Abstract:
An apparatus and method provide various desk structures as workstations to receive a user, standing or sitting, walking or stationary, exercising or sedentary. A double duty desk system may include multiple, dedicated “sitting desks” at seated height and fixed to a shared “standing desk,” the height of whose desktop stands accessible to a user exercising on an exercise bike, treadmill, stepper, or the like. A user in an exercise (e.g., standing) position may view materials set on the standing desk and on the attached sitting desks and returns. Heights of desks may be permanently fixed, adjustable, powered, mechanized, manual, or a combination. A user may selectively exercise or sit, in order to read, browse online, attend webinars, edit, monitor, handwrite, type, lecture, listen, answer phones, make calls, develop software, or the like from a standing or sitting position, at will.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/832,115, filed Jun. 6, 2013, entitled ACTIVE WORKSTATION APPARATUS AND METHOD, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/832,475, filed Jun. 7, 2013, entitled ACTIVE WORKSTATION APPARATUS AND METHOD, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for combining a desk-type work space with exercise apparatus and methods. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    For decades, work space, particularly desks constructed as work space or workstations for individuals, have continued a development approach that minimizes motion. Particularly, one objective appears to be the minimizing of any need of a worker to rise out of a desk chair to reach for anything in the work space. Thus, shelving, desktop (work surface), drawers, shelves, racks, and so forth are placed within arm&#39;s reach. 
         [0006]    Chair designs and flooring now accommodate chairs having casters that permit a chair to easily roll on a comparatively harder pad, even on carpeted area, by which a worker may move between areas of a desk or work space without rising from the seat. This is probably excellent engineering for efficiency, minimal energy, maintaining focus, and otherwise maintaining a center of work on the user. 
         [0007]    Nevertheless, technology workers, business people, secretaries, transcriptionists, engineers, designers, programmers, customer service representatives, sales persons, and so forth now spend numerous hours seated at a desk. Moreover, long hours, urgent deadlines, demanding projects and customers, long commutes, and other factors combine to consume free time, or that portion of a day that may have been free time in previous generations. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a system and method for providing ready access to work space that is fixed, semi permanently, in order to be immediately accessible, while providing ability for physical activity. For example, it would be an advance in the art to provide a workstation having multiple desk surfaces, such as a main desk accessible in a seated position from a chair, and a standing desk accessible by standing upright. One of these may be arranged over a unit of exercise equipment, such as an exercise bicycle, treadmill, or the like. 
         [0009]    It would be a further advance in the art to provide different areas of a workstation having different desk heights, all stabilized together by a common structure. Thus, stability, compactness, footprints, accessibility, readiness, minimization of adaptation or adjustment, and the like would make such a workstation system more usable. Similarly, systems of framing and connection that permit various levels, all accessible to view, but not needing adjustment in transition, would minimize interruptions to a worker. 
         [0010]    Thus, it would be an advance in the art to provide a workstation system that provides various stations having different desktops at different levels, all in close proximity. It would also be an advance in the art to provide shared work spaces in which certain dedicated desk space is available to the individuals, while a shared exercise work space provides physical activity on an exercise device associated with a higher standing desk or exercise station desk. It would be an advance to provide other returns, deck spaces, storage spaces, shelving, cabinets, racks, and the like in close proximity and adaptable around the various workstations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In view of the foregoing, a system and method in accordance with the invention may provide an apparatus having various stations sized to receive a user at that station. Accordingly, each station may have associated therewith at least one deck or desk. Each desk will typically have an upper and lower surface, the upper surface being accessible for working. The upper surface will typically be substantially planar. 
         [0012]    For example, the upper surface will typically be flat throughout, but may have interruptions in that uniform planar expanse for tools, equipment, accessories, holders, wells, and so forth. Thus, pencil holders, computer monitors, anchor points, supports, edges, consoles, control boxes, and so forth may be implemented on or adjacent to a top surface, thus providing localized areas that will not necessarily be exactly planar. 
         [0013]    A planar surface will typically be level, horizontal in two dimensions. It may be tilted for visibility, easier access for drawing, or the like. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, a double duty desk may provide for multiple desks for one individual, multiple desks for multiple persons, or the like. For example, a standing-height desk (standing desk) may be adjustable, but need not be quickly adjustable. For example, a desk may simply use set screws to fix a telescoping leg at a particular height, thus adjusting a height for a desktop of a standing desk. An exercise device, such as a treadmill, exercise bike, or the like may be placed in close proximity to the standing desk in order for a user to occupy the exercise device while working at the desk. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, a standing desk may have an adjacent sitting desk. For example, a user may step away from an exercise device and the associated work surface of a standing desk in order to sit down at a sitting desk where a computer, other papers, or other activities may be waiting. In certain embodiments, a user from the standing position, the seated position, or both may be able to view the standing desk, the sitting desk, a return, or any combination or subcombination thereof. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, a sitting-height desk will typically be fixed, dedicated, not shared, and need not be readily adjustable. Notwithstanding adjustability may be a desirable parameter, such adjustability need not be frequent, nor even convenient. For example, many commercial desks are prefabricated at a standard height. Such standard heights are highly functional. 
         [0017]    Meanwhile, a standing desk will typically be set at a height suitable for a user or a group of users. Thus, a standing desk may be set at a particular height. That height may be permanently fixed, may be adjustable with some inconvenience, or may be readily adjustable and conveniently so. 
