Patent Publication Number: US-6663203-B1

Title: Computer desk

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to computer desks and more particularly pertains to a new computer desk for providing a user with ample storage space while in use, yet take up very little room when folded for storage. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of computer desks is known in the prior art. More specifically, computer desks heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,082; U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,514; U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,289; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 426,085; U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,419; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,098. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new computer desk. The inventive device includes a plurality of shelves that is coupled to at least one of a pair of stanchion members. Each of the shelves is hingably coupled to at least one of the stanchion members for facilitating folding of the shelves into a storage position. Each of the shelves is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves are in an extended position. Each of the stanchion members has a slide rail. A sliding shelf is slidably coupled to the slide rail of each of the stanchion members such that the sliding shelf is slidably adjustable with respect to the stanchion members of the frame assembly. The sliding shelf is adapted for supporting a keyboard of the computer system. The sliding shelf is removable from between the stanchion members when the shelves are folded into the storage position. 
     In these respects, the computer desk according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a user with ample storage space while in use, yet take up very little room when folded for storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of computer desks now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new computer desk construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a user with ample storage space while in use, yet take up very little room when folded for storage. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new computer desk apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the computer desks mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new computer desk which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art computer desks, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of shelves that is coupled to at least one of a pair of stanchion members. Each of the shelves is hingably coupled to at least one of the stanchion members for facilitating folding of the shelves into a storage position. Each of the shelves is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves are in an extended position. Each of the stanchion members has a slide rail. A sliding shelf is slidably coupled to the slide rail of each of the stanchion members such that the sliding shelf is slidably adjustable with respect to the stanchion members of the frame assembly. The sliding shelf is adapted for supporting a keyboard of the computer system. The sliding shelf is removable from between the stanchion members when the shelves are folded into the storage position. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new computer desk apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the computer desks mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new computer desk which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art computer desks, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new computer desk, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new computer desk, which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such computer desk economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk, which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk for providing a user with ample storage space while in use, yet take up very little room when folded for storage. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk, which includes a plurality of shelves that is coupled to at least one of a pair of stanchion members. Each of the shelves is hingably coupled to at least one of the stanchion members for facilitating folding of the shelves into a storage position. Each of the shelves is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves are in an extended position. Each of the stanchion members has a slide rail. A sliding shelf is slidably coupled to the slide rail of each of the stanchion members such that the sliding shelf is slidably adjustable with respect to the stanchion members of the frame assembly. The sliding shelf is adapted for supporting a keyboard of the computer system. The sliding shelf is removable from between the stanchion members when the shelves are folded into the storage position. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk that would provide all the conveniences of a full-size computer desk to individuals who may not have room for a standard desk and chair. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new computer desk that would store quickly and compactly. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a new computer desk according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new computer desk embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the computer desk  10  generally includes a plurality of shelves  11  that is coupled to at least one of a pair of stanchion members  12 . Each of the shelves  11  is hingably coupled to at least one of the stanchion members  12  for facilitating folding of the shelves  11  into a storage position. Each of the shelves  11  is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves  11  are in an extended position. Each of the stanchion members  12  has a slide rail  13 . A sliding shelf  14  is slidably coupled to the slide rail  13  of each of the stanchion members  12  such that the sliding shelf  14  is slidably adjustable with respect to the stanchion members  12  of the frame assembly  15 . The sliding shelf  14  is adapted for supporting a keyboard of the computer system. The sliding shelf  14  is removable from between the stanchion members  12  when the shelves  11  are folded into the storage position. 
     The shelves  11  comprise a pair of component shelves  16 . Each of the component shelves  16  is coupled between the stanchion members  12 . Each of the component shelves  16  is adapted for supporting a component of the computer system. 
     Each of the component shelves  16  has a first portion  17  and a second portion  18 . The first portion  17  of each of the components is hingably coupled to one of the stanchion members  12 . The second portion  18  of each of the component shelves  16  are hingably coupled to one of the stanchion members  12  opposite the first portion  17  an associated one of the component shelves  16 . The first portion  17  of one of the component shelves  16  is hingably coupled to the second portion  18  of the associated one of the component shelves  16  for permitting the component shelves  16  to fold when the shelves  11  are folded into a storage position. 
     Each of the component shelves  16  has bracing arm  19 . The bracing arm  19  of each of the component shelves  16  is pivotally coupled to the second portion  18  of the component shelves  16 . The bracing arm  19  is positionable under the first portion  17  and an associated the second portion  18  of the component shelves  16  for securing each of the component shelves  16  in an extended position. 
