Patent Publication Number: US-7721658-B2

Title: Computer workstation with movable monitor support

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/647,281, filed Jan. 26, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates generally to a computer workstation, and in particular, to a computer workstation having a movable monitor support. In many instances, a user of a computer workstation is seated at the workstation in a tiltable chair. Typically, as the user tilts rearwardly, the position of the eyes of the user travels rearwardly at a greater rate into a greater distance relative to a monitor positioned at the workstation than does the position of the hands of the user located at a keyboard positioned on the workstation. Accordingly, the user is typically required to independently readjust one or both of the worksurface, if movable, and the monitor support, if movable, when reclining to different positions to maintain an optimum position of each relative to the user, and in particular to the eyes and hands of the user. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   In one aspect, one embodiment of a computer workstation includes a worksurface horizontally moveable from a first worksurface position to a second worksurface position. At least a portion of the worksurface rotates about a horizontal axis as the worksurface is moved from the first worksurface position to the second worksurface position. A monitor support is moveable horizontally and vertically and moveably coupled to the worksurface. The worksurface or the monitor support is moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. 
   In another aspect, a computer workstation includes a planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear, a planet gear engaging the sun gear, and a planet gear carrier rotatably attached to the planet gear. A worksurface is coupled to the planet gear carrier. A monitor support is coupled to the sun gear. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. 
   In another aspect, a computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance from a first worksurface position to a second worksurface position. A monitor support is moveably coupled to the worksurface. A pivot mechanism couples the monitor support to a base. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions. The second distance is greater than the first distance. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a computer workstation. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a first embodiment of a computer workstation in a first configuration. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a first embodiment of a computer workstation in a second configuration. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a computer workstation with the worksurface removed. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a planetary gear assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an embodiment a workstation being moved from a first position to a second position. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment a workstation. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a second embodiment of a computer workstation in a first configuration. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a second embodiment of a computer workstation in a second configuration. 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of a computer workstation in a first configuration. 
       FIG. 11  is a partially cutaway view of a second embodiment of a computer workstation in a second configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The contents of commonly assigned and copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/797,581, entitled “Computer Workstation with Moveable Monitor Support,” are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a computer workstation  10  includes a worksurface  100  and a monitor support  200  coupled to the worksurface  100 . It should be understood that the term “worksurface” as used herein, means any surface capable of supporting an object, e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a document holder, papers, etc., and includes for example and without limitation, monitor supports, desk tops and keyboard trays. The term “coupled” generally means connected to or engaged with whether directly or indirectly, for example with an intervening member, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent, and includes both mechanical and electrical connection. 
   The worksurface  100  is movable from a first worksurface position as shown in  FIG. 2  to a second worksurface position as shown in  FIG. 3 . The worksurface  100  and the monitor support  200  are coupled, such that either of the worksurface  100  or the monitor support  200  is moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface  100  and the monitor support  200 . Of course, it should be understood that both the monitor support  200  and the worksurface  100  can be moved together simultaneously. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , as the worksurface  100  moves a horizontal distance W HD  from a first worksurface position  30  (shown in solid lines) to a second worksurface position  32  (shown in dashed lines), the monitor support  200  also moves a horizontal distance M HD  from a first monitor position  20  to a second monitor position  22 . In one embodiment, M HD  is greater than W HD . In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  is moveable horizontally and vertically, and at least a portion of the worksurface  100  rotates about a horizontal axis as the worksurface  100  is moved from the first worksurface position to the second worksurface position. The monitor support  200  preferably does not rotate as it moves from a first monitor position  20  to a second monitor position  22 . In one embodiment, the second position  32  of the worksurface  100  is forward and downward of the first position  30 , and the second position  22  of the monitor support  200  is also forward and downward of the first position  20  of the monitor support  200 . Thus, at least a portion of the worksurface  100  moves a vertical distance W VD1 . In one embodiment, a second portion of the worksurface moves a vertical distance W VD2 . As the worksurface  100  moves a vertical distance W VD1  and/or W VD2 , the monitor support  200  also moves a vertical distance M VD . 
