Abstract:
The Fold Away Desk serves as an easy access organization station that folds up to a compact portfolio. 
     This mobile office can stand up in cube form providing an organized, central place of order and privacy which can be folded and safely stored away with ease. 
     With technology unveiling miniature and condensed products every day, the Fold Away Desk offers the solution to clearing clutter. The stylish scratch proof design ensures safe table top display while being attractive enough for travel. When folded it can also act as a multi use laptop or IPAD case. The Emergency Fold Away version is essential for the increasing worldwide weather crisis evacuations. Instead of losing a lifetime of memories, the user can be prepared for fast, emergency evacuation with photo memory cards, flash drives and critical documents all stored in one organized place and ready to go with a moment&#39;s notice.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to personal storage and organizational systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable desks as movable units for keeping records, information, functional articles and resources organized in the most useful manner possible. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The life of the average person today is hectic. With working parents, more divorced couples and more complex family living arrangements today, keeping track of information for schools, medical records, work-at-home records, elder care, community events, extra-curricular activities such as recreation leagues and clubs is more challenging than ever. We are commuting more and longer to both work, between homes and recreation. 
         [0003]    At the same time, we are living with an abundance of knowledge. While the Internet, technology, digital and electronic media provide us with many conveniences, they also have complicated our lives with speedy and distributed information exchange. One file in one physical place is inadequate today. We are societies on the go. We need work and living space that addresses our modern knowledge and resource management needs in a way which is more organized, multi-purpose and flexible. 
         [0004]    A specific example of this heightened need for better file resource management is the formal dining room. Today the formal dining room is used far less for formal dining, and far more for schoolwork, self-employed home office work, special projects and special collections of articles. It often becomes cluttered with so many stray items that the table is not visible. It has become the home office, library, storage room, and catch all, often displacing even flex-work needs due to the mass of paperwork and materials that tend to accumulate because users do not otherwise have a designated work area. Clutter and mess lead to stress, which is the last things today&#39;s family&#39;s need and an important object of the present invention—to reduce stress through more organized home-work living space. 
         [0005]    Numerous file storage systems and products exist for organizing information physically as opposed to electronically using both permanent and temporary storage devices. Known products include full size and movable desks such as lap desks, file cabinets, file folders, stackable file boxes, drawers, file dividers, folios. The problem with these conventional systems is that they are lacking the combined benefits of desk portability, aesthetics integrated with room use, color and texture, and organizational detail to allow the user to fold up and carry a stand-alone work space from room to room and beyond. In addition, many lack modularity, such as portable, subject-specific organization so that records and items can be filed away for storage and easily retrieved or moved from place to place when necessary. 
         [0006]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,546 titled “Transportable office work station” by Robert and Cynthia Gurin issued Dec. 17, 1996. This patent covers a transportable office work station comprised of a cabinet having a computer “elevator” and retractable casters to allow users to roll the work station to another location as desired. This requires a level floor surface for rolling the cabinet to a different location. If stairs are involved, the cabinet remains difficult to relocate. Carrying this desk to a car or different location would not be feasible. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,082 to Edward Kramer, issued Apr. 4, 1995 for a “Fold-up, movable desk with movable audiovisual equipment end.” The invention claimed is a movable desk also anticipated to be wheeled when desired to be relocated. The desk parts define a substantial piece of furniture, including a desk work surface, front and rear edge and support pedestal. While the invention can be moved, it is not anticipated to be packed up and easily carried from one location within a home or office to another, to and from vehicles, or regularly transported. 
         [0008]    Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,514 to Brown, Fogle and Salley issued Jun. 23, 1998 covers a “Ready to use foldable computer desk.” This invention teaches a foldable ready to use computer table with a support surface, keyboard drawer assembly and cable tray. While this piece of furniture allows the computer to be stored away, leaving the desktop open and unobstructed, it does not allow for the desk to be carried away or files particularly organized for portability. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,107 B1 issued Apr. 10, 2007 to Steelease Development Corporation, invention titled “Assembly with Movable Work Surface Portion and Material Holder.” This invention also acknowledges the importance of securing clear work space through flexible work stations, but teaches fixed furniture units which may be moved within the structure, but not movable units independently of the structure such as to be carried to and from locations within a home, office or community. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,113 titled “Hand foldable and portable furniture” issued May 29, 1998 to Cleon Benson also discloses a hand foldable article of furniture that can be folded up for storage purposes, but is not anticipated to store things in it once folded up. While the article is portable upon being folded, it stops being an organizational device once folded, which significantly limits its utility if transportable storage is intended. 