         [0018]    In other embodiments, height adjustments may be driven by cranks, rack-and-pinion drives, equilibrated (spring or counter-weight driven) supports, or the like. Nevertheless, such complexities need not be requirements in a system, inasmuch as a working height of any working surface is coincident with about the lower extent of the rib cage of a user. Whether sitting or standing, such a height is about at the same distance from a user&#39;s shoulder as is that same user&#39;s elbow. Thus, elbows can be rested on a desktop or withdrawn therefrom. Hands can easily access papers, books, keyboards, controls, and the like on the desktop. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the standing desktop may be comparatively easier to adjust. As a practical matter, the sitting-height desk will seldom need any adjustment. Initially, depending on the height of a user and convenience or preference, the sitting-height desk portion may be adjustable. Nevertheless, once adjusted, any dedicated desk need not be readjusted, inasmuch as it will not typically have a different user. 
         [0020]    Similarly, returns or wing desks may be attached laterally beside the station where a user would typically sit. This permits a “wrap around” approach to flat working surfaces in order to support accessories, tools, papers, computers, monitors, personal effects, and so forth. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, multiple workstations may be interconnected to be occupied simultaneous by a plurality of users. Simultaneously, workstations may be occupied by individuals who work closely, work in a team, or are in the same organization. Most users may not desire, or may not need, to spend more than a small (less than half) fraction of a work day on an exercise machine at a standing workstation. 
         [0022]    Multiple sitting workstations or sitting-height desks may be provided with shared structural supports. Those shared structural supports may be shared with the standing desk therebetween. Thus, one or more users may use a standing desk, and two or more users may share a standing desk. 
         [0023]    Typically, stability may be improved by providing rigidized, stabilized, braced structures extending horizontally and vertically and interconnected between the various work spaces. In this way, a larger bearing area, more bearing surface area, intermediate bracing, longer baseline or bearing length (horizontal extent between supports), and the like provide greater leverage and greater support. This provides better stability and stiffness to the structures underlying the various desk surfaces. 
         [0024]    Gussets, angled braces, cross-members, underlying framing or frames, and so forth may be used. Similarly, vertical supports or legs may span vertical expanses between the floor or other supporting surface and a desktop. These vertical supports or legs may be telescoping to extend an extension portion from a base portion in order to adjust height. 
         [0025]    A foot or feet may extend horizontally at a lower end of any leg in order to provide a longer bearing length, and thus more stability, less rocking, less susceptibility to tipping over, and generally greater stability for the vertical supports or legs. In certain embodiments, workstations may be ganged together with multiple work spaces with adjacent desks, alternating in a suitable fashion. For example, alternating with sitting-height desks may be standing-height desks. 
         [0026]    Typically, the legs and feet of a standing-height desk (standing desk) may straddle an exercise device, such as a treadmill or exercise bicycle. Thus, the desk may have its own free-standing support, independent from the exercise device. In certain embodiments, a user may actually park a particular exercise device in the work space that will access a standing desk. Meanwhile, a user may swap out that exercise device, replacing it with a separate exercise device, and park various devices at various other workstations, or elsewhere. 
         [0027]    Thus, a user has the option of standing at a standing desk, with no exercise equipment present, standing on a treadmill at a stationary, standing while walking on a treadmill, sitting or standing upright on a device, or sitting in some other position on an exercise bicycle, or the like. Thus, a user has a great range of motion, and many options by having free standing desks that may be used independently from any specific exercise device, while being usable with several different exercise device types. 
         [0028]    Meanwhile, with quasi-fixed desk heights, an exercise system or a system of workstations that accommodates exercise equipment may actually face other devices (head-to-head, back to back, or in another arrangement such as at right angles) however desired. However, by a selective arrangement of sitting desks, returns, shelving, cabinets, and so forth, a workstation may be set facing, with its most forward edge against, or in close proximity to, a wall. 
         [0029]    Likewise, an exercise system may be set laterally against a wall located on one side, the other, or both. For example, an apparatus and system in accordance with the invention may be implemented in a standard industrial cubicle of any suitable size or arrangement, with multiple walls nearby. Those walls may be sized and spaced to hold standardized cabinets, cubbies (open-faced cabinets), closed-door cabinets, racks, shelves, or the like. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, those extended spaces outside the envelope of the standing decks and exercise machine may be arranged for convenient working by a user. Such arrangements may be selected by a user. Typical examples may be a set up that is effectively a private office. Another might be a shared office. Another situation may be a conference room or other meeting room. 
         [0031]    Meanwhile a user may read, browse online, attend webinars, edit, monitor, handwrite, type, lecture, listen, answer phones, make calls, develop software, or the like from a standing desk, sitting desk, or combination thereof. Similarly, one may do all the foregoing tasks and many others while operating an exercise device at a standing desk, seated at a sitting desk, or a combination thereof, at will. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a workstation in accordance with the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a workstation, this having only a single sitting desk in combination with a standing desk and exercise equipment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a combined, shared workstation arrangement having a single standing desk and two sitting desks flanking it; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment having two standing desks over exercise equipment, with an intervening return therebetween; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment illustrating three standing desks with intervening return desks as the sitting-height desk, and illustrating an alternative exercise machine; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system in accordance with the invention set up in the space of an office cubicle; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a right side perspective view of an alternative embodiment, corresponding to the system of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  is a left side perspective view thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, including a return portion as a continuous part of the sitting desk thereof; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, in which the return forms the entire sitting desk portion extending axially parallel to the exercise equipment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment having two sitting desks flanking a standing desk over an exercise machine; 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view thereof, absent the flanking, sitting desks; 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative arrangement having three standing desks over exercise machines, with intermediate, short returns at sitting height between the standing desks; 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of two banks of exercise machines of  FIG. 13 , these arranged head-to-head; 
           [0047]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view thereof; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, wherein two standing desks are arranged in opposite-facing, parallel directions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , while referring to  FIGS. 1 through 15  generally, a system  10  in accordance with the invention may be configured as an apparatus  10  operating as workstations for one or more users. For example, an exercise machine  12  may be selected from any suitable exercise equipment  12 . In general, it is highly desirable to have an exercise device  12  that is simple to use, does not require a high degree of interaction or attention, and which provides a moderate, aerobic type of exercise. 
