WO2003030692A2

WO2003030692A2 - Portable light weight desk enabling multiple user positions

Info

Publication number: WO2003030692A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/032553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lawrence S. Rubin
Original assignee: Rubin Lawrence S
Priority date: 2001-10-11
Filing date: 2002-10-11
Publication date: 2003-04-17
Also published as: WO2003030692A3; AU2002362770A1

Abstract

A portable light weight desk (Fig. 2) enabling multiple user positions. The portable desk (500) is configured as a multiple-member frame structure with interchangeable members (including 510,512,520,522,524,526,530,532) that allow different configurations of a portable desk. The configurations include an upright configuration particularly suited for placement and use of electronic device in ergonomic positions for the user while laying down on a floor or in a seated position including seated in a vehicle. The portable desk top can also be arranged to be mounted with wheels for portability.

Description

PORTABLE LIGHT WEIGHT DESK ENABLING MULTIPLE USER POSITIONS FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable and adjustable desks or support structures, and in particular, to a portable and adjustable desk or support structure permitting multiple user positions while supporting an object.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Portable and/or foldable tables have existed to provide users with an easily foldable/unfoldable table structure that provides table surfaces for a wide variety of uses and purposes and convenience to the users.

These tables may be typically used at places or locations where conventional tables cannot be used. Such tables are used for working, reading/writing, eating, or any other purposes. Common uses of such tables are for placing and supporting laptop or portable computers, books, plates, bowls, or any other such items.

For example, laptop or portable computers are used by various persons. Laptop computer users often prefer to use their portable computers while sitting in a comfortable chair/couch or while sitting up or lying in a bed. These locations, however, typically require a table or desk on which the computer is placed, or the user must position the computer on his or her lap. Supporting a portable computer on the user's lap is awkward or uncomfortable and causes heat, sweat, muscle fatigue, etc. to the user. Therefore, portable computer users generally prefer to use some type of portable table, stand, support device, or other flat, rigid surface upon which the computer is placed.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,719,614; 2,449,492; 2,476,620; 3,805,710; 4,119,289; 4,726,556; 5,417,168; and 6,019,050 disclose examples of such portable and/or adjustable tables or support structures. However, there are various problems and disadvantages with these prior art portable tables or support structures. Some of these prior art tables and support structures are uncomfortable and bulky to use, cumbersome to set up, or not easily or variably adjustable to accommodate the different positions in which the user may use the table and support structures such as lying in bed, sitting at a conventional table or seated in a vehicle.

Some of the prior art tables and support structures required attachment or coupling to another surface or structure in order to be used. Portable tables and support structures that are collapsible and folding and self-supporting and self-standing have been developed and exist in the prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,476,620; 3,805,710; 4,726,556; 5, 417,168 disclose examples of such self-supporting or self-standing, collapsible tables and support structures. However, one problem with these self-supporting, collapsible prior art tables is that the legs or leg components are not able to be easily folded together since one leg or leg component would get in the way of rotation or folding of the other leg or leg component when the legs or leg components were being placed into a storage position. The folded legs were therefore bulky, or one of the legs needed to be removed in order to fold or place the legs in a compact position. Therefore, the need and desire exists to develop and provide a leg assembly for a table or support structure wherein the leg components stay coupled to the leg assembly and wherein the leg components are able to be put into a folding position and rotate or fold easily out of the way of each other when being folded to a compact storage position and are able to rotate back to an unfolding position for use.

Also, some of the prior art tables or support structures have foldable or collapsible legs or leg assemblies that may not be very stable or balanced when in use. Therefore, collapsible truss structures or collapsible triangular shaped leg components have been developed and used for various tables and support structures. U.S. Pat. Nos.

3,164,353 and 4,726,556 provide examples of such legs or leg assemblies. U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,353 is further incorporated by reference herein. However, one problem with these legs or leg assemblies is that the stability, balance, and center of gravity position of the table or support structure may become less stable as the table or support surface is raised or lowered to a various position. Therefore, the need and desire exists to develop and provide a leg assembly for a table or support structure wherein the legs or leg components and the center of gravity position of the leg assembly remain generally stable and balanced whether the table or support structure surface is raised or lower.

Furthermore, prior art tables or support structures that allow for height adjustment exist in order to accommodate the user. U.S.

Pat. Nos. 2,449,492; 2,476,620; 3,805,710; 4,119,289; 4,726,556; 5,417,168 provide examples of such height adjustable tables or support structures. However, some of the prior art height adjustment mechanisms for these tables or support structures are cumbersome, awkward, or difficult to use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,168 discloses a height adjustment mechanism that uses an engaging protuberance to one of a number of height adjustment holes in order to adjust the height of each leg component. However, this height adjustment mechanism has the problem of aligning the engaging protuberance to a certain/desired height adjustment hole. Therefore, the need and desire exists to develop and provide a height adjustment mechanism for a table or support structure that is easily accessible and easy to use to adjust height of the table and able to easily align and engage the engaging protuberance into a certain/desired height adjustment hole.

A further limitation of the prior art tables or support structures is that they do not explicitly teach or disclose legs or leg components that are independently adjustable to conform the plane of the table or support structure surface to even and uneven surfaces (i.e. bed or mattress surface or any other such even/uneven surfaces). Another limitation of the prior art tables or support structures is that they do not adjust to the size and height of the user in that the width distance apart from the legs or leg components are not adjustable when the height of the table or support structure surface is lowered or raised. Also, a mechanism for adjusting the angle or pitch of the table or support structure surface is in continual need of improvement and development.

Therefore, the present invention discloses and provides a portable and configurable desk top to enable multiple user positions that overcomes the above problems, disadvantages, and limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a light weight portable desk surface that is adjustable to enable multiple user positions while supporting an object such as a laptop computer or other electronic device or including a book or a food tray. It is an object of this invention to provide a portable light weight desk surface that can easily be mounted with wheels.

The present invention is directed to a portable desk top frame structure for supporting an object comprising: a plurality of lateral members; a plurality of transverse members, at least two of said transverse members each connected to at least one of said lateral members to form said frame structure; at least a first and second support member connected transversely to at least one of said lateral members; at least a third support member connected transversely to at least one other of said at least one lateral members, said first, second and third support members oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface, said frame structure inclined to said surface at an angle ergonomically suitable for a user of the object supported on said frame structure.

In a variation of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a portable desk top frame structure for supporting an object comprising: a plurality of lateral members; a plurality of transverse members, at least two of said transverse members each connected to at least one of said lateral members to form said frame structure; at least a first and second support member connected transversely to at least one of said lateral members; at least a third support member connected transversely to at least one other of said at least one lateral members, said first and second support members oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface, said at least a third support member oriented in combination with said first and second support members to stably support said frame structure on another surface, said frame structure inclined to said surface at an angle ergonomically suitable for a user of the object supported on said frame structure.

In the variation of the portable desk top frame structure, at least one of said first and second support members is oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface comprises a wheel and axle assembly.

In another variation of the present invention, at least one of said first, second and third support members comprises at least one positionally adjustable joint for adjusting the position of said frame structure with respect to the surface.

In another variation of the present invention, at least one of said first, second and third support members comprises at least one positionally adjustable joint for adjusting the position of said frame structure with respect to the respective surface.

The frame structure can further comprise a covering material interfacing with at least a portion of said frame structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first alternate configuration of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk. FIG. 4 A is an elevation view of a second alternate configuration of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk. FIG. 4B is an elevation view of a variation of the second alternate configuration of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk.

FIG. 5 is a variation of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk. FIG. 6A is an elevation view of a configuration of a covering for the desk top surface of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk.

FIG. 6B is an elevation view of a variation of the covering for the desk top surface of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk of FIG. 6A

