Abstract:
A folding portable sleeping table comprises a planar member rotatably connected to at least one longitudinal support member. A support arm has a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the support arm is rotatably connected to the planar member. The longitudinal support member has notches to engage the distal end of the support arm. The longitudinal support member has a hollow interior sized to accept at least one extendable member. A base member is positioned on a lower end of the at least one extendable member. The at least one extendable member is adjustably secured to the at least one longitudinal support member whereby the base member and the at least one extendable member can extend in and out relative to the at least one longitudinal support member.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/214,763, which was filed on Aug. 3, 2011. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of folding tables. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable sleeping table apparatus and method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Travelling for extended periods of time on airplanes, buses or trains becomes tiring and uncomfortable. It is common to want to sleep while travelling or during layovers. However, the design of the seating is generally cramped and it becomes extremely uncomfortable to lean back for extended periods of time. 
     Some attempts have been made to solve the problem by restraining the head against the backrest. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,440,443 and 5,975,638 each show variations of a pillow that has restraining members to each side to prevent the user&#39;s head from falling to one side or the other. 
     Designs have been built for situations where space is not limited. Those designs convert an upright seating assembly to a fully reclined, lay down sleeping assembly. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,659. Unfortunately, the necessary space is not typically available for such a reclined design in most airplanes, buses or trains. 
     An attractive option is to lean forward to relieve the lower back and neck. During layovers sometimes people will try to sleep by placing their travel bags on their laps and leaning forward to lay their heads on them. There have been attempts to provide an inflatable pillow type device that people can inflate and then lean forward on. For example see U.S. Patent Publication 2003/0167571. However, such an inflatable pillow tends to be bulky and if the person sitting in the seat in front of the inflatable pillow wants to lean back, they will be unable to do so unless the pillow is deflated. Furthermore, if the pillow is inflated, and a person sitting next to the pillow, toward the window, needs to get up to go to the restroom for example, the pillow will again need to be deflated to make room for the exiting passenger. The inflatable pillow solution also tends to be bulky and difficult to stow or carry. Yet further, because taller people require a taller pillow than a shorter person, a single sized inflatable pillow will not be comfortable for everyone. Further still, the inflatable pillow will tend to have a single angle on the surface on which to place the head and that single angle will not be comfortable for everyone. 
     Devices have also been designed which attach to the back of the seat in front of the user and include a tray on which the user can lay his or her head. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,050,355 and 6,805,403. However neither device includes full vertical adjustment for people of different heights, nor are they readily transportable, nor can they be positioned as desired to one side or the other for a variety of sleep positions. Furthermore, if the person in front of the user adjusts their seat back, it changes the position of the tray on which the user is sleeping. 
     A compact, portable, adjustable foldable sleeping device is needed that does not suffer from the drawbacks described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     Applicant has invented a fully portable device that has an adjustable height so anyone short or tall can use it. The angle of the pillow support and pillow are adjustable so it is possible for the user to sleep with his or her head in a horizontal position or angled up or down from horizontal. The pillow support surface allows readjustment so that if the person in the seat in front decides to lean all the way back, the angle of the pillow can be readjusted to a comfortable position. The base pivots forwards and backwards to further adjust the pillow support. Also, the pillow is removable from the pillow support by attaching it to the pillow support with Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener or other temporary securing means. Because the pillow is removable, it can serve multiple purposes, such as for lumbar support or whatever other use may be desired. The inventive device is compact and is easy to use and set up for sleeping. It is easy to flatten and stow away the device under the seat, in an overhead compartment, or even in a magazine pocket. It is compact and not bulky, so if a person sitting in the window seat wants to go to the restroom and the person on the aisle seat is using the laptop pillow device, it is easy to move it out of the way. Also, the base of the device and the device overall are moveable easily so that for example, it can be moved to the side between the arm rest and the user&#39;s outer thigh, or to the window and their outer thigh and then by adjusting the height and angle that they are comfortable with, the user can sleep in a desired comfortable position. The pillow support can also include a slot on the upper surface, which can be used to support an electronic tablet device, such as an Ipad® brand tablet. The slot can also be used to support a magazine or book for easy reading. 
     The folding portable sleeping table comprises a planar member rotatably interconnected to at least one longitudinal support member. A support arm has a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the support arm is rotatably connected to the planar member. The longitudinal support member has notches to engage and restrict the movement of the distal end of the support arm. The longitudinal support member has a hollow interior sized to accept at least one extendable member. A base member is positioned on a lower end of the at least one extendable member. The at least one extendable member is adjustably secured to the at least one longitudinal support member whereby the base member and the at least one extendable member can extend in and out relative to the at least one longitudinal support member. 
     The at least one extendable member can be secured to the longitudinal member with a spring loaded latch member, with at least one spring-loaded retractable button or with a friction member, such as a compressive threaded bolt member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the inventive portable sleeping table with a push button adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail section view taken from lines  2 - 2  indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the section shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows an alternative latching mechanism between the support member and the extendable rod. 
         FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of the inventive portable sleeping table with a friction type adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  shows the sleeping table of  FIG. 4  in a fully collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 7  shows a detailed cross section taken from lines  7 - 7  indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a detail cross section taken from lines  8 - 8  indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  shows the sleeping table of  FIG. 5  with a user sleeping on the pillow and pillow support adjusted to a position less than horizontal. 
         FIG. 10  shows the sleeping table of  FIG. 5  with a user sleeping on the pillow and pillow support adjusted to a horizontal position. 
         FIG. 11  shows the sleeping table of  FIG. 5  with a recessed slot for holding a flat object, such as a tablet device or book. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following parts list will assist the reader in understanding the invention in relation to the description and attached drawings: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Part Number: 
                 Description: 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 N 
                 Notched support assembly 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 Pillow support 
               
