Portable desk device

A portable desk device for storing items and providing a workplace surface. The device includes a desktop having a circular shaped cutout in which objects can be placed. The cutout can be used as a drink holder or for storing items, such as writing utensils. The desktop can further include a storage compartment located beneath the desktop surface, wherein books, magazines, electronic devices, and the like can be stored. The device further includes a foldable frame that supports and removably attaches to the desktop. The frame includes a pair of U-shaped side rails having a pair of vertical legs connected by a horizontal rail. The U-shaped side rails are connected by a crossbar. The frame further includes a hinge disposed in the horizontal rails so to allow the frame to be folded in a compact configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable desk devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a desktop having a circular shaped cutout in which objects can be placed. The desktop further includes a storage compartment located beneath the desktop surface, wherein books, magazines, electronic devices, and the like can be stored. The device further includes a foldable frame that supports and removably attaches to the desktop. The frame includes a pair of U-shaped side rails having a pair of vertical legs connected by a horizontal rail. The U-shaped side rails are connected by a crossbar. The frame further includes a hinge disposed in the horizontal rails so to allow the frame to be folded in a compact configuration. The desktop includes a first side opposite a second side, wherein each side includes a U-shaped lip adapted to fit over the horizontal rails or vertical legs of the frame.

It can be difficult to find proper storage space for personal items when in a bathroom or other household living areas. Many individuals resort to placing books, mobile phones, or magazines on top of a toilet or on the floor which can create a messy and unorganized appearance. If in a bathroom, these items can mistakenly fall into the toilet bowl and become damaged. In other household areas, these items can lead to clutter and easily become misplaced. Additionally, individuals typically do not have desks available in a bathroom or other living areas, but would benefit from having a surface area to work or read on while in a bathroom or sitting on a couch.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to portable desk devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to laptop and tablet supports that comprise a planar member designed to support the laptop or tablet thereon. The devices are designed to tilt the laptop or tablet at an angle towards the user. Such devices include U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,871 to Matias, U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0134282 to Negretti, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,864 to Davis. These devices, however, fail to provide an upper desktop having a circular shaped cutout and a storage compartment located beneath the desktop surface. Additionally, the devices fail to provide a foldable frame, wherein the frame includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of handlebars, and one or more hinges that can be disposed in each handlebar.

One other device, U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,878 to Wylie et al., relates to a rollable desk for use in a bathroom that provides an adjustable desktop and vertical storage compartments. This device, however, fails to provide a desktop having a circular shaped cutout and a foldable frame wherein the frame includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of handlebars, and one or more hinges that can be disposed in each handlebar. Additionally, this device fails to provide a frame that can support the weight of a user. Furthermore, this device does not include a desktop that removably attaches to a support frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of portable desk devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new portable desk device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing household items, requiring a workplace desktop.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable desk device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable desk device comprising a desktop having a circular shaped cutout and a storage compartment located below the desktop surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable desk device wherein the desktop is supported by a foldable frame, wherein the frame includes a pair of U-shaped side rails having a pair of vertical legs connected by a horizontal rail, wherein the U-shaped side rails are connected by a crossbar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable desk device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable desk device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for storing items and providing a workplace surface while in the bathroom or other household living area. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable desk device and a perspective view of the horizontal rails of the frame beneath the desktop of the portable desk device, respectively. The portable desk device11comprises a desktop12and a frame13, wherein the frame13is foldable. The desktop12is supported by the frame13and is removably secured thereto. The desktop includes a rear side30and a first side16opposite a second side17, wherein the first and second sides16,17include a U-shaped lip adapted to be placed over the frame13. The desktop12is preferably rectangular in configuration and comprises one or more storage compartments14adapted to receive items such as books, magazines, and electronic devices therein. The storage compartment14is also preferably rectangular and comprises the horizontal space between the upper surface31of the desktop and the bottom surface35of the desktop12.

