U.S. patent application number 12/407883 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for waist-supported writing surface.
Invention is credited to Daniel James Ruddy.
Application Number | 20100236452 12/407883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42736380 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100236452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruddy; Daniel James |
September 23, 2010 |
Waist-supported Writing Surface
Abstract
A Waist-supported Writing Surface in the short term clipped or
clamped by hand to clothes or material about a person's waist line,
preferred location or equivalent bodily structure. Hand operated
and body having hingedly collapsible surface(s) for holding working
papers and the like is connected hingedly to a support member,
primarily to be used when collapsible planar horizontal surface(s)
are open and support member is used, to read and write while
walking, sitting, standing and talking on phone. Supporting and or
storing utensils, accessories and numerous forms of writing and
reading media one's self, including, but not limited to paper, a
notebook, a book, or a combination thereof.
Inventors: |
Ruddy; Daniel James;
(Brooklyn Center, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel J Ruddy
2915 67th Lane N
Brooklyn Center
MN
55430
US
|
Family ID: |
42736380 |
Appl. No.: |
12/407883 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/6 ;
108/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B43L 3/008 20130101;
A47B 23/002 20130101; B43L 3/005 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/6 ;
108/43 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/12 20060101
A47F005/12; A47B 37/00 20060101 A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. Waist-supported Writing Surface comprising of hingedly connected
members, constructed out of light weighted rigid material
comprising of collapsible work surface support member hingedly
attached to the comprising main base hingedly connected to
collapsible clamp or clip, for freedom of wearers movements to
temporarily attach work surface to the wearer preferably in the
general area of the front of the persons waist clipping on by hand
to belt, top of pants or other preferred area and is easily removed
by unclipping by hand, within arm's reach.
2. Waist-supported Writing Surface comprising of media, accessory
and utensil storage within base stability bar and collapsible
horizontal planar surface(s).
3. Waist-supported Writing Surface comprising of collapsible
horizontal hingedly connected planar surface(s) to accommodate
small or large sized media or a larger work area preferably
attached to front of a wearers waist line clipping by hand on to
belt, top of pants or other preferred area, within arm's reach for
ease of use.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to a small and
compact, Waist-supported Writing Surface for temporary attachment
by hand to a portion of wearing apparel generally present at and
positioned about a person's waist or equivalent bodily structure,
hand-operated and primarily to be used when planar horizontal
surface(s) are open to read and write while walking, sitting,
standing and talking on phone. Supporting numerous forms of writing
and reading media on one's self, including, but not limited to,
paper, a notebook, a book, or a combination thereof. Additionally,
configuration of the waist-supported work surface or equivalent
bodily structure for use and operation requires minimal effort of
the individual user, which is particularly useful to individuals
characteristically considered disabled or physically
challenged.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Writing one's thoughts or ideas onto an acceptable form of
media, such as paper, quintessentially serves as a vehicle by which
a person communicates with another. Written words on paper further
serve to capture the essence of one's expression of thoughts and
ideas in tangible form, perhaps being directed for archival
purposes and review by the writer or others at a later time.
Individuals belonging to a designated occupational field, such as a
medical doctor, a lawyer, or an architect, for example, commonly
accept writing as supplementary means for communicating concepts
and ideas to another to effectuate their daily duties and
documenting events and activities most meaningful to their
respective profession.
[0003] It is widely understood in an educational setting that a
teacher or an educator may equally engage in written communication
with his or her students to particularized a concept or an idea
that surmounts to the development of a student's mind, for
example.
[0004] In elementary form, one's pursuit to engage in an act of
writing may simply involve taking a writing utensil, such as a pen
or a pencil, and transcribing onto acceptable media his or her
thoughts and ideas. One factor contributing to the overall
effectiveness of one's expression of thoughts and ideas on paper
may stem from the use of a hard, smooth planar surface, such as a
desk or table, that sufficiently allows one to firmly press
downward with the writing utensil and transcribe about the surface
of the paper a meaningful collection of written words, perhaps with
clarity. However, there may be instances where a desk or table is
unavailable to fully accomplish the foregoing, notably where one
works onsite or in the field, such as a land surveyor whom may be
involved in taking site measurements of a parcel and transcribing
the resultant measurements on paper.
