Chair-Desk

Computer Chair Design

Nicholas R. Sell
Dakota J. Reeves

Anderson Career & Technology Center

Engineering Design and Development

May 15, 2015

Abstract
The objective of this project was to find a problem that could be
solved with an invention or innovative design, and to create a working
prototype based on the design. We designed an innovative computer chair,
which solved the problem of bad posture after working at a computer for a
long time. It also addressed an issue involving over abundant cables. The
chair included a mouse pad, a keyboard platform which could move to
allow preferred seating arrangement, and USB ports which allow all of the
inputs required for mouse, keyboard, headset, and even flash drives to be
condensed into one cable.

Table of Contents
Abstract..ii
List of Figures and Tables..........iv
Introduction ...1
Background 2
Materials List..3
Procedures.....4
Results and Discussion...5
Conclusion.6
Appendix....7
References14

List of Figures
Figure 1. Sketch7
Figure 2. Exploded View..7
Figure 3. Drawing of Seat8
Figure 4. Drawing of Keyboard platform8
Figure 5. Drawing of Shaft9
Figure 6. Drawing of Legs.9
Figure 7. Drawing of Arm Base10
Figure 8. Drawing of Wheel..10
Figure 9. Drawing of Mousepad..11
Figure 10. Drawing of Back...11
Figure 11. Final Prototype..13

List of Tables
Table 1. Project Timeline..12
Table 2. Solution Decision Matrix12
Table 3. Problem Decision Matrix12
Table 4. Bill of Materials13
4

Introduction
The purpose of this project was to innovate/invent a product to
address everyday problems. In our project we addressed the back
problems and cord tangling associated with extensive computer use. When
a survey was taken many users said that they would benefit from a product
that could ease back pain and also clear cable clutter from their workspace.
After research we found that there was no real solution to the problems we
address. We looked at the issues we were faced with and created a chair
with a generous amount of cushion and all the cords coming out of one port
attached to the chair. All the cables work and up to four devices can be
attached at once.

Background
When we researched we didnt find anything to fit our constraints
exactly with an affordable price tag. In this project we made a very basic
chair into a comfortable yet very functional chair that minimized cords and
helped your back pain. We found many chairs that incorporated the entire
computer into the chair. We just wanted the devices to be on the chair with
all the other parts of the chair on a table or small desk. This is a basic chair
that holds your keyboard and mouse and two other devices used for
anything.

Materials List

Thrift Chair

Foam 72 x 24

Cloth

4 port USB hub

USB extender

Audio USB Adapter

Plywood

Mouse Pad

Plasti Dip

Black Ribbon

Procedures
First we removed all the cloth and foam from the chair we purchased
at the thrift shop. We then used the chair as a template to cut and apply
foam to the chair. After we applied foam to the bottom of the chair we
stretched out the fabric over the whole bottom and fastened it with staples.
We then did the same to the top half of the chair. After that we covered any
wood exposed on the back of the chair with more fabric and plasti dipped
the back to give it a rubberized feel. After that we spray painted TENEBRIS
on the chair (the name). Then the construction of the arms began. We cut
the mouse pad to fit a 8 x 8 piece of plywood. We glued the mouse pad to
the wood. Then we applied foam for comfort and wrapped it in fabric. We
created a joint for the keyboard and applied it to the left arm so that the
keyboard would swing left to allow one to get up from the chair. We then
applied foam and fabric to that arm. We put the arms on the body of the
chair and installed the USB hub 3/4ths of the way back on the left side. We
then ran the USB extender through the back of the cushions.

Results & Discussion

The objectives were to improve sitting posture and reduce cable
clutter with our chair design. We believe these objectives were
accomplished because the chair was free from a desk, allowing the user to
govern how they wish to sit, and not be forced to hunch over a desk in
order to reach the keyboard and mouse. The chair also featured the four
port USB hub, which condensed he number of cables connecting to the
computer down to one. Our design was successfully created to be both
comfortable and healthy. We could have improved our design by providing
a better joint system for the keyboard to pivot on. Our prototype could be
improved by making the keyboard platform more comfortable and soft
around the edges. We believe a cup holder would have also benefited the
design.

Conclusion
The entire process of this project was very informative. It showed how
to thoroughly complete the entire design process (identifying the problem,
identifying criteria and constraints, brainstorming possible solutions,
generating ideas, exploring possibilities, selecting an approach, building a
prototype, refining the design, etc.) and come out with an appropriate
product. The testing was also very helpful in completely understanding how
the whole process works.

Appendix
6

10

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References
Computer-related injuries - Better Health Channel. (2015, February 9).
Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/computerrelated_injuries?open

ETools | OSHA Ergonomic Solutions: Computer Workstations eTool Workstation Components. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components.html

(2014, November 1). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from

http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/acs/a
cs-28.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2015, from http://kandktechnical.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/desk-sitting-posture-office-workers.png

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