Abstract:
An ergonomic work station is disclosed which is comprised of a chair, at least one keyboard section and at least one support assembly. Initially, the support assembly connects the chair to the keyboard section. The support assembly is also movable between a first orientation and a second orientation such that the keyboard section in the first orientation extends outward from the chair in a plane generally parallel to the floor, and the keyboard section in the second orientation extends downward in a plane generally perpendicular to the floor. A method of using an ergonomic work station is also disclosed comprising the acts of positioning at least one keyboard section in a first orientation, wherein the keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally horizontally outward from a user with the keys facing upwards when a user is using the workstation, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section. Additionally, the method includes the acts of positioning the at least one keyboard section in a second orientation, wherein the at least one keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally vertically downward from the torso of the user with the keys facing away from the user, Lastly, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to ergonomically integrated work stations. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated seat and ergonomic keyboard, and a method of using an integrated seat and ergonomic keyboard, wherein at least one keyboard is moveable to at least two positions by an adjustable arm support assembly. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     With the advent of powerful and inexpensive personal computers, a substantial segment of businesses utilize computers. These businesses may include professional services and industrial manufacturers as well as home businesses. In addition, because personal computers are relatively inexpensive and readily available, there has been a proliferation of computers in home environments for personal, educational and entertainment uses. It is very common for individuals in these various settings to spend extended periods of time using computers with computer keyboards. In fact, there are specific employment positions that involve working exclusively on computers using a keyboard to enter data. These include, for example, data processing or data entry positions. 
     The keyboards most commonly used with personal or office computers are rectangular and flat, and include a plurality of horizontal rows of keys in prearranged positions. To use these keyboards, the user&#39;s hands are positioned squarely on the keyboard with the palms facing down. In addition, the user&#39;s forearms are either resting flat on the same surface upon which the keyboard rests or, alternatively, suspended in the air while the hands remain positioned squarely on the keyboard. 
     It is well known that prolonged use of these standard keyboards may cause serious tendon or nerve damage to the user&#39;s hands, wrists and forearms. In fact, it is common for long-time users of standard keyboards to develop a medical condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a debilitating tendon and nerve condition. 
     To address the problems caused by long term use of standard keyboards, alternative keyboards have been designed. These keyboards, commonly referred to as ergonomic keyboards, are typically designed to conform to the position of a user&#39;s hands in a more natural position. That is, such ergonomic keyboards position the placement of keys so as to mimic or correspond to an average person&#39;s hands when they are naturally and comfortably at rest on a surface. In order to simulate the hand&#39;s natural position, an ergonomic keyboard is typically divided vertically into right and left sections. Then the individual keypads are rotated while still remaining in a horizontal plane. In one ergonomic keyboard device, the left keypad is rotated in a slightly clockwise direction and the right keyboard is rotated in a slightly counter-clockwise direction. As a result, the keypad is positioned in accordance with the “natural” position of a person&#39;s hands resting on a surface. 
     Ergonomic keyboards of this type aid in reducing the risk to users of developing serious nerve and tendon ailments in their hands. However, although these keyboards may improve the positioning of the hands relative the keyboard, they do not improve the positioning of the users&#39; arms and shoulders relative the keyboard. That is, while the hands are positioned naturally on the keyboard, the user&#39;s arms and shoulders remain in an unnatural and uncomfortable position. Specifically, the arms extend outward from the torso in a generally horizontal direction. Depending on the height of the surface on which the keyboard sits, the user&#39;s arms can remain in a number of unnatural and uncomfortable positions. As with the user&#39;s hands and wrists, the arms may suffer serious nerve and tendon damage as a result of prolonged use of common ergonomic keyboards. That is, users remain at risk of developing nerve and tendon damage in the arms and shoulders after prolonged use of both standard and ergonomic keyboards. 
     Other keyboards have been designed to ergonomically position the keyboard to the user&#39;s hands and also to position the keyboard on the user&#39;s lap. By placing the keyboard on the lap of the user, the user&#39;s arms are not forced to remain unnaturally outstretched for prolonged periods of typing and use. Rather, the user&#39;s arms rest more naturally on the lap of the user. However, such keyboards are very cumbersome in that the user is forced to remove or replace the keyboard each time the user desires to rise from or sit in the chair. Such repeated maneuvering is time-consuming, inefficient and inconvenient. Further, a place must be cleared on the surrounding desk or floor to place the apparatus when not in use. In close, space-efficient work environments, such excess space may not be available. 
