Compact foldable work/activity station

Abstract

An ergonomically designed, compact, foldable, portable work/activity station comprising an integral user seat having a seating surface and an integral back support hinged to the seat that allows for correct and comfortable posture for a user while performing activities on an integral desktop. The work station includes four discrete elements: a seat element, a back element, a hinge element foldably connecting the seat element the and back element, and a work surface. The work surface is mounted on articulated tubing members permitting adjustment in position, elevation, and angle of the work surface with respect to the seat. When folded in storage mode, the work station is easily portable and fits conveniently in an overhead luggage compartment of an airplane.

Description

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

The present application draws priority from a pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/817,994, filed Jun. 30, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to stations for performance of work by humans; more particularly, to a portable work station including a planar work surface positionable in front of a seated user; and most particularly, to a compact work/activity station wherein a user is comfortably seated to perform work or other activity on an integral work surface and wherein the compact work/activity station may be folded up and carried as a briefcase-size item of luggage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many human work or recreational activities are facilitated by the performer or user (referred to herein as “user”) being comfortably seated at a desk or work station having seating means and a work surface positioned in front of the user for supporting the device to be used. Some examples of such activities are writing, drawing, reading, playing a musical instrument, playing computer games, playing card games such as solitaire, and using the internet. Some examples of the devices required for these activities are writing materials, a book, a musical score, cards, and a laptop computer.

A conventional desk or work station may not be available in many locations or situations in which a user may desire to perform such activities, for example, at a beach, in a park, while camping, or at a crowded airline terminal. The prior US patent art has numerous examples of collapsible and portable devices intended to meet such need temporarily, none of which is entirely satisfactory.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,915 discloses a portable desk-work bench having collapsible legs that may be extended to form a desk surface supported in part by the legs on a floor and in part by the thighs of a person seated on a chair. This device is not useful in situations wherein conventional seating means for a user is not available.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,698 discloses a portable desk having a work surface panel supported over the lap of a seated user by support compartments which extend to the seated surface beside the user during use. Again, this device is not useful in situations wherein conventional seating means for a user is not available.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,400 discloses a folding chair and desk combination wherein the chair includes a seat, a back, support legs, and two arms. The arms are spaced generally parallel from one another and extend outwardly providing support for a desk which is adjustably and hingedly connected to one of the arms. An enlarged support base structure extends beneath the desk, and a lamp structure is attached to the chair back for illumination over a user's shoulder. The device has the overall size and appearance of a folding lawn chair having a desk resting upon the chair arms. A serious drawback of the disclosed device is that in folded configuration the device is relatively large and cumbersome and is not readily adapted for business use or airplane travel in overhead luggage compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,600 discloses a convertible work station comprising chair and desk sections which are separated from each other in an active mode of the station and are combined in a storage mode to form a compact cube having square faces. This device is intended for use in situations wherein there exists a need for computer-equipped work stations but also wherein such work stations when not in use can be converted into a more compact storable and secure form. Again, the device is relatively large and cumbersome in terms of personal portability and is not suitable for business use or airplane travel in overhead compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,896 B1 discloses a foldable table or desk having an A-frame wheeled base with a changeable advertizing sign panel mounted on its front and a rear worktop which is pivotally mounted for movement between a storage position adjacent the rear of the base and an operational horizontal position projecting rearward from the base at desk or table height. This device is solely for a standing user and provides no seated support capability.

What is needed in the art is a compact work/activity station wherein a user is comfortably seated on an integral seat to perform work or other activity on an integral work surface and wherein the compact work/activity station may be folded up and carried as a briefcase-size item of luggage.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a comfortable, foldable, portable work/activity station for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ergonomically designed, compact, foldable, portable work/activity station comprising an integral user seat having a seating surface and an integral back support hinged to the seat that allows for correct and comfortable posture for a user while performing activities on an integral desktop. The integral seating surface obviates the need for an auxiliary chair or bench, while permitting a user to be seated in comfort while using the work station. The work surface is mounted on an articulated tubing arrangement extending from the seat, permitting adjustment in position, elevation, and angle of the work surface with respect to the seat and a user's lap. When folded in storage mode, the work station is easily portable and fits conveniently in an overhead luggage compartment of an airliner. Transition between use mode and storage mode requires no assembly or tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is side elevational view of a compact foldable work/activity station, shown in use mode;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the work/activity station shown in FIG. 1, showing the work surface pivoted to allow a user to be seated in the station;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the work/activity station shown in FIG. 1, showing the work surface adjustably tilted about a horizontal axis;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the work/activity station shown in FIG. 1, showing exemplary optional accessories such as a computer mouse pad, a cup holder, and a desk lip;

FIG. 5. is an isometric view of the work/activity station shown in FIG. 1, shown in folded or storage mode; and

FIG. 6. is an isometric view showing an exemplary carrying case for transporting and storing the work/activity station in folded mode as shown in FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an ergonomically designed, compact, foldable, portable work/activity station (referred to herein generically as a “work station”) comprising an integral user seat having a seating surface and back support that allows for correct and comfortable posture for a user while performing activities on an integral desktop.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an exemplary work station 10 in accordance with the invention comprises four discrete elements: a seat element 12, a back element 14, a hinge element 16 foldably connecting seat element 12 and back element 14, and a desk element 18.

