Rotating over-bed computer desk

Abstract

A computer desk that uses a cantilevered work surface structure rotatably mounted to a vertical support column. The support column can be mounted so that the lower end rests upon the floor and the upper end is affixed either directly to the ceiling or by brackets to an elevated position on the wall of the structure or dwelling. The desk can be installed next to a bed and positioned to allow use while sitting up in bed or rotated to allow use while sitting in a chair. The desk can have multiple deck levels to accommodate a computer and accessories and a separate deck for control elements such as keyboard, mouse, and/or game controllers that can incorporate armrests. It can be assembled in right hand or left hand configuration from the same parts. It is designed to be as adjustable as is possible while also being inexpensive to produce.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention relates generally to the field of furniture, more specifically to computer desks and work stations and most directly to over-bed computer desks and work stations. [0005] The computer desk has become a fixture in many households. Various desks and tables have been developed for the desktop computer and its peripheral accessories in efforts to improve convenience, comfort and aesthetic qualities. Conventional use of a computer would have the user sitting in a chair and the computer arranged on a desk or table in front of the seated user. There are also times when a person sitting up or reclining in bed may wish to use the computer or to perform other desk related tasks. The number of designs that accommodate use in both positions is ver...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide a robust yet inexpensive, easily adjustable computer desk or workstation that can be used in bed and that can easily be rotated into position or rotated out of the way by the bed-bound person. The alternate position is appropriate

Problems solved by technology

The number of designs that accommodate use in both positions is very limited and their configurations have thus far been inadequate from the standpoints of convenience, comfort and structural strength.

Even today this table could be used adequately for a small, lightweight, laptop computer, but certainly not for a modern computer workstation without a very massive base, strengthened components and a great expansion of its size and increase of cost.

This certainly prevents the table from tipping over, but must be lifted to adjust height and would be inadequate to contain a full size computer.

One drawback of the design is that attachment of the moveable surface to the top of the pivoting axis puts great stress at that point and limits the possible loading without undo reinforcement.

Once again this table could be used adequately for a small, lightweight, laptop computer, but not for a modern computer workstation, without strengthened components and a great expansion of its size.

Strength is added in this design, but only at the expense of economical manufacture and convenience.

This design has essential the same issues regarding the trade off between weight and stability versus economy and convenience.

The “rotation for multiple users” theme is also used in a patent by Leymann (1986) U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,427, whose design could be positioned for over-bed use by straddling a narrow bed, but is not really portable and side by side use rather than over-bed use is the intent.

Although not anticipated in the patent it could be used with a desk at bedside, and possibly set up so that the bed and desk heights were appropriate for use in both positions, but it does not provide height adjustability once assembled and the method of the cantilevered arms would require them to be expensively built to support the required loads of a full desktop computer and monitor.

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