Apparatus and method for saving work space

Abstract

 An apparatus for saving work-space is provided comprising a space divider (1) having a computer unit or units mounted thereon, or at least partially therein. The computer unit or units may be partially, substantially or entirely received within the space divider (1).
The computer unit or units may include a flat screen VDU (2), and processing components (3) mounted in a generally planar manner. The space divider (1) may comprise a frame (4) and one or more panels (12,13). Two or more panels (12,13) may be provided, which enclose the or each computer unit or one or more of the computer units.
A work-station is also provided comprising the space-saving apparatus and a work surface. A four-person work-unit is provided comprising four such work-stations.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for saving work-space, particularly, but not exclusively, office work-space by using space dividers, for example office screens, which have a computer unit or units mounted on or in them.

[0002] Many types of space dividers such as office screens exist. These can be movable and can be designed to link to, for example, other dividers, a wall or storage units. It is common practice to divide office areas into work-stations for individuals or groups of people using such dividers. It is also common practice to provide such work-stations with one or more computers, comprising various units such as Visual Display Units (VDUs), processing component boxes and keyboards. These are often positioned on or beneath work surfaces such as desks, and often in proximity to the office space dividers. It will be appreciated that standard computer VDUs and processing component boxes can take up a considerable amount of space. An aim of the present invention is to provide a space divider which has mounted into or onto it one or more units of a conventional computer, thus reducing the space needed in such work-stations in office areas. More work-stations can then be accommodated in a given office area.

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for saving work-space comprising a space divider having a computer unit or units mounted thereon, or at least partially therein.

[0004] The computer unit or units, or one or more of a number of such units, may be partially received within the space divider, or may be substantially or entirely received within the space divider. The computer unit or units may be mounted on or in the space divider so that the or each unit, or one or more of a number of such units, does not project from the space divider to a substantial extent.

[0005] Preferably the computer unit or units mounted on or at least partially in the space divider include a VDU and/or the processing components of the computer. Preferably the VDU is a flat screen VDU, for example a liquid crystal display screen.

[0006] Preferably the processing components of the computer are arranged to be mounted in a generally planar manner. The components may be mounted to a carrier, which may be a planar sheet or plate. The carrier, and thereby the components, may be mounted on or at least partially within a space divider. Mounting the components in a generally planar manner preferably allows them to be mounted substantially or entirely within a space divider. Preferably, the space divider has a width of approximately 50 mm, and the components may be mounted entirely within a divider of this thickness. Preferably the components are removably mounted on or within the space divider, to allow removal therefrom for, for example, maintenance or replacement of the components.

[0007] The space divider may comprise a frame and one or more panels. The frame may be made up of frame members. When two or more panels are provided, these may enclose the or each computer unit or one or more of the computer units. The panels may be spaced apart and may be generally parallel, defining a chamber therebetween, into which, for example, the processing components of a computer may be introduced.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment the space divider is provided with three panels, two of which are held in use in a lower portion of the frame of the divider and the remaining panel is held in an upper portion of the frame. Preferably the two lower panels are spaced apart such that the processing components of the computer may be located between them. Preferably at least one of the lower panels is removable, to allow access to the computer components. Preferably the upper panel is positioned at one external face of the frame, and a flat-screen VDU positioned at the opposite face of the frame. The VDU may be movable from a position where it is substantially parallel and adjacent to the face of the frame of the divider, to a position or positions where the VDU projects from the divider. The VDU may be pivotably movable, and may be provided with arms to allow such pivotable movement. The VDU may be slidably movable, or may be movable by a combination of pivoting and sliding. The VDU is preferably placed in the position where it is parallel and adjacent to the face of the space divider, when the divider is to be stored or to be transported from place to place. In this position of the VDU, the divider as a whole occupies less space than when the VDU projects from the divider, and the VDU is also less likely to be damaged in transport.

[0009] The space divider may be provided with an attachment means to which a work-surface may be attached. The attachment means may be adapted to enable the work-surface to be attached to a generally upright space divider. The attachment means may comprise one or more attachment points. The attachment means may comprise a substantially horizontal rigid bar, provided on the divider at such a height to facilitate attachment of a work-surface.

[0010] The space divider may, for example, be attached to one or more other dividers, with or without integral computer units, or to one or more walls or to one or more storage units.

[0011] Preferably the space divider is provided with one or more floppy disc readers and/or CD ROM readers. These may be stand alone units, connected to the divider, or may be mounted on or at least partially in the space divider. Preferably such disc and/or CD ROM readers are provided above the level of a work-surface attached to the space divider, to allow easy access to the or each reader.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of saving work space made up of one or more work-stations, comprising using the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention to form part of the or at least one of the work-stations.

[0013] Using such a method, more people can be accommodated in a work-space of given area than can be using conventional work-stations which have separate space dividers and computer units.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a work-station comprising an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention and a work surface, the apparatus comprising a space divider having a VDU and processing components of a computer mounted on or in the divider.

[0015] The work-station may further comprise an additional space divider or dividers which may help to define the area of the work-station. Using such a work-station as opposed to a conventional work-station where the computer unit or units are separate from the space divider or dividers, the area required by the work-station can be reduced, by for example 50% or by 60% or by 25%. For example, a conventional work-station may have an area of 1.99 m², a work-station according to the third aspect of the invention may have an area of only 0.72 m².

