BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to furniture and furnishings, and particularly to a folding desk extension for removable attachment to the edge of a desk, table, or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The typical academic classroom desk is relatively small and provides barely sufficient room for an open book and a standard sheet of writing paper. The typically small area provided by the average academic desk surface may be due to various factors, such as the need to economize on space to maximize the number of desks and students in a classroom, the desire of school officials to economize by minimizing the size and corresponding cost of classroom desks, and other factors. In any event, the surface area of the desk is often minimal for the needs of the student.
As schools and students have increasingly accepted the use of personal computers, much of the limited desktop space available is often taken up by a laptop computer and keyboard, leaving little or no space for books, note paper, and other essential tools and equipment. In many cases additional room is required for manipulating a computer mouse when the computer is not equipped with a touch screen or track ball. The typical academic classroom student desk severely limits the activities of the student occupying the desk. The distractions of maneuvering and manipulating different articles to provide room for the specific article needed at the immediate time (book, note paper, computer, etc.) may draw attention away from the learning experience.
Thus, a desk extension solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The desk extension includes two separate rigid panels or levels that are connected to one another by rigid parallel arms. One of the panels nests within the bottom of the other panel when the extension is folded for storage. The two panels are held parallel to one another with one above the other when deployed for use. The upper panel may include various compartments or recesses adapted for use as a cup holder, pen and pencil grooves or trays, and/or other purposes.
The lower panel includes a desk clamp mechanism extending therefrom. The desk clamp mechanism is pivotally attached to opposite edges of the lower panel. The angle between the lower panel and the desk clamp is adjustable and lockable to secure the two panels at any desired angle when the device is secured to a sloped desk or other surface. The desk clamp mechanism includes a pair of folding clamps that can be pivoted to lie flat beneath the upper surface of the desk clamp mechanism for compact storage when not in use. The clamps and clamping mechanism are configured to facilitate their rapid installation and removal to and from a desk in order to minimize the time required at the beginning and end of a classroom period.
The two panels of the desk extension serve to maximize the available amount of combined surface area of the desk to which the desk extension is attached and the desk extension itself, while minimizing the horizontal area required for the combination. The panels of the desk extension are preferably formed of plastic to minimize weight. The folded device is both lightweight and compact for convenient storage in a book bag or the like when not in use.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk extension according to the present invention as viewed from above the device, illustrating its basic features.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the desk extension of FIG. 1 in the same configuration, but viewed from below, illustrating further features thereof.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the desk extension of FIG. 1, shown with the desk clamp portion of the device pivoted upward.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the desk extension of FIG. 1, illustrating further details of the desk clamp mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the desk extension of FIG. 1, illustrating an initial step in the process of folding the device.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the desk extension of FIG. 1, illustrating a further step in the process of folding the device.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the desk extension of FIG. 1, showing the desk extension in its completely folded state.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the desk extension of FIG. 1 as seen from below, showing the desk extension in its completely folded state.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The desk extension comprises a compact means of providing additional horizontal, or substantially horizontal, surface area for a desk, table, or the like, without a corresponding increase of the total subtended area. This is due to the two separate surfaces overlying each other when the desk extension is deployed for use. It should be noted that while the device is titled “desk extension,” it may be attached to or used a variety of furniture articles or furnishings, e.g., tables, desks, drafting boards, work stations, shelves, etc.
FIG. 1 provides a top perspective view of the desk extension 10 in its deployed state as it would be removably attached to the edge of a desk D, the desk D being shown in broken lines. The desk extension 10 includes a base or first panel 12 having a first surface 14, i.e., the upper surface when deployed, an opposite second or lower surface 16 (shown in FIG. 2), a linkage attachment edge 18, a clamp extension edge 20, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges 22a and 22b extending between the linkage attachment edge 18 and the clamp extension edge 20.
A second or upper panel 24 is disposed above the base or first panel 12 when the desk extension is deployed for use as shown in FIG. 1. The second panel 24 includes a first surface 26, i.e., the upper surface when deployed for use, a second surface 28 opposite the first surface (shown in FIG. 2), a linkage attachment edge 30, and a free edge 32 opposite the linkage attachment edge 30. The first or upper surface 26 preferably includes a plurality of article holder recesses defined therein, e.g., one or more pencil or pen holder grooves 34a, a cup holder 34b, a mouse or other implement holder 34c, etc. These various article holder recesses 34a through 34c may be used to temporarily hold the above-mentioned articles, and/or any other suitable articles. Both the second or upper panel 24 and the base or first panel 12 are preferably formed of plastic, but other materials may be used alternatively.
