US20070151487A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070151487A1
Application number: US11/586,484
Authority: US
Inventors: Allan Villapanda; Tony To; Helena Lam; Cuong Bui
Original assignee: Jakks Pacific Inc
Current assignee: Jakks Pacific Inc
Priority date: 2005-10-24
Filing date: 2006-10-24
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: WO2007050637A3; WO2007050637A2

Abstract

A portable desktop is described. The portable desktop includes an openable container having a cover and a bottom housing. The cover is hingedly connected with the bottom housing. A prop is hingedly connected with the cover for adjusting an opening of the openable container. Additionally, the bottom housing has notches therein for allowing the prop to adjust the opening by affixing with the notches. A ledge is attached with the first cover to prevent an object from sliding off the cover. When closed, the cover and bottom housing operate as a container to hold objects therein. When opened, a user may place an object against the cover to use the cover as a desktop.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM
The present application is a non-provisional application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/730,442, filed on Oct. 24, 2005, titled, “Portable Desktop.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a work surface and, more particularly, to a case that is openable to operate as a portable desktop

(2) Description of Related Art

Desks have long been known in the art. Desks are typically large, furniture-like structures. The structures are often used as a work space with a writing surface thereon and a storage compartment therein. Existing desks do not allow for portability and placement of the desktop upon a user's lap.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a portable desktop that can be placed upon a user's lap to function as a work surface.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable desktop. The portable desktop has an openable container with a cover and a bottom housing. The cover is hingedly connected with the bottom housing. A prop is hingedly connected with the cover by a prop hinge for adjusting an opening of the openable container. The bottom housing has multiple notches therein for allowing the prop to adjust the opening by affixing with the multiple notches. When closed, the cover and bottom housing operate as a container to hold objects therein. When opened, a user may place an object against the cover to use the cover as a desktop.

In another aspect, the portable desktop has a ledge attached with the cover. The ledge prevents objects from sliding off the cover.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a retention mechanism and a retention mechanism spring connecting the retention mechanism with the cover. A user may lift the retention mechanism away from the cover and place objects between the retention mechanism and the cover; the retention mechanism spring then causes the retention mechanism to force said objects against the cover and hold said objects rigidly in place.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a cover outer-raised portion and a cover outer-recessed portion. The cover outer-raised portion and the cover outer-recessed portion form a shelf, allowing a user to place media in the cover outer-recessed portion such that said media rests against the cover outer-raised portion.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a media crossbar that spans the cover outer-recessed portion. A user may place media in the cover outer-recessed portion and brace said media with the media crossbar to, for example, hold open the pages of bound books.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a handle connected with the cover. A user may grip the handle and carry the portable desktop like a briefcase when the portable desktop is closed.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a securing mechanism, for example a latch, connected with the cover. The securing mechanism has a securing mechanism release mechanism. A securing mechanism slot is also formed in the bottom housing. A user can insert the securing mechanism into the securing mechanism slot, preventing the portable desktop from coming open when it is closed and selectively operate the securing mechanism release mechanism to open the portable desktop.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop's securing mechanism release mechanism is operated whenever a user presses the retention mechanism against the cover.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a second prop hingedly connected with the cover by a second prop hinge. A second set of multiple notches is formed in the bottom housing for affixing with the second prop. Additionally, a prop crossbar is connected with the prop and the second prop. The user can simultaneously engage the prop and the second prop with multiple notches.

In yet another aspect, the portable desktop has a bottom housing recessed portion and a bottom housing raised portion. The multiple notches are formed therein in the bottom housing raised portion. A cover inner-raised portion and a cover inner-recessed portion are also formed in the cover. Further, a cover groove portion is formed in the cover inner-raised portion. The openable container is delimited by the cover inner-raised portion and the bottom housing raised portion, and a user can store the prop in the cover groove portion when closing the portable desktop.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the portable desktop described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustration of the portable desktop in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position;

FIG. 3A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in an open, inclined position;

FIG. 3B is a side-view illustration of portable desktop in an open, inclined position with the cover and bottom housing made partially transparent to emphasize how the user seats the prop in the multiple notches;

FIG. 3C is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in an open, inclined position with the cover made partially transparent to emphasize how media would be placed in the cover outer-recessed portion;

FIG. 4A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position;

