Abstract
A novel workstation incorporating an acoustical dome for increased acoustic and visual privacy for the user. Preferred embodiments include an adjustable height workstation designed to be in electrical and data communication with other workstations, thus optimizing the workstation density in an open working environment without comprising user privacy.
Claims
1. A workstation, comprising; an adjustable height desk, further comprising a raceway; a privacy shield, wherein said privacy shield selectively interconnects with said raceway and wherein said privacy shield provides acoustic and visual privacy to the user; and wherein said privacy shield is an acoustical dome.
2. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said acoustical dome is further comprised of triangular segments.
3. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said raceway further includes a plurality of built-in accessories.
4. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said raceway is mounted on top of the work surface and is adapted to accommodate a multiple circuit electrical distribution system and to permit the use of power strips, wherein said raceway is further adapted to conceal various accessories, wherein said accessories includes at least one of transformers, LED lights, fans, and air purifiers, wherein said raceway is further adapted to maintain access to cables within said raceway.
5. The workstation of claim 4, wherein said raceway further comprises an access door, said access door adapted to allow a user to access the interior of said raceway, wherein said access door is composed of the same material as an interior of said raceway.
6. The workstation of claim 1, wherein an angle of the workstation surface of said workstation is adjustable.
7. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a modesty shield interconnected to said desk.
8. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said raceway further comprises a track and wherein said privacy shield selectively interconnects with said raceway by being inserted into said track.
9. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said raceway is adapted to allow the workstation to be in at least one of electrical and data communication with a plurality of other workstations, wherein said plurality of workstations will be interconnected using flexible cables, wherein said flexible cables are concealed in said raceway and attached to an underside of said work surfaces at predetermined 30 intervals.
10. A workstation, comprising: an adjustable height desk having a work surface bordered by a raceway, said raceway adapted to maintain access to cables within said raceway and to accommodate an electrical distribution system comprising at least one power strip, said raceway configured to conceal from view at least two accessories selected from the group consisting of transformers, LED lights, fans, and air purifiers, said raceway having at least one access door configured to allow a user to access an interior of said raceway; and an acoustical dome comprised of triangular segments configured to substantially cover at least half of said work surface.
11. The workstation of claim 10, further comprising a modesty shield interconnected to said desk.
12. The workstation of claim 10, wherein said raceway further comprises a track.
13. The workstation of claim 10, wherein said raceway is in electrical communication with a plurality of other workstations, wherein said plurality of workstations are interconnected by cables that are concealed in said raceway and protrude through an underside of said work surface at predetermined intervals.
14. The workstation of claim 10, wherein an angle of the workstation surface of said workstation is adjustable.
15. The workstation as set forth in claim 10, wherein the at least two accessories comprise a LED light and a fan.
16. The workstation as set forth in claim 10, wherein the dome is insulated on an interior side of the dome with sound absorbing material.
17. The workstation as set forth in claim 10, wherein the dome is selectively removable from the work surface and is configured to extend over the raceway.
18. The workstation as set forth in claim 10, wherein said workstation has a temperature control.
19. A workstation, comprising: an adjustable height desk having a work surface bordered by a raceway, said raceway adapted to maintain access to cables within said raceway and to accommodate an electrical distribution system comprising at least one power strip, said raceway configured to conceal from view at least two accessories selected from the group consisting of transformers, LED lights, fans, and air purifiers, said raceway having at least one access door configured to allow a user to access an interior of said raceway; and an acoustical dome comprised of triangular segments configured to substantially cover at least half of said work surface, said dome having a border sized to rest in a groove on a periphery of the work surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;
(2) FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention without an acoustical dome;
(3) FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in use;
(4) FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the present invention at varying heights;
(5) FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the structural elements which construct the acoustical dome;
(6) FIG. 6 shows an overhead view of one layout embodiment for the workstation embodiment of FIG. 1;
(7) FIG. 7 shows a plurality of layout embodiment diagrams for the workstation embodiment of FIG. 1;
(8) FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the raceway according to one embodiment of the present invention;
(9) FIGS. 9a and 9b shows one embodiment of the structural elements which construct the acoustical dome both separated and assembled;
(10) FIGS. 10a and 10b show a side view and perspective view of one embodiment of the desk portion of the workstation;
(11) FIGS. 11a and 11b show a bottom view and top view of one embodiment of the raceway with cables; and
(12) FIG. 12 shows a top view of one embodiment of receptacle block mounting location and routing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(13) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the acoustical dome workstation 1. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the acoustical dome workstation 1 comprising a base 2, a body 3, and an acoustical dome 4. The base 2 is interconnected to a bottom surface of the body 3 such that the body 3 is level to provide an optimal working environment for a user. The body 3 farther includes a level work surface 31, a modesty skirt 32, and a raceway 33. The raceway 33 further includes a track 34 which is adapted to selectively interconnect with the acoustical dome 4. The acoustical dome 4 is comprised of a plurality of geometric pieces 41 which selectively interconnect to form the acoustical dome 4. While FIG. 1 shows only the structural frame of the dome 4, one having skilled in the art will recognize that the geometric pieces 41 utilized are not necessarily limited to frame elements. Rather, the geometric pieces 41 can be solid panel-like pieces constructed from a variety of materials, discussed in greater detail in the subsequent disclosure.
