U.S. patent application number 13/810674 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for reading desk used in sitting or lying position.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chul Keun Oh. Invention is credited to Chul Keun Oh.
Application Number | 20130112834 13/810674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43616215 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh; Chul Keun |
May 9, 2013 |
READING DESK USED IN SITTING OR LYING POSITION
Abstract
A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position includes a
downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a
building, a take-up roll mounted within the housing, a rotation
assembly mounted at one side of the take-up roll to rotate the
take-up roll in the forward or reverse direction, a pair of belts,
each of which has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound
on or unwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending
downward from the housing, and a book holder having an upper
portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and
adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the rotation
assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to the
outside.
Inventors: |
Oh; Chul Keun; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oh; Chul Keun |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
43616215 |
Appl. No.: |
13/810674 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 19, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2011/005303 |
371 Date: |
January 17, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/445 |
International
Class: |
A47B 23/00 20060101
A47B023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0069782 |
Claims
1. A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the
reading desk comprising: a downwardly open box-shaped housing
secured to the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll mounted within
the housing; a rotation assembly mounted at one side of the take-up
roll to rotate the take-up roll in the forward or reverse
direction; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to
the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll
and the other end extending downward from the housing; and a book
holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the
pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of
the rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to
the outside.
2. The reading desk according to claim 1, further comprising
foldable parts, each of which has an upper end connected to one
side of the housing and a lower end connected to one side of the
book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical
direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation
of the book holder.
3. The reading desk according to claim 2, wherein the foldable
parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfolded in the
vertical direction.
4. The reading desk according to claim 2, wherein the foldable
parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn out in the
vertical direction.
5. The reading desk according to claim 4, wherein the other ends of
the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles and are connected
to the book holder.
6. The reading desk according to claim 1, wherein the rotation
assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted
to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the
forward or reverse direction.
7. The reading desk according to claim 6, wherein a lamp is mounted
on the book holder.
8. A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the
reading desk comprising: a downwardly open box-shaped housing
secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side
of the outer surface of the housing and receiving external power to
create a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a
control unit adapted to control the operation of the motor; a
take-up roller axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor
to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft; a pair of rollers
freely rotatably mounted at the inner upper side of the housing; a
pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up
roller to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and the
other end extending downward from the housing by the operation of
the pair of rollers; and a book holder having an upper portion
connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to
ascend or descend by the operation of the motor to be inserted into
the housing or exposed to the outside.
9. A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the
reading desk comprising: a downwardly open box-shaped housing
secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side
of the inner or outer surface of the housing and receiving external
power to create a rotating force in the forward or reverse
direction; a control unit adapted to control the operation of the
motor; a take-up roll axially connected to a rotating shaft of the
motor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft and mounted
within the housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end
connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the
take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing;
and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other
ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the
operation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed
to the outside.
10. The reading desk according to claim 8, further comprising
foldable parts, each of which has an upper end connected to one
side of the housing and a lower end connected to one side of the
book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical
direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation
of the book holder.
11. The reading desk according to claim 10, wherein the foldable
parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfolded in the
vertical direction.
12. The reading desk according to claim 10, wherein the foldable
parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn out in the
vertical direction.
13. The reading desk according to claim 12, wherein the other ends
of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles and are
connected to the book holder.
14. The reading desk according to claim 13, wherein a lamp is
mounted on the book holder.
15. The reading desk according to claim 2, wherein the rotation
assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted
to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the
forward or reverse direction.
16. The reading desk according to claim 3, wherein the rotation
assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted
to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the
forward or reverse direction.
17. The reading desk according to claim 4, wherein the rotation
assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted
to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the
forward or reverse direction.
18. The reading desk according to claim 5, wherein the rotation
assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted
to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the
forward or reverse direction.
