PORTABLE WORK STATION WITH INTEGRATED MONITOR AND POWER SOURCE

A portable work station includes a base, a column extending from the base, and a battery pack accommodated by the column. The base includes a plurality of wheels for moving the portable work station within an environment. A mounting plate is disposed at an end of the column distal from the base. The battery pack is operable to electrically power one or more electronic devices disposed at the portable work station. A monitor is removably mounted at the mounting plate and the battery pack is operable to electrically power the monitor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to furniture and, more particularly, to portable workspace assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modular furniture is generally known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rechargeable and portable work station includes a base. The base includes a plurality of wheels for moving the portable work station within an environment. A column extends from the base, and a mounting plate is disposed at an end of the column distal from the base. A battery pack is accommodated by the column. The battery pack, with a monitor mounted at the mounting plate, electrically powers the monitor. The portable work station is modular and may be reconfigured, such as based on a desired size of the monitor mounted at the end of the column, based on power requirements for the monitor and user devices at the work station and based on a desired height of a work surface removably mounted along the column (e.g., a standing height or a sitting height). The portable work station may be used in an office or manufacturing setting (e.g., a portable work station with power supply), a retail setting (e.g., a portable display device or digital menu board), a trade show setting (e.g., a portable interactive display), a classroom setting (e.g., a portable teaching and display tool), a hospital setting (e.g., a portable nurse station) and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrated embodiments depicted therein, a portable or movable work station or assembly10includes a movable stand or cart12with one or more monitors or display devices14and a tray or shelf or work surface16mounted thereat (FIG.1). The movable stand12accommodates one or more batteries or battery packs or power sources18for delivering power to the one or more monitors14mounted to the stand12and to one or more user devices positioned at the work surface16(e.g., a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, light sources and the like). Because the movable stand12accommodates the one or more batteries18, the work station10may be moved freely within an environment (e.g., an office or work place, a school or classroom, a retail location, a hospital, and the like) and does not require a cord plugged into an electrical outlet to supply power to the monitors14and user devices at the work station10. Further, the modular design of the work station10allows the stand12to be compatible with a variety of different monitors14and user devices, which allows the work station10to be reconfigured based on the needs of the user within the environment.

The movable stand12includes a base or platform20and a column22extending upward from the base20. Wheels or casters24(e.g., four lockable wheels or casters) are attached to the base20and allow the work station10to be moved within the environment. For example, the stand12may be moved within the environment by the user pushing or pulling the column22(e.g., by grasping the work surface16or a handle30disposed at the column) with the wheels24pivoting to allow for movement in a 360 degree range of motion. The wheels24may be suitably large and/or durable to allow the movable stand12to be moved over door thresholds and other bumps or obstacles. The base20may comprise a suitably heavy and durable construction (e.g., the base may be constructed from steel plates, such as ¼ inch steel plates, or wood plates) so that the work station10has a relatively low center of gravity for stability.

A mounting bracket or plate26is mounted at an upper end or head of the column22and a knuckle28may be pivotably attached to the mounting bracket26. The knuckle28is configured to mountably receive the one or more monitors14and thus allows the monitor14to be tilted or pivoted relative to the column22(e.g., up and down and/or left and right) or swiveled or rotated at the top of the column between a horizontal orientation (e.g.,FIG.10) and a vertical orientation (e.g.,FIG.11). In other words, the monitor14may attach to the knuckle28and the knuckle28may tilt and/or pivot relative to the mounting plate26to enable movement of the monitor14relative to the column22. The mounting plate26and knuckle28may provide a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) monitor mounting system. Further, the mounting plate26may include the handle portion30configured to be grasped by the user when moving the work station10within the environment. Holes or vents formed through the mounting plate26at the upper end of the column22and/or holes or vents formed through the base20at or near a lower end of the column22may allow for airflow through the column22to dissipate heat generated during operation of the battery packs18.

The work surface16is removably attached along a first or front side or surface of the column22and the column22may include a plurality of mounting points for the work surface16spaced apart along the column22so that the work surface16may be mounted at a variety of different heights. For example, the work surface16may include arms or tabs16athat extend from opposing sides of the work surface16and that are received in respective slots22aalong the front side of the column22. Thus, with the monitor14mounted at the mounting bracket26and/or knuckle28at the upper end of the column22, and when the user is operating the user device at the work surface16, the monitor14may be positioned at or near or above the head of the user (e.g., so that the user may view the monitor or so that the monitor may display images to viewers standing behind the user), and the work surface16may be disposed along the column22below the monitor14and accessible for use by the user (such as to type on a keyboard or laptop computer disposed at the work surface).