     Finally, other keyboard and chair work stations have been designed in which the keyboards are bifurcated and mounted to an extended arm rest assembly. However, this device is not moveable to a second ergonomic typing orientation. Though this device may place the hands in a more natural position, the arms remain extended outward in an unnatural position. The arm rests provide at best only limited support to the arms and shoulders. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for a keyboard or typing work station that positions a user&#39;s hands in a comfortable, natural position while also maintaining the user&#39;s arms and shoulders in a natural and comfortable position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the ergonomic work station of the present invention which, in one embodiment, is comprised of a chair, at least one keyboard section and at least one support assembly that can be positioned relative a chair or other work station. Initially, the support assembly is connected to the keyboard section and is movable between a first orientation and a second orientation such that the keyboard section in the first orientation extends in a plane generally parallel to the floor, and the keyboard section in the second orientation extends downward in a plane generally perpendicular to the floor. 
     Another embodiment of the workstation includes a chair comprising a planar seat, a back support, at least one keyboard section and at least one support assembly. The support assembly is engaged with at least one keyboard section and is movable between a first orientation and a second orientation. The support assembly in the first orientation positions the keyboard generally parallel to the floor, and the support assembly in the second orientation positions the keyboard generally perpendicular to the floor. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of using an ergonomic work station is disclosed comprising the acts of positioning at least one keyboard section in a first orientation, wherein the keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally horizontally outward from a user with the keys facing upwards when a user is using the workstation, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section. Additionally, the method includes the acts of positioning the at least one keyboard section in a second orientation, wherein the at least one keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally vertically downward from the torso of the user with the keys facing away from the user, Lastly, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section. 
     In another embodiment, a method of using a work station is disclosed comprising the acts of positioning at least one keyboard section in a first orientation such that the palm of the user, when positioned on the surface of the keyboard section faces downwardly towards the floor, and manipulating the keys on the keyboard section. Further, the method comprises the acts of positioning the at least one keyboard section in a second orientation, wherein the palm of the user, when positioned on the surface of the keyboard section, faces inwardly toward the user&#39;s body, and manipulating the keys on the keyboard section. 
     The work station and method of using the work station of the disclosed embodiments is moveable into first and second ergonomic typing orientations that permit the user to type conventionally on a keyboard or, alternatively, type with the user&#39;s arms extending downwardly along the sides of the user. Advantageously, both typing orientations enable users to type in orientations that maintain the shoulders and arms in natural, comfortable positions. As a result, significant stress is relieved from the tendons and nerves within the arms and shoulders which, in turn, decreases the possibility of developing debilitating nerve and tendon conditions. These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ergonomically integrated seat and work station of the invention in a first position; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ergonomically integrated seat and work station of the invention in a second position; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ergonomically integrated seat and work station of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the arm rest and arm support assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the arm rest and arm support assembly of FIG. 1 shown rotated outwardly; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pivot mechanism and support assembly of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pivot mechanism securely engaged with the arm support assembly of FIG. 6, taken along line  7 — 7 ; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the ergonomically integrated seat and work stat on FIG. 1, in use by a person shown in phantom; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the ergonomically integrated seat and work station of FIG. 2, in use by a person shown in phantom. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates an ergonomically integrated seat and work station  20  which, in the illustrated embodiment, is comprised generally of a chair  22 , a pivoting keyboard arm support assembly  40  and a keyboard  44 . In this embodiment, the chair  22  has a planar seat  24  connected to a back support  26 . The seat  24  is supported by a rolling assembly  32  wherein the rollers  30  are in physical contact with the floor. 