19. The reading desk according to claim 9, further comprising
foldable parts, each of which has an upper end connected to one
side of the housing and a lower end connected to one side of the
book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical
direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation
of the book holder.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a reading desk for use in a
sitting or lying position. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a reading desk that can be used by patients and the
handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and
children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position
on beds or beddings, even those in a sitting position, to
conveniently read books.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, people have spent more time at reading
desks in a sitting position to read books for study, business and
self-development. A general reading desk is simply designed to
support a book to allow a user to conveniently read the book. The
reading desk typically includes a desk for holding the book and a
chair integrated with or separated from the desk.
[0003] A user of the reading desk needs to sit on the chair for a
long time to read the book on the reading desk. This makes it
impossible for a patient suffering from backache, a physically
disabled patient or a handicapped person to use the reading
desk.
[0004] Further, when children and ordinary persons sit on chairs to
read books for a long time, their postures become unstable, for
example, their bodies tend to incline or lean to one side.
Particularly, reading for a long time causes serious side effects,
such as severe curvature of the spine, in growing young
students.
[0005] Under these circumstances, reading desks designed for use in
a lying position are currently being developed. However, since such
reading desks are not suitable for use in a sitting position, they
cannot be easily used by children and ordinary persons.
Particularly, the large size of the reading desks makes it
difficult to store when not in use.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0006] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a reading desk that can be used by patients and the
handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and
children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position
on beds or beddings, even those in a sitting position, to
conveniently read books.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position that is secured
to the ceiling of a living room or bedroom in a building, such as
an apartment, or the ceiling of a patient's room in a hospital or
sanatorium, and is designed to move toward the ceiling for storage
when not in use and to move downward when in use.
Technical Solution
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the
reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing
secured to the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll mounted within
the housing; a rotation assembly mounted at one side of the take-up
roll to rotate the take-up roll in the forward or reverse
direction; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to
the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll
and the other end extending downward from the housing; and a book
holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the
pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of
the rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to
the outside.
[0009] The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of
which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a
lower end connected to one side of the book holder, and whose
length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with
the ascending or descending operation of the book holder.
[0010] The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded
or unfolded in the vertical direction.
[0011] The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in
or drawn out in the vertical direction.
[0012] The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the
multi-stage poles and are connected to the book holder.
[0013] The rotation assembly includes a bracket fixed to the
housing, a gear mounted to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to
rotate the gear in the forward or reverse direction.
[0014] Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position,
the reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing
secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side
of the outer surface of the housing and receiving external power to
create a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a
control unit adapted to control the operation of the motor; a
take-up roller axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor
to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft; a pair of rollers
freely rotatably mounted at the inner upper side of the housing; a
pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up
roller to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and the
other end extending downward from the housing by the operation of
the pair of rollers; and a book holder having an upper portion
connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to
ascend or descend by the operation of the motor to be inserted into
the housing or exposed to the outside.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying
position, the reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped
housing secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at
one side of the inner or outer surface of the housing and receiving
external power to create a rotating force in the forward or reverse
direction; a control unit adapted to control the operation of the
motor; a take-up roll axially connected to a rotating shaft of the
motor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft and mounted
within the housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end
connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the
take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing;
and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other
ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the
operation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed
to the outside.
[0017] The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of
which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a
lower end connected to one side of the book holder, and whose
length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with
the ascending or descending operation of the book holder.
[0018] The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded
or unfolded in the vertical direction.
[0019] The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in
or drawn out in the vertical direction.
[0020] The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the
multi-stage poles and are connected to the book holder.
[0021] Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.
Advantageous Effects
[0022] Patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a
lying position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading
in a lying position on beds or beddings can use the reading desk of
the present invention to conveniently read books.
[0023] Children and ordinary persons tend to take a lying position
to continue to read books when they feel physically uncomfortable
during reading in a sitting position. In this case, the use of the
reading desk according to the present invention is effective in
preventing muscle pain and back pain resulting from a lying or
sitting position for a long time.
[0024] The reading desk of the present invention is secured to the
ceiling of a room, such as a living room or bedroom, in a building,
such as an apartment, or the ceiling of a patient's room in a
hospital or sanatorium. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space
necessary for installation of the reading desk. The reading desk of
the present invention is designed to move toward the ceiling for
storage when not in use after installation. Due to this design, the
reading desk of the present invention can be simply stored without
interfering with walking. Particularly, the reading desk of the
present invention does not require a separate space for storage,
which is advantageous in terms of space efficiency.
