Executive auto desk

A portable desk is provided for use in a vehicle which is easily removable and conveniently positioned for use by the operator of the vehicle. The desk has compartments for storage of items and papers and support structures for securing the desk to a seat and for supporting the desk on a seat of the vehicle and on the floor of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
1. The field of this invention relates to the general field of a portable 
desk unit for use in a vehicle, specifically to an improved, more 
convenient easily removable auto desk which features open, easily 
accessible storage and filing areas and, in addition, unit can be quickly 
removed and stored elsewhere. 
2. Background--description of prior art 
Many businessmen, especially those involved in home improvement sales and 
construction work, find it necessary to work from their vehicles each day. 
Bids must be left with the homeowner or property owner at the same time as 
the sales call. This necessitates writing and drafting documents while in 
the vehicle. While the need for a mobile office has been partially 
recognized by prior art, unresolved shortcomings still remain such as lack 
of open, easily accessible storage areas, lack of a simple way to remove 
and store the unit, as well as other needs which are fulfilled by the 
applicants submission. 
PRIOR ART 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,944 by Jennings discloses a portable shuffle desk which 
can be used on the lap of the owner or on other uneven surfaces by 
adjusting pellets in bottom portion to fit contour. This could be utilized 
in a vehicle by the driver (if placed on the passenger side), but provides 
no storage or room for supplies. Thus, it would be of very little use to 
the businessman who wanted desk-type convenience from the driver position. 
No provision is provided for securing apparatus into seat to prevent 
possible injury in case of an accident. Applicant's invention solves a 
different problem than the reference, and such different problem is 
recited in the claims. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,486 by Tracy discloses such a portable desk/briefcase, 
but it is lacking a large work area that is so necessary when working with 
rulers, calculators, etc. The organizer file featured in this 
desk/briefcase is positioned on the back rest of the passenger seat, 
causing possible obstruction to the right arm when drawings, sketches, or 
contracts are being written. In addition, no convenient area for a 
portable telephone or computer is available. All storage is inside the 
briefcase and inconveniently located. Applicant's invention solves a 
different problem than the reference, and such different problem is 
recited in the claims. Applicant's invention utilizes a new principle of 
operation. Applicant has blazed a trail, rather than followed one and the 
applicant's invention solves a long-felt, long existing, but unresolved 
need. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,973 by Sturgeon discloses an auto desk, which features 
an enclosed chamber. This application would be unhandy for most 
businessmen who do bids and contracts at a customer's home site because it 
necessitates opening up the cover each time materials are needed, instead 
of having them easily accessible. There is no openly accessible filing 
area for larger items, instead they must stored sideways inside the box 
portion. The problem solved by the applicant's invention that features 
easily accessible open storage areas has not hereto been addressed and the 
recognition of an unrecognized problem mitigates in favor or 
patentability. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,386 by Richardson discloses a vehicle desk container 
which mounts to the dash board. It provides electrical connections and 
lighting, but not an adequate, conveniently located work surface that 
would meet the needs of many businessmen, nor does it provide easily 
accessible storage. Applicant's invention solves a different problem than 
the reference, and such different problem is recited in the claims. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,931 by Lalonde discloses a foldable table unit for an 
automobile that is secured at the roof of the vehicle. Here, again, the 
storage is in a chamber and not easily accessible to the driver when the 
desk top is in use. Assembling and securing the unit in the vehicle could 
be time consuming. Storage area needs to be opened and closed each time an 
item is removed or replaced. The problem solved by the applicant's 
invention which features easily accessible open storage areas has not 
hereto been addressed and the recognition of an unrecognized problem 
mitigates in favor or patentability. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,159 by Gonsoulin discloses an automobile computer desk. 
It is designed mainly to provide a means to secure and manipulate a 
computer that is placed in the passenger side of the vehicle. It lacks a 
large work area and openly accessible storage areas are featured. No 
provision for securing apparatus into seat to prevent movement in case of 
accident is provided. Applicant's invention solves a different problem 
than the reference, and such different problem is recited in the claims. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,872 by Howke discloses an apparatus that is to be used 
in a vehicle, but appears cumbersome and time consuming to mount in the 
vehicle. The top of the work area appears higher than convenient for 
writing and must be cleared off in order to gain access to the storage 
areas underneath and thus, would prove inconvenient for the user. 
Applicant's invention utilizes a new principle of operation. Applicant has 
blazed a trail, rather than followed one. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,241 by Radcliffe discloses an apparatus that is to be 
used in the passenger side of the vehicle, but the filing area is located 
near the back rest position and if a person were right handed, it would be 
difficult to access documents stored in this area. Much of the storage 
area is not open or conveniently located and require pulling out trays or 
moving aside the desk top in order to gain access. If apparatus is holding 
beverage containers, these must be removed and then the table cover 
section must be pulled from it's storage slot in order to create a work 
area. The shifting of parts that is necessary to create a work surface 
would prove unhandy and inconvenient. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,158 by Boothe discloses an apparatus designed mainly to 
utilize electronic equipment. While a work surface is incorporated into 
the design, in order to gain access to the storage areas, the user must 
remove all documents and raise the lid. No means of securing the apparatus 
into the seat to prevent movement in case of an accident is shown. The 
problem solved by the applicant's invention, which features easily 
accessible open storage areas, has not hereto been addressed and the 
recognition of an unrecognized problem mitigates in favor or 
patentability. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,608 by Tobias discloses a work table apparatus that 
features no storage areas and is made to be attached to an automobile 
bumper. Clearly this apparatus would not benefit a user who is working 
from the inside of his vehicle. Applicant's invention solves a different 
problem than the reference, and such different problem is recited in the 
claims. 