     It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the chair  22  can have any of a number of alternative configurations known in the art. For example, the chair may not have a back support. Further, the seat may not necessarily be planar. In addition, the chair can be constructed without rollers. Additionally, the legs of the chair may be a single post, multiple legs or other constructions well known in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated from the following description that the illustrated embodiment can be adapted for use with other work stations, including work stations in which the user is not in a sitting position, without departing from the present invention. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the work station  20  includes a keyboard  44  that is attached to an arm support assembly  40  that is, in turn, attached to a first end of a vertical support structure  52 . The vertical support structure  52  is, in turn, attached at a second end to the underside of the seat  24  in a well known manner. In a first orientation, illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper arm support assembly  51  is positioned so as to extend outwardly in a direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the seat  24  and the floor with the keyboard  48  oriented such that the keys on the keyboard  48  are also generally parallel to the plane of the seat  24  and the floor. In this orientation, the user can type on the keyboard  48  in the traditional manner as is shown in FIG.  8 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the work station  20 , having the same structural components shown in FIG. 1, is illustrated in a second typing orientation. In this orientation, the upper arm support assembly  51 , including the keyboard  48 , extends downward from the top of the vertical support  52  in parallel with the vertical support  52  such that the typing surface of the keyboard  48  is perpendicular to the floor and parallel to the vertical support  52 . Moreover, the keys  49  of the keyboard  48  face outwardly from the side of the work station  20 . The vertical support  52  and the upper arm support assembly  51  are configured so as to allow the user to move the upper arm support assembly  51  between the two orientations in a manner that will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper arm support assembly  51  includes a horizontal support structure  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, an upper end of the vertical support  52  and horizontal support  54  are connected to form a generally right angle. The lower end of the vertical support  52  is attached to the underside of the seat  24 , by screws, bolts or other suitable attachment means, to rigidly secure the vertical support  52  in the vertical orientation shown in FIG.  1 . The vertical support  52  may be attached to the seat  24  directly or by a bracket (not shown) that is bolted to both the vertical support  52  and the seat  24 . 
     FIG. 6 also illustrates the arm support assembly  40 , without the arm rest  46  and keyboard  48  for clarity, that is pivotally attached to horizontal support  51 . Specifically, a pivot mechanism  50  permits the arm support assembly  40  to be moved between the two typing orientations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, the support assembly  40  includes a receiving rod  42  which is pivotally mounted to a junction  53  between the vertical support  52  and the horizontal support  54  at a pivot point  56  by a bolt, pin or other suitable pivot means that extends through the receiving rod  42  and the junction  53 . Though secure, the bolt, pin or other pivot means is sufficiently loose to permit the receiving rod  42  to be raised and lowered with minimal resistance. At a point on the receiving rod  42 , a pull pin  80 , in turn, is mounted to the receiving rod  42  and, as will be discussed in greater detail below, a pull pin locking mechanism  80  permits the upper arm support assembly  40  to be securely locked in either the first or second typing orientation. 
     As indicated above, the arm support assembly  40  and, specifically the receiving rod  42 , is moveable between the first and second typing orientations. To move the receiving rod  42  from the first orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to the second typing orientation shown in FIG. 2, the pull pin  80 , discussed in greater detail below in reference to FIG. 7, is disengaged, and the receiving rod  42  is swung down while pivoting about the pivot point  56 . To securely engage the receiving rod  42  to the vertical support  52 , the receiving rod  42  is positioned in line with the vertical support  52  and the pull pin  80  is securely engaged with the vertical support  52 . As a result, the receiving rod  42  is securely engaged with the vertical support  52  in a second typing orientation. 
     The pull pin mechanism  80  will now be described in reference to FIG.  7 . In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates the pull pin mechanism  80  engaged with the horizontal support  54 . The horizontal support  54  has a first hole  58   a  for receiving a pull pin  80 . Engaged with the horizontal support  54  by the pull pin  80  is the receiving rod  42 . First and second pre-cut apertures  94   a ,  94   b  are positioned on opposite sides of the receiving rod  42  aligned with each other. The pull pin mechanism  80  is positioned through the receiving rod  42 . The pull pin mechanism  80  is comprised of an elongate pin  86  having a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end is a rounded tip  82 , and the distal end is an integral tab  90 . Positioned about the elongate pin  86  is a resilient member  88 . Preferably, the resilient member  88  is positioned entirely within the receiving rod  42 . Generally an annular ring  84  is affixed to the elongate pin  86  near the rounded tip  82  of the elongate pin  86 , so as to extend outwardly about the pin  86 . As shown in FIG. 7, the annular ring  84  is within the receiving rod  42  while the rounded tip  82  protrudes through the first aperture  94   a  and first hole  58   a  so as to engage the receiving rod  92  with the horizontal support  54  in the first orientation shown in FIG.  1 . 
