U.S. patent application number 15/029511 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for portable, foldable work table.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dennis K. SIEMER. Invention is credited to Dennis K. Siemer.
Application Number | 20160270526 15/029511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53005167 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160270526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Siemer; Dennis K. |
September 22, 2016 |
PORTABLE, FOLDABLE WORK TABLE
Abstract
A portable, foldable work table for a laptop or tablet
comprising a base, a holder for holding a laptop or tablet, said
holder movable between an extended position and an unextended
position, at least one articulating arm having first and second
ends, said articulating arm operably coupling said base and said
holder, at least first and second fasteners, said first fastener
coupling the first end of said articulating arm to said base and
said second fastener coupling the second end of said articulating
arm to said holder, said first and second fasteners structured to
fasten and unfasten said at least one articulating arm; wherein
when said first and second fasteners are unfastened said holder is
structured to move between the extended position and unextended
position.
Inventors: |
Siemer; Dennis K.; (Mankato,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SIEMER; Dennis K. |
Mankato |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53005167 |
Appl. No.: |
15/029511 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US14/63348 |
371 Date: |
April 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61898134 |
Oct 31, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/00 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; A47B 23/04 20130101; A47B 23/043 20130101;
A47B 23/002 20130101; A47B 23/02 20130101; A47B 23/001 20130101;
F16M 11/38 20130101; A47B 2023/049 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 23/04 20060101
A47B023/04; A47B 23/02 20060101 A47B023/02; A47B 23/00 20060101
A47B023/00 |
Claims
1. A portable, foldable work table for a laptop or tablet
comprising: a base; a holder for holding a laptop or tablet, said
holder movable between an extended position and an unextended
position; at least one articulating arm having first and second
ends, said articulating arm operably coupling said base and said
holder; at least first and second fasteners, said first fastener
coupling the first end of said articulating arm to said base and
said second fastener coupling the second end of said articulating
arm to said holder, said first and second fasteners structured to
fasten and unfasten said at least one articulating arm; wherein
when said first and second fasteners are unfastened said holder is
structured to move between the extended position and unextended
position.
2. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said at
least one articulating arm comprises first and second articulating
arms, said first articulating arm operably coupled to a first side
of said base and second articulating arm operably coupled to an
opposing side of said base.
3. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base
includes a tray operably coupled thereto, said tray comprising four
walls that create an enclosed area, said enclosed area including
one or more compartments.
4. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said holder
including a ledge coupled thereto, said ledge structured to provide
support for the laptop or tablet.
5. The portable, foldable work table of claim 4 wherein said ledge
a restraining bar coupled thereto.
6. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said holder
includes a crossbar on a backside thereof, said crossbar structured
to accommodate a leaf of a cover for the laptop or tablet.
7. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base
further includes a clamp operably coupled thereto, said clamp
structured to clamp said work table to an arm of a chair, a tray
table or a valise.
8. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base
includes an underside portion in contact with a user's lap; said
underside including a slip resistant material.
9. The portable, foldable work table of claim 8 wherein said slip
resistant material comprises silicone or rubber.
10. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base
includes an underside portion in contact with a user's lap; said
underside being mechanically or chemically etched to create
friction between said underside and the user's lap.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable, foldable work
table. More particularly, the work table can be folded and stored
substantially flat in a briefcase, luggage or other carrying
equipment and is particularly well-suited for a tablet or laptop
computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Due to the popularity of computers almost every family owns
a computer. Computers have been quickly replaced by laptops because
of their portability. Recently, tablets are replacing laptops as
the preferred means of computing as their features compete with
features that only computers used to have.
[0003] A tablet computer, or simply a "tablet," is a mobile
computer with display, circuitry and battery in a single unit.
Tablets are equipped with numerous features such as cameras,
microphones, accelerometer and touchscreens, with finger or stylus
gestures replacing computer mouse and keyboard. Tablets may include
physical buttons, e.g., to control basic features such as speaker
volume and power and ports for network communications and to charge
the battery. An on-screen, popup virtual keyboard is usually used
for typing. Tablets are typically larger than smart phones or
personal digital assistants at 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measured
diagonally.
[0004] Hybrid tablets that include detachable keyboards have been
sold since the mid-1990s. Convertible touchscreen notebook
computers have an integrated keyboard that can be hidden by a
swivel or slide joint. Booklet tablets have dual-touchscreens and
can be used as a notebook by displaying a virtual keyboard on one
of the displays.
[0005] Conceptualized in the mid-20th century and prototyped and
developed in the last two decades of that century, the devices
became popular in 2010. As of March 2012, 31% of U.S. Internet
users were reported to own some type of tablet. Among tablets
available in 2012, the top-selling line of devices was Apple's iPad
with 100 million sold by mid October 2012 since its release on Apr.