         [0051]    In one embodiment of an apparatus  10  in accordance with the invention, a treadmill  12  or other type of exercise device  12  may be suitable. In the illustrated embodiment, supports  14  or legs  14  may have extensions  16  rendering the supports  14  telescopic or extendable in their vertical length. Similarly, a support  14  may be provided with feet  18  or a foot. This may provide a longer bearing length or bearing distance in order to stabilize the support  14  against tipping or falling over. 
         [0052]    A desk  20  or workstation  20  may be supported at the top end (proximate end) of a support  14 . Meanwhile, a foot  18  may be secured at the distal end of the same support  14 . In certain embodiments, the extent of the desk  20  may be selected or calculated to be less than the maximum extent toward a user that the foot  18  extends. In this way, it is not possible to apply weight to the proximate edge of the desk  20  in a manner that would create a moment (as that term is used in engineering as a force at a distant) that would be outboard or beyond an end of the foot  18 . Thus, the desk  20  will be fundamentally stable against tipping over in response to weight applied at any location by a user. 
         [0053]    Each desk  20  may be formed to be flat, and thereby have a surface  21  or working surface  21  on the top face thereof. This surface  21  may be treated with a particular material, such as a laminate, a polymeric material, or other suitable material for a task to be accomplished by a user working at the desk  20 . Each desk  20  may be configured or selected to be either a standing desk  22  or a sitting desk  23 . 
         [0054]    For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a standing desk  22  may be set at a fixed height. Nevertheless, the actual height that the telescoping extension  16  extends from the base portion of the member  14  may be selected by a user and fixed for that user for all time. On the other hand, adjustability, even motorized, cranked, or otherwise rapid response of adjustability by the extension  16  within the member  14  may be engineered into the system  10 . In other embodiments, a simple lifting by a user of the desk  20  may result in extending by the extension  16  in order to lengthen the member  14  for suitable use. 
         [0055]    In certain embodiments, the sitting desk  23  may be dedicated to a particular user. Meanwhile, the standing desk  22  may be configured to be used in a standing position, and more readily adjustable for shared use. It is a benefit specific to a system  10  in accordance with the invention that multiple persons may use adjacent work spaces  40  or stations  40  simultaneously. 
         [0056]    For example, it may be that a team work area may be populated by a group of from two to half a dozen workers who are in close proximity. They may have some relationship by organization, task, or the like. In such an arrangement, several systems  10  may be installed to provide individual workstations  40   a ,  40   c  at sitting desks  23   a ,  23   c  with an intermediate, shared, standing desk  22 . 
         [0057]    In selected embodiments, a system  10  in accordance with the invention may include multiple sitting desks  23  mechanically secured by their structural framing, such as the supports  14 , extensions  16 , feet  18 , and the like. In fact, it may be important to include a stabilizer  25  between adjacent and corresponding, supports  14  under a desk  20 . For example, the stabilizer  25  connecting the supports  14  under the standing desk  22  may provide rigidization, dimensional stability, stiffness, and so forth. 
         [0058]    Braces  27  such as diagonal braces  27  illustrated or gussets  27  as illustrated in various configurations in the illustrated embodiments, may rigidize by the principal of triangulation of distances, any vertical members  14  against horizontal members  25 . Meanwhile, other framing  26  or frames  26  may extend below various surfaces, such as the desks  20 , or a return  24  (wing desk  24 ) or wing table  24 . 
         [0059]    For example, an office desk may have a wing extension that pulls out much as a drawer, just above a set of drawers in the pedestal of such a desk. This provides an increase in work surface, and the ability to place items, papers, accessories, tools, or the like close at hand. In the illustrated embodiment, a wing table  24  or a return  24  may extend along the work space  40   b  of a standing user relying on the standing desk  22 . 
         [0060]    The positioning of the sitting desk  23  and the standing desk  22  may be very important. Likewise, the positioning of the return  24  or wing desk  24  may also be important. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the user in a seated position will find that the top surface  21   a  of the sitting desk  23   a  is at about the same height as an elbow. Thus, it is accessible from a seated position, to hands, eyes (for viewing papers and other equipment&#39;s on the working surface  21   a ), and so forth. Meanwhile, the wing desk  24  or return  24  is also available, at the same height as illustrated. 
         [0061]    While, while a user is at the standing desk  22 , the top surface  21   b  is at about elbow height, or waist height, thus making objects on the top working surface  21   b  of the standing desk  22  available for viewing, touching, reaching by hand, and so forth. Meanwhile, the top surface  21   b  is also available for resting the elbows, forearms, or the like thereon. 
