Portable organizer for desk supplies

Abstract

A portable device for desk supplies. The device is strategically provided with plural compartments of different sizes that permit a user to keep all activity or office supplies in an organized array while the device is moved from one location to another, i.e. from a child's room to the kitchen table. Utilizing clamp members, the device can be attached to almost any horizontal, planar surface such as a kitchen or dining room table. The device can be located at the side of the table leaving the tabletop unobstructed for work (or play) activity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,361, filed Jul. 23, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to desk accessories. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a portable organizer for containing an array of desk supplies.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is not always possible to have one room and a specific desk dedicated to activities such as writing, studying, bill paying, etc. In such instances desk supplies must be transported to a room where a table or desk is available. This scenario can create frustration in that pencils, pens, paper and the like must be separately gathered and transferred to the available space. It would certainly be advantageous if all desk supplies were contained and organized in a single structure, which structure were portable and could be quickly and easily attached to almost any planar surface.

The related art is rife with many types of organizers adapted to contain desk supplies. Samples of such related art are identified and cited in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a versatile, portable organizer that can be quickly attached to a planar surface as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to a portable device for desk supplies. The device is strategically provided with plural compartments of different sizes that permit a user to keep all activity or office supplies in an organized array while the device is moved from one location to another, i.e. from a child's room to the kitchen table. Utilizing clamp members, the device can be attached to almost any horizontal, planar surface such as a kitchen or dining room table. The device can be located at the side of the table leaving the tabletop unobstructed for work (or play) activity.

Accordingly, the invention presents a portable device fabricated from lightweight plastic material and having an array of compartments that permits the workplace to be maintained in an organized state. An easy-to-use clamping system allows the device to convert almost any horizontal or planar surface into a working desk with all supplies conveniently attached thereto.

The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of a third embodiment of a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a movable jaw for a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view illustrating cam clamps for a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a partial side view illustrating cam clamps for a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view illustrating elastomer clamping surfaces for a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a partial side view illustrating elastomer clamping surfaces for a portable organizer for desk supplies according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the portable organizer of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. As stated above, organizer 10 is designed for attachment to a horizontal, planar surface such as a tabletop 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, organizer 10 comprises an open-top container having front wall 14, rear wall 16, bottom wall 18 and sidewalls 20, 20a. An open tray 22 is secured to rear wall 16 adjacent the upper end thereof. Open tray (optionally divided) 22 is designed to hold objects such as pencils and pens in a readily available space. Organizer 10 is fashioned with a compartment 24, which compartment is dimensioned to contain documents. As contemplated, compartment 24 is sized to receive documents up to 8 ½ by 11 inches. Plural compartments 26 are disposed in one sidewall 20a of the organizer. Compartments 26 are provided with angled bottom walls and are deep enough to contain extra pencils or pens and also to hold other small supplies (markers, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.). Spring clamps 28 (only one is shown) are positioned on sidewalls 20, 20a. Each clamp 28 has a jaw portion 28a adapted to engage the underside of the tabletop and secure the organizer to the tabletop. Jaw 28a and the tray bottom are provided with respective friction padding 30 and covering 32 (both non-marking) to enhance securing and to prevent damage to the tabletop.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 3, vertical slots 40 are provided in rear wall 16 adjacent each side of organizer 10. Jaws 42 (only one is shown) are disposed in each slot for vertical movement therein. A spring (not shown) is disposed in each slot and biases the jaws upwardly to contact the bottom of the tabletop. In FIG. 4 a flat spring arrangement 44 is employed to urge the jaws upwardly.

The movable jaw (FIG. 5) comprises a flat upper surface having a friction pad 30 disposed thereon. A handle portion 42a defines the front of the jaw to enhance manipulation thereof. The rear of the jaw features spaced walls 46, 46a, which walls define a groove that permits the jaw to move freely in slot 40.

In lieu of the above-described jaw arrangements, FIGS. 6 and 6a illustrate an embodiment of the invention that employs a pair of cams 50 attached to rear wall 16, which cams can be rotated to engage the bottom surface of table 12 to secure the organizer. Cams 50 are fabricated from an elastomer to enhance securing and to prevent damage to the table.

FIGS. 7 and 7a disclose an embodiment that utilizes a single movable jaw 60, which jaw 60 is coextensive with the width of rear wall 16. The upper surface of jaw 60 and the undersurface of tray 22 are covered with elastomer material 62 for purposes as indicated above.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable organizer for desk supplies, comprising:

an open-top container, said container having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall and two side walls;

an array of compartments disposed in said container; and

at least one clamp member disposed adjacent said rear wall for securing said container to a planar surface.

2. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 1, wherein said array of compartments are of different sizes and configurations.

3. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 1, wherein said rear wall has an upper end and including an open tray disposed on said rear wall adjacent said upper end.

4. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 1, wherein said rear wall has an upper end and including an open tray disposed on said rear wall adjacent said upper end and wherein said at least one clamp member is positioned below said open tray.

5. A portable organizer for desk supplies, comprising:

an open-top container, said container having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall and two side walls, said rear wall having an upper end;

an array of compartments of different sizes disposed in said container;

an open tray disposed on said rear wall adjacent said upper end; and

at least one clamp member disposed adjacent said rear wall for securing said container to a planar surface.

6. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 5, wherein said array of compartments include compartments disposed in one of said two side walls and wherein said compartments disposed in said one of said two side walls have angled bottom walls.

7. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 5, wherein said at least one clamp member has an upper surface and wherein said upper surface is covered with an elastomer material.

8. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 5, wherein said at least one clamp member has an upper surface and said tray has an undersurface and wherein said upper surface and said undersurface are covered with an elastomer material.

9. A portable organizer for desk supplies, comprising:

an open-top container, said container having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall and two side walls, said rear wall having an upper end;

an array of compartments of different sizes disposed in said container;

an open tray disposed on said rear wall adjacent said upper end, said open tray having an undersurface; and

a pair of clamp members disposed adjacent said rear wall and below the undersurface of said tray for securing said container to a planar surface.

10. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 9, wherein said pair of clamp members are movable jaws mounted on said rear wall.

11. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 9, wherein said pair of clamp members are spring-biased, movable jaws.

12. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 9, wherein said pair of clamp members are movable jaws each having an upper surface and including a friction pad disposed on each respective upper surface.

13. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 12, wherein said array of compartments include compartments disposed in one of said two side walls and wherein said compartments disposed in said one of said two side walls have angled bottom walls.

14. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 9, wherein said pair of clamp members are cam members mounted on said rear wall.

15. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 9, wherein said pair of clamp members are cam members mounted on said rear wall and wherein said cam members are fabricated from elastomer material.

16. The portable organizer for desk supplies according to claim 15, wherein said array of compartments include compartments disposed in one of said two side walls and wherein said compartments disposed in said one of said two side walls have angled bottom walls.