EP4260759A1

EP4260759A1 - Work station

Info

Publication number: EP4260759A1
Application number: EP23167844.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dino LUCCI; Dante Bonuccelli; Paolo Reina
Original assignee: Unifor SpA
Current assignee: Unifor SpA
Priority date: 2022-04-14
Filing date: 2023-04-13
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Also published as: US20230329434A1; CA3195934A1

Abstract

A work station (1) comprising a base (2) and four portions (3) connected with the base (2), wherein each of the four portions (3) comprises a working surface (4), and wherein at least one of the four working surfaces (4) is a writing desk (5), wherein each one of the four portions (3) comprises a telescopic supporting member (6) configured to extend and retract along a respective axis of extension (11) in order to adjust the height of the respective working surface (4) with respect to the base (2), wherein each portion (3) is removably connected with the base (2) by means of a removable connection between the base (2) and the respective telescopic supporting member (6), wherein each of the four portions (3) is adjustable in height with respect to the base (2), and removably connectable to the base (2), independently from each other.

Description

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to a work station, and in particular to a work station suitable for office work or study and for supporting electronic and telecommunication devices, for example computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, tablets, smartphones, cameras, lighting devices.

Background art

In recent years, the development of work stations having a plurality of seats has been directed towards providing solutions able to meet the needs of a plurality of users.
There have been developed work stations provided with a plurality of seats to allow a plurality of users to work in a less encumbering space. However, not all users of a common work station may have the same needs, in terms of working surface or height of the working surface.
Additionally, work stations having a predefined number of seats may not be completely used when less users are available, therefore the need is felt to avoid waste of space in case that less than the predefined number of users occupy the work station.
Work stations of the prior art do not, or only partially, meet the above requirements.

Brief summary

The present disclosure provides a work station, so as to solve at least some of the drawbacks highlighted in the prior art.
It is a particular object of the present disclosure to provide a work station which is less cumbersome, while at the same being able to meet the requirements and needs of a plurality of users using the work station.
It is a further particular object of the present disclosure to provide a work station able to avoid waste of space in case less than a predefined number of users occupy the work station.
These and other objects are achieved by a work station in accordance with claim 1.
Dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of some preferred embodiments therefor, given below by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a work station, according to an embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the work station of fig. 1, in a disassembled configuration;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a work station, according to a further embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a work station, according to a further embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a work station, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

With reference to the drawings, a work station is generally indicated with the reference numeral 1.
The work station 1 comprising a base 2 and four portions 3 connected with the base 2.
Each of the four portions 3 comprises a working surface 4, and at least one of the four working surfaces 4 is a writing desk 5.
Each one of the four portions 3 comprises a telescopic supporting member 6 configured to extend and retract along a respective axis of extension 11 in order to adjust the height of the respective working surface 4 with respect to the base 2.
Each portion 3 is removably connected with the base 2 by means of a removable connection between the base 2 and the respective telescopic supporting member 6.
Each of the four portions 3 is adjustable in height with respect to the base 2, and removably connectable to the base 2, independently from each other.
Advantageously, a work station 1 such configured is able to meet the requirements and needs of four users, by means of the four portions 3 adjustable in height and removably connectable independently from each other.
Additionally, a work station 1 such configured avoid waste of space in case less than the predefined number of users occupy it, since each portion 3 can independently be removed from the work station 1 and converted or substituted by a different portion 3 with a different working surface 5.
According to an embodiment, the work station 1 comprises a power plug 7, a processing unit, and a user interface 15 configured to receive inputs from a user.
The power plug 7, the processing unit and the user interface 15 are connected with at least one of the telescopic supporting members 6.
Preferably, the processing unit and the user interface 15 are connected with each one of the telescopic supporting members 6.
The user interface 15 is configured to receive inputs from a user.
The processing unit is configured to control the extension and retraction of the at least one telescopic supporting member 6 in accordance with the inputs received by the user interface 15.
According to an embodiment, each of the four portions 3 comprises a respective user interface 15 configured to receive inputs from a user.
The processing unit is configured to control the extension and retraction of the telescopic supporting member 6 of each portion 3 in accordance with the inputs received by the respective user interface 15.
According to an embodiment, the base 2 is substantially shaped as a cylinder extended in a direction parallel to axes of extension 11 of the telescopic supporting members 6.
Preferably, the base 2 defines four housing holes 13 extended in a direction parallel to axes of extension 11 of the telescopic supporting members 6, and the telescopic supporting members 6 are partially inserted into the respective housing holes 13.
Advantageously, a work station such configured is less cumbersome.
According to an embodiment, the processing unit is housed within the base 2.
According to an embodiment, the user interface 15 of each portion 3 is located on the respective working surface 4.
According to an embodiment, each one of the working surfaces 4 is a writing surface 5, preferably confined by a vertical panel 14.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the working surfaces 4 is a shelving unit 8, or a sofa 9 or a couch, or a plant shelf 10.
According to an embodiment, one of the four working surfaces 4 is a writing surface 5, one of the four working surfaces 4 is a shelving unit 8, one of the four working surfaces 4 is a sofa 9 or a couch, and one of the four working surfaces 4 is a plant shelf 10.
Advantageously, a work station 1 such configured is able to meet the requirements and needs of four different users, since each working surface 5 may be different from one another and converted or substituted into a different one, thereby also avoiding waste of space.
According to an embodiment, each working surface 4 is substantially shaped as a quarter of a circle.
According to an embodiment, the projection of the four portions 3 in a plane transversal to the axis of extension 11 of the telescopic supporting members 6 substantially forms a circle or a ring.
Advantageously, a work station configured as such is less cumbersome.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the telescopic supporting members 6, preferably each of the telescopic supporting members 6, comprises three telescopic guides 12 inserted within one another and configured to extend and retract with respect to one another.
One of the three telescopic guides 12 is connected with the respective working surface 4.
Another one of the three telescopic guides 12 is connected with the base 2, and preferably is partially inserted into a housing hole 13 defined in the base 2.
Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications or adaptations to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of protection of the claims below.