3, 2010, followed by Amazon's Kindle Fire with 7 million, and
Barnes & Noble's Nook with 5 million.
[0006] Today's tablets use capacitive touchscreens with
multi-touch, unlike earlier stylus-driven resistive touchscreen
devices. After 2010, multi-touch and other natural user interface
features, as well as flash memory solid state storage and "instant
on" warm-booting; external USB and Bluetooth keyboards defined
tablets. Some have 3G mobile telephone applications.
[0007] Apple is often credited for defining this new class of
consumer device and has shaped the commercial market for tablets.
iPads and competing devices have been tested by the US military.
The most successful tablet is the Apple iPad, using the iOS
operating system. Its debut in 2010 pushed tablets into the
mainstream and revolutionized the form of communication for most
people. Samsung's Galaxy Tab and others followed, continuing the
trends towards the features listed above.
[0008] Tablets can be used in beds, cars, on the floor, in chairs
while watching television and in an airplane while traveling.
Nevertheless, there are not any appropriate portable tables to
support the tablet, especially when it is used for typing messages
or working on a document with an external keyboard. In addition,
when an external source of battery power (such as a Mophie device)
is used it can become cumbersome for the user to balance all of the
devices when a stationary desk or other table is not available.
Moreover, when traveling on an airline it is simply not possible to
use a tablet (with or without an external keyboard) in the amount
of room provided, especially when the table attached to the seat is
occupied with food or drink.
[0009] Therefore, what is needed is a work table that is foldable,
easily stored, portable and can be used in a variety of places and
with a variety of devices such as tablets and laptop computers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The foregoing needs are addressed by the work table in
accordance with the invention.
[0011] In one aspect of the invention a work table that can be used
on an individual's lap and that can accommodate a tablet or laptop
computer is provided.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a work table that is
small, foldable, portable and easily stored in a suitcase,
briefcase or other similar device is provided.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a work table that can
secure a tablet and/or laptop computer and prevent it from falling
off an individual's lap is provided.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention a work table that
includes a tray having compartments for external batteries, cell
phones and the like is also provided.
[0015] While multiple embodiments, objects, features and advantages
are disclosed, still other embodiments of the invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following
detailed description taken together with the accompanying figures,
the foregoing being illustrative and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by
way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a work table in
accordance with an aspect invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a work table in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of a work table in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a work table showing the
desk in a collapsed and folded configuration.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front side of a work table
in accordance with a further aspect of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a back side of a work table
in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a work table showing the
table in a collapsed and folded configuration.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of the work
table of FIG. 5 shown attached to a locking valise that may be
utilized to store a lap top computer and/or tablet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 a work table in accordance with
various aspects of the invention will be described. The work table
10 broadly includes base 12, upright tablet holder 14 and a pair of
articulating arms 15 operably coupling base 12 and upright table
holder 14. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
invention is not limited to work table for tablets alone but can
accommodate other devices such as laptop computers. For ease of
reference, however, "tablet" will be used herein generically to
mean all types of small computing devices. Base 12 is shown as
being of solid construction to accommodate keyboards, mouses and
the like, for example, but base 12 also may comprise parallel slats
or laid out in a grid configuration in close proximity to one
another and such other types of construction so long as accessories
cannot fall through the base. Base 12 is also shown as including
optional tray 16. Optional tray 16 may be integrally molded with
base 12 or may be added on as a separate component. Optional tray
16 includes four sides that form a contained area. The contained
area may be sub-divided and comprise any number of compartments
that are sized to fit a plurality of items such as a mouse, an
external battery pack, a cellular telephone and the like.
[0026] The underside of base 12 may include a slip-resistant
surface that creates a friction hold between the base 12 and a
user's lap to prevent the base 12 from slipping or being misplaced
from the lap. Such a slip-resistant surface may include chemical
surface treatment or mechanical etching of the base 12 itself.
Alternatively, a slip-resistant material may be operably coupled to
the underside of the base, the slip-resistant material including
natural and synthetic rubbers, silicone and the like. The
slip-resistant material may also include a texture, grooves or
other pattern or may simply be applied in strips across the
underside of the base.
[0027] Pair of articulating arms 15 operably and foldably couple
base 12 to tablet holder 14. Articulating arms 15 may comprise
wood, plastic, metals and combinations of the foregoing. Each
articulating arm 15 is coupled at a first end 18 to base 12 or
alternatively to optional tray 16 and at a second end 20 to tablet
holder 14. Each articulating arm 15 is coupled by a graspable
fastener 22 at the first 18 and second 20 ends. As shown, each
fastener includes a finger operable arm portion 23 that allows the
user to operably tighten and loosen the fastener to position the
tablet holder 14 relative to base 12. Those of skill in the art
will appreciate that fastener 22 is depicted as a two arm clamping
knob but any type of knob that is capable of tightening and
loosening the articulating arms 15 may be provided such as a bar
clamping knob, a three, four, five and six arm clamping knobs,
fluted clamping knob, lobed clamping knob, leo clamping know,
octagonal clamping knob, trigon clamping knob and the like.
