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 for use in a chair. The invention also provides a surface that can be easily positioned and adjusted which incorporates keyboard, mouse pad and armrests. This enhances comfort and mouse control in either bed of chair. The new workstation can also be assembled as right or left hand from the same parts.

[0021] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a desk that uses a floor to ceiling column as its main support structure. The column has a height adjustable and rotatable larger diameter main section with smaller diameter telescoping ends at top and bottom. For height adjustment, the lower telescoping end has a means for adjustment relative to the main section such as a crank and screw, pneumatic cylinder or electrical actuator. The upper telescoping end slides engaged within the main section and provides horizontal stability to the upper end of the column by secure attachment to a ceiling mounted flange or to a bracket secured at an elevated position to the wall. By mounting both ends of the support column to elements of the structure or dwelling in which it is being used, stresses are managed very efficiently and it becomes impossible to tip over. The horizontal load at the ceiling is typically less than one fifth of the weight of the entire system. Another objective that is achieved is the ability to easily rotate the entire work station into the over-bed position and back to chair position.

[0023] The upper and lower work surfaces are made in such a way that the same pieces can be assembled either side up or to create either a left hand or right hand desk. To make this possible the cables are attached to a short column section sitting atop the column's main section that can also be turned upside down to orient the cables properly for either direction.

[0024] The invention also includes a means of incorporating armrests, keyboard and mouse pad area in an additional work surface suspended beneath the main lower work surface described above. The new armrest method creates a platform that can easily be slid in and out, rotated from side to side and adjusted for height and angle. This design essentially consists of eyebolts sliding on steel rods that are affixed with spacers to the underside of the main work surface. The armrest platform is held up by threaded knobs on the eyebolts. The platform is stabilized with rubber bumpers affixed to the ends of two posts mounted rearward such that the weight of the platform levers the bumpers up into the underside of the main work surface. The platform can be moved easily by lifting its forward end and sliding it along the rails. Movement of the adjusting knobs alters the pitch angle of the platform and changes the height of its forward end.

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.

This is also not designed or suitable for over-bed use, but demonstrates another method and type of rotating or pivoting desk.

This computer stand provides a very limited amount of work surface and would be expensive to scale up.

Unfortunately, it also requires a standing ambulatory person to move the table while being careful not to tip it over and it also does not provide easy height adjustment when loaded with a computer.

A more adjustable version of the cantilevered design is taught by Roddan in U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,753, but has the same drawback of needing a walking person to carefully wheel it into position.

His patent also presents the use of armrests attached to the desk, which become advantageous when a desk is used in bed mode, unfortunately the method of mounting that is taught gives very little adjustability and moving the desk to an appropriate position for the armrest severely limits leg room when used in bed mode.

While Keller's design still uses a cantilevered arm method that is likely prone to high stresses, lacks a method for height adjustment and is not designed for use as a computer desk, it does show that both the ceiling and floor can be used as stressed elements of a cantilevered, loaded system.

With the exception of the bed straddling workstation described in Newman U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,710 which is unruly to move around or adjust, all of the configurations that could be used to present a computer in bed mode lack inherent structural rigidity and strength to easily support a computer system with a large, heavy monitor.

Most of them do not provide space for all of the components of a computer and still offer ample space for writing and other activities.

None of them offer and easy way to move the entire system from bed mode to conventional mode.

The only armrest system offered is inadequate to truly provide a comfortable arrangement.

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