Patent Application
20130112834
The present invention relates to a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reading desk that can be used by patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings, even those in a sitting position, to conveniently read books.
In recent years, people have spent more time at reading desks in a sitting position to read books for study, business and self-development. A general reading desk is simply designed to support a book to allow a user to conveniently read the book. The reading desk typically includes a desk for holding the book and a chair integrated with or separated from the desk.
A user of the reading desk needs to sit on the chair for a long time to read the book on the reading desk. This makes it impossible for a patient suffering from backache, a physically disabled patient or a handicapped person to use the reading desk.
Further, when children and ordinary persons sit on chairs to read books for a long time, their postures become unstable, for example, their bodies tend to incline or lean to one side. Particularly, reading for a long time causes serious side effects, such as severe curvature of the spine, in growing young students.
Under these circumstances, reading desks designed for use in a lying position are currently being developed. However, since such reading desks are not suitable for use in a sitting position, they cannot be easily used by children and ordinary persons. Particularly, the large size of the reading desks makes it difficult to store when not in use.
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a reading desk that can be used by patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings, even those in a sitting position, to conveniently read books.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position that is secured to the ceiling of a living room or bedroom in a building, such as an apartment, or the ceiling of a patient's room in a hospital or sanatorium, and is designed to move toward the ceiling for storage when not in use and to move downward when in use.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll mounted within the housing; a rotation assembly mounted at one side of the take-up roll to rotate the take-up roll in the forward or reverse direction; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing; and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to the outside.
The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder.
The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfolded in the vertical direction.
The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction.
The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles and are connected to the book holder.
The rotation assembly includes a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the forward or reverse direction.
Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side of the outer surface of the housing and receiving external power to create a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a control unit adapted to control the operation of the motor; a take-up roller axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft; a pair of rollers freely rotatably mounted at the inner upper side of the housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roller to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and the other end extending downward from the housing by the operation of the pair of rollers; and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed to the outside.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the reading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side of the inner or outer surface of the housing and receiving external power to create a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a control unit adapted to control the operation of the motor; a take-up roll axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft and mounted within the housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing; and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed to the outside.
The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder.
The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfolded in the vertical direction.
The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction.
The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles and are connected to the book holder.
Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.
Patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings can use the reading desk of the present invention to conveniently read books.
Children and ordinary persons tend to take a lying position to continue to read books when they feel physically uncomfortable during reading in a sitting position. In this case, the use of the reading desk according to the present invention is effective in preventing muscle pain and back pain resulting from a lying or sitting position for a long time.
The reading desk of the present invention is secured to the ceiling of a room, such as a living room or bedroom, in a building, such as an apartment, or the ceiling of a patient's room in a hospital or sanatorium. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space necessary for installation of the reading desk. The reading desk of the present invention is designed to move toward the ceiling for storage when not in use after installation. Due to this design, the reading desk of the present invention can be simply stored without interfering with walking. Particularly, the reading desk of the present invention does not require a separate space for storage, which is advantageous in terms of space efficiency.
A personal mobile terminal, like iPad, instead of a book may also be held on the book holder.
a and 1b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a first embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
c is a view illustrating a state in which the first embodiment is in use.
a and 2b are front and plan views illustrating another example of foldable parts of the first embodiment, respectively, and
a and 4b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
c is a view illustrating a state in which the second embodiment is in use.
a and 5b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a third embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
c is a view illustrating a state in which the third embodiment is in use.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
a and 1b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a first embodiment of the present invention, respectively,
Referring to these figures, the reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open box-shaped housing 10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll 20 mounted within the housing 10; a rotation assembly 30 mounted at one side of the take-up roll 20 to rotate the take-up roll 20 in the forward or reverse direction; a pair of belts 40, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roll 20 to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll 20 and the other end extending downward from the housing 10; and a book holder 50 having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts 40 and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the rotation assembly 30 to be inserted into the housing 10 or exposed to the outside.
Preferably, the housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the ceiling or is embedded in the ceiling, the take-up roll 20 is axially rotatably secured within the housing 10 at both sides thereof, and the book holder 50 is made of a transparent material so that a user in a lying position can read a book in an overturned state.
The rotation assembly 30 includes a bracket 31 fixed to the housing 10, a gear 32 mounted to the bracket 31, and a ball chain 33 adapted to rotate the gear 32 in the forward or reverse direction. The pair of belts 40 are preferably flat belts or wire belts.
That is, the take-up roll 20 is axially coupled to the gear 32 at one side thereof and is fixedly mounted within the housing 10. The take-up roll 20 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction by the manipulation of the ball chain 33.
Bearings are preferably mounted at both sides of the housing 10 within which the take-up roll 20 is fixedly mounted.
The book holder 50 has a quadrangular shape, as illustrated in
This structure can prevent the book placed on the book holder 50 from slipping off or falling down from the book holder 50, which inflicts an injury on the user in a lying position who is reading the book. The user in a lying position can insert his/her hand through the insertion recess 52 to turn the pages of the book while grasping the book placed on the book holder 50 and can again hold the book in a simple manner.
