DE9206702U1 - Table for a workplace - Google Patents

Description

Erich Keller AG

Romannshornstrasse 17
CH-8583 Sulgen

Table for a workplace

The invention relates to a table for a workstation, in particular a computer workstation, with a table top and a base housing as well as with work equipment, such as screens or the like.

Such tables are available in a wide variety of shapes and designs and are generally used as work tables in offices, banks, insurance companies, authorities, etc. They are generally equipped with screens or other elements of a computer system. It is particularly important that they are designed in a variable way in order to accommodate different space and lighting conditions as well as different body sizes.

For example, a screen table is known from the German utility model 82 33 888.4, where a plate holding the screen device is in a work table

plate is movable and movably mounted. This combination of screen plate integrated into the work table top only allows a limited number of movements or adjustment options for the work equipment and also limits the number of adjustable work equipment shafts.

The same applies to the office table according to DE-OS 30 37 679, where the adjustment mechanism is also integrated in the table top.

From DE-OS 36 12 868, a table top for an office furniture table is known, whereby the table top has a rail along which a work tool can be adjusted. There are no further adjustment options, so that the requirements for all-round adjustment, especially for a screen, are not taken into account.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a table of the above-mentioned type, which is extremely variable in terms of adjustment options, is composed of individual modules and offers a very good visual appearance.

To solve this problem, an adjustment frame is coupled to the base housing, which has a rail outside the base housing that is adjustable in height, with the work equipment being arranged on this rail.

This separates the actual table from the frame for adjusting the work equipment, so that this arrangement allows a much larger number of adjustment options. This means that every requirement regarding light

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or space conditions are taken into account. In a simple embodiment, it is sufficient if a support plate for the work equipment is arranged on the rail, whereby the support plate can then only be adjusted in height. This idea is also intended to be covered by the present invention, but represents a non-preferred embodiment.

What is important, however, is the ability to adjust the work equipment in all directions. For this purpose, at least one sliding carriage is provided on the rail, which in turn can be moved along the table on the rail.

There is a height-adjustable tube on the carriage so that, especially if several carriages are provided on the rail, each individual piece of equipment can be individually adjusted in height.

There is an attachment on this pipe, whereby the pipe preferably only engages in a blind hole of the attachment.

The attachment then rotates around the pipe, increasing the range of motion. Another rail protrudes from the attachment, on which another carriage can be moved. A support plate for the work equipment is connected to this carriage via a tilting joint.

Protection is also required for the rail itself, as the adjustment of the work equipment in relation to the table top has previously been achieved via articulated joints. A rail on which a carriage can be moved, on the other hand, has significant advantages in terms of handling and stability.

This design allows any position of the work equipment. This is especially true

from the shape of the table top itself, so that there is no pressure to choose a specific shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the table top is connected to the base housing via a frame. This means that the table top does not sit directly on the base housing, so that the entire table essentially consists of three individual parts, namely the table top with the frame, the base housing and the adjustment frame. These individual parts are also easily replaceable if a different design is desired or if a part is damaged or worn. It is particularly noteworthy that the adjustment frame has no direct connection to the table top, which improves the ability of the work equipment to move and also the ability of the table top to move independently. The latter is particularly achieved by connecting the table top to the frame via a separate support frame, which allows the table top to be tilted by a certain angle. How this tilting option is designed is of secondary importance. An embodiment is described for the corresponding drawing, which is very easy to handle and is therefore preferred.

Furthermore, protection is also required for the separate support frame, as it can also be used for other workstations. The main advantage of this support frame is that the table top is kept at a certain distance from the actual base frame or frame. This allows additional work equipment to be embedded in the table top, which then protrudes from the underside without impairing any other function of the workstation. This distance also enables the attachment of a cable duct, for example, to the

Underside of the table top, so that an orderly cable routing is also possible.

The frame itself also consists of two parallel U-profiles, each of which forms a support leg, a post and a carrying leg. The latter is connected to the aforementioned carrying frame. This "airy" design gives the entire table an aesthetically light appearance, even though it has a wide range of functions.