The upper surface31of the desktop12comprises one or more circular cutouts15adapted to receive objects therein. The circular cutout15can include a cup therein so the base of the cup rests on the bottom surface35of the desktop12. In some embodiments, the cutout can include a cylindrical recessed section, wherein the upper edge of the section is flush with the upper surface31of the desktop and the base of the cylindrical recessed section is disposed above the bottom surface35of desktop12. In this way, the cylindrical recessed section does not contact the bottom surface35of the desktop12. In some embodiments, the cutout can be any configuration, such as a square or rectangle. The upper surface31of the desktop12is flat so it can be used as a working surface on which various items can be placed, such as laptop computers, tablets, and magazines.

The frame13comprises a first U-shaped side rail and a second U-shaped side rail, wherein each U-shaped side rail comprises a pair of vertical legs18-21connected by a horizontal rail23,24. The side rails are arranged parallel to one another and are connected by a crossbar22. In the illustrated embodiment, the first U-shaped side rail includes a first vertical leg18, wherein the upper end of the leg18is connected to the first end of a horizontal rail23and the second end of the horizontal rail23is connected to the upper end of a second vertical leg20. The second U-shaped side rail includes a first vertical leg19, wherein the upper end of the leg19is connected to the first end of a horizontal rail24and the second end of the horizontal rail24is connected to the upper end of a second vertical leg21. A horizontal crossbar22connects the second leg20of the first side rail to the second leg21of the second side rail. The crossbar22is disposed between the lower ends of the vertical legs20,21. The frame13can be constructed from hard plastic, metal, or other suitable materials.

The U-shaped lips16,17are adapted to fit over the horizontal rails23,24or the vertical legs20,21connected by the crossbar22. The device can be used as a working desktop or folded into a compacted configuration for storage. It can be used as a working desktop for performing various tasks, such as reading, writing, typing, on which many items can be placed, such as laptop computers, tablets, and the like. When the device11is used as a working desktop, the U-shaped lips16,17removably secure onto the horizontal rails23,24. When the device11is folded into a compacted configuration as illustrated inFIG. 4, the U-shaped lips removably secure onto the vertical legs20,21connected by the crossbar22. The width of the horizontal rails23,24and the vertical legs20,21connected by the crossbar22is similar to the width of the opening under the U-shaped lip16,17so that the desktop12can be securely disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the U-shaped lip16,17can include one or more removable fasteners, such as a clip, adapted to engage the horizontal rails23,24or the vertical legs20,21connected by the crossbar in order to further secure the desktop12to the frame13. The horizontal rails23,24and U-shaped lips16,17can be grasped and the frame13used as a support in order to aid with sitting down or getting up from a toilet seat, chair, and the like.

The frame13is foldable and includes hinges25adapted to allow the frame13to be folded into a compact configuration for storage. Each horizontal rail23,24includes a hinge25adapted to allow the horizontal rails23,24to fold. In the illustrated embodiment, a ball hinge25is disposed in the horizontal rails23,24. However, any suitable type of hinge25can be disposed in the horizontal rails23,24. The diameter of the ball hinge25is substantially the same diameter of the horizontal rails23,24so the U-shaped lips16,17of the desktop can be disposed thereon without any obstruction from the hinge25.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the desktop being repositioned on the frame of the portable desk device. Before folding the device for storage, the desktop is repositioned on the frame. To reposition the desktop12on the frame13, the U-shaped lips16,17of the desktop12are separated from the horizontal rails23,24. Then, the U-shaped lips16,17are disposed on the vertical legs20,21connected by the crossbar22so the crossbar22is disposed along the rear side30of the desktop12. In this way, the crossbar prevents the U-shaped lips16,17from being positioned beyond the vertical legs20,21and preventing the desktop12from falling off of the frame13.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable desk device in a partially folded position and a folded position, respectively. Once the desktop12is repositioned on the frame13, the first vertical leg19and the horizontal rail24of the second U-shaped side rail can be folded toward the second vertical leg20of the first U-shaped side rail until the first leg19and horizontal rail24become flush against the bottom surface35of the desktop12. Next, the first vertical leg18and the horizontal rail23of the first U-shaped side rail can be folded toward the second vertical leg21of the second U-shaped side rail. In this way, the device can be transported to a desired location, such as the bathroom.