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| United States Patent
|
4,117,781 |
| Middleton , et al.
|
October 3, 1978 |
Utility desk
Abstract
A portable utility desk for bed-patient and other uses including
a flat, rectangular surface having a semicircular notch on one side
thereof for adapting to the body of the user and providing for
attachment of legs to the surface to be usable in a multiplicity of
positions and further providing a book-holder structure for holding
a book in stationary position on the flat surface.
| Inventors: |
Middleton; Charles A.
(Phoenix, AZ), Middleton; Trudy B. (Phoenix, AZ) |
| Assignee: |
TCM Corporation
(Phoenix, AZ)
|
| Appl. No.:
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05/812,565 |
| Filed: |
July 5, 1977 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
108/11 ;
108/19; 248/445; 248/451; 248/457; D6/429; D6/502 |
| Current
International Class: |
A47B
23/00 (20060101); A47B 085/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
108/11,49,43,12,19 248/441R,445,451,455,457 5/332 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Frazier; Roy D.
Assistant Examiner: Aschenbrenner; Peter A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A portable utility desk, usable in a multiplicity of positions,
including:
(a) a generally-rectangular, substantially-flat table member having
a notch midway along an edge of said table member;
(b) a positionally adjustable leg member;
(c) first mechanical means for detachably connecting said leg member
to said table member;
(d) a book support member on said table member above said notch,
said book-support member including second mechanical means for
preventing a book on said table member from sliding or falling;
(e) third mechanical means for preventing the pages of a book on
said table from turning;
(f) a first and second longitudinal frame member, each said frame
member having an L-shaped cross-section;
(g) said table member having first and second opposed edges
approximately the length of said first and second frame members;
(h) said first edge abutting the internal angle of said first frame
member and said second edge abutting the internal angle of said
second frame member;
(i) a third edge of said table member having said notch situated
midway along said third edge;
(j) a first and second transverse book support bar between said
frame members and adjacent said table member above said notch, and
mechanical connector means for detachably connecting the ends of
said book support bars to said frame members; and
(k) a pair of elastic bands around said book support bars and
stretched therebetween.
2. The utility desk of claim 1 wherein said notch is substantially
semi-circular.
3. The utility desk of claim 2 wherein said notch has a radius of
more than 6 inches and less than 10 inches.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to utility desks.
More particularly, the invention concerns a portable utility desk
comprising a generally-rectangular, substantially-flat table member
with leg supports and book supports adapted to a multiplicity of
uses.
In a further aspect, the invention concerns a utility desk
especially adapted for use in at least five alternative positions,
which five uses may be generally referred to prone reader, normal
desk, back support, lap tray, and lounge-position reader.
It has been a problem in the past for people who must remain in a
prone position, whether due to illness or otherwise, to avail
themselves of a desk or similar support for the purpose of holding a
book, letter writing, art work, and many other purposes.
Furthermore, in the case of a hospital patient who is bedridden and
must remain in a prone position for only a few days or weeks, it has
been economically unfeasible either to build something suitable for
such temporary use or to attempt to purchase special-use equipment
which will no longer be of value when the problem has passed.
Historically, each use requiring a "desk-type" function has required
a special purpose piece of equipment to adequately satisfy that use.
Examples of areas of use for desk-type functions presently being
satisfied with single-purpose equipment include standard desk use in
which the user sits in a chair adjacent to the desk; the use of a
tray-type flat surface resting on the legs of the user who is
sitting up in bed; the use of an easel-type surface by the user
sitting up in a bed or otherwise in a lounging position; and the use
of an angled back support having sufficient strength and rigidity
for use behind the user attempting to support and elevate the head
and back in bed.
Futhermore, it is seen that different structures are best adapted
for such different uses as hereinabove mentioned. Thus there is a
need for a utility desk which is well-adapted to a multiplicity of
uses.