Between the support legs there is an adjustable foot plate that can be adjusted more or less depending on the user's wishes.

The U-profile is in turn connected to a fastening frame, which connects the frame to the base housing. The design of this fastening frame is a matter of craftsmanship and is therefore not described in detail.

Another important feature is that a support plate is provided between the fastening frames. When the frame is pushed into the base housing, this support plate disappears into the base housing. It is used to hold another element, particularly for the IT workstation. For example, a storage device or file server can be housed there.

The impression of a closed unit consisting of the base housing, frame/table top and assembly frame is further reinforced by a flap which is only attached to the base housing after the frame has been inserted into the base housing and which at least partially overlaps the frame.

This has a positive effect on the overall aesthetic impression. On the other hand, the flap also serves to shield the file server or similar on the

Support plate. It also conceals additional storage space in the base housing, where additional work elements or resources can be stored.

5 The invention creates a table that not only has an impressive aesthetic appearance, but also stands out for its diverse functionality.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing, which shows in
5

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a workstation according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of parts of the workstation according to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of parts of the workstation according to Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of parts of the workstation corresponding to Figure 3 with additional elements.

According to Figure 1, a workstation R has a dealer's table 1 and a work chair 2. The dealer's table 1 has a base housing 3, on which a table top 5 is arranged via a frame 4 shown in Figure 2. On the table top 5 there is, for example, a keyboard 6 and a telephone switchboard 7. Behind the table top 5, on a rail 8, three screens 9a, 9b and 9c are arranged, as well as, for example, a storage basket 10. These work devices are only examples; instead of a screen, a printer or any other work device could also be provided.

The basic housing 3 consists of an approximately rectangular base frame 11, which leaves an insertion opening 12 at the front for the frame 4. A cover frame 13 sits on the base frame 11, which at least partially overlaps the base frame 11 and has two parallel side wings 14a, a front wall 15 and a flap 16. The flap 16 is not shown in Figure 2, but is shown in Figure 3 in

Open position is indicated, whereby it is held in this open position by support strips 17. Such a flap mechanism with support strips 17 is generally known and will not be described in more detail here. When the flap 16 is opened, the support strips 17 snap into the corresponding holders so that the flap 16 is held in the open position. If the flap 16 is then lifted again, the support strips 17 snap out of the holders and the flap can be closed again.

The cover frame 13 is covered at the top by cover parts 18a and 18b, with a guide slot 19 for cables or the like in the cover part 18a. To prevent dust from getting into the interior of the base housing 2, dust bristles (not shown in detail) are arranged in the guide slot 19.

The frame 4 has two parallel U-profiles 20a and 20b, with each U-profile standing on a support leg 21a or 21b. The support leg 21 is then connected to a diagonal post 22a or 22b, from which a support leg 23a or 23b protrudes at the end. The U-profiles are connected by a base strip 24 and a connecting strip 25 as well as by a cover plate 26, which also engages under the cover part 18b in the position of use.

On the facing inner surfaces of the support legs 21a and 21b there are support bolts 27 on which a foot plate 28 (see Figure 1) rests in the position of use. The inclination of the foot plate can be adjusted depending on the suspension in the support bolts 27 arranged at different heights.

A support frame 29 for the table top 5 can be connected in an articulated manner to the support legs 23a and 23b. The connection is made by means of, for example, not shown in detail

Pivot bolts which pass through holes 30 and 31 in the support frame 29 and the support leg 23. Furthermore, the support frame 29 is hinged to a support tube 32, whereby the support tube 32 is received on both sides by holes 33 in the support frame 29, but on the other hand engages in the support legs 23a and 23b via push strips 34 and is guided there in an elongated hole 35. For example, a pin can protrude from the elongated hole 35, which is connected to the push strip 34. If the pin is moved in the elongated hole 35, the support frame 29 is lowered or raised, since the connection between the support tube 32 and the support frame 29 remains stationary. This allows the inclination of the table top 5 to be changed in a simple manner, whereby this inclination is preferably infinitely adjustable. To do this, a nut only needs to be screwed onto the pin mentioned above, which, when tightened, clamps the pin to the support leg 23.