A linkage comprising parallel first and second arms 36a and 36b connects the two panels 12 and 24 to one another. Each arm 36a, 36b has a base panel end 38a, 38b pivotally attached to the linkage attachment edge 18 of the first or lower panel 12, and an opposite upper or second panel end 40a, 40b pivotally attached to the linkage attachment edge 30 of the second or upper panel 24.
Each of the linkage arms 36a, 36b includes a base or first panel limit stop comprising a stop or limit tab 42a, 42b (shown in FIGS. 3 and 8), extending therefrom adjacent to the respective base or first panel end 38a, 38b of the arm. The tabs 42a, 42b contact the first or upper surface 14 of the first or base panel 12 when the two linkage arms 36a, 36b are cantilevered to about a 60° angle relative to the first or base panel 12 to prevent the two linkage arms 36a, 36b from rotating or pivoting to a more acute angle relative to the base panel 12. The limiting angle, e.g., 60°, may be adjusted according to the locations of the two stop or limit tabs 42a, 42b.
Angular limitation of the second or upper panel 24 relative to the two linkage arms 36a, 36b is provided by a second panel limit stop comprising a bar 44 that extends between the two arms 36a, 36b adjacent their second panel ends 40a, 40b. The second or lower surface 28 of the second or upper panel 24 adjacent its linkage attachment edge 30 engages or rests upon the stop limit bar 44 when the second or upper panel 24 is fully deployed. The exact location or position of the stop limit bar 44 is set to stop the rotation of the second or upper panel 24 between the linkage arms 36a, 36b so that it extends parallel to the lower or first panel 12 when the desk extension 10 is fully opened or deployed, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. In other words, when the desk extension 10 is fully deployed for use, the angle between the lower or base panel 12 and the linkage arms 36a, 36b and the angle between the second or upper panel 24 and the linkage arms 36a, 36b add up to 180°. As shown in FIG. 3, a clearance groove or channel 46 is formed laterally across the upper or first surface 26 of the upper or second panel 24. The stop limit bar 44 nests in the clearance groove or channel 46 when the upper or second panel 24 is rotated to lie between the two linkage arms 36a, 36b when the desk extension 10 is folded for storage, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and described further below. It will be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 that the clearance groove or channel 46 may also serve as an additional pencil or pen holder or the like when the desk extension 10 is fully deployed.
FIGS. 3 through 8 show a desk clamp assembly that extends from the first or base panel 12. The desk clamp assembly serves to secure the desk extension 10 temporarily and removably to the edge of a desk D or other suitable surface or structure. The desk clamp assembly comprises parallel first and second clamp arms 48a, 48b extending from first and second clamp arm locks 50a and 50b respectively disposed along the first and second lateral edges 22a and 22b of the first or base panel 12. The clamp arm locks 50a, 50b comprise screws or bolts about which the first panel attachment ends 52a and 52b rotate or pivot for deployment and folding. The screws or bolts may be tightened or loosened to lock the orientation of the two clamp arms 48a, 48b at a predetermined angle relative to the first or base panel 12, or to allow them to pivot or rotate as desired. Each of the clamp arms 48a, 48b has a distal end 54a, 54b, and a desk attachment plate 56 extending thereacross. The two parallel clamp arms 48a, 48b define a plane. The desk attachment plate 56 lies parallel to the plane of the clamp arms 48a, 48b, as shown in the various drawing Figures. A clamp attachment plate 58 extends from the desk attachment plate 56, normal to both the desk attachment plate 56 and the two clamp arms 48a and 48b.