         [0011]    Numerous other embodiments of modular furniture, foldable furniture, collapsible workstations and the like are taught by the prior art to provide increased workspace and portability, but without the features of the present invention which combines aesthetic, highly organized, highly functional hand foldable and movable storage space which continues to store and organize articles within it while being transported by the individual user. 
         [0012]    A first object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an organized place to store paperwork temporarily in combination with work accessories needed to complete the work being stored while working on it in a multi-purpose location. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage unit for items in addition to files which may be needed to help complete work related to the subject matter of the records being stored. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to reduce clutter from loose files and work materials by providing an organizational system that is self-contained and portable so that it can be accessed when needed, then closed up and put away as temporary storage when done working with it. 
         [0015]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide organizational systems that are subject matter specific to keep records and related resources in one place, but portable to allow for carrying them with the user from place to place and to have storage components integrated to allow the unit to be hung, stacked or otherwise stored in a manner that renders it easily retrievable. 
         [0016]    Still another object of the present invention is to render physical space such as home or office rooms useful for multiple purposes by providing portable storage resources that can allow easy, lightweight, organized transport of records and items needed for accomplishing tasks. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a desk with enough structure to hold its form, but covered with a soft material which will not scratch furniture upon which it may be placed. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to integrate form and function of organizational space with that of architectural space to reduce stress, improve the quality of life, improve aesthetics and improve space use for people through better records and resource organization. 
         [0019]    Still another object of the present invention is to improve executive functioning of adults and children alike by providing ready, movable office and household organizers that teach subject matter organizational management for a variety of areas, including but not limited to elder care, college application preparation, recreation records and scheduling management, school work, medical records. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage unit with interchangeable storage components which are customized to the storage purpose intended. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention unfolded to show the contents of the foldaway desk storage compartments or “inside” view. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the present invention folded to show the outside of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the present invention as viewed from outside of the unit when folded. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention viewed from outside as folded. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a center desk member that folds down and away from a binder-type center support member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the invention referenced in  FIG. 5 , showing the folding of the invention into a smaller storage unit with hand-held carrying strap for easy transport. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  of the present invention is an elevational view of the alternate embodiment referenced in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , showing the unit fully folded and ready to carry. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 5-7  depicting a loop handle. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a fold-out elevational view of the present invention showing a hard service insert to provide a writing surface through a central member. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing reinforcement rods and base structure support for keeping the invention erect on a work surface while unfolding a center member for desk surface and organizational work use. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention from the outside as folded. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention unfolded to show a single center desk member as well as the contents of the foldaway desk storage compartments or “inside” view. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an example of a storage customization for senior care. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an example of a storage customization with clear pocket storage for enhanced visual content. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 17 to 20  depict an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an emergency organizational system with a clear waterproof carrier to protect contents beyond folded members. 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown unfolded as a unit hung on a surface such as a door or wall. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIGS. 1 through 4  show the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprised of central support member  10 , left wing member  20 , right wing member  30 , swing panel  40  and carrying handle  50 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  shows the invention unfolded, depicting central support member  10  defined by interior face  12 , exterior face  70 , bottom edge  15  and top edge  19 . Exterior face  70  of central support member  10  is shown at  FIG. 3 . Central support member  10  is pivotably associated with left wing member  20  and right wing member  30 , each having an interior face  22  and  32 , respectively, and an exterior face  62  and  64 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Exterior faces  62 ,  64  and  66  are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Interior face  22  and  32  are further defined by a plurality of storage components  24 ,  26  and  28  for interior face  22 , and storage components  34 ,  36  and  38  for interior face  32 , for holding articles stored within the invention. Swing panel  40  is further defined by base edge  42  pivotably associated with bottom edge  15  of central support member  10  and a fold edge  44 . Carrying handle  50  is comprised of carrying swing strap  52 , carrying companion strap  56 , swing handle support  54  and companion handle support  58 . Swing handle support  54  and companion handle support  54  are fixedly adhered to swing panel  40  and exterior face  70 , respectively to provide carrying support for the invention when in transport or suspension mode. 
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , components  24 ,  26  and  28  are pockets attached to interior face  22  of left wing member  20 , and pockets  34 ,  36  and  38  being attached to interior face  32  of right wing member  30 . Two center pockets  13  and  14  are shown to hold, for example, incoming and outgoing bills, with file folder slots  17  and  18  also provided to hold records for other areas of need such as announcements, appointment information, current school papers or items in need of immediate attention. The size, number and arrangement of the storage units, pockets, dimensions and slots varies based on the need of the user. These storage units may be permanently affixed or, alternatively, removably affixed through conventional hook and fastener means. The configuration shown is intended to teach the spirit of the invention and not limit a variety of storage components of different size and placement with the invention. 
