TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to compact lap desks. In particular, the present invention relates to compact lap desks that can be used in the opened configuration to support various articles including, but not limited to, laptop computers, tablet computers, e-book readers, and the like. When the compact lap desk is not in use, it can be collapsed into a closed configuration that is substantially planar for compact storage and portability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A compact lap desk in accordance with the present invention includes at least one substantially planar main tray that is hingeably attached to at least one substantially planar extendable folding leg. In the closed configuration, the interior surface of the extendable folding leg faces and nests against the interior surface of the main tray, forming a compact and substantially planar frame structure. The extendable folding leg is hingeably attached to the substantially planar main tray so that the folding leg may be extended away from the main tray into an opened configuration for use as an inclined working platform.
A compact lap desk in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a fabric body that is substantially disposed over the main tray and extendable folding leg. The main tray and the folding leg are hingeably attached along their length. In one embodiment, the main tray includes parallel slots that are adjacent to the breadths of the main tray. The fabric body may include sleeves on the interior surface that are aligned with the parallel slots of the main tray, wherein the sleeves may be inserted through the slots and adhesively attached and/or mechanically fastened to the main tray. In some embodiments, and as referred to throughout the specification, the sleeves may be sewn sleeves. A fabric body in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a zipper member that is parallel to the hinge connecting the main tray to the extendable folding leg, wherein unzipping the zipper of the fabric body unfolds an expanding section of fabric material to accommodate the extension of the folding leg into an opened configuration. In some embodiments, the zipper member is concealed from plain view and may be accessed by lifting a pull-tab that is attached to the zipper member. In an embodiment, the fabric body is disposed over the frame structure, wherein the lengths of the frame structure are substantially covered, while leaving the breadths of the frame structure substantially uncovered and accessible for manual extension of the folding leg.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk in an opened configuration.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk in an opened configuration.
FIG. 5A is a top view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 5B is a side view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 6A is a bottom view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 6B is a rear side view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 6C is a side view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 7A is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk in a closed configuration.
FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk wherein the zipper maintaining the device in a closed configuration is partially unzipped.
FIG. 7C is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk wherein the zipper maintaining the device in a closed configuration is fully unzipped and the expanding section of fabric material is extended to accommodate the extendable folding leg panel.
FIG. 7D is a side view of the folding leg panel extending away from the main tray to form a working configuration for use in a compact lap desk in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7E is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk, wherein the folding leg panel is extended away from the main tray to maintain the device in a working configuration.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary compact lap desk.
FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of the interior surface of the main tray. This top perspective view of the interior surface of the main tray illustrates the insertion of the sewn sleeves on the fabric body through slots along the right and left edges of the main tray. This illustration also shows the insertion of fabric-retaining rods into the sewn sleeves to mechanically fasten the fabric body to the main tray.
FIG. 9B is a top perspective view of the fabric body disposed over the top surface of the main tray, such that the sewn sleeves on the fabric body are aligned with and may be inserted through the slots along the right and left edges of the main tray.