Mounting frames 36a and 36b protrude from the U-profiles 20, which essentially serve to secure the frame 4 in the housing 3. They also hold a support plate 37 between them, which is preferably designed as a perforated plate. After the frame 4 has been installed in the base housing 3, a corresponding computer memory, file server or the like can be placed on this support plate 37.

When assembling the individual parts, the table top 5 is connected to the support frame 29. The support frame 29 is then articulated to the frame 4, with the support tube 32 being inserted into the holes 33 and the above-mentioned pivot pin being inserted into the holes 30 and 31, respectively.

Now the frame 4 with the table top 5 is inserted into the insertion opening 12 of the base housing 3 and over the fastening frame 36 and additional, not further described

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shown fastening elements. In particular, the U-profiles 20a and 20b engage in a cutout 38 in the cover part 18b, so that a unit is also visually represented.
5

Only after the frame 4 has been fixed in the base housing 3 is the flap 16 described above attached so that it also covers the posts 22a and 22b and thus creates a very good optical cover. To operate the file server arranged behind the flap 16, the flap can be easily lifted and held in the open position. The rest of the cover is provided by a cover strip (not shown in detail) between the base plate 28 and the support plate 37, so that the dealer table 1 presents a closed image to the outside.

The support frame 29 is also angled and has the main purpose of keeping the table top 5 at a distance a from the upper edge of the frame 4.

This makes it possible, for example, for a telephone or similar work equipment (53) to be embedded in the table top 5 and for essential parts of the work equipment 53 to protrude downwards from the table top. Furthermore, a cable duct 54 on the underside of the table top 5 is indicated, in which the corresponding cables for the work equipment 53 are then guided.

The main feature of the present invention is the possibility of adjusting the working equipment, such as the screens 9, in all directions.

For this purpose, an adjustment frame 40 has been developed according to the invention, which allows the adjustment of the work equipment in all directions. A basic element of this adjustment frame 40 is the rail 8 already mentioned above, which preferably runs over the entire length of the base housing 3. This rail 8 rests on two support tubes 41,

which engage in corresponding openings 42 in the cover part 18a. The support tubes 41 are designed telescopically, whereby, for example, two tube sleeves pushed one above the other are arranged so that they can be moved against one another. The adjustment can be carried out by a spindle drive located in the tube sleeves, whereby when a spindle is rotated by means of a hand crank, a tube sleeve of the support tube 41 can be moved with the rail 8 in the direction ζ. The basic height adjustment of the work equipment is carried out by this lifting direction ζ. A carriage 43 for each work equipment sits on the rail 8 and can be moved along the rail 8 in the direction y (see Figure 2). The work equipment can be moved from one end of the dealer table 1 to the other using this carriage 43. An individual adjustment in the direction zl of the working device in height is carried out by a tube 44, which is arranged on a support arm 45 on the carriage 43 so that it can be adjusted in the direction zl. The tube 44 is fixed at a desired height using a corresponding clamping screw 46. The tube 44 engages in a blind hole 47 of an attachment 48, whereby the attachment 48 can rotate around the tube 44 in the direction v.

On the attachment 48 there is a further rail 49, on which a support carriage 50 is arranged so as to be movable in the direction x. A support plate 51 is connected in an articulated manner to the support carriage 50, whereby this support plate 51 forms a tilting joint 52 with the support carriage 50.

This allows the inclination of a screen 9, for example, to be adjusted. Using such an adjustment frame 40, a screen 9, for example, can be moved and adjusted in any desired direction. It is up to the user whether he arranges only one slide 43 for one device or several slides 43 for several working devices on the rail 8. It is also possible for the

Rail 8 also has a continuous support plate on which the work equipment is arranged. In this case, the support plate can only be adjusted in the direction ζ via rail 8, but it could also be arranged so that it can be moved in the y direction.