               
                   
                  21 
                 Exit slot 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 Support member 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 Cord 
               
               
                   
                  23b 
                 Lower cord attachment 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 Support arm 
               
               
                   
                  24a 
                 Upper pin for support arm 
               
               
                   
                  24b 
                 Lower pin for support arm 
               
               
                   
                  25 
                 Extendable Rod-slotted 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 Support crossbar 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 Spring 
               
               
                   
                  28a 
                 Upper spring attachment 
               
               
                   
                  28b 
                 Lower spring attachment 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 Latch 
               
               
                   
                  32a 
                 Pivot 
               
               
                   
                  33 
                 Button 
               
               
                   
                  33a 
                 Button spring 
               
               
                   
                  33b 
                 Spring cavity 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 Retaining slot 
               
               
                   
                  35 
                 Hole 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 Notches 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 Lower channel 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 Button 
               
               
                   
                  45a,b,c,d 
                 Pulleys 
               
               
                   
                  47 
                 Transfer rod 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 Base plate 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 Pad 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                   
                  60a 
                 Nut 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 Pillow 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 Tab 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 Hook and loop attachment to pillow 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 Hinge 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 Upper crossbar 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 Wing bolt 
               
               
                   
                  82 
                 Nut 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Support assembly 
               
               
                   
                 122a 
                 Support assembly notched member 
               
               
                   
                 122b 
                 Support assembly receiver 
               
               
                   
