U.S. patent application number 11/290913 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for portable desk for use in vehicles.
Invention is credited to Frank L. Evans.
Application Number | 20070119348 11/290913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086180 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070119348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Frank L. |
May 31, 2007 |
Portable desk for use in vehicles
Abstract
A portable desk for use in the front passenger seat of a
vehicle. The desk comprises of a desktop, leveling support, and
securing strap. The desktop and leveling support are both generally
rectangular in shape and made of a rigid, durable and lightweight
material. The topside of the desktop is covered with a non-skid,
heat-dissipating work surface. The top end of the leveling support
is rotatively coupled perpendicularly to the underside of the
desktop. The securing strap, comprising of two straps and a locking
mechanism, has one end of each strap attached to each one of the
two opposing sides of the leveling support. The locking mechanism
releasable connects the other ends of these straps and secures the
desk to the lower potion of a vehicle's front passenger
seatback
Inventors: |
Evans; Frank L.; (Edinburg,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF STEVEN B. LEAVITT, L.L.P.
P.O. BOX 537
ROWLETT
TX
75030-0537
US
|
Family ID: |
38086180 |
Appl. No.: |
11/290913 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/44 ;
108/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/044 ;
108/043 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A portable desk for use in vehicles, comprising: a desktop, a
leveling support, a means for rotatively coupling one end of the
leveling support perpendicularly to the underside of the desktop
such that the leveling support is be able to support the desktop
horizontally, a securing strap attached to the portable desk
wherein the securing strap can be secured to the front passenger
seat of a vehicle so as to be able to secure the desk to the
vehicle seat.
2. The desk in claim 1 wherein the desktop comprises a work surface
and a base.
3. The desk in claim 2 wherein the work surface comprises
rubberized material.
4. The desk in claim 3 wherein the rubberized material is
skid-resistant and has heat-dissipating properties.
5. The desk in claim 1 wherein the desktop is generally rectangular
in shape.
6. The desk in claim 1 wherein the leveling support is generally
rectangular in shape.
7. The desk in claim 2 wherein the base of the desktop and the
leveling support comprise of a rigid, lightweight and durable
material.
8. The desk in claim 1 wherein the means for rotatively coupling
the leveling support to the desktop comprises a mechanism with a
range of motion from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees.
9. The desk in claim 8 wherein the mechanism releasably locks at
its fully open position of about 90 degrees and at its fully closed
position of about 0 degrees.
10. The desk in claim 1 wherein the securing strap is comprised of
a flexible and durable material.
11. The desk in claim 10 wherein the securing strap comprises a
locking means.
12. The desk in claim 11 wherein the locking means is a mechanical
locking means.
13. A portable desk for use in vehicles, comprising: a desktop
comprising a plurality of planar leaves, a means for foldably
connecting one end of leaf of the desktop to one end of another
leaf so as to allow the desktop to be collapsed for storage
underneath a vehicle's front seat or in a briefcase by folding the
leaves one atop another, a leveling support, a means for rotatively
coupling one end the leveling support perpendicularly to the
underside of at least one leaf so as to be able to support the
desktop horizontally, a securing strap having two ends attached to
the portable desk, and a means for attaching the two ends of the
strap so as to be able to secure the desk to a vehicle seat.
14. The desk in claim 13 wherein the work surface comprises
rubberized material.
17. The desk in claim 13 wherein the rubberized material is
skid-resistant and has heat-dissipating properties.
18. The desk in claim 13 wherein the desktop and the leveling
support is generally rectangular in shape.
19. The desk in claim 13 wherein the base of the desktop and the
leveling support are comprised of a rigid, lightweight and durable
material.
20. The desk in claim 13 wherein the leaves of the desktop are
supported by bracketing means when the desktop is extended for use.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable desks
and, more particularly, to a portable desk for use in vehicles that
provides a flat, non-skid, heat-dissipating surface and secures
soundly to the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Travelers and especially business travelers often find that
a need arises to write, use a computer, or perform other
office-type functions while in route to or from a destination. This
need in particularly acute for those who spend a significant amount
of time working in and out of their cars.
[0005] To facilitate these activities, portable desks have been
created for use in vehicles. Many different types of portable desks
exists-varying in size, material and method of securing the desk
into the vehicle. While some of these desks are "universal," i.e.,
designed for use in a variety of vehicles, others are designed for
use in specific vehicle makes and models.
