Two-level utility station for vehicles

Abstract

A two-level utility station for vehicles herein the device is supported on a front passenger seat and provides easy access from the driver seat. The work station has a suspended top surface located above the main work station area which can be used as a support surface for articles being used by the occupant of vehicle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

60/55421

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to work stations that provide a work area as well as an organization area within an automobile vehicle. More particularly, two-level utility station for vehicles of the present invention relates to a work station intended to be placed in the front passenger seat of the vehicle so as to provide the driver of the vehicle with a mobile office having an area for writing, operating a portable computer, and storing files, in addition to an area for storing supplies and equipment including, but not limited to, computer, files, PDA and phone. Specific attributes of the present invention allow for accessibility from the vehicle's driver seat thereby enhancing and increasing its usefulness over prior art designs.

BACKGROUND

Today, a large segment of the commercial workforce, especially individuals working in sales and product delivery, use their motor vehicle as a mobile office. During the course of the business day, these individuals must access files, write memoranda, print invoices or the like. When conducted within the confines of a motor vehicle, such business activities are awkward and usually inconvenient.

Laptop computers or the like are difficult to use in a motor vehicle since they are unsupported and frequently require a desktop support the computer while typing. Moreover, client files and other information, which need to be readily available, are kept in a brief case or transportable file box. Unless these storage devices are immediately adjacent the drivers compartment, they are extremely difficult to access. Furthermore, these storage devices are difficult and inconvenient to transport due to their size and weight.

While currently available portable computers provide the functional capabilities needed for writing and file information access, they are difficult to use in a motor vehicle. An individual using a portable computer in a motor vehicle must balance the computer on their laps or on an adjacent seat. This is awkward and becomes increasingly so if the computer is attached to additional peripheral equipment, such as a printer, a cellular modem, a 12 volt DC power converter or the like.

It is evident that there is a need for an apparatus which decreases the difficulty surrounding the use of portable computers within a motor vehicle. Furthermore, there is a need for an apparatus which provides a desk-like working surface which is adapted to hold a portable computer.

This device is a workstation for your vehicle that has a platform suspended 9″ above a level workspace, all within your passenger seat space. The dimensions are, the suspended platform 10″×14″, main work space area 11″×20″, total unit dimensions 10″H×17″W×30″L. The material is ¼″ ABS, which allows for uniform body construction to give strength and torque absorption. The BUS secures to the passenger seat by simply sliding beneath the seat back and installing a hitch pin, utilizing the strength of the seat for securing to the vehicle

The device is to be called a Bi-level Utility Station (BUS). The device organizes and secures otherwise disorganized, unsecured items from sliding about the vehicle. The device allows for a laptop computer or other items to be docked on the suspended platform using Velcro fasteners, while leaving a level and organized workspace on the passenger seat. Other items, such as note pads, binders, calendars, portfolios etc can all be docked on the suspended platform. This enables the user to have items secured during driving and easily used as an office when safety parked. Additional items will be available, i.e. phone stick, file holders, accessories drawer and more.

This device is a workstation for a vehicle. The device will be used by anyone who works out of his/her vehicle or needs to be more organized in their vehicles. Markets and professions who will benefit by using the BUS are salespeople, engineers, trades people (i.e. electricians, plumbers, landscapers, delivery people), field government workers etc.

None of the above inventions and patents taken either singly or in combination is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Accordingly, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel two-level utility station which is compact, simple to manufacturer, and economical in cost. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a two-level utility station which can be used with or without the corner tabs extended.

It is an objective to provide a two-level utility station which is a unitary piece, without removable elements which can become lost.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-level utility station which is designed to be ergonomically easy to use.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a two-level utility station which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and. scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a two-level utility station apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a two-level utility station which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art tool guides, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a two-level utility station which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a two-level utility station device which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a two-level utility station which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such planting device economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a two-level utility station which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by a Patent is:

Claims

1. A two-level utility station for use in a motor vehicle comprising:

a. a platform suspended 9″ above a level workspace, all within the passenger seat space,

b. a suspended platform working space measuring 10 inches by 14 inches.

c. a main work space area measuring 11 inches by 20 inches,

d. a hitch pin attachment device utilizing the strength of the seat for securing to the vehicle.

2. A two-level utility station for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the device is allows for stable storage of electronic devices such as computers and phones.

3. A two-level utility station for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the device maintains Velcro fasteners to stabilize stored materials, electronic and otherwise, while the vehicle is in motion.

4. A two-level utility station for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the device is secured to the passenger seat with a hitch pin.

5. A two-level utility station for vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the device embodies two levels of workspace.