Writing table

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a writing table.

[0002] People with disabilities, particularly those confined to a wheelchair, often have to visit places, such as Post Offices or banks, where they are called upon to sign documents. However, being confined to a wheelchair, they are unable to reach the counter provided, which is at too high a level. Additionally, such facilities often place the cashier behind a glass screen. Users of wheelchairs often have difficulty in hearing what the cashier has to say.

[0003] The present invention lies in the appreciation of these difficulties and the provision of a solution which does not inconvenience other users of the facility, but enables compliance with obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

[0004] US 4 001 970, indicated as the closest prior art, describes a writing table having a writing surface mounted for pivotal and slidable or telescopic movement upon a bracket adapted for securing, in use, to a wall or other appropriate surface.

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a writing table as defined in claim 1.

[0006] Preferably, the table incorporates respective components of a two-way communication system, such as a microphone and a loudspeaker. More preferably, the table includes an induction loop system.

[0007] Preferably, the table includes a digital display unit.

[0008] Preferably, the table includes a stowable writing implement.

[0009] Preferably, the writing surface includes a document retaining clip.

[0010] Preferably, the table is provided with a magnifying glass or plate.

[0011] The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a writing table in accordance with the present invention in a stowed configuration;

Figure 2

is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an operative configuration;

Figure 3

is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4

is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; and

Figure 5

is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of a table in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. The writing table 50 has a writing module 51 comprising upper 52 and lower 53 module components (Figure 5). A slip-resistant writing surface 54 is provided on the upper surface of the upper writing module component 52. The lower writing module component 53 is provided with left and right parallel channels 55 aligned front to rear.

[0013] The writing table 50 also includes a wall plate assembly 60 comprising a wall plate 61 and a wall plate cover 62. Wall plate 61 is, in use, secured to the vertical surface.

[0014] The wall plate 61 is generally U-shaped in cross-section forming a vertically elongate channel. An elongate aperture 63 is formed along each upstanding wall 64 of the plate.

[0015] Within each channel 55 is mounted a respective cantilever arm 65 having front 66 and rear 67 ends. Between the two rear ends 67 of arms 65 and passing through the apertures 63 of the wall plate 61 is horizontally mounted a vertically sliding rod 70. A further, intermediate, horizontal rod 71 is mounted between the cantilever arms 65 at a point intermediate their ends 66,67. A compression strut 72 is mounted at an upper end thereof upon intermediate rod 71.

[0016] At its lower end, strut 72 is mounted on a bottom rod 73, held horizontally between two projections 74 formed in the lower end of wall plate cover 62.

[0017] This arrangement allows the writing table to pivot between the folded configuration shown in figures 1, 3 and 4 and the opened configuration shown in Figure 2. As a user pulls on the upper edge (as shown by arrow A in Figure 1) of the writing module 51, cantilever arms 65 are caused to pivot about the axis of the intermediate rod 71 and with respect to strut 72, causing sliding rod 70 to slide from a position adjacent to lower end of wall plate apertures 61 to an elevated position within the apertures. At the same time, strut 72 pivots about the axis of the bottom rod 73 such that it pivots from a substantially vertical position in the folded configuration (Figure 1) to a position at which it is inclined at around 30-60°, preferably about 45°, to the vertical in the unfolded configuration. Compression strut 72 acts to transmit vertical forces applied to the writing module 51, through the wall plate to the counter wall upon which the table is mounted.

[0018] As users of the table will be at a lower level than ordinary users, they may have difficulty in hearing what a cashier or other person serving them may be saying. Equally, the person serving may have difficulty hearing the disabled person's requests. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the table includes an intercom arrangement, comprising a microphone and loudspeaker and associated circuitry. In particular, in preferred embodiments, the table includes an induction loop system to enable the hard of hearing to use their hearing aids without difficulty or interference. Suitably, these components are installed within the wall plate cover 62. Alternatively, the components may be installed within the writing module 51. However, in view of the intermediate components through which any electrical wiring would need to be routed, this arrangement is considered to be less preferable.

