US20060180056A1

US20060180056A1 - Replaceable desk surface system

Info

Publication number: US20060180056A1
Application number: US11/059,228
Authority: US
Inventors: Sigri Dorholt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-16
Filing date: 2005-02-16
Publication date: 2006-08-17

Abstract

A replaceable desk surface system for protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface. The replaceable desk surface system includes a sheet member and a hook member extending from an end of the sheet member. The sheet member is comprised of a flat and planar structure that is positionable upon a writing surface of a desk. The hook member engages an end portion of the writing surface. A plurality of fasteners are used to removably secure the sheet member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to school desks and more specifically it relates to a replaceable desk surface system for protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Desks, including school desks, have been in use for years. Typically, a desk has a writing surface as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The writing surface may be positioned in a stationary or pivoting manner as is well known with desks.
One problem with desks is that the writing surface can be damaged and worn over time. A worn or damaged desk writing surface can interfere with a student's usage of the desk. In addition, a worn or damaged desk is not aesthetically pleasing and can create a negative impression for the student using the desk. Also, damaged and worn desks must eventually be replaced which can be costly for a school or the entity replacing the desks. Hence, there is a need for a system that protects desks from damage and the day-to-day activities.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface. Conventional desks are designed to have a replaceable writing surface and therefore must from time to time be replaced or repaired.
In these respects, the replaceable desk surface system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of desks now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new replaceable desk surface system construction wherein the same can be utilized for protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new replaceable desk surface system that has many of the advantages of the desks mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new replaceable desk surface system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art desks, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a sheet member and a hook member extending from an end of the sheet member. The sheet member is comprised of a flat and planar structure that is positionable upon a writing surface of a desk. The hook member engages an end portion of the writing surface. A plurality of fasteners are used to removably secure the sheet member.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable desk surface system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
A second object is to provide a replaceable desk surface system for protecting the desk from damage and maintaining a consistently smooth writing surface.
Another object is to provide a replaceable desk surface system that extends the useful life of a desk writing surface.
An additional object is to provide a replaceable desk surface system that can be utilized upon various sizes, styles and designs of desks.
A further object is to provide a replaceable desk surface system that can be efficiently and cost effectively replaced a plurality of times.
Another object is to provide a replaceable desk surface system that can be efficiently attached to a conventional desk.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with apertures for receiving fasteners.
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with hook and loop fasteners.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention with respect to a desk.
FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the present invention attached to a desk.
FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the present invention with respect to a desk.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the present invention attached to a desk.
FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with no second segment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a replaceable desk surface system 10, which comprises a sheet member 20 and a hook member 40 extending from an end of the sheet member 20. The sheet member 20 is comprised of a flat and planar structure that is positionable upon a writing surface 16 of a desk 14. The hook member 40 engages an end portion of the writing surface 16. A plurality of fasteners are used to removably secure the sheet member 20.
B. Sheet Member
The sheet member 20 has an upper surface 22 and a lower surface 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The upper surface 22 of the sheet member 20 is used as a substitute for the writing surface 16 of the desk 14 when installed upon the desk 14.
The sheet member 20 is positionable upon a writing surface 16 of a desk 14 wherein the lower surface 24 is positioned adjacent to an upper portion of the writing surface 16 (or writing table) as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The sheet member 20 is preferably comprised of a flat and planar structure as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings.
The sheet member 20 is preferably comprised of a material capable of being cost effectively produced and that is resistant to damage such as plastic or acrylic. The sheet member 20 preferably has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch. The sheet member 20 also preferably has a rectangular shape (with or without rounded corners), though other shapes similar to the writing surface 16 of the desk 14 may be used. The sheet member 20 is preferably approximately twenty-six inches wide by twenty-six inches long.
The sheet member 20 is preferably comprised of a transparent material or substantially transparent material. When the sheet member 20 is comprised of a transparent or substantially transparent material, flat items can be positioned between the sheet member 20 and the writing surface 16 for allowing viewing by a student (e.g. calendar, mathematical charts, the alphabet, etc.).
The sheet member 20 may include a plurality of apertures 30 opposite of the hook member 40 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The apertures 30 are capable of removably receiving threaded fastener members 12 such as but not limited to a screw which are secured within the writing surface 16. The plurality of apertures 30 are preferably positioned near opposing corners of the sheet member 20 opposite of the hook member 40 as further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
C. Hook Member
The hook member 40 extends from an end of the sheet member 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The hook member 40 is formed of a hook structure for removably engaging an end portion of the writing surface 16 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The hook member 40 is preferably formed from the same sheet of material as the sheet member 20, however the hook member 40 may be comprised of a separate structure attached to the sheet member 20. The hook member 40 preferably has a single structure having a longitudinal axis defining a length of the hook member 40, wherein the length is shorter than a width of the sheet member 20.
The hook member 40 is preferably comprised of an L-shaped structure as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. More particularly, the hook member 40 is preferably comprised of a first segment 42 extending substantially transversely from the end of the sheet member 20 and a second segment 44 extending substantially transversely from the first segment 42 opposite of the sheet member 20 as further shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The second segment 44 is preferably substantially parallel to and in opposition to the sheet member 20 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. It can be appreciated that the hook member 40 may be comprised solely of a first segment 42 and having no second segment 44 as shown in FIG. 10.
D. Fasteners
A plurality of first fasteners 50 are attached to the lower surface 24 of the sheet member 20 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A plurality of second fasteners 70 are attachable to an upper portion of the writing surface 16 as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The first fasteners 50 and the second fasteners 70 are removably attachable to one another for securing the sheet member 20 to the writing surface 16. The first fasteners 50 and the second fasteners 70 are preferably comprised of a hook and loop fastener.
A plurality of third fasteners 60 are attached to the second segment 44 of the hook member 40 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A plurality of fourth fasteners 72 are attachable to a lower portion of the writing surface 16 as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The third fasteners 60 and the fourth fasteners 72 are removably attachable to one another for securing the hook member 40 to the writing surface 16 of the desk 14. The third fasteners 60 and the fourth fasteners 72 are comprised of a hook and loop fastener.
E. Operation of Invention
The first time the present invention is utilized, the second fasteners 70 are secured to the upper portion of the writing surface 16 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The fourth fasteners 72 are also secured to an end of the lower portion of the writing surface 16 as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.
After the second fasteners 70 and fourth fasteners 72 are secured to the writing surface 16, the user then secures the hook member 40 about an end portion of the writing surface 16 such that the third fasteners 60 are attached to the fourth fasteners 72 as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The sheet member 20 is then positioned substantially flush to the upper portion of the writing surface 16 such that the first fasteners 50 are secured to the second fasteners 70.
After the sheet member 20 is properly secured to the writing surface 16, the user then is able to utilize the sheet member 20 to write upon. In addition, sheet members 20 may be positioned between the sheet member 20 and the writing surface 16 for viewing by the student. After an extended period of usage and the sheet member 20 becomes worn, the sheet member 20 may be replaced with a new sheet member 20 without requiring any modifications to the desk 14.
What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

1. A replaceable desk surface system, comprising:

a sheet member having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said sheet member is positionable upon a writing surface of a desk; and

a hook member extending from an end of said sheet member, wherein said hook member engages an end portion of the writing surface.

2. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is flat.

3. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 2, wherein said sheet member is planar.

4. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is comprised of a plastic material.

5. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is comprised of an acrylic material.

6. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 5, wherein said sheet member has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch.

7. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 6, wherein said sheet member is approximately twenty-six inches wide by twenty-six inches long.

8. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said sheet member has a substantially rectangular shape.

9. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, including a plurality of apertures extending through said sheet member opposite of said hook member, wherein said plurality of apertures are capable of removably receiving a threaded fastener member.

10. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of apertures are positioned near opposing corners of said sheet member opposite of said hook member.

11. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, including a plurality of first fasteners attached to said lower surface of said sheet member, and a plurality of second fasteners that are attachable to an upper portion of the writing surface, wherein said first fasteners and said second fasteners are removably attachable to one another.

12. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 11, wherein said first fasteners and said second fasteners are comprised of a hook and loop fastener.

13. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 11, including a plurality of third fasteners attached to said hook member, and a plurality of fourth fasteners that are attachable to a lower portion of the writing surface, wherein said third fasteners and said fourth fasteners are removably attachable to one another.

14. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 13, wherein said third fasteners and said fourth fasteners are comprised of a hook and loop fastener.

15. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said hook member is comprised of a first segment extending substantially transversely from said end of said sheet member and a second segment extending substantially transversely from said first segment opposite of said sheet member, wherein said second segment is substantially parallel to said sheet member and is in opposition to said lower surface.

16. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 15, including a plurality of third fasteners attached to said second segment of said hook member, and a plurality of fourth fasteners that are attachable to a lower portion of the writing surface, wherein said third fasteners and said fourth fasteners are removably attachable to one another.

17. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 16, wherein said third fasteners and said fourth fasteners are comprised of a hook and loop fastener.

18. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said hook member has a longitudinal axis defining a length, wherein said length is shorter than a width of said sheet member.

19. The replaceable desk surface system of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is comprised of a substantially transparent material.

20. A method of attaching a replaceable desk surface to a desk, said replaceable desk surface comprising a sheet member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a hook member extending from an end of said sheet member, a plurality of first fasteners attached to said lower surface of said sheet member, a plurality of second fasteners, a plurality of third fasteners attached to said hook member, and a plurality of fourth fasteners, said method comprising the steps of:

securing said second fasteners to said upper portion of a writing surface of a desk;

securing said fourth fasteners to a lower portion of said writing surface;

positioning said hook member upon an end of said writing surface such that said third fasteners engage said fourth fasteners; and

manipulating said sheet member such that said first fasteners engage said second fasteners.