Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing a work surface proximate to a seat in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base support connectable to the vehicle, a substantially planar member and a parallel linkage extending between the base support and the planar member for planar translational movement from a first position to a second position about an arcuate path defining a first plane. The first position is substantially proximate to the seat and the second position is above the seat and forward of the first position. The planar member is also pivotable about an axis parallel to the first plane away from the seat. The apparatus further comprises a support for selectably maintaining the planar member at a substantially horizontal orientation. The method comprises moving the planar member from the first position to the second position, rotating the planar member to the horizontal orientation and supporting the planar member with the support.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to tables in general and in particular to a method and apparatus for providing a working surface for use by an occupant in a vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Tables or other working surfaces are frequently desired in vehicles. Examples of such tables are commonly found in airplanes or other mass transit vehicles however several factors have limited their application and use in personal transportation vehicles, such as trucks and cars. The desirability of such tables has increased due to the increasing use of such vehicles for use as a work location. 
         [0005]    Providing a vehicle mounted table as a work surface requires additional properties over conventional table trays as found in airplanes. In particular, such work surfaces must be substantially stronger to accommodate the weight of laptop computers and other work equipment that may be carried thereon across uneven surfaces such as unpaved roads, fields and construction sites. Additionally, such tables must be located at a position so as to not interfere with the operation of the vehicle when provided for the operator of the vehicle while still permitting ease of operation by the operator. 
         [0006]    Many previous attempts to provide a working table have not be suitable for use in a work vehicle as they have been located in a position whereby they would interfere with the operation of the vehicle, if provided for the driver. Examples of such tables may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,934 to Anderson. Disadvantageously, the Anderson device is to be located over the lap of the seat occupant. In such position over the lap of a driver of a vehicle, the table would not only be substantially less usable due to the space constraints of the steering wheel, but it would also interfere with the proper operation of the vehicle as well as pose a safety hazard to the operator in the event of an air bag deployment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for providing a work surface proximate to a seat in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base support connected to the vehicle, a substantially planar member and a parallel linkage extending between the base support and the planar member for planar translational movement from a first position to a second position about an arcuate path defining a first plane. The first position is substantially proximate to the seat and the second position is above the seat and forward of the first position. The planar member is also pivotable relative to the parallel linkage about an axis parallel to the first plane in a direction away from the seat. The apparatus further comprises a support for selectably maintaining the planar member at a substantially horizontal orientation when rotated about the axis. 
         [0008]    The base support may be connected to the seat of the vehicle. The planar member may be supported by a top bracket which is connected to the parallel linkage. The planar member may be hinged to the top bracket along the axis. 
         [0009]    The support may comprise a selectably lockable support linkage. The support linkage may extend between the top bracket and a bottom surface of the planar member. The support linkage may comprise first and second links pivotally connected to each other. The first and second links may be pivotable relative to each between a folded first position and a longitudinally aligned rigid second position. The first and second links may be biased to the second position 
         [0010]    The parallel linkage may comprise leading and trailing linkage arms. The trailing linkage arm may abut against the leading arm at the second position. The apparatus may further comprise a retaining lip for retaining the parallel linkage in a substantially vertical plane. The retaining lip may extend from the leading linkage arm. 
         [0011]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method of providing a temporary work surface proximate to a seat in a vehicle. The method comprises translating a substantially planar member from a first position to a second position about an arcuate path along a first plane. The first position is substantially proximate to the seat while second position is above the seat and forward of the first position. The method further comprises rotating the planar member from the second position to a substantially horizontal orientation in a direction away from the seat and supporting the planar member in the substantially horizontal orientation with a selectably locking linkage. 
         [0012]    The first plane may be substantially vertical. Rotating the planar member may comprise rotating the planar member about a substantially horizontal axis lying along the first plane. 
         [0013]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seat table as applied in an open position proximate to and extending away from the seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the seat table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  as taken along the line  3 - 3  in a first or stowed position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  as taken along the line  3 - 3  in a second or elevated position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  as taken along the line  5 - 5  in a first or closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  as taken along the line  5 - 5  in a second or open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7   a  is a detailed view of a linkage retainer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7   b  is a detailed view of an alternative linkage retainer according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  10  as applied to and extending from a seat  8  within a vehicle. The seat  8  includes a sitting cushion portion  6  and a backrest  4 . The apparatus  10  comprises a planar member or table top  50  pivotally connected to a top bracket  40 . The top bracket  40  is translatable into a raised position by a parallel linkage  20  extending to a base support  14  or optionally to the vehicle or seat  8 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus may optionally include a storage compartment  12  located proximate to the seat  8  for use in storing the apparatus when not in use. 
