Abstract:
A work station having a base, a user support affixed to the base; and an overhead hanger affixed to said base. The overhead hanger has a rear portion extending upwardly behind the user support and an overhead portion extending forwardly above the user support a sufficient distance so that when a user is positioned in the user support, the overhead portion is above the user and a peripheral mounting system affixable to the overhead portion proximate a distal end of the overhead portion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of prior file provisional application, Application No. 60/426,447 filed Nov. 15, 2002. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a an ergonomically designed work station which supports computer peripherals in a location compatible with a user and supports the user in a position which minimizes stress on the human body. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional computer work stations consist of a desk having a location for mounting of a computer monitor, a keyboard and a computer tower. The user generally sits on an office chair in front of the monitor. Such arrangements have been notorious for inducing backpain, carpal tunnel syndrome and other problems. A few workstations were designed attempting to integrate human comfort and health with performance. However, such workstations have been made up of many different parts interconnected or free standing. Moreover, some of these parts typically block off access by a user to a chair. Finally, moving such systems involves moving awkwardly interconnected elements such as a chair and a desk as well as free standing stands for holding monitors and side tables. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomic workstation in which the entire workstation is integrated and the user area is accessible from either side. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided a work station having a base; a user support affixed to the base; and an overhead hanger affixed to the base. The overhead hanger has a rear portion extending upwardly behind the user support and an overhead portion extending forwardly above the user support a sufficient distance so that when a user is positioned in the user support, the overhead portion is above the user. The overhead hanger further includes a peripheral mounting system affixable to the overhead portion, proximate a distal end of the overhead portion. A horizontally disposed pipe affixed to the base, a vertically oriented sleeve affixed to a distal end of the pipe, a rod telescopically slidable and rotatable within the sleeve, the rod having a horizontal portion extending from a top end thereof and a computer mouse tray and keypad tray, each independently positionable about the horizontal portion. 
     The work station may include a foot rest assembly affixable to the base and positioned to receive and support a user&#39;s feet when the user is in the user support. 
     Preferably the user support is an ergonomically designed chair having a head support. 
     The work station may further include a plurality of arms affixable to the base support with each arm having a wheel at a distal end thereof, said arms radially positioned so as to support said work station in a stable position. 
     The work station may have a CPU mounting assembly affixed to the rear portion. 
     The user support may be attached to a vertical bar that telescopes within a sleeve affixed to the base. 
     The overhead portion may have a block affixed to an end thereof, a mounting pipe extending from the block and an articulating arm attached at one end to the mounting pipe and at another end to the peripheral device. 
     In another aspect of the invention there is presented a method of providing a work station environment, which includes providing a user area defined by a base, a user support affixed to the base, and an overhead hanger affixed to the base, having a rear portion extending upwardly behind the user support and an overhead portion extending forwardly above the user support a sufficient distance so that when a user is positioned in the user support, the overhead portion is above the user. The method provides a peripheral mounting system affixable to the overhead portion proximate a distal end of the overhead portion. The method further provides a horizontally disposed pipe affixed to the base, a vertically oriented sleeve affixed to a distal end of the pipe, a rod telescopically slidable and rotatable within the sleeve, the rod having a horizontal portion extending from a top end thereof and a computer mouse tray and keypad tray, each independently positionable about the horizontal portion. 
     The method may further provide a foot rest assembly affixable to the base and positioned to receive and support a user&#39;s feet when the user is in the user support. 
     Advantageously, the method includes providing a plurality of legs each affixed at one end to the base and at an opposite end having a wheel affixed thereto, the legs being radially spaced apart so that said work station is stable on a flat surface. 
     The apparatus is not side-dependent and has a symmetry that allows it to be placed near a wall on either side thereof, without affecting its use. It also provides free space for the legs and feet of a user. 
     The processor may be any type of signal or data processor and may include a computer, an audio processor such as a home theatre amplifier, a VCR, a DVD player and/or recorder, a tape deck, a CD player, or a game platform for example. 
