FOLDING DESK
One embodiment of the folding desk includes a rectangular desktop having a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge. A first desktop support subunit, a second desktop support subunit, and a privacy panel are each pivotally connected to the same major surface of the desktop. The first desktop support subunit pivots on a first pivot axis that is proximate and substantially parallel the first minor side edge. The second desktop support subunit pivots on a second pivot axis that is proximate and substantially parallel the second minor side edge. The privacy panel is pivotally connected to the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge. The first pivot axis is a greater distance from the desktop than the second pivot axis, allowing the folding desk to assume a relatively compact folded configuration.
The present invention is directed primarily to a folding desk.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany folding desks are at least somewhat difficult to convert from a folded configuration to a working configuration and/or from a working configuration to a folded configuration. For example, with some models, each desk leg must be manipulated independently to change or transition from the folded configuration to the working configuration or vice versa, increasing the time and user effort required to achieve the desired change in configuration. Additionally, few models approximate the functionality of conventional (non-folding) desks, and those that come closest generally are cumbersome, sacrificing portability for functionality.
Accordingly, there is a need for a folding desk that at least partially addresses the problems identified above. More specifically, there is a need for a folding desk that can be transported with relative ease, that is relatively simple to convert from a folded configuration to a working configuration and vice versa, and that can readily be enhanced by attaching various ancillary devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a folding desk is disclosed. The folding desk includes a desktop, a first desktop support subunit, a second desktop support subunit, and a privacy panel. The desktop includes a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, includes a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel. The first pivot axis is a first distance from the second major surface. The second desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge. The second desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, includes a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel. The second pivot axis is a second distance from the second major surface, the second distance being less than the first distance. The privacy panel is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge. The privacy panel is configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to the second major side edge.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a folding desk is disclosed. The folding desk includes a desktop, a first desktop support subunit, a second desktop support subunit, and a privacy panel. The desktop includes a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, includes a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel. The first desktop support subunit further includes a slot between the first desk leg and the second desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device. The second desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge. The second desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, includes a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel. The privacy panel is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge. The privacy panel is configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to the second major side edge.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a desk system is disclosed. The desk system includes a folding desk and an ancillary device. The folding desk includes a desktop, a first desktop support subunit, a second desktop support subunit, and a privacy panel. The desktop includes a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge. The first desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, includes a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel. The first desktop support subunit further includes a slot between the first desk leg and the second desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device. The second desktop support subunit is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge. The second desktop support subunit, which is configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, includes a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel. The privacy panel is pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge. The privacy panel is configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to the second major side edge. The ancillary device includes a protrusion configured to engage the slot.
An advantage of the folding desk of the present invention is that, in a folded configuration, it is relatively compact and can be transported with relative ease.
Another advantage of the folding desk of the present invention is that it is relatively simple to transition it from a folded configuration to a working configuration and vice versa.
Yet another advantage of the folding desk of the present invention is that its functionality can readily be enhanced by attaching various ancillary devices (e.g., printer stand, hutch, wastebasket, CPU holder, magazine rack, file folder, and desktop expander).
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
First desktop support subunit 30 includes a first desk leg 54, a second desk leg 56, and a first connecting component 58. First desk leg 54 and second desk leg 56 are connected to one another by first connecting component 58, which maintains first desk leg 54 and second desk leg 56 in parallel to one another, even as first desk support subunit 30 is pivoted about first pivot axis 34. First connecting component 58 includes at least one slot 60, which preferably is perpendicular to first desk leg 54 and to second desk leg 56. As shown in
Second desktop support subunit 40 includes a third desk leg 62, a fourth desk leg 64, and a second connecting component 66. Third desk leg 62 and fourth desk leg 64 are connected to one another by second connecting component 66, which maintains third desk leg 62 and fourth desk leg 64 in parallel to one another, even as second desktop support subunit 40 is pivoted about second pivot axis 44 (see
First desktop support subunit 30 and second desktop support subunit 40 can fold inward (i.e., toward one another) along first pivot axis 34 and second pivot axis 44, respectively. In the working configuration, first desktop support subunit 30 and second desktop support subunit 40 are each stabilized at approximately a ninety degree (90°) angle relative to desktop 12. More specifically, first desktop support subunit 30 and second desktop support subunit 40 are stabilized such that all the desk legs 54, 56, 62, 64 are substantially perpendicular to second major surface 16 of desktop 12, enabling them to support desktop 12. A privacy panel 72 is pivotably connected to second major surface 16 at one or more locations proximate to second major side edge 24. Privacy panel 72 may be pivotably connected to second major surface 16 by a third pair of hinge joints 74 (see
Referring again to
As shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A folding desk comprising:
- a desktop comprising a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge;
- a first desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge, the first desktop support subunit comprising a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel, the first desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, the first pivot axis being a first distance from the second major surface;
- a second desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge, the second desktop support subunit comprising a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel, the second desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, the second pivot axis being a second distance from second major surface, the second distance being less than the first distance; and
- a privacy panel pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge, the privacy panel being configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to the second major side edge.