[0025] A personal mobile terminal, like iPad, instead of a book may
also be held on the book holder.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] FIGS. 1a and 1b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
first embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
[0027] FIG. 1c is a view illustrating a state in which the first
embodiment is in use.
[0028] FIGS. 2a and 2b are front and plan views illustrating
another example of foldable parts of the first embodiment,
respectively, and FIG. 2c is a view illustrating a state in which
the embodiment is in use.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a book holder of
the reading desk according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIGS. 4a and 4b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
second embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
[0031] FIG. 4c is a view illustrating a state in which the second
embodiment is in use.
[0032] FIGS. 5a and 5b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
third embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
[0033] FIG. 5c is a view illustrating a state in which the third
embodiment is in use.
BEST MODE
[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0035] FIGS. 1a and 1b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
first embodiment of the present invention, respectively, FIG. 1c is
a view illustrating a state in which the first embodiment is in
use, FIGS. 2a and 2b are front and plan views illustrating another
example of foldable parts of the first embodiment, respectively,
FIG. 2c is a view illustrating a state in which the embodiment is
in use, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a book holder
of the reading desk according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] Referring to these figures, the reading desk 1 for use in a
sitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open box-shaped
housing 10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll 20
mounted within the housing 10; a rotation assembly 30 mounted at
one side of the take-up roll 20 to rotate the take-up roll 20 in
the forward or reverse direction; a pair of belts 40, each of which
has one end connected to the take-up roll 20 to be wound on or
unwound from the take-up roll 20 and the other end extending
downward from the housing 10; and a book holder 50 having an upper
portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts 40 and
adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the rotation
assembly 30 to be inserted into the housing 10 or exposed to the
outside.
[0037] Preferably, the housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the
ceiling or is embedded in the ceiling, the take-up roll 20 is
axially rotatably secured within the housing 10 at both sides
thereof, and the book holder 50 is made of a transparent material
so that a user in a lying position can read a book in an overturned
state.
[0038] The rotation assembly 30 includes a bracket 31 fixed to the
housing 10, a gear 32 mounted to the bracket 31, and a ball chain
33 adapted to rotate the gear 32 in the forward or reverse
direction. The pair of belts 40 are preferably flat belts or wire
belts.
[0039] That is, the take-up roll 20 is axially coupled to the gear
32 at one side thereof and is fixedly mounted within the housing
10. The take-up roll 20 is rotated in the forward or reverse
direction by the manipulation of the ball chain 33.
[0040] Bearings are preferably mounted at both sides of the housing
10 within which the take-up roll 20 is fixedly mounted.
[0041] The book holder 50 has a quadrangular shape, as illustrated
in FIG. 3. Preferably, upwardly protruding barriers 51 are formed
at the four sides of the book holder 50, and an insertion recess
52, through which a user can insert his/her hand to hold the book
placed on the book holder 50, is formed at the front or rear side
of the book holder 50.
[0042] This structure can prevent the book placed on the book
holder 50 from slipping off or falling down from the book holder
50, which inflicts an injury on the user in a lying position who is
reading the book. The user in a lying position can insert his/her
hand through the insertion recess 52 to turn the pages of the book
while grasping the book placed on the book holder 50 and can again
hold the book in a simple manner.
[0043] The operation of the reading desk 1 will be described in
detail. When a user in a lying position intends to read a book,
he/she manipulates to pull the ball chain 33 in the vertical
direction to rotate the gear 32. The take-up roll 20 is rotated by
the rotation of the gear 32, and simultaneously the pair of belts
40 connected to the take-up roll 20 are unwound to allow the book
holder 50 to descend.
[0044] The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that
the cover of the book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result,
he/she can read the content of the book through the transparent
book holder 50 even in a lying position.
[0045] Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to
read a book on the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the
ball chain 33 to locate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or
abdomen. Thereafter, the user locates the book on the book holder
50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ground, and
as a result, he/she can read the book even in a sitting
position.
