Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With peripheral guard
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-22
2003-02-25
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3637)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With peripheral guard
C312S140400, C052S800100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06523486
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to furniture edging, and more particularly, to an edge system which may be removably attached to a work surface to provide an ergonomic wrist support for use at a work station.
Traditionally, industrial or commercial tables and other work surfaces have been solely designed to support items placed atop of the table or work surface. These work surfaces normally have squared, rigid corners and edges that cause injury to people who bump against them. Further, regular activity at these work stations results in scuffed or damaged edges and corners which cannot be easily replaced. These same edges and corners are also sharp and abrupt, which limits the amount of time one may rest against the work surface without pain or discomfort.
With the advent of the computer, the design of and need for work surfaces have begun to change. People now spend more time in direct contact with the work surfaces, often spending hours leaning against the edge of the work surface or resting their arms upon the edge of the work surface while typing or performing other similar types of activities. As a result, manufacturers of work surfaces have begun to take into account the ergonomic considerations of those that work and sit at workstations to ensure injury is prevented, while at the same time, attempting to maintain the aesthetic qualities of the work surfaces.
One known method of constructing a work surface that addresses these concerns involves casting an ergonomic edge to the work surface core. This method requires the manufacturer to develop a mold which encapsulates the entire work surface, leaving an open space along a portion of the work surface where the edge is to be formed. A polymer is then extruded into the mold and is either chemically or thermally cured to provide the edging material. Once the polymer hardens it forms an edge which essentially becomes one with the work surface core. The disadvantages and limitations of this system are that the mold itself is expensive to develop and manufacturer. Any variation in size or shape of the work surface requires a new mold, which adds additional costs to the manufacturer. In addition, the edge cannot be easily replaced because it becomes permanently affixed to the work surface core. If the edge is damaged, the entire work surface is damaged and must be replaced.
Others have affixed pre-molded edging directly to the work surface core using adhesives to provide an ergonomic edge. An adhesive is applied along the work surface and the edging to affix the pre-molded edging to the work surface. The disadvantages and limitations of this type of system are that the adhesive tends to deteriorate over time decreasing the bond between the pre-molded edging and the work surface. This causes a gap to form between the pre-molded edging and the work surface in which liquids may seep and materials may fall which causes bacterial growth that will eventually rot the work surface. Further, the adhesive often protrudes from the seam formed between the pre-molded edging and the work surface. As a result, people tend to pick and pull at the seam gap and the protruding adhesive to damage the pre-molded edging. Like casted edges, once the adhesively affixed pre-molded edging is damaged, the entire work surface is damaged because the adhesive permanently affixes the pre-molded edging to the work surface core.
Another type of ergonomic edging system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,047, to Catta, et al. Catta discloses a three-part system for providing an ergonomic edge including an aluminum carrier, a work surface core and a pliant casing. The aluminum carrier is joined to the work surface core by a tongue and groove relationship. The work surface core has a horizontal notch that divides a face of the work surface and runs the entire length of that face. The aluminum carrier has a stem which is configured to fit in mating relationship with the horizontal notch so that the two pieces can be joined. The aluminum carrier may also be screwed into the work surface core for a more secure fit. The pliant casing is then fit over and is secured to the aluminum carrier in a tongue and groove type fashion. To keep the pliant casing attached to the aluminum carrier, a retaining device tacks the pliant casing into place.
The edge system disclosed in Catta et al. requires considerable customization to fit the carrier to a work surface edge. For instance, the aluminum carrier must be individually cut to fit each work surface. If any curves are present, the aluminum carrier must be cut at regular intervals so that it may be bent around the curves. In addition, the retaining device that holds the pliant casing to the aluminum carrier eventually loosens causing the pliant casing to detach from the aluminum carrier. Further, a person must insert the pliant casing into the grooves of the aluminum carrier by hand, which takes time and if not properly done will leave an irregular surface between the plaint casing and the aluminum carrier. The seam formed between the plaint casing and the aluminum carrier is also an area where people may pull and pick which will damage the edging system disclosed in Catta.
To overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the edging systems discussed above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a removable edge system that may be quickly attached to a variety of work surfaces so that parts inventories can be reduced and economies of scale resulting from a longer production run or a single configuration are attained.
Another objective of the present invention is that the removable edge system should provide a tight seam between the work surface core and the removable edge system to prevent objects and liquid from falling or seeping within the seam, thereby preventing work surface rot and bacterial growth.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a removable edge system that if damaged can be easily replaced without having to replace the entire work surface. The ergonomic edging system of the present invention should also be strong and durable to support the constant weight of a persons arm or wrist yet have the pliability and texture to provide a comfortable work surface.
Finally, it is also an objective of the removable edge system of the present invention that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by an edge for removable attachment to a work surface as taught in accordance with the present invention.
The edge includes a frame having a base and a vertical support orthogonally extending from the base. The frame may be a unitary structure or may be constructed from a separate base and vertical support fitted together. When the frame is a unitary structure, the vertical support separates the base into an attaching member and an internal support. When the base and the vertical support are separate pieces, a groove is routered or molded into the base, separating the base into the attaching member and the internal support. The groove is dimensioned to fit the vertical support so that the vertical support rests within the groove at a right angle to the base.
The vertical support has a core face and a wrist rest face opposite the core face. Both the core face and the wrist rest face are exposed when the vertical support is engaged with the base, with the wrist rest face oriented towards the internal support and the core face oriented towards the attaching member. The vertical support may extend substantially the length of the base to provide rigidity to the edge.
A wrist rest is affixed to the frame and at least partially encapsulates the internal support of the base and the wrist rest face of the vertical support. The wrist rest has a front, a back, and a support surface which slopes downwardly from the back to the front. The back of the wrist rest encap
Kinnard Steve Patrick
Plitt Eugene T.
Bay View Industries, Inc.
Mai Lanna
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Tran Hanh V.
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