2. The folding desk of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is approximately equal to a thickness of a desk leg selected from the group consisting of the first desk leg, the second desk leg, the third desk leg, and the fourth desk leg.
3. The folding desk of claim 1, the first desktop support subunit further comprising a slot between the first desk leg and the second desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device.
4. The folding desk of claim 1, the second desktop support subunit further comprising a slot between the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device.
5. The folding desk of claim 3, wherein the slot is perpendicular to the first desk leg and to the second desk leg.
6. The folding desk of claim 4, wherein the slot is perpendicular to the third desk leg and to the fourth desk leg.
7. The folding desk of claim 1, further comprising a releasable lock arranged and disposed to lock the privacy panel in an orientation perpendicular to the desktop.
8. The folding desk of claim 1, the privacy panel comprising a concavity along a portion of a privacy panel side edge proximate the desktop.
9. The folding desk of claim 1, wherein the desktop is substantially rectangular.
10. A folding desk comprising:
- a desktop comprising a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge;
- a first desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge, the first desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, the first desktop support subunit comprising a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel, the first desktop support subunit further comprising a slot between the first desk leg and the second desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device;
- a second desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge, the second desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, the second desktop support subunit comprising a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel; and
- a privacy panel pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge, the privacy panel being configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to the second major side edge.
11. The folding desk of claim 10, the desktop further comprising a desktop slot passing through the first major surface and the second major surface at a location proximate the second major side edge.
12. The folding desk of claim 10, further comprising a releasable lock arranged and disposed to lock the privacy panel in an orientation perpendicular to the desktop.
13. The folding desk of claim 12, the releasable lock being further arranged and disposed to lock the privacy panel to the first desktop support unit and secure the first desktop support unit in an orientation orthogonal to the privacy panel and perpendicular to the desktop.
14. The folding desk of claim 13, further comprising a second releasable lock arranged and disposed to lock the privacy panel in an orientation perpendicular to the desktop.
15. The folding desk of claim 14, the second releasable lock being further arranged and disposed to lock the privacy panel to the second desktop support unit and secure the second desktop support unit in an orientation orthogonal to the privacy panel and perpendicular to the desktop.
16. The folding desk of claim 10, wherein the first pivot axis is a first distance from the second major surface, and the second pivot axis is a second distance from second major surface, the first distance being unequal to the second distance.
17. The folding desk of claim 16, wherein the difference between the first distance and the second distance is approximately equal to a thickness of a desk leg selected from the group consisting of the first desk leg, the second desk leg, the third desk leg, and the fourth desk leg.
18. The folding desk of claim 10, the privacy panel comprising a concavity along a portion of a privacy panel side edge proximate the desktop.
19. A desk system comprising:
- a folding desk comprising: a desktop comprising a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, a first major side edge, an opposing second major side edge, a first minor side edge, and an opposing second minor side edge; a first desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the first minor side edge, the first desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a first pivot axis substantially parallel the first minor side edge, the first desktop support subunit comprising a first desk leg, a second desk leg, and a first connecting component connecting the first desk leg and the second desk leg in parallel, the first desktop support subunit further comprising a slot between the first desk leg and the second desk leg, the slot being configured to receive an ancillary device; a second desktop support subunit pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second minor side edge, the second desktop support subunit being configured to pivot on a second pivot axis substantially parallel the second minor side edge, the second desktop support subunit comprising a third desk leg, a fourth desk leg, and a second connecting component connecting the third desk leg and the fourth desk leg in parallel; and a privacy panel pivotally connected to the second major surface of the desktop at a location proximate to the second major side edge, the privacy panel being configured to pivot on a third pivot axis parallel to second major side edge; and
- an ancillary device comprising a protrusion configured to engage the slot.
20. The desk system of claim 19, wherein the ancillary device is selected from the group consisted of printer stand, CPU holder, magazine rack, file folder, wastebasket, and desktop expander.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2011
Applicant: CWG INC. (Lancaster, PA)
Inventor: Christopher W. GEITNER (Lancaster, PA)
Application Number: 12/650,456
International Classification: A47B 3/08 (20060101); A47B 3/00 (20060101); A47B 41/00 (20060101); A47B 1/00 (20060101);