FIG. 4B is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with the cover and bottom housing made partially transparent to emphasize how the prop is stored when the portable desktop is in a closed position;

FIG. 5A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with the cover and bottom housing made partially transparent to emphasize how the securing mechanism interacts with the securing mechanism slot to keep the portable desktop closed;

FIG. 5B is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with the cover and bottom housing made partially transparent to emphasize how the securing mechanism interacts with the securing mechanism slot when opening the portable desktop; and

FIG. 5C is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with the cover and bottom housing made partially transparent to emphasize that the securing mechanism is independent of the retention mechanism spring, allowing the user to selectively hold and release media regardless of whether the securing mechanism is affixed in the securing mechanism slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a work surface and, more particularly, to a case that is openable to operate as a portable desktop. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as, a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C.Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

FIG. 1 is a front view illustration of the portable desktop in an open position.

The portable desktop is an openable container comprising acover100 and abottom housing102. Thecover100 is attached with thebottom housing102 through ahinge104, allowing thecover100 andbottom housing102 to pivot around thehinge104. Aprop106 is attached with thecover100 via aprop hinge108. It should be noted that theprop106, thecover100, and thebottom housing102 are separately formed and attached with each other using standard hinging techniques.

As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, theprop106 can be any suitable adjustment mechanism for allowing a user to adjust the width of the angle between thecover100 and thebottom housing102.

Multiple notches

110 are formed in thebottom housing102 so that theprop106 can be positioned against any of themultiple notches110. A user can selectively place theprop106 within any of themultiple notches110 to maintain thecover100 in an inclined position with respect to thebottom housing102.

A bottom portion of the retention mechanism112 (not shown inFIG. 1) includes asecuring mechanism114. Thesecuring mechanism114 is formed so that when the portable desktop is in a closed position, thesecuring mechanism114 fits inside thesecuring mechanism slot116 on thebottom housing102. When closed, thesecuring mechanism114 becomes affixed within thesecuring mechanism slot116 to secure thecover100 against thebottom housing102.

Ahandle118 is formed on thebottom housing102. When the portable desktop is in a closed position, thehandle118 allows a user to carry the portable desktop like a briefcase. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that thehandle118 can be attached to any portion of the portable desktop provided it allows the user to carry the portable desktop in a balanced position when closed. In particular, thehandle118 could be attached to thecover100.

The bottom housing includes a bottom housing recessedportion120 and a bottom housing raisedportion122 surrounding the bottom portion recessedportion120. Themultiple notches110 and thesecuring mechanism slot116 are formed in the bottom housing raisedportion122.

The cover includes a cover inner-raisedportion124 and a cover inner-recessedportion126. The cover inner-raisedportion124 includes a cover groove portion128 (not shown inFIG. 1 for clarity). Thecover groove portion128 extends out from the cover inner-raisedportion124 substantially perpendicular to thecover100. Theprop106 can be rotated inside thecover groove portion128 via theprop hinge108 such that, when the portable desktop is closed, the cover inner raisedportion124 and the bottom housing raisedportion122 make contact against one another without interference -from theprop106.

The portable desktop is depicted here as having aprop crossbar130. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that thecover groove portion128 must accommodate theprop crossbar130; for example, thecover groove portion128 could be made with slots or notches where theprop crossbar130 would otherwise contact thecover groove portion128.

When the portable desktop is in a closed position, the bottom housing recessedportion120 and the cover inner-recessedportion126 form a substantially-closed container for storing any items that the user may wish to store.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position. A cover outer-raisedportion132 surrounds a cover outer-recessedportion134. Media may be placed in the cover outer-recessedportion134 for recreational purposes, examples of which include but are not limited to reading, writing, drawing, and painting.

Amedia crossbar136 spans the cover outer-recessed portion. Shorter media can be supported by themedia crossbar136 alone. Theretention mechanism112 includes a retention mechanism spring138 (not shown inFIG. 2) that pulls theretention mechanism112 towards thecover100. Taller media can be supported or held when a user lifts theretention mechanism112 and places the media under theretention mechanism112 such that theretention mechanism112 holds the media against the cover outer-recessedportion134.

Aledge140 extends from thecover100. Items can be placed on theledge140 when the portable desktop is in an open position, whereby theledge140 prevents such items from falling or rolling off the portable desktop.