[0046] After reading the book, the user pulls the ball chain 33 in
the opposite direction to allow the book holder 50 to ascend until
the book holder 50 is inserted into or positioned adjacent to the
housing 10, where the book holder 50 is stored.
[0047] Although the book holder is designed to place a book thereon
in the foregoing embodiment, it should be understood that a
personal mobile terminal, like iPad, or a small-sized device, like
a portable computer, instead of a book may also be placed on the
holder.
[0048] The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is
preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in
midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this
construction. Preferably, the reading desk 1 further includes
foldable parts 60, each of which has an upper end connected to one
side of the housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the
book holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical
direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation
of the book holder 50.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the foldable parts 60 are
preferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded in
the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or
descending operation of the book holder 50.
[0050] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the foldable connectors 61
are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in
conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50.
Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the
manipulation of the ball chain 33, the pair of belts 40 are wound
on the take-up roll 20 and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in
the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0051] Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62
that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in
conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book
holder 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c.
[0052] The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the
multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
[0053] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the multi-stage poles 62 are
drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction
with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to
this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the manipulation
of the ball chain 33, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up
roll 20 and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the vertical
direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0054] Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the
book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without
shaking.
[0055] A lamp 53 is preferably mounted on the book holder 50, as
illustrated in FIG. 1c. The lamp may be, for example, a desk
lamp.
[0056] A light source for the lamp 53 is turned "ON" by a general
source of electricity, such as a dry cell or battery. The lamp 53
may be detachably attached to the book holder 50 by a clamp, if
needed. Preferably, the light source is connected to the clamp
through bellows so that the lamp can illuminate the lower side of
the book holder 50 when a user in a lying position intends to read
a book, and the lamp can illuminate the upper side of the book
holder 50 when a user in a sitting position intends to read a
book.
[0057] This construction enables the user in a sitting or lying
position to comfortably read a book even in the nighttime without
interfering with others.
Mode for Invention
[0058] FIGS. 4a and 4b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
second embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and FIG.
4c is a view illustrating a state in which the second embodiment is
in use.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, the reading desk 1 for use
in a sitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open
box-shaped housing 10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor
70 mounted at one side of the outer or inner surface of the housing
10 and receiving external power to create a rotating force in the
forward or reverse direction; a control unit (not shown) adapted to
control the operation of the motor 70; a take-up roll 20 axially
connected to a rotating shaft of the motor 70 to rotate integrally
with the rotating shaft and mounted within the housing 10; a pair
of belts 40, each of which has one end connected to the take-up
roll 20 to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll 20 and the
other end extending downward from the housing 10; and a book holder
50 having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair
of belts 40 and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of
the motor 70 to be inserted into the housing 10 or exposed to the
outside.
[0060] The housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the ceiling or is
embedded in the ceiling. The take-up roll 20 is axially rotatably
secured to both inner sides of the housing 10 wherein one side of
the take-up roll 20 is axially connected to the rotating shaft of
the motor 70 to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft.
[0061] One end of each of the belts 40 is connected to the take-up
roll 20 and the other end thereof is connected to the holder 50.
With these connections, the belts 40 are wound on or unwound from
the take-up roll 20 by the operation of the motor 70 to allow the
book holder 50 to ascend or descend.
[0062] The motor 70 is operated when external power is applied
thereto. The control unit controls the forward or reverse rotation
of the motor 70 and stops the operation of the motor 70.
[0063] The control unit transmits a signal wirelessly or wired. The
control unit includes an "UP" button for upwardly moving the book
holder 50, a "DOWN" button for downwardly moving the book holder
50, and a "POWER-ON" button for applying power to the motor 70.
[0064] That is, power is applied to the motor 70 when the
"POWER-ON" button is pressed, and the book holder 50 descends
without being stopped when the "DOWN" button is kept pressed long
and ascends without being stopped when the "UP" button is kept
pressed long.
[0065] When the user's hand is removed from the "DOWN" or "UP"
button, the book holder 50 is stopped in place.
[0066] Therefore, a patient suffering from backache, a physically
disabled patient or a handicapped person in a lying position can
simply manipulate the control unit to upwardly or downwardly move
the book holder 50, so that he/she can read a book.
