Combination, Free-Standing, Multi-Deck Personal Effects Entry Organizer Station with Power, Charging, and TV/Lighting
A single or multilevel table-like organizer designed to hold and charge cell phones and other common electronic devices such as tablets, which is also meant to provide a central point location in which a person can place the personal items that they frequently bring with them when they leave the home. The levels are referred to as decks because one version has sloping angled front sides to facilitate easy and comfortable smooth rounded surfaces for placement and retrieval as well as shallow vertical sides and full backboards to keep items securely in place on the decks. Wood columns hold up the fronts of the decks. The decks are made from plywood covered with a rubbery shelf liner, and the forward, side, and backboards are all made with wood, though other materials could be used. Additionally, there is a shelf below the decks for other items such as a laptop, which could be placed and charged there especially as there is also a built-in outlet just above this shelf mounted to a cross brace structure at the back. Coat hooks are an option on the sides of the deck/s to hang items from such as coats, hats, and purses. There are also small metal hooks that can be mounted to the lower outlet cross brace structure to hang extra keys or jewelry from. Additionally, 120-volt AC outlets with USB charging ports are built into the centers of the backboards, though strictly USB charging ports could be used instead. The USB ports have the highest available amperage capability to charge with, including the common type A port and the newer type C ports. Furthermore, these device charging organizers have the capability to mount a smart TV or a monitor for viewing on an extended and braced upper backboard above the upper deck. Another option can place a light fixture in place of the TV, and there are also additional smaller lights possible on the unit. The two alternative organizer versions confer certain advantages. The dual level organizer depicted with the smaller upper deck centered over a larger lower deck can offer ergonomic access for multiple people from all directions at once and could be highly desirable in a party situation. Furthermore, the dual level organizer with the trapezoid shaped upper deck provides easier access to the outlets and the suspended charging cords as well as deck platforms with more accessibility and alternative ergonomics. The decks are wider though, so the width of the unit requires more space. With this combination of features, these multi-deck device organizers provide a highly convenient and practical location in a home, and some business settings, to include hotel rooms, to place one's personal small items, to include the charging of electronic devices, as well as the potential operation of these devices in coordination with a smart TV or a computer.
Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThis invention relates to personal effects organizers and electric device charging tables; however, this invention has additional features and multiple differences.
Background of the InventionWith the supposition that wooden valet stands, whose primary function was to hold clothes, added the further abilities of being able to hold small personal items, such as combs, could have led to the development of simple tabletop organizers to be followed by wall mounted organizers having multiple functions. There have for a long time been tables called entry tables, which can include various shelves and often have coat and hat racks built onto them. Therefore, this invention could be considered something of a combination consisting of a free standing entry table and a wall personal effects/property organizer but with further developments and potential abilities.
A. U.S. Pat. No. 9,039,226 to Abdullah et al. (2015) discloses a “Desk Organizer and Multi-compartment Storage Unit” which has an enclosed lower circular portion housing charging ports matched with an upper circular dome like structure that is rota-table and which has multiple compartments meant to hold many pills, but small office supply items can also be put in the compartments. This organizer is a desk mounted structure without any decks adjacent the charging ports.
B. U.S. Pat. D823,796 to Zhang (2018) is titled a “Multi USB Charging Station”, which is a simple desktop model that has a thin lower housing the electrical charging apparatus and six charging ports on one side. Above the housing there are seven thin and parallel, primarily vertical, partitions in which one can align cell phones in a manner similar to a letter holder. This structure does not have further organizer abilities.
C. U.S. Pat. No. 10,337,719 to Chien (2019) has several alternative structures showing a lower portion housing electrical charging ports with an upper part primarily consisting of various decorative pieces such as a small artificial fish bowl. One of Chien's figures shows an upper portion that appears to be a simple and small shallow rectangular tray that could hold small objects like keys, coins, or a cell phone. While this would have some useful function, it is a very small desktop structure, which has quite a limited capacity to store items or charge multiple devices.
D. U.S. Pat. D923,978 to Reister (2021) is titled a “Combined Dresser Valet and Charging Station”. It is similar in structure to a tabletop jewelry box though it is of a very simple structure having a small drawer at the bottom section with a lidded compartment above one side area of the drawer and another small and open compartment adjacent the lidded one. Therefore, the small and open compartment is meant to hold and charge a cell phone. This is another desk or tabletop structure with only a slightly larger capacity but appears mostly impractible to store or charge multiple items.
E. From a search of the internet with Google.com it is apparent that there is a large variety of simple desk and wall organizers, and there are various relatively normal and simple appearing tables that have USB charging ports built onto them. One product which somewhat superficially resembles the present invention is a product with a title of “Isle Power Tower”. This product does have outlets and USB chargers and has three flat levels in a tiered shape but the lower level is at floor height and its purpose seems primarily to charge phones in a school setting and would not function well as an organizer of one's personal affects.
