Lap table for sitting and lying position, adjustable for posture and body type
The lap table design addresses the bulkiness and adjustability limitations of conventional tables by providing adjustable height and length, torso support, and a conventional appearance, ensuring stability and versatility for both sitting and lying positions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202025000035
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-31
AI Technical Summary
Conventional tables are bulky, difficult to transport, and lack adjustability for uneven surfaces, seating heights, and positional changes, causing discomfort and instability, especially when used in nature or reclining positions, and existing lap desks lack versatility and attract attention due to unfamiliarity.
A lap table design with adjustable height and length, torso support, and a mouse holder, using aluminum profiles for stability and a conventional appearance to minimize attention, allowing use in both sitting and lying positions with enhanced adjustability and stability.
Enables productive use in various positions and environments with reduced space requirements, stability, and minimal attention, addressing discomfort and adjustability issues while maintaining a conventional appearance.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[0001] A table is essentially a surface raised by leg rests that can be used as a stable physical support for a variety of activities. In its simplest form, it is usually a surface positioned higher than the sitting position, supported by four table legs.
[0002] If you want to use a table 'in a conventional design', the following problems can arise.
[0003] A table, in the size commonly found in society, often takes up a lot of space. Moving it is often a lot of effort, and it's often difficult to transport easily. This limits the freedom to choose where to complete tasks using a tabletop.
[0004] Placing a table outdoors in nature poses challenges. If the table rests on the ground, it won't provide a stable base on uneven ground, which is usually the case in nature. Since seating in nature varies in height, a table resting on the ground would need to be height-adjustable accordingly. A stable structure resting on the ground and fulfilling this requirement (usually) requires a high material weight.
[0005] A conventional table cannot be converted into a reclining position.
[0006] There are tables that are suitable for use in bed, such as breakfast tables. Such a shape, which rests on the mattress, presents the following problems.
[0007] If the T is lying on the mattress when the body is in a lying position, the table surface cannot be aligned to the body and head position, but you have to sit up and assume a sitting position in bed.
[0008] Even if it is possible to tilt the table surface using an additional mechanism, there is still limited agility due to your own body; moreover, there is no counterweight, so that if the pencil is subjected to greater pressure, the table is pushed away from you.
[0009] Over time, it can become boring if you always work at the same desk and there are few opportunities to change places.
[0010] If you want to use a laptop, painting surface, notebook, etc. in a sitting or lying position without any auxiliary equipment, the following problems can arise.
[0011] When you use your laptop, notebook, etc. on your lap, you often quickly experience physical discomfort in your back or, if you are lying down, in your neck.
[0012] If there is no solid surface to rest on, it can be difficult to write in a notebook.
[0013] If a laptop is used in bed, the ventilation vents can easily become covered, which can lead to the computer overheating.
[0014] A look at the state of the art reveals that there are already various approaches to a lap desk. See the inventions: AU001987072294A1, CN000201409623Y, US0000004132093, US0000005831645, US000000584070S, US000000836937S, US0000009482365, US0000010322275, US000002596094A, WO002000047084A1, and others.
[0015] Basically, these are usually kept very simple, which results in a lack of adjustability with regard to the table stature.
[0016] However, all of these inventions, at least those known to the inventor, do not meet the higher standards of the subsequently formulated considerations and ideas for constructing a versatile lap table for sitting and lying positions—a utility item for daily and extended use.
[0017] Added to this is the problem that such novel tables of this type and their use may be perceived by others as 'strange' because they are unfamiliar. The use of such tables is currently rarely or never observed in public. If something unfamiliar happens in our surroundings, it can often attract a lot of curious glances, which can be disruptive and annoying when trying to concentrate on work.
[0018] The goal is to create a table that takes up little space, can be transported easily, and can be used productively in nature, regardless of the surface conditions or the seat and the associated height, in both sitting and lying positions, for extended periods of time - comparable to the use of a conventional table. The stability of the T should be guaranteed for the lying position without the need to use the arms. In an inclined table position, the object resting on it should be secured to prevent it from slipping. The T should be extensively adjustable to suit body size and position.
[0019] It will be briefly explained what is meant by the terms 'large' and 'small positional change' in this paper.
[0020] 'Major positional changes' are defined here as the positional change when a person moves, for example, from location A to location B, or walks from one end of the room to the other.
[0021] The 'small positional change' refers to vegetative movements of the human body (for comfort reasons) while the person remains in a body position, e.g. shifting weight from the left to the right side, sitting up more or repositioning the legs in the lying position.
[0022] The basic claim is that the invention meets the requirements for a table resulting from 'large' and 'small positional changes' as best as possible.
[0023] Since the table is also tilted due to small positional changes, a solution should be shown to prevent the 'main object', e.g. laptop, and the 'additional object', e.g. mouse, from slipping.
[0024] The invention to be described here is a lap table which is supported on the thighs, intended for the sitting and lying position (by additional torso support), the leg construction of which can be adjusted in height as well as lengthwise along the thighs (axis), with additional object support and mouse holder.
[0025] The invention achieves the benefit that a person, regardless of where he or she is, both indoors and outdoors, in a sitting or lying position, regardless of body type or orientation of the aforementioned postures, can have a table surface available that allows him or her to work productively and for a longer period of time.
