Multi-functional security desk

Abstract

A multi-functional desk with improved security and display features is provided. The desk includes a front panel having a front surface and a top edge, an upper countertop secured at or near the top edge of the front panel having an underside and a receiving slot, and a security box having an upper slot mounted to the underside of the upper countertop so the receiving slot is aligned with the upper slot. The desk further includes a graphic imprinted on the front surface.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present application relates to the field of desks and desk-like objects. More specifically, the present application relates to desks with improved security and display features.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, schools may have multiple entrances, in addition to a main entrance. It would be desirable to provide a desk or table that can act as a portable station for security or commercial needs at an entrance or in the hallways. Additionally, the portable desk may be used outdoors for any multitude of occasions, including as a concession stand or for ticket sales at sporting events or other school related functions.

SUMMARY

In general the present application relates to a desk that is adapted for a variety of uses, including security, educational, or commercial purposes. In one aspect, the desk includes a front panel having a front surface and a top edge, an upper countertop secured at or near the top edge of the front panel, the upper countertop having an underside and a receiving slot, and a security box having an upper slot, the security box being mounted to the underside of the upper countertop such that the receiving slot is aligned with the upper slot.

In another aspect, the desk includes a front panel vertically disposed having a front surface, a right edge, a left edge, and a top edge, the front surface optimally having a graphic imprinted thereon, a right side panel vertically disposed and secured at or near the right edge of the front panel such that the right side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the right side panel having a bottom edge, and a left side panel vertically disposed and secured at or near the left edge of the front panel such that the left side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the left side panel having a bottom edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the appended figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the front and left sides of the mobile desk;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the rear and right sides of the mobile desk;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the top side of the mobile desk;

FIG. 4 is a first elevation view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the rear side of the mobile desk;

FIG. 5 is a second elevation view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the front side of the mobile desk; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a mobile desk according to an embodiment, showing the left side of the mobile desk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to a mobile desk that may be utilized in such capacities as a main entrance check-in station, school safety and security station, hall monitor station, sporting event admissions booth, sporting event scorer's table, concession stand, ticket sales booth, corporate display booth, or general purpose utility station. The desk may be equipped with a slot for receiving various materials, which are deposited in a security box. The security box is optionally equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to deposited materials. Additionally, the desk may be fabricated or modified to include a graphic display on its front panel. The graphic display may aid in adapting the desk for any one of the above listed capacities, as well as other functions.

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a desk 100 according to one embodiment. The first perspective view shows the front and left side of the desk. The desk 100 includes a front panel 102 having a front surface, a left edge 104, a right edge 106, and a top edge 108. The front panel 102 may further include a graphic 110 imprinted on its front surface, which is described in more detail below.

The desk 100 further includes a left side panel 130 and a right side panel 140, shown in FIG. 2, each of which is vertically disposed and secured at or near the left edge 104 and the right edge 106, respectively, of the front panel 102 such that the left side panel 130 and the right side panel 140 extend perpendicularly away from the front panel 102. The left side panel 130 includes an upper top edge 132 and a lower top edge 134, as well as a bottom edge 136. Similarly, the right side panel 140 includes an upper top edge 142, a lower top edge 144, and a bottom edge 146. The lower top edges 134, 144 may be located at any distance below the upper top edges 132, 142, respectively. Alternatively, each side panel 130, 140 may include a single top edge.

The desk 100 further includes two sets of caster wheels 150, 152, 154, and 156 fastened to the bottom edges of the side panels 130, 140 for mobility. Left caster wheels 150, 152 are fastened to the bottom edge 136 of the left side panel 130, and right caster wheels 154, 156 are fastened to the bottom edge 146 of the right side panel 140. Alternatively, the bottom edges may include any number of caster wheels. Each caster wheel 150, 152, 154, and 156 is secured to its respective bottom edge via a U-shaped bracket 151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively. The U-shaped bracket wraps around the bottom edge of the respective side panel, as best illustrated in FIG. 4.

An upper countertop 112 is secured to the upper top edge 132 of the left side panel 104, the upper top edge 142 of the right side panel 106, and to the top edge 108 of the front panel 102. Alternatively, the upper countertop 112 may be secured near the upper top edge 132 of the left side panel 130, the upper top edge 142 of the right side panel 140, and the top edge 108 of the front panel 102. The upper countertop 112 may or may not extend over the top edges of these panels. The upper countertop 112 further includes a receiving slot 114 that accesses a security box 116, located on an underside of the countertop 112, which is described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear and right side of the desk 100. A lower countertop 120, or work surface, is secured to the lower top edge 134 of the left side panel 130, and to the lower top edge 144 of the right side panel 140. The lower countertop 120 further includes a first drawer 122 and a second drawer 124, each located on the underside of the lower countertop 120. The second drawer 124 includes a lock 126 to protect valuable items. Alternatively, the lower countertop 120 may include no drawers or up to any number of drawers, with or without locks.

