WALL-MOUNTABLE WORKSTATION WITH ARTICULATING ARM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wall-mountable workstations and to wall- mountable workstations that contain electronic equipment, such as computer equipment.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Wall-mountable workstations that include a security door that may be selectively opened for use and subsequently closed when not in use are known in the art. Such workstations often house a computer keyboard and/or monitor. When not in use, the security door is closed to secure the keyboard and/or monitor within the workstation housing. These workstations are particularly useful in medical facilities, such as a hospital room, where doctors and technicians demand convenient and secure access to a computer. [0003] While wall-mountable computing workstations have been well received, conventional designs suffer from a number of limitations. For example, conventional workstations often fix the computer monitor and keyboard in a predetermine position, such as facing the user within the workstation housing. A fixed configuration limits a user's ability to orient the keyboard and/or monitor in a convenient position, such as position facing a patient during a conversation. For at least this reason, improved wall mountable workstations are desired that overcome limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY

[0004] A wall-mountable workstation for electronic equipment is provided. In an embodiment, the wall-mountable workstation includes a housing having an electronic equipment storage compartment. A door is connected to the housing and is adapted to move between a closed position in which the electronic equipment storage compartment is closed and an open position in which the electronic equipment storage compartment is open. The workstation also includes an articulating arm having a first end non-movably secured within the housing and a second end adapted to support the electronic equipment for adjustable movement between a user-selected extended position away from the electronic equipment

storage compartment and a retracted storage position within the electronic equipment storage compartment.

[0005] Other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the drawings and detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall-mountable workstation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top, partial cross-sectional view of the workstation of FIG. 1, showing a data-display panel and a keyboard in a first extended position;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a top, partial cross-sectional view of the workstation of FIG. 1, showing a data-display panel and a keyboard in a second extended position;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top, partial cross-sectional view of the workstation of FIG. 1, showing a data-display panel and a keyboard during retraction into the workstation; [0011] FIG. 5 is a top, partial cross-sectional view of the workstation of FIG. 1, showing a data-display panel and a keyboard retracted into the workstation with the keyboard in a generally horizontal or deployed position;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a top, partial cross-sectional view of the workstation of FIG. 1, showing a data-display panel and a keyboard retracted into the workstation with the keyboard in a generally vertical or stored position;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wall-mountable workstation of FIG. 1, showing the electronic equipment storage compartment door in a closed position; and [0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wall-mountable workstation according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing an optional computer CPU storage compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a wall-mountable workstation 10 for storing electronic equipment, such as a keyboard 12 and a data-display panel 14, is shown according to an

embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, workstation 10 includes a generally rectangular housing 16 having an electronic equipment storage compartment 18 for storing electronic equipment, such keyboard 12 and/or data-display panel 14. Workstation 10 may also include an optional computer CPU storage compartment 20 adapted to store a computer CPU 22 (see, e.g., FIG. 8). Power and/or data distribution cables 24 needed for operation of the electronic equipment may be routed through one or more holes (not shown) between electronic equipment storage compartment 18 and computer CPU storage compartment 20, or between electronic equipment storage compartment 18 and a wall or structure upon which workstation 10 is mounted if not equipped with an onboard CPU 22. However, when equipped with CPU 22, for example, housing 16 may include at least one cooling device 26, such as a vent or fan, to facilitate airflow into and out of housing 16 to cool CPU 22 or other electronic equipment.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, workstation 10 also includes an articulating arm 28 having a first end 30 non-movably secured within housing 16 and a second end 32 adapted to support the electronic equipment, such as keyboard 12 and/or data-display panel 14, for adjustable movement between a user-selected extended position away from electronic equipment storage compartment 18 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3) and a retracted storage position (see, e.g., FIG. 6) within electronic equipment storage compartment 18. In an embodiment, articulating arm 28 is non-movably secured to a bottom support wall 34 of housing 16 so that workstation 10 may be shipped as a complete unit. Alternatively, the wall or structure upon which housing 16 is mounted may function as the de facto support wall of workstation 10, in which case articulating arm 28 may be mounted to the wall or structure itself within electronic equipment storage compartment 18.

[0017] In an embodiment, articulating arm 28 includes first and second articulating arm components 36, 38 separated by a hinge 39. In the illustrated configuration, first and second articulating arm components 36, 38 are stacked, one on top of the other, which permits second articulating arm component 38 to be pivoted over first articulating arm component 36. When so configured, the space occupied by first and second articulating arm components 36, 38 in the retracted storage position is minimized (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). While first and second articulating arm components 36, 38 are shown in the drawings as being substantially the same

length, it will be appreciated that first and second articulating arm components 36, 38 may be different lengths provided the electronic equipment and arm components are received within housing 16 in the retracted storage position. It is also noted that articulating arm 28 may include more than two articulating arm components when more adjustable movement of the electronic equipment is desired, or even a single arm component when only limited movement of the electronic equipment is required.

[0018] hi an embodiment, second end 32 of articulating arm 28 includes a keyboard support tray 40 adapted to adjustably support keyboard 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, keyboard support tray 40 may be moved between a generally vertical or stowed position to a generally horizontal or deployed position. IfCPU 22 supports use of a mouse, keyboard support tray may also include space for an optional mouse or a mouse holder (not shown). [0019] In an embodiment, second end of articulating arm 28 also includes a data-display panel adjustment mount 42 adapted to adjustably support data-display panel 14. As shown in embodiment, data-display panel 14 is attached to mount 42 at a pivot point 44, which permits data display panel 14 to pivot relative to mount 42. Mount 42 may also include at least one adjustment handle 46 that enables a user to grip and move data-display panel 14 and mount 42 along with articulating arm 28. Mount 42 and support tray 40 may be connected to articulating arm 28 at a common pivot point 48, which enables mount 42 and support tray 40 to pivot relative about second end 32 of articulating arm 28.

[0020] To securely enclose the electronic equipment within housing 16 when not in use, a door 50 is secured to housing 16 and is adapted to move between a closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 7) in which electronic equipment storage compartment 18 is closed and an open position (see, e.g., FIG. 1) in which electronic equipment storage compartment 18 is open. In an embodiment, door 50 is configured to automatically move toward the closed position when articulating arm 28 is moved toward the retracted storage position, hi one configuration, for example, at least one pressurized cylinder 52 is positioned between housing 16 and door 50 for biasing door 50 toward the closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 8). Door 50 may also include a locking device 54, such as a key lock, to secure keyboard 12 and data-display panel 14 within storage compartment 18 when closed.

[0021] The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.