Patent Application
20210219715
The present invention relates to the technical field of furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to the technical field of a device that can be used as a desk while standing or sitting.
People working on a computer sit for long periods of time each day. This poses a risk for developing physical strain and overuse injuries. Further, sitting for long periods may cause mental fatigue.
There are several styles of desks, and often a user requires more than one style of desk depending on the specified task and environment. To conserve space, some users prefer small desks platforms, rather than large, traditional desks or workstations. Also referred to as lap desks, these small desk platforms rest upon a user's lap while the user is in a seated position. Lap desks offer users a flat work surface and help to avoid the need for large desks or tables that require relatively large amounts of space in a room or office.
One solution to conserve space is a chair that can convert into a desk. One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,051,960, entitled “Combination chair and desk apparatus” (“the '960 patent”). The '960 patent apparatus includes a frame, stationary member, pivot member, and latching device. The pivot member pivots with respect to the stationary member between a chair position and a table position, and the latching device latches the pivot member to the stationary member in the chair position and alternately in the table position.
Several attempts have been made to create adjustable desks. One such example is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. EP0305686A1 entitled “Standing-desk” (“the '686 Publication”). The '686 Publication discloses a standing desk that can be attached to a desk consisting of a support bar attached to the side of the desk, which supports the top of the standing desk.
Another example is disclosed in an European Patent Publication EP0911013 entitled “Standing desk with integrated means for aiding standing up” (“the '013 Publication”). The '013 Publication discloses a standing desk acting as a lifting column designed and extendable by means of a drive. The standing desk includes a table top unit attached to the top of the column by means of a spindle drive. The column or table top unit has a strap for lifting or lowering the desk as the person stands or sits.
Yet another example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,568, entitled “Standing desk accessory” (“the '568 patent”), issued to Goldberg, the inventor of the present application. The '568 patent discloses a portable standing desk accessory that can attach to the top of any standard office chair or other type of chair. The desk assembly includes a flat desk member, a first and second support member and a retaining bracket. The first and second support members are hingedly attached to each other at one end respectively. The first support member is hingedly attached to the underside of the desk member and ends up residing on the front surface of the office chair back when in use. The second support member forms a triangular structure by attaching the free end to a retaining bracket mounted to the underside of the desk top. A flexible strap can further retain the first support member to the chair back.
Some of the standing desks discussed above have several shortcomings. For instance, the standing desks disclosed in '686 Publication and '013 Publication include complex, costly mechanisms that allow the user to raise and lower the table or desk platform electronically, mechanically, or hydraulically. Further, the standing desks occupy a significant amount of space, specifically floor surface area, within an office or room.
The '568 patent solves some of the problems discussed above by providing a portable standing desk accessory that can attach to the top of any standard office chair or other type of chair, thereby saving space. Still, there is a need for an improved device over the standing desk disclosed in '568 patent, the device that allows the user to work while standing and sitting.
All patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature cited are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The present embodiments seek to provide a solution to the problems outlined above by providing a device that attaches to an existing chair offering a desk platform that the user may use while in a standing position. Further, the present embodiments seeks to provide a desk platform that may be used upon the user's lap while the user is in a seated position.
In one aspect, a device attaches to an existing chair for use as a standing desk and folds (i.e. collapses) for use as a lap desk. The device includes a platform or desk platform and a support arm. A first end of the support arm hingedly connects to the bottom side of the platform. The device includes a strap extending from the bottom side of the platform and connecting the support arm. The strap controls the angle of the support arm with respect to the platform and ensures the support arm stays in position. The device includes a lip extending from the bottom side at one end of the platform. When using the device as a standing desk, the lip mounts (i.e. is placed over) one side of a chair such as the rear backrest of chair. The support arm rests against the chair at opposite side of the chair with respect to the lip, thus causing the device to brace against the chair and causing the platform to mount parallel or substantially parallel to the ground and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the backrest of the chair for use as a standing desk. The device mounts to any existing chair and uses the existing chair as the support structure for an upright workstation or standing desk.
In another aspect, the support arm collapses under the platform and allows the platform for use as a lap desk. This allows the user to efficiently transition from working in a standing or upright position to working in a seated position on a lap desk.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the device attaches and detaches from an existing chair. The device utilizes the structural features and capabilities of an existing chair as a foundation or support structure for use as a standing desk. In other words, the device utilizes the existing chair as a base of the standing desk (platform). This saves space within a room or office as the device utilizes only that surface area already occupied by the existing chair.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the device presents a portable configuration and allows for easy storage and transportation. The device easily installs and uninstalls due to its constructional features without requiring the user to train or have experience to use it. The device is smaller than most standing desks, and it requires fewer resources and materials to manufacture. The device can be manufactured more inexpensively than most standing desks and, therefore, be sold to consumers at a lower price point.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the device eliminates the need for a user to attain a separate standing table or desk, in addition to his or her traditional sitting desk or table that does not attach to the user's existing chair. This saves space for the user in the room or office.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the device can be used as a podium or a lectern for presentations.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGUREs. As will be realised, the subject matter disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
Further features and advantages of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section.
It will be understood that the elements, components, regions, layers and sections depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom,” “upper” or “top,” “left” or “right,” “above” or “below,” “front” or “rear,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. The numbers, ratios, percentages, and other values may include those that are ±5%, ±10%, ±25%, ±50%, ±75%, ±100%, ±200%, ±500%, or other ranges that do not detract from the spirit of the invention. The terms about, approximately, or substantially may include values known to those having ordinary skill in the art. If not known in the art, these terms may be considered to be in the range of up to ±5%, ±10%, or other value higher than these ranges commonly accepted by those having ordinary skill in the art for the variable disclosed. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any elements that are not specifically disclosed herein.