                 125 
                 Extendable Rod 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the inventive portable sleeping table in the upright position. The pillow support  20  is generally in a horizontal position to provide a flat surface on which the user can put their head. A pillow  62  is provided and typically includes hook and loop  64 , such as Velcro®, or other attachment means to temporarily secure the pillow  62  to the pillow support  20 . Because the pillow  62  is removable, it can be used for purposes other than sleeping. For example, it can be used for lumbar support or any other desired purpose. 
     At least one support arm  24  is rotatably attached to the pillow support  20  with an upper pin  24   a  at the proximal end of the support arm. A pair of support arms  24  is generally used. A support crossbar  26  is positioned between the pair of support arms  24  as shown in  FIG. 1 . An upper crossbar  72 , best seen in  FIG. 6 , connects the support members  22 . At least one hinge  70  is attached to the upper crossbar  72  and the pillow support  20 . The hinge  70  allows the pillow support  20  to pivot to adjust the position of the pillow support  20  and pillow  62  in any desired angular position from horizontal to above or below horizontal as desired. The pillow support  20  can also be hinged to the support member  22  or interconnected otherwise so that it is rotatable upwardly and downwardly. The support crossbar  26  engages notches  36  in the support member  22 . The weight from the user&#39;s head, the pillow support  20  and the pillow  62  are all transferred to the support arm  24  to the support crossbar  26  and then to the desired notch  36 . The angled position of the pillow support  20  and pillow  62  can be adjusted by changing the position of the support crossbar  26  in the desired notch  36 . Each support arm  24  can also be connected to the support crossbar  26  to form a continuous c-shaped member. 
     The support member  22  has an opening to receive the extendable rod  25 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the extendable rod includes a latch  32  which rotates about pivot  32   a . The latch  32  extends through exit slot  21  and retaining slot  34 . A spring  28  is attached to latch  32  at the latch end  28   b  and at the spring retainer  28   a . A cord  23  or other connection member is attached to the latch  32  at the latch end  28   b . The cord  23  extends from the latch end  28   b  downward inside of the extendable rod  25 , around pulley  45   a ,  45   b  and  45   c . The cord  23  then extends around pulley  45   d  and up the opposite extendable rod  25  to the latch end  28   b  inside of the opposite extendable rod  25 . A button  44  engages cord  23  between pulleys  45   b  and  45   c . When button  44  is pressed, tension is imposed on cord  23 , which pulls each latch end  28   b  downwardly and rotates the latch  32  inside of the slot  34  and inside of the extendable rod  25 . When the latch  32  is rotated back, extendable rod  25  can be moved up or down into the desired position. Once each extendable rod  25  is in the desired position, the button  44  is released, which causes the spring  28  to pull the latch end  28   b  upward and rotates the latch  32  outward into the desired slot  34  to secure the extendable rod  25 . 
     In  FIG. 3  a transfer rod  47  is shown to which each lower cord attachment  23   b  is connected. When button  44  is pressed, transfer rod  47  is pushed downward, which pulls the latch end  28   b  downward and rotates the latch  32  inside of the slot  34  and inside of the extendable rod  25 . When the latch  32  is rotated back, the extendable rod  25  can be moved up or down into the desired position. Once the extendable rod  25  is in the desired position, the button  44  is released, which causes the spring  28  to pull the latch end  28   b  upward and rotates the latch  32  outward into the desired slot  34  to secure the support member  22 . Note that when operating the latch mechanism, the button causes the latch within each extendable rod  25  to actuate simultaneously. However, a single latch mechanism inside of only one extendable rod  25  could be used instead if desired. Having a latch mechanism in each extendable rod  25  however, will generally provide superior support to the entire assembly. 
     In  FIG. 4  an alternative mechanism is shown to latch each support member  22  to each extendable rod  25 . The button  33  extends through one of the holes  35 . A button spring  33   a  extends into a spring cavity  33   b  in the bottom of the button  33 . The bottom of the button spring  33   a  is attached to the inside of the extendable rod  25 . When each button  33  is pressed simultaneously into a hole  35  in the support member  22 , the extendable rod  25  can move. When the extendable rod  25  is moved in or out, the button  33  is restrained inside of the extendable rod  25  until it can exit through another hole  35 . By pushing each button  33  in and changing the position of the extendable rod  25  as desired, the button  33  can be positioned in the hole  35  that will secure the extendable rod  25  in the desired position. 
     The inventor has contemplated additional latch mechanisms which may be used with the device. The latch mechanism may include alternative articulating members, or retracting members to releasably secure the extendable rod  25  into the desired position. 
     A base plate  50 , best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , typically has a tab  63  at each end. Note that in  FIG. 1  support member  22  includes slots  34 , while in  FIG. 5 , support member  122  does not include slots  34 . Each tab  63  is attached to the lower end of each extendable rod  25  ( FIG. 1 ) and extendable rod  125  ( FIG. 5 ). Each tab  63  is connected to each extendable rod  25  ( FIG. 1 ) and extendable rod  125  ( FIG. 5 ) with a bolt  60  and nut  60   a , best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Other suitable fastener may also be used. A pad  52  is attached to the lower surface of the base plate  50 . The pad  52  and base plate  50  rotate together as the tabs  63  rotate. The rotation of the pad  52  and base plate  50  allows the pad  52  to be positioned in any desired orientation on top of the user&#39;s thighs or on top of any relatively horizontal surface (See  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The base plate can also be connected to the extendable rod  25  or  125  with alternative means so long as the base plate can rotate relative to the extendable rod  25  or extendable rod  125 . 
     In  FIG. 5  an alternative clamping mechanism is shown to secure each extendable rod  125  inside of each support assembly receiver  122   b  (Best seen in  FIG. 8 ). A wing bolt  80 , best seen in  FIG. 7  extends through nut  82  and through the wall of support assembly receiver  122   b . The wing bolt end  80   a  engages the outer surface of the extendable rod  125  to secure it in any desired position. 
       FIG. 6  shows the inventive portable sleeping table in a folded position. When folded, the portable sleeping table is compact and flat and can therefore be easily stowed under an airline seat, in a travel bag or in an overhead compartment. The components of the portable sleeping table can be fabricated from ultra lightweight materials such as polymers or aluminum or any desired combination thereof. 
       FIG. 8  shows the notched support assembly N, which comprises the support assembly receiver  122   b  and support assembly notched member  122   a . The support assembly receiver  122   b  is hollow to accept the extendable rod  125 . Because the support assembly receiver  122   b  supports the extendable rod  125  along the portion of the extendable rod  125  that is inside of the support assembly receiver  122   b , the overall assembly remains strong to support the user&#39;s weight on the pillow support  20 . The support assembly notched member  122   a  includes a plurality of notches  36  and may be fabricated separately from the support assembly receiver  122   b . The separate assembly allows the support assembly notched member  122   a  to be fabricated as a solid piece, and then attached to the support assembly receiver  122   b . This allows the support assembly notched member to be easily fabricated from a molded or other solid piece while still allowing the support assembly receiver  122   b  to be hollow to accept the extendable rod. 
     In  FIG. 9  the pillow support  20  is shown at an angle lower than horizontal. Each of the articulating members including the pillow support  20 , the support arm  24  and the base plate  50  can each be rotated according to the user&#39;s preferences. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the pillow support  20  can also include a slot  92  partially through or completely through the upper surface of the pillow support  20 . The slot  92  is used to support an electronic tablet device  90  such as an Ipad® brand tablet, or any other flat item, such as a book or magazine. Positioning an electronic tablet device  90  or book or magazine provides for easy reading by the user. 
     The materials used to fabricate the disclosed sleeping table can be modified as desired to achieve weight and strength objectives. Minor variations in design details will not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.