GB2638970A - Height-adjustable computer table - Google Patents

Abstract

A height-adjustable computer table 100 comprising a tabletop 101 mounted on a structure 102, which may comprise at least two legs connected by a crossbar. The structure engages with a floor surface and supports the tabletop at a height above the ground. The structure comprises a mechanism that varies the height of the tabletop above the floor. The table further comprises a monitor mount that secures a monitor 110 beneath the tabletop such that, when the monitor is secured to the mount, a monitor display faces downwards with line of sight to the floor and a display height from the floor is determined by the height of the tabletop from the floor. The table facilitates the use of a computer while sitting, standing, or lying down. The table may further comprise a spacer coupled to the mount, such that when the monitor is secured to the mount, the monitor is below the crossbar. The spacer may be integral to the mount and may be coupled to the lower surface of the tabletop or to the crossbar. The mechanism may be motorised or manual and may be configured to vary the height of the tabletop by extending and contracting the legs.

Description

Height-Adjustable Computer Table Technical Embodiments e present disclosure relate to a height-adjustable computer table. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a height-adjustable computer table which enables a computer to be used while lying down underneath the table through use of a downward-facing monitor underneath the tabletop surface.

Background

Height-adjustable desks have recently become common in modem office and home working setups and provide benefits over the more traditional, static desk. For example, it enables a user to move between a sitting posture and a standing posture throughout the working day. Furthermore, the height-adjustable feature enables different users to adapt the desk to their suit their body size and personal preference.

Height-adjustable desks typically have a tabletop mounted on a frame comprising telescopic legs. The telescopic legs can extend and contract to different lengths, such that the tabletop surface can be adjusted to heights suitable for different users for sitting or standing. The majority of height-adjustable desks on the market have two telescopic legs (e.g., a leg at either end of the desk). To change the length of the legs and therefore the height of the desk surface, there is either an electric motor with a button for up and down, or a physical mechanism which requires the turning of a hand-crank (or similar).

The two legs at either end of the desk are connected by a crossbeam which goes between the two legs, usually at the top of the legs. The crossbeam connects the legs so that one mechanism can serve for both: if they weren't connected, then two separate motors or physical mechanisms would be necessary.

The crossbeam is typically at the top of the legs, i.e., immediately beneath the desk surface (though not necessarily in direct contact with the desk surface), due to the telescopic nature of the legs and the placement of the motor and controls. As well as the mechanical function of connecting the two legs, the crossbeam is often also load-bearing to take some weight in the middle of the desk, supporting the tabletop. However, it is not always necessary for the crossbeam to be weight bearing, as the legs with a strong desktop can provide adequate structural support.

For clarity, this type of crossbeam is distinct from the type of crossbar which goes between the legs lower down solely to provide structural support between the legs.

On top of the frame, a tabletop is placed and attached. There may also be a metal sheet between the frame and the tabletop for structural support. information and communications technology (ICT) devices and associated equipment such as a laptop, desktop computer, monitor(s), keyboard, trackpad, mouse andlor microphone may be placed on the tabletop during use of the desk.

Summary

Currently, height-adjustable desks only enable use of ICT equipment in an upright position (e.g., sitting or standing). There are ergonomic benefits, however, of also being able to lie down. There are a multitude of medical conditions someone may have which may cause a preference for lying down over sitting or standing for at least some portion of time using a computer. Sitting or standing at a desk for a long period of time involves pressure through the user's spinal column, which can cause or exacerbate lower back issues, which lying flat avoids. There are various musculoskeletal problems which can develop in the upper back or shoulders from postures often adopted in using laptops, computers and handheld devices, which can be mitigated lying flat. There are also cardiovascular issues whereby someone would have a preference for being horizontal rather than upright.

To address this problem, there is provided herein a height-adjustable desk that enables use of 1CT equipment in a lying-down (supine) position. Such a height-adjustable desk is referred to herein as a height-adjustable computer table.