FIG. 9C is a zoomed-in, cross-sectional view of the mechanical attachment of the fabric body to the main tray. This cross-sectional view illustrates the mechanical fastening of the fabric body to the main tray using a fabric-retaining rod.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1, 3, 5A-5B, and 6A-6C depict an exemplary compact lap desk 100 in a closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate an exemplary compact lap desk 100 in an opened configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 1 and 3 provide top perspective and rear perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary compact lap desk 100 in the closed configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame structure 110 includes a main tray 112 and an extendable folding leg 114. The main tray 112 includes a substantially planar top surface 130 and a partially depressed bottom surface 132. The main tray 112 is hingeably attached to the folding leg 114 that includes substantially planar interior 134 and exterior 136 surfaces, such that the interior surface 134 of the extendable folding leg 114 rests against the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 when in the closed configuration. In one embodiment, the surface area of the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 can be partially depressed or elevated to allow the folding leg 114 to nest against the indented surface area of the bottom surface 132. This configuration allows for the nested folding leg 114 against the depressed surface area of the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 to form a frame structure 110 having substantially planar top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces. In some embodiments, the thickness of the extendable folding leg 114 and the indented depth of the main tray 112 can be configured, such that the top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces of the frame structure 110 are substantially planar in the closed configuration. The frame structure 110 is preferably composed of a lightweight but strong material that is impact resistant and suitable for supporting various articles, such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and the like. Examples of materials suitable for use in constructing the frame structure 110 include plastics, metals, and other rigid materials. In some embodiments, the frame structure 110 may be coated, covered, or wrapped in a laminate material to reinforce the strength of the frame structure 110. In certain embodiments, the frame structure 110 may include a plurality of openings (not shown), including, but not limited to, holes, slots, and the like, so as to allow for ventilation when an object, such as a laptop computer, is placed in contact with the main tray 112.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a fabric body 200 may be disposed over the frame structure 110. The fabric body 200 can be wrapped around the frame structure 110, such that the interior surface 124 (shown in FIG. 4) of the fabric body 200 is in substantial contact with the top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces of the frame structure 110. The fabric body 200 is preferably fabricated of a lightweight but strong material that provides good impact resistance such as, but not limited to, neoprene, mesh fabric, perforated foam, mesh fabric laminated to a perforated foam, woven fabric, or a synthetic fabric such as polyester or ballistic nylon, and/or other suitable materials, which exhibit like properties. Foam materials may include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic foams such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, polyethylene foam, or polypropylene foam.
The fabric body 200 may include a retention mechanism 210 (shown in FIG. 6A) that is parallel to the lengths of the frame structure 110. In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 210 is parallel to the hinge 118 that connects the main tray 112 to the extendable folding leg 114. When the retention mechanism 210 is in the closed position, the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200 remains in substantial contact with the top 130 and bottom surface 140 of the frame structure 110. The retention mechanism 210 in the closed position retains and conceals an expanding section of fabric material 220, which can be released by opening the retention mechanism 210. The release of the expanding section of fabric material 220 allows for the extension of the folding leg 114 away from the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 to form an opened configuration. Opening of the retention mechanism 210 allows for the release of the expanding section of fabric material 220 to accommodate the extension of the folding leg 114 into an opened configuration. In one embodiment, the extension of the folding leg 114 into an opened configuration takes the form of an inclined working platform suitable for receiving articles on the incline surface of the compact lap desk 100. The retention mechanism 210 may be attached to a pull-tab 212 to facilitate the opening of the retention mechanism 210 and the release of the expanding section of fabric material 220. The retention mechanism 210 may be any suitable, commercially available retention mechanism 210, such as, for example, a zipper member. Alternatively, the retention mechanism 210 may be buttons, hooks, clips, or other mechanical fixing means that are suitable for use in this context. In one embodiment, a connector 214 can be used to connect the retention mechanism 210 situated on the bottom surface 122 of the compact lap desk 100 to the top surface 120 of the compact lap desk 100. In one embodiment, the connector 214 may be a ribbed elastic strip. The connector 214 may fabricated from any suitable, commercially available materials, such as ribbed elastic, neoprene, woven fabric, synthetic fabric, leather, and the like.
FIGS. 2 and 4 depict top perspective and rear perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary compact lap desk 100 in the opened configuration. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the compact lap desk 100 may be expanded from a substantially planar closed configuration for convenient storage and transport into an opened configuration for use as an inclined working platform. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, including an opened zipper member 210 and a released expanding section of fabric material 220. The opened configuration of the exemplary compact lap desk 100 can be engaged by extending the folding leg 114 away from the interior surface 132 of the main tray 112 to form a working platform.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fabric body 200 is held in tension over and in substantial contact with the top surface 130 of the main tray 112 and the exterior surface 136 of the folding leg 114 when the compact lap desk 100 is in the opened configuration. Each length of the expanding section of fabric material 220 is mechanically attached to the fabric body 200 using methods such as, but not limited to, stitches, buttons, snaps, staples, and the like. In another embodiment, the lengths of the expanding section of fabric material 220 may be adhesively attached to the fabric body 200 using a suitable adhesive, such as an adhesive film or tape, and the like, which has sufficient strength to withstand tensile forces applied to the expanding section of fabric material 220 and/or the fabric body 200. In still another embodiment, the lengths of the expanding section of fabric material 220 may be attached to both the fabric body 200 and the zipper member 210 to reinforce the attachment. The expanding section of fabric material 220 is preferably composed of a woven, mesh, or synthetic fabric such as, but not limited to, polyester or ballistic nylon, and the like. In certain embodiments, the expanding section of fabric material 220 may be a stretch fabric, including, but not limited to, neoprene, spandex, elastane, and the like.
