Adjustable vertical desk

Abstract

An adjustable, vertical desk with a horizontal work surface and vertical display surface upon which is attached a computer monitor or other electronic equipment to be viewed, in a range of height positions appropriate to adults of varying heights. The horizontal work surface may also be adjusted to position a keyboard and a mouse at an appropriate hand level for adults of varying heights. The desk allows users to place electronic equipment to heights as needed to suit their stature and by so doing encourages more natural body alignment while in a standing or in a seated position. When the vertical desk is used in combination with a standard treadmill set at low speed, the vertical desk permits mild exercise without work interruption.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention pertains to office furniture, and more particularly, this invention pertains to a vertical desk that allows adult users the option of sitting, standing, or walking on a treadmill while at work on computer equipment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Cumulative trauma disorders also known as repetitive motion injuries, are a group of musculoskeletal disorders experienced most by computer users due to the misuse or over-use of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Most commonly affected body members are fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders, backs, and necks.[0003]Insurance company and government statistics show that repetitive motion injuries cost employers approximately $2 billion in lost revenue and medical costs annually. While industry suffers financial loss due to cumulative trauma disorders, affected workers suffer varying degrees of disability, pain and discomfort.[0004]Factors that lead to injuries include repetitive tasks, such as t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The adjustable vertical desk according to the present invention reflects the sciences of ergonomics and kinesiology. The desk permits physical activity and increased movement in the normal course of the work day. The desk is not fixed in position and may be moved as needed, facilitating alternate uses including as a desk only or as a desk with treadmill. The vertical desk also creates a work space in a smaller footprint than that of many conventional desks due to its utilisation of vertical space; a potential benefit in both home and corporate environments.

[0014]The desk permits the placement of office and electronic equipment in ergonomically advantageous positions to suit the stature of a range of adult users. The ability to locate equipment as per height and work habits encourages proper body alignment, comfort, and improved posture, minimizing the factors that contribute to musculoskeletal injury typically present when using a conventional, flat desk. Users of the adjustable vertical desk may stand, sit in a tall chair, or walk on a treadmill, allowing more freedom of movement and a more upright posture than is possible in a conventional, seated desk position.

[0015]In another aspect of the vertical desk according to the present invention, there is provided in combination, a treadmill and a vertical desk mounted astride the treadmill. The vertical desk has two spaced-apart legs; a display surface extending vertically across top portions of the legs; a shelf affixed to the legs below the display surface; and a desk surface affixed to the legs below the shelf. The shelf has an open central area along a forward edge thereof providing unobstructed view to control panel of the treadmill by a user of the vertical desk and treadmill. Also, the desk surface has recesses in a rear edge thereof providing unobstructed access to controls of the treadmill.

[0016]When the adjustable vertical desk is used with a standard treadmill, an adult user thereof is able to complete computer work normally while walking at a slow pace. Mild cardiovascular activity is possible while walking on the treadmill and medical studies have shown that computer activity can continue uninterrupted while walking at a slow pace. The gentle activity of walking promotes fitness and alertness as it increases blood flow through the body. Walking while using the desk aids in mitigating neck, shoulder, back, and joint strain normally associated with a static, seated desk position, and is particularly beneficial when the placement of computer equipment is tailored to the stature and work habits of each worker. The curved, cut-out areas of the shelf and desk surface facilitate access to treadmill panel and controls.

[0017]In yet another aspect of the vertical desk according to the present invention, the display surface has slots therein for passing computer wiring there through, and the shelf has a shelf extension extending behind said display surface for supporting a power bar thereon behind the display surface. The shelf also has brackets extending upward therefrom for retaining computer wiring thereto behind the display surface. The slots in the display surface, the shelf extension and the brackets cooperate together to maintain all computer wiring in a neat and tidy arrangement.

[0018]When the adjustable vertical desk is used without a treadmill, the user has the option of sitting in a more upright posture on a tall, draughtsman chair with footrest, or standing for periods of time while working, allowing the body more freedom of movement and the opportunity to stretch as often as needed without interrupting productivity. Electronic office equipment to be viewed and the desk surface for keyboard and mouse can each be separately positioned to better accommodate a range of user heights.

Problems solved by technology

Insurance company and government statistics show that repetitive motion injuries cost employers approximately $2 billion in lost revenue and medical costs annually.

While industry suffers financial loss due to cumulative trauma disorders, affected workers suffer varying degrees of disability, pain and discomfort.

Factors that lead to injuries include repetitive tasks, such as typing, maintaining an awkward position or a fixed body position for extended periods of time, insufficient recovery time, and the pace of work performed.

Workers may develop inflammation of joints and muscles and suffer symptoms such as numbness, redness, tingling, burning, decrease in joint motion, weakness, clumsiness, loss of strength, pain, aching, swelling, and cracking or popping of joints.

Exacerbating the problem for desk-bound workers is anthropometric mismatch, the use of office furniture that does not properly fit the stature of the user, potentially promoting contorted posture and poor body alignment.

While the prior art confirms the need for a desk and treadmill combination, the prior art designs have had limited success in providing adjustment options at hand and eye levels, versatility of use, and design compactness.

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