         [0024]    The base support  14  comprises a body adapted to be secured to the vehicle, seat  8  or within the storage compartment  12 . It will be appreciated that for use with a storage compartment  12 , the base support  14  may be incorporated into and form at least a portion of one of the walls of the storage compartment. In other embodiments, the base support  14  may form a portion of the vehicle or seat  8  such that the parallel linkage is pivotally connected directly thereto. The base support  14  provides a first mounting location for the parallel linkage  20 . 
         [0025]    The parallel linkage  20  comprises a first or leading linkage arm  22  and a second or trailing linkage arm  24 . The leading linkage arm  22  is pivotally connected to the base support  14  at a bottom pivot  26  and to the top bracket  40  at a top pivot  28 . The trailing linkage arm  24  is pivotally connected to the base support  14  at a bottom pivot  30  and to the top bracket  40  at a top pivot  32 . The top and bottom pivots may be of any known type such as by way of non-limiting example bolts or other suitable fasteners, bushings or bearing s or the like. The leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  are positioned to travel along a common plane defined by the paths of travel of the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24 . It will be appreciated that the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  in cooperation with the base support  14  and top bracket  40  form a four bar linkage as will be well understood in the art. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the relative lengths of the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  may be adjusted so as to provide the desired angle of the table in the open position as will be more fully described below. The leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  may be formed of any suitably strong materials, such as by way of non-limiting example, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, other metals and alloys thereof, composite materials, fibreglass or carbon fibre. As illustrated, the leading and trailing linkage arms may have substantially planar cross-sections so as to minimize the overall thickness of the apparatus when in a stored position. 
         [0026]    As described above, the top bracket  40  is pivotally attached to the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24 . The top bracket  40  provides support for the table top  50  for translating the table top  50  from a stored to an extended position as will be described below. The top bracket  40  comprises a planar portion  42  and an elongate bar  44  at a top edge thereof. As illustrated, the planar portion  42  is substantially rectangular, however it will be appreciated that other shapes may be utilized as well. The elongate bar  44  supports a hinge  46 , such as by way of non-limiting example, a piano hinge for pivotally supporting the table top  50  about axis  47 . The elongate bar  44  spaces the table top  50  from the planar portion  42  when the apparatus is in a folded or stored position so as to provide for sufficient space to contain the support linkage  60  between the table top  50  and the planar portion  42 . In operation, the elongate bar  44  may have a width of ½ inches (13 mm) or more depending upon the size and strength requirements of the support linkage although it will be appreciated that smaller distances may also be utilized for tables designed for light use. The top bracket  40  may be formed of any suitable material having sufficient strength to support the table top  50  without undue deflection, such as by way of non-limiting example, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, other metals and alloys thereof or composite materials. As illustrated, the planar portion  42  may also have a rounded front corner  48  so as to facilitate easier removal from the storage compartment  12 . 
         [0027]    As described above, the table top  50  is pivotally connected to the top bracket by the hinge  46  at a bottom surface thereof. The hinge permits the table top to be rotated relative to the top bracket  40  between a substantially vertical position as illustrated in  FIG. 5  to a substantially horizontal position as illustrated in Figure and described in greater detail below. The table top  50  includes a top surface  54  which may be substantially flat so as to provide the user with an adequate work surface. As illustrated the table top  50  may also include a rounded corner generally indicated at  56  so as to facilitate movement of the apparatus out of the storage compartment  12  or to avoid any other object within the vehicle during deployment. It will also be appreciated that although the table top  50  is illustrated as substantially rectangular, any other shape may be utilized as well depending upon the space constraints within the vehicle and the needs of the user. The table top  50  may be formed of any suitable material, such as by way of non-limiting example, wood, plastic or metal and may have a thickness sufficient to support the intended weight of the articles to be used thereon. Optionally, the table top  50  may include a side flange  58  located proximate to the top bracket  40  as illustrated. The side flange may be sized to cover an opening within top of the storage compartment  12  so as to enclose and seal the apparatus within the storage compartment when not in use. The side flange  58  may have any suitable surface treatment, such as by way of non-limiting example, wood, metal or plastic to match the remainder of the table top or be covered with upholstery to match the storage compartment  12  or other surface treatments within the vehicle. As illustrated, the side flange  58  may also include a pull strap  59  extending therefrom so as to permit a user to more easily pull the table top  50  out of the storage compartment  12 . 
         [0028]    The table top  50  is supported in its open position as illustrated in  FIG. 6  by a support linkage  60 . The support linkage  60  extends angularly between the planar portion  42  of the top bracket  40  and the bottom surface  52  of the table top  50 . The support linkage  60  comprises first and second support links  62  and  64 , respectively which are pivotally connected to each other at a center pivot  66 . The first support link  62  extends from the planar portion  42  to the center pivot  66  while the second support link  64  extends from the center pivot  66  to the bottom surface  52  of the table top. 