(14) FIG. 2 depicts the workstation 1 of FIG. 1 without the acoustical dome. As shown, the base 2 includes two telescopic legs 21 each further having a support structure 22. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that various base 2 structures may be used, including non-telescopic legs of various heights, a various number of legs, legs of various widths including legs which also serve as drawers, and wall-like legs. The base 2 and body 3 may be part on one integral workstation 1, or the base 2 and body 3 may be selectively connectable for easy transportation.
(15) The workstation 1 may further include a modesty skirt 32 which is connected to the perimeter of the body 3 and extends around the perimeter of the body 3. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the modesty skirt 32 may be of various lengths, and does not necessarily have to extend around the entire perimeter of the body 3. The modesty skirt 32 may be comprised of a plurality of materials including but not limited to various plastics, fabrics, polymers, metals, cardboard, or other materials which provide privacy for the user. The modesty skirt 32 may be transparent, opaque, or may be designed such that the transparency may be chosen by the user. The height of the modesty skirt 32 may be varied depending on the needs of the user and based on the position of the workstation 1 relative to other workstations. Additionally, the modesty skirt 32 may be selectively removable or collapsible such that a user may remove it if the modesty skirt 32 is not necessary.
(16) The body 3 of the workstation 1 further includes a work surface 31, in a preferred embodiment, the work surface 31 is circular in shape having a 60 diameter work surface 31. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the shape and the diameter of the work surface 31 may be adjusted based on the needs of the user. For example, smaller work surfaces 31 may be employed for children or for small working spaces, while larger work surfaces 31 may be employed for high volume workers who require a higher surface area work surface 31 or for large open working spaces. Additionally, the work surface 31 may be a variety of shapes including rectangular, triangular, elliptical, etc. The work surface 31 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, metal, wood, polymer, and carbon fiber and may further include a laminate surface. In a preferred embodiment, this laminate surface may be an anti-microbial laminate. One such anti-microbial laminate includes Sharklet technology, described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,709 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, may be employed to improve the anti-microbial properties of the workstation. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that any anti-microbial laminate may be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the circular work surface 31 may include a user cutout 35. This cutout 35 allows the user to move into or under the acoustical dome 4 for maximum acoustical effect and maximum privacy while maintaining efficient density. In a preferred embodiment, the cutout 35 is semi-circular in shape. However, one having skill in the art will recognize that the cutout 35 may be a variety of shapes including circular, rectangular, triangular, elliptical, etc., and may optionally be of the same shape as the work surface 31.
(17) The body 3 of the workstation 1 further includes a raceway 33 which rests on the work surface 31. In a preferred embodiment, the raceway 33 may have multiple uses. First, the raceway 33 may act as an electrical distribution system and house a concealed 8 or 10 wire multiple circuit electrical distribution system. The raceway 33 includes cutouts at 30 intervals under the raceway to accommodate electrical/data and allow for various layout capabilities simply by rotating the workstation 1. These features will be discussed in greater detail in FIGS. 6-8.
(18) The raceway 33 may further act as a cable dump for excess cable which permits a clean and organized work surface 31 using standard length cables, eliminating the need for cable management accessories. Additionally, the raceway 33 may permit the use of regular 6 outlet power strips which may plug into the pre-engineered power distribution system and be used to power up a CPU, monitor(s), lighting including LEDs, fans, and various other accessories a user may deem necessary. The raceway 33 may further include one or more built in accessories 36. The accessories may include fans, USB chargers, standard outlets, lighting, air purification systems, and any other accessories a user deems necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the air purification system is a UVC light/fan type air purifier which can kill and minimize airborne germs. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that any air purification system may be utilized.