[0005] In this instance, the land surveyor may resort to usage of a
handheld clipboard of the type commonly known and available in the
art or utilize nearby, available planar surfaces, perhaps the
surfaces of a vehicle to effectuate or perform the act of writing.
The art fully recognizes the need and desire for one to effectuate
an act of writing away from one's desk or table. The art, for
example, offers supplementary, portable writing devices adequately
serving to accommodate one's desire or requirements to write firmly
into acceptable media when planar horizontal surface(s) are open to
read and write while walking, sitting, standing and talking on
phone, generally without the undue requirement of supporting or
holding onto the writing device with one's hand or hands to permit
freedom of use thereof for other related and non-related tasks and
activities. An example of a portable writing device strictly
directed for use while one stands about a designated area is
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,825 issued to Gaudette, which
discloses a collapsible portable table comprising in part a flat
top having an arcuate end portion substantially conforming to a
person's body and an attaching member or flap hingedly connected to
the arcuate end portion wherein the flap is selectively shaped in a
like arcuate manner to fit interiorly within an upper portion of a
pair of trousers or inside a wearable belt. In yet another example,
a portable writing desk is offered under U.S. Pat. No. D357,035
issued to Toles, which is generally described as comprising a
clipboard having a bottom surface affixed with a pair of vertical
supports each having an end fitted with a planar surface element
generally orientated in a perpendicular manner relative to each
support to engage or abut up against a person's thigh or waist; a
lengthened strap member sufficiently serves as means to secure the
portable writing desk to a person's body.
[0006] Commonly associated with the foregoing portable writing
devices, as well as others generally available in the art, is the
inadequate nature of their design to fully collapse while in a
state of nonuse while permitting continued wear on one's self,
possibly to the extent of making the writing device immediately
available on short-term notice.
[0007] Accordingly, there remains a need for a Waist-supported
Writing Surface for temporary attachment to a portion of wearing
apparel generally present at and positioned about a person's waist,
sufficiently of which supports reading and writing media on one's
self readily collapses in a compact manner on or off the wearer,
and aids in the comfort of the wearer during prolong use and
operation thereof in a personal, professional or an educational
setting.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to overcome the numerous drawbacks apparent in the
prior art, a Waist supported Writing Surface has been devised for
temporary attachment to a portion of wearing apparel generally
present at and positioned about a person's waist or equivalent
bodily structure, sufficiently serving as means for supporting
numerous forms of writing and reading media on one's self,
including, but not limited to, paper, a notebook, a book, or a
combination thereof.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
Waist-supported Writing Surface that requires minimal effort of the
individual user to assemble and configure for use and operation,
which is particularly useful and advantageous to individuals
characteristically considered disabled or physically
challenged.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
Waist-supported Writing Surface that offers freedom of use of one's
hand or hands to engage and accomplish other tasks or activities
besides that of supporting a work surface.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
Waist-supported Writing Surface that can be fabricated from a piece
of flattened material, such as from plastic sheeting or an
equivalent light-weighted material, using stamping or molding
technology.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a Waist-supported Writing Surface that is solidly and rigidly
constructed to offer reliable, long-term performance.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a Waist-supported Writing Surface that can operably function while
positioned on a wearer, primarily to be used when planar horizontal
surface(s) are open to read and write while walking, sitting,
standing and talking on phone.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a collapsible, waist supported work surface that can be positioned
on the wearer at a variety bodily locations to accommodate one's
preferences and desires for writing and/or reading.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a Waist-supported Writing Surface that comprises hingedly-connected
components to achieve compactness thereof while in a state of
nonuse, whether it be positioned on or off the wearer.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
Waist-supported Writing Surface that comprises a lesser number of
components and moving parts which collectively equate to a lesser
cost of manufacture and reduced susceptibility to failure while in
use in a professional or an educational setting.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
Waist-supported Writing Surface that can be fabricated from an
assortment of light weighted materials to offer comfort while being
used and positioned alongside a person's waist or equivalent bodily
structure.
[0018] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a Waist-supported Writing Surface that requires no continued or
repeated adjustments to retain sufficient support of numerous forms
of writing and reading media.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a Waist-supported Writing Surface which accomplishes the foregoing
and other objects and advantages and which is economical, durable,
and fully effective in performing its intended functions without
unduly compromising the comfort of the wearer.