Seat element 12 comprises a structural frame 20 having a first portion 22 supportive of a seat means 24, and second portions 26 extending at an angle from first portion 22 for engaging back element 14 via hinge elements 16. Seat means 24 preferably includes a padded seat, although other seating surfaces such as webbing, formed metal, or a plastic surface are fully contemplated by the invention and may be selected, for example, to reduce work station weight or to increase ruggedness or durability. Further, frame 20 and seat means 24 may be formed if desired as a single unit as by injection molding of a durable plastic polymer. Preferably, seat means 24 extends in both width and front-to-back depth sufficient to comfortably seat a work station user, for example, about 17 inches wide by about 17 inches deep. Seat element 12 may be positioned for use directly on any convenient surface 28, such as a floor, ground, lawn, beach, or auxiliary chair or bench. It is a first important and novel advantage of work station 10 over the prior art that work station 10 permits a user to be seated while using the work station without requiring auxiliary seating means.

Back element 14 preferably is similar in construction to seat element 12, comprising a structural frame 30 having a first portion 32 supportive of a back means 34, and second portions 36 extending from first portion 32 for engaging seat element 12 via hinge elements 16. Back means 34 preferably includes a padded back, although other back surfaces such as webbing or a hard surface are fully contemplated by the invention and may be selected, for example, to reduce work station weight or to increase ruggedness or durability. Further, back frame 30 and back means 34 may be formed if desired as a single unit as by injection molding of a durable plastic polymer. Preferably, back means 34 extends in both width and top-to-bottom height sufficient to comfortably support a work station user, for example, about 17 inches wide by about 17 inches high.

First and second restraining means 38 extend between seat element 12 and back element 14 to position back means 34 for user comfort. Preferably, restraining means 38 comprises flexible straps that are adjustable, as by buckles or preferably by a plurality of grommeted openings 40 in the straps that may be selected and positioned over corresponding anchor pins 42 extending laterally from frames 22,32. Straps 38 are presently preferred in the interest of minimizing overall weight of work station 10, although other means 38 for positioning and restraining back element 14 with respect to seat element 12 are fully contemplated by the invention, including known devices such as articulated folding arms (not shown) like those used in known folding chairs; see, for example, arms 16,18 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,400, the relevant disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Desk element 18 comprises a first arm 44, a locking pin mechanism 45, a second arm 54, and a work surface 56. First arm 44 is pivotably attached at a first end 46 to seat element 12 and is rotationally lockable thereto in use position as shown in FIGS. 1-4 by a rotary lock pin mechanism 45. First arm 44 may be unlocked from its use position and rotated about a first axis 48 to permit folding of work station 10 about hinges 16 as shown in FIG. 5. First arm 44 is preferably formed of first and second telescoping members 50,52 to permit adjustment of overall length and thus height of work surface 56 above seat 24. First arm 44 preferably is also pivotable about a second axis 58 as shown in FIG. 2 to swing work surface 56 out of the way to permit easy seating of a user onto seat 24. Second arm 54 includes a gooseneck bend 60 for engaging first arm 44. As shown in FIG. 3, work surface 56 preferably is pivotable and lockable about a third axis 62 for adjusting the tilt attitude of the work surface to a user, as may be required for a particular task. It is a important and novel advantage of work station 10 over the prior art that work station 10 permits

Referring to FIG. 4, work surface 56 may be provided with any of various optional accessories, for example, a mouse pad 64 and/or a cupholder 66 that may slide into recesses within work surface 56 for storage. Further, a desk lip 68 is useful in retaining an item such as a book or computer on the work surface when tilted.

Referring to FIG. 5, work station 10 may be converted from the open or work mode shown in FIGS. 1-4 to a closed or storage mode. Desk element 18 is pivoted about axes 48,62 to cause work surface 56 to lie flat on seat 24. Restraining straps 38 are folded inwards between back 34 and seat 24 as hinge 16 is folded to cause back 34 to come into contact with seat 24. In this configuration, work station 10 may be easily carried or stored, or may be installed in a carrying case as described below.

Referring to FIG. 6, work station 10 (not visible) may be provided with a carrying case 70 having handles 72 and a zipper closure 74, permitting easy portability and protection of the work station. The entire package fits easily in an overhead storage compartment of a passenger airplane. The total weight of the work station and carrying case need not exceed about five pounds. Preferably, one or more storage compartments 76 also having a zipper closure 78 are also provided to permit storage and carrying of items for use on the work surface, for example, a laptop computer, book, writing materials, newspaper, magazine, games, playing cards, cell phone, and the like.

While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1. A foldable, portable, self-contained work/activity station for permitting a user to engage in work on a work surface while seated therein, comprising:

a) a seat element;

b) a back element;

c) a hinge element connecting said seat element to said back element to permit folding and unfolding of said work/activity station between a storage mode and a use mode;

d) a desk element containing said work surface extending from and supported by said seat element; and

e) restraining means for establishing and maintaining an open position of said hinge element between said back element and said seat element while said work/activity station is in said use mode.

2. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seat element includes a frame for supporting a seat and means for engaging said hinge element.

3. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 2 wherein material for forming said seat is selected from the group consisting of padding, webbing, and molded plastic.

4. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back element includes a frame for supporting a back and means for engaging said hinge element.

5. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 4 wherein material for forming said back is selected from the group consisting of padding, webbing, metal, and molded plastic.

6. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 1 wherein said desk element further comprises:

a) means for selectively positioning said work surface at a predetermined elevation above said seat element;

b) means for selectively pivoting said work surface to a position away from said seat element; and

c) means for selectively adjusting the angle of incline of said work surface with respect to a said seat element.

7. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restraining means is selected from the group consisting of a flexible strap and an articulated arm.

8. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 7 wherein the functional length of said flexible strap is adjustable to change the hinge angle of said back element to said seat element.

9. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 6 wherein said work surface further comprises one or more accessories selected from the group consisting of mouse pad, cup holder, and desk lip.

10. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a closable carrying case.

11. A work/activity station in accordance with claim 10 wherein said carrying case includes at least one storage compartment.