Convertible computer desk

Disclosed is a convertible computer desk with a construction that allows it to convert from a conventionally appearing desk into a configuration in which computer equipment, such as a monitor and related equipment, is raised to desktop level from internal storage and a keyboard is exposed. A pair of upright, space-apart support walls extend from the front to the rear of the desk and are provided with tracking means along their upper portions, and a concealable keyboard support shelf extends between forward parts of the support walls. A storage compartment located between the support walls holds an elevatable equipment platform for raising equipment from within the compartment to desktop level. A pair of rectangular desktop panels are mounted to the tracking means in a manner which allows them to be manipulated during conversion from one desk configuration to another.

BACKGROUND 
This invention relates generally to desks and more particularly to a desk 
having a convertible desk top. 
The growth and popularity of computers in industry, business and the home 
has spurred the quest for improvements in the design of computer work 
stations. Consequently there have been provided several designs effective 
for supporting personal computer equipment for use by an operator. 
Nevertheless, there are needs of convenience, versatility, efficiency and 
security which remain unmet by these prior devices. Where one's work task 
requires at times the use of a conventional desk, with its flat top, and 
at other times the operation of desk top computer equipment, it is 
necessary to provide both a computer desk or table as well as a 
conventional desk. This represents an added space requirement. The 
inefficient use of space is compounded by the fact that conventional 
desks, particularly large ones, typically have a space at its central rear 
portion which is essentially unusable dead space. There is also a need to 
provide better ways for preventing unauthorized access to computers and 
for securing expensive computer equipment against theft. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to 
provide a desk which can have the configuration of a computer work station 
and which, as desired, can be quickly and easily converted to have the 
configuration of a conventional desk. 
Another object is to reduce the number of structures required in a work 
space for supporting personal computer equipment. 
A still further object is to more efficiently use a desk structure by 
utilizing the rear, central part of the space occupied by a desk. 
These and other objects and advantages are achievable by the present 
invention which provides a computer desk construction which can have the 
configuration of a conventional flat-topped desk or a configuration in 
which a monitor and related equipment lie at the desk top and an 
ergonomically positioned keyboard is exposed. 
The inventive desk structure includes a pair of upright, spaced-apart 
support walls that extend from the front to the rear of the desk, and a 
keyboard support shelf extending between upper forward parts of the spaced 
apart walls. There is an equipment storage compartment to the rear of the 
desk, between rear portions of the spaced apart walls and having at least 
a horizontal bottom wall. Elevation means mounted on the compartment 
bottom wall holds an equipment supporting platform horizontally and is 
operable to raise the platform from low within the compartment to a raised 
position adjacent the top of the spaced-apart walls. The invention 
features a desk-top portion that has first and second rectangular panels 
that are slidably mounted to track means provided on the upper portions of 
the spaced-apart walls. The track means includes a first, branched track 
having an upper channel that extends horizontally from front to rear of 
the spaced-apart walls, and the first desk-top panel has a plurality of 
support pins depending from its sides for slidably engaging this upper 
channel so as to move fore and aft therealong. The branched track has a 
lower, parallel channel, extending rearwardly from the front of the 
support walls and having a rear end portion that curves upwardly to join 
the mid portion of the upper channel. The track means includes a second 
track with a major portion lying parallel to and below the level of the 
first track and extending forward from the rear of the support walls with 
a rear end portion that curves rearwardly and upward to level off at a 
somewhat higher elevation than the major portion of the second track. The 
second desk-top panel having a first track-engaging means for supporting 
its forward portion and a second track-engaging means for supporting its 
rear portion. The desk has a flat-top configuration in which the desk-top 
panels abut each other and span the depth of the desk, with the equipment 
platform in its lowered position, the second panel covering the top of the 
equipment compartment and the first panel covering the keyboard shelf, and 
with the forward portion of the second panel supported on the upper 
channel and its rear portion supported on the rear portion of the second 
track. The desk has an operation configuration wherein the second panel 
has been slid to a lower position and the keyboard shelf is uncovered, and 
the equipment platform is in its raised position with the first panel 
abutting it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows that a desk 11 constructed 
according to the invention includes first and second upright spaced-apart 
support walls 13 and 15, respectively; and as shown in FIG. 3, includes a 
mid-wall 17, a rear wall 19 and a bottom wall 21. These components and the 
general support structure of desk 11 are preferably fabricated of wood 
according to techniques generally known in the industry. It will be 
evident that computer desks according to the invention may also be made of 
metal. The drawings show a shelf 23 for supporting a keyboard K, which 
shelf is affixed at its sides to support walls 13 and 15 by suitable 
conventional means such as wood screws. Shelf 23 is spaced below the top 
of walls 13 and 15 at a height which is best suited for use of a keyboard 
from a human factor standpoint. 