[0020] In accordance with the present invention a Waist-supported
Writing Surface has been devised for temporary attachment to a
portion of wearing apparel generally present at and positioned
about a person's waist or equivalent bodily structure, the
Waist-supported Writing Surface principally comprising a support
assembly hingedly connected to a work platform having at least one
planar element for accepting and resting thereon paper, a notebook,
a book, or a combination thereof while in a cantilevered position,
the support assembly comprising a main support member having a pair
of integral extended members each including a primary leading edge
hingedly connected along a shortened edge of the planar element; a
recessed flange situated in between the integral extended members
and having a sideward edge hingedly connected to the shortened edge
of the planar element and a front side face for receiving and
mounting thereon a clip configurably adapted to engage and firmly
grasp a select portion of the wearing apparel; a moveable brace in
the form of a triangular planar member having an inward leading
edge hingedly connected to a sideward peripheral edge of the main
support member to permit pivotal travel thereof outward below the
planar element and behind the main support member, the triangular
planar member being temporarily held thereat by a hook and loop
fastener; and a stability bar having first, second and third
elongate sections each being selectively manipulated and arranged
to yield an overall triangular configuration that extends outwardly
from the support assembly and angularly positions the main support
member away from the person's waist or equivalent bodily structure
within a range of 13-23 degrees, the stability bar being further
associated with a hook and loop fastener to retain its shape and
position atop the main support member.
[0021] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent in the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments thereof when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference
numerals depict the same parts in the various views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a work platform supported by a
support assembly comprising a stability bar;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a stability bar
affixed to a main support member collectively positioned below a
planar element constituting a work platform;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a support assembly
positioned below a planar element constituting a work platform;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a support assembly
hingedly connected to a work platform held in a cantilevered
position;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a support assembly
hingedly connected to a work platform held in a cantilevered
position;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of
the present Invention illustrating a planar element supported by a
moveable brace positioned therebelow;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a backside view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a work platform and a support
assembly comprising a stability bar mounted atop a main support
member having a recessed flanged affixed with a clip;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work platform
and a support assembly in a collapsible, non-useable position;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a first alternative embodiment
of the present invention illustrating a work platform comprising
first and second planar elements and a support assembly comprising
a stability bar;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the first alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a support assembly
comprising a moveable brace positioned and mounted below first and
second planar elements while in a collapsible state;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a second alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work platform
comprising first and second planar elements in an open, useable
position and positionally re-orientated to a support assembly
included in the preferred embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a left side elevational view of the second
alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work
platform comprising first and second planar elements in a
collapsible, non-useable position and supported by a support
assembly comprising a moveable brace positioned below the work
platform;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a third alternative embodiment
of the present invention illustrating a work platform comprising
first, second and third planar elements in a collapsible,
non-useable position and a support assembly comprising a stability
bar extending from a main support member;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the third alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work platform
comprising first, second and third planar elements in a
collapsible, non-useable position and supported therebelow by a
moveable brace positioned specifically below the first planar
element;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the third
alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work
platform comprising first, second and third planar elements in a
collapsible, non-useable position and supported by a support
assembly comprising a moveable brace positioned below the work
platform and a stability bar extending outwardly from a main
support member;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the third alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a support assembly
comprising a moveable brace positioned and mounted below first,
