US20080083351A1 - Portable desk for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable office device is adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle to form a desk and includes positionable support members or legs that may be folded or pivoted into either an extended or a retracted orientation. The positionable legs enable the portable desk to be selectively positioned within a vehicle at an elevated height for use within the vehicle with the legs in the extended orientation, and with the legs in the retracted orientation, enables the portable desk to be readily transported by hand. The portable desk may further include a pivoting work surface member, various storage compartments, and a slot for receiving a seat belt to secure the portable desk to the vehicle seat.

Description

BACKGROUND AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to portable work surfaces, and in particular to a collapsible portable desk or office device for use in vehicles as both a storage medium and a portable laptop computer or typing support, and/or writing surface.
• People regularly conduct business away from fixed locations such as offices or homes. In such cases, individuals such as salespersons, contractors, and truckers frequently travel using motor vehicles to reach their contacts or destinations.
• Along with reaching remote locations, traveling by motor vehicle enables these individuals to transport many of the items they may need to conduct their business, such as cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDA's), documents, files, laptop computers, pens, paperclips, and the like. By having such items in their vehicle, business people are better equipped to efficiently and effectively conduct a broad scope of business without having to make multiple trips between the location of their business contacts and fixed office environments.
• However, the glove boxes, center consoles, and door pockets of most motor vehicles are ill equipped to contain the wide array of business and office equipment needed by individuals conducting business “on the road.” As such, the motor vehicles of these individuals can become cluttered, making it hard to find needed items or even resulting in lost items, thereby reducing the efficiency of business people conducting mobile business. Such equipment is also likely to move about the vehicle passenger compartment when the vehicle is driven, making it even more difficult to find specific items, and searching for items while driving is an unsafe practice that may lead to accidents. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, loose items in the passenger compartment of a vehicle can become dangerous projectiles that may injure the occupants.
• Another difficulty with conducting business from a vehicle is that there are inadequate surfaces upon which to write or type. Center consoles are generally narrow and awkwardly positioned and vehicle seats are low and sloped, forcing the individual to lean over and twist him or herself. Furthermore, as laptop computers and the ability to remotely send and receive data have become more commonplace and enabled a greater scope of business to be conducted on the road, the use of such computers and the amount of typing thereon has greatly increased.
• Therefore, what is needed is a device to contain and organize business and office items used by individuals transacting business from motor vehicles. Additionally, adequate writing or typing surfaces are needed in the passenger compartment of such vehicles to enable typing and writing to be conducted more efficiently and effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a collapsible portable desk adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle for containing and organizing business and office items. The portable desk includes positionable support members or legs that may be selectively positioned into an extended orientation when the portable desk is installed to a vehicle seat such that a top portion or a work surface member of the portable desk is positioned in an elevated orientation. The support members or legs may also be placed in a retracted position such that the portable desk may be readily transported apart from a vehicle.
• According to an aspect of the present invention, a collapsible portable desk adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle comprises a main body including a top portion and at least one positionable support member. The at least one positionable support member is adapted to being selectively positioned to the main body in an extended orientation and a retracted orientation. The portable desk is adapted to being installed on a seat in a vehicle with the at least one movable support member contacting the seat such that the top portion is able to support and/or contain business and office items.
• According to another aspect of the present invention, a collapsible portable desk adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle comprises a main body including a top portion and first and second legs. The first and second legs are pivotally mounted to the main body and are adapted to being selectively positioned in an extended and a retracted orientation. The legs are generally perpendicular to the top portion when in the extended orientation and are generally parallel to the top portion when in the retracted orientation. The portable desk is adapted for installation on a seat in a vehicle with the first and second legs contacting the seat such that the top portion is able to support and/or contain business and office items.
• The collapsible and portable desk of the present invention provides a convenient apparatus for both working on and storing work related items in a vehicle for individuals conducting work from their vehicles. The ability of the support members or legs to be selectively positioned in-an extended orientation enables the portable desk to be positioned within a vehicle at an elevated height for use within the vehicle. In addition, the ability of the support members or legs to be collapsed or folded into a retracted position enables the portable desk to be readily transported by way of either an integrated handle or a carrying strap connected to integrated carrying strap receiving elements. The pivoting work surface member may be extended into an open position for ready use by an individual sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle. In the closed position, the work surface member may be held securely shut by a locking device such that office or work related type items may be stored within the portable desk, including when transporting the portable desk apart from a vehicle. Further, the inclusion of a shorter front profile height relative to the back profile height of the portable desk enables the top portion and/or work surface member to be positioned substantially horizontally when installed to a typical, rearwardly tipped or tilted vehicle seat when the legs are in either an extended or retracted orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable desk in accordance with the present invention shown installed to the front passenger seat of a vehicle;
• FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the portable desk ofFIG. 1 removed from the vehicle seat shown with the legs in an extended orientation and a work surface member in an open position;
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position;
• FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the legs in a retracted orientation;
• FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the legs in a retracted orientation and the work surface member in a closed position;
• FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position;
• FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position and the legs in a retracted orientation;
• FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position;
• FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position and the legs in a retracted orientation;
• FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position;
• FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed position and the legs in a retracted orientation;
• FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2; and
• FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the portable desk ofFIG. 2 shown with the work surface member in a closed orientation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like numbered elements in the figures. A collapsibleportable desk40 is shown inFIG. 1 secured to thepassenger seat42 of avehicle44 using the vehicle's seatbelt46. When installed on avehicle seat42 in this manner,portable desk40 provides a convenient location to store items such as hanging file folders and other types of folders, cellular phones, pens (not shown) and the like, as well as provides a convenient surface upon which to place and/or use a laptop computer, writing pad, or for use as a writing surface for various documents.
• As described in more detail below,portable desk40 includes movable or collapsible or foldable support members orlegs50,52 (seeFIGS. 3 and 4). Thelegs50,52 are movably affixed to amain body54 and are adapted to be placed in either an extended (FIG. 3) or retracted position or orientation (FIG. 4). The ability oflegs50,52 to be selectively positioned into an extended orientation enables atop portion56 and/or awork surface member58 ofportable desk40 to be selectively positioned in an elevated orientation when installed to avehicle passenger seat42 for use by an individual sitting in the vehicle's driver seat. Further, the ability oflegs50,52 to be retracted enablesportable desk40 to be placed in a convenient collapsed state (FIG. 5) for transporting by hand. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, thelegs50,52 create a support surface for contacting thevehicle seat42 in both the extended and retracted positions in which thetop portion56 of themain body54 of theportable desk40 is angled thereto. Thus, whenlegs50,52 ofportable desk40 are installed on a normally rearwardly tiltedvehicle seat bottom59, as inFIG. 1 andFIG. 6, with thelegs50,52 in either the extended or retracted positions, thetop portion56 ofportable desk40 is kept in a substantially horizontal orientation.Portable desk40 thereby provides a convenient and level desk structure for retaining office-type equipment and enabling a user to readily type or write thereon.
• Legs50,52 ofportable desk40 are affixed tomain body54, withmain body54 including atray compartment60 and avertical compartment62 for receivinghanging file folders48.Work surface member58 is also secured tomain body54 ofportable desk40 and when needed for typing or writing, provides a convenient area upon which to support a laptop computer, writing pad, documents, or the like.
• In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 2-12,legs50,52 are constructed as afront leg50 and aback leg52 each of which are pivotally mounted tomain body54 viahinges68,70. In the extended position front andback legs50,52 are generally or approximately perpendicular, or slightly inwardly angled, tomain body54, as shown inFIG. 6, and in the retracted position, as shown inFIG. 7, front andback legs50,52 are generally parallel tomain body54. As shown,front leg50 is pivotally mounted adjacent or towardfront side64 ofmain body54 usinghinges68 andback leg52 is pivotally mountedadjacent back side66 ofmain body54 usinghinges70.Main body54 includesfront hinge tabs72 for mountingfront leg50 thereto usinghinges68 and includesback hinge tabs74 for mountingback leg52 thereto usinghinges70. It should be appreciated, however, that alternative hinge styles and manners of mounting legs to a main body may be employed within the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, piano hinges, spring hinges, or the like.
• In the extended orientation, as shown inFIG. 6,back leg52 is positioned or aligned to be slightly inwardly angled withback side66. As such, whenportable desk40 is installed tovehicle seat42 withlegs50,52 in the extended orientation, as shown inFIG. 1,surface76 ofback leg52 is able to generally contact the upright and normally slightly rearwardly angled seat back78 ofvehicle seat42 and thereby provide support to or stabilizeportable desk40 when so installed.
• Front leg50, in the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 6, is offset toward backside66 fromfront side64, thus, aportion80 ofmain body54 extends beyondfront leg50 in a cantilevered manner. Front andback legs50,52 are spaced apart from each other in the extended orientation such thatportable desk40 may be supported onlower seat members59 and be compatible with vehicles having a wide range of sizes of lower seat members or seat member bottoms. The extension of aportion80 ofmain body54 beyondfront leg50 thus increases the useful area ofportable desk40. It should be appreciated, however, that a portable desk in accordance with the present invention may alternatively not include an extending portion and still function as intended.
• Front andback legs50,52 each include a roundedseat contacting end84,86, respectively, that, when front andback legs50,52 are in the extended orientation, are adapted to contact a vehicle seat bottom59 whenportable desk40 is installed on avehicle seat42. As shown inFIG. 6, theseat contacting end86 ofback leg52 is located further away from thetop portion56 ofmain body54 in comparison to theseat contacting end84 offront leg50. In addition, when back andfront legs50,52 are in the retracted position as shown inFIG. 7,back leg52 lies further fromtop portion56 in comparison tofront leg50.
• As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7,portable desk40 includes afront profile height88a,88bas defined fromtop portion56 ofmain body54 relative tofront leg50 in the extended and retracted orientations, respectively. Similarly,portable desk40 includes a back profile height90a,90bdefined fromtop portion56 ofmain body54 relative to backleg52 in the extended and retracted orientations, respectively.FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that back profile height90 ofportable desk40 is greater than front profile height88 in both the extended and retracted orientations of front andback legs50,52. Thus, whenportable desk40 is installed to avehicle seat42 having an angledbottom seat member59, as shown inFIG. 1, with front andback legs50,52 in either the extended or retracted orientations,top portion56 ofmain body54 is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation such thattop portion56 may be readily used for writing and/or typing thereon.
• Portable desk40 also includes left andright brace members92,94 that are pivotally joined tomain body54 and used to maintain front andback legs50,52 in the extended orientation. Left andright brace members92,94, in the illustrated embodiment, are constructed of tubular metal, but may alternatively be constructed of plastic, a polymeric material, or the like.Left brace member92 is pivotally connected to leftside96 ofmain body54 ofportable desk40 andright brace member94 is pivotally connected toright side98 ofmain body54 with the pivot axes of left andright brace members92,94 being generally parallel to the left andright sides96,98, respectively, ofportable desk40. When pivoted to retain front andback legs50,52 in the extended orientation, left andright brace members92,94 include generally vertically downward front elements (not shown) andback elements102 that are joined by a connectingelement104.
