PORTABLE DESK AND STORAGE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a portable lap desk. More particularly, in one example, the present disclosure relates to a portable, foldable lap desk. Specifically, in another example, the present disclosure relates to a portable, foldable lap desk and work surface that may be utilized to provide a work surface in one's lap or on a desk or tabletop.

BACKGROUND ART

Improved communication technology including advances in wireless data transmission such as Wi-Fi and/or cellular data along with improvements in portable computing technology has created a truly remote environment wherein work and/or other related tasks can be performed from nearly anywhere with suitable internet connectivity. It is not uncommon therefore to see people set up and working in public places and/or while traveling. For example, visiting a local coffee shop or restaurant often provides examples of people working remotely. Similar scenes play out in airports, subways, buses, schools and other similar locations.

In the past remote connectivity and work typically required a work station such as a desk, tabletop, or the like where one could setup a laptop or similar computing device and could connect to the internet and/or to a power supply nearby. Where work surfaces were less readily available others might resort to sitting on the floor or holding their materials in their lap which can prove cumbersome or difficult if multiple materials are needed.

Several lap desk and similar devices were therefore provided in the marketplace to allow for ease and comfort or the user while operating without a dedicated work space.

These existing devices at first resembled the infamous “TV tray” which included legs and a hard work surface that may be placed on a floor with clearance for a user's legs to extend underneath. This evolved into shorter versions that may rest on the couch or seating surface on opposite sides of the user's legs while extending a hard surface thereacross. Other similar current devices include a hard work surface such as wood or plastic with a cushion or beanbag type backing allowing the device to mold to the user's legs while resting and remaining entirely on the user's lap. Many of these devices are effective in providing a working surface in a user's lap, however, most can be large and cumbersome and are further unable to be easily transported from place to place. Accordingly, they were commonly found for use in a home environment such as on a couch, bed, or chair, and are typically left behind when the user is traveling. Thus, a traveler or remote worker is relegated to again find a work surface or to balance and juggle their electronics and other materials on their laps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible and/or foldable portable work station and lap desk that may further provide a suitable work surface and/organizational compartments that is easily collapsed and transported for remote work and/or travel. The collapsible and/or foldable portable work station and lap desk includes a body including a first section, a second section, and a third section where a work surface is defined on the second section. The collapsible and/or foldable portable work station and lap desk further includes a first and a second transition sections to allow the first and the second section to fold over at least a portion of the work surface. The body has a first end and a second end that are overlap one another and are secured together by at least one snap closure.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide portable lap desk comprising body having a first section, a second section, and a third section, a work surface defined on the second section of the body, a first transition section operable to allow the first section to be folded over at least a portion of the work surface, a second transition section operable to allow the third section to be folded over at least another portion of the work surface with a first end of the body on the first section overlapping a second end of the body on the third section, and a closure operable to secure a first end and a second end of the body together and wherein the first section and the third section both contain storage.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide the portable lap desk further comprising a tray pouch containing a removable tray therein. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the removable tray further comprises a sheet of material operable to support at least one device thereon. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the lap desk is securable in a first closed configuration, wherein the first and third transition sections cover the work surface. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the lap desk is securable in a second closed configuration wherein the first and third sections extend over a back of the body and do not cover any portion of the work surface. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the first section comprises a pouch adapted to receive and hold an object. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the third section comprises one or more pockets adapted to receive and hold an object. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the removable tray is removed from the tray pouch to be a non-porous worksurface. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the lap desk is convertible to a third closed configuration wherein the tray is removed from the tray pouch and the body of the lap desk is rolled. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the body further comprises at least one looped strap operable to secure the body in the third closed configuration. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide the portable lap desk further comprising a removable shoulder strap. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the body is formed of one of a canvas, a water resistant material, or a material treated for water resistance. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the first section and the second section of the body further comprise a weighted material. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the sheet of material is PVC, a rigid plastic, or a semi-rigid plastic.