Objects and AdvantagesSeveral objects and advantages of the present invention are:
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- (a) to provide stable organizing deck spaces at desirable heights with enough room to place virtually all of the personal property one normally carries, with it being both wide and deep enough for this task.
- (b) to provide a deck with a rounded and sloped front side along with raised sides and a backboard to contain small items from falling off or getting lost.
- (c) to provide a large and capable organizer, which is freestanding but still compact and able to be placed in many desirable locations.
- (d) to provide a padded, quiet, and gripping surface in which to place personal property.
- (e) to provide organizing decks, which have electrical power outlets as well as the current USB charging ports securely mounted into protective and stable backboards, and thus able to charge multiple cell phones or tablets simultaneously.
- (f) to provide the organizer decks with their own lighting fixtures.
- (g) to provide an organizing deck which is quickly accessible from the front and the sides due to it's design incorporating support columns at the front side areas.
- (h) to provide an organizer structure with room for additional shelving below or above, and capable of holding a large variety of other hardware, such as various coat/hat and purse hooks.
- (i) to provide a USB charging freestanding organizer, which is also optionally capable of having a TV/monitor mounted with a TV mounting bracket installed in a vertically extended backboard above the top deck; or a light fixture mounted this this backboard.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARYIn accordance with the present invention a four legged freestanding multi-deck organizer with 120-volt electrical outlet/USB chargers built-in to the backboards, and a TV mounted to an extension board at the top.
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- 20 entire freestanding dual deck organizer table unit
- 22 lower deck
- 24 upper deck
- 26 back board of lower deck
- 28 left sideboard of lower deck
- 30 right sideboard of lower deck
- 32 forward angled and rounded board of lower deck
- 34 backboard of upper deck
- 36 left side board of upper deck
- 38 forward angled and rounded board of upper deck
- 40 right side support column for upper deck
- 42 left side support column for upper deck
- 44 foreword left leg of dual deck table unit
- 46 foreword right leg of dual deck table unit
- 48 rearward left leg of dual deck table unit
- 50 rearward right leg of dual deck table unit
- 52 bottom platform of dual deck table unit, which is not a deck
- 54 lower horizontal beam supporting outlet
- 56 a hanging bar with hook extension
- 58 right side horizontal brace supporting dowel extension
- 60 entire charging panel in the backboard of the lower deck
- 62 a USB type A charging port in the charging panel of the upper deck back board
- 64 on/off switch of the USB charging panel at the upper deck back board
- 66 right side utility hook mounted on horizontal support brace
- 68 a 120-volt electrical outlet mounted below the lower deck
- 70 electrical cord supplying electricity to the 120-volt outlet and two charging panels
- 72 left side of top of rear leg
- 74 right side of top of rear leg
- 76 metal TV mounting bracket
- 78 the top TV bracket mounting screw
- 80 the vertical extension of the TV backboard
- 82 identification of the round router-ed edge of the backboard and vertical extension
- 84 120-volt outlet cover
- 86 location of the 120-volt outlet
- 88 a type A USB charging port in the uppermost backboard
- 90 a type C USB charging port in the uppermost backboard
- 92 a two tiered tray organizer structure with a powered charging box on top
- 94 the bottom tray outside of organizer structure 92
- 96 the outside of the upper tray of organizer structure 92
- 98 the forward left (in drawing) columnar support
- 100 the organizer's angled power box, or its upper surface
- 102 the power box's visible left side
- 104 a 120-volt power outlet with built-in USB chargers
- 106 the upper deck's inside bottom surface
- 108 the cord slot in the upper tray's side
- 110 the type-A USB charging cord
- 112 the type-C USB charging cord
- 114
FIG. 4 alternative embodiment with a trapezoid upper deck - 116 lower deck of trapezoid version
- 118 section of lower deck side trim
- 120 bottom shelf of trapezoid version
- 122 front left leg of trapezoid version
- 124 back right leg of trapezoid version
- 126 upper deck of trapezoid version
- 128 upper deck section of side trim of trapezoid version
- 130 upper deck backboard trip of trapezoid version
- 132 upper deck cord holes of trapezoid version
- 134 power box on upper deck of trapezoid version
- 136 outlet covers of power box of trapezoid version
- 138 120-volt electrical outlets with USB charging ports on power box
- 140 TV mounting board (upper portion not depicted) of trapezoid version
- 142 front cross brace below front of lower deck of trapezoid version
- 144 upper deck support brace at rear of trapezoid version
- 146 upper deck front left support leg of trapezoid version
- 148 upper deck front right support leg of trapezoid version
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- 1. The mounting of a small smart TV, or a tablet, or even a monitor screen, above the upper deck backboard adds to structures usefulness for many people. It could also function like a touchscreen computer tablet if wanted. The monitor could also be for a camera viewing screen and a mount for its own camera. The backboard of this version made to support a TV can have two additional vertical support braces behind the backboard positioned somewhat close together for the backboard to be low enough so that the lower edge of the TV has clearance for it to be adjusted at an angle and tilt with the TV mount's capability. Also, it would be possible to install a small TV that could pivot out from below the upper or lower deck, or it could be stationary below the lower deck. Another option, however requiring spatial side clearance would be to install stationary TV's extending out from either or both sides at the back, and these could be mounted on pivoting mounts allowing them to pivot into position and having the ability to tilt or adjust their angle for viewing.