The operation of the reading desk 1 will be described in detail. When a user in a lying position intends to read a book, he/she manipulates to pull the ball chain 33 in the vertical direction to rotate the gear 32. The take-up roll 20 is rotated by the rotation of the gear 32, and simultaneously the pair of belts 40 connected to the take-up roll 20 are unwound to allow the book holder 50 to descend.
The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result, he/she can read the content of the book through the transparent book holder 50 even in a lying position.
Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to read a book on the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the ball chain 33 to locate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or abdomen. Thereafter, the user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ground, and as a result, he/she can read the book even in a sitting position.
After reading the book, the user pulls the ball chain 33 in the opposite direction to allow the book holder 50 to ascend until the book holder 50 is inserted into or positioned adjacent to the housing 10, where the book holder 50 is stored.
Although the book holder is designed to place a book thereon in the foregoing embodiment, it should be understood that a personal mobile terminal, like iPad, or a small-sized device, like a portable computer, instead of a book may also be placed on the holder.
The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. Preferably, the reading desk 1 further includes foldable parts 60, each of which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50.
As illustrated in
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the foldable connectors 61 are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustrated in
The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the manipulation of the ball chain 33, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.
A lamp 53 is preferably mounted on the book holder 50, as illustrated in
A light source for the lamp 53 is turned “ON” by a general source of electricity, such as a dry cell or battery. The lamp 53 may be detachably attached to the book holder 50 by a clamp, if needed. Preferably, the light source is connected to the clamp through bellows so that the lamp can illuminate the lower side of the book holder 50 when a user in a lying position intends to read a book, and the lamp can illuminate the upper side of the book holder 50 when a user in a sitting position intends to read a book.
This construction enables the user in a sitting or lying position to comfortably read a book even in the nighttime without interfering with others.
a and 4b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and
Referring to
The housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the ceiling or is embedded in the ceiling. The take-up roll 20 is axially rotatably secured to both inner sides of the housing 10 wherein one side of the take-up roll 20 is axially connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 70 to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft.
One end of each of the belts 40 is connected to the take-up roll 20 and the other end thereof is connected to the holder 50. With these connections, the belts 40 are wound on or unwound from the take-up roll 20 by the operation of the motor 70 to allow the book holder 50 to ascend or descend.
The motor 70 is operated when external power is applied thereto. The control unit controls the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 70 and stops the operation of the motor 70.
The control unit transmits a signal wirelessly or wired. The control unit includes an “UP” button for upwardly moving the book holder 50, a “DOWN” button for downwardly moving the book holder 50, and a “POWER-ON” button for applying power to the motor 70.
That is, power is applied to the motor 70 when the “POWER-ON” button is pressed, and the book holder 50 descends without being stopped when the “DOWN” button is kept pressed long and ascends without being stopped when the “UP” button is kept pressed long.
When the user's hand is removed from the “DOWN” or “UP” button, the book holder 50 is stopped in place.
Therefore, a patient suffering from backache, a physically disabled patient or a handicapped person in a lying position can simply manipulate the control unit to upwardly or downwardly move the book holder 50, so that he/she can read a book.
The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. The reading desk 1 may further include foldable parts 60, each of which has an upper end connected to one inner side of the housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50.
As illustrated in
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forward rotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61 are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustrated in
The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forward rotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.
a and 5b are front and side views illustrating a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to a third embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and
Referring to
Due to this construction, when the control unit is manipulated such that the book holder 50 descends, the motor 70 is rotated. The take-up roller 20′ is rotated by the rotation of the motor 70, and simultaneously, the pair of belts 40 connected to the take-up roller 20′ are unwound to allow the book holder 50 to descend.
The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result, he/she can read the content of the book through the transparent book holder 50 even in a lying position.
Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to read a book on the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the control unit to locate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or abdomen. Thereafter, the user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of the book directs toward the ground, and as a result, he/she can read the book even in a sitting position.
After reading the book, the user manipulates the control unit to allow the book holder 50 to ascend. At this time, the motor 70 is rotated in the reverse direction and the pair of belts 40 connected to the take-up roller 20′ are wound. As a result, the book holder 50 ascends and is inserted into or positioned adjacent to the housing 10.
The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferably constructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by the pair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. The reading desk 1 may further include foldable parts 60, each of which has an upper end connected to one side of the housing 10 and a lower end connected to one side of the book holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50.
As illustrated in
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forward rotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61 are unfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roller 20′ and the foldable connectors 61 are folded in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that are drawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustrated in
The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles 62 and are connected to the book holder 50.
Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forward rotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn out in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder 50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roller 20′ and the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.
Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50 to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.
Although the reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position according to the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs will appreciate that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims that follow.
The reading desk of the present invention can be used by patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings to conveniently read books. In addition, the reading desk of the present invention can be used by a user in a sitting position to read a book. The reading desk of the present invention can be widely used at general home, in hospital rooms, etc. A PDA terminal, such as iPad, instead of a book can be placed on the reading desk of the present invention. Therefore, the reading desk of the present invention is particularly expected to have high industrial applicability, for example, as a monitor holder of a stock trader who works using many display terminals simultaneously.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2010-0069782 | Jul 2010 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2011/005303 | 7/19/2011 | WO | 00 | 1/17/2013 |