[0067] The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is
preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in
midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this
construction. The reading desk 1 may further include foldable parts
60, each of which has an upper end connected to one inner side of
the housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the book
holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction
in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the
book holder 50.
[0068] As illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the foldable parts 60 are
preferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded in
the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or
descending operation of the book holder 50.
[0069] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the forward rotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61
are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in
conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50.
Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the
reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on
the take-up roll 20 and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in
the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0070] Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62
that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in
conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book
holder 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
[0071] The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the
multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
[0072] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the forward rotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are
drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction
with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to
this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse
rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the
take-up roll 20 and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the
vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0073] Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the
book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without
shaking.
[0074] FIGS. 5a and 5b are front and side views illustrating a
reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a
third embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and FIG.
5c is a view illustrating a state in which the third embodiment is
in use.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, the reading desk 1 for use
in a sitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open
box-shaped housing 10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor
70 mounted at one side of the outer surface of the housing 10 and
receiving external power to create a rotating force in the forward
or reverse direction; a control unit (not shown) adapted to control
the operation of the motor 70; a take-up roller 20' axially
connected to a rotating shaft of the motor 70 to rotate integrally
with the rotating shaft; a pair of rollers 80 freely rotatably
mounted at the inner upper side of the housing 10; a pair of belts
40, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roller 20'
to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and the other end
extending downward from the housing 10 by the operation of the pair
of rollers 80; and a book holder 50 having an upper portion
connected to the other ends of the pair of belts 40 and adapted to
ascend or descend by the operation of the motor 70 to be inserted
into the housing 10 or exposed to the outside.
[0076] Due to this construction, when the control unit is
manipulated such that the book holder 50 descends, the motor 70 is
rotated. The take-up roller 20' is rotated by the rotation of the
motor 70, and simultaneously, the pair of belts 40 connected to the
take-up roller 20' are unwound to allow the book holder 50 to
descend.
[0077] The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that
the cover of the book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result,
he/she can read the content of the book through the transparent
book holder 50 even in a lying position.
[0078] Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to
read a book on the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the
control unit to locate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or
abdomen. Thereafter, the user locates the book on the book holder
50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ground, and
as a result, he/she can read the book even in a sitting
position.
[0079] After reading the book, the user manipulates the control
unit to allow the book holder 50 to ascend. At this time, the motor
70 is rotated in the reverse direction and the pair of belts 40
connected to the take-up roller 20' are wound. As a result, the
book holder 50 ascends and is inserted into or positioned adjacent
to the housing 10.
[0080] The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is
preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in
midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this
construction. The reading desk 1 may further include foldable parts
60, each of which has an upper end connected to one side of the
housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder
50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in
conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book
holder 50.
[0081] As illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, the foldable parts 60
are preferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded
in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or
descending operation of the book holder 50.
[0082] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the forward rotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61
are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in
conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50.
Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the
reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on
the take-up roller 20' and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in
the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0083] Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62
that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in
conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book
holder 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
[0084] The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the
multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
[0085] Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by
the forward rotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are
drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction
with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to
this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse
rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the
take-up roller 20' and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the
vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
[0086] Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the
book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without
shaking.
[0087] Although the reading desk for use in a sitting or lying
position according to the present invention has been described with
reference to the foregoing embodiments, these embodiments are
provided for illustrative purposes only and do not serve to limit
the scope of the invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the
art to which the present invention belongs will appreciate that
various modifications can be made to the embodiments without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the claims that follow.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0088] The reading desk of the present invention can be used by
patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying
position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a
lying position on beds or beddings to conveniently read books. In
addition, the reading desk of the present invention can be used by
a user in a sitting position to read a book. The reading desk of
the present invention can be widely used at general home, in
hospital rooms, etc. A PDA terminal, such as iPad, instead of a
book can be placed on the reading desk of the present invention.
Therefore, the reading desk of the present invention is
particularly expected to have high industrial applicability, for
example, as a monitor holder of a stock trader who works using many
display terminals simultaneously.
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