A monitor supporting shelf is coupled to the keyboard shelf so that it moves to a horizontal position when the keyboard is being pulled out, and an inclined position when the keyboard is pushed inward. The user cannot set an optimal viewing angle of the monitor and keyboard and an optimal reaching distance to the keyboard as the keyboard and monitor supporting shelves are linked together. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a computer workstation which allows the computer and its related equipment to be used more efficiently and comfortably. In the present invention, a workstation has a monitor shelf located below and behind the keyboard shelf. This puts the monitor and the keyboard in nearly the same line of sight and minimizes the effort needed to watch both of them during use. The monitor shelf&#39;s angular position is adjustable independently of the keyboard shelf, so that the line of sight can be optimized for different users and different keyboard positions. 
     Preferably, three shelves are included and adapted for use with a printer. The top shelf has a slot and an upper shelf located below the slot in the top shelf is used to hold the blank paper, which can be fed up through the slot or around the back of the top shelf, depending on the type of printer used. A second upper shelf is horizontally movable so that it can extend beyond the back of the workstation to receive the printed paper. 
     To increase the usefulness of the workstation, additional shelves are added. In addition, the workstation is fitted with casters so that it is more easily movable. 
     According to the invention there is provided a computer workstation having a front and a rear. The workstation comprises a pair of side walls having at least one element extending between the side walls and secured thereto. The workstation also includes a keyboard shelf disposed between and supported by the side walls and a monitor shelf also disposed between and supported by the side walls. The monitor shelf is upwardly inclined toward the front of the workstation and is positioned below the keyboard shelf such that the vertical distance from the front edge of the monitor shelf to the plane of the keyboard shelf is less than the overall height of the monitor. Also provided are means for adjusting the keyboard shelf in the horizontal direction and means for adjusting the angle of the inclination of the monitor shelf, both adjusting means being independent of each other so that the keyboard shelf may be adjusted horizontally without affecting the horizontal location and adjustability of the monitor shelf. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a computer workstation to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a computer workstation to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the workstation. 
     FIG. 4 is front view thereof with a monitor shelf omitted for clarity. 
     FIG. 4a is a view of the underside of the monitor shelf at an normal to the shelf. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof of the workstation. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof. 
     FIG. 7 side view thereof with the keyboard and paper shelves extended out of the workstation. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a computer workstation, with a side panel removed, according to another of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a monitor shelf to the workstation of FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a paper holding shelf according to the workstation of FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a computer workstation 10 according to the present invention is shown which comprises two vertical side walls, 11 and 12, a monitor shelf 13, and a keyboard shelf 14. The side walls are elongated, with the upper front portion of each side wall tapered and angled back toward the rear of the unit. The monitor shelf 13 is located generally towards the rear of the workstation with its forward edge at a higher elevation than its rear edge. The keyboard shelf 14 is generally horizontal and positioned adjacent the front of the workstation. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the keyboard shelf is positioned above the front edge of the monitor shelf and spaced from the monitor shelf a distance less than the overall height of the monitor. Thus, the vertical distance from the front edge of the monitor shelf to the plane of the keyboard shelf is less than the overall height of the monitor. Preferably, the workstation has four casters 33, one on each bottom corner, so that it is easily movable. 
     The position of the monitor 34 is adjustable both as to its angle of inclination and its spacing from the front of the workstation. The angle is determined by the angular positioning of the monitor shelf. One end of the monitor shelf is pivotally connected to the side walls by pins 15, allowing the other end to pivot about the axis defined by the pins. Pairs of corresponding apertures 16 are located in each side wall interior surface in an arc formation which traces the allowable movement of the swinging end of the monitor shelf. Pin supports 17 are placed in a corresponding pair of apertures 16 so that they extend from the interior surface of the side walls and underneath the monitor shelf. To adjust the angle of the monitor shelf, the pin supports 17 are moved to a different pair of apertures. In the preferred embodiment, the pins 15 are located near the rear of the monitor shelf while the pin supports 17 are near the front. 
     The monitor 34 is held in position on the shelf by an L-shaped brace 18, which is attached to the rear of the monitor shelf 13. The brace is arranged such that the inner side of the one leg (base portion) 21 fits snugly against the lower side of the monitor shelf and is provided with two elongated slots 19, as is best shown in FIG. 4a. The other leg (upright portion) 23 extends upwardly thus supporting the monitor as the monitor is seated against this leg. Two threaded holes 51 are provided on the bottom side of the monitor shelf each corresponding to one of the slots 19. A pair of knobbed screws 44 extend through the slots and engage each threaded hole. The position of the brace 18 is determined by sliding it back and forth along the slots and tightening knobbed screws 44 at the desired location. 