[0019] Preferably, a damper, such as a gas strut (not shown), is incorporated into the assembly to provide damped deployment of the writing module.

[0020] In a modification of the embodiment described above, the table may include a digital display unit, displaying any relevant information such as the value of a transaction, or the weight of an item, being weighed on counter-top scales. Advantageously, the display is mounted in the wall mounted component 60 of the table of the present invention. The display may also be adapted to display textual messages from the cashier to the customer. Furthermore, the writing module 51 may incorporate a weighing device of its own, coupled to the display unit.

Claims

1. A writing table comprising:

- a bracket

- a writing module

- a wall plate assembly

- two cantilever arms

- a vertically sliding rod

- an intermediate horizontal rod

- a compression strut

- a bottom rod

- a wall plate cover with two projections

wherein,
the writing table has a writing surface mounted for pivotal and slidable or telescopic movement upon the bracket adapted for securing, in use, to a wall or other appropriate surface; the writing surface is formed upon the writing module (51) comprising upper and lower writing module components (52,53); and wherein the table further comprises a wall plate assembly (60) comprising a wall plate (61) having side walls (64) in each of which walls is formed an elongate vertical aperture (63); wherein the lower writing module (53) is provided with left and right parallel channels (55) aligned from front to rear with respect to the orientation of the table; and wherein the respective cantilever arm (65) having front (66) and rear (67) ends, is mounted within each channel (55) wherein between the two rear ends (67) of the cantilever arms (65) and passing through the apertures (63) of the wall plate (61) is horizontally mounted the vertically sliding rod (70), and wherein the further, intermediate, horizontal rod (71) is mounted between the cantilever arms (65) at a point intermediate their ends (66,67) with the compression strut (72) being mounted at an upper end thereof upon intermediate rod (71); and wherein the compression strut (72) is mounted at the lower end thereof on the bottom rod (73), and is held horizontally between the two projections (74) formed in the lower end of wall plate cover (62).

2. A writing table as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises respective components of a two-way communication system, such as a microphone and a loudspeaker.

3. A writing table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the table includes an induction loop system.

4. A writing table as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a digital display unit.

5. A writing table as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a stowable writing implement.

6. A writing table as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a document retaining clip.

7. A writing table as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising a magnifying glass or plate.

Revendications

1. Tablette servant à écrire comportant :

- un support

- un module d'écriture

- un assemblage de plaque de paroi

- deux bras en porte-à-faux

- une tige coulissant verticalement

- une tige horizontale intermédiaire

- une jambe de force travaillant en compression

- une tige inférieure

- un couvercle de plaque de paroi présentant deux parties en saillie,

dans laquelle la tablette servant à écrire possède une surface d'écriture montée pour un déplacement télescopique ou à pivotement et à coulissement sur le support adapté pour être fixé, en fonctionnement, à une paroi ou à une autre surface appropriée ; la surface d'écriture est formée sur le module d'écriture (51) comportant des composants supérieur et inférieur de module d'écriture (52, 53); et dans laquelle la tablette comprend, de plus, un assemblage de plaque de paroi (60) comprenant une plaque de paroi (61) comportant des parois latérales (64), parois dans chacune desquelles est formée une ouverture verticale de forme allongée (63) ; dans laquelle le module d'écriture inférieur (53) est pourvu de canaux parallèles droite et gauche (55) alignés à partir de l'avant vers l'arrière par rapport à l'orientation de la tablette ; et dans laquelle le bras en porte-à-faux respectif (65) présentant des extrémités, avant (66) et arrière (67), est monté à l'intérieur de chaque canal (55) dans lequel entre les deux extrémités arrière (67) des bras en porte-à-faux (65) et passant à travers les ouvertures (63) de la plaque de paroi (61) se trouve, montée horizontalement la tige coulissant verticalement (70), et dans laquelle, l'autre tige horizontale intermédiaire (71) est montée entre les bras en porte-à-faux (65) en un point intermédiaire entre leurs extrémités (66, 67), une jambe de force travaillant en compression (72) étant montée au niveau de son extrémité supérieure sur la tige intermédiaire (71) ; et dans laquelle la jambe de force travaillant en compression (72) est fixée au niveau de son extrémité inférieure sur la tige inférieure (73), et est maintenue horizontalement entre les deux parties en saillie (74) formées à l'extrémité inférieure de la couverture de plaque de paroi (62).