     FIG. 4  shows the structure of one embodiment of the computer workstation with the worksurface  100  removed. The worksurface is supported on each side by worksurface support members  110 ,  112 . In one embodiment a lateral support member  114  runs between the two worksurface support members  110 ,  112  to provide additional support for the worksurface  100  and to brace the support members  110 ,  112 . The worksurface support members  110 ,  112  are rotationally moveable around the axis of shaft  432  to allow the worksurface  100  to rotate from a horizontal position to an angled position toward a user. 
   In one embodiment, best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the computer workstation includes a pivot mechanism  300  coupling the worksurface  100  and/or the monitor support  200  to a base  350 . The base  350  may be a stand-alone support, such as a self-supported vertical assembly, or it may be a furniture component, such as a wall of an existing workspace. The pivot mechanism  300  allows the worksurface to move in a fore-aft direction. It should be understood that the directions “fore” and “aft” refer to the position of the various components relative to the user, with “fore” or “forward” being proximate or toward the user and “aft” being distal or away from the user. The term “lateral” means side-to-side. 
   In one embodiment, the pivot mechanism  300  includes first  302  and second  304  pivot members, although other configurations are possible. Each pivot member includes a first and a second end. The first end  306  of the first pivot member  302  is coupled to the worksurface  100  or to shaft  432 . The first end  310  of the second pivot member  304  is pivotally attached to the second end  308  of the first pivot member  302 . The second end  312  of the second pivot member  304  is pivotally attached to the base  350 . The pivot mechanism may be replaced by other mechanisms which provide for the transfer of translational movement into rotational movement. By “translational movement” is meant movement through space relative to a fixed point, including both linear and nonlinear movement. The workstation may include a second pivot mechanism  320 . The second pivot mechanism  320  may be substantially identical to the first pivot mechanism  300  and may include a third pivot member  322  and a fourth pivot member  324 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , to allow movement of the worksurface in a fore-aft direction and to vertically support the worksurface  100 , the worksurface  100  is slidably coupled to the base  350 . In one embodiment, the workstation includes a pair of side supports  330 ,  332 . The side supports  330 ,  332  may be integrated with planetary gear housings  400 ,  402 , as described below. A pair of rails  342  is attached to the base  350 , and the side supports  330 ,  332  are slidably attached to the rails  342 . The rails  342  support the weight of the worksurface  100 . It will be apparent that other methods of slidably coupling the worksurface  100  to the base  350  are possible. 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the computer workstation includes a planetary gear assembly  410 . The planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear  412 , a planet gear  414  engaging the sun gear  412 , a planet gear carrier  416 , and a ring gear  418 . The worksurface  100  is coupled to the planet gear carrier  416 . In one embodiment, the worksurface support arms  110 ,  112  are non-rotatably attached to the planet gear carrier  416 , as also shown in  FIG. 5 . The monitor support  200  is coupled to the sun gear  412 . In one embodiment, a four bar linkage  450  couples the monitor support  200  to the sun gear  412 . The first shaft  432  is non-rotatably secured to the sun gear  412  and the four bar linkage  450 . 
   The components of the planetary gear assembly  410  are shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the planetary gear assembly  410  is disposed in a planetary gear housing  400 . The ring gear  418  is non-rotatably fixed within the housing  400 . The ring gear  418  has internal teeth  420  facing radially inward. Disposed within the ring gear  418  are one or more planet gears  414 . In one embodiment there are four planet gears  414 , but other numbers of planet gears  414  are possible. The planet gears  414  rotate on shafts  422  mounted in the planet gear carrier  416 . In an alternative embodiment, the planet gears  414  are fixedly attached to the shafts  422 , and the shafts  422  are rotatably attached to the planet gear carriers  416 . 