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a four-person work-unit comprising four work-stations according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0017] The space-saving apparatus of each work-station may be arranged to be connected together to form a square, and a work-surface may be provided on each side of the square. Additional, conventional space dividers may be provided between the work-surfaces and may be connected to each corner of the square to define four work-stations.

[0018] The square of four space-saving apparatus may form a central pillar of the four-person work-unit. The space inside the pillar may be used to contain cabling of the computer unit or units of each space-saving apparatus.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a space divider adapted to have mounted thereon or at least partially therein a computer unit or units.

[0020] The space divider may be so adapted by having orifices suitable for receiving the or each computer unit, and/or mounting means suitable for mounting the or each computer unit.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing the security of processing components of a computer by providing the components in a module suitable for use in the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0022] By providing the components in such modules as opposed to stand-alone boxes, the components are not compatible with conventional computers and are thus less likely to be stolen. Further if the module of the components is provided within a space-saving apparatus, it is less accessible to stealing.

[0023] The frames of the space dividers may be in accordance with those described in GB Patent Application No. 9719846.9, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a space-saving apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, showing the space divider partially cut away;

Figure 2 is a side view of the space-saving apparatus of Figure 1, showing a VDU of the computer pivoted outwardly of the space divider;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a prior art arrangement of a plurality of space dividers and computers comprising work-stations;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a plurality of work-stations according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a space-saving apparatus comprising a space divider 1 to which is mounted a VDU 2 and computer processing components 3.

[0026] The space divider 1 comprises a frame 4 having an upper frame member 5, a lower frame member 6, a first side frame member 7 and a second side frame member 8. The frame members are fixed together at their ends as shown, to form the rectangular frame 4 of the divider. Each frame member is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, having first and second longitudinal arms to which panels may be fixed. In addition, each side frame member is provided with two C-shaped projections 9 which form a channel 10 therebetween. Each channel may receive a portion of a connecting member to connect the, space divider to, for example, another space divider. The space divider further comprises a bar 11, each end of which is fixed to approximately the mid-point of a side frame member such that the bar is substantially parallel to the upper and lower frame members. This serves to strengthen the frame, and provides an attachment point for work-surfaces to be fixed to the space divider. A plate 20 (Figure 2) is fixed to the bar for attachment of the work-surface to the plate.

[0027] The frame has a thickness of approximately 50 mm, and is provided with panels of approximately 2 to 6 mm thickness. Each frame has three panels attached thereto, a first lower panel 12, a second lower panel 13, and an upper panel (not shown). The panels are fixed within the frame members such that one surface of each panel abuts the inner surfaces of one arm of each of the frame members surrounding the panel. For example, panel 12 is fixed within frame members 6,7 and 8 such that an outer surface of the panel abuts a first arm 14 of the frame member 6, a first arm 15 of the frame member 7 and a first arm 16 of the frame member 8. Panel 13 is also fixed within the frame member 6,7 and 8. In this case the outer surface of the panel abuts the second arms of each of the U-shaped frame members.

[0028] As the panels are of appreciably smaller thickness than the frame, a space is formed between the panels 12,13 when positioned in the frame as above. The processing components 3 of the computer are located in this space. The components are attached to a plate 17 which is fixed within the space in the space divider. Either of the panels 12,13 is removable to allow access to the processing components. The plate is fixed to mounting formations (not shown) provided on the side frame members 7, 8.

[0029] The upper panel (not shown) is fixed within frame members 5,7 and 8, again such that an outer surface of the panel abuts one arm of each of the frame members. A flat-screen VDU 2 is also fixed within the frame members 5, 7 and 8. The VDU is pivotable outwardly of the space divider as shown in Figure 2, on pivot arms 18. The VDU may also be pivotable upwardly and downwardly of the space divider. Cabling 19 connects the VDU to the processing components and is of sufficient length to allow the VDU to pivot.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a prior art arrangement of standard office space dividers 30 forming work-stations, each provided with a computer. As can be seen each computer VDU 31 and processing component box 32 takes up a considerable amount of the room available in each work-station. Each work-station has an area of approximately 1.99 m².

[0031] Figure 4 shows an arrangement of space-saving apparatus 40 according to the present invention. These are joined to each other to form a square as shown, and are connected to conventional space dividers 41 to form four work-stations which make up a four-person work-unit. As can be seen only the computer keyboards 42 need to be accommodated in each work-station, leaving much more of this space available for other purposes. The area of each work-station is much reduced, to approximately 0.72 m². The space formed inside the square of four space-saving apparatus may be used to contain cabling necessary for the computer unit or units of each apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for saving work-space comprising a space divider (1) having a computer unit or units mounted thereon, or at least partially therein.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the computer unit or units include a VDU (2).

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the VDU is a flat screen VDU (2).

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the computer unit or units include processing components (3).

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the space divider (1) comprises a frame (4) and one or more panels (12,13).

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the space divider (1) is provided with three panels, two of which (12,13) are held in use in a lower portion of the frame (4) of the divider (1) and the remaining panel is held in an upper portion of the frame (4).

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the two panels (12,13) held in the lower portion of the frame (4) are spaced apart such that processing components (3) of a computer unit may be located between them.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the panel held in the upper portion of the frame (4) is positioned at one external face of the frame (4), and a flat-screen VDU (2) is positioned at the opposite face of the frame (4).

9. A work-station comprising apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 and a work surface, the apparatus comprising a space divider (40) having a VDU and processing components of a computer mounted on or in the divider (40).

10. A four-person work-unit comprising four work-stations according to claim 9.

Drawing