Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With machine
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-26
2001-08-07
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3624)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With machine
C108S050020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269753
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cantilevered computer desk. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cantilevered desk surface mounted on a movable base by a telescopic support or pedestal. The invention permits healthy, disabled or handicapped persons to utilize a computer comfortably and conveniently while seated in any type of chair or wheelchair, or while standing or while lying in a recliner, on a sofa or in a bed.
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
The personal computer (PC) is now a common tool in modern society. As software development and Internet usage proliferates, it is not uncommon for an individual to spend many hours per day working or playing on a personal computer. As wonderful as the personal computer is, it is without dispute that it also comes with inherent problems. When a person remains in the same position for hours at a time, even healthy muscles tend to fatigue. Over time, fatigued muscles spasm causing pain and stress related injuries. There is a need for an improved computer desk that is adjustable, adaptable, portable, selfcontained, and inexpensive to make.
Furthermore, the personal computer provides disabled or handicapped persons hours of productive work or entertainment. Yet many sick, tired, injured, disabled or handicapped people are precluded from using a computer since they cannot sit in an upright chair for long periods of time. Until this invention there was not an easy and inexpensive way to adapt a computer to fit each person's unique and changing needs or particular limitations.
Computer tables are well known in the prior art. While over the years, novel adaptations for computer tables have been developed in an attempt to address the problems encountered from the explosive growth of the personal computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,391 issued to Lee in 1989 was an attempt to invent a wheeled adjustment computer desk. While this early attempt at a computer table was adjustable and portable, it is limited in its application to someone sitting in an upright chair directly in front of the table. One could not use the Lee patent while lying in a recliner, on a sofa, or in a bed as the stationary legs of the desk prohibit access. While the Lee invention attempts to solve the problem of height-adjustment and portability, its application is undoubtedly marginal since in the ten years since the patent issued, the invention has not met with commercial success.
Another very inferior patent is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,450 issued to Huang in 1997. While this is another attempt at a computer desk, the invention has no adjustment means or means for moving the desk.
A different Huang patent, also issued in 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,881, is for a computer desk and has swivel wheels for moving, but the invention fails to provide any adjustment means and, like all the others, the dual or quad stationary legs prohibit access of the desk to many desired locations.
Devices have been disclosed which permit a user to utilize a personal computer while bedridden. One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,710 issued to Newman in 1989. While this device may have application to a bedridden person, it does not address the issue of a person who is ambulatory and merely suffering from muscle strain nor does it address the person confined to a wheelchair, setting in various chairs, or using a computer while standing.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566 issued to Case in 1997 describes a portable ergonomic workstation. However, this invention is limited to holding only a light-weight, flat screen whereas my invention accommodates a standard computer tower and standard monitor. In addition, the Case patent is expensive to manufacture. It consists of a plurality of articulating arm elements. It provides no actual desk space. And, it lacks aesthetic appeal as it looks like a handicapped appliance.
Thus, the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use a base and shelving elements to support a computer. However, the prior art has not contemplated the provision of a cantilevered, telescopic, movable and adaptable device to support and self-contain a standard computer tower or desktop computer enclosure, and all the associated peripherals, including the keyboard, the mouse, the screen, the printer and any other electronic devices, which may be employed by a person working for long, tiring periods at a computer desk or a person needing to be in bed, in a wheelchair, or other various body positions. Nor is a device contemplated which may be employed by a person standing or reclining in his or her favorite chair, which permits the human interface elements of the computer system to be placed in the most comfortable and ergonomic position during use. The foregoing disadvantages are overcome by the unique cantilevered, telescopic, adjustable, movable and self-contained computer desk of the instant invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. This unique computer desk is inexpensive to make, aesthetically pleasing and provides the user with an unlimited number of variations in adaptability, adjustably, and application. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident. The teachings of the present invention addresses this long-standing and unmet need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, a cantilevered, telescopic, and adjustable computer desk, briefly described, provides a device which will permit a healthy or disabled individual to operate a computer in a convenient and comfortable fashion from a bed, a wheelchair, or in a sitting or standing position. The computer desk is portable and includes a variety of adjustable support elements which may hold and support standard computer components including the keyboard, the screen, the mouse and pad, a workspace area, as well as the computer itself. Other electronic elements, such as a power strip, printer, scanner, fax machine, copier, television, etc. may be employed with the computer desk as well. The computer desk includes a plurality of elements which may be adjusted to such a configuration to permit a standing, sitting, or reclining, or lying individual to be able to utilize the computer from a bed, a sofa, a reclining chair, an upright chair, desk chair or a wheelchair.
The elements of the preferred embodiment of the cantilevered, telescopic computer desk comprise a base assembly, the base assembly having spaced apart end members joined by an intermediate member perpendicular thereto. The perpendicular member may be fixed or adjustable. Castors are affixed to the base assembly, preferably on the underside of the end members to support the base assembly above the floor and permit the computer desk to be moved about and easily portable. The castor may include braking elements that may be locked to secure the computer desk in position.
Upstanding from one end of the base assembly is a vertical telescopic support member which carries a cantilevered desk parallel to the base assembly so as to extend in the same direction from the telescopic support. Thus, the base assembly may be rolled to or placed underneath a bed, sofa, reclining chair, wheelchair or upright chair so that the desk is cantilevered over the user in the proper and most comfortable position for use. The vertical telescopic support member provides a means for adjusting the height of the cantilevered desk accommodating user positions ranging from standing to seating to lying.
The cantilevered desk has a means to receive a computer monitor and display and to provide a computer user space to work or space for receiving other items, such as, for example, a book holder, a television, or to permit unobstructed viewing of a television placed in a remote location in the room.
The cantilevered desk has an adjustable means to receive a keyboard such as a retractable, keyboard drawer and a retractable mouse platen or platens. The keyboard drawer has a means to adjust the angle of the keyboard relative to the
Chen José V.
Roddan, Esq. Sharon
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