Supports: cabinet structure – Spaced pedestal type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-28
2003-08-05
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3637)
Supports: cabinet structure
Spaced pedestal type
C108S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06601931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to work stations having a flat monitor under an apertured working platform and, more particularly, combination assemblies for association with a perimeter portion of an aperture in a working platform of a work station so that a flat monitor is supportable below but adjacent to the platform aperture and is viewable through the aperture by a worker who is usually seated adjacent to the working platform for working thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Monitors can be supported under a work station working platform for station user viewability through an aperture provided in the platform. Usually, the aperture is provided with a generally transparent window. A pioneering arrangement of this type is found in Schairbaum U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,266, although various improvements and adaptations are now known; see, for example, the teachings of Lechman et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,727, Lechman U.S. Des. Pat. No. 327,791 and Lechman U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,099, which involve so-called conventional monitors, and also the teachings of Lechman U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,744, Lechman U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,164 and Lechman U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,594, which involve so-called flat monitors.
Briefly, so-called conventional monitors have an exterior configuration that characteristically somewhat resembles a bulky cube or, sometimes, an irregularly shaped or multi-sided structure. Such monitors have a viewing screen located in a side or end face thereof. In operation, a conventional monitor internally generates externally electronically controlled electron beam(s) that sweep systematically across a phosphor-coated screen interior surface to generate externally viewable images on the screen.
So-called flat monitors have an exterior configuration that characteristically resembles a relatively thin, flattened box with a rectangular or even square configuration and generally opposed sides. Such monitors have a viewing screen located in a side face thereof. In operation, a flat monitor internally generates externally electronically controlled signals that locally excite predetermined portions of a phosphor-coated screen interior surface to generate externally viewable images on the screen.
Because of the differences between conventional monitors and flat monitors, especially with regard to shape, and weight, but also with regard to, for example, case size, heat generation, power supply requirements and control signals, there is a need in the field of work stations having a flat monitor under the working platform to utilize different support structures compared to those used for conventional monitors.
For many work station environments where flat monitors are to be used, it has previously been desirable to associate a flat monitor support with portions of the work station at locations beneath but adjacent to the viewing aperture in the station working platform. To achieve this association, it has been necessary to mount a flat monitor support beneath the working platform using a mounting system having multiple parts, such as special brackets, screws, rivets, and the like. The installation tends to be tedious, awkward, labor intensive and time consuming, and the cost can be significant. The mounting of a window over the aperture is a separate, independent, time-consuming operation.
However, problems associated with the formation of an aperture in a work station working platform have been reduced or overcome by the provision of improved methods and apparatus, such as taught in Schairbaum U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,431, and problems associated with the mounting of a window at an aperture have been reduced or overcome by the provision of an aperture liner sleeve or frame, such as taught in Schairbaum U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,051 or in allowed but not yet issued Schairbaum U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/232,124 filed Jan. 15, 1999.
Yet, there remains a need in the field of work stations having a flat monitor positioned under an aperture in the working platform for improvements in systems for mounting and positioning of the flat monitor beneath the working platform aperture.
So far as now known, no one has previously provided in a work station an assembly combination which enables one to support a flat monitor beneath but adjacent to the working platform aperture using a flat monitor support that is itself held by a frame that extends about the aperture perimeter, the aperture also preferably being windowed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a combination assembly for association with an aperture defined in the working platform of a work station structure. The combination assembly comprises an aperture frame for extending about aperture perimeter portions, a flat monitor support platform that is generally adjacent to the aperture frame, and joining components extending between and interconnecting portions of the aperture frame with portions of the flat monitor support platform. Preferably, the aperture frame can also associate with a generally transparent window that covers the aperture. When the combination assembly is associated with an aperture, the flat monitor support platform is generally suspended from the aperture frame, and a flat monitor is supportable by the flat monitor support platform with the monitor viewing screen being viewable through the aperture.
The invention is also directed to work stations that incorporate the inventive combination assembly.
The aperture frame of the combination assembly associates with perimeter portions of a preformed aperture defined through a working platform of a work station. Preferably, the frame as so associated is adapted for the mounting of a generally transparent window generally in and across the aperture and the frame.
When the aperture frame is so associated with the aperture, and the working platform is in a generally horizontal orientation, the flat monitor support platform is generally in vertically spaced but adjacent relationship to the aperture frame and a flat monitor is supportable by the flat monitor support platform. The relationship between components is preferably such that the so supported flat monitor is generally beneath but adjacent to the aperture frame and the aperture. When a transparent window, as is preferred, is associated with the aperture and the aperture frame, with the frame associated with the aperture perimeter, the window is above a flat monitor that is supported by the flat monitor support platform, and the window is in non-interfering relationship relative to the flat monitor support platform, the joining components, and the so supported flat monitor.
The aperture frame can unitarily formed of, for example, molded plastic or the like, or the frame can have its opposing sides and corner portions separately and preferably unitarily formed but preferably end connectable with each other. Thus, when separately formed, the side and corner components preferably have respective opposite end portions that are adapted to engage with the respective opposite end portions of the adjacent components when the aperture frame is assembled, positioned in an aperture, and associated with a working platform. Sometimes, or if desired, conventional auxiliary fastening means may be employed to associate an aperture frame with portions of a working platform that are adjacent to, and that define, perimeter portions of an aperture. Usually an aperture frame is adapted for locating about the perimeter of an aperture that has a rectangular or square configuration and that is formed in a working platform that has a generally flat working surface.
The joining components extend between portions of the aperture frame and preferably adjacent portions of the flat monitor support platform. Preferably, the joining components have upper end portions that are unitarily formed with adjacent lower edge portions of the aperture frame. The lower end portions of the joining components may be unitarily formed with adjacent edge portions of the flat monitor support platform. When the joining components are not unitarily formed wi
Lechman John N.
Schairbaum Edward C.
Hansen James O.
Nova Solutions, Inc.
Webb Glenn
Webb & Lewis LLC
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