(19) The raceway 33 may further include a track 34 which extends a discrete distance into the raceway 33 and is adapted to receive an acoustical dome 4. The track 34 may be of a various shapes and depths, depending on the needs of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the track 34 is adapted to receive a geodesic acoustical dome 4 as show in FIG. 1. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the track 34 shape and depth may be altered to accommodate a different acoustical dome 4 shape and structure.
(20) FIG. 3 shows how the workstation 1 of FIG. 2 could be utilized in one embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the workstation 1 utilizes three monitors 37a, 37b, 37c, arranged side-by-side, which may be mounted to the work surface 31. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the number and arrangement of monitors 37 utilized may be altered based on the needs of the user. By way of example and without intending to limit the scope of the present disclosure, a user may utilize one, two, three, or four monitors 37 in a side-by-side arrangement, and may further include a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth monitors 37 arranged in a side-by-side arranged but stacked on top of first four monitors. Alternatively, the user may utilize a variety of other monitor 37 arrangement including a diamond shape, triangular shape, or rectangular shape arrangement. Further, the monitors 37 may be the same size, or could also be a combination of different size monitors 37. This customization allows the user to choose the monitors 37 and arrangement which meets the needs of the particular work for which they are being used. Additionally, while the monitors 37 may be mounted to the work surface 31, one skilled in the art will recognize they may also be mounted to the raceway 33 or may be freestanding. In a preferred embodiment, a fixed version of device found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,599, herein incorporated by reference, is utilized, allowing limited horizontal and vertical adjustment while using less space than a monitor arm and other traditional means of monitor mounting. In addition, while not shown in FIG. 3, the monitors 37 may also be integrated into the acoustical dome 4. FIG. 3 further illustrates other accessories which may be utilized with the expansive work surface 31. By way of example, the accessories may include a telephone, a keyboard, a mouse, speakers, utensil holder, tile tray, stapler, hole punch, or any other accessory deemed necessary by the user.
(21) FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the workstation 1 in which the height of the workstation 1 is adjustable. FIG. 4 shows the workstation 1 in three different height positions: a minimum height 1a, a medium height 1b, and a maximum height 1c. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the various heights 1a, 1b, 1c are only representative, and that the actual height of the workstation 1 may be any height between a minimum height 1a (5.sup.th percentile seated female) and a maximum height 1c (95.sup.th percentile standing male user). In a preferred embodiment, the workstation 1 is adapted to comply with the five requirements of ANSI/HFES100-2007 National Ergonomic Standard for computer workstations such that it enables individualized fit for all potential users from the 5.sup.th percentile seated female user up to the 95.sup.th percentile standing male user. The five requirements are keyboard height/elbow angle, monitor height/view angle, focal depth, primary reach zone, and user safety clearances. These ergonomic considerations allow the user to avoid the negative health consequences of sitting or standing all day, while achieving a customized ergonomic fit for their individual physical attributes.
(22) FIG. 4 further shows one embodiment of the acoustical dome 4. As shown, the acoustical dome 4 shields the user from other users who may be located adjacent to the workstation 1. The acoustical dome 4 is constructed from selectively interconnecting geometric pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the pieces are triangular. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the pieces may be pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or any other geometric shape. Additionally, the acoustical dome may be created through the use of a combination of two or more geometric pieces with a different geometric shape. Similarly, white an acoustical dome is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one having skill in the art will recognize that the acoustical privacy shield 4 may be a cube, pyramid, cone, ellipse, or other shape based on the needs of the user. As shown, the dome 4 is connected to the body 3 via the track in the raceway 33, and extends above and behind the user to improve privacy.
(23) In another embodiment, the monitors may be integrated into the acoustical dome 4. This can be done either by utilizing electronically interconnected geometric pieces which allow the geometric pieces to act as the monitors. Alternatively, the monitors may be built into the acoustical dome 4 design, and surrounded by geometric pieces.
(24) FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the geometric pieces 41 which make up the acoustical dome 4. Shown are component geometric pieces 41 from a preferred embodiment in which the acoustical dome 4 is a geodesic dome comprising selectively interconnecting triangular geometric pieces 41. Two embodiments of the geometric pieces 41 necessary for construction of the dome 4 are shown. Eight large geometric pieces 41a and twenty small geometric pieces 41b are utilized to create the geodesic dome 4. In a preferred embodiment, the large geometric piece 41a is an equilateral triangle having a side length of 17.92 inches. Alternatively, the small geometric piece 41b is an isosceles triangle having a side length of 15.85 inches and a base length of 17.92 inches, wherein the angles between the base and the sides are both 55.57 and the angle between the two sides is 68.86. While large 41a and small 41b geometric pieces are shown, one having skill in the art will recognize that the pieces may be a variety of sizes to either increase the number of pieces 41 or decrease the number of pieces 41 used in the dome 4.