There are postural and ergonomic benefits to using a computer whilst lying down (supine). When lying down, the spine, neck and shoulders are in a neutral position. This means that there is no pressure through the spinal column, which can often be a problem (whether sitting or standing) for various lower back conditions. Lying flat is a more restful position for the cardio-vascular system, which could therefore be beneficial for conditions which impact this function, such as post-acute covid syndrome and chronic fatigue. Lying flat may also be a less painful position for various other conditions around the abdomen, such as menstrual cramps or gastrological conditions. A completely healthy body may also find it more relaxing to lie down than be seated, and there are ergonomic benefits of varying posture. Thus, there are various reasons why a person may find it more comfortable to be lying down than sitting or standing.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a height-adjustable computer table comprising a tabletop mounted on a structure. The structure is configured to engage with a floor surface and support the tabletop at a height above the floor surface. The structure comprises a mechanism configured to vary the height of the tabletop above the floor surface. The lying-down computer table further comprises a monitor mount configured to secure a monitor beneath the tabletop such that, when a monitor is secured to the monitor mount, a display of the monitor faces downwards with line of sight to the floor surface and a height of the display from the floor surface is determined by the height of the tabletop from the floor surface.

In some embodiments, the structure comprises at least two legs connected by a connecting component. This enables the height of the at least two legs to be simultaneously varied by the mechanism (i.e., a single mechanism varies the height of the at least two legs). The connecting component may be, for example, a crossbar.

In some embodiments, the lying-down computer table further comprises a spacer coupled to the monitor mount. The spacer is positioned between a lower surface of the tabletop and the monitor mount. The spacer is configured such that, when a monitor is secured to the monitor mount, the monitor is below the connecting component. By positioning the monitor below the connecting component, the connecting component does not interfere with the monitor. Thus, the size of the monitor is not constrained by the presence of the connecting component. The spacer thereby enables a larger monitor to be secured beneath the tabletop than would otherwise be possible by avoiding the otherwise constraining presence the connecting component. The spacer could be, for example, a spacer block, a bracket, a shelf, one or more long screws, or a chain.

In some embodiments, the spacer is integral to the monitor mount. This has the benefit of being easier to add to a height-adjustable desk as it is just one component, though a more complex (and typically more expensive) component which takes up more space.

In some embodiments, the spacer is coupled to the lower surface of the tabletop. This has the benefit of being cheap and technically simple.

In some embodiments, the spacer is coupled to the connecting component. This can be configured in such a way as to be easy to install as it avoids any coupling into wood.

Further, as the structural strength comes from the frame, lower grade materials can be used for the tabletop surface.

In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured to vary the height of the tabletop by extending and contracting the at least two legs.

In some embodiments, the mechanism is motorised. In some embodiments, the mechanism is manual.

In some embodiments, the lying-down computer table further comprises a monitor secured to the monitor mount.

Detailed Description

As used herein, a "monitor mount" is a first component which enables a monitor to be secured to a second component by interfacing between the monitor and the second component.

Herein, the terms "table" and "desk" are used interchangeably.

Figure 1 is a schematic of a height:ustable computer table 100 (hereinafter referred to as desk 100) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The desk 100 comprises a tabletop 101 mounted on a structure 102. The structure 102 comprises two extendable legs and a mechanism configured to vary the height of the tabletop 101 above the floor surface such that the height of the tabletop 101 can be raised and lowered. The extendable legs of Figure 1 are telescopic, though other leg designs may he envisaged by the person skilled in the art. The skilled person will further appreciate that the structure 102 may comprise any number of legs or alternative components provided the tabletop 101 is supported and the height of the tabletop 101 can be varied.

The mechanism may be configured to vary the height of the tabletop by extending and contracting the at least two legs. The mechanism may by motorised or manual according to various mechanisms that are known to the person skilled in the art. A motorised mechanism uses electricity to vary the height of the tabletop (e.g., a user may control the height via a button). A manual mechanism relies on a user manually varying the height of the tabletop, e.g., via a hand-crank.

The desk 100 further comprises a monitor mount (not visible in Figure 1) underneath the tabletop configured to secure a monitor 1 10 beneath the tabletop 101. The monitor mount may be coupled to (e.g., directly or indirectly affixed to) the tabletop 101 and/or the structure 102. .gure 1 shows the desk 100 with a monitor 110 secured to the monitor mount.

