Classroom desk

Abstract

A classroom desk is provided at a low cost which does not restrict a positioning angle of a computer display and offers an unobstructed front view when a movable top panel is open. The classroom desk is suitable for a class requiring the occasional use of a small-sized computer. The desk comprises a fixed top panel on which the computer is mounted, and movable top panel which covers and hides the computer. The movable top panel is connected to the fixed top panel by first and second link members and is arranged to stand vertically at the back of the desk in such a manner that about half of a depth of the movable top panel is located below the height of the fixed top panel.

1 . A classroom desk comprising: 
 a fixed top panel including a fixed panel top surface,    a movable top panel including a movable panel top surface and a movable panel bottom surface,    a left support block,    a right support block, and    a four-point link structure including two forward link members and two rearward link members,    wherein the movable top panel is movable between a first position and a second position,    wherein the movable panel bottom surface directly opposes the fixed panel top surface when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the movable top panel in the first position forms a closed volume with the fixed top panel,    wherein a small computer fits within the closed volume,    wherein the movable top panel is rotatably joined to the fixed top panel via the four-point link mechanism and the left and right support blocks,    wherein the movable top panel in the second position is vertically oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixed top panel, and    wherein the movable top panel in the second position does not substantially interfere with the front view of a user.    
   
   
       2 . The classroom desk according to  claim 1  wherein the left support block and the right support block are fixed at the rear of the fixed panel top surface, and 
 wherein the left support block and the right support block further comprise per support block: 
 a shaft, and  
 a bearing,  
   wherein the bearing supports the shaft in the respective support block,    wherein each of the rearward link members is connected at one end to a corresponding shaft so that shaft and the rearward link members may rotate about the axis of the shafts,    wherein at least one rotary damper is connected to at least one of the shafts to dampen rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction,    wherein an other end of the rearward link members is rotatably connected to the movable top panel.    
   
   
       3 . The classroom desk of  claim 2  further comprising a locking device, 
 wherein the locking device is automatically engaged when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the locking device prevents movement of the movable top panel to the second position.    
   
   
       4 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the locking devices of one or more classroom desks can be configured to be substantially simultaneously released from a single location.  
   
   
       5 . The classroom desk of  claim 4 , wherein the locking devices include electromagnetic solenoids.  
   
   
       6 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the closed volume comprises: 
 a left side panel,    a right side panel,    a front panel,    a rear panel, and    wherein the left side panel, right side panel, and the front side panel are respectively attached at the left, right, and front, of the movable panel bottom surface,    wherein the rear panel is attached to the left support block and the right support block at the rear of the fixed panel top surface.    
   
   
       7 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the closed volume comprises: 
 a left side panel,    a right side panel,    a front panel,    a rear panel, and    wherein the left side panel, right side panel, and the front side panel are respectively attached at the left, right, and front, of the movable panel bottom surface,    wherein the rear panel is attached to the left support block and the right support block and the fixed panel top surface.    
   
   
       8 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the closed volume comprises: 
 a left side panel,    a right side panel,    a front panel,    a rear panel, and    wherein the left side panel, right side panel, and the front side panel are respectively attached at the left, right, and front, of the movable panel bottom surface,    wherein the rear panel is attached at the rear of the fixed panel top surface.    
   
   
       9 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the movable top panel in the second position is approximately divided in half by a plane extending from the fixed panel top surface.  
   
   
       10 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the movable top panel in the second position extends below a point approximately 25 cm above the fixed panel top surface.  
   
   
       11 . The classroom desk of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one rotary dampener includes two rotary dampeners, 
 wherein the rotary dampener is attached to each shafts of the left support block and the right support block.    
   
   
       12 . A classroom desk comprising: 
 a fixed top panel including a fixed panel top surface,    a movable top panel including a movable panel top surface and a movable panel bottom surface,    a left support block,    a right support block, and    a four-point link structure including two forward link members and two rearward link members,    wherein the movable top panel is movable between a first position and a second position,    wherein the movable panel bottom surface directly opposes the fixed panel top surface when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the movable top panel in the first position forms a closed volume with the fixed top panel,    wherein a small computer fits within the closed volume,    wherein the movable top panel is rotatably joined to the fixed top panel via the four-point link mechanism and the left and right support blocks,    wherein the movable top panel in the second position is vertically oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixed top panel, and    wherein the movable top panel in the second position is divided approximately in half by a plane extending from the fixed panel top surface.    
   
   
       13 . The classroom desk according to  claim 12  wherein the left support block and the right support block are fixed at the rear of the fixed panel top surface, and 
 wherein the left support block and the right support block further comprise per support block: 
 a shaft, and  
 a bearing,  
   wherein the bearing supports the shaft in the respective support block,    wherein each of the rearward link members is connected at one end to a corresponding shaft so that shaft and the rearward link members may rotate about the axis of the shafts,    wherein at least one rotary damper is connected to at least one of the shafts to dampen rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction,    wherein an other end of the rearward link members is rotatably connected to the movable top panel.    
   
   
       14 . The classroom desk of  claim 13  further comprising a locking device, 
 wherein the locking device is automatically engaged when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the locking device prevents movement of the movable top panel to the second position.    
   
   
       15 . A classroom desk comprising: 
 a fixed top panel including a fixed panel top surface,    a movable top panel including a movable panel top surface and a movable panel bottom surface,    a left support block,    a right support block, and    a four-point link structure including two forward link members and two rearward link members,    wherein the movable top panel is movable between a first position and a second position,    wherein the movable panel bottom surface directly opposes the fixed panel top surface when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the movable top panel in the first position forms a closed volume with the fixed top panel,    wherein a small computer fits within the closed volume,    wherein the movable top panel is rotatably joined to the fixed top panel via the four-point link mechanism and the left and right support blocks,    wherein the movable top panel in the second position is vertically oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixed top panel, and    wherein the movable top panel in the second position does not extend higher in a vertical direction than the top of a display portion of the small computer when the small computer is mounted to the fixed panel top surface and the display portion is positioned for viewing by a user of the small computer.    
   
   
       16 . The classroom desk according to  claim 15  wherein the left support block and the right support block are fixed at the rear of the fixed panel top surface, and 
 wherein the left support block and the right support block further comprise per support block: 
 a shaft, and  
 a bearing,  
   wherein the bearing supports the shaft in the respective support block,    wherein each of the rearward link members is connected at one end to a corresponding shaft so that shaft and the rearward link members may rotate about the axis of the shafts,    wherein at least one rotary damper is connected to at least one of the shafts to dampen rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction,    wherein an other end of the rearward link members is rotatably connected to the movable top panel.    
   
   
       17 . The classroom desk of  claim 16  further comprising a locking device, 
 wherein the locking device is automatically engaged when the movable top panel is in the first position,    wherein the locking device prevents movement of the movable top panel to the second position.