I. Benchmarking of Competitive Products
In our analysis of school desks currently on the market, we assessed five different school desks (shown below) on 10 different categories: Comfort, Weight, Aesthetics, Storage, Adjustability, Work-space, Portability, Posture Support, Cost Efficiency, and Durability.
In our analysis of school desks currently on the market, we assessed five different school desks (shown below) on 10 different categories: Comfort, Weight, Aesthetics, Storage, Adjustability, Work-space, Portability, Posture Support, Cost Efficiency, and Durability.
- M-2 Ergonomic School Desk by TCT Nanotec
2. Node Chair by IDEO
3. KI Intellect Wave Sled-Based Combo Desk
4. Virco 3400 Solid Plastic Combo Desk w/ Bookrack
5. Virco Metaphor Bowfront Combo Desk
Each product was assessed with the 10 categories in mind by reviewing specifications, customer reviews, and apparent functionality. The results are shown in the table below; each category was scored from a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best and 1 being the worst. The total scores shown below are out of 50. A more in-depth review of each product can be found in the next section.
II. Objective Product Analysis
1. M-2 Ergonomic School Desk by TCT Nanotec (32 out of 50)
Strengths
»built for comfort and ergonomics, with the shape of the desk
»large work-space
»wheels for maneuverability
»durable
»adjustable height
Weaknesses
»60 lbs, extremely heavy/bulky/awkward
»extremely expensive, $571
»no storage under the desk
2. Node Chair by IDEO (32 out of 50)
Strengths
»wheels, very portable
»durable
»somewhat comfortable'
»storage space under desk
Weaknesses
»little to no adjustability
»very small desktop, not much work space
»very expensive, $599
»not focused on ergonomics
3. KI Intellect Wave Sled-Based Combo Desk (28 out of 50)
Strengths
»promotes good posture
»durable design
»relatively large work area
»moderate cost ($200)
Weaknesses
»not portable
»very heavy
»no storage under desk
»not adjustable
4. Virco 3400 Solid Plastic Combo Desk w/ Bookrack (26 out of 50)
Strengths
»very cheap
»very durable
»storage under desk
»relatively large workspace
Weaknesses
»very heavy
»unadjustable
»not portable, no wheels
»does not promote healthy posture
5. Virco Metaphor Bowfront Combo Desk (24 out of 50)
Strengths
»cheap
»storage under desk
»very durable
Weaknesses
»extremely heavy
»unadjustable
»not portable
»not ergonomically designed, promotes unhealthy posture
Strengths
»built for comfort and ergonomics, with the shape of the desk
»large work-space
»wheels for maneuverability
»durable
»adjustable height
Weaknesses
»60 lbs, extremely heavy/bulky/awkward
»extremely expensive, $571
»no storage under the desk
2. Node Chair by IDEO (32 out of 50)
Strengths
»wheels, very portable
»durable
»somewhat comfortable'
»storage space under desk
Weaknesses
»little to no adjustability
»very small desktop, not much work space
»very expensive, $599
»not focused on ergonomics
3. KI Intellect Wave Sled-Based Combo Desk (28 out of 50)
Strengths
»promotes good posture
»durable design
»relatively large work area
»moderate cost ($200)
Weaknesses
»not portable
»very heavy
»no storage under desk
»not adjustable
4. Virco 3400 Solid Plastic Combo Desk w/ Bookrack (26 out of 50)
Strengths
»very cheap
»very durable
»storage under desk
»relatively large workspace
Weaknesses
»very heavy
»unadjustable
»not portable, no wheels
»does not promote healthy posture
5. Virco Metaphor Bowfront Combo Desk (24 out of 50)
Strengths
»cheap
»storage under desk
»very durable
Weaknesses
»extremely heavy
»unadjustable
»not portable
»not ergonomically designed, promotes unhealthy posture
III. Summary of Results
Comfort
Comfort
- The desk must be comfortable in order to provide a satisfactory sitting arrangement for up to seven hours (one full school day.)
- Survey results suggest that some students want padded seats, which none of the current market competitors supply.
- Must be able to be easily lifted and moved over/up stairs or rough terrain.
- Must be able to be easily moved around the classroom, whether by wheels or lifting. A special way in which to lift the desk (handle, etc.) could be useful.
- Needs to look good in a classroom setting, as well as pleasing to the eye.
- Cannot distract from the learning experience with any garish or obtrusive appearance.