         [0029]    In operation, the first and second support links  62  and  64  may be either folded relative to each other in a first position as illustrated in  FIG. 5  or longitudinally extended relative to each other in a second position as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In the extended position, the first and second support links  62  and  64  are longitudinally rigidly connected so as to provide a brace or support for the table top  50 . In moving from the folded to the extended position, the first and second support links  62  an  64  may be rotated slightly past a longitudinal alignment with each other to abut against rotation stops such that any further compressive force upon the support linkage  60  will further engage the first and second support links  62  and  64  upon the rotation stops and thereby resist movement back to the folded position according to known methods. In other embodiments, the center pivot  66  may be eccentrically located relative to the first and second support links  62  and  64  located so as to retain the first and second support links  62  and  64  in alignment under an axial compressive force. The first and second support links  62  and  64  may be thereafter moved from the extended to the folded position by pressing on center pivot  66  to break the longitudinal alignment thereof. The support linkage  60  also includes a spring  68  or other suitable means for biasing the support link to the second or extended position according to known means. The support linkage  60  may be formed of any known and suitably strong material, such as by way of non-limiting example, metals or composite materials. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the apparatus  10  may be stowed within the storage compartment  12  in a folded or first position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The apparatus  10  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is illustrated without either the storage compartment  12  or base support  14  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for clarity of the movements of the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24 . When desired for use by a user, the table top  50  may be lifted upwards and forward in a direction generally indicated at  70  to a raised or second position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The forward movement of the table top may be limited by engaging the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  against each other such that end of the leading linkage arm  22  is received within a corresponding notch or aperture  34  of the trailing linkage. It will be appreciated that other movement stops may be provided for either one of or both of the leading and trailing linkage arms  22  and  24  as are known in the art. In the raised position, the leading and trailing may be angularly oriented such that the top pivots  28  and  32  are located further ahead of the bottom pivots  26  and  30  such that any load placed upon the table top  50  will server to further engage the linkage arms within a provided rotation stop as opposed to returning the table top back to the folded position. 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , link retainers may also be utilized to retain either one of or both of the leading and trailing linkage arms proximate to the base member so as to provide additional strength to the apparatus in a raised position. As illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , the retainer may comprise an oversized disk  72  located on the leading linkage arm  22  and being adapted to overly at least a portion of the trailing linkage arm  24  when the trailing linkage arm  24  is moved thereunder in a direction generally indicated at  80 . Optionally, the base support  14  or storage compartment  12  may include a raised ridge  74  as illustrated in  FIG. 7   b  having a top lip portion  76  adapted to overly at least a portion of either one of the leading or trailing linkage arms  22  or  24  (in FIG.  7   b , the trailing linkage arm  24  is illustrated as being received therein). As illustrated in  FIG. 7   b , the raised ridge  74  and top lip  76  form a pocket  78  into which the trailing linkage arm  24  may be received when the trailing arm is moved therein in a direction generally indicated at  80 . It will also be appreciated that retainers similar to those illustrated in either  FIG. 7   a  or  7   b  may also be secured to the base support  14  or another portion of the storage compartment  12  so as to engage with the leading linkage arm  22  and maintain it proximate thereto. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the parallel linkage  20  provides a means for translational movement of the table top  50  between the stowed and raised positions as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . During such motion, there is limited rotation of the table top as would be provided for by a pivot type connection of the table top from a stowed to a raised potion. It will be appreciated that providing translational movement of the table top results in a stronger more stable table top that is better adapted to resist end deflections of the table top under load due to the spaced apart relation of the two top pivots  32  and  28 . It will also be appreciated that the link retainers as illustrated in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  will further strengthen the apparatus to lateral loads placed upon the table top by maintaining the parallel linkage proximate to the base support  14 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the table top may be lifted from a substantially vertical to a substantially horizontal orientation after it has been raised as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As the table top  50  is rotated by the user in a direction generally indicated at  82 , the first and second support links  62  and  64  will be rotated and brought into alignment with each other as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In such position, the first and second support links  62  and  64  will lock to form a longitudinally rigid support linkage  60  to maintain the table top  50  in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
         [0034]    To return the apparatus from a deployed position as illustrated in  FIG. 6  to a stowed position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the center pivot  66  of the support linkage  60  is first pressed inwardly by the user to unlock the support member. Thereafter the table top  50  is permitted to be rotated downwardly to rest proximate to the planar portion  42  and thereafter translated about the parallel linkage both backwards and downwards into the storage compartment or to be proximate to the bottom support. It will be appreciated that the apparatus, as folded and stored within the storage compartment  12 , or otherwise in a folded arrangement outside of a storage compartment  12  will have a narrow space requirement and may therefore be located between seats of a vehicle without unduly interfering with the adjacent seat. Optionally, the storage compartment  12  may be incorporated into an existing storage of a vehicle. 
         [0035]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.