The walls 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 form an equipment holding compartment in 
which a lift mechanism holds a piece of computer equipment such as module 
C. It will be seen that this compartment when covered with a desk-top 
panel in a manner to be described, will be quite effective for securing a 
piece of equipment C from theft and unauthorized access. The lift 
mechanism 25 is a conventional electrically powered unit featuring a 
screw-driven crossed spar mechanism, and is of the type commercially 
available under the tademark OPEN SESAME, and distributed by Hafele 
America, of High Point, North Carolina. Mechansim 25 includes a base 27 
that is secured to bottom wall 21, and an upper horizontally supported 
support platform 29 that can be raised and lowered by the scissor-like 
manipulation of the spars 31 and 33. Switch means for controlling the lift 
mechanism 25 are preferably located within a securable compartment such as 
a conventional lockable drawer of desk 11. In a manner to be described, 
the mechanism 25 can be operated to raise platform 29 to a position level 
with the tops of support walls 13 and 15. 
The desk-top portion of desk 11 features a first rectangular desk-top panel 
35 and a second rectangular desk-top panel 37. The drawings also show a 
first, branched track 39 and a second track 41 which are adapted to 
support and guide these desk-top panels in sliding movement. In the 
preferred embodiment these tracks comprise slots or channels cut into 
walls 13 and 15 using conventional woodworking techniques. It will be 
evident that other types of track constructions are employable under the 
invention. For example in another preferred embodiment, conventional metal 
working techniques are used to cut the appropriate channels in steel 
plates that are affixed to support walls 13 and 15 by screws. The branched 
track 39 has an upper run 43 that extends horizontally from the desk front 
substantially towards the rear of walls 13 and 15. Track 39 has a lower 
run 45 which curves as shown to join the central part of the upper run 43. 
The second track 41 has a major horizontal run 47 which curves upwardly to 
a somewhat elevated rear portion 49. 
The sides of first panel 35 are provided with a plurality of equally spaced 
apart pin units 51. FIG. 9 shows that one of these preferably metal pin 
units 51 comprises a screw-mountable bracket portion 53 and a support pin 
55. The pins 55 of first panel 35 will slidably engage the channel 43 and 
a plurality of such spaced pins will ensure that panel 35 is confined to 
slide along the full extent of the upper run 43 and will not engage the 
curved channel portion 46. 
The forward portion of second desk-top panel 37 is supported by a single 
pair of pin units 57 which are identical to units 51. It is noted that the 
rear portion of panel 37 is supported by a single pair of pin units 59, 
each having a bracket 61 which holds pin 63 at a spacing below panel 37. 
Pin 63 is adapted to slidably engage the second track 41. 
When the top of desk 11 has the flat configuration shown in FIG. 2, the 
panel 37 has been moved fully rearward with its pin unit 59 riding the 
elevated rear portion 49 of track 41, and with its forward pin units 57 
engaging the upper run 43 at a location behind the curve 46. Thus panels 
35 and 37 may cover and conceal the keyboard K and the computer module C 
in the equipment compartment. 
When it is desirable to convert desk 11 for operation of the computer 
equipment, the panel 35 is first moved somewhat forward as illustrated in 
FIG. 5. This will provide space to allow panel 37 to be then slid 
forwardly so that its forward pin unit 57 will engage the curve 46 and be 
directed into the lower run 45. This forward movement of panel 37 will 
also lower its rear pin units 57 into the major run 47, and allow both 
panels to be brought forward as shown in FIG. 6, with panel 37 below panel 
35. With the panels in this intermediate position the lift mechanism 25 
may then be activated to raise the platform 29 and module C to the 
position shown in FIG. 7. The conversion is completed by then urging the 
panel 35 rearward into contact with platform 29 and moving panel 37 
rearward to uncover the keyboard shelf 23. FIG. 4 shows this 
configuration. 
A preferred embodiment has been described and it should be appreciated by 
those with ordinary skill in the art, that within the scope of the 
invention various changes may be made. For example a desk according to the 
invention may use desk-top panels having roller elements for engaging 
tracks adapted to guide those roller elements, instead of the 
pin-and-channel arrangements of the preferred embodiment. This it is aimed 
to cover all changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and 
scope of the invention.