The upper countertop 112 and lower countertop 120 are depicted in a top view of the desk in FIG. 3. The upper countertop 112 includes a receiving slot 114 for receiving various materials, such as sheets of paper.

Any items received by the receiving slot 114 are then deposited into the security box 116, as shown in FIG. 4. The security box 116 includes an upper slot (not shown) aligned with the receiving slot 114 to allow the deposit of various materials in the desk 100. The security box 116 may be used, for example, as an anonymous suggestion box for students or as a money collector for ticket sales. The security box 116 further includes an access and a locking mechanism 118 for safekeeping.

Referring to FIG. 5, a front view of the desk 100 is shown. A graphic 110 may be imprinted on the front surface of the front panel 102. Although the graphic 110 is shown covering the entire front surface of the front panel 102, the graphic 110 may alternatively cover only a portion of the front surface of the front panel 102. The graphic 110 may serve a number of functions, including, for example, for showing school pride or providing a professional image.

While certain features and embodiments of the present application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A desk comprising:

a front panel having a front surface and a top edge;

an upper countertop secured at or near the top edge of the front panel, the upper countertop having an underside and a receiving slot; and

a security box having an upper slot, the security box being mounted to the underside of the upper countertop such that the receiving slot is aligned with the upper slot.

2. The desk of claim 1 wherein the security box further includes an access and a locking mechanism.

3. The desk of claim 1 wherein the front surface of the front panel has a graphic imprinted thereon.

4. The desk of claim 3 wherein the graphic covers the entire front surface of the front panel.

5. The desk of claim 1 further comprising a lower countertop secured to the front panel below the upper countertop, the lower countertop having an underside.

6. The desk of claim 5 further comprising one or more drawers secured to the underside of the lower countertop.

7. The desk of claim 6 wherein at least one of the one or more drawers comprises a lock.

8. The desk of claim 1 wherein the front panel further comprises a right edge and a left edge, wherein a right side panel is vertically disposed and secured at or near the right edge such that the right side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the right side panel having a bottom edge, and a left side panel is vertically disposed and secured at or near the left edge of the front panel such that the left side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the left side panel having a bottom edge.

9. The desk of claim 8 further comprising at least one right caster wheel secured to the bottom edge of the right side panel and at least one left caster wheel secured to the bottom edge of the left side panel.

10. The desk of claim 9 wherein the right caster wheel and left caster wheel are each secured to their respective side panel via a U-shaped bracket, wherein the U-shaped bracket wraps around the bottom edge of the respective side panel.

11. A desk comprising:

a front panel vertically disposed having a front surface, a right edge, a left edge, and a top edge, the front surface having a graphic imprinted thereon;

a right side panel vertically disposed and secured at or near the right edge of the front panel such that the right side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the right side panel having a bottom edge; and

a left side panel vertically disposed and secured at or near the left edge of the front panel such that the left side panel extends perpendicularly away from the front panel, the left side panel having a bottom edge.

12. The desk of claim 11 further comprising at least one right caster wheel secured to the bottom edge of the right side panel and at least one left caster wheel secured to the bottom edge of the left side panel.

13. The desk of claim 12 wherein the right caster wheel and left caster wheel are each secured to their respective side panel via a U-shaped bracket, wherein the U-shaped bracket wraps around the bottom edge of the respective side panel.

14. The desk of claim 11 further comprising:

an upper countertop horizontally disposed and secured at or near the top edge of the front panel, the upper countertop having an underside and a receiving slot; and

a security box having an upper slot, the security box mounted to the underside of the upper countertop such that the receiving slot is aligned with the upper slot.

15. The desk of claim 14 wherein the security box further includes an access and a locking mechanism.

16. The desk of claim 14 further comprising a lower countertop secured to the front panel below the upper countertop, the lower countertop having an underside.

17. The desk of claim 16 further comprising one or more drawers secured to the underside of the lower countertop.

18. The desk of claim 17 wherein at least one of the one or more drawers comprises a lock.

19. A desk comprising:

a front panel vertically disposed and having a front surface and a top edge;

an upper countertop horizontally disposed and secured at or near the top edge of the front panel, the upper countertop having an underside and a receiving slot; and

a security box mounted to the underside of the upper countertop for receiving material introduced into the receiving slot, the security box including an access and a locking mechanism;

wherein the front surface has a graphic imprinted thereon.

20. The desk of claim 19 further comprising a lower countertop horizontally disposed and secured to the front panel below the upper countertop, the lower countertop having an underside including one or more drawers secured thereto.