second and third planar elements while in a collapsible state;
and;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the first alternative
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a work platform
and a support assembly in a laid out, open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] While this invention is susceptible of being embodied in
many different forms, the preferred embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail
hereinafter with the understanding that the present disclosure
purposefully exemplifies the principles of the present invention
and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments
illustrated and presented herein. The present invention has
particular utility as a Waist-supported Writing Surface that is
adaptably suited to engage and attach to a select portion of
wearing apparel generally available at and positioned about a
person's waist or equivalent bodily structure, primarily of which
serves to support numerous forms of writing and reading media on
one's self, including, but not limited to, paper, a notebook, a
book, or a combination thereof.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown generally at 10 a
Waist-supported Writing Surface comprising a support assembly 12
hingedly connected to a work platform 14 having at least one planar
element 16 for accepting and resting thereon paper, a notebook, a
book, or a combination thereof while in a cantilevered position. In
particular, the support assembly 12 is further shown in FIGS. 2 and
3 to comprise a main support member 18 having a pair of integral
extended members 20 each including a primary leading edge 20a
hingedly connected along a shortened edge 16a of the planar element
of the work platform to permit limited pivotal movement thereabout
and allow a bottom face 16b of the planar element 16 to move or
collapse downwardly toward and surficially engage an outward side
18a of the main support member, a structural mechanism particularly
useful and suited to effectuate compactness of the collapsible,
bodily supported work surface 10 during a state of nonuse. The main
support member 18 is further shown in FIG. 2 with a recessed flange
22 having a front side face 22a for receiving and mounting thereon
a clip 24 configurably adapted to engage a select portion of
wearing apparel generally available at and positioned about a
person's waist or equivalent bodily structure. As further disclosed
in FIG. 2, the recessed flange 22, like that of the integral
extended members 20, is hingedly connected along a sideward edge
22b to a mid-sectional portion of the shortened edge 16a with the
remaining sides thereof being freely positioned to permit limited
pivotal movement thereabout, which effectuates adjustability
thereof apart from the main support member 18 and permits the clip
to adaptably reach and engage the select portion of the wearing
apparel for effective attachment therewith. The clip 24, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, is of the particular type generally offered
in the art to structurally include a base member 26 to engage the
front side face of the recessed flange 22 for attachment therewith
and a biasing member 28 generally predisposed to bias or spring
inward toward the base member to firmly grasp and hold therein
between the select portion of the wearing apparel. The recessed
flange with its associated clip, as shown in FIG. 5, generally
defines the geometric configuration of the integral extended
members 20 and is preferentially situated to lay flush with the
main support member 18 and located equal distance in between the
pair of integral extended members 20 to evenly distribute and
balance the overall weight of the Waist-supported Writing Surface
10 while in use on the wearer.
[0042] In further association with the support assembly 12 is a
moveable brace 30, particularly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to comprise
in form a triangular planar member 32 having an inward leading edge
32a hingedly connected to a sideward peripheral edge 18b of the
main support member 18, preferentially of which is positioned in a
perpendicular manner to the primary leading edge 20a of each of the
integral extended members 20. This structural configuration, as
illustrated in FIG. 6, allows the triangular planar member 32 to
pivotally travel outward below the planar element and behind the
main support member to engage along its upper support edge 32b the
bottom face 16b of the planar element 16 and simultaneously support
the work platform 14 in a cantilevered position to carry and rest
thereon paper, a notebook, a book, or a combination thereof
alongside one's waist or equivalent bodily structure. In order to
temporarily station the moveable brace 30 below the planar element
or prevent its movement while allowing for detachment thereof at a
later time, primarily to achieve compactness of the collapsible,
waist supported work surface 10 during nonuse thereof, a hook and
loop fastener 34a, 34b is applied to the bottom face of the planar
element and outer and inner facing sides 2c, 32d straddling the
upper support edge 32b, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, to engagingly
mate with one another with hook and loop fasteners. Of similar
usefulness, the outer facing side 32c of the triangular planar
member 32 and a backside face 22c of the flange 22, oppositely
positioned from the clip 24, each receives a hook and loop fastener
36a, 36b to engagingly mate with one another, sufficiently serving
to lock the triangular planar member 32 to that of main support
member 18 while the Waist-supported Writing Surface 10 is in a
state of nonuse and positioned on or off the wearer.