[0026] In addition, motivation can also be positively influenced because, in order to break the monotony, the workplace can be changed or moved outside into nature.
[0027] Due to the direct connection to the body, due to the resting position on the lap, a correspondingly small positional change of 'the table' is also possible, for example, tilting the table slightly to the left. Thus, the T can be seen as an extension of the body, comparable to Asian chopsticks, which can be considered an extension of the fingers.
[0028] A hunched back often occurs because you don't want to use more muscle power to support your upper body, but instead lean on the table. This is counteracted here as an additional advantage, as you have the choice of leaning on yourself (because the T rests on your thighs), and often opt for the more comfortable upright position.
[0029] Several problems can be solved by placing the table structure on your lap. This allows the T to be used on any floor surface and, in the reclining position, offers both flexibility and counterpressure by supporting the thighs.
[0030] The choice of square profiles ensures that the T does not slip out of the lap so easily when tilted, as the profile corner edges are bent on the thighs and the trouser fabric, which also generally leads to better regulation of the position of the T by one's own body.
[0031] The composition of the individual components is chosen in such a way that repairs can often be carried out without any problems by the user (no welding work, it is a logically structured construction; without specially manufactured parts that are specifically tailored to the concept of this invention (e.g., perform several tasks at once)).
[0032] The profiles used are made of aluminum, which enables a light and stable construction.
[0033] Since lap table designs are relatively rare in the daily public eye, some public attention is almost inevitable when using the invention described here. To counteract this as much as possible, the physical design of the T, with its four table legs, is based on the formal appearance of a conventional table, as opposed to, for example, a cushion or a single table leg (in the middle) with a crossbar profile on the front and back of the table.
[0034] The hope is that if the user uses the T in a public space, for example on a bench in a park, and curious glances are encountered, these will quickly disappear, as the physical appearance will quickly make it clear to others that it is a 'table' construction.
[0035] The table can be used with the front edge facing the upper body or with the back edge facing the user's torso. Note:
[0036] The word 'table' is sometimes abbreviated to the letter 'T' in this text.
[0037] An embodiment and application example of the invention is shown in the Fig. 1 to 7. They show: Fig. 1 table for lap for sitting and lying position, holistic image Fig. 2 Side view / profile Fig. 3 Bottom, with folded table legs Fig. 4 Table with extended torso support (7) and mounted mouse holder (9) Fig. 5 Use in sitting position Fig. 6 Use in a lying position, hands on the table Fig. 7 Use in a lying position, arms dangling at the sides
[0038] The figures show the connection structure of the respective components that enable the various table settings.
[0039] Fig. 1 shows a picture of the invention that is as holistic as possible in order to give the viewer a good first, vivid impression.
[0040] Fig. 2 shows how the table legs (5) are connected to the table top (1) via a folding hinge (4) and a carriage (3) and rail (2).
[0041] In addition, setting options are displayed using arrow symbols. Fig. 3 shows the structure of the underside when folded. Fig. 4 shows the T with the extended fuselage support (7) and the mounted mouse holder (9), which can be unscrewed by hand. Fig. 5 shows the use of the T in the sitting posture. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 represent the use in the lying position, whereby Fig. 6 hands resting on the table and Fig. 7 arms dangle at the sides. List of reference symbols 1 table top 2 guide rails for carriages 3 carriages with stopper, adjustable along the guide rail 4 folding hinges, self-locking 5 table legs, extendable 6 Crossbeam profile, for lap attachment 7 Torso support, extendable 8 Object support 9 Mouse holder, removable QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] AU 001987072294A1
[0014] CN 000201409623Y
[0014] US 0000004132093
[0014] US 0000005831645
[0014] US 000000584070S
[0014] US 000000836937S
[0014] US 0000009482365
[0014] US 0000010322275
[0014] US 000002596094A
[0014] WO 002000047084A1
[0014]
Claims
[1] Table for lap attachment for sitting and lying position, adjustable according to posture and body shape characterized by that the table legs (5) are each equipped with a crossbeam profile (6) which is aligned orthogonally to the user's thighs and rests on the user's lap. [2] Table according to claim 1 characterized by that the table legs (5) are attached by means of a folding hinge (4) to a carriage with a stopper (3), which rests on a guide rail (2) which runs along the left and right side edges of the table. [3] T according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the T has a torso support (7) which can be extended and retracted at the front edge of the table (facing the body) and which rests on the user's torso with its crossbar profile. [4] T according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that can be adjusted: - Height of the table by which the table legs (5) can be extended and retracted - Position of the table legs (5) along the guide rail (2) - Position of the extendable torso support (7) - Table legs (5) can be folded using the folding hinge (4) for transport or storage [5] T according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that an object support (8) is attached to the front edge of the table, which prevents an object from slipping off the T when the table is inclined. [6] T according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the crossbeam profiles (6) and profiles of the table legs (5) are square (and made of a light metal, e.g. aluminum). [7] T according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that there is a removable mouse holder (9) that can be screwed on by hand.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
AU001987072294A1
CN000201409623Y
US0000010322275
Self-elevated lap desk
US2596094A
Security device for trailer coupling pin
US4132093A