• Although not shown onfront leg50, front andback legs50,52 each include twobrace retainer elements106 for receiving and securing left andright brace members92,94 when extended to retain front andback legs50,52 in the extended orientation. (FIGS. 2,8, and9). Eachleg50,52 receives both the right andleft brace members92,94, with theleft brace member92 being simultaneously retained in aretainer element106 on thefront leg50 and aretainer element106 on theback leg52. Similarly, theright brace member94 is retained in theother retainer elements106 of the front andback legs50,52. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, thebottom surface108 ofmain body54 includes left and rightbrace retainer elements110,112, respectively, for receiving and securing left andright brace members92,94 when pivoted upwards towardbottom surface108 to enable front andback legs50,52 to be pivoted into the retracted position. Although not shown in detail, the variousbrace retainer elements106,110,112 may be adapted to receivebrace members92,94 in a snap-fit matter, and may be constructed as generally conventional C-shaped or U-shaped members having at least one flexible arm adapted to releasably retainbrace members92,94.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 disclose the inclusion of aleg lock apparatus114 on thebottom surface108 ofmain body54 that is adapted to selectively and releasably retain front andback legs50,52 in the retracted orientation.Leg lock apparatus114, as shown inFIG. 6, includes a downwardly extending cantileveredfront tab element116 and a downwardly extending cantilevered backtab element118.Front tab element116 includes ahook member120 and arelease portion122 and, similarly, backtab element118 includes ahook member124 and arelease portion126.FIGS. 11 and 12 disclose the inclusion of afront catch element128 onfront leg50 and aback catch element130 onback leg52. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 13,front tab116 is adapted to receivefront catch128 andback tab118 is adapted to receive back catch130 when front andback legs50,52 are pivoted into the retracted orientation. Whenfront leg50 is pivoted into the retracted orientation,front catch128 deflectsfront tab element116 to enablefront catch128 to be retained on and byhook member120. Similarly, when backleg52 is pivoted into the retracted orientation, back catch130 deflects backtab element118 to enable back catch130 to be retained on and byhook member124.Front leg50 is released fromfront tab element116 by a user pushing onrelease portion122 to deflectfront tab116 towards backside66 ofportable desk40 and thereby releasefront catch128 fromhook member120.Back leg52 is released in like manner by the application of pressure to releaseportion126 to deflect backtab118 towardsfront side64 ofportable desk40 and thereby release back catch130 fromhook member124.
• Althoughportable desk40 is shown to include front andback legs50,52 in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that alternative legs or support members may be employed with a portable desk in accordance with the present invention and still function as intended. For example, a portable desk may include right and left side legs that are pivotally or otherwise mounted to the left and right sides of the main body of the portable desk. In such case, the portable desk may include front and back brace members pivotally connected to the front and back sides of the main body of the portable desk. Further, such left and right legs may include angled contacting ends to enable the top portion of the portable desk to be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation when the portable desk is installed to a vehicle seat. Still further, a portable desk could be constructed to include a single support member or leg or more than two support members or legs, or may utilize telescopic or removable support members or legs.
• The portable desk may also employ alternative braces, brace retainer elements, and/or leg locking apparatuses and still function as intended within the scope of the present invention. For example, braces could be constructed to pivot from the same direction as legs or braces may be incorporated into legs. Still further, an alternative portable desk may be constructed without braces.
• Referring again toFIGS. 2-12,main body54 ofportable desk40, as previously noted, includes awork surface member58 pivotally mounted thereto, atray compartment60, and avertical compartment62 for receiving hangingfile folders48.Main body54 also includes aslot140 for receiving the lap belt portion ofvehicle seat belt46 whenportable desk40 is installed tovehicle seat42 to securely retainportable desk40 whenvehicle44 is in motion.
• Work surface member58 is pivotally connected tomain body54 viahinges142,144 such thatwork surface member58 may be selectively placed in an open position, as shown inFIGS. 2,4,8, and11, or a closed position as shown inFIGS. 3,5,9,10, and12.
• In the open position ofwork surface member58, whenportable desk40 is installed to avehicle44 as shown inFIG. 1,work surface member58 is open toward and located closer to an individual sitting in the vehicle driver's seat.Work surface member58 includes apad146 that is exposed whenwork surface member58 is in the open position.Pad146 may be constructed of a non-slip coating, such as a rubberized or polymeric coating, or the like, to inhibit work items from slipping fromwork surface member58. As shown,work surface member58 may also include worksurface member trays148,149 that are exposed whenwork surface member58 is in the open position, with worksurface member trays148,149 being adapted to retain items such as pencils, paper clips, pens, or the like.
• In the open position,work surface member58 is retained in a substantially co-planar orientation relative totop portion56 ofmain body54 by being supported on aledge150 ofmain body54 locatedadjacent hinges142,144 of work surface member58 (FIGS. 3,5, and8). In addition, as shown inFIG. 1,work surface member58 may alternatively or additionally be supported by the armrest151 ofvehicle44 becauselegs50,52 are long enough to positionwork surface member58 at a height compatible with armrest151.