         [0042]    In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the plurality of pockets on left and right wing members  20  and  30  are sized to retain various storage articles, such as envelopes, CDs, DVDs, digital memory cards, flash drives, personal digital assistants, cell telephones and the like.  FIG. 1  shows the invention with pockets  34 ,  36  and  38  to store camera memory cards and USB memory sticks and cell phones, and pockets  24 ,  26  and  28  to store envelopes, stamps and CD/DVD records. Additional sizes and shapes of storage units can be added to accommodate special needs, a designated place for emergency information and whatever other information the user desires. 
         [0043]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is made of a quilted fabric (or other durable fabric) that will not harm the finish of a tabletop and is lightweight. The central support member  10  and left and right wing members  20  and  30  are reinforced with either foam board, plastic or another strong material that is also lightweight. 
         [0044]    The present invention provides the user with a work area that can be cleared easily and in an organized manner to open and clean the primary space when the user is done with the temporary work at hand or when in need of the primary work space, such as the supporting table. The invention is put into use by carrying it to a desired work location, setting central support member  10  upright on the desired work surface, unfastening fold edge  44  from the closed position depicted in  FIG. 4 , pivoting swing panel  40  open and away from central support member  10  until it is perpendicular to it and lying flat on the desired work surface at a ninety degree angle to central support member  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Left wing member  20  and right wing member  30  then are opened away from central support member  10  to the left and right, respectively, until the invention is open to a working position, with a slight inward angle of left wing member  20  and right wing member  30  to provide support to keep central member  10  standing upright, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    After work is concluded and the user desires to store the invention, reverse steps to those cited above are followed to fold left and right wing members  20  and  30  inwardly toward interior face  12  of central support member  10  until wing members  20  and  30  are essentially parallel with central support member  10 . Swing panel  40  then is lifted from the work surface, pivoted inwardly so that fold edge  44  is aligned in parallel and close proximity with top edge  19  of central support member  10 , then folded over it and fastened to exterior face  70  using conventional releasable closure means, such as hook and fastener, ribbon, snap, button. Velcro, or the like. At this point the invention is in storage position  80 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , with carrying handle  50  being used to lift and transport the invention to the next desired location. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show front face  60  and exterior face  70 , respectively. The invention is slender enough to store behind a sofa or cabinet or under a bed. The underlying table that supports the invention when unfolded now can be used for its intended purpose for as long as necessary. When ready to resume work, the invention can be returned to tabletop, unfolded and work begun where the user left off in an organized, time-efficient manner by building on organization, not disturbing files and stored items each time records, notes and organizational tools need to be moved. 
         [0047]    The present invention is capable of embodiment in different sizes, shapes, configurations, storage particulars and organizational detail. For example, it can be tailored to work for children that are in shared custody arrangements or children that are on the go and need to complete their work in a variety of places due to scheduling. Users can literally fold up their working space and take it with them from one home to another, school to social event, library to bus or carpool. The preferred configuration gives them tailor-made executive functioning to keep important items in a place where they can be put to use when needed and safely stored away when not in use or while transporting. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5-7  show alternate embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , for example, the invention is shown from a front elevational perspective, with central support  90  having an inside surface  93  and inside surface  94 , with storage members  95  and  96  affixed to each, respectively, as well as an exterior surface  120 , shown in  FIG. 6 . This embodiment of the invention is further defined by central support  90  having binder  91  and swing panel  100  having binder  92 . In this embodiment of the invention, left wing member  99  and right wing member  98  are approximately the same size and dimension or slightly smaller than inside surface  94  and  93 , respectively, with left wing member having a carrying handle edge  53  and right wing member having a carrying handle edge  54 . 
         [0049]    Swing member  100  is further defined by panel members  104  and  106  pivotably associated with binder  91  to allow for additional unit folding. This embodiment of the invention is further defined by carrying handle  50  having strap  52  and strap  54 , with strap  52  having strap ends  52   a  and  52   b  affixed to carrying handle edge  51  of right wing member  98  and with strap  54  having strap ends  54   a  and  54   b  affixed to carrying handle edge  53  of left wing member  99 . 