         [0062]    One will note in the illustrated embodiments, however, that the top surfaces  21   a ,  21   c ,  21   d ,  21   e  are all available to a user standing at the standing desk  22 , in the work space  40   c . Thus, the actual usable work space in which a user may place objects, store objects, spread out papers and documents, arrange a computer monitor or keyboard, or other accessories, and the like are all available, accessible, and most can be reached. 
         [0063]    It can be found that a major factor in productivity of workers is the available work space in which to spread out, view, reach, and otherwise access for fundamental utility the necessary tools, papers, documents, reading materials, reference material, computers, monitors, interfaces (keyboard, mouse, etc.) while working on a task. 
         [0064]    Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the height of the work surfaces  21   a ,  21   c ,  21   d ,  21   e  may be set to be accessible for viewing, reaching, or the like. Not only is this somewhat so when a user is in a seated position thereat (at a workstation location  40   a ,  40   c ), but also is more effective when a user is standing, such as walking or exercising in the work space  40   b  at the standing desk  22 ). 
         [0065]    A console  28  may be electrically connected to the exercise device  12 . Convenience in working, without interruption, is a substantial benefit in a system  10  in accordance with the invention. Accordingly, the console  28  is preferably designed and shaped to not interfere with reach, vision, activity, or the like for a user working at the standing desk  22 . Thus, the console  28  may be embedded in the standing desk  22 , placed slightly beneath it near the proximal edge closest to a user, or the like. 
         [0066]    Meanwhile, relief  30  may be provided in the standing desk  22  in order to provide more ready access to items, without interference by the central portion of the standing desk  22  with a user. For example, to a certain extent, the standing desk  22  may “wrap around” a user in order to maintain a certain radial distance more-or-less constant between a user, and the closest edge of the standing desk  22 . 
         [0067]    To the end of comfort, safety, convenience, and the like, a bumper  31  may be configured as a pad  31 , a wrist support  31 , a combination  31  thereof, or the like. Typically, the bumper  31  may be formed of a foamed, elastomeric polymer, such as a urethane foam, a polyethylene foam, or other expanded polymeric material. Thus, a wrist rest  31  as well as a protection  31  against an edge of the standing desk  22  may be provided. 
         [0068]    The exercise machine  12  may be selected from a variety of devices. For example, a treadmill  12 , an exercise bike  12 , a recumbent exerciser, a stepper, an elliptical walker, or the like may be involved. However, in selecting an exercise device  12 , it may best serve the needs of a worker to provide a minimum of distraction, and thus a minimum level of attention required by the exercise device  12 . 
         [0069]    The exercise device  12  may be swapped in and out of the work space  40   b  and connected to the console  28  in a convenient place and manner. On the other hand, the exercise device  12  may be a particular type and may remain unchanged. Nevertheless, the exercise device  12  in the illustrated embodiment is completely disconnected mechanically from any support, and most registration or alignment requirements with the structure of the desks  20 . 
         [0070]    The cowling  32  over the motor  34  of the treadmill  12  illustrated does not interfere with the walking of a user on the treadmill  12 . It need not impinge on any aspect of accessing the standing desk  22 , the sitting desks  23   a ,  23   c , nor the wing desks  24  or returns  24 . 
         [0071]    By way of explanation, a trailing letter used herein in combination with a reference numeral represents a specific instance of the item identified by the reference numeral. The reference numeral may be used to refer any or all of the items corresponding to that reference numeral. Thus, it is not necessary to use or describe every lettered item, nor is it inconsistent to refer to an item identified by a reference numeral and trailing letter simply by the reference numeral. The reference numeral may refer to all of the instances, and may be thought of as the general reference for the general item type. Nevertheless, in distinguishing positions, specific items, and their relationships, it is sometimes convenient and more clear to a reader if the trailing letters are used to identify a specific instance discussed. 
         [0072]    In general, the structure of the exercise  12 , such as the treadmill  12  here, will typically involve guards  35  isolating certain equipment from a user. This increases safety, and relieves the user of having to pay particular undue attention to certain aspects of the structure. Particularly, a frame  36  may be protected by guards  35  thereabove. Similarly, feet  37  may space or adjust the frame  36  with respect to a supporting surface, such as a floor. 
         [0073]    In the illustrated embodiment, a continuous belt  38  or endless belt  38  operates as the treadmill track  38  or belt  38  on which a user walks. By movement, the belt  38  advances, thus causing a user to be required to advance along the belt  38 , in order to stay stationary with respect to the desks  20 . A user may occupy any of the individual workstations  40  or positions  40 . 
         [0074]    As a practical matter, several users may have dedicated sitting desks  23 , and share a single standing desk  22 . Thus, the cost of maintaining and capitalizing the exercise device  12  is spread over more users. The more conventional functionality served by desks  20  may still be delivered to individual users. 
         [0075]    For example, in most environments, a user will spend less than a full day walking on the treadmill  12 . On the other hand, much of the day may be spent at a sitting desk  23 . Accordingly, an individual user may share time with another user, inasmuch as each has a dedicated sitting desk  23 . The time available for accessing the standing desk  22  may be subdivided among multiple users. 
         [0076]    A “power user” may be able to operate at a desk  22  (standing desk  22 ) all day long, while standing, walking, jogging, running, or a combination thereof on the treadmill  12 . However, as a practical matter, most users will spend only two hours or less per day actually exercising at a modest walking rate on the exercise device  12 . Thus, the available time may typically be subdivided or “multiplexed” appropriately as agreed between users. 
