IN-BED MULTI-PURPOSE DESK
Two side mounted panels (30) slide along the slots provided in side rails (20) so that a main board can be positioned at a convenient distance from bed. The main board tilt can be adjusted to a particular angle and locked in that angle with the tilt locking disks (34) on extendable arms (32) A laptop can be mounted on main board easily by just sliding laptop holders (56) to the appropriate position. The laptop can also be operated with an external keyboard seated on keyboard cradle (76) and by an external pointing device. Read-write box (64) secured on to read write holders (58) has a compartment with light for holding a book in open position. It can be positioned and locked at a convenient reading angle. The position of the laptop and the read/write box can be rearranged independently.
This application is based on the provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/901,972 filed on Feb. 17, 2007 at USPTO, USA.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention is an article of furniture. It relates generally to the field of furniture and ergonomics and more specifically to a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space.
BACKGROUND ARTErgonomic ways to use devices have been around since the beginning of automation. There were few inventions such as in-bed laptop desks, cantilever arm desk and mobile desks for the user to operate from the bed. This invention provides a few best known ergonomic positions for the user in operating and using devices such as laptop computer, read-write work space, TV etc.,.
Relevant Prior Art IncludesU.S. Pat. No. 6,663,066—Multi-function support
U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,050—A portable desk for use with a lap-top computer
U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566—A potable ergonomic computer workstation
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,567—Book holding device
U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536—Computer support apparatus and method
U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,753—A cantilevered and adjustable computer desk
U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,840—Mobile clinical workstation
U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,522—Overbed table for use with a patient support
The prior inventions required manual intervention to remove the device from the bed to a different safe position after the usage. Even though, such machines could be used for in bed operations, the user can not safely go to sleep after the usage of the machine without putting it away from the bed. Prior arts lacked safe means for mounting the monitoring equipments, display units, communication devices and medical apparatus right near the patient in bed. With the prior devices secured ways of mounting displays, entertaining children and monitoring babies were not feasible right in the bed.
The prior arts could not be left in bed or near bed while the user is sleeping or unconscious, since it might result in personal damage and/or property damage.
Technical SolutionThis invention provides a convenient work space above and close to the bed, with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustments. The positional and tilt adjustments are made feasible by means of various moving mechanisms. User can easily program the desk to be moved automatically to a safe position after a programmable time-out. Specific holders provided for securing the devices to the desk make this invention safe.
Advantageous EffectsThe primary advantage of the invention is to provide a convenient and safe work space for in-bed operations like working with the laptop computer, reading, writing and watching TV.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide multiple degrees of freedom to adjust positional distance and the viewing angle from the user to the main board.
A further advantage of the invention is to provide a platform for mounting devices and gadgets safely and securely right above the user in bed.
Yet another advantage of the invention is gadgets rack for keeping the ear phones, mobile phone, CD player, CDs, DVDs, MP3 player, Home Theater systems etc.,.
Still yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a desk for easy and safe operation for persons with disabilities, bed-ridden patients and children.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A Main Board for providing work space above the bed, Tilt locking wheels mounted between the Main Board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the Mainboard, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the Mainboard.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
20—Side Rails
22—Side Rail Support
23—Side rail nails
24—Side Panel bolts & nuts
26—Side glides
28—rivets
30—Side Panels
32—Extendable arms
34—Tilt locking disks
36—Keyboard Cradle holder
38—Tilt locking latches
40—Main board flanges
42—Main board length pieces
44—Main board side pieces
46—Length piece front side rail
48—Length piece top side rail
50—Main board nails
52—Main board bolts and nuts
54—Laptop bottom holders
56—Laptop top holders
58—Read/Write box holders
60—Gadgets rack holders
62—Rear panel TV holders
64—Read/Write box
66—Read/Write Folding unit
68—Side lights
70—Fiber glass front cover
72—Folder lock wheels
74—Folder lock
76—Keyboard cradle length piece
78—Keyboard Pad
Best ModeThe best mode of this invention comprises the preferred embodiment of the invention described below. Adding more embedded devices such as computer, display units, digital circuitry for automation, motorized movements, hydraulic actuators and electric actuators are possible.
Mode for InventionIn accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A main board for providing work space above the bed, tilt locking wheels mounted between the main board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the main board, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the main board.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYThis invention, an article of furniture accomplishes the provision of a convenient work space for the user to operate from the bed.
In medical and clinical applications this invention can be safely used for patient monitoring, securing communication devices and medical apparatus near the patient.
The main board discussed can be mounted to wall, ceiling or supporting columns and used in environments such as office, fast food joints, etc.,
This invention can further be deployed for monitoring kids, unconscious patients in bed. The same invention can be used as an in-bed entertainment center.
Television sets such as LCD TV, Plasma TV, Projectors can be mounted on the rear panel of the main board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Side Panel AssemblyAs shown in FIG. 4., side rail 20R is nailed to side rail support 22R using side rail nails 23 and then side rail support 22R is attached to the right side of the bed using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Side panel 30R is riveted to side glide 26R using rivets 28. Extendable arm 32R is attached to the side panel 30R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Tilt locking disk 34R is fit to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. The side glide 26R is inserted in the slot of side rail 20R. Similarly the left side panel assembly is done using the appropriate left side components. Tilt locking disk 34R is attached to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R.
Main Board AssemblyAs shown in
As shown in
Attach the Keyboard cradle holders 36R, 36L to the right side and left side panels 30R and 30L. Slide the keyboard cradle length piece 76 into the holders attached to the bottom of keyboard pad 78.
Read/Write box is assembled as shown in
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1) An article of furniture, for providing work space near a bed with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustments comprising
2) A Sheet, main board, equipped with tilt locking mechanism such as tilt locking disk, to provide angular tilt adjustments to said mainboard
3) Means for supporting said main board in combination with moving mechanisms comprising side panels attached to side rails and extendable arms to provide means for position adjustments
4) Means for sliding, fixing side panels horizontally to the bed comprising side rails attached to the bed
5) Means for securing devices and equipments safely comprising holders on the front side rails and top side rails, Laptop holders for mounting laptops safely, holders for display units comprising television holders attached to the mainboard
6) Means for holding additional input/output devices communicating with other devices on said main board comprising keyboard cradle, Keyboard pad for mounting computer keyboard, reading lights
7) Means for in-bed operations such as reading and writing comprising read-write box, reading lights and digital tablets
8) Optional add-on boards, holders to main board to mount more devices
9) Means for automating the positional and angular adjustments comprising said extendable arms connected to hydraulic actuators, electric actuators
10) Embedding devices inside said main board comprising electronic devices to facilitate sleep mode, time out, automatic safe parking features features of said main board
11) Means for providing work space with optional degrees of freedom for adjustments comprising
12) A sheet, main board, equipped with tilt locking mechanism such as tilt locking disk, to provide angular tilt adjustments
13) Means for supporting said main board comprising arms attached to wall, ceiling, floor in environments comprising office, medical clinic
14) Providing attachments to said main board to furnitures other than bed comprising crib, wheel chair, vehicle
15) Means for providing add on boards to said side panels comprising gadget boxes, mobile phones, charging units, built in battery
16) Providing attachments to said main board comprising baby monitoring units, patient monitoring facilities, medical apparatus, food compartments, lights, gadget charging units
- whereby a human can conveniently, ergonomically and safely work with computer, read, write, watch TV and use gadgets such as mobile phones right from the bed.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2010
Inventor: Gopalakrishnan Kannan (Newark)
Application Number: 12/526,956
International Classification: A47B 23/00 (20060101);
