Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With structural installation – Body related
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-13
2001-05-22
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With structural installation
Body related
C108S143000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234085
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure relates generally to a tray or platform that is particularly useful for serving as a workstation by providing a comfortable work surface for using a lap-top computer. This workstation will also accommodate a variety of computer-related activities. In addition to comfortably holding a lap-top computer, the disclosed tray can support a keyboard to a desktop computer in a more comfortable fashion, and provide an alternative surface for the manipulation of a mouse.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Lap-top trays and workstations are not entirely new, and the following patent references are illustrative of the prevailing art. They describe some of the desirable features of a lap tray workstation, but differences between the disclosed trays and the tray herein disclosed will be readily apparent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,824, issued to Dutra on Sep. 10, 1996, relates generally to an adjustable, 3-piece lap-top computer tray assembly which comprises relatively thin, corrugated members that slide to expand upon the user's lap to provide a support surface for a variety of portable computers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,498, issued to Judd on Aug. 1, 1989 relates to a lap-top computer work station having two top covers hinged to a center base, which, when open, provide surface areas for additional tasks while the center base is supporting a lap top computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Notwithstanding the disclosures of the prior art, improvements in computer accessories are constantly being made, and the instant disclosure is no exception. Herein is described a portable, expandable and retractable, lap-top workstation. The workstation has a work surface that retracts to about half the size of its fully expanded mode for easy toting.
When expanded, the two flat, rigid members span the distance across the user's lap to provide a comfortable, flat surface designed primarily to accommodate the use of a lap-top computer. After use, the extended plate member can be retracted by simply sliding the two members of the tray together. Then the tray can be stored and toted, usually in the same case or valise as the lap-top computer.
Essentially, then, the disclosed tray comprises a pair of plates, one designated plate “A” and the other plate “B”, wherein plate A is generally rectangular and has a pair of glide rails extending along parallel edges on the underside of said plate, and wherein plate B is generally the same configuration as plate A but slightly smaller so that it fits within the guides of plate A and slides in a planar relationship with plate A.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5421646 (1995-06-01), McNamara et al.
patent: 5971148 (1999-10-01), Jackson
patent: 6003446 (1999-12-01), Leibowitz
patent: 6128182 (2000-10-01), Zarek et al.
Chen José V.
Willmann Neal O.
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