GB2218624A - Table for use in motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A detachable table for use in motor vehicles comprises a rigid supporting sheet or frame (3) having adjustable fixing means (4, 5) adapted to engage the rim of a steering wheel. A second rigid sheet (7) hingeably connected (6) to the supporting sheet or frame at its upper edge has adjustment means (8, 11) for maintaining the second sheet at a preset angle with respect to the supporting sheet or frame (3). In a preferred form the fixing means comprises a series of symmetrically placed apertures in the rear of the supporting sheet or frame and two or more pegs or clips adapted to fit into the apertures and engage a steering wheel. The table can include a container (12) along its lower edge. <IMAGE>

Description

TABLE FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

This invention relates to a table or desk for attachment to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

It is frequently convenient for the driver of a motor vehicle, when it is stationary, to carry out clerical work or consume a meal without leaving the vehicle. In the case of clerical work a table or other flat surface is most important when writing or amending documents however this facility is lacking in the driving position. It is not unusual to see drivers, such as sales representatives, leaning from the driving seat across the vehicle and using the passenger seat as a table. Not only is the seat resilient and inconvenient to write on but the position of the body can result in muscular strain and even spinal injury.

When consuming food or drink as part of a meal the lack of a table often results in spillage and food remnants falling into the interstices of the unholstery encouraging vermin.

The present invention provides a table which can be easily assembled and used either as a desk for clerical work or as a table for consuming a meal.

According to the present invention there is provided a detachable table for use in motor vehicles comprising a rigid supporting sheet or frame having adjustable fixing means adapted to engage the rim of a steering wheel and a second rigid sheet hingeably connected to the supporting sheet or frame at its upper edge with adjustment means for maintaining the second sheet at a preset angle with respect to the supporting sheet or frame.

The second flat rigid sheet acts as a table with its outer surface forming the worktop. In some embodiments the sheet may be be hinged across its width so that the lower section may be adjusted to form a horizontal surface.

Such an embodiment requires a second adjustment means to hold the lower section in the horizontal position. In such embodiments it may be necessary to ensure that the second hinge does not disrupt the flat surface. This may be achieved by the use of a concealed hinge or by use of a cover which is placed over the surface to conceal the discontinuity caused by the hinge.

The second flat rigid sheet may carry a container along its lower edge which can be used to hold pencils, pens, etc when using the surface as a drafting table or condiments and cutlery if the table is to be used for dining. The container preferably has a lid covering at least part of its open portion to prevent items falling out when the table is stored. In a preferred embodiment the container has a sliding lid which covers half the area of the open portion. This lid may carry graduations which enable it to be used as a ruler or for linear measurement. The upper portion of the table surface may carry one or more clips to hold papers in the manner of a 'clip board' to prevent them sliding down the surface of the table. The board may also carry illumination means such as a small lamp energised by the vehicle power system or selfcontained batteries.Other indicator means may be included within the table surface such as a clock, calendar or timer.

Various fixing means may be used to enable the detachable table to rest securely on a vehicle steering wheel. In one embodiment a series of symmetrically placed cavities are located in the rear of the supporting sheet or frame and two or more pegs or clips are adapted to fit into the cavities and engage the upper edge of a steering wheel.

The centre of gravity of the device is arranged to be lower than the centre of the steering wheel so that gravitational attraction will ensure that the mass of the device will pull the pegs or clips downwardly against the rim of the wheel.

The material from which the rigid sheet acting as a table is fabricated will depend upun the method of manufacture, proposed life and cost. Wood in the form of planking, block board, plywood or chipboard may be used if a comparatively thick table surface is intended. Alternatively metal or synthetic polymers may be used if the table surface is to be manufactured economically on a large scale. Suitable synthetic polymer surfaces include rigid foam, fibre reinforced polymer sheets or laminates. The important properties are that the material is rigid and at least one side provides a smooth surface. The smooth surface should preferably not absorb moisture and should be cleanable by wiping with a wet rag.

The adjustment means for maintaining the rigid sheet at a preset angle with respect to the supporting sheet or frame may be a pair of slotted strips of metal each pivotably attached at one end to the side of the table sheet. The support sheet or frame carries a screw at each side which protrudes through the slot and, when the desired angle is reached. is clamped to prevent movement by a nut, such as a butterfly nut or a knurled knob, which is screwed up tightly. Other systems may be used such as a rachet, a rotatable cam or wedge. Such systems are well known.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a detachable table according to the invention, Figure 2 is a back view of a detachable table according to the invention, and Figure 3 shows an alternative forms of adjustable fixing means.

The detachable table, see Figure 1, is shown in its use position resting on the rim of a steering wheel 1. The wheel 1 is connected to a steering shaft 2 and linked to the wheels, not shown, of a motor vehicle. The table has a rigid supporting sheet 3 which rests on the wheel 1 and is prevented from slipping under the influence of gravitational forces by fixing means in the form of pegs 4 fixed in the sheet 3. The sheet 3 has sufficient thickness for each peg 4 to be held firmly in a cavity 5.