In addition, when the use to which a desk-type surface is put
requires a deviation from the horizontal, or even inversion, there
is often great difficulty in keeping books or other similar items in
place on the surface. Also, there is inconvenience, instability, and
sometimes pain associated with attempting to rest the edge of a
desk-type surface on the user's body rather than on the underlying
bed or other support.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to provide a portable
utility desk which is not only adapted to a multiplicity of uses,
but provides also for the solution of the other problems
hereinbefore mentioned with respect to the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved utility desk.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
portable utility desk adapted to a multiplicity of uses, including
the uses hereinbefore mentioned in discussing the prior art.
Still another object is to provide a utility desk which may be
handled with ease and is economically inexpensive.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a
utility desk of the above type which is convenient to use and adapts
to the user's body in a stable and easy manner.
Even another object is to provide a utility desk which allows a book
to be held in a slanted or inverted position.
Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision
of a utility desk of the above type which is efficient in its manner
of operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and having a
high degree of durability and serviceability.
Briefly, to accomplish the desired objectives of the present
invention in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment
thereof, there is provided a utility desk having a
generally-rectangular, substantially-flat table member having a
notch midway along an edge of the table member. A semi-circular
notch is preferred. A positionally-adjustable leg member is
detachably connected to the table member. A book support member is
located on the table member above the notch and includes mechanical
means for preventing a book on the table member from sliding or
falling. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of longitudinal frame
members, each having an L-shaped cross-section, are positioned in
opposed relationship on either side of the table member, the opposed
edges of the table member abutting the internal angle of the frame
members. A pair of transverse book-support bars are located adjacent
the table member and between the frame members, above the notch, and
the ends of the book-support bars are detachably connected to the
frame members. A pair of elastic bands is located around the
book-support bars and stretched therebetween for the purpose of
holding the pages of a book open. This construction permits the
table member to be reversed so as to allow the legs to extend in
either the same direction or opposed to the side of the table member
containing the book-support bars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further and more specific objects and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection
with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an artistic view in perspective of the preferred
embodiment of the utility desk of the present invention, shown in
position for use as a standard desk;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the utility desk of the
present invention showing the book-support member of the present
invention on top of the table member;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the illustrated preferred embodiment of
FIG. 2 with parts exploded;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the utility desk of the present
invention in slanted position for reading (shown with a book
inserted and with elastic bands holding the pages open);
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view for purposes of illustration showing the
use of the utility desk of the present invention as a stantard desk;
FIG. 6 is a pictorial view for purposes of illustration showing how
the utility desk of the present invention may be used for holding a
book or similar purpose, while the user is sitting or lounging in
bed;
FIG. 7 is yet another pictorial view for illustrative purposes
showing how the utility desk of the present invention may be used as
a lap table by a user sitting up in bed;
FIG. 8 is a further pictorial view for illustrative purposes of the
utility desk of the present invention illustrating its use as a back
rest; and
FIG. 9 is yet another pictorial view for illustrative purposes
showing how the utility desk of the present invention may be used
for reading while the user is lying in bed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, in which the reference numerals
indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIGS.
1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the construction of the presently preferred
utility desk. Table member 10 (which is rectangular and flat) is
positioned between first frame member 11 and second frame member 12
with opposed edges of table member 10 abutting the internal angle of
the L-shaped cross-section of frame members 11 and 12. Leg members
14 are detachably connected to table member 10 by leg support
connections 15, preferably friction clamps, as illustrated, of a
type well-known in the art. A substantially semi-circular notch 16,
as shown, is situated midway along an edge of table member 10. First
book-support bar 17 and second book-support bar 18 are located
transverse to frame members 11 and 12, adjacent to table member 10
above notch 16 and between frame members 11 and 12. Book-support
bars 17 and 18, at the ends thereof, are mechanically detachably
connected to frame members 11 and 12. Elastic bands 19, as shown,
are located around book-support bars 17 and 18 and stretched
therebetween. Slots 20 are longitudinally located in frame members
11 and 12 for the purpose of securing book-support bars 17 and 18 to
frame members 11 and 12. This slot construction permits the user to
positionally adjust the location of the book supports as desired.
Securing screws 21 extend from the ends of book-support bars 17 and
18 and pass through slots 20. Connectors 13, in a well-known manner,
screw onto securing screws 21 to firmly, but detachably, connect the
book-support bars 17 and 18 to frame members 11 and 12.
