US 5,630,566 · Granted 1997-05-20
The Adjustable Arm Patent That Made Computers Accessible From Anywhere
Imagine a rolling desk with flexible robot-like arms that can hold your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse and move them wherever you need them—whether you're sitting in bed, using a wheelchair, or standing up. This patent covers a portable workstation that lets anyone, especially people with disabilities, use a computer comfortably from almost any position.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a portable workstation with articulating arms that can be adjusted to hold and support computer components like keyboards, screens, and mice. What's protected here is the specific combination of a central shaft supported by a wheeled base, multiple adjustable arm elements attached to that shaft, a hollow center for running cables, and locking brake wheels. Someone copying this design—the jointed arms, the mobile base, the internal wire routing—would be infringing on the patent.
Why it matters
This patent addresses accessibility in an era when computers were becoming essential to work and daily life. By creating an adjustable, mobile workstation, it removed physical barriers that disabled individuals faced when trying to use standard computer setups. The design proved that ergonomic flexibility and universal design could go hand-in-hand, influencing how offices and homes think about adapting technology for different body positions and abilities.
Real-world use
In a hospital or home care setting, a nurse could position the workstation's arms to let a bedridden patient check email from their pillow, then swing the same equipment over to a wheelchair user in the next room without any tools or major adjustments.
Original USPTO abstract
A potable ergonomic computer workstation is disclosed which will permit a disabled individual to operate a computer in a convenient and comfortable fashion from a bed, wheelchair, any chair or standing. The workstation is potable and includes a variety of adjustable support elements which may hold and support computer components including the keyboard, screen, mouse and pad, as well as the computer itself. Other electronic elements, such as a printer, fax machine, copier, television etc. may be employed with the workstation as well. The workstation includes a plurality of articulating arm elements which may be adjusted to a such a configuration to permit a standing, bed borne, or wheelchair borne individual to be able to utilize the computer from a standing position, bed or wheelchair. The articulating arm elements are supposed by a central shaft member which in turn is supposed by a base. The central shaft member has a hollow center to hold various electrical wires (ie: fiber optic, analogous digital, video and audio) for the electronic devices. The base includes a plurality of wheels to permit the workstation to be easily moved about. The wheels include braking elements which may be locked to secure the workstation in position. The workstation may include paper securing means, lighting means and may be utilized by individuals who are not disabled.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,630,566
- Filing date
- 1995-05-30
- Grant date
- 1997-05-20
- Assignee
- Case; Laura
- Inventor(s)
- CASE; LAURA
- CPC class
- F16M11/2021
Want to file your own patent?
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