     While ordinarily the peripheral device will be a computer monitor it could also be a speaker or a platform for holding a computer input device or a game controller. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a workstation which can accommodate many different monitors; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a mouse and keypad support arrangement; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a mouse and keypad support arrangement; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of the support of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the base, support arms and casters and foot support; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a work station  10 A; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an alternative overhead peripheral support; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of yet another alternative overhead peripheral support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an integrated workstation  10  includes a base  12  operable to rest on a support surface (not shown) and an overhead hanger  14  connected to the base  12 . The overhead hanger  14  having a rear portion  16  extending upwardly relative to the base  12  and having at least one overhead portion  18  supported by the rear portion  16  and extending forwardly of the rear portion  16  sufficiently high above the base  12  such that a user may be received in a user area  19  between the overhead portion  18 , and the base  12  and forwardly of the rear portion  16 . The overhead portion  18  has an expander block  17  in which two arms  15  are connected and extend forwardly terminating in rails  11 . Rails  11  extend arcuately and horizontally from side to side on either side of distal ends of associated arms  15 . To each rail  11  there are affixed pivotal arms  13  which couple to the back of computer monitors  20  and provide articulating movement to the latter. The computer monitors could be replaced by any peripheral device that requires viewing. 
     An ergonomically designed chair  40  complete with headrest (not shown) is mounted in the base  12 . The mounting arrangement consists of an outer sleeve  39  rigidly affixed to the base and a telescoping rod  38  that slides in sleeve  39 . 
     A computer keyboard and mouse support,  114  and  116  are pivotally affixed to a pivotal bar  112  that is supported at one end by a vertical arm  110 . As seen in more detail in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the vertical arm  110  telescopes and pivots in a sleeve  111  that connects to a 90 degree elbow  121  and a straight pipe  119 . Straight pipe  119  couples into base  12 . A user may pivot vertical arm  110 , pivotal bar  112  about vertical arm  110 , a computer keyboard tray  114  about a pivot block  47  and mouse support  116  about a pivot block  51  to the desired position once seated in seat  40 . Mouse tray pivots about connector  49  which pivots with respect to keypad tray  114  about point  48 . A CPU  92  is mounted to rear portion  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , extending radially from base  12  are four support legs  41  at a distal end of each of which is a caster  40 . The ends opposite casters  40  each slide into receptacles  45  in the base  12 . Also fitting into a receptacle  47  in base  12  is a double pipe  49  that rigidly connects to second section of double pipe  67  that curves upwardly and terminates in a foot rest  69 . A caster  40  is also mounted on an underside of double pipe  67 . The legs  41  and double pipe  49  are held in place by a bottom cover plate (not shown). 
     Similarly, the chair  40  may be replaced by one which places a user in a more reclined position which is particularly desirable for those with back problems. In any event, the chair  40  or any of the other alternative user support arrangements co-operate or facilitate positioning a user in a user area  19 . 
     In use a user enters user area  19  from either side of chair  40  and is seated in chair  40 . Any adjustments to the monitors  20  and to the height of chair  40  required for the user are made. Adjustment to the position of the foot rest can be made by sliding double pipes  67  over double pipes  49  until a desired positioning of foot rest  69  is achieved. A lock not shown is engaged to hold the two double pipes  67  and  49  together without movement. The entire workstation  10  can be moved by simply rolling it on casters  41 . Since all peripherals supports are affixed to base  12 , there is no need to move separate elements of the workstation  10 . 
     An alternative workstation  10 A has an overhead hanger  14  arrangement, seen in  FIG. 7 , consisting of a straight portion of double pipe  18  that terminates in an end  65 . A plurality of downwardly, arcuately shaped rods  70  extend from overhead portion  18  and is rigidly mounted to the latter. A split ring clamp  72  is positionable along rods  70  and can be locked in any position therealong. A positioning arm  74  is coupled to both clamp  72  and monitor  20  by a ball and socket joint. Otherwise workstation  10 A is identical to workstation  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an example of an alternative mount to hanger  14  is seen to include a split right clamp  21  mounted on overhead portion  18  can be locked at any position therealong. An articulating arm  23  connects to clamp  21  and to monitor  20 . Although normally clamp  21  is suitable for a wide range of users, for persons of unusual height or poor eyesight some adjustment of clamp  21  may be desired. 
     Yet another variant of the mounting arrangement to overhead hanger  14  is shown. Here a right angle section of double pipe  42  fits over an end of double pipe  18  and is locked thereto. Clamp  44  fits over an end of a right angle pipe  42  and is locked to the end of right angle pipe  42 . An articulating arm  45  couples to both clamp  44  and to monitor  20 . Obviously there are various other different mounting arrangements that can be utilized. 
     It will also be appreciated that there are various different base support configurations that can be used such as one that is fixed rather than being on casters. The CPU  92  can be mounted on the floor or to the back of the chair  40 . 
     Various features of the several different embodiments of the invention described herein may be used in combination with other features described herein to produce combinations of features other than those specifically described above and such combinations are intended to be within the scope of this invention. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention.