GB2299016A

GB2299016A - Mobile office

Info

Publication number: GB2299016A
Application number: GB9505807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Thomas Summerton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-22
Filing date: 1995-03-22
Publication date: 1996-09-25
Also published as: GB9505807D0

Abstract

A passenger vehicle contains a desk mounted therein having a retractable shelf or console containing a portable computer and optional additional peripheral devices. The console may contain a docking station for the computer which provides power and connections to devices such as screen, keyboard, pointing device, modem, mobile telephone and additional backing storage devices and is lockable in its retracted position. The mobile office also comprises a seat which can be moved and rotated and locked in a number of different positions in the vehicle to afford convenient and comfortable use of the desk and its contents. Other facilities may include fax, electronic mail, a CD-ROM system and a link between the computer and the vehicle alarm which passes an alarm message to the user's mobile phone.

Description

MOBILE OFFICE This invention relates to a mobile office.

A typical office contains a minimum of a desk, chair and telephone and now typically a facsimile facility and micro- computer with a variety of peripheral devices. Recent trends towards people carrying the office around with them in the form of mobile phones and laptop (notebook) computers has left the desk and chair and other equipment behind, often causing problems finding suitable places to work comfortably, conveniently and effectively. The internationalisation of both business and leisure makes this a significant problem for many people.

First and Business Class public and private transport systems and in particular MP.Vs (multi purpose vehicles) such as the Renault Espace and similar large estate cars have sufficient space inside the cabin if used efficiently to create a comfortable and convenient mobile office environment with the main office facilities available without significantly affecting the carrying capacity of the vehicle.Furthermore the use of rotatable (captain) chairs inside some MPVs suggests that it is safe and legal to modify seating inside vehicles to accommodate comfortable placement at an installed dest According to the present invention there is provided mounted on the frame, door, floor or seat of the vehicle a desk to the rear of which is a retractable shelf, hereinafter called the console, on which is mounted a docking facility for a portable computer together with optional computer peripheral devices such as printer, separate computer screen, portable phone and scanner which are automatically connected to the computer by docking. All of these devices may derive their power from a 12 volt battery which is recharged by the vehicle's recharging circuit.

The computer is connected to remote computers and telephones by cellular or satellite links using a modem to allow electronic mail, fax transmission and reception and other electronic communication facilities. Optionally the computer is linked to the vehicles security system to allow automatic dialling of the owners portable phone to warn of intrusion or danger.

Retraction of the console hides the equipment and secures it against theft and leaves the whole of the surface of the desk flat and usable as a larger desk or table. The console may be locked in the retracted position. In addition the computer, telephone and printer may easily be removed from the console for security purposes while the vehicle is not in use or for use or maintenance elsewhere.

Additionally some seats may be modified or replaced to allow them to move in a limited manner in several directions in order to allow convenient and comfortable entry to, use of and withdrawal from the office workplace, while being securely lockable in some locations for safety while the vehicle is in motion. Seats may in some cases be laid flat to afford sleeping accommodation for user(s).

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a top view of the cabin of an MPV in which a mobile office desk has been mounted on the door pillars.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the desk console with the console in the raised (in use) position.

Figure 3 is the same as Figure 2 except that the console is shown in the retracted (lowered) position.

Figure 4 shows a lateral view of a seat with a modified seat amounting.

Referring to the drawings the mobile office as shown in Fig 1 comprises a desk 10 with a docking station and notebook computer 11, printer 12 and mobile phone in holder 13 attached to a retractable console 14 at the rear of the desk and a separate keyboard and pointer moving device in a compartment at the front of the desk. The peripheral devices and power supply derived from a 12 volt car battery are all connected automatically to the computer as a result of docking the computer in the docking station. A car seat 15 is mounted on extended runners 16 to allow relocation of the driver's seat to the mobile office without the driver having to vacate the seat. Alternatively a separate seat may be located at the desk as shown.

Fig 2 shows the desk 10 is mounted on a frame 17 which in turn is attached to the two rear passenger side door pillars 18. The rear of the desk has a movable shelf or console 14 on which are securely mounted a docking station 11 for a notebook computer, a computer screen 19 and a printer 12 shown in the in use position. The keyboard compartment cover 20 is shown in its retracted position allowing the keyboard and pointer device to be used.

Fig 3 shows the console in the retracted position. The console 14 retracts below the desk surface so that the console cover 21 can be lowered level with the desk surface and secured by a lockable security device. The location of the mechanism for raising and lowering the console within its guides 22 is not shown but the mechanism may be operated manually or using 12 volt powered electric motor or pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms. A linked mechanism opens and closes the cover for the keyboard compartment 20 here shown in the closed position.

The mechanism used for seat positioning is shown in outline in Fig 4. The seat mountings 23 are attached to and can slide along runners 24 which run the full length of the car floor. More than one seat can be mounted on each runner.

The seat mounting can be locked in any one of several fixed locations by traditional or some other unspecified car seat adjustment mechanisms. On the top of these mountings are 2 circular plates or rings 25 which rotate one inside the other allowing the upper half of the seat mounting to rotate in relation to the lower one with spring loaded teeth on one surface locating in notches or teeth in the other to lock the seat in one of a fixed number of orientations.

Attached to the top of the upper plate is another set of runners 26 which allow the seat itself to be adjusted backwards and forwards in relation to the top ring The net affect of this is to allow some adjustment of the seat in any direction in the horizontal plane while allowing it to lock into position in any one of a number of fixed locations and orientations.

Vertical and back rest adjustment may be provided using standard mechanisms built into the upper part of the seat mountings.

Claims

1 A mobile office comprising a desk area with a console containing a portable computer, the whole of which is mounted on the floor, body or seat of a passenger transport vehicle and for use by passengers, driver or crew.

2 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the portable computer is mounted in a docking facility affording stability and security for the computer.

3 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein additional peripheral devices such as printer, facsimile machine, mobile phone or other devices may be mounted into the console and be automatically connected to the computer as a result of docking the computer.

4 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 3 wherein some or all of the devices are powered from an external electrical power supply which may or may not be derived from the vehicle in which the mobile office is located.

5 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the console may be retracted or lowered such as to place its contents out of sight and to be extended or raised to bring them back into a visible position.

6 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 5 wherein a retractable surface covers the retracted shelf or console so as to increase the desktop surface area.

7 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an additional input device such as mouse or keyboard may be located in a concealed compartment which may be opened to allow use of the device and subsequently closed to conceal the device again.

8 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the concealing surfaces may be securely locked in place by physical or electronic means to afford protection against theft or damage.

9 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an additional screen is provided for displaying output from the computer.

10 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the screen may additionally be used for viewing broadcast television or video recordings.

11 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the computer may communicate via modem using cellular or satellite links to transmit and receive information in the form of data, voice or video.

12 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the computer system offers electronic mail, answerphone, fax reception and transmission or mail storage and forwarding facilities.

13 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the vehicle alarm system may be linked to the computer system which can then automatically phone the owner's mobile phone to pass a warning message.

14 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a CDROM or similar device connected to the computer is connected to the vehicle's own hi fi system to allow listening to sounds recorded on the CAROM through that system.

15 A mobile office as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a seat andNor its mounting is modified to allow extended movement of the seat backwards and forwards so to significantly move it beyond the range of normal seat adjustment.

16 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 15 wherein more than one seat may be located on a single floor mounted runner.

17 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the seat may be rotated in a horizontal plane and locked in any one of a number of orientations including sideways.

18 A mobile office as claimed in Claim 17 wherein additional adjustment of the seat is afforded laterally ( in relation to the vehicle).

19 A mobile office substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.