Turning to the Figures,
In one implementation, the device 12 includes a cushion or pad 28. The pad 28 is adjacent to and may mount to the lip 26 at the plane that mounts to the platform 20. In other words, the pad 28 mounts or is adjacent to the lip 26 underneath the lip 26 and is parallel or substantially parallel to platform 20 as shown in
The device 12 further includes a support arm 30. The support arm 30 is comprised of a material made of hard plastic, wood, metal or any other suitable material that is rigid and has suitable strength and thickness. The support arm 30 is capable of withstanding external pressure or weight of the user 16 without breaking or deforming. The support arm 30 comes in a variety of shapes, including but not limited to, rectangular, cylindrical, etc. In one example, edges of the support arm 30 are rounded or provided in a curved manner to prevent the user 16 from getting injured or accidently damaging the chair 14 or any other components coming in contact with the device 12.
The support arm 30 has a hinge bracket 34. In the example shown, the hinge bracket 34 has an integrated connector region, or connector 32 at or near the first end 37 of the platform 20. In other words, the support arm 30 mounts to a hinge bracket 34 that is connected to the platform 20. The hinge bracket can be of a variety of forms and styles that a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand, and is not limited to the form of the hinge bracket 34 shown. In one embodiment shown, the hinge bracket includes a cylindrical or curved region to aid in the rotation or swivel of the support arm 30. The first end of the support arm 33 may include a first end bar 41 that fits within a curved inner region 43 of the hinge bracket 34. This arrangement, best shown in
The support arm 30 encompasses at least one slot 40 over its length. The slot 40 can be a number of styles and may be characterized as having two (or more) side-by-side holes where the strap 42 can be threaded through one hole and back up through a second hole. Other types of slots 42 or openings that allow a strap 42 to be adjustably connected to the support arm 30 without detracting from the spirit of the invention. The slot 40 may be posited at the center, near the center, or off-center of support arm 30. As shown, the slot 40 is closer to the second end 35 of the support arm than the first end 33. The slot 40 is positioned suitably to control the angle at which support arm 30 operates between an expanded configuration (
In order to control the angle of support arm 30, and to ensure the support arm 30 connects to the chair 14 without slipping while in use, device 12 includes a strap 42. The strap 42 may be made of a flexible material including, but not limited to, nylon, silicone, polyurethane rubber, etc. In other words, the strap is a flexible elongated member. The flexible material allows the support arm 30 to swing up or down, without the strap 42 impeding movement until the strap is in its fully expanded and taught position. The platform 20 includes a strap connector 44 on the bottom side 24. The strap 42 extends from the strap connector 44 and connects to or through the slot 40 on support arm 30 (
In accordance with one embodiment, the support arm 30 collapses under the platform 20 to bring device 12 into the collapsed configuration.
As the device 12 mounts over the chair 14 and the device 12 is being used as a standing desk, the device 12 utilizes only that surface area already occupied by chair 14 and saves space in a room. When not in use or when the user 16 wishes to sit on a seat 50, the user 16 adjusts the length of strap 42, or may merely lift the device 12 up and off of the chair, to loosen the grip of the support arm 30 and detaches the device 12 from backrest 52.
Although the above description is explained considering that the device 12 mounts to a chair 14 for use as a standing desk, it is possible to mount the device 12 to any standing structure and adjust angle of the support arm 30 for use as a standing desk without departing from the scope of present invention. Any such modifications or improvements fall within the scope of the present invention.
When not in use, the user 16 collapses the support arm 30 under the platform 20 to configure the device 12 in the collapsed configuration (
The device 12 can mount to any chair 14 having a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. As such, the device 12 allows a user 16 to use the device 12 as a standing desk for performing tasks such as operating a computer placed over the platform 20. A user 16 may maneuver the chair 14 (wheeled chair) to a suitable place, adjust height of the chair 14, adjust the angle of the support arm 30 and use the device 12 as a standing desk (
The embodiments provide for several advantages over the prior art. For example, the device is portable and allows for easy storage and transportation. The device is relatively small and comes in a lightweight configuration. As such, the user can easily carry the device for use at home and office. A person skilled in the art understands that the device requires less resources and materials to manufacture, making less of an ecological or environmental impact on the earth's resources. The device can be manufactured more inexpensively than most standing desks and, therefore, be sold to users at a lower price point than many standing desks that are currently on the market.
The presently disclosed device provides a standing desk that is easily attachable to and detachable from an existing chair. As such, the user can utilize any existing chair as a traditional sitting device, or as the supporting structure for the presently disclosed device to operate as an upright workstation, standing desk, or podium for presentations. The presently disclosed device provides multi-functionality, i.e. the device allows the user with a workstation, that may either be used as a standing desk, utilized when the user is in an upright or standing position, as a podium or lectern, or as a lap desk upon the user's lap while the user is sitting. As such, there is no need for a separate standing desk and lap desk as in the known art. The device attaches to any existing chair or vertical structure (frame or panel) without occupying additional surface or ground area within a given room or office, while effectively utilizing the benefits of the existing chair or vertical structure, such as, but not limited to, the existing height-adjustment capability of the existing chair or structure, and portability or method of movement, via wheels or other methods, of the existing chair or vertical structure. Further, this allows the user to efficiently utilize the space, more specifically the floor surface area, within a given environment, room or office while gaining the benefits of a standing table or desk.
The device allows the user one solution that is both a lap desk that can be used in the seated position, and a standing desk that can be used in the upright position; therefore, the user may not have the need for a traditional table or desk. In other words, the device offers the user a substitute or alternative to a traditional sitting desk or standing desk. The device provides a cost-effective alternative to many full-sized standing desks, allowing the user to gain the benefits of a standing desk for a smaller capital investment.
While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope.
This patent application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/962,528, filed Jan. 17, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62962528 | Jan 2020 | US |
