Patent ID: 7571959
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: A47B,A47C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A mobile desk adapted to be supported by a support surface such as a floor, comprising: a base including a front transverse base member, a rear transverse base member, and a central axial base member extending between and interconnecting the front and rear transverse base members, wherein the front transverse base member, the rear transverse base member and the central axial base member lie in a common plane oriented parallel to the support surface, wherein the rear transverse base member includes a central section that is interconnected with the central axial base member, and a pair of end sections that extend rearwardly and laterally relative to the central section, wherein each end section terminates in an outer end; a roller arrangement on the base, wherein the roller arrangement includes a pair of laterally spaced fixed-position front rollers secured to the front transverse base member on opposite sides of the central axial base member, and a pair of laterally spaced fixed position rear rollers secured to the rear transverse base member on opposite sides of the central axial base member, wherein the front and rear rollers engage the support surface; wherein the fixed-position front rollers are oriented generally parallel to the central axial base member and perpendicular to the front transverse base member so as to guide forward-rearward movement of the mobile desk on the support surface, and wherein the fixed-position rear rollers are oriented generally perpendicular to the central axial base member and parallel to the central section of the rear transverse base member so as to guide lateral movement of the mobile desk on the support surface an upwardly extending seat support member defining a lower end secured to the base; an upwardly extending worksurface support member defining a lower end secured to the base forwardly of the seat support member; a seat secured to and supported above the base by the seat support member, wherein the seat includes a seat portion and a back portion, wherein the rear rollers are interconnected with the end sections of the rear transverse base member and are located toward the outer ends of the end sections, and are positioned so as to be located outwardly and rearwardly relative to the seat; a handle arrangement associated with the back portion of the seat; a worksurface secured to and supported above the base by the worksurface support member; wherein, upon application of an upward force on the handle arrangement by a user, the user is able to lift the rear rollers off the support surface so as to enable axial movement of the mobile desk on the support surface using the front rollers, and upon application of a lateral force on the handle by a user, the user is able to move the mobile desk laterally on the support surface by lateral movement of the rear rollers and pivoting movement of the front rollers; wherein the front transverse base member defines spaced apart ends, and wherein the rollers are incorporated in end-type casters, each of which comprises a tubular body member positioned over one of the outwardly facing ends of one of the base members, and a roller member carried by the tubular body member; and wherein the casters interconnected with the rear base member are configured to prevent rotation of wheels associated with the rear casters in response to the weight of a user when the seat is occupied by the user, and to allow rotation of the rear caster wheels when the seat is unoccupied.