With particular reference to FIG. 1, showing the use of the utility
desk of the present invention as a standard desk, table member 10 is
located between frame members 11 and 12, as shown, so that the
bottom side of table member 10 has attached thereto the leg-support
connections 15. The utility desk of the present invention is easily
assembled in this configuration by putting the various parts
together as shown and applying and tightening the connectors 13. Leg
members 14 are then snapped into place on leg-support connections 15
to provide the final structure. As well illustrated in FIG. 5, notch
16 allows the user full access to the desk, the table member fitting
around the body of the user, and it is seen that the table member 10
may be, for comfort and convenience, easily used as an armrest.
With particular reference to FIG. 2, the utility desk of the present
invention is specifically illustrated for the use shown by the user
of FIG. 6. Compared to the use of FIG. 1, table member 10 is first
inverted, and then the assembly, including table member 10 and frame
members 11 and 12, is again inverted. Thus, leg-support connections
15, as illustrated, are located on the other side of table member 10
from the book support bars 17 and 18. The book-support member of the
present invention, including book-support bars 17 and 18 and elastic
bands 19, is assembled so that such members are located on the upper
side of table member 10. The assembly illustrated by FIG. 2, as is
seen, may be used as a sitting or lounging reader, for example, as
clearly shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 4 illustrates even more clearly this
discussed use and further illustrates a book 30 in place between
book-support bars 17 and 18 with the pages of book 30 being held at
the desired position by elastic bands 19, preferably rubber bands.
It is seen that notch 16 will comfortably fit around the user for
the ease of the user in using the utility desk of the present
invention in this manner.
For maximum benefit and ease of use, it is highly preferred that the
radius of the preferred semi-circular notch of the present invention
be more than 6 inches and less than 10 inches. These dimensions
provide optimal benefit and comfort to an average user.
FIG. 3 further assists in illustrating the method of assembly and
disassembly of the various parts of the utility desk of the present
invention for its multiplicity of uses, specifically showing, in an
exploded view, the assembly of the table member 10, frame members 11
and 12, book-support bars 17 and 18 including securing screws 21,
connectors 13, and even the detachable connection of leg members 14
to leg-support connections 15, which are attached to table member
10.
In the use of the utility desk of the present invention as a back
support, as shown in FIG. 8, the book-support member need not be
assembled as the table member 10 and leg members 14 suffice to
provide the desired backrest.
As is clearly shown from FIG. 7, the leg members 14 are not
necessary for the use of the present invention as a lap tray, and
the book-support member parts will most often not be desired for
such use.
For the use of the utility desk of the present invention as a prone
reader, which use is clearly illustrated by FIG. 9 hereof, the
book-support member is assembled on the same side of table member 10
which includes leg-support connections 15. Thus, leg members 14
support the utility desk of the present invention in position,
preferably one leg member 14 around either side of the user, and the
utility desk is stabilized by the location of notch 16 around the
body of the user. It is preferred that leg members 14 have tips of
non-slip material, such as rubber, for more stability. As has been
described, the use of elastic bands 19 for a user reading a book in
this position will be most necessary, in combination with the
support of book-support bars 17 and 18, in keeping a book 30 from
slipping or falling or its pages from moving. It is particularly
pointed out that the elastic bands 19 allow the user to turn pages,
placing pages under the elastic bands 19 as desired.
It is seen that the utility desk of the present invention may be
utilized in a multiplicity of positions by assembling the parts
thereof as desired for each use and using the same as shown herein.
Even as inexperienced user may assemble and disassemble the utility
desk of the present invention with ease and may transport the
utility desk of the present invention in a highly portable manner.
It is now further seen that the efficient and compact utility desk
of the present invention is simple in construction and design and
yet easily adaptable to its mentioned uses.
Various changes in the device herein shown for the purpose of
illustration will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. Such
modifications and variations, while not specifically denoted in the
foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment, do not
deviate from the teachings of the present invention and are intended
to be included in the spirit and scope thereof, and the scope of the
present invention is intended to be limited only by a fair
interpretation of the following claims.
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