SYSTEM TABLE WITH COORDINATE-INPUT DEVICE INCORPORATED

Abstract: A coordinate input device containing system table having a table portion for mounting thereon a monitor, a computer body and the like. The table portion includes a front table surface portion of flat and seamless as a whole, a top board having an accommodating portion formed to accommodate the coordinate input device in a lower level than the front table surface portion in a state of readiness to use, and a holding member fixed to the table portion at a reverse side thereof to support and fix the coordinate input device accommodated in the accommodated portion formed in the top board.

Description: The present invention relates to a system table for mounting a monitor and a computer body thereon. A conventional system table 41 is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3-a shows the front view thereof and Fig. 3-b shows the plan view thereof. A table 43 comprises legs 35, 35, a back cover 39 and a top board 37. Mounted on the table 43 are a monitor 45, a computer body 47 and a coordinate input device 49 such as a digitizer and the like. The coordinate input device 49 juts out from the table in front of which an operator is seated, and as such produces level difference there between. The level difference forms an obstacle when the operator works on the table without using the coordinate input device 49. Also, the level difference produces the disadvantage that the table cannot be used effectively even when the operator performs computer operation using the coordinate input device 49, thus presenting the problem of degradation of workability. It is known from FR 2703816, in a first embodiment, to provide a desk having a second housing beneath the desk's work surface to house a computer case. In a second embodiment, it is known to provide a separate shelf at the front of the desk, below the level of the work surface, for a computer keyboard. It is further known from JP 6315416 to provide a recess in the upper surface of a desk work surface to house a computer keyboard. A cover is provided which may be folded down to cover the recess when the keyboard is not in use. It is an object for the present invention to provide a system table having the top that can be used effectively. Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a coordinate input device containing system table having a table portion for mounting thereon a monitor, a computer body and the like, the table portion comprising: an upper table surface portion, said upper table surface portion being flat and seamless as a whole; a top board located below said upper table surface portion having an accommodating portion formed in the underside thereof to accommodate the coordinate input device in a lower level than the upper table surface portion in a state of readiness to use; and a holding member fixed to the underside of the table portion to support and fix the coordinate input device accommodated in the accommodating portion formed in the top board. The accommodating portion is preferably formed by cutting away the underside of the top board. According to the present invention, in a coordinate input device containing system table having a table portion for mounting thereon a monitor, a computer body and the like, the table portion comprises a front table surface portion formed to be flat and seamless as a whole, a top board integrally formed with the front table surface portion and having an accommodating portion formed to accommodate the coordinate input device in a lower level than the front table surface portion in a state of readiness to use by cutting out the top board integrally combined with the front table surface portion, and a holding member fixed to the table portion at a reverse side thereof to support and fix the coordinate input device accommodated in the accommodated portion formed in the top board. With this arrangement, since the front table surface is formed to be flat and seamless as a whole and also the coordinate input device is accommodated in a lower level than the front table surface in a state of readiness to use, an operator can always use the front table surface effectively. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a computer system having a system table of the first embodiment of the present invention wherein a coordinate input device is housed. FIG. 1-a shows the front view thereof and FIG. 1-b shows the plan view thereof. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a table portion of the system table taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a conventional system table. FIG. 3-a shows the front view thereof and FIG. 3-b shows the plan view thereof. <Example> Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a computer system having a system table of the first embodiment of the present invention wherein a coordinate input device is housed. FIG. 1-a shows the front view thereof and FIG. 1-b shows the plan view thereof. The system table 1 shown in the figures comprises a table portion 3 including a top board 7, right and left legs 5, 5 and a back cover 6. A monitor 9 and associated equipment such as a computer body 11 are put on the table 3 at a center part thereof and at a lateral side thereof, respectively. A coordinate input device 13 is built in the table portion 3 at a part thereof ahead of the monitor 9. Description on the table portion 3 will be given with reference to FIG. 2 showing a sectional view of the table portion 3 of the system table taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. A table portion 3 of this embodiment is formed of plywood composed of three layers of an upper decorative laminate panel 23, a lower decorative laminate panel 25 and a top board body portion 27 sandwiched therebetween, all of which are stuck together. The upper and lower decorative laminate panels 23, 25 each have thickness of 2 mm and the top board body portion 27 has thickness of 18 mm. In this embodiment, in order for the table portion 21 to have an accommodating portion 31 for the coordinate input device 13, the decorative laminate panel 25 and the top board body portion 27 are cut off from the reverse side with cutting equipment such as a router in such a manner that the thickness of about 5 mm may remain at the front side of the table portion. Fitting 33 is screwed to the top board 7 at a reverse side thereof as a holding member to hold the coordinate input device 13 in the accommodating portion of the top board. The coordinate input device 13 is fixed with its being accommodated in the accommodating portion 31 formed in the table 3, as described above. In the system table of the embodiment, an operator cannot visually recognize in which part of the table the coordinate input device is arranged when viewed from the front surface side of the table, but he/she can operate the coordinate input device without trouble, as long as the indication of the cursor on the monitor 9 corresponds one to one to coordinate system of the coordinate input device 13. The table thus constructed enables the input operation with the touch pen or the mouse running over the table surface, as is the case with the conventional table. Since the front surface of the table portion 3 is formed to be seamless and flat, the table top can be used effectively, whether or not the computer operation is performed, and as such can produce improved workability. It is desirable that appropriate materials be selected for the front surface of the table and the nib of the touch pen to prevent abrasion in long-term operation. According to the present invention, since the table portion of the system table is so structured as mentioned above, the table can be used effectively.

Claims: A coordinate input device (13) containing system table (1) having a table portion (3) for mounting thereon a monitor (9), a computer body (11) and the like, the table portion comprising: an upper table surface portion (23), said upper table surface portion being flat and seamless as a whole; a top board (27) located below said upper table surface portion (23) and having an accommodating portion (31) formed in the underside thereof to accommodate the coordinate input device (13) in a lower level than the upper table surface portion in a state of readiness to use; and a holding member (33) fixed to the underside of the table portion to support and fix the coordinate input device (13) accommodated in the accommodating portion (31) formed in the top board. A coordinate input device (13) containing system table (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the accommodating portion (31) is formed by cutting away the underside of the top board (27).

Inventors: KOTANI YOSHIHIRO, KOTANI, YOSHIHIRO
Applicants: SHIMA SEIKI MFG, SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A47B21
IPC codes: G06F1, A47B23, A47B21