Active workstation apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method provide various desk structures as workstations to receive a user, standing or sitting, walking or stationary, exercising or sedentary. A double duty desk system may include multiple, dedicated “sitting desks” at seated height and fixed to a shared “standing desk,” the height of whose desktop stands accessible to a user exercising on an exercise bike, treadmill, stepper, or the like. A user in an exercise (e.g., standing) position may view materials set on the standing desk and on the attached sitting desks and returns. Heights of desks may be permanently fixed, adjustable, powered, mechanized, manual, or a combination. A user may selectively exercise or sit, in order to read, browse online, attend webinars, edit, monitor, handwrite, type, lecture, listen, answer phones, make calls, develop software, or the like from a standing or sitting position, at will.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 832,115, filed Jun. 6, 2013, entitled ACTIVE WORKSTATION APPARATUS AND METHOD, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 832,475, filed Jun. 7, 2013, entitled ACTIVE WORKSTATION APPARATUS AND METHOD, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for combining a desk-type work space with exercise apparatus and methods.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]For decades, work space, particularly desks constructed as work space or workstations for individuals, have continued a development approach that minimizes motion. Particularly, one objective appears to be the minimizing of any need of a worker to rise out of a desk chair to reach for anything in the work space. Thus, shelving, desktop ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system where the height of a user's work surface is adjusted to match their rib cage, allowing for comfortable and efficient use of the workspace. The stability of the system is improved through the use of rigidized, stabilized supports that interconnect between various work spaces, providing greater bearing area and stiffness. The foot or feet on the lower end of each leg also contribute to stability and stiffness for the system. Additionally, the patent suggests ganging together multiple desks with adjacent work spaces, alternating between sitting-height and standing-height desks to improve flexibility and efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, long hours, urgent deadlines, demanding projects and customers, long commutes, and other factors combine to consume free time, or that portion of a day that may have been free time in previous generations.

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