FIGS. 5A and 5B provide top and side views, respectively, of an exemplary compact lap desk 100. In one embodiment, the thickness of the compact lap desk 100 in the closed configuration as measured from the top surface 120 to the bottom surface 122 may be about 5″, although this measurement is not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated, however, that a substantially planar and thin design will conserve space and reduce overall weight, which makes it more convenient for packaging, storage, and transportation. In another embodiment, the length and breadth of the compact lap desk 100 may be about 13.5″ and about 9.75″, respectively, to form a generally rectangular frame structure 110, although this measurement is not intended to be limiting. It can be appreciated, however, that a compact lap desk 100 with these approximate dimensions will have sufficient surface area on the main tray to hold and support various articles contemplated by this invention, including, but not limited to, laptop computers, tablet computers, and the like. It can also be appreciated that a compact lap desk 100 with these approximate dimensions will readily fit into most carrying cases, such as, but not limited to, briefcases, backpacks, computer bags, and the like, for storage and transportation. As will be appreciated, the dimensions may be adapted or modified to accommodate any of a wide variety of electronic devices and/or carrying cases. In one embodiment, the folding leg 114 can be nested against the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112, thus forming a frame structure 110 in the closed configuration having substantially planar top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces. The frame structure 110 may be wrapped in or covered with a fabric body 200 that is in substantial contact with the top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces of the frame structure 110. In yet another embodiment, the lengths of the compact lap desk 100 are substantially covered by the fabric body 200, while the breadths of the compact lap desk 100 are substantially uncovered to allow for access to and manipulation of the extendable folding leg 114.
FIGS. 6A-6C provide bottom, rear side, and side views, respectively, of an exemplary compact lap desk 100. As shown in FIG. 6A, a zipper member 210 is situated on the bottom surface 122 of the compact lap desk 100, such that the zipper member 210 is substantially intermediate to the top and bottom lengths of the compact lap desk 100. When the zipper member 210 is closed, the expanding section of fabric material (not shown) is concealed and secured between the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200 and a bottom surface 140 of the frame structure 110. As shown in FIG. 6B, the fabric body 200 substantially covers the lengths of the compact lap desk 100, while the breadths of the compact lap desk 100 remain substantially uncovered. In some embodiments, the length of the folding leg 114 may be longer than the length of the main tray 112 to form a tab 116 for convenient manipulation of the extendable folding leg 114. As shown in FIG. 6C, the fabric body 200 substantially covers the top 130 and bottom 140 surfaces of the frame structure 110, as well as the top and bottom lengths of the compact lap desk 100. The left and right breadths of the compact lap desk 100 remain substantially uncovered. Like FIG. 6A, the zipper member 210 is affixed to the bottom surface 122 of the compact lap desk 100, such that the zipper member 210 is substantially intermediate to the top and bottom lengths of the compact lap desk 100. In some embodiments, the zipper member 210 may be a concealed zipper strip 210 that is attached to a pull-tab 212, which is positioned adjacent to the zipper tab 211 when the zipper strip 210 is closed. As will be appreciated, pulling or lifting the pull-tab 212 would reveal the concealed zipper tab 211 to allow one to open the zipper member 210 and to release the expanding section of fabric material (not shown) to accommodate the extension of the folding leg 114.
