SUPPORT APPARATUS
The present invention is a support apparatus or side table that includes an insert portion retractably connected to a shelf portion. The insert portion being removably engaged with an object to provide support to the shelf portion for resting items thereon. The insert portion includes a retractable mechanism to facilitate nesting of the insert portion within the shelf portion. In operation, the insert portion is removably engaged with the object to facilitate resting of objects on or within the shelf portion.
This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/982,351 filed Oct. 24, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to a support apparatus and, in particular, a support apparatus that engages an object for support. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and unique support apparatus or side table which has an insert portion including a retractable mechanism to facilitate easy storage, transportation, and adjustability of the length of the insert portion.
In the prior art, various types of tables and supporting structures are very well known. For example, a typical table has three or four legs that emanate downwardly from a supporting table apparatus. The legs of the table rest on the floor of the room to provide the support apparatus in the desired location.
However, tables of the prior art suffer from the disadvantage that they must rest on the surface of a floor. If floor space is not available, it will be very difficult if not impossible to place the table in its desired location. A problematic environment is where no floor space is available near the bed and wall space cannot be damaged. One such environment is found in, for example, a college dorm room. There is a need for a shelf, table or support apparatus for the top bunk of the bed but there is no room on the floor for shelving or a side table and the neighboring wall is not available because modification of the walls is not permitted.
Also, shelving units are well-known structures to provide a support apparatus. Free-standing shelving suffers from the same disadvantages of tables in that free floor space is required for placement of the unit. Wall-mounted shelves are also available but they require wall space for installation of the shelves. Also, the shelves must be attached to a supporting wall thereby requiring some type of alteration to the wall, such as the drilling of holes and installation of mounting hardware. Therefore, known structures for providing a supporting apparatus require floor space or some type of alteration to a nearby supporting wall apparatus.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a table or support apparatus that can be located proximal to a bed without the need for nearby floor space. There is also a need for a table or shelving unit that does not require modification or damage to a nearby wall support for installation. There is a further need for a table or support apparatus that is easy to install and remove without damage to the surrounding environment. Also, there is a need for a table or support apparatus that has a low profile for easy storage and transportation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a solution to the problems associated with prior art support apparatus. As shown in the attached
The present invention is a support apparatus that includes an insert portion that is removably engaged with an object and a shelf portion for resting objects. The shelf portion may be integrally formed or attached to the insert portion. The support apparatus is designed with an overall dimension for supporting weight on the shelf portion. The support apparatus of the present invention reduces or eliminates the need for nearby floor space or wall support.
In a preferred embodiment, the support apparatus contains an insert portion having a retractable mechanism. The insert portion has a retractable mechanism that contains at least one, preferably two, members designed for extension and contraction within the shelf portion. The members, in one embodiment, are elongated tubes that slidably retract within elongated cylinders attached to a bottom surface of the shelf portion. In an alternative embodiment, the elongated tubes slidably retract within an interior of the shelf portion which may or may not include elongated cylinders. Furthermore, a handle is attached to the distal end of the two members to facilitate the extension and contraction of the two members within the shelf portion.
In operation, the insert portion is removably engaged within the object to facilitate resting of objects upon the shelf portion. For example, in one embodiment, the object is furniture, such as a bed. Note, the object may be something other than a bed and found in a different environment. The insert portion is removably engaged underneath a mattress of the bed or between any other combinations of a mattress, box spring and frame. When the insert portion is removably engaged underneath a mattress, the shelf portion is positioned proximal to the bed to allow a user a place for resting objects.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a support apparatus that can be located proximal to user without the need for nearby floor space.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a support apparatus that does not require modification or damage to a nearby wall support for installation.
In a further object of the present invention is the provision of a support apparatus that is easy to install and remove without damage to the surrounding environment.
An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a support apparatus which is a low profile for easy storage and transportation.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a support apparatus with an adjustable insert portion to accommodate various objects.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In accordance with the present invention of
By way of background, U.S. Design Pat. No. D550,981 is known in the prior art. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Also, the members 22A, 22B are capable of retraction within the shelf portion 30A without a substantial protrusion from the shelf portion 30A. To facilitate substantial retraction of the members 22A, 22B within the shelf portion 30A, the length and diameter of the cylinders 24A, 24B are configured to envelope a substantial portion of the members 22A, 22B within the cylinders 24A, 24B to reduce the overall profile of the support apparatus 10A.
It is also contemplated that the length of the members 22A, 22B and cylinders 24A, 24B is adjustable for accommodating objects of various shapes and sizes. It should be noted that the elongated members 22A, 22B and cylinders 24A, 24B are merely an example of a retractable mechanism 22 and that other types of retractable mechanisms may be used in place of the elongated members 22A, 22B and cylinders 24A, 24B.