- 2. A model with a built-in radio/CD player, which could be installed in a backboard or from pivoting out from a deck or sideboard.
- 3. A model having a built-in house alarm panel, since this could be a convenient location and security camera images could be viewed on the TV or monitor.
- 4. A bar like structure designed to hold wrist watches.
- 5. A resting bar can be mounted remove-ably across the deck a small distance back from the front in order to rest the top back side of a cell phone to, which also makes the phone easier to pick up, but would present some hindrances such as for wireless chargers, but the wireless charger could be made in an ideal shape for this.
- 6. A low height partition could be added to the lower deck to give it a left and right-side separation.
- 7. A model having a slot like space to hold a few envelopes or papers to the deck sides or the bottom shelf sides.
- 8. A model having a light fixture, most likely at the top. It could be attached under a deck/s at the front or back of the upper backboard, but the light fixture would suspend in front of the upper backboard.
- 9. A model with several built-in nightlights, such as one above the lower deck and one above the lower shelf A light could be installed to the forward underside edge of the upper deck to shine down to the lower deck.
- 10. A model with a 120-volt multi-outlet surge protector.
- 11. A wattage indicator meter view screen could be installed to provide information of the total wattage being used from the organizer and each 120-volt outlet could have a built-in wattage meter.
- 12. An on/off switch for the whole unit.
- 13. Purse bars could be installed.
- 14. Coat hooks installed on the sides
- 15. A second lower shelf could be added and additionally, the shelves could have sides installed.
- 16. Instead of the shelf or shelves down at the bottom there could be a cabinet.
- 17. The addition of leg lateral support braces in addition or in lieu of the shelves or cabinet.
- 18. The table legs and/or the distance between the decks could be made height adjustable.
- 19. The charging ports could be installed below the decks near the front, or they could be additional ports because this location is not presently preferred.
- 20. Elbow resting pads positioned on the top deck at sides
- 21. Inclusion of bean bag phone rests
- 22. A full computer built-in or station designed to accommodate one
- 23. Wi-Fi transmitters built in
- 24. Electronics port hubs built in
- 25. Built in computer memory with ports
- 26. Built in electric space heater and or cooling fans
- 27. Nightlights at the station's feet
- 28. A roll top front that covers the deck fronts and possibly the sides too
- 29. Built in remove-able baskets or purses
- 30. A chair or stool built to meet up with the station, which could be retractable
- 31. Inclusion of keyboard drawers possibly just below the decks
- 32. Hand grips and hand rests on sides or frontal area
- 33. Large home battery mounted below the shelf
- 34. A 20-amp capacity version
- 35. A Mirror could be added that folds out from the side
- 36. A sun and rain shade could be mounted at the top for the prevention of sun glare on the TV and possible exposure if placed outside for an outdoor event or poolside
- 37. Addition of a paper message pad or an electronic version
- 38. Versions of the organizers designed to fit in corners so possibly using three legs
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- 1. Instead of the model shown in
FIG. 1 having two decks and a bottom platform, there can be models having three decks and the bottom platform. A model with four decks or more is also possible, though it does not seem there would be enough vertical space for this to be very practical. If people do not mind a small space between decks, then they could be made. - 2. The different models are of predetermined dimensions and can vary somewhat in their width and depth. For example the models with TV mounts can be wider to accommodate them better.
- 3. The deck support columns could be oriented with a rearward angle at the bottom in order to provide additional room and clearance for the access of the lower deck.
- 4. Having a model which would have lockable covers for the decks, or just one deck, for use at businesses with workers where keeping items secured is important.
- 5. Having a model intended for businesses, which would have a plurality of decks side by side, such as ten dual decks, which would be separated by a partition between each deck, though the whole structure could still just have 4 legs, but possibly more legs.
- 6. Having a model designed more specifically for children or youths.
- 7. Having a model which is designed to be made from inexpensive materials, such as metal, particle board, bamboo, or plastic, to be affordable to almost everyone.
- 8. The decks could be angled somewhat downward in the front to possibly improve the positioning of devices.
- 9. The charging outlets could be mounted into a backboard at the ends, which would extend out past the sideboards of the deck.