DR. RER. NAT. PETER H. WEISS PATENT ATTORNEY PO BOX 1250 ZEPPELINSTRASSE 4 D-W 7707 ENGEN

DR. WHITE

PATENT ATTORNEY ^ EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEY

TELEPHONE: (07733) 2014-15 MOBILE PHONE: 01611 708239 FAX: (0 7733) 2678 TELEX: 793 763 weis d

Reference number: 2158.9

Date:14.05.1992

POSITI Table O N NUMBERS ESTATE Distance 1 Work chair' 34 Push strip a 2 Basic housing. 35 Long hole 3 Frame 36 Mounting frame 4 Table top 37 Support plate 5 Keyboard 38 Excerpt 6 Telephone switchboard 39 7 Rail 40 Adjustment frame 8th Screen 41 Stut &zgr;rohr 9 Storage basket 42 openings 10 Floor frame 43 Schiitten 11 Slot opening 44 Pipe 12 Frame 45 Beam 13 Side swing 46 Clamping screw 14 Front wall 47 blind hole 15 flap 48 Essay 16 Support strips 49 rail 17 Ceiling 1 part 50 Support sleds Workplace 18 Leadership 51 Support plate R 19 U-profiles 52 Tilting joint 20 Support leg 53 W o rking equipment 21 post 54 Cabel Canal 22 Support leg 55 Direction of rotation 23 Baseboard 56 V 24 Connection is 57 Direction 25 cover plate &idr; 58 X Direction 26 Support bolt 59 y Individual adjustment 27 Footplate 60 ^Z l Stroke direction 28 Support frame 61 Z 29 Hole 62 30 63 31 Stutrohr 64 32 drilling 65 33 66

Claims (16)

PROTECTION CLAIMS 1. Table for a workstation, in particular a screen workstation (1), with a table top (5) and a base housing (3) as well as with work equipment, such as screens (9) or the like, characterized, that an adjustment frame (40) is coupled to the base housing (3), which has a rail (8) outside the base housing (3) that is adjustable in height (z), the working equipment (9, 10) being arranged on this rail (8). 2. Table for a workstation, in particular a screen workstation (1), with a table top (5) and a base housing (3) as well as with work equipment, such as screens (9) or the like, characterized in that the table top (5) is connected to a frame (4) via a support frame (29) while maintaining a distance (a), wherein the support frame (29) is hinged to the frame (4) in a tiltable manner. 3. Table for a workstation, in particular a screen workstation (1), with a table top (5) and a base housing (3) as well as with work equipment, such as a screen (9) or the like, characterized in that the work equipment (9, 10) sits on a support carriage (50) which can be moved along a rail (49) in the direction (x) in relation to the table top (5). 4. Table according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a support plate for the work equipment (9, 10) is arranged on the rail (8). 5. Table according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one carriage (43) which can be displaced in a direction (y) along the table (1) and which holds a support plate (51) for a working device (9, 10) is arranged on this rail (8).
10 6. Table according to claim 5, characterized in that the support plate (51) forms a tilting joint (52) with the support carriage (50). 7. Table according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the rail (49) is arranged on an attachment (48) which forms a swivel joint with a tube (44). 8. Table according to claim 7, characterized in that the tube (44) engages in a blind hole (47) of the attachment (48). 9. Table according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the tube (44) is arranged in an arm (45) adjustable in height (Zl), the arm (45) being fixed to the carriage (43). 10. Table according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rail (8) sits on telescopically adjustable support tubes (41) which engage in the base housing (3). 11. Table according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the table top (5) is connected to the base housing (3) via the frame (4). 12. Table according to claim 11, characterized in that the frame (4) consists of two parallel U-profiles (20), each of which forms a support leg (21), a post (22) and a support leg (23), the support frame (29) being connected to the latter. 13. Table according to claim 12, characterized in that an adjustable foot plate (28) is arranged between the support legs (21). 14. Table according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a fastening frame (36) is connected to each of the U-profiles (20), via which the frame (4) is connected to the base housing (3). 15. Table according to claim 14, characterized in that a support plate (37) is provided between the fastening frame (36). 16. Table according to at least one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the frame (4) after the Insertion into the base housing (3) is partially covered by a flap (16) of the base housing.