2. Tablette pour écrire selon la revendication 1 qui comprend, de plus, les composants respectifs d'un système de communication à deux voies, tel qu'un microphone et un haut-parleur.

3. Tablette servant à écrire selon la revendication 2 dans laquelle la tablette comporte un système à boucle d'induction.

4. Tablette servant à écrire selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3 comprenant, de plus, une unité d'affichage numérique.

5. Tablette servant à écrire selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 comprenant, de plus, un instrument d'écriture pouvant être arrimé.

6. Tablette servant à écrire selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 comprenant, de plus, un étrier de retenue d'un document.

7. Tablette servant à écrire selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 comprenant, de plus, un verre grossissant ou une plaque de grossissement.

Ansprüche

1. Schreibtisch, umfassend:

eine Halterung,

ein Schreibmodul,

eine Wandplattenanordnung,

zwei Ausleger,

eine vertikal gleitende Stange,

eine horizontale Zwischenstange,

eine Kompressionsstrebe,

eine Bodenstange,

eine Wandplattenabdeckung mit zwei Vorsprüngen, wobei

der Schreibtisch eine Schreiboberfläche aufweist, die für eine Schwenk- und Gleitbewegung oder eine teleskopartige Bewegung an der Halterung montiert ist, die dafür ausgelegt ist, im Gebrauch an einer Wand oder einer anderen geeigneten Fläche befestigt zu werden; wobei die Schreiboberfläche auf dem Schreibmodul (51) ausgebildet ist, das eine obere und eine untere Schreibmodulkomponente (52, 53) umfasst; und wobei der Tisch ferner eine Wandplattenanordnung (60) umfasst, die eine Wandplatte (61) mit Seitenwänden (64) umfasst, wobei in jeder der Wände derselben eine langgestreckte vertikale Öffnung (63) ausgebildet ist; wobei das untere Schreibmodul (53) mit linken und rechten parallelen Kanälen (55) versehen ist, die bezüglich der Ausrichtung des Tisches von vorne nach hinten ausgerichtet sind; und wobei der jeweilige Ausleger (65), der vordere (66) und hintere (67) Enden aufweist, innerhalb jedes Kanals (55) montiert ist, wobei zwischen den zwei hinteren Enden (67) der Ausleger (65) und durch die Öffnungen (63) der Wandplatte 61 verlaufend die vertikal gleitende Stange (70) horizontal montiert ist, und wobei die weitere horizontale Zwischenstange (71) zwischen den Auslegern (65) an einem Punkt zwischen deren Enden (66, 67) montiert ist und die Kompressionsstrebe (72) mit ihrem oberen Ende an der Zwischenstange (71) montiert ist; und wobei die Kompressionsstrebe (72) mit ihrem unteren Ende an der Bodenstange (73) montiert ist und zwischen den zwei Vorsprüngen (74), die im unteren Ende der Wandplattenabdeckung (62) ausgebildet sind, horizontal gehalten wird.

2. Schreibtisch nach Anspruch 1, der ferner entsprechende Komponenten eines Zweiwege-Kommunikationssystems umfasst, wie z. B. ein Mikrophon und einen Lautsprecher.

3. Schreibtisch nach Anspruch 2, bei dem der Tisch ein Induktionsschleifensystem enthält.

4. Schreibtisch nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, der ferner eine Digitalanzeigeeinheit umfasst.

5. Schreibtisch nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, der ferner ein verstaubares Schreibgerät umfasst.

6. Schreibtisch nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, der ferner eine Dokumentenhalteklammer umfasst.

7. Schreibtisch nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, der ferner ein Vergrößerungsglas oder eine Platte umfasst.

Drawing