Workstation

Abstract

A workstation, which is essentially an upright structure, adapted to provide a modifiable support and power-supplying arrangement for a multiplicity of different items or components. The workstation may be; for example, a versatile furniture piece serving as a computer workstation, shelving unit, television/media center, a chair, a worktable, among numerous other functions and configurations which are adapted to provide diverse types of supporting arrangements adapted for versatile home, office and other workplace applications in conformance with customer requirements.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A workstation for mounting at least one support surface for selectively supporting diverse items on said at one least one support surface; said workstation comprising: 
 a base structure having means for positioning said base structure on a floor surface; and    an upright columnar member being mounted on said base structure, said columnar member including a plurality of vertically spaced notches engageable by said at least support surface for adjustably mounting said at least one support surface on said columnar member at selective heights thereof.    
     
     
         2 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said notches formed in said columnar member comprise paired slots at each said vertically spaced locations on said columnar member, said at least one support surface comprising a shelf having a cutout in one edge thereof engageable in said slots for mounting said shelf in a projecting orientation on said columnar member.  
     
     
         3 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said cutout in the edge of said shelf has a widened opening extending externally of said columnar member and a narrower bottom portion which is supported on the surfaces of said slots.  
     
     
         4 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of said support surfaces are mounted on said columnar member at vertical spacings relative to each other, and comprising selectively a media center, a screened-off, self-contained cubicle or enclosed workspace, a seating arrangement, a speaker holder and simulator environment, or storage facility.  
     
     
         5 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said columnar member comprises a post having a hollow interior communicating with said slots, and an aperture being formed in said columnar member proximate the lower rear end thereof so as to facilitate the insertion of electrical and communication lives into said post interior and conducting to items on at least one support surface in exiting through said slots.  
     
     
         6 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base structure comprises a plurality of radial spaced spokes extending from a center portion of a base plate, a plurality of gussets being provided on said radial spokes, and the bottom end of said columnar member being fastened on said base plate.  
     
     
         7 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said baseplate includes leveling devices connected to the free end portions of said spokes for adjusting the upright orientation of said columnar member.  
     
     
         8 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said columnar member is mounted on said base structure in a vertically extending orientation.  
     
     
         9 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said columnar member is tilted rearwardly from the vertical at an angle within the range of about 5° to 15°.  
     
     
         10 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said columnar member has a generally rectangular cross-section, said notches for a quick release assembly being formed in opposite front corners of the front side of said columnar member.  
     
     
         11 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said support surfaces includes means for suspending a computer component from said support surface.  
     
     
         12 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said support surfaces comprise a pull-out tray for a computer keyboard arranged below said support surface.  
     
     
         13 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said support surfaces comprise shelves having back ledges and brackets, with quick release components for fastening said shelves to the rear of said columnar member.  
     
     
         14 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said support surface comprise storage shelves for diverse household, office and industrial items.  
     
     
         15 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said support surfaces comprise a computer workplace.  
     
     
         16 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said support surfaces comprise bookshelves mounting book end limit stops.  
     
     
         17 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a covering cap is fastened to the upper end of said columnar structure.  
     
     
         18 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a crossbar for suspending kitchen utensils is mounted on the upper end of said columnar member.  
     
     
         19 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said columnar member, base structure and said at least one support surface are constituted of metallic and non-metallic materials.  
     
     
         20 . A workstation as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said materials are selected from the group of materials consisting of aluminum, sheetmetal, plastics, pressed paperboard, laminates of the materials, plywood or composites of diverse woods, metallic and synthetic materials.