Flip down monitor with retractable keyboard tray

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/372,791, filed Apr. 17, 2002.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to computer workstation devices, more specifically, to a flip down monitor and a retractable keyboard tray mounted to a common bracket. The bracket is inserted into a desktop in such a manner that the monitor can flip up and the keyboard can slide out for use as a computer workstation, or the keyboard can slide into the bracket and the monitor can be flipped down to form part of a desktop work surface.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] The use of computers has vastly increased over the past few decades to the point where computers are an integral part of almost every workplace. Unfortunately the presence of a computer monitor and keyboard in a computer workstation, especially in smaller workstations, occupies space on the desktop and thereby can contract the space available for or even preclude the use of the desktop work space for many non-computer activities. For example workstations in computer training rooms cannot be used to comfortably take notes during a lecture because the majority of the useable desktop space is taken up with computer equipment.

[0007] Many inventors have tried to solve the above-mentioned problem but have not done so in the manner described in the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,467 to Wolters describes a stowaway video display terminal in combination with a computer workstation or desk wherein the video display terminal is concealed within the desk beneath the work surface in a stored condition when not in use. The '467 patent is distinguishable because it does not have a sliding keyboard tray, nor does it have a folding monitor with an incorporated writing surface.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,177 to Ugalde describes a convertible computer workstation having a desk with a horizontal work surface and a monitor cabinet. The cabinet can shift to reveal a monitor, and a keyboard can slide out from under the work surface. This invention is distinguishable from the present invention in that the cabinet used to hide or expose the monitor cannot be used to adjust the viewing angle or height of the monitor, and the cabinet does not make a water tight seal with the work surface thereby subjecting the interior of the desk and the monitor to beverage spills.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,385 to Guhl discloses a computer module for use in combination with a desk wherein the computer is concealed within the desk to provide free workspace and improved aesthetics. The '385 patent teaches a flip up monitor, but it has no sliding keyboard tray, and the flip up monitor is not height adjustable, nor does it create a watertight seal with the desk surface when in the down position. The monitor in the '385 invention is also attached to the desk shelf and not to the desktop, as in the present invention.

[0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

[0011] In many workplaces across the country space is at a premium. The present invention combats this problem by allowing a desktop workspace to be converted from a traditional flat desktop work surface to a computer workstation. The invention is an ideal design for retrofitting into existing work surfaces. It has a bracket that is mounted into a slot cut into the existing desktop work surface. A flat panel monitor and a keyboard tray are slidably mounted to the bracket. The monitor has open and closed positions and may be adjusted for height, distance from the viewer, and viewing angle. When in the closed position the monitor forms a watertight seal with the existing desktop work surface, and forms a portion of the desktop work surface.

[0012] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a flip down monitor with retractable keyboard tray which is mountable to a desktop in order to allow the desktop work surface to function as a computer work station and as a traditional flat desktop work surface.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a monitor and keyboard tray system that is easy to install and or retrofit into an existing work surface.

[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a flip down monitor that forms a watertight seal with an existing desktop work surface.

[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a flip down monitor with retractable keyboard tray according to the present invention with the monitor in the open position.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a flip down monitor with retractable keyboard tray according to the present invention with the monitor in the closed position.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the interface between the monitor and the desktop work surface.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the support rod monitor adjustment mechanism.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of an adjustment slider.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an adjustment slider.

[0023] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the present invention 10 attached to a desktop work surface. The invention has a U-shaped bracket 12 defined by a horizontal bottom wall and opposing sidewalls. Several screw mounting holes 13 are defined in each sidewall of the bracket 12. The bracket 12 is secured to an existing desktop work surface with a plurality of screws, which travel through each hole 13 and into the work surface. The U-shaped bracket may be retrofit to any existing desktop work surface. Two keyboard guide rails 14 or tracks are attached to the bottom wall of the bracket 12 and one monitor guide rail 16 or track is attached to each sidewall of the bracket 12. A keyboard tray 18 is slidably attached to the keyboard rails 14. An adjustable flat panel monitor 20 is slidably connected to the monitor rails 16 by two support rods 22. The height of the monitor 20 above the desktop may be adjusted up and down as shown in arrow 21. The position of the monitor 20 may also be adjusted forward or backward as shown by bi-directional arrow 23, or it may be pivoted as shown by arrow 25.

[0025] The unique design of the invention allows the monitor 20 to alternate between an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. When in the closed position the back of the monitor is preferably flush with the rest of the existing desktop work surface W. The monitor 20 has a flat back plate 24 that can be colored to match the existing desktop work surface W. The back plate 24 is preferably made of a durable material, such as plastic.

[0026] When the monitor 20 is in the closed position it forms a watertight seal with the existing work surface W. The seal is created by a rubber gasket 27 attached to a lip 26 on the monitor 20 which comes into contact with the desktop work surface W as shown in FIG. 3. The gasket 27 runs along the lip 26 on the left, right, and rear sides of the monitor 20.

[0027] FIG. 4 details a detent mechanism that allows the monitor 20 to be adjusted along the support rods 22. Each support rod 22 telescopes into a shaft 30 defined along the left and right sides of the monitor 20. Each shaft 30 has a plurality of semicircular depressions 28 defined therein. The monitor 20 is held in position on the shaft by a spring-loaded ball bearing catch 32, which interacts with the semicircular depressions 28.

[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 details one of the adjustment assemblies 34 that connect the support rods 22 to the monitor rails 16. Each adjustment assembly 34 has two wheels 36 that ride inside a monitor rail 16. The wheels 36 are mounted on axles extending from a rectangular plate 38. A connection arm 42 disposed upon each support rod 22 extends through a hole defined in the plate 38. A bushing 44 is positioned inside the hole defined in the plate 38 and permits rotation of the support rod while exerting sufficient friction against the arm 42 to support the monitor 20 at any desired angle of rotation relative to the desktop. This allows the user of the desktop to maintain the monitor 20 in a position that provides ergonomic support and comfort to the user.

[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.