- Storage under the desk is necessary to provide for easy access to work materials.
- Backpacks/satchels should be able to fit under the desk in order to keep walkways safe and clear.
- Must be able to be adjustable in the arms/back in order to ensure ergonomic comfort for all body sizes.
- Survey results supported that adjustability would greatly contribute to overall comfort; “one size fits all” is not a good mandate by which to build a desk.
- Desk area must be large enough to fit all the materials of a student (ex. a textbook and notebook) without anything needing to be stacked or taken off.
- Survey results reported that a larger work-space would be widely accepted as better than current desks with minimal desk space.
- Needs wheels to be able to move around the classroom easily, which can lock in order to not distract or endanger students sitting in them.
- Studies show that mobility in classroom arrangements can engage students and promote learning by building new neural pathways.
- Must be able to support healthy posture, with both adjustability and general shape.
- Most school desks currently on the market are cramped, uncomfortable and do not support healthy posture.
- Must be affordable, and able to be bought by school districts of any economic class (ability to be economicly mass-produced.)
- Most ergonomic or comfortable school desks currently on the market can only be afforded by affluent schools, running in the $500-$600 range.
- Must be able to last a long time, without needing replacement or spare parts (long time guaranteed use.)
- Needs to resist daily wear and tear of being moved and supporting anywhere from 50 to 300 lbs.
IV. Previous Patents
No. 109,518
No. 109,518
Date: Nov. 22, 1870
Nathaniel Johnson from New York invented the Combined School Desk and Seat in 1870. The invention was a new and useful improvement in school furniture since it had the chair in front and the desk in back. Made to be placed right in front of each other, each desk would provide the seat for one person and the desk for the person behind. The desk and seat could also fold upwards so that the student could have easy accessibility in and out of the seat.
Strengths: The folding parts of the chair allowed for easy storage and accessibility. It also limited the cost of the school since it came with both the chair and desk.
Weaknesses: This type of desk is no longer applicable for this day in society. If the teacher wanted his or her students to work in different groups, you would have to bring two desks together. In addition the design is unstable and could easily topple.
US 2,168,910
Nathaniel Johnson from New York invented the Combined School Desk and Seat in 1870. The invention was a new and useful improvement in school furniture since it had the chair in front and the desk in back. Made to be placed right in front of each other, each desk would provide the seat for one person and the desk for the person behind. The desk and seat could also fold upwards so that the student could have easy accessibility in and out of the seat.
Strengths: The folding parts of the chair allowed for easy storage and accessibility. It also limited the cost of the school since it came with both the chair and desk.
Weaknesses: This type of desk is no longer applicable for this day in society. If the teacher wanted his or her students to work in different groups, you would have to bring two desks together. In addition the design is unstable and could easily topple.
US 2,168,910
Date: August 8, 1939
We start from the very beginning when schools are just starting to house many students and education was becoming wildly necessary for children. This design is shaped like a U with a desk mounted on one side and a rotating chair mounted on the other. The seat has laterally extending arms. The desk can be pushed forward and back on a track to accommodate for a person’s body type. In addition, there is space underneath the tabletop for storage.
Strengths: This desk has a feature that the desks today don’t even have: movable desk tops. This is useful when the person studying at it can’t reach the desktop or is too close to it. The rotating chair is also useful when teachers have class discussion. Students can easily move and turn around to their peers to discuss and collaborate.
Weaknesses: Since this design was made in the 1940’s, it’s most likely that this desk was made from cast iron and wood. The U shaped structure that was most likely made entirely out of cast iron is incredibly unbalanced and can cause injury to someone. This design is no longer applicable to the modern day classrooms which move around desks because it will be too cumbersome to move. The rotating seats could also cause problems because they could easily break but in the way that it is positioned, there is no way that schools could easily store them away for the summer as well.
US 9,380,865
We start from the very beginning when schools are just starting to house many students and education was becoming wildly necessary for children. This design is shaped like a U with a desk mounted on one side and a rotating chair mounted on the other. The seat has laterally extending arms. The desk can be pushed forward and back on a track to accommodate for a person’s body type. In addition, there is space underneath the tabletop for storage.
Strengths: This desk has a feature that the desks today don’t even have: movable desk tops. This is useful when the person studying at it can’t reach the desktop or is too close to it. The rotating chair is also useful when teachers have class discussion. Students can easily move and turn around to their peers to discuss and collaborate.