[0006] Of these "universal" desks, some units are located in the
front passenger seat to provide the driver with easy access to
items on the desk. These portable desks are designed to rest in the
front passenger seat or be secured to the seat itself. Examples of
desks such as these are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,092,507;
5,322,021; 5,542,589; 5,551,616; 5,560,676; and U.S. Design Pat.
No. 329,444.
[0007] All these patents disclose portable desks that have flat
working surfaces. Some desks are designed to store files and hold
cups and writing instruments. Other units use a number of straps,
or the seatbelt itself, to secure the desk to the front passenger
seat.
[0008] Of the portable desks in the prior art, none of them address
the need for a simple unit with a non-skid, heat-dissipating
surface large enough to hold a laptop computer and a portable
printer comfortably, the ability to removably secure the desk to
the front passenger seat simply, and the ability to quickly and
easily reduce the size of the desk so it can be stored under a
vehicle seat or in a briefcase. What is needed is a portable desk
that addresses all of these needs.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] The present invention comprises a desktop, a leveling
support, and a securing strap. The desktop comprises a base large
enough to accommodate a laptop computer and a portable printer
wherein the base is covered by a non-skid, heat-dissipating work
surface. Both the base of the desktop and the leveling support are
made of a lightweight rigid durable material. The top end of the
leveling support is perpendicularly attached to the underside of
the base of the desktop using a hinging means.
[0010] The securing strap comprises a first strap, a second strap
and a locking means. The securing strap is used to secure the desk
to the lower portion of a vehicle's front passenger seat. The first
and second straps are made of flexible durable strips of material.
The locking means, located near one end of the second strap,
releasably connects the second strap to the first strap. The other
end of the second strap and one end of the first strap are attached
to the opposing sides of the leveling support.
[0011] In another embodiment, the desktop comprises a plurality of
planar leaves. These planar leaves are foldably attached to one
another allowing the desktop to be collapsed for storage underneath
a vehicle's seat or in a briefcase. In order to create a stable,
sturdy surface when the desktop is extended, bracketing means are
used to support the inner facing edges of the leaves by traversing
these edges.
[0012] The primary advantage of this invention is that it provides
the business traveler with a simple portable desk that contains a
large, non-skid, heat-dissipating work surface, an easy method of
securing the desk to a vehicle's front passenger seat, and the
option of a collapsible desktop that facilitates storage or
movement of the desk.
BRIEF DESRCIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the main
invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention
itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further
objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by
reference to the following detailed description of illustrative
embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
a portable desk for use in vehicles in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the desk
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the desk shown in FIG. 1
secured to the front passenger seat of a vehicle;
[0017] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are perspective views of another
embodiment of a portable desk for use in vehicles in accordance
with the present invention where the desktop comprises of two
foldable, planar leaves wherein FIG. 4a is a perspective view of
the top side, FIG. 4b I a perspective view of the underside, and
FIG. 4c is perspective view of the top side showing folding of the
leaves:
[0018] FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a portable desk for use in
vehicles in accordance with the present invention where the desktop
comprises of four foldable, planar leaves;
[0019] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a portable desk for use of
vehicles in accordance with the present invention where the height
of the leveling support is adjustable; and
[0020] FIGS. 7 is a plan view of the present invention being
carried by a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural,
procedural and system changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition,
like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with
like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate
embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference
numerals.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown is portable desk 10
comprising desktop 12, leveling support 14, securing strap 16,
buckle 26, work surface 18, base 20, and a hinging means 22 for
rotatively coupling.
[0023] Desktop 12 comprises work surface 18 and base 20 and has a
top side 27, bottom side 28, front portion 36, and rear portion 38.
Work surface 18 is preferably a rubberized, skid-resistant material
with heat-dissipating properties but may be comprised of any
similar skid-resistant material with heat-dissipating properties
material including but not limited to plastic or cloth. Work
surface 18 is fixedly attached to and substantially covers top side
27 of base 20.
[0024] Leveling support 14 is perpendicularly attached to bottom
side 28 of base 20 proximate to rear portion 38 using hinging means
22. Hinging means 22 may be any hinged means known in the art that
releasably locks in a fully open position of about 90 degrees from
bottom side 28 of base 20 to a closed position of about 0 degrees
from bottom side 28 of base 20. Examples include but are not
limited to a locking angle bracket or door hinge.