     When the support assembly  40  is in the locked position shown in FIG. 7, the resilient member  88  surrounding the elongate portion  86  of the pin  80  is substantially decompressed. The resilient member  88  applies force to the annular ring  84  on the elongate portion  86  which, in turn, forces the rounded tip  82  through the aperture  96  on the receiving rod  42  and further through the first hole  58   a  on the horizontal support  54 . To disengage the pull pin  80  from the horizontal support  54  and thus unlock the support assembly  40  from the first typing orientation, the tab  90  of the pin  80  is pulled outward causing the annular ring  84  to contact and compress the resilient member  88 . The pull pin  80  is pulled outward from the receiving rod  42  a distance sufficient so that the rounded tip  82  clears the side of the horizontal support  54  and is withdrawn from the first hole  58   a . The receiving rod  42  swings down while pivoting at the pivot point  56 . To securely engage the receiving rod  42  with the vertical support  52 , the pull pin  80  is pulled outward from the receiving rod  42  to clear the side of the vertical support  52  and the pull pin  80  is released into a second hole  58   b  (FIG. 6) in the vertical support  52 . Once the pull pin  80  is engaged with the vertical support structure  52 , the support assembly  40  is locked in the second typing orientation. Hence, the pull pin mechanism  80  can be engaged with the holes  58   a  and  58   b  to selectively lock the receiving rod  42  of the support assembly  40  in either the first or second orientations. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the inner rod  44 , to which the keyboard  48  is attached, can be rotated outwardly about the axis of the support assembly  40  such that the palm of the user&#39;s hand faces inward when positioned on the keyboard  48  with the support assembly  40  and the keyboard  48  in the second orientation. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inner rod  44  is positioned inside and extends outward from the front end of the receiving rod  42 . A keyboard  48 , in turn, is fixedly connected to the outer end of the inner rod  44  in a manner well known in the art. The keyboard  48  may be connected to the inner rod  44  by any suitable attachment means. For example, the inner rod  44  may be bolted to the underside of the keyboard  48 . Alternatively, the inner rod  44  may be welded or bolted to a tray that is configured to receive a keyboard  48 . The tray, in turn, may be attached in any suitable manner to the keyboard  48  to permit the keyboard  48  to remain in a fixed position in both the first and second typing orientations. Further, in this embodiment, an arm rest  46  is mounted on the top surface of the inner rod  44  in a manner described in more detail below. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  are connected to the inner rods  44   a ,  44   b  respectively in the manner described above. Together, the keyboards are comprised of the standard letter, number and function keys  49  of a common QWERTY computer keyboard. Separating the keyboards  48  into two halves permits the user&#39;s arms to be positioned in a more comfortable typing orientation. Whereas standard flat keyboards require the user&#39;s arms to bend or extend inwardly so that the hands can be placed on the keyboard, the bifurcated keyboard  48  allows the arms to remain substantially straight when extended outward. Because the arms are straight, less medial stress is placed on the arm tendons and nerves thereby decreasing the risk of developing debilitating tendon and nerve conditions. 
     It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  may be comprised of any number of combinations of keys. For example, the keyboards  48  may have keys representing every letter of the alphabet. Alternatively, the keys may contain alphabetical keys as well as a separate keypad comprised of numbers. In a further embodiment, the keyboard may contain digits representing symbols, for example, those used by court transcribers. In even a further embodiment, the keypad may be comprised of irregular number, letter, or symbol combinations prearranged for use with specific computer hardware or software applications. 
     It will also be understood that the work station  20  may be comprised of only one keyboard  48 . For example, in one embodiment a numbered accounting keypad may be positioned on one side of the work station  20 , while the other side of the work station  20  is devoid of a keyboard  48  or support assembly  40 . It will further be understood that the keyboard  48  need not be symmetrically positioned with respect to the arm support assembly  40 . That is, the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  may be oriented in a plane parallel to the floor, as shown in FIG.  3 . Alternatively, the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  may be rotated from the plane parallel to the floor to provide a more ergonomic orientation. Further, the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  may be elevated in the rear or in front according to the user&#39;s preferences. Additionally, alternative embodiments may provide adjusting means to move the keyboards  48   a ,  48   b  to these various positions. 
     Desirably, an armrest  46  is securely attached to the inner rod  44  by any suitable attachment means such as screws, bolts or adhesive. For example, bolts or screws may extend through the inner rod  44  into the armrest  46 . Alternatively, a strong adhesive may be applied to the inner rod  44  and the armrest  46  and both components firmly pressed together to firmly secure them to each other. In another embodiment, the arm support assembly  40  may not contain an armrest  46 , instead relying on the keyboards  48  to provide support to the user&#39;s hands. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mechanism by which the keyboards  48  rotate about the axis defined by the arm support assembly  40  is illustrated. This mechanism allows for the keyboard  48  to be secured in one of two rotational orientations. 
     The locking mechanism  60  is positioned inside of the inner rod  44  and is characterized by a cylindrical elongated pin  65  having a rounded outward end or top  62 . An integral annular ring  64  is affixed to the elongated pin  65 , generally near the rounded top  62 , which extends outwardly from an opening in the inner rod  44  and the receiving rod  42 . The pin  65  is positioned within a resilient member  66  that is also positioned in the inner rod  44  such that the annular ring  64  is urged towards the inner wall of the inner rod  44  so as to urge the rounded top  62  of the pin  65  out into the opening  68  of the inner rod  44 . The diameter of the pin  65  at the annular ring  64  is at least equal to the diameter of the resilient member  66 . The diameter of the remainder of the pin  65  is less than the diameter of the resilient member  66 . Two spaced-apart flanges  67  protrude outwardly from the interior surface of the inner rod  44  parallel to each other. The resilient member  66  is positioned between the flanges  67  within the inner rod  44  thereby maintaining the resilient member  66  in a predetermined position within the inner rod  44 . Multiple spaced-apart preformed apertures  72  may be positioned in-line along the length of the receiving rod  42 . 
     With the resilient member  66  substantially decompressed, the rounded top  62  of the pin  65  protrudes through an aperture  68  in the inner rod  44 . The pin  65  further protrudes through a corresponding aperture  72  in the receiving rod  42 . By protruding through the inner rod  44  and receiving rod  42 , the pin  65  securely engages the inner rod  44  to the receiving rod  42  in a desired rotational orientation. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the arm support assembly  40  in a second rotational orientation. Here the rounded top  62  of the pin  65  protrudes through the same aperture  68  in the inner rod  44  and through a second aperture  72  in the receiving rod  42 . In one embodiment, the second aperture  72   b  in the receiving rod  42  is positioned at a 90° angle with respect to the first aperture  72   a  thereby allowing the keyboard  48  to be positioned in one of two rotational orientations. 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, in order to rotate the armrest support assembly  40  outward, the rounded tip  62  of the pin  65  is depressed by a user. The force applied on the rounded tip  62  causes the annular ring  64  to bear down on the resilient member  66 . As a result, the resilient member  66  compresses thereby allowing the rounded tip  62  to move inwardly a sufficient amount to substantially exit from the first aperture  72   a  of the receiving rod  42 . With the pin  65  disengaged from the aperture  72   a , the integral armrest  46 , inner rod  44  and keyboard  48  may be rotated. As best seen in FIG. 5, when the inner rod  44 , and thus the keyboard  48 , is fully rotated 90°, the rounded tip  62  of the pin  65  comes into communication with the second receiving rod aperture  72   b  thereby permitting the resilient member  66  to decompress. The force of the decompression, in turn, causes the resilient member  66  to bear against the annular ring  64  thereby forcing the rounded tip  62  through the second receiving arm aperture  72   b . As a result, the pin  65 , and therefore the arm rest support assembly  40 , securely engages the receiving rod  42  in a second rotational orientation. 