Though not visible in Figure 1, the structure 102 may further comprises a connecting component, which connects the extendable legs. As noted above, this enables the height of the at least two legs to be simultaneously varied by the mechanism (i.e., a single mechanism is used to vary the height of the at least two legs). The connecting component may comprise a crossbeam (i.e., a beam connecting the legs together) as described in more detail with reference to Figures 2-5. However, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that different connecting component designs are possible that serve the purpose of connecting the extendable legs (e.g., two smaller beams or other possible structures). The connecting component is typically at the top of the legs, immediately beneath the tabletop, even if not attached to the tabletop, as this provides a straightforward connection point for connecting to telescopic legs. The connecting component may be aligned centrally to the desk or may be offset to be nearer the back (or front) of the desk. As well as connecting the legs, the connecting component may be load-bearing and/or may serve to house some or all of the mechanism configured to vary the height of the tabletop 101, e.g., a motor and/or cables. According to some embodiments, the connecting component comprises a rotating shaft.

During use of the desk 100, an input ICT device (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, mobile phone, etc.) may be set up in a normal way for use by a user sitting or standing at the desk 100. For example, the user may interact with the input ICT device via one or more electronic devices (e.g., one or more of: a monitor with a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a microphone, etc.) placed on the tabletop 101 of the desk 100 and (electronically or wirelessly) connected to the input ICT device (e.g., via a cable, Bluetooth, an internet connection, or otherwise). Of course, if the input ICT device is a laptop, then the user may interact with the laptop via the display screen, keyboard or touchpad integrated into the laptop, which is placed on the tabletop 101 of the desk 100.

According to the disclosure herein, the input ICT device may also or instead be connected (electronically or wirelessly) to the downward facing monitor 110 to enable a user to adopt a lying down position whilst interacting with the input ICT device. Thus, it is possible to use the same input ICT device whether from above the desk 100 or from below it, with a convenient and easy-to-execute transition between the different uses. The top of the desk 100 can of course also be used for non-digital activities such as writing.

The user can lie underneath the desk 100 and look upwards at the monitor 110 to use the input TCT device (e.g., computer). Input accessories, such as a keyboard and mouse, may be plugged in and used from the floor so that the user can interact with the computer while lying. These peripherals could rest on the floor next to the user's body, rest on their legs or lap, or be on a stand or small table above their legs or waist, etc. Having a downward-facing monitor with a height-adjustable desk means that a user can use a computer lying, sitting, or standing at the same workstation. This is a development over existing height-adjustable desks. Using a computer while lying down offers an alternative ergonomic mode of use.

There are two key advantages of having a height-adjustable desk with the lying-down option over a static one. First, it is more space efficient than a static version with two different height surfaces for sitting and standing, because the same tabletop surface is used for both sitting and standing. Second, being height-adjustable, it can be adapted to different heights for different users of different sizes and/or with different preferences.

As described above, the desk 100 comprises a monitor mount which is configured to secure a monitor 110 beneath the tabletop 101. The monitor mount may be coupled to the underside of the tabletop 101 and/or to the structure 102 (also referred to as a frame) of the desk 100 (e.g., to the crossbeam).

In Figure 1 the monitor 110 is mounted centrally the lower surface of the tabletop 101, though it could of course also be otherwise located in relation to the tabletop 101 and structure 102.

The monitor mount provides an interface between some structure (in this case the desk 100) and a monitor 110 such that the monitor 110 can be secured to said structure. There are various different monitor mounts commercially available, with differences in their size, the weight they can bear, or whether they can change angle. Many monitor mounts will be made up of at least two parts: one which is attached to the monitor (usually screwed onto the back on the monitor onto VESA standard holes on the monitor) and the other half which goes onto the mounting surface, which could be the underside of tabletop 101 or another component in a spacer. The two parts of this mount then slide together and are fixed together using one or more screws which usually conies in perpendicular to the plane of the mount. Some mounts may be one whole or have more parts, such as arms which allow for the monitor to be angled or moved.