FIGS. 7A-7C provide bottom perspective views of an exemplary compact lap desk 100. FIG. 7A shows the compact lap desk 100 in a closed configuration with a closed zipper member 210 adjacent to a pull-tab 212. FIG. 7B illustrates the opening of the zipper member 210 along the length of the compact lap desk 100 to release the concealed expanding section of fabric material 220. FIG. 7C illustrates the compact lap desk 100 with an opened zipper member 210 and released expanding section of fabric material 220. The compact lap desk 100 is expanded into the opened configuration by extending the folding leg 114 away from the main tray 112, so as to form an inclined working platform. In certain embodiments, the extension of the folding leg 114 into an opened configuration applies a tensile force to the expanding section of fabric material 220 along the breadths of the compact lap desk 100. The tensile force applied on the fabric body 200 may form a substantially planar fabric base 204 that can be placed on a surface, such as, but not limited to, a user's lap.
FIG. 7D provides a side view of an exemplary frame structure 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7D, the frame structure 110 includes an extendable folding leg 114 that is hingeably attached to the main tray 112. The main tray 112 includes a bottom surface 132 with a surface area that is partially depressed and a top surface 130 that is substantially planar. In the closed configuration, the extendable folding leg 114 nests against the surface area of the partially depressed bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112, which forms substantially planar top 130 and bottom 140 (shown in FIG. 6C) surfaces of the frame structure 110. FIG. 7D illustrates the extension of the folding leg 114 away from the partially depressed bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 to create a working platform.
FIG. 7E provides a bottom perspective view of an exemplary compact lap desk 100 with the folding leg 114 extended away from the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 to maintain the compact lap desk 100 in a working configuration. FIG. 7E depicts the frame structure 110 in FIG. 7D being substantially enclosed in a fabric body 200. The top surface 130 of the main tray 112 and the exterior surface 136 of the folding leg 114 are in substantial contact with the fabric body 200. The tensile force applied on the fabric body 200 by the extension of the folding leg 114 into the opened configuration forms a substantially planar fabric base 204, which can be placed on various surfaces.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary compact lap desk 100. Shown in FIG. 8 is a fabric body 200, a retention mechanism 210, a main tray 112, a folding leg 114, a hinge 118, and two fastening mechanisms 119. In one embodiment, the frame structure 110 can be constructed by attaching the folding leg 114 to the main tray 112 using a hinge 118. The folding leg 114 and the main tray 112 may be configured to include one or more hollow cylindrical tubes attached to the connecting edges of the folding leg 114 and the main tray 112. The hollow cylindrical tubes on the folding leg 114 and the main tray 112 may be configured to interlock and commonly receive a hinge 118, so as to form a frame structure 110. In certain embodiments, one or more torsion springs 117 may be affixed to the hinge 118 and/or connecting edges of the extendable folding leg 114 and the main tray 112. The one or more torsion springs 117 attached to the frame structure 110 may facilitate the extension of the folding leg 114 into place and may be used to keep the folding leg 114 open.
In one embodiment, the main tray 112 may include parallel slots 113 that are adjacent to the breadths of the main tray 112. The fabric body 200 may include sewn sleeves (not shown) on the interior surface 124 that are aligned with the parallel slots 113 of the main tray 112, such that the sewn sleeves (not shown) may be inserted through the slots 113 and adhesively attached and/or mechanically fastened to the main tray 112. To mechanically fasten the fabric body 200 to the main tray 112, the sewn sleeves (not shown) can be inserted into the parallel slots 113 prior to insertion of the fastening mechanisms 119 through the sewn sleeves (not shown). The fastening mechanisms 119 can be any suitable fastening mechanism such as fabric-retaining rods, dowels, bars, and the like.
FIG. 9A provides a top perspective view of the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112. As shown in FIG. 9A, the sewn sleeves 202 affixed to and protruding from the interior surface 124 (shown in FIG. 4) of the fabric body 200 (shown in FIG. 8) are inserted into the parallel slots 113, which are situated adjacent to the edges of the main tray 112. In one embodiment, the parallel slots 113 may be positioned adjacent to the breadths of the main tray 112. The sewn sleeves 202 attached to the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200 are aligned with the parallel slots 113 in the main tray 112.