The one or more batteries or battery packs18may be disposed at the base20(e.g., below an upper surface of the base) or accommodated within the column22so as to be hidden from view. Further, power cords extend along the column22between the battery pack18and the monitor14at the upper end of the column22and/or the user device at the work surface16to supply power from the battery pack18to the monitor14and the user device and to provide connectivity between the user device at the work surface16and the monitor14. For example, the battery pack18may be electrically connected to one or more electrical outlets accessible at the exterior of the column22(e.g., one or more USB-A and/or USB-C outlets), such as at or near the work surface16or along a rear or back surface of the column22. The column22may include a single piece back that is configured to accept one or more electrical components, such as power supplies that convert AC to DC power, batteries that can be daisy-chained, USB-A and USB-C DC connecting points for computer equipment, constant voltage transformers for powering monitors, IEC cord attachment, inverters for converting DC power to AC power for high-wattage monitors, AC power outlets (e.g., a triplex version for 120V), and the like. The back side of the column22may include connection locations, such as for wire ties to assist with cable management and connection of electronic devices at the work station10.

The power cords, battery pack18and any other electronics may be disposed within the column22and hidden from view. The battery pack18may be removable from the work station10, such as to be recharged or replaced with another, charged battery pack18. Optionally, a power cord (e.g., a six foot power cord) may be connected to the battery pack and configured to extend from the work station10to plug into a power source, such as a standard electrical wall outlet, for charging the battery pack18, and the power cord may be stored at the base20and/or along the column22. The work station10may utilize battery bypass technology, where the monitor14, user device and other electronic components and outlets draw power from the wall outlet when the work station10is plugged in to the outlet instead of drawing power from the battery pack18while the battery pack charges. Optionally, the battery pack may have a charging controller that is configured to provide slow-charge controls, where the battery pack recharges slowly (e.g., such as overnight), such as to preserve battery life. For example, the battery pack may retain 90 percent or more of its initial capacity even after 10,000 charging cycles.

As shown inFIGS.2-11, the work station10provides a modular design that is reconfigurable based on the needs of the user. That is, with the mounting plate26and knuckle28attached at an upper end of the column22and the battery pack18and power system accommodated within the column22, the column22is configured to receive different bases, different monitors, and/or different work surfaces. For example, the work station may include a first or larger base20(e.g.,FIGS.2,3,8,9and15) or a second or smaller base120(e.g.,FIGS.4-7,10,11and15), where the larger base20is larger (e.g., wider and/or heavier) than the smaller base120. Thus, the larger base20may provide greater stability than the smaller base120. The larger base configurations may be intended for use with larger size monitors14(e.g., monitors up to the 85 inch class size) and the smaller base configurations may be intended for use with smaller size monitors114(e.g., monitors up to the 45 inch class size). Further, the work station10may accommodate two or more monitors at the mounting bracket (e.g.,FIG.5), such that the two or more monitors may be mounted side by side or vertically adjacent one another. Moreover, the work station10may be configured to receive any suitable work surface or shelf, such as the smaller work surface16that is mounted via its arms or tabs received in the slots along the column22(e.g.,FIGS.3,6-11and15), or a larger work surface116that may partially extend or wrap around the sides of the column22(e.g.,FIGS.2,4,5,12and15). The work surface may be positioned at any suitable height along the column22, such as at a sitting height (i.e., where the user may use the work surface while sitting down) or a standing height (i.e., where the user may use the work surface while standing). As shown inFIG.12, the larger work surface116may include a through hole or passageway132, which may be used as a cup holder, for cable pass through, or configured to receive an insert like a grommet having power outlets.

Optionally, the knuckle28and/or monitor14may be removable from the top of the column22and the work station10may be used as a portable power source and work surface16(e.g.,FIGS.4and7). In other words, with the monitor14removed from the work station10, the work station10may be moved within the environment and the battery pack18may supply power to one or more user devices, such as a user device at the work surface16.

In other words, the work station may be available in multiple solutions, such as based on desired monitor size, power storage and stability. Further, the work station may be used as a simple power source, such as when user devices require power at a location within the environment that does not have an available electrical outlet or during a power interruption or outage. The work station with the small base may be configured to mountably receive smaller monitors (e.g., monitors that are 45 inches diagonal or less) and the work station with the large base may be configured to mountably receive larger monitors (e.g., monitors that are 85 inches diagonal or less). The laptop tray or work surface may be assembled in multiple positions on the column.

The laptop tray or work surface may be removably assembled in one or more locations along the column, such as at a sitting or standing height. The work surface allows the stand to be used as a mobile work station.

The rugged steel construction of the work station ensures a low center of gravity. Further, a large handle (e.g., capable of being grasped with two hands by the user) ensures improved stability in the event of encountering an obstacle during transit. That is, a handle assembly (e.g., at the mounting plate) assists the user in moving the work station from location to location. As shown inFIG.13, there may be cable pathways or passageways through the mounting plate or handle to neatly manage cords and cables between the monitor, the power system and/or a user device at the work surface. Cords and cables may pass through respective apertures or passageways in the column for connection between the battery pack and the monitor and/or user device at the work surface.

The capacity of the battery pack18may be adjusted or selected based on power requirements of the monitor and user device disposed at the work station10. For example, large monitors tend to correlate to higher power requirements. Thus, the work station may include a power capacity of 200 Watt-hours or more, 600 Watt-hours or more, 1,200 Watt-hours or more, and the like. The work station may include a high-efficiency 200 Watt inverter that converts DC power from the battery pack to AC power, and the inverter may be connected to a triplex outlet at the work station for electrically connecting to the monitor and/or user device. The inverter may include a variable speed fan that adjusts its speed based on the power drawn by the monitor to reduce noise.

The battery pack18may comprise any suitable number and configuration of power sources. For example, the battery pack may include one or more lithium ion power sources and provide capacity for extended operation, such as a 200 Watt-hour capacity or greater, a 600 Watt-hour capacity or greater and the like. The battery packs and power system may include characteristics of the battery packs and power systems described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2022-0251832 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/604,565, filed Mar. 14, 2024 (Attorney Docket EXP01 P101A), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, and such as shown inFIG.14, the work station includes a mounting bracket128at the upper end of the column (e.g., at the mounting plate) that includes a plurality of mounting positions so that the monitor can be mounted at one of a plurality of different mounting heights and/or orientations. For example, the mounting bracket128includes a vertically extending slot so that the monitor may be mounted at different heights along the mounting bracket128with the power cord and/or other connection cables extending through the slot between the monitor and the interior of the column. Thus, the user may select the height at which they want to mount the monitor to the work station. Further, the mounting bracket128may comprise a tilt-only VESA mount so that, with the monitor mounted at the tilt-only mount128, the monitor is tiltable relative to the column (e.g., up and down and/or left and right), but the monitor is not pivotable or rotatable relative to the column (e.g., the monitor may not be rotated between horizontal and vertical orientations).

Thus, the modular cordless mobile cart or work station system is configured to receive one or more monitors or display devices and accommodates a battery pack or power system for powering the monitor. The work station hides and contains power cords extending between the power system and monitor (and optionally one or more user devices at the work surface of the work station) to allow the work station to be moved freely and provide mobile power within the environment. That is, all electrical wiring and cord management is routed to the back to enable a clean, untangled front to the unit. There are slots on the front of the column that allow for multiple shelves, and/or attachment of a work surface.

The components (e.g., the base, the column, the work surface, the mounting plate, the knuckle, the wheels and the like) may be detachable from one another so that the work station may be compactly packaged and easily assembled. That is, the work station may ship in a substantially flat configuration.

Optionally, the work station includes multiple columns (e.g., two or more columns) extending from the base, with each column supporting one or more respective monitors. For example, the one or more columns may allow for a first work surface and first monitor to be mounted along a front side of the work station and a second work surface and second monitor to be mounted along a rear side of the work station so that the work station may accommodate two users working simultaneously at the work station. Other configurations are possible, such as a work station configured for three or more users, four or more users, and the like. Thus, the work station with multiple columns may provide a mobile, multiple-monitored system with a plurality of work surfaces.

The work station may be suitable for use in office settings (e.g., as a portable work station, a presentation display, an announcement board and the like), in retail settings (e.g., to provide digital signage, a retail store display, digital advertising, an ordering kiosk, a digital menu board and the like), in manufacturing or workshop settings, in classroom settings, in outdoor settings and the like. For example, the work station may provide a monitor and laptop tray so that the battery pack may power the monitor and a laptop at the laptop tray, such as for use at a trade show or convention.