         [0077]    One may note that the embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes two separate sitting desks  23   a ,  23   c  and an intermediate, shared, standing desk  22 . Nevertheless, in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a single standing desk  22  is associated with a single sitting desk  23 . The latter embodiment is serviceable, even though the standing desk  22  is not shared. 
         [0078]    In general, the standing desk  22  may be mechanically secured to a structure, such as the various supports  14  or legs  14 , interconnected by framing  26  supporting the desks  22 ,  23 ,  24  and also securing them to the supports  14  of the system  10 . By means of the framing  26  or frames  26 , additional stiffness (e.g. section modulus) without additional thickness of the desktop material may be imparted to any desk  20 , whether the standing desk  22 , the sitting desk  23 , or a wing desk  24 . 
         [0079]    On the other hand, such frames  26  may also secure the supports  14 , and be stabilized by braces  27  or gussets  27  that triangulate distances to add substantial stability. Likewise, this minimizes the space, weight, expense, and interference associated with the supports  14  and other frames  26 . In these embodiments, a user may move freely within the work space  40   a ,  40   b , or  40   c , without interference from unused desks  22 ,  23 ,  24  or desk portion  22 ,  23 ,  24 , nor intermediate structures. Thus, one notices that clearance for and aft from a user position is substantial. Meanwhile, the lateral clearance (from side to side) is likewise suitable for either standing, sitting, or a combination, as desired. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 15 , in certain embodiments a user may select a chair  50  of arbitrary, desirable configuration. For example, some workers prefer an arm chair. Others do not. Thus, different types of chairs  50  may be selected according to user preference. Similarly, the specific height at which an individual sitting desk  23  is set may be unique, and selected for an individual. That individual, having a dedicated sitting desk  23 , may then set up the height  19  (e.g.  19   a ,  19   b ) of that desk  23  according to user preference. 
         [0081]    In certain embodiments, a user may set the wing desk  24  at the same height  19   a  as the sitting desk  23 . In other embodiments, the wing desk  24  may be at yet another height  19 . Typically, the wing desk  24 , the sitting desk  23 , and any materials thereon may be visible, and may be manually accessible by reaching, for a user standing at the standing desk  22 . Meanwhile, certain objects, monitors, and the like that may be set on the standing desk  22  may be visible or reachable from the seated position at a sitting desk  23 . 
         [0082]    As a practical matter, it is most important or at least comparatively more important, that a user operating at a standing desk  22  be able to see materials, papers, documents, accessories, computers, screens, and the like resting on a sitting desk  23 . For example, a user at a standing desk  22  may still want access to materials at the dedicated sitting desk  23 . It is unlikely or less likely that a seated user operating at a sitting desk  23  will need access to materials on top of the standing desk  22 . The operational concept is somewhat contrary to dedicated use of the standing desk  22 . Nevertheless, in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the standing desk  22  is associated with a single sitting desk  23 . 
         [0083]    A user may position a system  10  on a floor  51 , in order to support a system  10  of desks  20 . A user may then configure personal space on a dedicated sitting desk  23  with personally dedicated equipment. For example, a computer  52 , a monitor  54 , a keyboard  56 , a mouse  57 , and the like may typically be associated with a single user. 
         [0084]    In some embodiments, a monitor  54  may be set on the standing desk  22 . Such a monitor  54  may be available to multiple users by reconnection or switching a connection. On the other hand, a monitor  54  may be set on a sitting desk  23  when appropriate, and on the standing desk  22  for reference. Nevertheless, in the illustrated embodiments, a user may see quite clearly a monitor  54  sitting on a sitting desk  23  even when a user is standing and operating at a standing desk  22 . 
         [0085]    Typically, phones  58 , papers  59 , and the like may be moved about by a user. Thus, a user may place a phone  58  at any location being used as part of a work space  40 . Thus, a phone  58  may be moved to the standing desk  22 , and removed back to a sitting desk  23  at will. Similarly, papers  59  may be placed on any desk  20 , and may be moved from a sitting desk  23  to a standing desk  22  at different times. In general, the system  10  in accordance with the invention may provide user selection arbitrarily and user configuration arbitrarily in order to optimize personal preferences for workstation efficiency, access, organization, and so forth. 
         [0086]    Typically, an office will have walls  60 ,  61 . A user at a sitting desk  23  may face a wall  60 , such as a forward wall  60 . Meanwhile, a lateral wall  61  may be nearby or distant. In the embodiments illustrated, a lateral wall  61  is adjacent a sitting desk  23   a , and may support shelves, cabinets, accessories, and the like. Similarly, a frontal wall  60  or front wall  60  may be faced by a user. It  60  may also be engaged to support shelves, brackets, accessories, storage, cubbies (cubby-hole-type, open shelving) or the like. Similarly, cabinets, files, other organization units or the like may also be secured to a wall  60 ,  61  as desirable. 
         [0087]    A user may distribute accessories in a manner most conducive to the task at hand. In general, a user will have the liberty to arrange the personal work space in accordance with personal desires. Meanwhile, the shared work space, such as that associated with the standing desk  22  may be set as agreed upon in order to be shared. Alternatively, it may be readily adjustable to be manipulated by each user timely and comparatively quickly when in use by that particular user. 
         [0088]    Typically, a laptop  62  may be used remotely or may be docked or otherwise used at a desk  20 . Typically, a user may have a phone  64 , a smartphone  64 , a personal digital assistant  64 , or the like. Other accessories  66  may be placed on the desk  20 , attached to a wall  60 ,  61 , or the like. Thus, great latitude, great individual freedom for dedicated spaces, is compatible with shared use, thus minimizing cost, maximizing utility, and maximizing user productivity by expanding the available work space. 