Like the previously described embodiments, FIG. 9B depicts a top perspective view of the fabric body 200 being substantially disposed over the top surface 130 of the main tray 112, such that the sewn sleeves 202 on the fabric body 200 are aligned with and may be inserted through the parallel slots 113 along the breadths of the main tray 112. The fabric body 200 may be adhesively attached to the main tray 112 using a suitable adhesive, such as a glue, an adhesive film or tape, and the like. The fabric body 200 may also be mechanically fastened to the main tray 112. In one embodiment, fastening mechanisms 119 may be inserted through the sewn sleeves 202 that have been previously inserted through the parallel slots 113 of the main tray 112. In an alternative embodiment, the parallel slots 113 may be situated along the lengths of the main tray 112. The sewn sleeves 202 protruding from the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200 may be aligned with the parallel slots 113 of the main tray 112 and inserted through the parallel slots 113 along the lengths of the main tray 112. Like the previously described embodiment, the fabric body 200 may be mechanically fastened to the main tray 112 using fastening mechanisms 119, such as fabric-retaining rods and the like.
FIG. 9C provides a zoomed-in, cross-sectional view of the mechanical attachment of the fabric body 200 to the main tray 112 as illustrated in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 9B, the fabric body 112 is disposed over the top surface 130 of the main tray 112, such that the sewn sleeve 202 protruding from the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200 is aligned with the parallel slot 113 of the main tray 112. Like FIG. 9A, the sewn sleeve 202 is inserted through the parallel slots 113 and mechanically fastened using a fastening mechanism 119. In an embodiment, the parallel slots 113 are configured such that the width of the slot 113 opening is smaller on the top surface 130 of the main tray 112 than the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112. The width of the slot 113 opening on the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 may be sufficiently wide to receive and hold the fastening mechanism 119, after insertion of the fastening mechanism 119 into the sewn sleeve 202. The width of the slot 113 opening on the top surface 130 of the main tray 112 may be sufficiently narrow to prevent the fastening mechanism 119 from pulling through the slot 113 toward the fabric body 200. The width of the slots 113 may vary depending on the diameter of the fastening mechanisms 119. The length of the slots 113 may also vary depending on the length of the fastening mechanisms 119.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame structure 110 of the compact lap desk 100 may be configured to include a main tray 112 that is mechanically attached to an extendable folding leg 114 with a hinge 118 and two torsion springs 117. The main tray 112 may be configured to include two parallel slots 113 adjacent to the breadths of the main tray 112 suitable for receiving the two sewn sleeves 202 protruding from the interior surface 124 of the fabric body 200. The fabric body 200 includes a concealed zipper strip 210, a pull-tab 212, a ribbed elastic band 214 and an expanding section of fabric material 220. The sewn sleeves 202 of the fabric body 200 are aligned with and inserted through the parallel slots 113 of the main tray 112. Fabric-retaining rods 119 are used to mechanically secure the fabric body 200 to the main tray 112. When closed, the concealed zipper strip 210 retains and conceals the expanding section of fabric material 220. The ribbed elastic band 214 connects the zipper strip 210 situated at the bottom surface 122 of the compact lap desk 100 to the top surface 120 of compact lap desk 100. The zipper strip 210 may be opened to release the expanding section of fabric material 220 by pulling or lifting the pull-tab 212 to reveal the zipper strip 210. When the zipper strip 210 is unzipped, the released expanding section of fabric material 220 provides sufficient room for the torsion springs 117 to mechanically extend the folding leg 114 away from the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112 to form an inclined working platform that is suitable for use as a compact lap desk 100. The torsion springs 117 hold the folding leg 114 in the opened configuration and apply a tensile force on the fabric body 200 to form a substantially planar fabric base 204 suitable for resting on various surfaces. To collapse the opened compact lap desk 100 into the closed configuration, the folding leg 114 can be folded toward and nested against the bottom surface 132 of the main tray 112, and the zipper strip 210 can be zipped closed to retain and conceal the expanding section of fabric material 220.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20130192498