     The keyboard shelf 14 is positioned above the monitor shelf 13. In the preferred embodiment shelves 13, 14 are positioned so that the monitor and the keyboard are within a narrow angle of view to a person working at the computer station. The keyboard shelf is attached by horizontally sliding brackets 53 which allow the shelf to extend outwardly from the front of the side walls, making the keyboard easier to use. In addition, the keyboard shelf has a wrist rest 22 which extends along the top of its front edge, providing greater comfort for the user. 
     The invention further includes a plurality of shelves 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 which can be arranged in a variety of configurations. In the embodiment as shown, there are five additional shelves: a top shelf 24, attached to the side walls near the top of the workstation; a first upper shelf 25 attached to the side walls just below the top shelf; a second upper shelf 26 attached to the side walls just below the first upper shelf and above the keyboard shelf and which shelf 26 is horizontally slidably adjustable; a bottom shelf 27 attached to the side walls near the bottom of the workstation; and a lower shelf 28 attached to the side walls just above the bottom shelf and generally below and in front of the monitor shelf. 
     For use with a bottom feed printer 26, the top shelf 24 has a slot 29 to allow paper stored on the first upper shelf 25 to feed up to the printer. For a rear feed printer, the paper stored on the upper shelf loops around the rear end of the top shelf. In either case, the second upper shelf 26 is attached to the side walls by horizontally adjustable sliding brackets 37 which allow it to extend past the rear of the side walls to receive paper as it comes out of the printer. This allows the shelf 26 to accommodate a large amount of paper, even though it is closely spaced with the shelf 25. For greater lateral support, a brace 31 is added just below the upper shelves which extends from one side wall to the other. 
     The lower shelf 28 is positioned so that the monitor shelf 13 is both above and behind it. Thus shelf 28 extends only partially to the rear of the workstation. A vertical bar 32 which is attached to the rear edge of the lower shelf is also provided. Bar 32 extends upwardly, forming an L-shape with shelf 28 to hold objects on the shelf. Bottom shelf 27 is attached near the bottom of the side walls and above the casters but below the monitor shelf. This shelf extends the full depth of the workstation providing enough space for a computer (CPU) or a similar piece of equipment. 
     Additionally, a document holder 26 is optionally provided which fits into a document holder rail 123. The document holder rail 123 runs along the top of rear edge of the keyboard shelf. The document holder fits on to the rail and leans back against upper shelf 25. The document holder is then placed to one side of the keyboard shelf and the monitor is placed to the other side of the monitor shelf. Thus, the keyboard, the monitor, and any document on holder 36 are all within a narrow field of vision. 
     Another embodiment of the workstation according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-10, in which like elements have like reference numerals. 
     FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of the workstation of this embodiment with the rear side panel removed. The workstation is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that the monitor shelf bracket 118 (18) and the first and second upper shelves (25, 26) are modified. In this embodiment, as best shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 9, monitor shelf bracket 118 is independent of monitor shelf 113. Bracket 118 has a rear panel 128, two telescoping arms 130 with elongate slots 132, knobbed screws 134 for attaching each arm 130 to each side panel 11, 12 and lag screws or bolts 136 for attaching each arm 130 to the rear panel. This construction allows the panel 128 to slide back and forth to accommodate different size monitors and to place the monitor at an optimal distance from the viewer&#39;s eyes. The panel also is rotatable about the screws 136 (due to the smooth surface of the preferably plastic arms 130) and may also rotate with respect to the shelf 113 to accommodate the rear shape of the monitor. The separation of the panel 128 and shelf 113 also accommodates cables from the monitor. 
     In addition, with reference to FIG. 10, which is a partial perspective view of a sole upper shelf 126, this sole shelf replaces both shelves 25 and 26 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Shelf 126 support both paper supply and used paper. 
     A separator 140 avoids entanglement of the paper supply and used paper stacks. The rear of the shelf has angled edges 142, preferably at 45°, so that if the unit is placed in a corner at 45, to the walls, the shelf fits into the corner. This shelf is slidably mounted on horizontally adjustable sliding brackets 137, substantially the same as brackets 37. Brackets 137 are constructed so that shelf 126 not only moves rearward to collect used paper but also can move forward to a position where it can protect a monitor screen from overhead glare. The shelf also has a small lip 144 across its rear edge 146 to prevent used paper from sliding off. 
     The preceding embodiment is intended as an example of the present invention. There are many variations which are within the spirit of this invention. The size and shape of the workstation are to some extent determined by the specific equipment being accommodated and the environment in which it is used. It can also be made from a variety of materials including wood, pressed wood, plastic, and metal.