         [0089]    A safety tether  68  associated with an exercise machine  12  may be connected to the system  10 . For example, to prevent tripping, stumbling, injury, or the like, a user moving away from the standing desk  22  may automatically pull on a safety tether  68 , thus causing immediate stoppage of all automatic or motorized mechanical activity of the exercise machine  12 . Thus, a system  10  in accordance with the invention need not dispense with the safety equipment available with exercise machines  12  in general. 
         [0090]    Similarly, the desks  20  replace to a large extent, and may replace totally, the handles, bars, boundaries, and other registration devices suitable for gripping by a user in order to provide stability, gaging of distance, setting of pace on a treadmill  12 , and so forth. A user has the visual registration ability due to the positioning and non-moving nature of each of the desks  20 . Thus, by viewing the standing desk  22 , sitting desk  23 , wing desk  24 , or return  24 , a user has a mental picture just as in driving a car down the road. A user does not have to pay attention to every detail. Peripheral vision gives a sense and sensation of surrounding objects, their distance, and whether they are moving in relationship to a user. Thus, the desks  20  provide visual registration by a user even when viewed only in peripheral sight. 
         [0091]    Thus, the safety tether  68  may protect against the inability of a user to reach the console  28 , and shut off the exercise device  12 . However, the continued use of handles need not be undertaken as the desks, with their supports  14  and framing  26 , provide suitable structure, strength, support, access, size, and gripping ability for a user. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 3  specifically, the walls  60 ,  61 , laptop  62 , phone  64  or PDA  64 , other accessories  66 , and safety tether  68  are included. Meanwhile, a phone  58  of conventional type also sits along with other accessories, such as beverage containers, and the like. 
         [0093]    Notably, an adjuster  70  may be configured as a crank  70 , a set screw  70 , or the like. Accordingly, by suitable sizing and weighting of the standing desk  22 , a user may readily lift the desk  22  by extending the extensions  16  from the supports  14  or the base portions of the supports  14  in order to adjust the height of the standing desk  22 . 
         [0094]    Similarly, adjustments (not shown) may be provided in order to tilt the standing desk  22 . For example, in dealing with papers, it may be preferable or desirable by a user to rely upon the bumper  31  or the edge treatment  31  to resist papers sliding off the standing desk  22 , while the standing desk  22  is tilted with respect to the supports  14 , in order to provide a better angle of visibility for items on the surface  21  of the standing desk  22 . 
         [0095]    Thus, adjusters  70  may be included at the attachment location between the extension  16  and the desktop of the standing desk  22  in order to tilt the standing desk  22 . However, the most basic adjustment is the adjustment of height, such as by a set screw  70  that will secure the base of the support  14  and the extension  16  against relative movement thereof. As a practical matter, the adjustment  70  may be a set screw  70  that includes a knob easily turned to apply a force binding the extension  16  in place. In this way, adjustment is readily available, but not automatic, powered, or the like. 
         [0096]    For most people, a standing desk  22  may best be set at a particular height. Personal preference may be particularly sensitive to a matter of a height difference. However, sitting desks  23  are typically set at a fixed height  19  of from about twenty eight to about thirty two inches. Typically, a thirty inch desk height  19  is quite common. Thus, in some embodiments, the supports  14  under the sitting desks  23  may not even have any adjustability. They may simply be fixed at a standard desk height  19 . Nevertheless, in certain embodiments, the supports  14  may be adjustable under the sitting desks  23  in order to be tailored in their configuration to the exact preferences of an individual user. 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the return  24  may be incorporated even in the absence of a sitting desk  23 . It has been found that users will frequently need or desire a place to set necessary-but-not-currently-used items. Drinks, reference materials, objects, telephones, and the like may be set on a return  24  that is shared between multiple standing desks  22 , even in the absence of dedicated sitting desks  23 . 
         [0098]    In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of standing desks  22  is arranged with a shared return  24  therebetween. Each standing desk  22  has its own exercise device  12 . In this embodiment, a user or a pair of users may have at hand and readily available, any item desired to be set on the return  24 , not necessary at hand on the standing desk  22 . Nevertheless, a user may move papers from the standing desk  22  to the return  24  for storage or for safekeeping momentarily while other documents are placed in use on the working surface  21  of the standing desk  22 . Thus, a variety of configurations may be used. In other embodiments, the system  10  of  FIG. 4  may be configured with additional sitting desks  23  outboard of the standing desks  22 . Thus, in such an embodiment, a user may have multiple returns  24 . 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a particular embodiment of a system  10  in accordance with the invention is set up in a room having walls  60 ,  61  defining several work spaces  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the standing desks  22  are set up similarly to those of  FIG. 4  with a return  24  between each adjacent set of standing desks  22 . As illustrated, a single exercise machine is associated with one location  40 . The other workstation locations  40  may also have exercise machines  12  installed thereat, but need not. Thus, one may work from a standing position, with or without additional motion imposed by or supported by an exercise machine  12 . 