   In one embodiment, the planetary gear assembly  410  includes a pair of the planet gear carriers  416 , one disposed on each side of the planet gears  414 . The planet gears  414  have external teeth  424  facing radially outward that engage the internal teeth  420  of the stationary ring  418 . The external teeth  424  of planet gears  414  also engage the radially outward directed teeth on the sun gear  412 . The planet gear carrier  416  holds the shafts  422  of the planet gears  414 . The planetary gear assembly  410  allows the sun gear  412  and the planet gear carrier  416  to rotate in the same direction but at different speeds. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, first planetary gear assembly  410  is disposed on one side of the worksurface  100  and a second planetary gear assembly  430  is disposed on the other side of the worksurface  100 . The first shaft  432  connects the sun gears  412  of each planetary gear assembly. The first shaft  432  is fixed at each end to each sun gear  412  and rotates with the sun gear. 
   The workstation may also include a second shaft  434  running between the planetary gear housings  400 ,  402  parallel to the first shaft  432 . The second shaft  434  is rotatably attached to side supports  330 ,  332  that maintain the first and second shafts in parallel alignment. In one embodiment, the side supports  330 ,  332  define the planetary gear housings  400 ,  402 . Although the first  432  and second shafts  434  are shown as cylindrical in  FIG. 4 , it is apparent that other shapes are possible. 
   In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  is pivotably coupled to the first  432  and second  434  shafts. In one embodiment the pivotal coupling is achieved by a four bar linkage  450 . The four bar linkage  450  includes a first link  452  fixedly attached to the first shaft  432  and a second link  454  fixedly attached to the second shaft  434 . The first and second links  450 ,  452  are pivotally attached to a third link  456 . The computer workstation may have a second four bar linkage  460  which is substantially identical to the first four bar linkage  450 . In one embodiment the four-bar linkage  450  is configured as a parallelogram with the first and second links  452 ,  454  being maintained parallel to each other. The four bar linkage  450  may be replaced by other mechanisms which allow for the transfer of the rotational movement of the shafts  432 ,  434  to a translational movement of the monitor support  200 . The monitor support  200  may also include a mechanism to counterbalance the weight of the monitor. For example, a spring mechanism between one of the shafts  432 ,  434  and a fixed point can counterbalance the downward force created by the weight of the monitor, creating a smoother movement of the monitor support  200 . 
   In one embodiment the sun gear  412  and planet gear carrier  416  are coupled, and horizontal movement of the worksurface  100  causes rotation of the sun gear  412 , and rotation of the planet gear carrier  416  moves the worksurface  100  forward and downward. In one embodiment, at least a portion of worksurface  100  rotates downwardly toward the user. The gear ratio of the planetary gear assembly  410  is selected so that the sun gear  412  rotates through a greater angular distance than the planet gear carrier  416 . In one embodiment the gear ratio between the sun gear  412  and the planet gear carrier  416  is between about 3:1 and about 10:1. In a further embodiment the gear ratio between the sun gear  412  and the planet gear carrier  416  is about 6:1. The gear ratios are selected so that a movement in the worksurface  100  creates a proportionally greater movement in the monitor support  200 . 
   Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , as the worksurface  100  is moved forward from a first worksurface position to a second worksurface position, the pivot mechanism  300  engages the first shaft  432  and rotates it. The rotation of the first shaft  432  causes the four-bar linkage  450  to move, thus moving the monitor support  200  forward and downward. In one embodiment, the four-bar linkage  450  is configured as a parallelogram and prevents rotation of the monitor support  200  as it moves. It should be understood that in another embodiment, the four-bar linkage  450  is not configured as a parallelogram and the monitor support  200  also rotates as it translates. The side supports  330 ,  332 , which in one embodiment define the planetary gear assembly housings  400 ,  402 , thus also move forward on the rails  340 ,  342 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the worksurface  100  moves a horizontal distance W HD  of between about 2 inches and about 18 inches, preferably between about 6 inches and about 12 inches, most preferably about 7.5 inches. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the worksurface  100  moves a vertical distance W VD1  of up to about 6 inches, preferably between about 1 inch and about 4 inches, most preferably about 1.25 inches. In one embodiment, the forward portion  120  of the worksurface  100  moves a vertical distance W VD1  of between about 1 inch and about 6 inches, and the rear portion  122  of the worksurface  100  moves a smaller vertical distance W VD2  of between about 0 inch and about 2 inches. In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  moves a horizontal distance M HD  between about 3 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 6 inches and about 14 inches, most preferably about 11 inches. In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  moves a vertical distance M VD  of up to about 10 inches, preferably between about 1 inch and about 8 inches, most preferably about 5 inches. In one embodiment, at least portions of both the monitor support  200  and the worksurface  100  follow arcuate paths as they travel between first and second monitor support and worksurface positions, respectively. 
     FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the worksurface  100 . In one embodiment, the computer workstation has a one piece worksurface. In another embodiment, the worksurface  100  has two parts, a forward surface  120  and a rear surface  122 . The rear worksurface  122  has a cutout  124  which provides an opening for the monitor support  200  and the four bar linkage  450 . The front portion of the rear worksurface  122  is hingedly attached to the forward worksurface  120 . In one embodiment, a piano hinge is disposed between the forward surface  120  and the rear surface  122  to provide the hinge connection. The worksurface  100  and forward worksurface  120  include, in one embodiment, an indented portion  126 . In one embodiment, the contoured shape of forward worksurface  120  includes forearm support surfaces  128  and  138  adjacent to the indented portion  126 . The rear portion of the rear worksurface  122  is pivotally supported by a pair of arms  130 ,  132 . These arms  130 ,  132  are fixedly attached to the second shaft  434  and rotate with the second shaft  434 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   In one embodiment, the rear worksurface  122  maintains a generally horizontal position while the forward worksurface  120  moves downwardly and tilts toward the user as the worksurface  100  is moved toward the user from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the forward worksurface  120  rotates downwardly toward the user. Thus, the support surface of the worksurface forward worksurface  120  forms an angle with a horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the angle is between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees, preferably about 7 degrees. The support surface is adapted to hold an item such as a keyboard. In another embodiment, the computer workstation has a single worksurface  100  which forms an angle with a horizontal plane. 
   In one embodiment, the center of the monitor support  200  is supported about 10 inches to about 18 inches about the worksurface  100 . In one embodiment, the worksurface  100  has a width of about 48 inches, a depth of between about 32 inches and about 37 inches, and a thickness of about 0.75 inches. In another embodiment, the forward worksurface  120  has a width of about 48 inches, a depth of between about 13 inches and about 16 inches, and a thickness of about 0.75 inches, and the rear worksurface  120  has a width of about 48 inches, a depth of between about 13 and about 16 inches, and a thickness of about 0.75 inches. 
   In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  includes a vertical upright  202 , a horizontally extending portion  204 , and a monitor mounting surface  206 . The vertical upright  202  is connected to the horizontally extending portion  204  and in one embodiment is adjustable in height. The horizontally extending portion  204  supports the monitor mounting surface  206 . The monitor support  200  is capable of holding at least one monitor, although greater numbers of monitors are also envisioned. In one embodiment, the monitor mounting surface  206  is maintained in a substantially vertical plane even as it moves forwardly and downwardly. The monitor support  200  may be capable of further adjustment in the vertical direction. The horizontally extending portion  204  may be adjustable in the horizontal direction. The angle of the monitor support  200  may also be independently adjusted about one or more horizontal and vertical axes. The monitor mounting surface  206  may also be rotated to switch a monitor from a landscape to a portrait orientation. 