- 10. The legs of the organizer stand/station can be positioned all the way flush to the outside edges of the deck sides.
- 11. There are a wide variety of electrical outlets being made that are possible to incorporate into the table and the models are changing as the electrical devices do over time. For example, making device organizers with 120-volt wall outlets, which also have built in USB charging ports as well as the recent type C ports. There are also many kinds of wireless phone chargers available and these could be simply plugged in and placed on the decks if it has a low enough pad, or a version could be made where the wireless charger is built into the deck semi permanently.
- 12. The electrical outlets and ports could be installed in the deck surfaces and could have an elevated and upward and forward angle for easier plug-in accessibility.
- 13. The construction of any TV stand/table with built in outlets or USB type chargers.
- 14. A bed night stand short version of the organizers.
- 15. A version built into a desk arrangement.
- 16. A version made with a curved and rounded back and sides possibly with a clam-shell like closing side.
- 17. The whole station organizer could be made within a small close-able room one can fit into.
- 18. The
FIG. 4 trapezoid upper deck version could be made with a rounded forward shaped upper deck with a corresponding deck below, both designed for improved clearances.
- 1. Instead of the model shown in
The operation of this new type of furniture unit, a dual or multi-deck organizer entry table with charging panels,
The lower deck 22 is generally somewhat easier to place items onto, such as wallets and keys, while the upper deck 24 can be easier for other things such as plugging in a cell phone to charge, and to hold the phone in place on the deck 24 while looking at its screen or performing phone functions. A person's height can make a difference for preferences of which deck 22, or 24, to use at a given time for different types of objects. In a household, one option is that shorter individuals may want to use the lower deck 22 and taller individuals may want to use the upper deck 24 if they want to keep their items separate. It could certainly be that it is just more practical for everyone using the table unit 20 to share using both decks 22, 24 simultaneously.
It can be more practical and organized to route charging cords from the charging panel 60 out to the sides, and over the sideboards 28, 30, and around the columns 40, 42 to then plug a device in to keep the lower deck 22 more cleared, and it seems to be a more ergonomic method. A person can hang a purse or other things with straps, such as cameras, or neck ties to the horizontal wood dowel bar extension having a hook at the end 56, and it has additional room along its central portion below the lower deck 22. With the small utility hooks 66, (unit's right side visible) a person can hang small items such as jewelry or extra keys.
From
The alternative embodiment depicted in
The operation of the trapezoid version 114 of the
There are varying combinations of advantages resulting from the different designs presented in
The different choice of construction between the alternatives results in organizers of personal effects with additional device charging capabilities in a highly practical platform that can be positioned in an ideal location in the home or office to function as a central point for one's movable items. These organizing furniture structures of
Claims
1. I claim a combination freestanding multi-legged single and multi-decked table like personal items organizer having charging outlets built-in to deck backboards, whereby a person can have room to charge multiple electronic devices, such as smart phones, and have a convenient location to quickly and securely place their personal effects, which they often take out and return.
2. The organizer table of claim 1, having columnar supports at the front of the decks providing open sides for the decks.
3. The organizer table of claim 1, having rounded and angled forward deck fronts.
4. The organizer table of claim 1, having TV, or other display screens, mounting ability positioned above the upper deck.
5. A combination freestanding, single and multi deck personal property organizer having a power multi-outlet/USB charger boxlike or mound like structure mounted onto the upper deck.
6. The organizer of claim 5, wherein multi-outlet chargers are mounted to a backboard, which may be held in place with leg or spines at the back, or forward projecting side supports.
7. The organizer of claim 5, wherein there are cord holes all the way through the upper deck so that the cords can suspend through the holes to the lower deck area.
8. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the upper deck is of a smaller size than the lower deck.
9. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the upper deck is generally rounded out forward and could have curved inward portions at the side areas adjacent the support columns to facilitate access to the lower deck.
10. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the upper deck has a trapezoid like shape having the widest part of the trapezoid positioned at the back of the unit whereby spacial clearance is provided for seeing and reaching the lower deck at the front and frontal sides.
11. The organizer of claim 10, wherein the upper deck is supported at its front with upward supports from the lower deck angled backwards to meet up with the underside of the upper deck.
12. The organizer of claim 10, wherein the upward supports from the lower deck mount at the inside front corners of the lower deck extending upwards and inward at an angle to the upper deck.
13. The organizer of claim 10, wherein a led light is recessed into the underside of the upper deck of which the top is covered over by the power box structure.
14. The organizer of claim 10, wherein there are two upper trapezoid shaped decks, which could be over a rectangular shaped deck.
15. The organizer of claim 10, wherein a TV/monitor backboard is installed above and at the back of the upper deck.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2022
Publication Date: Jan 4, 2024
Inventor: Dean Barton Rogers (Windsor, CA)
Application Number: 17/855,565