         [0100]    In this instance, each of the standing desks  22  faces a wall  60 . A single workstation  40  or standing desk  22  is flanked also by the lateral wall  61 . Typically, in such an embodiment, the returns  24  are not considered sitting desks  23 . The spacing is inadequate to support seating. Moreover, the length or extent of each of the returns  24  is substantial, even more so than illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Thus, considerable space exists on a work top  21  or surface  21  of the return  24  in order to set objects, distribute papers, or otherwise arrange work space. In the illustrated embodiment, each standing desk  22  appears to be dedicated, while the returns  24  are shared. 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 15 , a series of cubicles  86  will typically be arranged in “high-density” office space. An individual cubicle  86  or work area  86  may be furnished for one individual, multiple individuals, a group, a team, or the like. Accordingly, the specific dimensions of the cubicle  86  may be configured in accordance with the number of persons being served by that work space  86 . 
         [0102]    By the same token, cubicles  86  may have walls  60  of various heights. In some working environments, walls  60  may traverse the entire distance from floor to ceiling of the enclosing room. In other embodiments, the height of the walls  60  or the partitions  60  around a cubicle  86  may extend about six feet overhead for most people. In other embodiments, the height is lower in order than individuals may converse with one another. Thus, the appropriateness of the work involved, the need for visibility, the need for oral communications or privacy, and the like may factor into the selection of the size or wall height for a cubicle  86 . 
         [0103]    In the illustrated embodiment, the system  10  may be set up with a standing desk  22  adjacent a sitting desk  23 . Meanwhile, an exercise device  12 , in this instance, a treadmill  12 , is positioned directly on the floor between the supports  14  of the standing desk  22 . A panel  80  provides additional positions for certain information, such as may be displayed on a monitor  82  or a screen  82 . Meanwhile, the console  28  controlling the exercise device  12  may still be mounted near an edge of the standing desk  22 . 
         [0104]    By contrast, a monitor  82  may be mounted above the working surface  21  of the standing desk  22  or may be positioned therebelow. In the illustrated embodiment, the monitor  82  may be visible to a user just as may the standing desk  22 . Thus, inasmuch as the space near the desk  22  and distant from the exercise device  12  will not interfere with walking movements, the panel  80  may be positioned to be visibly accessible to a user standing (e.g. exercising) at the standing desk  22 . 
         [0105]    Accessories  84  may include, for example, a shelf  84  or rack  84  mounted to a desk  22 ,  23 , a support  14 , or the like. Similarly, racks  84 , shelves  84 , and the like may also be secured to the walls  60  of the cubicle  86 . In the illustrated embodiment, a lateral wall  61   b  opposite a lateral wall  61   a  may flank the system  10 . These walls  61   a ,  61   b  may provide additional space for holding brackets, shelves, cabinets, and the like. Similarly, the desks  22 ,  23  may be positioned very close to or touching the forward wall  60 . 
         [0106]    In alternative embodiments, the system  10  may be spaced away from the wall  60  in order to provide space for projecting accessories such as shelving, cabinets, and so forth that will be available to a user, above one or more of the desks  22 ,  23 . In other embodiments, shelves, cabinets, or the like may be secured to the front wall  60 , the lateral walls  61   a ,  61   b , or both, yet spaced sufficiently from any desk  22 ,  23  so as not to interfere. For example, the sitting desk  23  may be positioned immediately adjacent the front wall  60 . It may have a cabinet anchored to the top edge or near the top edge of the front wall  60  in such a way as not to interfere. A user may still have lighting, access, visibility, and the like while working at the sitting desk  23 . Likewise, lighting may be provided under such a cabinet in order to illuminate the top surface  21  of the sitting desk  23 . In certain embodiments, shelving, cabinets, and the like may also be configured to maximize user visibility of a desk  20 ,  22 ,  23  from a position while using the standing desk  22 , sitting desk  23 , or both. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 through 12 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 through 15 , various configurations of a system  10  may optimize working space according to the desires of a particular user. For example, the sitting desk  23  of  FIG. 7  is comparatively as long or as wide, from a user perspective, as the standing desk  22 . Thus, the sitting work space  40   a  is more spacious than the standing work space  40   b . However, a shelf  84  is provided, which will preclude a user sitting close to the distal or far end of the sitting desk  23 . Meanwhile, relief may be provided in the sitting desk  23  in order to provide more firm and close attachment of framing  26 , associated with the sitting desk  23 , with the support  14  under the standing desk  22 . 
         [0108]    Similarly, the return portion  24  of  FIG. 9  may replace, or augment the presence of a separate return  24 , generally. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the sitting desk  23  actually includes a return portion  24  all as part of the uninterrupted (continuous) working surface  21  thereof. 
         [0109]    Likewise, in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the sitting desk  23  may actually be positioned as a return  24 . That is, the user standing in a work space  40   b  at the standing desk  22  may have access to the entire length of the work surface  21  associated with the sitting desk  23 . Thus, the sitting desk  23  may be approached from a side opposite the exercise device  12  (e.g. treadmill  12 ) from the standing desk  22 . Meanwhile, the entire length of the sitting desk  23  is still available for viewing of objects, papers, accessories, screens, computers, and the like. It is reachable by hand to retrieve any object placed thereon. Thus, the system  10  more thoroughly wraps around a standing user. 
