Integrated flat panel workstation system

Abstract

A computer workstation having a desktop/work surface defined by a central aperture and a pivoting liquid crystal display (LCD) support panel mounted on pivot shafts in the aperture. In addition, a sliding input device platform is mounted on telescoping roller brackets underneath the front edge of the work surface. Lever arms are rotatably engaged with the pivot shafts and are linked to the roller brackets. The lever arms automatically pivot the LCD support panel to an upright position upon extension of the input device platform, and vice versa, and a hydraulic damper brings the LCD support panel to a safe, gentle stop. Aa mercury switch turns the LCD on and off automatically upon opening or closing. Two or more such LCD support panels and associated hardware can be included in a single desktop/work surface for a computer training and/or conferences.

1 . A workstation adapted to support a flat panel display, comprising: 
 a foundation;    a work surface fixedly attached to said foundation and defined by an aperture; a display support panel movably mounted in said aperture;    an input device platform movably attached to a side of said work surface;    a lever mechanism coupled between said input device platform and said support panel for automatically moving said support panel open and to an upright position upon extension of said input device platform, and for automatically moving said LCD support panel to a closed position upon retraction of said input device platform.    
   
   
       2 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motion damping cylinder pivotally attached between said lever assembly and to the underside of said work surface for bringing said display support panel to a gentle stop at a closed position.  
   
   
       3 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stop bracket fixedly mounted in said aperture for limiting movement of said support panel.  
   
   
       4 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a LCD fixedly attached to said support panel.  
   
   
       5 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , wherein said display support panel is mounted in said aperture on opposing pivot shafts.  
   
   
       6 . The workstation according to  claim 5 , wherein said pivot shafts rotatably engage two respective bearing blocks fixedly attached to said underside of said work surface.  
   
   
       7 . The workstation according to  claim 4 , wherein said LCD further comprises a mercury switch for automatically applying power to said LCD upon said support panel attaining an open, upright position.  
   
   
       8 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , wherein said input device platform is slidably mounted to an underside of said work surface by opposing roller brackets.  
   
   
       9 . The workstation according to  claim 8 , wherein said opposing roller brackets further comprise two telescoping roller brackets.  
   
   
       10 . The workstation according to  claim 9 , wherein said lever mechanism comprises two opposing lever assemblies each connected between one of said roller brackets and a side of said support panel.  
   
   
       11 . The workstation according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said lever assemblies further comprises a lever arm and a link pivotally attached together.  
   
   
       12 . The workstation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lock for locking said keyboard shelf in a closed position.  
   
   
       13 . The workstation according to  claim 12 , wherein said lock is an electronic lock.  
   
   
       14 . A workstation/conference table adapted for supporting one or more integrated flat panel displays, comprising: 
 a foundation;    a work surface fixedly attached to said foundation and defined by a plurality of apertures;    a plurality of display support panels, each of said support panels being movably mounted in a corresponding one of said apertures;    a plurality of input device platforms each being movably mounted on roller brackets to a side of said work surface and in front of said apertures;    a plurality of lever assemblies each coupled between an input device platform and a display support panel for selectively and automatically pivoting said support panel open upon extension of the corresponding input device platform; and closed upon retraction of the corresponding input device platform.    
   
   
       15 . The workstation/conference table according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of motion damping cylinders each pivotally attached between a corresponding lever assembly and the underside of said work surface for bringing a display support panel to a gentle stop at a closed position.  
   
   
       16 . The workstation/conference table according to  claim 14 , wherein said input device platforms are each slidably mounted to an underside of said work surface by a set of roller brackets.  
   
   
       17 . The workstation/conference table according to  claim 16 , wherein each set of roller brackets further comprise two telescoping, roller brackets.  
   
   
       18 . The workstation/conference table according to  claim 14 , further comprising a lock for locking said input device platform in a closed position.  
   
   
       19 . The workstation/conference table according to  claim 18 , wherein said lock is an electronic lock.