Ergodynamic desktop

Abstract

A novel concept of ergodynamic desktops with slowly varying configurations for ergonomic purposes is provided. Very slow motions are incorporated into the design of desktops, usually used by computer users. The introduced motion is at such a slow pace that it is hardly noticeable, similar to the adiabatic motions of hour or minute hands on a clock. Users of the desktops are therefore induced to adjust their body posture accordingly in a gradual and healthy manner, while still continuing to perform their normal activities without interruption. These desktop designs allow a natural and effortless combination of normal life and exercise. When used in a working environment, they will be useful to improve the health and to enhance the efficiency of workers.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 623,960 filed Nov. 1, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to an ergodynamic desktop, allowing users to avoid problems consistent with remaining in the same positions for long periods of time. [0004] B. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Along with the advancement of modern technology, people spend more and more time in front of desks, especially when computers are used. Programmers, secretaries, and many other workers spend long hours each day sitting with a fixed posture in front of a computer, staring at a fixed monitor screen, and typing on a fixed keyboard. This kind of a working habit is known to have notoriously harmful effects on health, causing complaints, serious physical damage, stress, depression, and other illnesses. It is especially tiring for the eyes, resulting in visi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] This invention meets the current need for a superior dynamic desktop. A novel ergodynamic desktop is provided by introducing the new concept of slowly varying configurations to dynamic desktops, allowing people to perform physical and mental exercises effortlessly while working at the desktops, and thus reducing the risk of developing related illnesses.

[0011] As a highly dynamic system, the human body is in constant physiological motion, e.g. cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal motions, and is best kept healthy with frequent movement and exercise. It is, therefore, very desirable to introduce slowly varying configurations into the designs of furniture. The present invention is designed to have slowly and constantly varying configurations, which are subsequently followed by the user, gradually in a way very much like practicing the oriental exercises of Tai-Chi or Yoga. This type of adiabatic follow up can be considered a form of physical and mental massage, which provides the user with pleasant feelings, as well as greatly reduces tension and stress. For example, different muscle groups will be used and the pressure will be well distributed over broad regions. The long-term effects will be the reduced risks of illness leading to an improvement of physical condition and efficiency of the workers.

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a dynamically moving desktop to increase the efficiency and productivity of workers, especially workers using computers.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a dynamically moving desktop to reduce the strain on workers, especially workers using computers, thus reducing the number of illnesses these workers experience that are related to the use of static desktops.

Problems solved by technology

This kind of a working habit is known to have notoriously harmful effects on health, causing complaints, serious physical damage, stress, depression, and other illnesses.

It is especially tiring for the eyes, resulting in vision reduction.

However, the great disadvantage of all such designs is that they are limited to static configurations, i.e. the desk is adjusted to an “ideal” position and then fixed, hoping that this position would be the best for the users.

Clinical studies have shown that even if the “best” configurations recommended by the health professionals are chosen, undesired negative effects can result when the users have been kept at these configurations for an extended period of time, as only a limited group of muscles are used and the regions of worn out are not well distributed but rather focused on few localized hot spots.

Therefore, workers get tired in any position if they have to keep the same position for extended periods of time.

In addition, with the increased use of computers, requiring their users to have extended working hours with intensive concentration and attention, there are increasingly large numbers of medical problems reported.

However, these types of furniture still have the problems associated with the furniture that is not adjustable because the adjustable designs are still only adjustable to a limited number of preset positions, with few degrees of freedom, and once these pieces of furniture are adjusted, they still restrict the users to the same static positions.

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