BRIEF SUMMARY: EXECUTIVE AUTO DESK 
A portable, easily removable work surface unit with a plurality of easily 
accessible open storage areas for use in a vehicle. Placement of desk is 
on passenger seat. Base and writing area of unit can be constructed larger 
or smaller to fit the size of the vehicle. A telephone/floor shift 
allowance curve is incorporated into the design and an open storage areas 
are located near the passenger side door that features an adjustable stop 
bar. The unit is supported by a base and adjustable legs. Catch edges are 
provided to contain objects on the desktop. A removable filing area is 
attached to unit in front of passenger seat. Unit is secured into 
passenger seat by use of a cinch strap that passes through two metal grips 
on the passenger back rest side of the supporting base, then around the 
back of the seat and locks into the other end of the cinch strap at the 
beginning point.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
(a) Work surface 
To provide a wooden, plastic or metal work surface that can be of various 
sizes and is designed for use in a motor vehicle to hold a variety of 
objects and devices, such as calculators, rulers, pens, pencils, cellular 
phones, computers, telephone books, contracts, and any other supplies 
needed to fulfill the owner's business or personal needs. Open storage 
areas for these items is located parallel and next to the passenger door, 
facing the driver. As a result, fast and easy accessibility is provided 
which is an improvement over prior art submissions designed for vehicular 
use. Work surface is large enough to provide ample arm room when working 
at the executive auto desk. 
(b) Telephone/floor shift allowance curve 
To provide a curve in the corner nearest the steering wheel to accommodate 
a manual transmission gear shift or a portable telephone which is mounted 
on the floor or dash board instead of being contained in a part of the 
executive auto desk storage area. With this feature, the executive auto 
desk will work equally as well in standard transmission or automatic 
transmission vehicles. Also, the owner of a cellular phone who chooses to 
keep his telephone mounted on the dash board or floor will have adequate 
room to reach it. Previous inventions have not adequately considered the 
need for convenient telephone storage and access. In addition, more work 
space is provided near the driver which would be lost if the edge was cut 
straight across and the curve eliminated. 
(c) Storage area/shelving for tools and supplies 
To provide easily accessible, adjustable storage compartments to house 
whatever items are desired by the owner. Storage unit is attached to work 
area by means of screws or other attachments. These storage compartments 
are located parallel and next to the passenger door and open toward 
driver. A second, optional storage unit can access from the top if 
desired. The basic advantage over other previous inventions is that the 
storage is open or closed and objects can be easily reached within a few 
seconds. Searching through a closed container or box to find something you 
would like on the bottom is no longer necessary. 
(d) Base support to provide stability 
To provide a wooden or plastic or metal base located under the work area 
near the passenger seat backrest which can be covered with a padded 
material for wear protection. This base, attached to the main unit with 
screws or other means, supports and levels the unit, as well as preventing 
it from tipping backwards when in use. 
(e) Foldable, adjustable legs for easy removal and storage 
To provide wooden or plastic or metal legs, the purpose of which is to hold 
the executive auto desk level on the seat. Front legs extend to the floor 
to provide additional support near the dash board side of the executive 
auto desk and are hinged at the top to fold underneath for easy storage of 
the unit. This feature makes the executive auto desk very portable and 
easily removed for placement in another area. 
(f) Catch edge to retain small articles 
To provide a raised edge along three sides of the executive auto desk to 
help prevent pencils, pens, and other materials from rolling to the seat 
or floor area where retrieval may be difficult. 
(g) Adjustable stop bar 
To provide an adjustable stop bar which helps prevent items in the lower 
storage area from sliding out on to the work surface when the vehicle is 
in motion. The stop bar can be easily moved forward or back to suit the 
user's needs. 
(h) Mounted filing area 
To provide a wood, metal or plastic filing and storage area which can be 
attached on the dash board side of the unit. No cumbersome boxes, backrest 
mounted files, or unhandy storage in the back seat is necessary. Papers 
are right at the user's fingertips. 
(i) Securing--safety feature 
To provide a means to secure the executive auto desk into the passenger 
seat with the use of a safety strap that passes through two metal grips on 
the lower passenger back rest side of the supporting base. It then 
continues around the back side of the passenger seat and locks into the 
other end of the safety strap at the beginning point. 
(j) Durability of construction 
To provide a long lasting and well constructed desk for the individual who 
works from his or her vehicle 
Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from a 
consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.