[0028] Tablet holder 14 includes a ledge 24 that operates to
support a tablet (as shown) or laptop computer. Ledge 24 may also
optionally include a bounding or restraining bar (not shown) that
extends in front of the tablet or laptop to further secure the
tablet from falling. Crossbar 26 extends from the first
articulating arm to the second articulating arm and is operably
coupled thereto. Crossbar 26 conveniently serves to hold the
tablet's cover 28 out of the way and further serves to maintain
tablet 25 in position on ledge 24. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that crossbar 26 also is a convenience to a user because
the user does not need to remover the tablet's cover 28 prior to
positioning in on the lap top desk.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4, when fasteners 22 are loosened,
articulating arms 15 fold down or articulate to a position adjacent
base 12. Tablet holder 14 lies substantially flat over a portion of
base 12. Fasteners may then be tightened to hold pair of
articulating arms 15 fixed against base 12 so that lap top desk may
be easily stored in a briefcase, in luggage, at the side of a chair
and such.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 another aspect of the invention
is depicted. FIGS. 5-7 depict an arm chair desktop 500 for holding
tablets. Like elements are labeled with like numbers. Arm chair
desktop 500 may be fastened to the arm of a chair, a table top, or
may be fastened to, for example, the tray table provided with
airplane seating or the arm of the seat.
[0031] Arm chair desktop 500 broadly includes base 12, tablet
holder 14 having ledge 24, pair of articulating arms 15 and
fasteners 22.
[0032] Base 12 is coupled to clamp 13 which removably couples base
12 to the arm of a chair (as shown) or to a tray table on an
airplane. Pair of articulating arms 15 includes first ends 18 that
are operably coupled to base 12 and second ends 20 that are
operably coupled to base 12 thereby foldably connecting tablet
holder 14 to base. As best seen in FIG. 6 articulating arms 15 may
be indirectly coupled to base and tablet holder by supports 30,
30'. Those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that
supports 30, 30' may be eliminated and articulating arms 15 may be
coupled directly to table holder 14 and base 12. Those of skill in
the art will appreciate that although a pair of articulating arms
15 are depicted, a single articulating arm may be used and still
fall within the scope of the invention.
[0033] Each articulating arm 15 is coupled by a fastener 22 at the
first 18 and second 20 ends. Each fastener includes a finger
operable wing portion 23 that allows the user to operably tighten
and loosen the fastener to position the tablet holder 14 relative
to base 12. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that fastener
22 is depicted as a bolt with a wing nut but any type of fastener
that is capable of tightening and loosening the articulating arms
15 may be utilized as previously noted. In addition, any number of
fasteners may be used to secure articulating arms 15 to tablet
holder 14 and base 12.
[0034] Tablet holder 14 includes ledge 24 that operates to support
a tablet (as shown) or laptop computer. Those of skill in the art
will appreciate that although not shown a crossbar may extend
horizontally from the first articulating arm to the second
articulating arm and is operably coupled thereto. A crossbar may
conveniently serve to hold a tablet's cover out of the way and
further serves to maintain the tablet in position on ledge without
displacing. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
addition of a crossbar to the arm chair desk top would also be a
convenience to a user because the user does not need to remover the
tablet's cover prior to positioning in on the arm chair.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 7, when fasteners 22 are loosened,
articulating arms 15 fold down or articulate to a position such
that tablet holder 14 and base lie substantially flat over the
articulating arms 15. Fasteners may then be tightened to hold pair
of articulating arms 15 fixed in position so that lap top desk may
be easily stored in a briefcase, in luggage, at the side of a chair
and such.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of the work
table of FIG. 5 shown attached to a valise 800 that may be utilized
to store a lap top computer and/or tablet. Valise 800 is
substituted for base 12 in alternate embodiments and may lock or
not lock. As can be seen in FIG. 8 clamp 13 may be operably coupled
directly or indirectly to a portion of valise 800. Alternatively, a
support similar to supports 13, 13' may be used. Work table 500 in
this aspect of the invention may be fixedly or removably coupled to
valise 800. Operationally, the work table of FIG. 8 operates
substantially similar to the work table of FIG. 5. When upper and
lower fasteners 22 are loosened, articulating arms 15 fold down or
articulate to a position such that tablet holder 14 lies
substantially flat over valise 800. Fasteners 22 may then be
tightened to hold articulating arms 15 fixed in position so that
work table may be easily stored along with valise 800.
[0037] While the invention has been described with reference to
various aspects it is to be understood that modifications or other
variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of
the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *