Convertible computer display
OwnerJeffrey H. Korber, Michael G. Wisniewskiinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible workstation system is disclosed that may be retrofitted into an existing desktop/work surface for supporting and pivoting a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) from a closed position to an open, viewable/usable position in front of a user. The system includes an actuator to initiate movement of a support panel, and is configured such that further movement of the support panel toward the open position after initiation by the actuator is carried out independently of further movement or other manipulation or control of the actuator. A spring may be provided to assist in moving the support panel towards such open position after the actuator has initiated such movement.
Claims19
A convertible workstation comprising:
- a support panel having a top side and a bottom side, said support panel being pivotably mounted within a work surface from a closed position in which said top side is generally coplanar with said work surface to an open position;
- a spring mounted between said support panel and said work surface, said spring biasing said support panel toward said open position and exerting a biasing force on said support panel toward said open position, wherein when said support panel holds a video display on said bottom side and is in said closed position, said biasing force is insufficient to move said support panel toward said open position;
- and
- a pull cable having a first end attached to said support panel and a second end engageable by a user such that pulling said pull cable in a direction away from said support panel when said support panel is in said closed position causes said support panel to begin to move toward said open position, and movement of said support panel thereafter is independent of movement of said pull cable.
A workstation convertible from a flat work surface and computer display storage device to a computer display, comprising:
- a support panel pivotably mounted within said flat work surface and having a top side and a bottom side, said support panel being moveable from a closed position in which said top side is generally coplanar with said work surface to an open position;
- a computer display support bracket affixed to said bottom side of said support panel, said computer display support bracket configured to hold a computer display in a stored position beneath said support panel when said support panel is in said closed position and configured to hold a computer display in a viewable position when said support panel is in said open position;
- a spring mounted between said support panel and said flat work surface and exerting an opening force on said support panel when said support panel is in said closed position;
- and
- a user accessible actuator engaging said support panel, said actuator being configured to cause said support panel to begin to move toward said open position when actuated, wherein continued movement of said support panel toward said open position after such actuation is independent of movement of said actuator.
A work surface convertible to a computer display, comprising:
- a frame configured for insertion into a work table;
- a support panel pivotably mounted within said frame and having a top side and a bottom side, said support panel being moveable from a closed position in which said top side is generally coplanar with a top edge of said frame to an open position;
- a computer display support bracket affixed to said bottom side of said support panel and configured to hold a computer display;
- a spring mounted between said support panel and said frame and exerting an opening force on said support panel when said support panel is in said closed position;
- and
- a user accessible actuator engaging said support panel, said actuator being configured to cause said support panel to begin to move toward said open position when actuated, wherein continued movement of said support panel toward said open position after such actuation is independent of movement of said actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.