In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of using a portable lap desk comprising: placing a work surface of a lap desk across a user's lap; hanging a first surface of the lap desk downwardly relative to the work surface; hanging a second surface of the lap desk downwardly relative to the work surface; operating at least one device on the work surface; removing the lap desk from the user's lap; and securing the lap desk into a closed position.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where securing the lap desk in a closed position further comprises: folding a first section of the body of the lap desk across at least a portion of the work surface, the work surface defining a second section of the body; folding a third section of the body of the lap desk across at least another portion of the work surface such that a first end of the body on the first section overlaps a second end of the body on the third section; and securing the overlapping portions of the first and third sections together with at least one fastener. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where securing the lap desk in a closed position further comprises unfastening the overlapping portions of the first and third sections; folding the first section behind the work surface to cover at least a portion of the back thereof; folding the third section behind the work surface to cover at least another portion of the back thereof; overlapping the first end of the body and the third end of the body behind the work surface; and securing the overlapping ends with the at least one fastener. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where securing the lap desk in a closed position further comprises removing a tray from a tray pouch defined in the body; rolling the body; and securing the rolled body with at least one strap. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide the method of using a portable lap desk further comprising engaging a removable shoulder strap with the body of the lap desk. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide the method of using a portable lap desk further comprising utilizing a pouch or one or more pockets on either the first section or the third section of the body to receive and hold an object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a front elevation view of a lap desk according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is a top plan view of a lap desk according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 (FIG. 3) is a rear elevation view of a lap desk according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A (FIG. 4A) is a front elevation partial tear away view of a lap desk according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B (FIG. 4B) is a front elevation view of a lap desk with an insert partially removed therefrom according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A (FIG. 5A) is a front elevation view of a lap desk in a first closed configuration according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B (FIG. 5B) is a front elevation view of a lap desk in a second closed configuration according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 (FIG. 6) is a top front isometric perspective view of a lap desk in a third closed configuration according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 (FIG. 7) is an exemplary operational view of a lap desk according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 a lap desk is shown and generally indicated at reference 10. Lap desk may be generally defined by body 12 which may have a first end 14 spaced apart from a second end 16 and defining a longitudinal length there between. Body 12 may have a first side 18 which may be a front side 18 (which may further define work surface 46 as discussed further herein) spaced apart from a second side 20 which may be a back side 20 and defining a thickness of body 12 there between. Body 12 may have a top 22 spaced transversely apart from a bottom 24 and may define the width (or height depending on orientation) of lap desk 10.

Lap desk 10 may generally be divided into three sections. Namely, a first section 26, a second section 28, and a third section 30. Each section may define a separate element or component of lap desk 10 as discussed further herein. Lap desk 10 may further include one or more handles 32, one or more loop straps 34, and a shoulder strap 36 (best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The outermost edges of body 12 may be finished or otherwise encased with welting 38 which may substantially surround the exterior edges of body 12 of lap desk 10. Welting 38, as discussed further herein, may likewise finish or enclose the edges of other elements of lap desk 10 to provide both a clean appearance and a secure stitching point and/or fastener between various layers and/or components of lap desk 10 as discussed further below.

First section 26 may be defined as the section closes to first end 14 and may include one or more snaps 40 at or near an edge thereof closest to first end 14 of body 12. First section 26 may further include a pouch 42 which may be any suitable sealable compartment. As shown and discussed herein, pouch 42 may include a zipper closure 44 which may define pouch 42 as a zippered pouch, however, it will be understood that pouch 42 may be any suitable configuration. Pouch 42 may be adapted to receive and hold any suitable object. First section 26 may extend from first end 14 of body 12 towards second section 28 and may be separated therefrom by a first transition section 56 as discussed further below.

Second section 28 may be the center most section of body 12 and may extend between first section 26 and third section 30 and may generally define a work surface 46, which may be a generally flat surface on which a laptop or other work materials may be placed as discussed further with regards to the operation of lap desk 10. Work surface 46 may further define a tray insert opening 48 and tray pocket 49, in which a tray 50 (as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B) may be inserted to impart rigidity and/or strength to work surface 46 as desired. Tray 50 may also be referred to as removable tray 50. The tray 50 will be discussed further below with relation to the operation of lap desk 10.