For existing height-adjustable desks, it is typically not optimal to simply affix a standard monitor mount directly to the underside of the desk surface of standard dimensions. This is because there is limited space alongside the crossbeam such that only a smaller monitor would fit alongside it. A larger monitor, of a size typically used for a desktop computer, could not typically be affixed directly underneath a desk because the monitor would clash with the cross-beam. A smaller monitor would be of limited use and less preferable to a larger one. Larger display screens are have benefits over smaller display screens for using a computer by allowing for more content on the monitor at one time. There can also be medical problems with the eyes from using small screens for long periods of time. A smaller screen would also have to be closer to the user, which would be less practical for the user underneath the desk by making it harder to in or out of the underneath and may also feel more claustrophobic.

To overcome this problem, it is proposed herein to include a spacer that creates the necessary vertical space between the monitor mount and the tabletop for the monitor mount to be positioned a sufficient distance below the lower surface of the tabletop to allow a monitor to be mounted below the crossbeam. Thus, the monitor sits below the crossbeam (and/or other aspects of the desk structure) without any interference, meaning there are no size constraints on the monitor. The spacer may be coupled to the underside of the tabletop 101 or to some part of the structure 102 of the desk 100 (e.g. the crossbeam or the legs). Four examples of a spacer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to Figures 2-18, though there are also of course variations of each embodiment and other ways of situating the monitor mount in a suitable position. The various spacers described herein may be used in combination with any of the embodiments described with reference to Figure 1.

Figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 depict a spacer 204 according to a first embodiment. According to this first embodiment, the spacer comprises a spacer block 204. For example, the spacer block 204 may be a block of wood (or any other material) that is of a sufficient depth to position the monitor mount (and therefore any monitor 210 that is mounted thereon) below the crossbeam 203. The block 204 is attached to the underside of the desk (e.g., to the lower surface of the tabletop 101) and then the monitor mount is attached to the block 204.

Figure 2 is a front side view of a height-adjustable computer table 200 (hereinafter referred to as desk 200) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, with a spacer 204 according to the aforementioned first embodiment. In particular, the desk 200 comprises a tabletop 101, structure 102, crossbeam 203, spacer 204, and monitor mount (not visible in Figure 2). The desk 200 is shown in Figure 2 with a monitor 210 secured to the monitor mount. As shown in Figure 2, the spacer block 204 is affixed to the lower surface of the tabletop 101, and the monitor mount is affixed to the spacer block 204. The thickness of the spacer block 204 is such that the monitor 210, when secured to the monitor mount, is positioned below the crossbeam 203.

Figure 3 is a rear side view of the height-adjustable lying-down computer table 200 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the spacer block 204 prevents the monitor 210 from interfering with the crossbeam 203.

Figures 4 and 5 show a view of the desk 200 from below. In these figures, the spacer 204 is obscured from view.

Figure 4 shows the desk 200 without a monitor such that the monitor mount 205 is visible. The mounting points of the monitor mount 205 for mounting a monitor thereon are depicted in Figure 4 as four filled circles.

Figure 5 shows the desk 200 with a mounted monitor 210. It is evident from Figure 5 that, in the absence of the spacer 204, the crossbeam 203 would interfere with the monitor 210 preventing the monitor 210 from being secured below the desk 200.

Figure 6 is a side view of the desk 200 without a monitor, and Figure 7 is a side view of the desk 200 with the monitor 210.

By using the spacer 204 to situate the monitor mount 205 and the monitor 210 lower than the crossbeam (or other aspects of the frame/structure of the desk 200), this circumvents the spatial limitation that would otherwise exist were the monitor 210 to be mounted directly to the underside of the tabletop 101.

Alternatively, the spacer of the present disclosure may be achieved using a monitor mount which has an integrated spacing mechanism, such as a monitor mount paired with an extendable arm. Thus, the monitor mount may comprise a bracket which includes an attachment at one end, one or more arm components, and a monitor mount at the other end.