         [0110]    The only additional inconvenience thereof is the fact that a user, to move from the standing work space  40   b  to the seated work space  40   a , would need to pass around the end of the sitting desk  23  in order to have access thereto from a seated position. Nevertheless, the available space required is optimized in that the distance between a user seated at the sitting desk  23  across that sitting desk  23  to the support  14  is comparatively less than the similar measurement for the embodiments of  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 . Thus, less lateral distance is required. Chairs  50 , auxiliary supports  14  and the like have been omitted from  FIG. 10 , but are positioned as appropriate as described hereinabove. 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a sitting desk  23 , in fact two of them  23 , may reflect the aspect ratio (ratio of two dimensions, in this case length to width) of each of the sitting desks  23 . Each is the same as that of the sitting desk  23  of  FIG. 10 . However, in this embodiment, the sitting desks  23  extend a greater distance away from the exercise device  12  as embodied in the treadmill  12 . Thus, the work spaces  40   a ,  40   c  of  FIG. 11  are considerably wider, from a seated user&#39;s point of view, along a frontal wall  60 . Thus, the overall footprint of the system  10  of  FIG. 10  is comparatively narrower, measured crossways of (e.g. orthogonally, at right angles to) the moving direction of the treadmill  12 . 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a standing desk  22  may be used standing alone over an exercise device  12 , if desired. Thus, at a minimum, a system  10  may include a non-mechanically-connected treadmill  12  or other exercise device  12  positioned within the supports  14 . It may be literally completely unconnected except by the supporting floor surface. Thus, registration fittings, anchors, fasteners, registration stations, connectors, adapters, and the like may fix a treadmill  12  or other exercise device  12  with respect to the supports  14  or the exercise standing desk  22 . However, they ay be completely unnecessary. This provides for more ready access, simpler set up, and adjustment of the relative position of the exercise  12  by an individual user. Thus, by eschewing the forced registration of fixing the exercise device  12  in a bracket or cradle integral to the supports  14  of the standing desk  22 , one may provide additional adjustability, arbitrary positioning, and so forth for user convenience, comfort, and personal preference. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 16 , a system  10  may include a group or bank of standing desks  22  in comparatively close quarters. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 13 , a return  24  that does not extend backward along the extent of the treadmills  12  and away from the standing desks  22  may replace any sitting desk  23 . However, such a configuration limits the usefulness of such a bank of standing desks  22  as far as personal, seated use. That is, in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , seated use is basically not available. Space is not available. 
         [0114]    On the other hand, certain spaces may be configured as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In this embodiment, banks are arranged in ranks, columns, or rows. Here, two rows (banks  90 ) of standing tables  22  are arranged head-to-head. Accordingly, such a work space is comparatively less useful, maybe even approximating useless, for seated work. 
         [0115]    However, in certain embodiments, a general office space may provide individual desks for users, and make the standing desks  22  only available by moving to a different space where such standing desks  22  are ganged, or grouped. This may be a suitable arrangement for situations where the heat generated by perspiration of users, and the operation of motors  34  within the cowling  32  of the treadmills  12  may be carried away. This may occur by maintaining a lower room temperature, such as about 60 to about 65 degrees, rather than the more common 68 to about 72 degrees at which comfort heating is provided. Thus, a centralized room containing banks  90  of standing desks  22  may be maintained at a suitable temperature different from that of comfort heating in a general common, sedentary, work space. 
         [0116]    In the illustrated embodiments, many benefits accrue to users and owners of systems  10  in accordance with the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the system is modular in that individual systems  10  may be expanded by the addition of a number of sitting desks  23 , various combinations of standing desks  22 , arrangements, orientations, attachments, angular intersections of the central axis of such devices  20 , and so forth. 
         [0117]    Similarly, the standing desk  22  and sitting desk  23  may be secured together to minimize the amount of hardware required while still obtaining the maximum bearing length (the distance between adjacent or distant supports for an object). Thus, for example, a support  14  under a sitting desk  23  tends to support and stabilize the connecting support  14  of a standing desk  22  positioned adjacent thereto. Numerous embodiments showing this principal are included in the  FIGS. 1 through 15 . Moreover, fewer legs  14  or supports  14  are required, thus providing more open spaces, and clear space for positioning chairs  50 , feet and legs of a user, and so forth. 
         [0118]    One may see that a system  10  provides for multiple heights  19  of desks  20 . For example, a sitting desk  23  may have a height  19   a  selected by a user for seated work. Meanwhile, a standing desk  22  may have a height  19   b  suitable for standing. Meanwhile, returns  24  may have different heights  19 , or the same height as either a sitting desk  23 , standing desk  22 , or the like. 
         [0119]    In accordance with the invention, a shared standing desk  22  allows for a shared exercise device  12  in the work space  40  associated with different workstation system  10  available to users. The wing tables  24  or returns  24  may actually be replaced by sitting desks  23  oriented perpendicularly to the orientation to the standing desks  22 . Thus, footprint may be modularized, and may be highly adjustable between a more rectangular total footprint of a system  10  versus a more spread out footprint of the system  10 . 
         [0120]    Meanwhile, the feet  18  associated with supports  14  below desks  20  may typically be secured such that at least one thereof extends outward farther than the edge of the corresponding desk  20 . In this way, support against tipping over is available to a user. Meanwhile, this permits much more flexibility in selecting and positioning an exercise device  12  under a standing desk  22 . It also provides safety, an effective railing or handle, and so forth. 
         [0121]    The system  10  may define forward and rearward directions with respect to a user on the exercise machine  12  while working at a standing desk  22  (e.g., standing desktop  22 ). A lateral direction is horizontally to the right or left, with respect to a user. A transverse direction may be either of the forward or rearward directions. An axial direction may be along any axis, such as a centerline of an object or person. Vertical is upward or downward with respect to a user and any supporting surface such as a floor. 
         [0122]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.