Third section 30 may be the section of lap desk 10 closest to the second end 16 thereof. Third section 30 may include snaps 40, approximately second end 16 of body 12 and one or more pockets 52 in operable connection therewith. Unlike pouch 42, pockets 52 may generally be open and have an opening 54 allowing access to an interior thereof as discussed further below. Pockets 52 may further be divided by a divider 64 which may be any suitable divider, including a line of stitching as dictated by the desired implementation. Pockets 52 may be adapted to receive and hold any suitable object. Third section 30 may be separated from section 28 by a second transition section 58 disposed there between.

Both first and second transition sections 56 and 58 may generally be sections of flexible material allowing first and third sections 26 and/or 30 to bend and/or fold relative to second section 28. First and second transition sections 56 and 58 may further define a clip aperture 60 there through which may be reinforced with a grommet 62 or other similar reinforcement device. According to one aspect, grommet 62 may be reinforced stitching or the like. Clip aperture 60 may allow shoulder strap 36 to be removably attached to body 12 or lap desk 10 as discussed further below.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4B, body 12 of lap desk 10 may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. According to one aspect, back side 20 of body 12 may be formed of canvas or similar esthetically pleasing material which may be water resistant or treated for water resistance as dictated by the desired implementation. Back 20 may be a single unitary piece of may be formed of multiple pieces of material which may be affixed together as desired. As illustrated and contemplated, back 20 of second section 28 may be one material while the back of first and third sections 26 and 30 may be a different material. According to one aspect, the back 20 of first and third sections 26 and 30 may define or otherwise include additional pockets or storage compartments (not shown) as dictated of desired.

Front side 18 of body 12 may similarly include multiple types of material and may be formed of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, fabric, rubber, canvas, leather, synthetic leather, nylon, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

As shown and contemplated, first section 26 of body 12 may include a nylon mesh or webbing defining the pouch 42 with a zipper 44 attached thereto. Stitching 66 may be standard or decorative and may be further utilized to seal the bottom of pouch 42 and in other areas as dictated or desired for esthetic and/or construction purposes.

Transition sections 56 and 58 may be formed of any suitable material and may be the same of similar material as back 20 of body 12 and/or may be layered with a second type of material including water resistant, waterproof, or other similar materials.

According to one aspect, first section 26 of body 12 may be weighted or may include a weighted inner rubber layer to provide weight and cushioning for materials within pouch 42 as dictated by the desired implementation.

As mentioned above, second section 28 of body 12 may substantially define the work surface 46 which may be a smooth surface formed of any suitable material including, leather, synthetic leather, nylon, canvas, or the like. According to one aspect, work surface 46 may be tackified to provide some grip or a grip-like coating thereon to prevent materials from sliding while they sit on work surface 46 during operation of lap desk 10 as discussed further below. According to another aspect, work surface may be coated or otherwise operable to allow the use of a mouse or similar equipment thereon. According to yet another aspect, work surface may be cushioned, or alternatively, may be hard to allow the use of writing utensils therewith. The edges of work surface 46 may include welting 38 or other similar bolstered areas which may provide a finished appearance and may further provide a raised edge to prevent items from rolling or shifting off of the edge of work surface 46 during use of lap desk 10.

Third section 30 of body 12 may be substantially similar to first section 26 of body 12 in that third section 30 may additionally include a weighted rubber interior layer to provide some weight and cushioning to the pockets. This extra weight may allow first and third sections 26 and 30 to hang down when lap desk 10 is being used as discussed below. The pockets 52 of third section 30 may be formed of any suitable material such as nylon mesh or webbing or the like and may include welting 38 around the edges and stitching 66 to seal the bottoms thereof as desired. Divider 64 may likewise be a line of stitching or the like to divide pockets 52 into separate compartments as desired.

Welting 38 itself may be any suitable edge finishing material such as nylon webbing, twill tape, canvas tape, or any other suitable or desirable materials.

The specific configuration and features of lap desk 10 may vary as desired. For example, pouch 42 may be modified or replaced with more than one pouch including additional pockets, penholders, cellphone holders, or the like. Similarly, pockets 52 may be configured in any suitable arrangement and/or may be omitted as desired. Additional work related components and/or features may be included such as additional pockets, pouches, zippers, pen sleeves, and the like.

According to one aspect, lap desk 10 may include a battery compartment and portable battery for changing electronic devices as dictated by the desired implementation. According to another aspect, wire channels may be formed in and/or included with lap desk 10 to conceal and/or direct wires between pouch 42, pockets 52, and electronic components such as cellphones, tablets, laptop computers, or the like.

Snaps 40 may include a male snap member 40A and a female snap member 40B, which may be standard snap closures operable to close lap desk 10 in the closed configurations discussed further herein. According to one aspect, the male snap members 40A may be disposed on first section 26 proximate the first end 14 of body 12 with female snap members 40B positioned on third section 30 proximate second end 16 of body 12. According to another aspect, the male and female snap members 40A and 40B may be reversed as desired. According to another aspect, other suitable fasteners may be used in place of snaps 40 as desired.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, insert tray 50 may be included with lap desk 10 to provide a sturdy work surface to support a laptop computer or other similar device while lap desk 10 is in use. Tray 50 itself may be a sheet of any suitable material such as PVC, or the like. It is contemplated that tray 50 may be a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, or another material that is sturdy enough to support a laptop or other similar device while remaining lightweight enough to be easily transported, carried, and/or removed and replaced within the tray pocket 49.

As mentioned above, tray pocket 49 may have an opening 48 on one side of work surface 46 which may allow the tray 50 to be slidably inserted and/or removed therefrom as best seen in FIG. 4B at reference arrow “A”. According to one aspect, tray 50 may be slid into tray pocket 49 through opening 48 and left in place during use and transport of lap desk 10 as discussed further below. According to another aspect tray 50 may be removed from tray pocket 49 and lap desk 10 may be operated and/or transported without tray 50 included therein as desired.

With reference to FIG. 5A lap desk 10 is shown in a first closed configuration with should strap 36 installed thereon. Specifically, in this first closed configuration, first and third sections 26 and 30 may be folded over to cover work surface 46, as indicated by arrows “B”, such that third section 30 and second end 16 of body 12 overlap underneath first section 26 and first end 14 of body 12. In this configuration snaps 40 may be secured with male snap member 40A inserted into female snap member 40B and securely attached thereto. Similarly shoulder strap 36 may be installed with clips 68 or similar clipping devices inserted through clip aperture 60 to removably connect shoulder strap 36 to lap desk 10, further allowing easy transport thereof. In this first closed configuration it is contemplated that tray 50 may remain within tray pocket 49 and lap desk may be carried similar to a briefcase, purse, tote bag, or the like and may further be utilized to transport items within pouch 42 and/or pockets 52 along with the lap desk as desired. According to one aspect (not shown), work surface 46 and/or lap desk 10 in general, may include an additional sleeve or pouch therein to accommodate a laptop or table to allow the lap desk 10 to be used as a work station and also as a transport bag for the user's devices.

With reference to FIG. 5B lap desk 10 is shown in a second closed configuration, again with should strap 36 installed thereon. Similar to first closed configuration in FIG. 5A this second closed configuration may involve rotating first and third sections 26 and 28, as indicated by arrows “B”, to overlap second end 16 over first end 14 of body 12 to affix snaps 40 together. In this second configuration however, it is contemplated that the first and third sections 26 and 30 of body 12 may be rotated in the opposite direction with pouch 42 and pockets 52 now facing outwardly. Similarly, on the backside (not shown) work surface 46 would likewise be facing out. In this configuration female snap members 40B would be external of male snap members 40A but may likewise be operable according to their normal use. Again as with first closed configuration, when lap desk 10 is in this second closed configuration it may be utilized with tray 50 remaining within tray pocket 49 for transport and later use thereof.

With reference to FIG. 6 a third closed or stored configuration of lap desk 10 is shown, wherein tray 50 may be removed from tray pocket 49 through tray insert opening 48 and set aside. Body 12 of lap desk 10 may then be rolled and secured in a rolled manner utilizing elastic loop strap 34 to keep lap desk 10 closed in this manner. As shown, it is contemplated that shoulder strap 36 may likewise be removed from lap desk 10 and handle 32 may be utilized to transport or otherwise manipulate lap desk 10 in this configuration.

Having thus described the elements and components of lap desk 10 an exemplary use therefor will now be discussed.

With reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary use of lap desk 10 is shown and will now be described. As shown, a person 70 may utilize lap desk 10 in a seated position wherein lap desk 10 may be placed on person 70's lap 72 with work surface 46 facing up. In this configuration first and third sections 26 and 30 may bend at transition sections 56 and 58 and hang downward. The weighted rubber layer or weighted material, if included, may further assist in keeping first and third sections hanging flat and even to allow access to pouch 42 and pockets 52 as desired.

Once person 70 has lap desk 10 spread across his or her lap 72 they may utilize work surface for example to support a laptop 74 or other similar device or work materials. In this configuration, lap desk 10 may support the laptop 74 comfortably above person 70's lap 72 while person 70 remains seated and has full access to both pouch 42 and pockets 52 for any materials as desired.

Where lap desk 10 is employed without insert 50 therein in may be utilized in a similar manner to support paperwork, files, or the like or to support smaller electronics or devices such as a tablet, phone, or other similar devices.

Lap desk 10 may similarly be utilized as a desk liner in situations where it is desirable to utilize a larger work surface but to still retain the benefits of having a nonstick or similar work surface as offered by work surface 46 of lap desk 10.

Although shown and described herein as a lap desk, lap desk 10 may be further utilized in other scenarios such as over a small table or a cushion, over the arm of a couch or chair, or in any other suitable manner without deviation from the scope of the disclosure herein.

As described herein, aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or other similar secondary components and/or systems therein. The present disclosure is therefore contemplated and will be understood to include any necessary operational components thereof. For example, electrical components will be understood to include any suitable and necessary wiring, fuses, or the like for normal operation thereof. Similarly, any pneumatic systems provided may include any secondary or peripheral components such as air hoses, compressors, valves, meters, or the like. It will be further understood that any connections between various components not explicitly described herein may be made through any suitable means including mechanical fasteners, or more permanent attachment means, such as welding or the like. Alternatively, where feasible and/or desirable, various components of the present disclosure may be integrally formed as a single unit.

Unless explicitly stated that a particular shape or configuration of a component is mandatory. Any of the elements, components, or structures discussed herein may take the form of any shape. Thus, although the figures depict the various elements, components or structures of the present disclosure according to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that any other geometric configuration of that element, component or structure is entirely possible. For example, instead of the markers being circular dots, the markers 22 can be semi-circular triangular, rectangular or square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, diamond shaped or another parallelogram, trapezoidal, star-shaped, oval, ovoid, lines or lined, teardrop-shaped, cross-shaped, donut-shaped, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, crescent-shaped, any letter shape (i.e., A-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, E-shaped, F-shaped, G-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, J-shaped, K-shaped, L-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, O-shaped, P-shaped, Q-shaped, R-shaped, S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, or Z-shaped), or any other type of regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

While components of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to each other, it is possible for one of the components disclosed herein to include inventive subject matter, if claimed alone or used alone. In keeping with the above example, if the disclosed embodiments teach the features of A and B, then there may be inventive subject matter in the combination of A and B, A alone, or B alone, unless otherwise stated herein.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting” or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

To the extent that the present disclosure has utilized the term “invention” in various titles or sections of this specification, this term was included as required by the formatting requirements of word document submissions pursuant the guidelines/requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall not, in any manner, be considered a disavowal of any subject matter.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

PORTABLE DESK AND STORAGE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE

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