Appendage For Retrofitting To An Office Chair For Converting Same Into A Computer Workplace

Abstract

An appendage that is retrofittable to an office chair for converting the office chair into a computer workplace; the office chair being characterized by comprising a seat supported by a central column, having a feet assembly attached thereto; Wherein the appendage comprises: a chassis coupled to a seat connector, and a monitor supporting structure; the seat connector for facilitating connection of said chassis to said central column of said office chair, and the monitor support structure for supporting a computer monitor thereon.

1 . An appendage for retrofitting a chair, having a seat supported on a central vertical support column connected to a feet assembly, into a workplace and for securely holding a monitor in a working position comprising: 
 a monitor support structure on which said monitor is held in said working position;    a chassis having a first end on which said monitor support structure is positioned and a second end; and    a seat connector associated with said second end of said chassis, said seat connector including a locking mechanism for locking said seat connector onto the central support column of the chair below the seat and above the feet assembly.    
     
     
         2 . An appendage according to  claim 1 , wherein said chassis comprises at least one arcuate, tubular, elongated support rail.  
     
     
         3 . An appendage according to  claim 1 , wherein said chassis comprises a pair of parallel, arcuate, tubular, elongated support rails.  
     
     
         4 . An appendage according to  claim 3 , wherein said chassis further comprises at least one spacer between said support rails.  
     
     
         5 . An appendage according to  claim 2 , wherein said seat connector further includes at least one passage hole through which a distal end of said support rail is inserted.  
     
     
         6 . An appendage according to  claim 3 , wherein said seat connector further includes passage holes through which distal ends of said support rails are inserted.  
     
     
         7 . An appendage according to  claim 2 , further including at least one foot pedal on said support rail.  
     
     
         8 . An appendage according to  claim 7 , further including a helical spring positioned on an end of said support rail extending out beyond said seat connector; and a retaining element holding said helical spring in position on said end of said support rail.  
     
     
         9 . An appendage according to  claim 3 , further including foot pedals on said support rails.  
     
     
         10 . An appendage according to  claim 9 , further including helical springs positioned on ends of said support rails extending out beyond said seat connector; and retaining elements holding said helical springs in position on said ends of said support rails.  
     
     
         11 . An appendage according to  claim 3 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and further comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of said tray,  
     
     
         12 . An appendage according to  claim 3 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and farther comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of said tray.  
     
     
         13 . An appendage according to  claim 6 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and further comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of said tray.  
     
     
         14 . An appendage according to  claim 9 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and further comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of said tray.  
     
     
         15 . An appendage according to  claim 10 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and further comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of said tray.  
     
     
         16 . An appendage according to  claim 9 , further including helical springs positioned on ends of said support rails extending out beyond said seat connector; and retaining elements holding said helical springs in position on said ends of said support rails; whereby force exerted on said foot pedals by a user of said chair causes said chassis to move with relation to said seat connector, thereby changing the distance between said user of said chair and said monitor on said monitor support structure.  
     
     
         17 . An appendage according to  claim 16 , wherein said monitor support structure includes a tray on which said monitor is positioned and said tray having holes through which ends of said support rails pass; and further comprising pairs of grooved rollers engaging each of said support rails on each side of tray; whereby rotation of said rollers causes relative movement of said tray and monitor relative to said seat connector and said user of said chair.  
     
     
         18 . A computer workstation comprising: 
 (a) a chair having a seat supported on a central vertical support column connected to a feet assembly; and    (b) an appendage attached to said chair, said appendage including: 
 a monitor support structure for supporting a monitor in a working position;  
 a chassis having a first end on which said monitor support structure is positioned and a second end; and  
 a seat connector affixed to said second end of said chassis, said seat connector including a locking mechanism deployed so as to lock said seat connector onto said central support column of said chair below said seat and above said feet assembly.  
   
     
     
         19 . A method for adapting a chair having a seat supported on a central vertical support column connected to a feet assembly for use as a computer workstation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an appendage including: 
 a monitor support structure for supporting a monitor in a working position,  
 a chassis having a first end on which said monitor support structure is positioned and a second end, and  
 a seat connector affixed to said second end of said chassis, seat connector including a locking mechanism configured for locking said seat connector onto said central support column of said chair, and  
   (b) locking said locking mechanism onto said central support column of said chair below said seat and above said feet assembly to provide a computer workstation.