US20070175367A1

US20070175367A1 - Computer workstation

Info

Publication number: US20070175367A1
Application number: US11/345,559
Authority: US
Inventors: Dieter Layh
Original assignee: Technology Service Inc
Current assignee: Technology Service Inc
Priority date: 2006-02-01
Filing date: 2006-02-01
Publication date: 2007-08-02
Also published as: WO2007088177A1

Abstract

The computer workstation has a worktop which is inclined in the manner of a desk and has, on its edge facing the person sitting at the workstation, an indentation which is matched to the person's body contour and has projections which are arranged on both sides of the indentation, engage around the body on both sides below the shoulders and can be used as supports for the elbows.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a computer workstation, particularly for CAD work.
2. The Prior Art
It is generally known that people at computer workstations tire very easily and often complain of painful tenseness in the back muscles. In order to avoid such complaints, there are specially configured seats which are intended to give increased support to the back, particularly in the region of the lumbar vertebrae. It is also known practice to provide supports or rests for the wrists on the operating equipment for the computer, particularly on keyboards and the like, in order to reduce the strain on the elbow joints. In addition, the operating equipment may possibly be arranged or designed in a special manner such that the wrists can always remain outstretched when operating the equipment. However, in spite of these known measures, people at computer workstations still tire easily or complain of pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to make it possible to work at computer workstations in a pain-free and tire-free manner.
The workstation according to the invention is distinguished by supports which are arranged or can be fitted approximately perpendicularly below the shoulders of a person sitting at the workstation and are intended for the elbows as well as a flat rest for the forearms in the region of operating equipment for the computer.
The invention is based on the general idea of firstly supporting the elbows so that the shoulders of the person sitting at the computer workstation are likewise supported via the upper arms (which rest on the elbows) and are thus practically completely relieved of strain. This makes it possible to effectively avoid tenseness in the shoulder muscles. In addition, the forearms are also supported according to the invention, with the result that the strain on the arm muscles is also considerably relieved. This combination of measures makes it possible to work at the computer for long periods of time without tiring and pain.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a worktop which is inclined in the manner of a desk and has, on its edge facing the person sitting at the workstation, an indentation which is matched to the person's body contour and has projections which are arranged on both sides of the indentation, engage around the body on both sides below the shoulders and can be used as supports for the elbows.
The worktop may possibly have a padded top side.
In accordance with another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating equipment for the computer is recessed in the worktop in such a manner that the operating top sides of the equipment are approximately in the plane of the top side of the worktop.
The worktop may possibly be combined with a flat screen which can be expediently tilted onto the worktop for transportation.
In principle, the computer may be of miniaturized design and may be combined with the worktop so that an arrangement that is similar to a conventional notebook is provided.
Adjustable supports are expediently provided on the underside of the worktop such that the worktop can be placed on a work table and can be adjusted to different inclinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Regarding preferred features of the invention, reference is made to the claims and to the following explanation of the drawing which is used to describe one particularly preferred embodiment in more detail.
The invention is not restricted to combinations of features which are expressly specified or illustrated, rather protection is claimed for combinations of the features illustrated, which combinations are, in principle, arbitrary.
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a worktop which is configured according to the invention and has operating equipment for a computer, and
FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of this worktop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A worktop 2 is pivotably arranged on a baseplate 1 (which can be placed on a work table) and is held, such that its inclination can be adjusted, using height-adjustable supports 3. The worktop 2 has a larger area than the baseplate 1 such that the worktop 2 projects beyond the baseplate 1 on its edge which faces the pivot bearings 4. If the baseplate 1 is thus placed on a work table 5 in such a manner that that edge of the baseplate 1 which is close to the pivot bearings is arranged on the edge of the table top of the work table 5, the worktop 2 also projects beyond the edge of the table top in a corresponding manner.
On its side which projects beyond the table top, the worktop 2 has a concave indentation 6 which is matched to the body contour of a person such that the upper part of the person's body can be fitted into the indentation 6 and the worktop 2 laterally engages, with projections, around the upper part of the body on both sides of the indentation 6. In this case, the projections 7 essentially extend below the person's shoulders and may be used as supports for the elbows. This means that the shoulders are also supported via the upper arms and are relieved of the weight of the arms. Accordingly, there is no need for any strain on the muscles in the shoulder region. Furthermore, the forearms may be placed completely on the worktop 2 if operating equipment for a computer, which is arranged on the worktop 2 or is recessed in the worktop 2, is operated with the hands. The operating equipment which is illustrated, by way of example, in the drawing is a keypad 8 which can be displaceably guided on the worktop 2 as well as a graphics section 9 and a spaceball 10 for controlling the cursor, a keyboard 11 for special functions, a compartment 12 for work utensils, for example pens for generating drawings on the graphics section 9 and a computer 13. A screen 14 may possibly be arranged on that edge of the worktop 2 which is opposite the indentation 6, a pivoting connection preferably being provided between the screen 14 and the worktop 2 so that the screen 14 can be pivoted down onto the top side of the worktop 2 for transportation. For the rest, the computer associated with the operating equipment may be miniaturized and may be accommodated within the worktop 2 which is then expediently in the form of a housing. An arrangement which is similar to a conventional notebook is then provided overall in conjunction with the screen 14.

Claims

1. A computer workstation, comprising:

supports which are adapted to be arranged or fitted approximately perpendicularly below shoulders of a person sitting at the workstation, such that said supports support the person's elbows and create a flat rest for the forearms in a region of operating equipment for a computer when the person is sitting at the workstation.

2. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inclined worktop having an indentation matched to a person's body contour, said indentation located on an edge of the workstation, and projections arranged on both sides of the indentation, said projections engaging around the body of the person when the person is sitting at the workstation, on both sides of the person below the shoulders, said projections acting as supports for elbows of the person.

3. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the worktop has a padded top side.

4. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2 wherein operating equipment for the computer is recessed in the worktop in such a manner that operating top sides of the equipment are approximately in a plane of a top side of the worktop.

5. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the worktop is combined with a flat screen which is adapted to be tilted onto the worktop for transportation.

6. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2, further comprising adjustable supports disposed on an underside of the worktop for adjusting the worktop to different inclinations when the worktop is placed on a surface.

7. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein a computer is accommodated within the worktop and the worktop is in the form of a housing.

8. The computer workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the worktop is part of a work table.