A securingmechanism release mechanism142 is incorporated with theretention mechanism112. A user can activate the securingmechanism release mechanism142 while the securing mechanism114 (not shown inFIG. 2) is affixed in the securing mechanism slot116 (not shown inFIG. 2); this allows the user to lift thecover100 and bring the portable desktop to an open position. The securingmechanism release mechanism142 is independent of theretention mechanism spring138. Thus, the user can activate the securingmechanism release mechanism142 to open the portable desktop, even while media is held by theretention mechanism112 as described above.

FIG. 3A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in an open, inclined position.

FIG. 3B is a side-view illustration of portable desktop in an open, inclined position with thecover100 andbottom housing102 made partially transparent to emphasize how the user seats theprop106 in themultiple notches110. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, both the positions of themultiple notches110 and the length of theprop106 can be formed to give an arbitrary set of incline angles in which the portable desktop can be used. It will further be appreciated that, although the number ofmultiple notches110 is depicted here as four, that number is arbitrary.

FIG. 3C is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in an open, inclined position with thecover100 made partially transparent to emphasize how media would be placed in the cover outer-recessedportion134.

FIG. 4A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position.

FIG. 4B is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with thecover100 andbottom housing102 made partially transparent to emphasize how theprop106 is stored when the portable desktop is in a closed position. Theprop106 is contained within thecover groove portion128, allowing the cover inner raisedportion124 and the bottom housing raisedportion122 to make contact against one another without interference from theprop106.

FIG. 5A is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with thecover100 andbottom housing102 made partially transparent to emphasize how thesecuring mechanism114 interacts with thesecuring mechanism slot116 to keep the portable desktop closed. As an example of a specific securing mechanism,FIG. 5A, 5B, and SC show a retractablesecuring mechanism pin144 engaging a portion of thesecuring mechanism slot116; note that the securingmechanism release mechanism142 is not depressed with respect to theretention mechanism112. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, many such securing mechanisms are well known, and this example using a retractable securing mechanism pin does not limit the portable desktop.

FIG. 5B is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with thecover100 andbottom housing102 made partially transparent to emphasize how thesecuring mechanism114 interacts with thesecuring mechanism slot116 when opening the portable desktop. Note that the securingmechanism release mechanism142 is depressed with respect to theretention mechanism112, and, accordingly, the retractablesecuring mechanism pin144 is retracted. This creates clearance between the securingmechanism114 and thesecuring mechanism slot116, allowing the user to easily open the portable desktop.

FIG. 5C is a side-view illustration of the portable desktop in a closed position with thecover100 andbottom housing102 made partially transparent to emphasize that thesecuring mechanism114 is independent of theretention mechanism spring138, allowing the user to selectively hold and release media regardless of whether thesecuring mechanism114 is affixed in thesecuring mechanism slot116.

Claims

1. A portable desktop, comprising:

an openable container having a cover and a bottom housing, the cover being hingedly connected with the bottom housing; and

a prop hingedly connected with the cover by a prop hinge for adjusting an opening of the openable container, whereby when the container is closed, the cover and bottom housing operate as a container to hold objects therein and when the container is opened, a user may place an object against the cover to use the cover as a desktop.

2. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the bottom housing has multiple notches therein for allowing the prop to adjust the opening by affixing with at least one of the multiple notches.

3. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising a ledge attached with the cover, the ledge being operable to prevent an object from sliding off the cover.

4. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising:

a retention mechanism; and

a retention mechanism spring connected with the retention mechanism and the cover, whereby a user may lift the retention mechanism away from the cover and place objects between the retention mechanism and the cover, the retention mechanism spring causing the retention mechanism to force said objects against the cover and hold said objects rigidly in place.

5. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising:

a cover outer-raised portion; and

a cover outer-recessed portion, whereby the cover outer-raised portion and the cover outer-recessed portion form a shelf, allowing a user to place media in the cover outer-recessed portion such that said media rests against the cover outer-raised portion.

6. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 5, further comprising a media crossbar that spans the cover outer-recessed portion, whereby a user may place media in the cover outer-recessed portion and brace said media with the media crossbar to, for example, hold open the pages of bound books.

7. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising a handle connected with the cover, whereby a user may grip the handle and carry the portable desktop like a briefcase when the portable desktop is closed.

8. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising:

a securing mechanism connected with the cover, the securing mechanism having a securing mechanism release mechanism; and

a securing mechanism slot formed in the bottom housing, whereby a user can insert the securing mechanism into the securing mechanism slot, preventing the portable desktop from coming open when it is closed and selectively operate the securing mechanism release mechanism to open the portable desktop.

9. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 8, where the securing mechanism release mechanism is operated whenever a user presses the retention mechanism against the cover.

10. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising:

a second prop hingedly connected with the cover by a second prop hinge;

a second set of multiple notches formed in the bottom housing for affixing with the second prop; and

a prop crossbar connected with the prop and the second prop, whereby the user can simultaneously engage the prop and the second prop with multiple notches.

11. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising:

a bottom housing recessed portion;

a bottom housing raised portion, the multiple notches being formed therein;

a cover inner-raised portion;

a cover inner-recessed portion; and

a cover groove portion formed in the cover inner-raised portion, whereby the openable container is delimited by the cover inner-raised portion and the bottom housing raised portion, and a user can store the prop in the cover groove portion when closing the portable desktop.

12. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 3, further comprising:

a retention mechanism; and

13. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 12, further comprising:

a cover outer-raised portion; and

14. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 13, further comprising a media crossbar that spans the cover outer-recessed portion, whereby a user may place media in the cover outer-recessed portion and brace said media with the media crossbar to, for example, hold open the pages of bound books.

15. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 14, further comprising a handle connected with the cover, whereby a user may grip the handle and carry the portable desktop like a briefcase when the portable desktop is closed.

16. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 15, further comprising:

17. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 16, where the securing mechanism release mechanism is operated whenever a user presses the retention mechanism against the cover.

18. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 17, further comprising:

a second prop hingedly connected with the cover by a second prop hinge;

19. A portable desktop as set forth inclaim 18, further comprising:

a bottom housing recessed portion;

a bottom housing raised portion, the multiple notches being formed therein;

a cover inner-raised portion;

a cover inner-recessed portion; and

20. A method of forming a portable desktop, comprising acts of:

hingedly connecting a cover and a bottom housing to form an openable container;

hingedly connecting a prop with the cover by a prop hinge for adjusting an opening of the openable container;

forming multiple notches in the bottom housing for allowing the prop to adjust the opening by affixing with the multiple notches, whereby when closed, the cover and bottom housing operate as a container to hold objects therein, and, when opened, a user may place an object against the cover to use the cover as a desktop.

21. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further attaching a ledge with the cover, the ledge being operable to prevent an object from sliding off the cover.

22. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further comprising acts of:

connecting a retention mechanism spring with the cover; and

connecting the retention mechanism spring with a retention mechanism, whereby a user may lift the retention mechanism away from the cover and place objects between the retention mechanism and the cover, the retention mechanism spring causing the retention mechanism to force said objects against the cover and hold said objects rigidly in place.

23. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further comprising acts of:

forming an outer-raised portion in the cover; and

forming an outer-recessed portion in the cover, whereby the outer-raised portion in the cover and the outer-recessed portion in the cover form a shelf, allowing a user to place media in the cover outer-recessed portion such that said media rests against the cover outer-raised portion.

24. A method as set forth inclaim 23, further attaching a media crossbar with the outer-recessed portion in the cover such the media crossbar spans the outer-recessed portion in the cover, whereby a user may place media in the outer-recessed portion in the cover and brace said media with the media crossbar to, for example, hold open the pages of bound books.

25. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further attaching a handle with the cover, whereby a user may grip the handle and carry the portable desktop like a briefcase when the portable desktop is closed.

26. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further comprising acts of:

hingedly connecting a securing mechanism with the cover, the securing mechanism having been formed with a securing mechanism release mechanism; and

forming a securing mechanism slot in the bottom housing, whereby a user can insert the securing mechanism into the securing mechanism slot, preventing the portable desktop from coming open when it is closed and selectively operate the securing mechanism release mechanism to open the portable desktop.

27. A method as set forth inclaim 20, further comprising acts of:

hingedly connecting a second prop with the cover;

forming a second set of multiple notches in the bottom housing for affixing with the second prop; and

attaching a prop crossbar with the prop and the second prop, whereby the user can simultaneously engage the prop and the second prop with multiple notches.