List of reference numerals

1.: Work station
2.: Base
3.: Portions
4.: Working surface
5.: Writing desk
6.: Telescopic supporting member
7.: Power plug
8.: Shelving unit
9.: Sofa
10.: Plant shelf
11.: Axis of extension
12.: Telescopic guides
13.: Housing hole
14.: Panel
15.: User interface

Claims

A work station (1) comprising a base (2) and four portions (3) connected with the base (2),
wherein each of the four portions (3) comprises a working surface (4), and wherein at least one of the four working surfaces (4) is a writing desk (5),

wherein each one of the four portions (3) comprises a telescopic supporting member (6) configured to extend and retract along a respective axis of extension (11) in order to adjust the height of the respective working surface (4) with respect to the base (2), wherein each portion (3) is removably connected with the base (2) by means of a removable connection between the base (2) and the respective telescopic supporting member (6),

and wherein each of the four portions (3) is adjustable in height with respect to the base (2), and removably connectable to the base (2), independently from each other.
Work station (1) in accordance with claim 1, comprising a power plug (7), a processing unit, and a user interface (15) configured to receive inputs from a user,
wherein the power plug (7), the processing unit and the user interface (15) are connected with at least one, preferably each one, of the telescopic supporting members (6), wherein the user interface (15) is configured to receive inputs from a user,

and wherein the processing unit is configured to control the extension and retraction of the at least one telescopic supporting member (6) in accordance with the inputs received by the user interface (15).
Work station (1) in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the four portions (3) comprises a respective user interface (15) configured to receive inputs from a user, and wherein the processing unit is configured to control the extension and retraction of the telescopic supporting member (6) of each portion (3) in accordance with the inputs received by the respective user interface (15).
Work station (1) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein the base (2) is substantially shaped as a cylinder extended in a direction parallel to axes of extension (11) of the telescopic supporting members (6),
and, preferably, wherein the base (2) defines four housing holes (13) extended in a direction parallel to axes of extension (11) of the telescopic supporting members (6), and wherein the telescopic supporting members (6) are partially inserted into the respective housing holes (13);

and/or wherein the processing unit is housed within the base (2);

and/or wherein the user interface (15) of each portion (3) is located on the respective working surface (4).
Work station (1) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein each one of the working surfaces (4) is a writing surface (5), preferably confined by a vertical panel (14), or
wherein at least one of the working surfaces (4) is a shelving unit (8), or a sofa (9) or a couch, or a plant shelf (10), or

wherein one of the four working surfaces (4) is a writing surface (5), one of the four working surfaces (4) is a shelving unit (8), one of the four working surfaces (4) is a sofa (9) or a couch, and one of the four working surfaces (4) is a plant shelf (10).
Work station (1) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein each working surface (4) is substantially shaped as a quarter of a circle,
and wherein the projection of the four portions (3) in a plane transversal to the axis of extension (11) of the telescopic supporting members (6) substantially forms a circle or a ring.
Work station (1) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the telescopic supporting members (6), preferably each of the telescopic supporting members (6), comprises three telescopic guides (12) inserted within one another and configured to extend and retract with respect to one another, and wherein one of the three telescopic guides (12) is connected with the respective working surface (4) and another one of the three telescopic guides (12) is connected with the base (2), and preferably is partially inserted into a housing hole (13) defined in the base (2).