(25) FIG. 6 depicts a novel workstation 1 layout for an open workspace environment utilizing the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the workstations 1 may be arranged in a zig-zag or offsetting arrangement. This arrangement allows for an efficient use of workspace in order to maximize the density of users without degrading the privacy of the users. Moreover, as will be shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7-8, this arrangement utilizes the raceway of each workstation 1 to interconnect the units and reduce on electrical cord pile up. This arrangement also provides a unique office aesthetic when the workstations are positioned at different heights. This customization allows both the users and employers to fully optimize their work environments.
(26) FIG. 7 shows a plurality of alternative workstation 1 layouts and the electrical distribution pathways utilized to connect the workstations 1. These layouts may be described as zig-zag opposing 71, zig-zag offset 72, square 73, diamond 74, and oval 75. In a preferred embodiment, the zigzag layouts 71, 72 are utilized. As shown, in each of the layouts 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 the electrical distribution pathway 76 is shown connecting the plurality of workstations 1. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical distribution pathway 76 makes a connection with each workstation no matter which layout 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 is utilized. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that a user may create unique layouts by utilizing two or more electrical distribution pathways 76 in one layout.
(27) FIG. 8 provides a more detailed look at the raceway 33 which allows for the unique layouts described in FIG. 6. Shown are two workstations 1 connected via an electrical distribution pathway 76. As shown, the pathway 76 travels through the raceway 33 of each workstation 1 wherein the pathway 76 connects to an electrical outlet 77 before continuing on to the next workstation 1. The electrical outlets 77 comprise two connectors 78, 79 on each end which connect to the pathway 76 and allow it to continue on to the next workstation 1. The pathway 76 continues until it reaches the last workstation 1 in the chosen layout.
(28) FIGS. 9a and 9b show one embodiment of the geometric pieces 41 shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, FIG. 9a shows the two component pieces, before assembly, which may make up the geometric piece 41: the geometric frame 80 and the geometric body 81. As shown, the geometric has a recessed cavity 82 which allows the geometric body 81 to nest comfortably in the frame 80 and keep it in position. FIG. 9b shows the geometric body 81 securely nested in the recessed cavity 82. Additionally, the frame further has a plurality of apertures 83 for connecting one geometric frame 80 to another. In one embodiment, the geometric body 81 is composed of foam or fabric. However, one having skill in the art will recognize that the geometric body 81 can be any number of materials suitable for constructing the geodesic dome, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, polymer, wood, electronic material (including display screens), cardboard, and glass. Similarly, the frame itself can also be constructed from a number of materials, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, polymer, foam, wood, cardboard, and glass.
(29) FIGS. 10a and 10b show two views of one embodiment of the present invention without the geodesic dome or raceway. The embodiment shown shows the workstation 1 with proper knee clearance 92 per ANSI Standards 8.3.2.1.2 for a 5% female in the seated position. FIGS. 10a and 10b further utilize an imaginary user clearance box 93 to visualize the required clearance for a 5% female in the seated position. Additionally, FIGS. 10a and 10b show cable receiving apertures 84. The raceway of the present invention rests on top of the work surface 31 such as to conceal the cable receiving apertures 84 and any cables which may be present.
(30) FIGS. 11a and 11b show a bottom view and top view, respectively, of one embodiment of the present invention without the geodesic dome. FIGS. 11a and 11b show, by way of non-limiting example, how the cable receiving apertures 84 are utilized in the present invention. FIG. 11a shows cables 85 extending from a first electronic device 86. The cables 85 extend through the cable receiving apertures 84 on the underside of the work surface 31 and emerge from the cable receiving apertures 84 on the top side of the work surface 31, shown in FIG. 11b. The cables 85 then extend from the cable receiving apertures 84 until they reach a second electronic device 87, third electronic device 88, fourth electronic device 89, and so on depending on the number of electronic devices utilized. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of cables 85 and electronic devices utilized can be adjusted based on the needs of the user.
(31) FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention without the geodesic dome in which a receptacle block 90 is utilized. As shown, a first cable portion 85a which connects multiple workstations together extends up through the cable receiving aperture 84 and proceeds until it connects with a receptacle block 90. The cable 85b then continues where it extends down through the cable receiving aperture 84 where it goes on to connect to another workstation. The use of the cables 85 places the workstations in electrical and data communication with one another. The receptacle block 90 may be a power strip having any number of electrical outlets which are utilized to connect a number of electronic devices based on the needs of the user.
(32) The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention.