[0043] Further associated with the support assembly 12 is a
stability bar 38 of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 to comprise
first, second and third elongate sections 40, 42, 44 each being
selectively manipulated and arranged to yield an overall triangular
configuration that angularly positions the main support member 18
away from the person's waist or equivalent bodily structure within
a range R of 13-23 degrees as depicted in FIG. 8, generally as the
Waist-supported Writing Surface 10 is attached to the wearer by
means of the clip 24. As preferentially illustrated in FIG. 5, the
second elongate section 42 is bounded in between and hingedly
connected along its first and second longitudinal edges 42a, 42b to
first longitudinal edges 40a, 44a of the first and third elongate
sections 40, 44, respectively. A second longitudinal edge 40b of
the first elongate section 40 is shown in FIG. 5 to be hingedly
connected to a secondary leading edge 18c of the main support
member 18, preferentially being positioned opposite and parallel to
the primary leading edge 20a of each of the integral extended
members 20. The resultant structure of the stability bar 38 is
principally achieved by manipulating and arranging each of the
three elongate sections 40, 42, 44 along their respective
longitudinal edges to arrive at a cross-sectional configuration
most resembling a triangle, particularly of the form depicted in
FIGS. 4 and 5. A hook and loop fastener 46a, 46b of the type used
for the triangular planar member 32 and the flange 22 is applied to
a backside portion 44b of the third elongate section 44 and a
lower, mid-sectional portion 48a of an inward side 48 of the main
support member 18, near the secondary leading edge thereof, to
engagingly mate with one another and temporarily lock together the
third elongate section's position atop the main support member,
sufficiently forming the overall structure of the stability bar 38
for engagement with the person's waist or equivalent bodily
structure to further stabilize the work platform during use thereof
and supplementary provide a storage compartment for writing
utensils and the like. In furthering the position of stability bar
38 about the wearer, particularly while it abuts and engages a
portion of the wearing apparel below the position of the clip 24,
backside portions 40c, 42c of the first and second elongate
sections 40, 42 are partially and surficially affixed with a layer
of rubberized material 49 or an equivalent non-slip material,
substantially in the manner and location shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-14, the Waist-supported Writing Surface 10
may be represented in three additional alternative embodiments
where the work platform comprises more than one planar element
positioned in a side by-side arrangement.
[0044] In a first alternative embodiment of the Waist-supported
Writing Surface 50, as particularly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the
work platform 14 incorporates a second planar element 52 having a
first lengthened edge 52a hingedly connected to a first lengthened
edge 16c of the first planar element 16 of the preferred
embodiment. The first lengthened edge of each planar element is
illustrated in FIG. 9 to generally extend perpendicular to the
first shortened edge 16a and primary leading edges 20a of the
integral extended members 20 and parallel to the sideward
peripheral edge 18b of the main support member 18. The side-by-side
arrangement of the first and second planar elements 16, 52 and
hinged connection along their respective first lengthened edges
allows a top surface 52b of the second planar element to pivotally
move thereabout and collapse or fold onto and surficially engage a
top surface 16d of the first planar element. Hook and loop
fasteners 54a, 54b of the type previously noted herein are applied
to the top surfaces, near the second lengthened edges 16e, 52c of
the first and second planar elements 16, 52 to secure their
position while the collapsible, waist-supported work surface 10 is
in a state of nonuse and positioned on or off the wearer.
[0045] In a second embodiment of the Waist-supported Writing
Surface 56, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the work platform 14
is re-arranged about the main support member 18, where in
particular the second lengthened edge 16e of the first planar
element 16 is hingedly connected to the primary leading edge 20a of
integral extended members 20 and the sideward edge 22b of the
recessed flange 22. Similar to that shown for the first embodiment
of the present invention, the first and second planar elements 16,
52 of the second embodiment are hingedly connected along their
respective first lengthened edges 16c, 52a and held together while
in a collapsible state with the hook and loop fastener 54a, 54b, as
suitably applied to their respective top surfaces, near the second
lengthened edges 16e, 52c.
[0046] In a third embodiment of the Waist-supported Writing Surface
58, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, the work platform 14 is
orientated to the likes of that shown for the preferred embodiment,
but comprises three planar elements arranged in a side-by side
manner. In particular, substantially in the manner shown in FIG.
13, first and second lengthened edges 16c, 16e of the first planar
element 16 are hingedly connected to the first lengthened edge 52a
of the second planar element 52 and to a first lengthened edge 60a
of a third planar element 60, respectively. The arrangement of the
hinged connection along the lengthened edges of the planar elements
noted for this embodiment allows for pivotal movement of the second
and third planar elements 52, 60 and placement of each in
succession atop the first planar element 16, where in particular,
during a state of nonuse of the Waist-supported Writing Surface 58,
a top surface 60b of the third planar element 60 surficially
engages the top surface 16d of the first planar element 16 and the
top surface 52b of the second planar element 52 surficially engages
a bottom surface 60c of the third planar element, typically in the
order and manner shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Like the previous
alternative embodiments, notably in terms of purpose, hook and loop
fasteners 62a, 62b are applied to the top surface 52b, near the
second lengthened edge, of the second planar element and to the
bottom surface 60c, near the first lengthened edge, of the third
planar element 62.