FIG. 6C is an elevation view of a second variation of the covering for the desk top surface of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an alternate covering for the desk top surface of the embodiment of the present invention of a portable adjustable desk of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the covering of FIG. 6 A as covering the desk top surface of the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of desk top frame structure 500 of the present invention with respect to an arbitrary set of xyz axes with the x and y axes forming a plane in the plan view and the z axis extends vertically perpendicular to the xy plane. The xy plane is inclined from the horizontal by an angle θ from the horizontal as shown in FIG. 2. The angle θ is chosen to maximize ergonomic comfort. The desk top frame structure 500 comprises at least two members 510 and 512 parallel to the y direction. In the x direction, the members 520 and 522 are joined by a 4-sided cross connection 530 while members 524 and 526 are joined by tee connection 532. The x-direction members 520 and 524 intersect with y-direction member 510 by means of tee connections 534 and 536 while members 522 and 526 intersect with y- direction member 512 by means of connections 538 and 540. Optional tee connection 538 A can be provided between tee connection 536 and member 510, while optional tee connection 538B can be provided between tee connection 540 and member 512. The perpendicular connections of the optional tees 537 A and 537B face in the z-direction toward the upper surface of the desk structure frame 500, as shown by the perpendicular connections 537a and 537b of the tees 537A and 537B, respectively, which act as stopping mechanisms to minimize the chances that any item placed by the user on the desk top frame structure will slide off. A y- direction member 542 is connected to tee 544 which in turn is connected to tee 546. Tee 546 is in turn connected to cross 530. The perpendicular connections 544a of tee 544 and 546a of tee 546 are each oriented downward in the z direction. Connections 550 to tee 536 and connection 552 to tee 540 are shown as tees to provide optional capability to connect wheels and other accessories as shown and discussed later in FIGS 4 A and 4B. However, those skilled in the art recognize that tee connections 550 and 552 can be substituted by elbows. The perpendicular connections 550a of tee 550 and 552a of tee 552 are in turn connected to one end of support members 554 and 556 respectively whose opposite ends can be in contact with a floor or the ground depending upon the user's desired usage of the device.

Tee connection 558 is connected to cross 530. Tee connection 558 provides dual capability for connecting a third support member 560. The third support member 560 can be oriented either by connection to the perpendicular connection 558a of tee 558 or to the in-line connection 558b of tee 558.

Optional locking mechanisms 508 can be located at suitable locations as shown to strengthen the desk top frame structure 500.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the desk top frame structure 500 of FIG. 1. The identical component numbers are used and are not otherwise further described herein unless necessary. The only difference between FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 is that the third support member 560 is connected to an optional tee 562 at perpendicular connection 562a. The orientation of tee 562 in the horizontal position as shown improves the stability of desk top frame structure 500.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated an alternate configuration of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. In this configuration, the third support member 560 and tee 562 are rearranged by removal from end 558a of connecting tee 558 to connect instead to the end 558b of the tee 558. In this configuration, the user can comfortably place an object on the desk top surface 500 while in a vehicle or other confined space by resting the third support member 560 and as appropriate tee 562 on a suitable surface.

In FIG. 4 A is illustrated the alternate configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 3 further altered by removing the end tees 550 and 552 and the members 554 and 556. Wheel axles 570A and 570B connecting wheels 572A and 572B, respectively, are attached to the end of tees 536 and 540 as shown. Optional additional locking mechanisms 508 can be attached to the tees 536 and 540 as shown. The third support member 560 now acts as handle which can be extended in length as necessary to enable a user to transport items located on the surface of the frame structure 500.

FIG. 4B is a variation of the alternate configuration of FIG. 4A where the tees 550 and 552 remain in place and the connecting members 554 and 556 are just swiveled to an upright position to permit the wheels 572A and 572B to be connected now to the tees 554 and 556 through the wheel axles 570A and 570B. This configuration also enables a user to transport items located on the surface of the frame structure 500 without the necessity of storing the members 554 and 556 and the tees 550 and 552.

In FIG. 5 is illustrated a sideways perspective view of the desk top frame structure 500 which is shown with respect to the arbitrary coordinate axes xyz as being inclined at an angle θ. That is, the xy plane is inclined to the horizontal by angle θ. The angle θ is chosen for ergonomic reasons and typically ranges from 30° to 45° but is not limited to this range. In a variation of the embodiment, the support member 811 is shown which comprises a plurality of members such as 820, 830, 840 and 845 which can be pivoted with respect to each other in the yz plane by means of the tighteners 825 and 835. For example, the tightener 825 permits a pivot angle φ in the yz plane as shown between member 820 and member 830. The member 820 can be connected by means of adjustable locking collar 850 to any of the connections 530, 546 or 544. However, typically to obtain maximum support and stability of the item to be supported by the desk top frame, the locking collar 850 is connected either to the cross 530 or the tee 546. This configuration enables the user to make additional adjustments to the orientation of the frame structure 500. The member 840 can further comprise a telescoping member 845 which in turn can be constructed with a horizontal stabilizer bar 860. The horizontal stabilizer bar 860 in turn can be comprised of two or more flaps 860A and 860B which pivot upward and downward in manner similar to the handles of a periscope.