   In operation, the user, who is preferably seated, pulls or pushes the worksurface  100  in a fore-aft direction, toward or away from him, respectively. In one anticipated use, a user is positioned in front of the workstation in a tiltable chair. As the user tilts rearwardly in the chair, the user pulls the worksurface  100  toward him a first distance in a first direction from a first worksurface position to a second worksurface position, such that a keyboard positioned thereon is maintained in the same location relative to the hands of the user. As the worksurface  100  is moved forward, the pivot mechanism  300  engages the first shaft  432  and rotates it. The rotation of the first shaft  432  causes the four-bar linkage  450  to move, thus moving the monitor support  200  forward and downward. 
   The side supports  330 ,  332 , which in one embodiment are the planetary gear assembly housings  400 ,  402 , also move forward on the rails  340 ,  342 . Rotation of the first shaft  432  rotates the sun gear  412 , which in turn rotates the planet gear carrier  416 . Rotation of the planet gear carrier  416  rotates at least a portion of the worksurface  100  downward. The gear ratio of the planetary gear assembly  410  is selected so that the sun gear  412  rotates through a greater angular distance than the planet gear carrier  416 . Thus, the monitor support  200 , and the monitor thereon, moves in the first direction toward the use at a greater rate than the movable worksurface  100 . 
   In particular, the horizontal distance moved by the monitor support  200  is greater than the horizontal distance moved by the worksurface  100 . In one embodiment, the vertical distance moved by the monitor support  200  is greater than the first vertical distance moved by the worksurface  100 . It should be understood that other gear arrangements and configurations can be disposed between and couple the monitor support in the worksurface to effect relative movements thereof. In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  moves toward or away from the user at a ratio of between 1.1:1 and 2:1 relative to the movable worksurface  100 , and preferably at a ratio of about 1.4:1. In essence, the monitor support  200  moves toward and away from a user at a greater rate and distance than the worksurface  100 . This differential movement maintains the proper position of the monitor situated on a monitor support and the keyboard situated on the worksurface relative to the eyes and hands of the user respectively as the user tilts rearwardly in a chair. 
   It should be understood that the monitor support  200  can also be grasped and moved, which effects an automatic movement of the worksurface  100 . As used herein, the reference to automatically moving the monitor support  200  in response to moving the worksurface  100  simply means that the worksurface  100  and monitor support are coupled to move relative to each other, regardless of which member is actually acted upon by the user, and includes without limitation the situation where the monitor support  200  is acted upon by the user, the situation where the worksurface  100  acted upon by the user, and the situation where one or both of the worksurface  100  and monitor support  200  are acted upon by one or more drive devices. 
   The capability of the monitor support  200  to move at a greater rate and to a greater distance than the worksurface can be useful for users sitting in a tilting chair. In particular, the hands of a user typically travel about half the distance of the head of a user when the user tilts rearwardly in a chair. Accordingly, the workstation is capable of maintaining a substantially constant and optimal distance between the user&#39;s eyes and the monitor supported on the monitor support, regardless of the tilt position of the user, as the worksurface is moved to accommodate the hands of the user. 
   Although the monitor support is designed to move in response to horizontal movement of the worksurface, it may be undesirable for the monitor support to move in response to a vertical force on worksurface, such as an object or the forearms of the user. Therefore, the computer workstation may also include a locking mechanism to prevent movement of the worksurface  100  when a vertical load is applied to it (such as the weight of the forearms of a user) to prevent inadvertent movement. This locking mechanism may include, for example and without limitation, a releasable lock on the gears of the planetary gear assembly. 
   An alternative embodiment of a computer workstation  12  is shown in  FIGS. 7 through 11 . The computer workstation  12  includes a monitor support  200  and a worksurface  100 . The worksurface  100  and the monitor support  200  are coupled, so that as the worksurface  100  moves horizontally a first distance from a first worksurface position  50  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) to a second worksurface position  52  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), the monitor support  200  also moves a second distance from a first monitor position  40  to a second monitor position  42 . In one embodiment, the monitor support  200  follows a linear path as it moves in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and the worksurface  100  also follows a linear path as it moves in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. At least a portion of the worksurface  100  may rotate as the worksurface  100  is moved from the first worksurface position to the second worksurface position. In one embodiment, the second position  52  of the worksurface  100  is forward and downward of the first work surface position  50 , and the second monitor position  42  is also forward and downward of the first monitor position  40 . 