     The inner rod  44  is also telescopically adjustable within the receiving rod  42 , as shown in FIG.  6 . That is, the arm support assembly  40  may be lengthened or shortened depending on physical characteristics of the user. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner rod  44  is securely engaged to the receiving rod  42  by the pin mechanism  60 . The pin  65  and a resilient member  66  are positioned within the inner rod  44  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner rod  44 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a first position, the pin  60  is positioned within a resilient member  66  such as a spring. The precut apertures  72  on the receiving rod  42  are of a sufficient diameter to permit the rounded top  62  of the pin  60  to protrude through the aperture  72  and securely engage the receiving rod  42 . This structure permits the inner rod  44  to be telescopically moveable within the receiving rod  44 . 
     In use, the pin mechanism  60  (FIGS. 3 and 4) is depressed, thereby permitting the inner rod  44  to slide within the receiving rod  42 . The inner rod  44  is then locked into the desired position by the secure engagement of the pin  60  to one of several apertures  72  positioned along the length of the receiving rod  42 . By adjusting the length of the inner rod  44 , the arm support assembly  40  can be quickly customized to fit the arms of a particular user. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the integrated chair and ergonomic keyboard work station  20  operates in the following manner. In use, the user can type in a first position whereby the user&#39;s forearms are positioned on the armrest  46  and extend horizontally outward from the user&#39;s torso so that the hands engage the keyboards  48  with the user&#39;s palms facing downward in the manner shown in FIG.  8 . To move the keyboard  48  from the first typing position to the second typing position, where the user&#39;s arms extend generally downward with their hands engaging with the keyboard such that the user&#39;s palms face inward in the manner shown in FIG. 9, the armrest assembly  46  is both rotated about the axis defined by the support assembly  40  and is pivoted downward about the pivot point  56  (FIG. 6) in the manner described above. To move the arm support assembly  40  between the horizontal and the vertical typing positions, the user first disengages the locking mechanism  60  which locks the inner rod  44  in the first rotational position about the axis defined by the support assembly wherein the keyboard is positioned so as to be parallel with the plane of the seat  24  of the chair  22 . The user then rotates the keyboard so that it is in the second rotational position such that the plane of the keyboard  48  is perpendicular to the plane of the seat. The user then disengages the pull pin  80  from the horizontal support so as to move the support assembly  40  from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation. The user then manipulates the pull pin  80  so that it engages with the opening  58   b  on the vertical support in the manner shown in FIG. 2 thereby securing the support assembly  40  on the vertical orientation. The user simply reverses this process to return the arm support assembly  40  to the horizontal typing position. In this way, the user can adjust the position of the arm support to facilitate typing in one of the two positions. 
     In particular, in a first position a user sits in the chair  22  while the user&#39;s arms extend outward from the body. The user&#39;s forearms, in turn, rest on the armrest  46  while the hands are placed on the bifurcated keyboards  48 . Thus, a user may type in this first orientation. In a second typing orientation, the inner rod  44  and keyboard  48  are rotated outward and then lowered downward to a generally vertical position. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the user&#39;s arms hang generally along the sides of the body with the user&#39;s hands resting on the keyboard  48 . In this typing position, the thumbs of the user generally point forward. 
     In this second position, the user can type on the keyboards  48  in a comfortable, natural position. Peoples&#39; arms naturally hang at their sides while standing or sitting. In a natural hanging position, the hands are generally oriented such that the thumbs point forward while the palms face inward. As shown in FIG. 9, the work station  20  generally mimics the orientation of a user&#39;s hands when hanging in a relaxed, natural position. Advantageously, the user can type while placing minimal stress on the tendons and nerves of the user&#39;s hands and arms. 
     In this manner, the work station  20  is moveable into first and second ergonomic typing orientations that permit the user to type conventionally on a bifurcated keyboard  48  or, alternatively, type in a second orientation with the user&#39;s arms extending down the sides of the chair  22 . Advantageously, both typing orientations enable users to type in orientations that maintain the shoulders and arms in natural, comfortable positions. As a result, significant stress is relieved from the tendons and nerves within the arms and shoulders which, in turn, decreases the possibility of developing debilitating nerve and tendon conditions. 
     Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Consequently, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the claims.