The support member 812 comprises a plurality of members such as 870, 880 and 885 which also can be pivoted with respect to each other by means of tighteners 865 and 875. However, tightener 865 comprises a ball joint which allows motion in any direction whereas member 870 is connected to the desk top frame structure 500 by means of tightener 865 which permits pivoting in the yz plane as discussed above. Member 870 is connected to support member 880 by tightener 875 which also permits pivoting in the yz plane. The member 885 is a telescoping member which is formed with the member 880.

The third support member 813 which is primarily hidden also comprises a plurality of members in a similar manner which is obvious to those skilled in the art to be as shown and discussed for support member 812.

FIGS. 6 A, 6B and 6C illustrate alternate configurations of a covering which interfaces over the desk top frame structure 500. In FIG. 6A is a one-piece mesh suitably sized to span the dimensions outlined by members 510 and 512 and also by members 520, 522, 524 and 526. In FIG. 6B is a two-piece configuration of the mesh 610 divided into pieces 612A and 612B which are joined by hinges 614 located at suitable locations. In FIG. 6C is four-piece configuration of the mesh 610 divided into four pieces 616A to 616D. Again, hinges 614 are placed at suitable locations. The mesh material can be made of any suitable material such as a metal or plastic. Those skilled in the art recognize that any number of divided pieces of mesh can be provided. The purpose of the multiple pieces of mesh is to enable a user to easily fold the mesh for transportation of the desk top structure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another covering 710 which can be used either alone or jointly with the mesh 610, 612A, 612B, and 616A to 616D of FIGS. 6A to 6C. Covering 710 is a mesh permitting air flow to facilitate heat transfer when a laptop computer or other electronic device is located on the desk top frame structure 500. Mesh covering 710 typically can include ULTRA GRIP LINER ™ made by the Con-Tact Corp. The embodiment has been described in terms of individual tees, crosses and members, suitable typically to be made of a plastic material to provide low weight, low cost and ease of assembly. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be designed as in a unitary manner to provide uniform structures minimizing the number of connections and to provide smooth transitions.

The invention has now been explained with reference to specific embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not intended that this invention be limited except as indicated by the appended, claims and their full scope equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable desk top frame structure for supporting an object comprising: a plurality of lateral members; a plurality of transverse members, at least two of said transverse members each connected to at least one of said lateral members to form said frame structure; at least a first and second support member connected transversely to at least one of said lateral members; at least a third support member connected transversely to at least one other of said at least one lateral members, said first, second and third support members oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface, said frame structure inclined to said surface at an angle ergonomically suitable for a user of the object supported on said frame structure.

2. A portable desk top frame structure for supporting an object comprising: a plurality of lateral members; a plurality of transverse members, at least two of said transverse members each connected to at least one of said lateral members to form said frame structure; at least a first and second support member connected transversely to at least one of said lateral members; at least a third support member connected transversely to at least one other of said at least one lateral members, said first and second support members oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface, said at least a third support member oriented in combination with said first and second support members to stably support said frame structure on another surface, said frame structure inclined to said surface at an angle ergonomically suitable for a user of the object supported on said frame structure.

3. The portable desk top frame structure of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second support members is oriented so as to stably support said frame structure on a surface comprises a wheel and axle assembly.

4. The portable desk top frame structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third support members comprises at least one positionally adjustable joint for adjusting the position of said frame structure with respect to the surface.

5. The portable desk top frame structure of claim 2 wherein at least one of said first, second and third support members comprises at least one positionally adjustable joint for adjusting the position of said frame structure with respect to the respective surface.

6. The portable desk top frame structure of claim 1 further comprising a covering material interfacing with at least a portion of said frame structure.

7. The portable desk top frame structure of claim 2 further comprising a covering material interfacing with at least a portion of said frame structure.