The shelf portion 30A has a substantially planar top surface with a surface area, in one embodiment, similar to a bedside table or nightstand. An outer periphery of the top surface of the shelf portion 30A having a raised peripheral ridge 32 for preventing items from sliding or falling off the shelf portion 30A. In one embodiment, the shelf portion 30A has a raised peripheral ridge 32 emanating upwardly. Also, the shelf portion 30A may define areas within the top surface for holding or receiving items in a permanent or temporary position on the top surface of the shelf portion 30A.
Referring to
When in a closed position (
As shown in
Referring to
Once a user desires to store or transport the support apparatus 10A to another location, the user removes the insert portion 20A from the bed 50. The user provides downward pressure on the handle 26 so that it substantially retracts within the shelf portion 30A. In another embodiment, a user may have to disengage a locking mechanism (not shown) by pressing the button 27 before moving the handle 26 upward or downward. Once the insert portion 20A is in a closed position (
A drawer 36 may be slidably connected to the shelf portion 30A. The drawer 36 may pull out to the sides or front of the shelf portion 30A to allow a user positioned on an object, such as a bed, easier access to the contents contained within the pull out drawer 36. In one embodiment, the drawer 36 pulls out to the side to allow a user sitting on a bed easier access to the contents therein.
If the support apparatus 10A is inserted within an object, a stabilizing portion 34 may depend from the shelf portion 30A for engagement with an object for additional support. For example, in
The support apparatus 10A of the present invention can be made out of any material but is preferably made of wood or plastic. The insert portion 20A and shelf portion 30A should at least be made of a material capable of withstanding downward force applied to the shelf portion 30A. Various logos or other decorative indicia can be provided on any of the surfaces of the support apparatus 10A of the present invention. The size shown is just one example of the configuration of the support apparatus 10A. It could be larger or smaller or of a different configuration, such as of a round, square, rectangular, or oval shape, and still be within the scope of the present invention.
Items can be easily supported by the support apparatus 10A and in highly desirable location right next to an object to simulate a side table without using nearby floor space. The support apparatus 10A is ideal for relatively lightweight objects to be easily supported but can be configured to hold heavier objects. The support apparatus 10A may also be equipped with various accessories to enhance the enjoyment of the unit. For example, support areas, such as cup holders, may be defined within the support apparatus 10.
Typically, the items stored, rested, or attached to the support apparatus 10A may be clocks, radios, watches, phones, jewelry, food, books, papers, wallets, remote controls, computers, beverages, lighting apparatus, various electronic devices, and any personal items typically found proximal a bed or in a bedroom area. The items may be typical items stored on or inside a nightstand, bed tray, or bureau within a bedroom. Of course, the items may be found outside the bedroom area and this list in no way limits the types of items that can stored, rested, attached on or about the support apparatus 10A.
Alternatively, the insert portion 20 may be attached to an object using methods known in the art to hold the removable insert portion 20 in a fixed position.
In view of the foregoing, a new and improved support apparatus 10A is provided that enables a shelf portion 30A to be located proximal to an object without any floor space nearby or the mounting of shelves on a wall surface. The support apparatus 10A of the present invention may be easily installed and removed without any damage to the object. In addition, the insert portion 20A may contain a retractable mechanism 22 that reduces the overall weight to reduce shipping costs, to nest easily for compact storage, and to provide an adjustable length of the insert portion 20A.
It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A support apparatus, comprising:
- an insert portion for removable engagement with an object;
- a shelf portion retractably connected to the insert portion, the shelf portion configured for resting items thereon; and
- whereby the insert portion is removably engaged with the object to allow for resting of items on the shelf portion.
2. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the insert portion includes a retractable mechanism.
3. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retractable mechanism has at has at least one member for extension and contraction within the shelf portion.
4. The support apparatus of claim 3, wherein two members are for extension and contraction within the shelf portion.
5. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retractable mechanism has at least one member slidably retracting within an elongated cylinder attached to the shelf portion.
6. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elongated cylinder is attached to a bottom surface of the shelf portion.
7. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the length of the cylinder is sufficient to retract a substantial portion of the member within the cylinder.
8. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retractable mechanism is releasably secured to prevent movement thereof.
9. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shelf portion has a stabilizing portion depending from the shelf portion to engage the object and to minimize overall movement or vibration of the support apparatus.
10. A support apparatus, comprising:
- a shelf portion having a ridge positioned along the outer periphery to and upwardly facing to facilitate the resting of items thereon, the shelf portion having a stabilizing portion depending from the shelf portion to engage a bed;
- an insert portion retractably connected to the shelf portion, the insert portion removably engaged underneath a mattress of the bed; and
- whereby the insert portion is removably engaged underneath a mattress of a bed to support the items resting on the shelf.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Applicant: DAVE CO., LLC (Coventry, RI)
Inventor: David A. Watson, SR. (Warwick, RI)
Application Number: 12/257,789
International Classification: A47B 96/02 (20060101);