Alternatively, the spacer of the present disclosure may be achieved by enabling the monitor mount to be secured to the crossbeam directly, e.g. with screws into the crossbeam or using an adapter that acts as an interface between the monitor mount and the crossbeam. However, the crossbeam is typically made of metal and contains a rotating shaft (and/or has a motor, cables, etc integrated therein), making this type of spacer technically difficult to achieve. It is therefore more practical to use one of the other spacer mechanisms described herein.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 depict a spacer 220 according to a second embodiment. According to this second embodiment, the spacer comprises bolts 220 with the mount attached at the lower end of said bolts 220. The bolts 220 are of sufficient length such that the mount (and therefore any monitor that is mounted thereon) is below the crossbeam 203. These bolts 220 are coupled to the tabletop surface 101, with the monitor mount then coupled at the lower end of the bolt 220. Different options of headed screws or bolts and nuts may be used or the mount may be suspended, for example, on a cable or chain(s).

Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 depict a spacer 230 according to a third embodiment. Figures 12, 13 and 14 show the desk 200 with a monitor 210 secured to the monitor mount 205. Figure 15 shows the desk 200 without a monitor secured to the monitor mount 205. According to this third embodiment, a shelf 230 (e.g. of wood) is suspended beneath the tabletop 101, such as through use of hanging brackets. The monitor mount is affixed to this shelf. The shelf 230 may, for example, be on hanging brackets with the sole purpose of attaching a mount -similar to the previous two embodiments. Alternatively, the shelf 230 may be a shelf with the additional function of storage. In some embodiments, the shelf 230 may be on runners so that it can slide out, making it usable for the use and storage of a keyboard and/or mouse.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 depict a spacer 240 according to a fourth embodiment. Figures 16 and 16 show the desk 200 with a monitor 210 secured to the monitor mount 205. Figure 18 shows the desk 200 without a monitor secured to the monitor mount 205. According to a fourth embodiment, the spacer 240 comprises a bracket 240 that is coupled to the crossbeam 203 itself The bracket 240 is configured (e.g., shaped) to receive the monitor mount 205. As noted above, it is not practical to attach the mount 205 directly to the crossbeam 203 because the crossbeam 203 is usually metal and typically houses a shaft and electronics inside. The bracket 240 overcomes this problem. Indeed, the bracket 240, coupled to the crossbeam 203, to which the mount 205 can attach provides a convenient way to affix the monitor 210. The term 'bracket' has been used here as the primary purpose is to facilitate easier mounting.

Claims (6)

1. Claims I. A height-adjustable computer table comprising: a tabletop mounted on a structure, wherein the structure is configured to engage with a floor surface and support the tabletop at a height above the floor surface, and wherein the structure comprises a. mechanism configured to vary the height of the tabletop above the floor surface; and a monitor mount configured to secure a monitor beneath the tabletop such that, when a monitor is secured to the monitor mount, a display of the monitor faces downwards with line of sight to the floor surface and a height of the display from the floor surface is determined by the height of the tabletop from the floor surface.
2. 2. The height--adjustable computer table of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises at least two legs connected by a connecting component.
3. 3. The height-adjustable computer table of claim I, wherein the connecting component comprises a crossbar.
4. The height-adjustable computer table of claim 2 or 3, further comprising a spacer coupled to the monitor mount, wherein the spacer is positioned between a lower surface of the tabletop and the monitor mount, and wherein the spacer is configured such that when a monitor is secured to the monitor mount the monitor is below the connecting component.
5. 5. The he it-adjustable computer of claim 4, wherein the s nac is intxgzal to the monitor mount.
6. 6. The height-adju. table computer ri of claim 4 or 5. wherein the spacer is cou-pled to the lower surface of the tabletop.The height-adjustable computer table of cla 4 or 5, wherein the spacer is coupled to the connecting component.eight-adjustable computer table of any preceding claim., wherein the mecnais configured to vary the height of the tabletop by extending and contracting the at least two legs.9. The height-adjustable compute-tabl of any ding clai nism is motorised.10. The height-adjustable computer table of any of claims -8, wherein the mechanism is manual.11. The hr ight-adjustable computer table of any preceding claim, further comprising a m oniior secured to the monitor mount.