[0025] Hinging means 22 allows leveling support 14 to be folded
relatively flat against bottom side 28 of base 20 to facilitate
storage of desk 10 or allow desk 10 to be easily moved from one
vehicle to another. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2, at least two hinging means 22 are used.
[0026] Both base 20 of desktop 12 and leveling support 14 are
preferably made of a rigid, lightweight durable material such as a
wood, metal, plastic or composite. Preferably, the edges of desktop
12 and leveling support 14 are rounded to eliminate any sharp edges
and facilitate fitting desk 10 into the contours of a vehicle's
front passenger seat. Both desktop 12 and leveling support 14 are
preferably rectangular in shape.
[0027] Securing strap 16 is fixedly attached to and extends from
leveling support 14 and contains locking means 26. Locking 26 means
is any locking means know in the art that allows securing strap 16
to be releasable attached to itself. Examples of such locking means
include but are not limited to mating mechanical fasteners similar
to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hook and loop fastener such as
VELCRO, or a buckle. Securing strap 16 is made of flexible, durable
strips of material such as nylon or leather. As shown in FIG. 3,
the combined length of securing strap 16 is sufficiently long
enough to encircle front passenger seat 24. Front passenger seat 24
is a typical front passenger seat and can be found in a variety of
vehicles such as sedans, coupes, sport utility vehicles, and
trucks.
[0028] In alternative embodiments, shown in FIGS. 4a and 5, desktop
12 comprises at least two planar leaves. The leaves are rotatively
attached to each other using hinging means 30. Hinging means 30 is
attached approximately at the center of the bottom side of two
leaves. Preferably hinging means 30 is similar to a door hinge and
the motion of hinging means 30 is limited to about 0 degrees to
about 180 degrees relative to the leaves. If there are two leaves,
as shown in FIG. 4a, then one hinge may be used to connect the two
leaves. If four leaves are used, as shown in FIG. 5, then two
hinges may be used. Alternatively, the leaves may not contain any
hinges and may be pieces that are slid into place. One leaf may
have a channel while the other leaf may have a mating ridge to mate
with the channel and provide some support.
[0029] To ensure the leaves create a study, stable surface when
desktop 12 is extended, in one embodiment, bracketing means 32 are
attached to the bottom side of the leaves as shown in FIG. 4b.
Bracketing means 32 may be any mechanism known in the art that
could be used to stabilize and secure the leaves. For example, a
bracketing means similar to the one shown in FIG. 4b may be located
on the outside edge of two connecting leaves. In addition,
bracketing means 32 may be a rod that is secured to the bottom side
of the leaves and spans at least a portion of each leaf, or the rod
may span the at least a portion of the outside edge of the leaves.
Use of a bracketing means ensures that the leaves create a sturdy,
stable surface when desktop 12 is extended.
[0030] Bracketing means 32 generally comprises of a channel that
accepts a sliding rod or pin 40. Preferably, bracketing means 32
are configured in such a manner that, when the sliding rod or pin
is retracted, the leaves can be easily folded one atop another, as
shown in FIG. 4c, to allow desk 10 to be stored underneath a
vehicle's seat, in a briefcase, or carried relatively easy as shown
in FIG. 7.
[0031] Preferably, the size of desktop 12 is about 20 inches wide
and about 25 inches long; and, the size of leveling support 14 is
about 10 inches wide, about 1/2 to about 3/8 inches thick, and
about 2 to about 5 inches high. In another embodiment of desk 10,
leveling support 14 can adjust in height from about 2 to about 5
inches using a telescoping mechanism 34. Telescoping mechanism 34
allows leveling support 14 to extend about 2 to about inches from
base 20 of desktop 12 and may be any device allowing for such an
extension such as a cotter pin, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0032] To use desk 10 shown in FIG. 1, the user first unfolds
leveling support 14 from desktop 12 to its fully open and locked
position. Then, desk 10 is placed into the vehicle's front
passenger seat in a manner wherein rear portion 28 of desktop 12
and leveling support 14 fit snugly against the back and bottom,
respectively, of the seat. Finally, securing strap 16 is secured
about the lower portion of the vehicle's seat back so desktop 12
forms a stable, relatively level surface. FIG. 3 shows desk 10
secured to a vehicle's front passenger seat 24.
[0033] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *