The present invention relates to portable desk devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a desktop having a circular shaped cutout in which objects can be placed. The desktop further includes a storage compartment located beneath the desktop surface, wherein books, magazines, electronic devices, and the like can be stored. The device further includes a foldable frame that supports and removably attaches to the desktop. The frame includes a pair of U-shaped side rails having a pair of vertical legs connected by a horizontal rail. The U-shaped side rails are connected by a crossbar. The frame further includes a hinge disposed in the horizontal rails so to allow the frame to be folded in a compact configuration. The desktop includes a first side opposite a second side, wherein each side includes a U-shaped lip adapted to fit over the horizontal rails or vertical legs of the frame.
It can be difficult to find proper storage space for personal items when in a bathroom or other household living areas. Many individuals resort to placing books, mobile phones, or magazines on top of a toilet or on the floor which can create a messy and unorganized appearance. If in a bathroom, these items can mistakenly fall into the toilet bowl and become damaged. In other household areas, these items can lead to clutter and easily become misplaced. Additionally, individuals typically do not have desks available in a bathroom or other living areas, but would benefit from having a surface area to work or read on while in a bathroom or sitting on a couch.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of portable desk devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new portable desk device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing household items, requiring a workplace desktop.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable desk device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable desk device comprising a desktop having a circular shaped cutout and a storage compartment located below the desktop surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable desk device wherein the desktop is supported by a foldable frame, wherein the frame includes a pair of U-shaped side rails having a pair of vertical legs connected by a horizontal rail, wherein the U-shaped side rails are connected by a crossbar.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable desk device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable desk device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The upper surface 31 of the desktop 12 comprises one or more circular cutouts 15 adapted to receive objects therein. The circular cutout 15 can include a cup therein so the base of the cup rests on the bottom surface 35 of the desktop 12. In some embodiments, the cutout can include a cylindrical recessed section, wherein the upper edge of the section is flush with the upper surface 31 of the desktop and the base of the cylindrical recessed section is disposed above the bottom surface 35 of desktop 12. In this way, the cylindrical recessed section does not contact the bottom surface 35 of the desktop 12. In some embodiments, the cutout can be any configuration, such as a square or rectangle. The upper surface 31 of the desktop 12 is flat so it can be used as a working surface on which various items can be placed, such as laptop computers, tablets, and magazines.
The frame 13 comprises a first U-shaped side rail and a second U-shaped side rail, wherein each U-shaped side rail comprises a pair of vertical legs 18-21 connected by a horizontal rail 23, 24. The side rails are arranged parallel to one another and are connected by a crossbar 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the first U-shaped side rail includes a first vertical leg 18, wherein the upper end of the leg 18 is connected to the first end of a horizontal rail 23 and the second end of the horizontal rail 23 is connected to the upper end of a second vertical leg 20. The second U-shaped side rail includes a first vertical leg 19, wherein the upper end of the leg 19 is connected to the first end of a horizontal rail 24 and the second end of the horizontal rail 24 is connected to the upper end of a second vertical leg 21. A horizontal crossbar 22 connects the second leg 20 of the first side rail to the second leg 21 of the second side rail. The crossbar 22 is disposed between the lower ends of the vertical legs 20, 21. The frame 13 can be constructed from hard plastic, metal, or other suitable materials.
The U-shaped lips 16, 17 are adapted to fit over the horizontal rails 23, 24 or the vertical legs 20, 21 connected by the crossbar 22. The device can be used as a working desktop or folded into a compacted configuration for storage. It can be used as a working desktop for performing various tasks, such as reading, writing, typing, on which many items can be placed, such as laptop computers, tablets, and the like. When the device 11 is used as a working desktop, the U-shaped lips 16, 17 removably secure onto the horizontal rails 23, 24. When the device 11 is folded into a compacted configuration as illustrated in
The frame 13 is foldable and includes hinges 25 adapted to allow the frame 13 to be folded into a compact configuration for storage. Each horizontal rail 23, 24 includes a hinge 25 adapted to allow the horizontal rails 23, 24 to fold. In the illustrated embodiment, a ball hinge 25 is disposed in the horizontal rails 23, 24. However, any suitable type of hinge 25 can be disposed in the horizontal rails 23, 24. The diameter of the ball hinge 25 is substantially the same diameter of the horizontal rails 23, 24 so the U-shaped lips 16, 17 of the desktop can be disposed thereon without any obstruction from the hinge 25.
Referring now to
Referring now to
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/681,323 filed on Apr. 8, 2015, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/000,737 filed on May 20, 2014. The above identified patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3106295 | Berlin | Oct 1963 | A |
3106296 | Walsh et al. | Oct 1963 | A |
3908564 | Miller et al. | Sep 1975 | A |
3997139 | Young et al. | Dec 1976 | A |
4098486 | Hornsby | Jul 1978 | A |
4974526 | Wiygul, Jr. | Dec 1990 | A |
5943968 | Dobson | Aug 1999 | A |
5954412 | Rutherford et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
6082838 | Bissu-Palombo | Jul 2000 | A |
6260428 | Clement | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6545864 | Davis, IV | Apr 2003 | B2 |
7798075 | Bettinger | Sep 2010 | B2 |
8056871 | Matias | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8567878 | Wylie | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8596449 | Mongan et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
9320351 | Sorrell | Apr 2016 | B2 |
20050051062 | Tetley | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050061212 | Lockwood et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20130134282 | Negretti | May 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160192772 A1 | Jul 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62000737 | May 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14681323 | Apr 2015 | US |
Child | 15070257 | US |