The upper edge of the sheet 3 carries a hinge 6 which joins it to a second rigid sheet 7 which forms the table. The angle between the sheet 3 and the sheet 7 is maintained by adjustment means consisting of a slotted strip 8 pivotally attached to the sheet 7 at one end by a screw 9 and adjustably attached to the sheet 3 by means of a screw with a hand-tightenable nut, shown as a butterfly nut, 11.

The lower edge of the sheet 7 carries a container 12 which may used for pens, pencils, etc. when the table is being used for clerical work or for condiments and cutlery when the table is being used for the consumption of food. The container 12 has a sliding cover, not shown, which covers half its width.

The sheet 3 carries a series of cavities 5, see Figure 2, into which the pegs 4 may be inserted. The pair of pegs 4 used as fixing means may be placed in any of the cavities 5. The particular cavities 5 chosed will depend upon the diameter of the steering wheel 1, shown as a dashed line.

The pegs 4 will be placed symmetrically so that the distance between them is less than the diameter of the outer perimeter of the wheel 1.

In an alternative embodiment, see Figure 3a, the peg 4 is fitted with a cap 15. The protruding edges of the cap 15 extend over the edge of the wheel 1 and prevent the table being dislodged by jerks or shocks.

When the supporting surface 3 is too thin to contain cavities 5 then an alternative system must be used to retain the fixing means. The fixing means, see Figure 3b, may be a bolt 16 with a threaded shaft which is held firmly in a hole formed in the suface by a nut 17. In order that the surface of the wheel is not damaged or abraded by the threaded portion of the bolt 16 it is covered by a sleeve 18.

The support is shown as a rigid sheet 3 which rests on the rim of the steering wheel 1 and is prevented from slipping downwards by the pegs 4. In many vehicles the centre boss of the steering wheel is raised above the plane of the wheel so that it is advantageous to have an aperture in the centre of the supporting sheet. In general large portions of the supporting sheet may be eliminated provided it still performs its essential function of holding the table on the steering wheel. For this purpose the upper portion of the supporting sheet must carry sufficient cavities 5 or other fixing positions to enable the pegs 4 or other fixing devices to be adjusted accomodate a range of steering wheel diameters. The lower portion must be able to rest across the lower portion of the wheel 1 and also support the table surface 7 through the preset adjustment means.

In an alternative embodiment the supporting sheet 1 may be replaced by a frame having an upper portion which allows a pair of fixing pegs, clips or other means to be adjusted so that a range of steering wheels can be accomodated. The lower portion of the frame must have at least one horizontal rigid strip or bar which can rest across the rim of the wheel and support the table surface above it. The sides of such a frame carry the adjustment means which hold the table sheet firmly at the required angle. The supporting farme and sheet may be either square or rectangular and need not be of the same overall area.

Claims (12)

1. A detachable table for use in motor vehicles comprising a rigid supporting sheet or frame having adjustable fixing means adapted to engage the rim of a steering wheel and a second rigid sheet hingeably connected to the supporting sheet or frame at its upper edge with adjustment means for maintaining the second sheet at a preset angle with respect to the supporting sheet or frame.

2. A detachable table as claimed in claim 1 in which the fixing means comprises a series of symmetrically placed apertures in the rear of the supporting sheet or frame and two or more pegs or clips adapted to fit into the apertures and engage a steering wheel.

3. A detachable table as claimed in claim 2 in which the the pegs or clips are held in the apertures by frictional forces.

4. A detachable table as claimed in claim 2 in which the the pegs or clips have threaded shanks and are held in the apertures by means of a tightened nut.

5. A detachable table as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second rigid sheet is hinged across its width and a second adjustment means is adapted to hold the portion below the hinge in a subtantially horizontal position.

6. A detachable table as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second rigid sheet carries a container along its lower edge.

7. A detachable table as claimed in claim 6 in which the container has a slideable lid which covers half its width.

8. A detachable table as claimed in claims 6 or 7 in which the slideable lid carries graduations and is adapted to be used as a ruler.

9. A detachable table as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the adjustment means comprises a slotted strip pivotally attached at one end to each side of the second sheet and slidably connected to each side of the supporting sheet or frame with clamping means.

10. A detachable table as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the supporting frame has an upper portion perforated and adapted to hold fixing pegs, bolts or clips, a lower portion carrying at least one horizontal rigid strip or bar adapted to rest across the rim of the wheel and adjustment means attached to side members for maintaining the second sheet at a preset angle with respect to the supporting frame.

11. A detachable table as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second sheet carries indicator means within the table surface.

12. A detachable table as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.