[0047] It is obvious that the components comprising the preferred
and alternative embodiments of the Waist-supported Writing Surface
10, 50, 56, 58 may be fabricated from a variety of materials,
providing such selection or use of materials possess the capacity
to withstand the anticipated weight loads and forces acting thereon
throughout its duration of use in a professional or an educational
setting. Accordingly, it is most desirable, and therefore
preferred, to construct the entire Waist-supported Writing Surface
as a unified structure from plastic sheeting or equivalent, a
material of which is considered as having a moderate
strength-to-weight ratio while offering a reduced susceptibility of
failure possibly due to the anticipated weight loads from varies
forms of reading and writing media. To lessen the cost and simplify
construction, the Waist-supported Writing Surface 10, 50, 56, 58 is
stamped from a single sheet of plastic or an equivalent material to
the likes represented in FIG. 17, with the components comprising
the work platform 14 and support assembly 12 being selectively held
intact to form a live hinge 64 (not shown in detail), which
concurrently serves as means for hinging together and limiting
pivotal travel of the various components of the present invention
delineated herein. Although it is noted herein that the live hinge
may meet the conditions specified for the preferred and alternative
embodiments of the present invention, other forms of hinging
mechanisms, such as a piano hinge or equivalent, may be appropriate
for this strict application, particularly where heavier loads must
be adequately supported by the Waist-supported Writing Surface 10,
50, 56, 58. In the instance where heavier loads are likely to be
present, the hinged connection situated in between each of the
planar elements 52, 60 of the alternative embodiments of the
present invention may receive a supplementary support in the form
of a stop (not shown), which sufficiently serves to assist the live
hinge formed thereat in supporting each of the planar elements
while in a cantilevered position and ensuring limited pivotal
travel thereof. Although it is noted herein that the preferred and
alternative embodiments of the Waist-supported Writing Surface 10,
50, 56, 58 preferentially incorporate usage of hook and loop
fasteners as means for temporary attachment of the components
identified herein, other forms of connection technologies generally
available and offered in the art may be appropriate for this strict
application, including snaps, buttons, sleeves, guided inserts, and
semi-permanent glue or adhesive, to name a few. In further regard
to the planar elements constituting the work platform 14, as
particularly described and shown herein as having a general
rectangular configuration, the present invention contemplates usage
of other geometric configurations therefore, including those that
comprise an overall shape resembling a square or half-circle, for
example.
[0048] In furthering compactness of the Waist-supported Writing
Surface during a state of nonuse, substantially of the form shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inner facing side 32d of the triangular
planar member 32, adjacent to the inward leading edge 32a, may be
supplemented with a hook and loop fastener 66 to correspond in
particular with the hook and loop fastener 34a positioned on the
bottom face 16d of the planar element 16.
[0049] A decorative fabric or material, such as patterned cloth or
leather, may be supplementary applied to the plastic substrate of
the Waist-supported Writing Surface to highlight its presence and
increase its decorative appeal while in use in a professional or an
educational setting. Alternatively, the collapsible,
waist-supported work surface may receive a surface coating such as
paint to correspond with the wearer's discretionary tastes and
preferences.
[0050] While there has been shown and described a particular
embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that various changes and alterations can be made therein
without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is aimed in
the appended claims to cover all such changes and alterations which
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
SUMMARY
[0051] In summary, the art teaches a Waist-supported Writing
Surface comprising one or more collapsible planar members each
hingedly connected to one another and generally supported and
orientated in a horizontal manner by means of a collapsible
hingedly-connected support member, the base affixed with a
collapsible hingedly attached by hand clamp or clip to engage
preferably in front of a person's waist, such as a wearable belt or
an upper portion of a pair of trousers, the main support member
further comprising at its end a connected stability bar.
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