• In the closed position,work surface member58 is adapted to cover orclose tray compartment60.Tray compartment60 includes a corner ledge152 (seeFIGS. 2 and 4) that supports acorner154 ofwork surface member58 in the closed position. Further,work surface member58 includes an extension tab156 (seeFIGS. 11,14, and15). In the closed position,extension tab156 ofwork surface member58 is retained in a tab receptacle158 (FIGS. 2,4,6, and14) recessed below the surface oftop portion56 ofmain body54 to provide further support towork surface member58 in the closed position.
• Althoughwork surface member58 is disclosed as a pivoting work surface member in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that alternative work surface members may be employed within the scope of the present invention. Such alternatives may include, for example, a work surface member that is adapted to slide out of or from a main body, or a detachable work surface member.
• Extension tab156 ofwork surface member58 includes alock device160 having a retractable lock element162 (FIGS. 11 and 14) extending fromextension tab156 that is used to retainwork surface member58 in the closed position. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 15,extension tab156 includes alock release button164 which may be slid toward theback side66 ofportable desk40 to release theretractable lock element162 oflock device160 frommain body54 and thereby enablework surface member58 to be opened. Thus,portable desk40 may be used to transport various items in a briefcase-like fashion with the items retained within thetray compartment60 andwork surface member58 in the closed position and locked vialock device160.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15,vertical compartment62 is constructed as a throughhole166 to enable hangingfile folders48 to be disposed therein whenback leg52 is in the extended position as illustrated inFIG. 1.FIGS. 14 and 15 also disclose the inclusion ofhangers168,170 for receiving conventional hooks (not shown) of the hangingfile folders48. Further, aremovable insert172 may be placed withinvertical compartment62 such thatvertical compartment62 may receive standard sized hanging file folders betweenhanger168 and insert172 and may also receive legal size hanging file folders by removingremovable insert172 and placing the hooks of legal size hanging file folders overhangers168,170.
• Referring now toFIGS. 5,11-13, and15,main body54 also includes ahandle174 adapted for use in transportingportable desk40 when removed from a vehicle seat. In the illustrated embodimentmain body54 is formed of a polymeric or plastic material and is constructed by a molding process. As such, handle174 may be integrally formed via the molding process whenmain body54 is constructed. The ability of front andback legs50,52 to be fixedly retained byleg locking apparatus114 in the retracted position enablesportable desk40 to be readily transported, particularly by use ofhandle174.
• In addition, as shown inFIGS. 2-5, main body further includesstrap attachment elements178 for receiving a strap (not shown) such that a user may also or alternatively transportportable desk40 using a strap. In the illustrated embodiment,strap attachment elements178 are constructed by formingapertures180 on either side ofcorners182 to createposts184 adapted to receive the ends of a strap. The strap may include mechanical type hooks for engagingposts184 or may be strung throughapertures180 aboutposts184 and affixed to the strap via a conventional adjustable strap locking mechanism. It should be appreciated thatportable desk40 may be alternatively constructed and still function as intended within the scope of the present invention. For example, a portable desk may include a handle and/or a strap receiving element on a leg, or may even not include a handle or strap receiving elements.
• The collapsible and portable desk of the present invention provides a convenient apparatus for people conducting work from their vehicles for both working on and storing work related items in a vehicle. The ability of the support members or legs to be positioned in an extended orientation enables the portable desk to be selectively positioned within a vehicle at an elevated height for use within the vehicle. In addition, the ability of the support members or legs to be collapsed or folded into a retracted position enables the portable desk to be readily transported by way of either the integrated handle or a carrying strap connected to integrated carrying strap receiving elements. The pivoting work surface member may be extended into an open position for ready use by an individual sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle. In the closed position, the work surface member may be held securely shut by way of a locking device such that office or work related type items may be stored within the portable desk, including when transporting the portable desk apart from a vehicle. Further, the inclusion of a shorter front profile height relative to the back profile height of the portable desk enables the top portion and/or work surface member to be positioned substantially horizontally when installed to a vehicle seat.
• The above is a description of the preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the claims which follow and the breadth of interpretation that the law allows.