   The workstation  12  includes a base  350  with legs  510 ,  512  and feet  514 ,  516 . As best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a pair of upper tracks  520  and a pair of lower tracks  524  are secured to the base  350 . The worksurface  100  is coupled to the upper tracks  520 . The monitor support  200  is coupled to the lower tracks  524 . An upper slide member  540  and a lower slide member  522  are slidably attached to each of the upper tacks  520  and lower tracks  524 , respectively. Guides or carriages (not shown) are attached to the upper and lower slide members  540 ,  522  and are moveably connected to the tracks  520 ,  524  and are translatable thereon. It should be understood that the tracks could be any surface with the guide sliding or rolling thereon. In one embodiment, the upper tracks  520  and the lower tracks  524  each form an angle with a horizontal plane, with the rearward ends of each of the upper tracks  520  and the lower tracks  524  positioned higher than the respective forward ends. In one embodiment, the angle with respect to horizontal of the lower tracks  524  is larger than the angle of the upper tracks  520 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the monitor support  200  is secured to a vertical support member  202 . Vertical support member  202  is coupled to a curved member  530 . Curved member  530  includes two arms  532 ,  534  which are coupled to lower tracks  524 . Upper slide member  540  is slidingly attached to track  520  and includes a downwardly angled channel  542 . Lower slide member  522  is slidingly attached to lower tracks  524 . A connector  546  pivotally and slidingly engages the lower slide member  522  with the upper slide member  540 , with the connector  546  sliding in the channel  542 . Connector  546  may be, for example, a wheel which rolls in, or slides along, channel  542  and is rotatingly attached to lower slide member  522 . It should be understood that tracks  520 ,  524  and slide members  522 ,  540  could be replaced with other mechanisms for providing linear movement. 
   In operation, the user, who is preferably seated, pulls or pushes the worksurface  100  in a fore-aft direction, toward or away from him respectively. In one anticipated use, a user is positioned in front of the workstation in a tiltable chair. As the user tilts rearwardly in the chair, the user pulls the worksurface  100  toward him from a first worksurface position to a second worksurface position, such that a keyboard positioned thereon is maintained in the same location relative to the hands of the user. 
   As the worksurface  100  is moved forward, the upper slide member  540  moves forward and slightly downward along upper track  520 . Upper slide member  540  engages connector  546 , which moves lower slide member  522  forward and downward along track  524  as connector  546  moves along channel  542 . Lower slide member  522  moves curved member  530  forward and downward, thus also moving the monitor support  200  forward and downward. Because upper track  520  and lower track  524  are at different angles, lower slide member  522  also moves relative to the upper slide member  540 . The monitor support  200 , and the monitor thereon, moves in the first direction toward the use at a greater rate than the movable worksurface  100 . 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the worksurface  100  includes a forward surface  120  and a rear surface  122 . The rear worksurface  122  has a cutout  136  which provides an opening for the monitor support  200 . The front portion of the rear worksurface  122  is hingedly attached to the forward worksurface  120 . The forward worksurface  120  is supported by support members  548 . Support members  548  are coupled to upper slide members  540  and move along upper tracks  520 . In one embodiment, support members  548  rotate with respect to upper slide members  540  so that the forward worksurface  120  rotates downwardly toward the user as the worksurface moves from a first worksurface position  50  to a second worksurface position  50 . 
   In one embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , as the worksurface  100  is moved toward the user from a first position to a second position, the rear worksurface  122  maintains a generally horizontal position while the forward worksurface  120  moves downwardly and tilts toward the user. In one embodiment, the forward worksurface  120  rotates downwardly toward the user. Thus, the support surface of the worksurface forward worksurface  120  forms an angle with a horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the angle is between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees, preferably about 7 degrees. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made and formed in detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of this invention.