Weaknesses: Since this design was made in the 1940’s, it’s most likely that this desk was made from cast iron and wood. The U shaped structure that was most likely made entirely out of cast iron is incredibly unbalanced and can cause injury to someone. This design is no longer applicable to the modern day classrooms which move around desks because it will be too cumbersome to move. The rotating seats could also cause problems because they could easily break but in the way that it is positioned, there is no way that schools could easily store them away for the summer as well.
US 9,380,865
Date: Jul 5, 2016
This is another design based on the concept of the vertical standing up desks. This design has a table top that is raised and lowered with pneumatic lifting. The locking system is spring biased with spaced engagement slots. The entire desk is set upon wheels for easy movement and has an extra table that can be folded up for extra space. There is also a slot underneath the table for storage when someone is at the table.
Strengths: Like the patent from May 10, 2016, this design plays with the idea of integrating stand up desks back into the classroom or workplace which has its health benefits. In addition, the desk is set upon wheels which means that it can be easily moved around; it also has under the table storage, something that the May 10 patent lacked. The pneumatic system is really helpful for raising and lowering the table top easily and quickly.
Weaknesses: Again, the desk comes with no chair which means schools will have to purchase chairs separately. The applications of this design for the highschool classroom are limited because since it is pneumatic, there can be lots of complications and could break easily. The design itself is sort of unstable since the entire desk is supported on one tower.
US 9,332,839 B2
This is another design based on the concept of the vertical standing up desks. This design has a table top that is raised and lowered with pneumatic lifting. The locking system is spring biased with spaced engagement slots. The entire desk is set upon wheels for easy movement and has an extra table that can be folded up for extra space. There is also a slot underneath the table for storage when someone is at the table.
Strengths: Like the patent from May 10, 2016, this design plays with the idea of integrating stand up desks back into the classroom or workplace which has its health benefits. In addition, the desk is set upon wheels which means that it can be easily moved around; it also has under the table storage, something that the May 10 patent lacked. The pneumatic system is really helpful for raising and lowering the table top easily and quickly.
Weaknesses: Again, the desk comes with no chair which means schools will have to purchase chairs separately. The applications of this design for the highschool classroom are limited because since it is pneumatic, there can be lots of complications and could break easily. The design itself is sort of unstable since the entire desk is supported on one tower.
US 9,332,839 B2
Date: May 10, 2016
This patent shows the design by John Fredrick Ringlein from Naperville, IL who designed a “vertically adjustable stand up desk… to be easily and quickly converted to a stand up desk for the user.” This design includes a desk surface with a tower that can be locked and coupled in order to keep it in the vertical position.
Strengths: The design is simple yet sophisticated and it allows the user to choose between a stand up and sitting down desk. This means that if the user has been sitting for too long, then he or she may choose to stand while studying or working. This simple act of standing while being at a desk has been proven to help posture and increase weight loss overall being positive for the body.
Weaknesses: The design does not include a chair, it is only a desk. Our goal is to be as cheap as possible and if schools have to pay extra to get a chair for the students, they will just revert back to the traditional ones we have now. In addition, the desk is too large for a classroom and too bulky to move to encourage group activities or mobility within the classroom; the design doesn’t even have wheels, so it has a flat bottom meaning that it is stationary. Even though there can be a lot of additions to the tower, like the computer mount, this is unnecessary for a high school classroom.
This patent shows the design by John Fredrick Ringlein from Naperville, IL who designed a “vertically adjustable stand up desk… to be easily and quickly converted to a stand up desk for the user.” This design includes a desk surface with a tower that can be locked and coupled in order to keep it in the vertical position.
Strengths: The design is simple yet sophisticated and it allows the user to choose between a stand up and sitting down desk. This means that if the user has been sitting for too long, then he or she may choose to stand while studying or working. This simple act of standing while being at a desk has been proven to help posture and increase weight loss overall being positive for the body.
Weaknesses: The design does not include a chair, it is only a desk. Our goal is to be as cheap as possible and if schools have to pay extra to get a chair for the students, they will just revert back to the traditional ones we have now. In addition, the desk is too large for a classroom and too bulky to move to encourage group activities or mobility within the classroom; the design doesn’t even have wheels, so it has a flat bottom meaning that it is stationary. Even though there can be a lot of additions to the tower, like the computer mount, this is unnecessary for a high school classroom.