Lap Desk with Integrated Foam Armrests for Ergonomic Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lap desks lack arm and elbow support, making them uncomfortable for users, and makeshift solutions like propping up pillows are unreliable and uncomfortable.

Innovation Solution

A lap desk designed as a single contoured foam block with integrated armrests and a planar surface, providing ergonomic support and comfort, optionally with features like cup holders and cooling channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional lap desks are constructed as a simple substrate, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but arm and elbow support is lacking making them uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the desk surface and armrests into a single integrated foam body construction. The contoured block of foam simultaneously provides the planar surface for placing objects and the raised portions for arm and elbow support, eliminating the need for separate components and making the structure more comfortable without increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam body is contoured with different regions serving different functions: a planar surface area for object placement and raised portions for armrest support. This local differentiation of structure within the single body provides ergonomic comfort while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If makeshift armrests are created using pillows, then arm support is provided, but the solution becomes unreliable and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm supportVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The armrests are merged into the integral foam body construction rather than being separate makeshift elements. This integration ensures the armrests are stable, reliable, and consistently positioned, eliminating the unreliability of pillow-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding separate armrest components to a basic desk substrate, the invention inverts the approach by making the foam body itself the armrest structure through its contoured shape, providing reliable support as an inherent feature rather than an add-on

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12402720B2Lap desk

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 BELLAS CONSTANTINOS DEAN

AI summary

A lap desk can be formed as a single body of material, such as foam. The body includes a main rear section having a top planar surface and left and right arms that extend forwardly from the main rear section and have top surfaces for supporting arms of a user.