At least one clamp, and preferably two clamps pivotally extend from the clamp attachment plate 58. Each clamp comprises an elongate bolt 60 having a base portion 62 that extends pivotally from the clamp attachment plate 58 normal thereto, and a threaded clamp portion 64 normal to the base portion 62. Thus, each clamp bolt 60 has a substantially L-shaped configuration. An elongate clamp finger 66 is slidably disposed upon the threaded portion 64 of the clamp bolt 60 so that the elongate extension of the clamp finger 66 is disposed parallel to the plane of the desk attachment plate 56 when the threaded clamp portion 64 of the clamp bolt 60 is pivoted normal to the desk attachment plate 56, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 of the drawings. An adjustably threaded fastener 68, e.g., a wing nut or other easily manipulated device, is disposed upon the threaded clamp portion 64 of the clamp bolt 60. The fastener 68 may be threaded along the clamp portion 64 of the bolt 60 in order to advance the clamp finger 66 to clamp the edge of a desk D or other surface between the desk attachment plate 56 and the clamp finger 66, or to loosen the clamp finger 66 to allow the desk extension 10 to be removed from the desk D or other surface. The pivotal attachment of the base portion 62 of the clamp bolt 60 allows the clamp assembly to be pivoted parallel to the desk attachment plate 56 for compact storage, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
In order to attach the desk extension 10 to the edge of a desk D or other suitable surface, the clamp bolts 60 are pivoted so that their threaded portions 64 are substantially normal to the plane of the desk attachment plate 56, and the device is placed upon the edge of the desk D with the desk attachment plate 56 adjacent to the upper surface of the desk D and the clamp fingers 66 below the edge of the desk D. The fasteners 68 are then tightened to clamp the edge of the desk D between the desk attachment plate 56 and the clamp fingers 66. Removal of the desk extension 10 is accomplished by reversing the above procedure.
FIG. 4 provides a side elevation view of the deployed desk extension 10 ready for use. FIGS. 5 and 6 show intermediate orientations of the two panels 12 and 24 and the linkage arms, e.g., arm 36a, during the folding process. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the desk extension 10 in its completely folded state. (It should be noted that FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternative adjustment of the desk extension 10, in which the clamp arms 48a and 48b are at an oblique angle to the plane of the base or first panel 12 in order to secure the desk extension 10 to a non-horizontal desk D, while orienting the two panels 12 and 24 substantially horizontally.) In FIG. 4, the two panels 12 and 24 of the desk extension 10 are fully deployed parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, i.e., non-coplanar, by the linkage arms, e.g., arm 36a shown in the side elevation view of FIG. 4.
In FIG. 5, the linkage arms remain at their fully deployed angle relative to the first or base panel 12, as shown by the linkage arm 36a in FIG. 5. However, the second or upper panel 24 has been rotated clockwise about its pivotal attachment to the upper or second panel ends of the linkage arms, as shown by the end 40a of the linkage arm 36a in FIG. 5. The rotation of the second panel 24 relative to the linkage arms subtends an angle of about 230° in FIG. 5, leaving about another 10° remaining to position the second panel 24 between and parallel to the two linkage arms 36a, 36b. It will be seen that if the second panel 24 were rotated to lie parallel to and between the two linkage arms, 36a, 36b, its rotation from its fully deployed horizontal position would be about 240° due to the approximately 60° angle between the lower or base panel 12 and the linkage arms.
In FIG. 6, the second panel 24 retains its rotation of about 230° relative to the two linkage arms 36a, 36b, the first linkage arm 36a being shown in FIG. 6. However, the linkage arms 36a, 36b have also been rotated about 260° clockwise relative to the first or base panel 12. About another 60° degrees remain in order to position the linkage arms 36a, 36b parallel to the base panel 12.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the desk extension 10 in its completely folded state. In FIG. 7, the second or upper panel 24 has been rotated to lie between the two linkage arms, i.e., a clockwise angular rotation of substantially 240° from its deployed state cantilevered from the two extension arms 36a, 36b as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. In addition, the two linkage arms 36a, 36b have been rotated to lie parallel to the first or base panel 12, i.e., a clockwise rotation of substantially 300° from their fully deployed state, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. It will be seen that the second or upper panel 24 rotates through a total are of substantially 540° degrees, or one and a half revolutions, from its deployed state cantilevered from the two linkage arms 36a, 36b to its folded state, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The first surface 26 of the second panel 24 is thus inverted from its orientation when deployed for use, as will be seen in the bottom perspective view of the folded desk extension 10, shown in FIG. 8.
Returning to FIG. 2, it will be noted that there is a receptacle 70 in the bottom or underside of the lower or first panel 12 for the storage of the second panel 24 therein. This second panel storage receptacle 70 provides for the nesting of the second panel 24 within the receptacle 70 and between the two linkage arms 36a, 36b and the two sides or edges 22a, 22b of the first panel 12 when the second panel 24 is in its stored state, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, the thickness of the entire device in its folded state is no greater than the thickness of the first panel 12. This enables the desk extension 10 to be carried easily in a book bag, briefcase, or other similar container without requiring excessive room or space, but permitting other articles (e.g., books, a laptop computer, etc.) to be carried in the container with the desk extension 10.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Grant
9089203
