Adjustable table system

Details Adjustable table system Adjustable table system

2000-09-18

2001-10-23

Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)

Horizontally supported planar surfaces

With structural installation

Vehicle supported

C108S001000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06305300

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems and methods for forming work or support surfaces and, more specifically, to such systems and methods that allow an angle of the work surface to be adjusted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many situations, the need exists for a table or other structure for creating a support surface at a desired height and orientation. For example, a table that forms a writing surface should be at a height between the waist and the chest and should be substantially horizontal. However, it may be desirable for a stand for a computer monitor to form a support surface that is angle with respect to horizontal.
In many situations, then, tables are made adjustable to allow an angle of a work surface to be adjusted in relation to a reference surface. For example, a draftsman's table comprises a leg structure that defines a reference plane and a work surface that is adjustable relative to the reference plane.
The present invention relates to table structures that allow adjustment of a working surface relative to a reference plane. The present invention has particular significance in the context of forming a work surface over a steering wheel, and that application will be described in detail herein. However, the present invention has broader application to other environments requiring an adjustable table system. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto rather than the following detailed description.
In motor coaches, space is at a premium. In addition, the driver and passenger seats of motor coaches are designed for prolonged sitting and thus are very comfortable. Accordingly, it is common to use the cab of a motor coach as an “office” when the motor coach is parked.
Commonly, a temporary work surface is provided for use with the seating surfaces formed by the driver and passenger seats. This temporary work surface is formed by a rigid member or panel that defines the work surface and is attached, using a variety of means, to the steering wheel of the motor coach. Such temporary work surfaces provide a stable, flat surface that is supported at generally the right height to form a desk or writing surface. Because the steering wheel is often not completely horizontal, the rigid panel is often pivotably connected at one end to the steering wheel, and braces are provided to lift the other end such that the working surface is substantially horizontal.
The prior art temporary work surfaces of which the Applicant is aware are generally complex, relatively expensive mechanical devices that are dedicated solely for use as a temporary work surface supported by a steering wheel.
The need thus exists for improved, cost effective systems and methods of forming an adjustable work surface that may be used, as one example, for form a desk surface in the cab of a motor coach.
PRIOR ART
The following patents were uncovered as part of a professional patentability search conducted on behalf of the Applicant.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,983 to LendI discloses a steering column table having a lower part that is attached to a vehicle steering wheel and an lid pivotably connected to the lower part. A support device is pivotably connected to the lid between the lid and the lower part. The lid is rotated through a desired angle until it is generally level, and then the support device is rotated down until it engages a slot in the lower part. With the support device engaged in the slot, the lid is held fairly close to the desired angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,158 to Raasch discloses a steering wheel mounted tray defining a slot through which a portion of a steering wheel extends. The slot is shorter than the diameter of the steering wheel, so the steering wheel engages and supports the tray. The angle of the tray relative to the steering wheel does not appear to be adjustable, and this device would not work if the steering wheel is substantially horizontal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,559 to Martin discloses a device similar to the LendI device in which a base is attached to the steering wheel column. A top panel is rotatably attached to the base. Leg members arranged on either side of the base member are rotatably attached to the top panel. The leg members are fixed to the base when the top panel is at a desired angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,161 to Falcone discloses a steering wheel table that folds flat when stored. During use, two main panels fold out and hook onto the steering wheel to form a table surface slanted at the same angle as the steering wheel. Two side panels fold out from one of the main panels to create a small generally horizontal surface. The angles of the main panels and side panel are not adjustable relative to the steering wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,381 to Alldredge discloses a stereographic map reading apparatus that has a table for supporting the map. The table engages a steering wheel to form a pivoting connection; a brace extends from the edge of the table distal from the steering wheel to support the table in a generally horizontal position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,655 to Ashton discloses a portable desk designed to be attached to a steering wheel. The Ashton device folds for storage. When opened, hooks are exposed which engage the steering wheel. This device does not appear to be adjustable.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,487,536 to Fiscus discloses a desk attachment for a steering wheel comprising a flat member and two bracket members. The bracket members have a hook on an upper end and are triangular such that the bracket members space the lower end of the flat member from the steering wheel. The bracket members make the angle of the flat member closer to horizontal, but the flat member is far from horizontal, and the angle is not adjustable.
All of the devices disclosed in these patents are relatively complex, expensive devices, and none of these devices are, practically speaking, continuously adjustable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An adjustable table system comprising first and second offset members, an attachment system, a support assembly, and a work surface assembly. The offset members each comprise offset edges defining a offset planes, engaging surfaces defining reference planes, and spacing walls extending between the offset edges and the engaging surfaces. The spacing walls are sized and dimensioned to create offset angles between the offset planes. The attachment system attaches the offset members together such that the offset members are rotatable relative to each other about an offset axis. The support assembly engages one of the offset members to support the offset member at a desired location. The work surface assembly engages the other offset edge to form a work surface at the desired location. Rotation of the offset members relative to each other about the offset axis alters an angle between the offset planes and thus an angle of the work surface with respect to horizontal.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2487536 (1949-11-01), Fiscus
patent: 2746821 (1956-05-01), Schroeder
patent: 2749655 (1956-06-01), Ashton
patent: 2866381 (1958-12-01), Alldredge
patent: 3026159 (1962-03-01), Miller et al.
patent: 4166559 (1979-09-01), Richardson
patent: 4453788 (1984-06-01), Russell
patent: 4749161 (1988-06-01), Falcone
patent: 4890559 (1990-01-01), Martin
patent: 6036158 (2000-03-01), Raasch
patent: 6038983 (2000-03-01), Lendl
patent: 6155469 (2000-12-01), Johnson et al.

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