     The plurality of shelves  11  comprising at least one top shelf  20 . The top shelf  20  is hingably coupled proximate a top end  21  of one of the stanchion members  12 . The top shelf  20  is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     A top bracket member  22  has a first arm  23  and a second arm  24 . The first arm  23  of the top bracket member  22  is rotatably coupled to the top shelf  20 . The second arm  24  of the top bracket member  22  is rotatably coupled to the stanchion member  12  adjacent the top shelf  20 . The first arm  23  of the top bracket member  22  is rotatably coupled to the second arm  24  of the top bracket member  22  for permitting the top bracket member  22  to fold when the shelves  11  are in the storage position. The top bracket member  22  is for supporting the top shelf  20  when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     The plurality of shelves  11  comprising a pair of medial a shelves  25 . Each of the medial shelves  25  is hingably coupled proximate a medial portion  26  of one of the stanchion members  12 . Each of the medial shelves  25  is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     A plurality of medial bracket members  27  each has a first arm  23  and a second arm  24 . Each of the medial bracket members  27  is coupled to one of the medial shelves  25 . The first arm  23  of one of the medial bracket members  27  is rotatably coupled to one of the medial shelves  25 . The second arm  24  of one of the medial bracket members  27  is rotatably coupled to the stanchion member  12  adjacent an associated one of the medial shelves  25 . The first arm  23  of the medial bracket member  27  is rotatably coupled to an associated the second arm  24  of one of the medial bracket members  27  of the associated one of the medial shelves  25  for permitting the medial bracket members  27  to fold when the shelves  11  are in the storage position. The medial bracket members  27  are for supporting the associated one of the medial shelves  25  when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     The plurality of shelves  11  comprising a pair of bottom shelves  28 . Each of the bottom shelves  28  is hingably coupled proximate a bottom end  29  of one of the stanchion members  12 . Each of the bottom shelves  28  is adapted for supporting objects when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     A plurality of bottom bracket members  30  each has a first arm  23  and a second arm  24 . Each of the bottom bracket members  30  is coupled to one of the bottom shelves  28 . The first arm  23  of one of the bottom bracket members  30  is rotatably coupled to one of the bottom shelves  28 . The second arm  24  of one of the bottom bracket members  30  is rotatably coupled to the stanchion member  12  adjacent an associated one of the bottom shelves  28 . The first arm  23  of the bottom bracket member  30  is rotatably coupled to an associated the second arm  24  of one of the bottom bracket members  30  of the associated one of the bottom shelves  28  for permitting the bottom bracket members  30  to fold when the shelves  11  are in the storage position, the bottom bracket members  30  is for supporting the associated one of the bottom shelves  28  when the shelves  11  are in the extended position. 
     Each of the bottom shelves  28  has a base portion  31  and an extension portion  32 . The base portion  31  of each of the bottom shelves  28  is hingably coupled to one of the stanchions  12 . The extension portion  32  of each of the bottom shelves  28  is slidably coupled to the base portion  31  of an associated one of the bottom shelves  28  such that the extension portion  32  is extended from the base portion  31  of the associated one of the bottom shelves  28  when the bottom shelves  28  are supporting a wide object. 
     The extension portion  32  of each of the bottom shelves  28  has a plurality of rods  33 . Each of the rods  33  is slidably received by the base portion  31  of the associated one of the bottom shelves  28  for facilitating adjustment of the extension portion  32  with respect to the base portion  31  of the associated one of the bottom shelves  28 . 
     A bracing member  34  is extended between the stanchion members  12 . The bracing member  34  is for securing the stanchion members  12  when the shelves  11  are in an extended position. The bracing member  34  has a first bracing portion  35  and second bracing portion  36 . The first bracing portion  35  is hingably coupled to one of the stanchion members  12 . The second bracing portion  36  is hingably coupled to one of the stanchion members  12  opposites the first bracing portion  35 . The first bracing portion  35  is hingably coupled to the second bracing portion  36  for facilitating folding of the bracing member  34  when the shelves  11  are folded into the storage position. 
     A storage bin  37  is coupled to a bottom surface  38  of the top shelf  20 . The storage bin  37  is collapsible when the shelves  11  are folded into the storage position. The storage bin  37  is adapted for storing objects under the top shelf  20 . 
     A bag member  39  is coupled to a lower surface of one of the bottom shelves  28 . The bag member  39  is adapted for holding tools within the bag member  39 . 
     A plurality of speakers  40  each is coupled to one of the stanchion members  12 . Each of the speakers  40  is adapted for operationally coupling to the computer system for producing sound generated by the computer system. 
     A light assembly  41  is coupled to one of the component shelves  16 . The light assembly  41  is adapted for emitting light onto objects is supported on another of the shelves  11  when the user requires additional light. 
     At least one media storage device  42  is coupled to one of the stanchion members  12 . The media storage device  42  is adapted for storing media when the media is not is used by the user. 
     In and embodiment the present invention would include a folding chair  43 . At least one note board  44  coupled to one of the stanchion members  12 . At least one fold up mirror  45  coupled to a top shelf, and at least one paper folder coupled to a bottom of one of the stanchion members. A surge protector  47  would be located on the bracing member  34 . The bottom end  29  of the stanchion members  12  would also have casters  46  such that the unit could be easily slid across a supporting surface. 
     In use, the user would use the present invention similar to a standard computer desk. When finished using the desk the user would simply fold the desk and wheel it to the desired storage location. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.