         [0050]    This configuration allows for the invention essentially to be halved upon final folding whereby, from an open position shown in  FIG. 5 , swing panel  100  is lifted upward toward central support member  90  until it is parallel with central support member  90 . The invention then is pivoted inward along binders  91  and  92  to bring interior faces  93  and  94  toward one another. Left wing member  99  then is pivoted along carrying handle edge  54 , and right wing member  98  is pivoted along carrying handle edge  51  to fold left and right wing members  99  and  98  inward over swing panel  100  to close the invention like a book, with carrying handle edge  51  and  53  being drawn together in parallel and close alignment to allow for carrying straps  52  and  54  to double up in carrying formation to comprise carrying handle  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this embodiment of the invention, hard surface  110  is removably inserted into central member  100  to serve as a writing or rigid member support, as needed, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . This central member may also be adapted for laptop use. 
         [0051]    Right and left wing members  98  and  99  fold inward when the invention is prepared for storage, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and outward for workspace use as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  depicts the fully folded invention ready for transport by gripping carrying handle  105 , lifting and carrying the article to the desired location. This embodiment allows for the entire invention to be folded in half for storage needs and ease of transport. As with the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , storage pockets  95 ,  96 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 , or pockets  1  and  2  as shown in  FIG. 7 , are representative of a sample configuration for storage purposes anticipated by the invention in this alternative embodiment. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  depicts yet another alternate embodiment of the invention showing carrying handle  106  having anchor sites  107  and  108  located on top edge  109  and  110  of panel support members  122  and  124 , respectively. When this embodiment of the invention is in use, carrying handle  106  arches across the invention, but when panel support members  122  and  124  are folded into storage configuration, carrying handle  106  forms a loop, as shown in  FIG. 8   b.    
         [0053]    Additional features capable of being incorporated into the present invention include a central active paper and records center with a plurality of storage members as shown in central support member  90  of  FIG. 5  or central support member  10  of  FIG. 1 . This feature includes the ability to insert a desk calendar for appointment and event scheduling. The present invention also is expandable and adaptable for specific storage and organizational needs, such as to include an electronic device charging station, solar recharging capability, medical summary card, emergency contact card, clear pockets for visual reference, or ribboned “ ”bulletin board” in lieu of pockets on one side. The present invention also has visual story board capability to allow the user to select optional pieces that allow him or her to create visual cues for heightened organizational advantage. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  of the invention shows an additional feature of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 4  defined by a pocket  100  formed integrally within swing panel  40  into which rigid member  110  is removably inserted for additional writing support if needed when the invention is open and employed for work use. 
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention in front perspective view. This embodiment of the invention is defined by central support  130  having vertical edges  131  and  133  with rod pockets  132  and  134 , respectively, swing panel  140 , carrying handle  150  with strap  152  and strap  154 . These rod pockets  132  and  134  are of a dimension to receive a rigid support rod  160  and  162 , respectively, and are further defined by upper apertures  161  and  163  on vertical edges  131  and  133 , respectively, and into which rods  160  and  162  are inserted, respectively. Rod pockets  132  and  134  are further defined by base apertures  135  and  137  on vertical edges  131  and  133 , respectively, into which are inserted angle member  164  and  166 , respectively, to hold the unit upright when unfolded and in use. Angle members  164  and  166  have a rod receiving member  170  which cooperatively associates with the base support end  175  of the support rods  160  and  162 . These angle members  164  and  166  are removably inserted into the base aperture  161  and  163  of the invention, with support rods  160  and  162  locked into support association with angle members  164  and  166  for the purpose of holding erect the invention when it is unfolded for use. When storage is desired, the support rods are  160  and  162  are slid apart from angle member  164  and  166 , stored within the folded unit, swing panel  140  lifted upward to close against central support member  130 , and carrying straps  152  and  154  brought together for lifting and transporting the invention to its next destination. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  depicts another alternate embodiment of the invention utilizing the same folding system previously described. The inside view shown delineates one interior pocket  18  instead of two making this embodiment more portable for transporting. 
         [0057]    Additional embodiments of the present invention include storage configurations which facilitate bill paying, mail storage, organization of records pertaining to applying for and attending college, elder care, child records, such as for school, athletics or extracurricular activities, particularly in joint custody situations, holiday organizer, home remodeling, moving, a mobile business center, a home based business, wedding planner, travel organizer, seasonal home management system such as for a recreational vehicle or vacation home, an emergency evacuation organizer, as shown in  FIGS. 15-21 . Shown here are additional utilitarian features include clear pockets to facilitate stored content viewing, charging station for electronic component readiness, waterproofing, expandability and hanging configuration. 
         [0058]    These are samples of the many possible uses of the present invention. They are meant to be representative of, and not limit, the many possible uses, configurations and storage variations of the basic invention to which the present descriptions and the embodiments sampled in this writing can be applied.