Claims (24)

1. A collapsible portable desk adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle, said portable desk comprising:

a main body, said main body including a top portion; and

at least one positionable support member, said at least one positionable support member adapted to being selectively positioned to said main body in an extended orientation and a retracted orientation;

said portable desk adapted to being installed on a seat in a vehicle with said at least one movable support member contacting the seat such that said top portion is able to support and/or contain business and office items.

2. The portable desk ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one positionable support member comprises at least one movable support member movably affixed to said main body.

3. The portable desk ofclaim 2, wherein said at least one movable support member comprises two legs.

4. The portable desk ofclaim 3, wherein said legs are pivotally mounted to said main body.

5. The portable desk ofclaim 3, wherein said portable desk includes a front side, a right side, a left side, and a back side, and wherein said legs comprise a front leg and a back leg, said front leg being pivotally mounted to said main body adjacent said front side and said back leg being pivotally mounted to said main body adjacent said back side,

6. The portable desk ofclaim 3, wherein said portable desk includes a front side and a back side and said legs comprise a front leg and a back leg, and wherein said top portion and said front leg define a front profile height in both said extended and retracted orientations of said front leg, and said top portion and said rear leg define a rear profile height in both said extended and retracted orientations of said rear leg, said rear profile height being greater than said front profile height when said front and rear legs are in at least one of said extended orientations and said retracted orientations.

7. The portable desk ofclaim 2, further including a lock apparatus, said lock apparatus adapted to retain said at least one movable support member in said retracted orientation.

8. The portable desk ofclaim 1, wherein said portable desk includes at least one brace member, said at least one brace member adapted to retain said at least one positionable support member in said extended orientation.

9. The portable desk ofclaim 1, further including a handle, said handle adapted to being grasped by a user for transporting said portable desk.

10. The portable desk ofclaim 9, wherein said handle is located on said main body.

11. The portable desk ofclaim 1, further including at least one strap attachment element, said at least one strap attachment element adapted for receiving a carrying strap to be held and/or worn by a user for transporting said portable desk.

12. The portable desk ofclaim 11, wherein said at least one strap attachment element comprises two strap attachment elements, said strap attachment elements being located on said main body.

13. The portable desk ofclaim 1, wherein said main body includes a slot adapted to receive a vehicle seat belt.

14. The portable desk ofclaim 1, further including a work surface member, said work surface member being movably mounted to said top portion of said main body.

15. The portable desk ofclaim 1, wherein said main body includes at least one compartment.

16. The portable desk ofclaim 15, wherein said at least one compartment is at least one chosen from a vertical compartment and a tray compartment.

17. A collapsible portable desk adapted for use with a seat in a vehicle, said portable desk comprising:

a main body, said main body including a top portion; and

first and second legs, said first and second legs being pivotally mounted to said main body and adapted to being selectively positioned in an extended and a retracted orientation, each said leg being generally perpendicular to said top portion when in said extended orientation and being generally parallel to said top portion when in said retracted orientation;

said portable desk adapted to being installed on a seat in a vehicle with said first and second legs contacting the seat such that said top portion is able to support and/or contain business and office items.

18. The portable desk ofclaim 17, further including a work surface member pivotally mounted to said top portion of said main body such that said work surface member is selectively positionable between an open and a closed position.

19. The portable desk ofclaim 18, wherein said main body includes a tray compartment, said tray compartment of said main body adapted to being covered by said work surface member when said work surface member is in said closed position.

20. The portable desk ofclaim 17, further including first and second brace members, said first and second brace members being adapted to retain said first and second leg members in said extended orientation.

21. The portable desk ofclaim 17, further including a leg lock apparatus, said leg lock apparatus adapted to retain said first and second legs in said retracted orientations.

22. The portable desk ofclaim 17, wherein said first and second legs comprise front and back legs, and wherein said front and back legs each include a seat contacting end, said seat contacting end of said back leg extending further from said top portion relative to said seat contacting end of said front leg when said front and back legs are in said extended orientations.

23. The portable desk ofclaim 17, wherein said main body includes a vertical compartment, said vertical compartment adapted to retain hanging folders when said first and second legs are in said extended orientation.

24. The portable desk ofclaim 17, wherein said main body includes a slot adapted to receive a vehicle seat belt.

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