MXPA97008646A - Folding computer desktop, ready for - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folding computer table, ready for use, this table comprises: a desktop top, which has a support surface to hold the computer equipment, a keyboard drawer assembly, to contain a computer keyboard worn under the top of the desk, this keyboard drawer assembly has a pair of spaced supporting elements to hold a sliding keyboard drawer, and these spaced supporting elements extend away from the top from the desk and end at the terminal edges at a predetermined distance away from the top of the desk, a first and second side spaced elements of the desk, carried pivotally by a lower surface of the top of the desk, these first and second side elements They end in the supports that are attached to the floor, to hold the top of the desk riba of a floor, pivoted pivot hinges, which connect the first and second side elements to the bottom surface of the top of the desk, each of these pivoted pivot hinges has a first part, attached to the top of the desk, a second part, joined to the lateral elements and a pivot displaced from the first part and the upper part of the desk, around which the first and second lateral elements pivot, at least one of the displaced pivot hinges, which joins the first lateral member to the lower surface of the upper part of the desk, so that the first lateral element pivots about a first pivot axis, displaced from the lower surface, between a bent position and an extended position; the first lateral element is generally parallel to and above the top of the desk in the folded position, and extends away from the upper part of the the desk for contact with the floor to support this upper part of the desk and the computer equipment in the extended position, at least a second of the pivoted hinges hinged, joins the second side element to the lower surface of the top of the desk , so that this second lateral element pivots about a second pivot axis, displaced from the second lateral element, between a bent position and an extended position, this second lateral element is generally parallel to and lies on the first lateral element in the position bent and extends away from the top of the script to join the floor and support the top of the desk and computer equipment in the extended position, and the first and second pivot axes move from the bottom surface of the part top of the desk, so that the first and second side elements are doubled over the edges ter minal of the supporting elements of the keyboard drawer assembly in the folded position of the first and second side elements in a folded, compact configuration, for convenient storage and / or transport

Description

FOLDING COMPUTER DESKTOP. READY FOR USE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a folding desk, ready for use, and, more particularly, to a desk for computer equipment and the like, which can be folded for transport or storage and can be deployed easily to a robust configuration, which can be used, without the need for an assembly or other subsequent effort. So far, the desks for computer equipment provided include a desk unit, a pantry unit and / or a printer unit, which are transported unassembled and must be assembled by the purchaser. The assembly of the previous computer desktops has required a lot of time and effort, and often produces frustration because the pieces and their assembly are numerous. Such desks can not be easily used when purchased, due to the time and effort required for assembly and can not be folded for storage. Examples of several service tables include that of U.S. Patent No. 5,535,682, which discloses a service table having an upper part and portable legs, in which this upper part has openings. The lower side of the upper part includes flexible strips, which extend through respective openings forming bags for beverage containers. The legs are folded up against the lower side of the upper part and the flexible strips are joined between the legs and the upper part. U.S. Patent No. 3,854,828 discloses a table with yet another arrangement of folded legs, where a pivot includes a first and second sections having threaded holes, whereby the leg is locked in position, by screwing one end of the leg inside. of both holes. Computer desks are also known in various forms and combinations, such as those shown in the patents of E. U. A., Nos. 5,403,082 and 5,290,099, the latter patent discloses a common, slidable tray for the keyboard. While the above arrangements are suitable for your applications, the provision of a ready-to-use computer desktop, which can be assembled and disassembled, while accommodating, the varied equipment used in a computer and similar equipment, is a problem to which You need to give considerable attention. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a folding desk, ready for use, for a computer equipment and the like, which can be easily folded for transport or storage and can be easily unfolded to a firm position for its use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding desk for computer, ready for use, having a service space below the top of the desk, to accommodate associated computer equipment and folding desk sides, which they fold into the service space, and they are still easily unfolded to a firm position for desktop use. Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a service desk having a folded configuration, in which the firm sides of the desk are folded around a pivot displaced from the top of the desk, so as to provide a service space between the folded sides and below the top of the desk, in which the associated equipment can be housed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, according to the present invention, are achieved by the provision of a ready-to-use foldable computer table, comprising a desk top having a supporting surface for supporting the computer. A keyboard drawer set, to hold a computer keyboard, is brought under the top of the desk and this keyboard drawer set has a pair of spaced support elements to support a sliding drawer of the keyboard. The spaced support elements extend away from the top of the desk and terminate at the terminal edges at a predetermined distance away from the top of the desk. A first and second side elements spaced from the desk are pivotally carried by the bottom surface of the top of the desk. The first and second side elements are solid sides that end in supports that are coupled to the floor, to hold the top of the desk above the floor. Displaced pivot hinges connect the first and second side elements to the bottom surface of the top of the desk, and each offset pivot hinge has a first part attached to the top of the desk, a second part attached to the side elements and a pivot displaced from the first part and the top part of the desk, around which the first and second lateral elements rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the second pivot axis of the hinge moves a greater distance from the top of the desk in comparison with the first pivot axis of the first displacement hinge. The first side member pivots about a first pivot axis, displaced from the bottom surface, between a bent position and an extended position. The first side element is generally parallel to and placed on the top of the desk in the folded position and extends away from the top of the desk to the floor and support the top of the desk and the computer equipment there. in an extended position. The second lateral element pivots about a second pivot axis, displaced from the second lateral element, between a bent position and an extended position. The second side member is generally parallel to and placed on the first side member in a folded position and extends away from the top of the desk for attachment to the floor to support the top of the desk and the computer equipment there in a extended position. The first and second pivot shafts move from the lower surface of the top of the desk, so that the first and second side elements are bent over the terminal edges of the support elements of the keyboard drawer assembly in a bent position n a compact, folded configuration for convenient storage and / or transport. Preferably, at least one clamp element is included to hold the first and second side elements in an extended position. The first and second pivots of the hinges move by a distance past the terminal edges of the keyboard assembly. A cable tray is carried under the top of the desk, and an electrical connector is carried on the cable tray to be electrically connected to the computer equipment, so that the electrical cords, which connect the computer equipment, can be stored in the cable tray generally out of sight. A service space is defined between the first and second side elements in the bent positions and a bottom surface of the top of the desk with at least one service device carried within the service space for use with the computer equipment and the like . This includes at least the keyboard drawer assembly secured below the top of the desk and a power cord and tray that nestles between the bottom side of the top surface of the desk and the side elements and bent positions. Advantageously, the first and second side elements include an upper clamp portion abutting a vertical leg of a displacement hinge in an extended position. The clamp assembly pushes the upper clamp portions of the first and second side elements against the vertical legs in an extended position to provide a robust shape.

In another embodiment of the invention, a foldable support shelf is provided to support a computer unit. This support shelf includes a horizontal support section, carried, in a releasable manner, by one of the side elements and a vertical side section, carried by the top part of the desk. The horizontal section is pivotally joined to the vertical section by a corner hinge, and a support hinge pivotally fixes the vertical section to the top of the desk. The support shelf has a bent position, in which the horizontal and vertical sections assume a superimposed, generally parallel, relationship between the first side element and the top of the desk. The shelf hinge has a pivot axis to move the bottom and side sections by a third distance d3, from the top of the desk, this third distance is less than the distance d. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The construction designed to carry out the invention will be described below, along with other features. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, where an example of the invention is shown and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a computer desk, ready for use, constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a foldable computer desk, ready for use, constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view illustrating the various services and elements of a ready-to-use foldable computer desk constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is a front elevation, illustrating a ready-to-use foldable computer desk, constructed in accordance with the present invention, in an upright configuration, ready for use; Figure 5A is a front elevation of a foldable, ready-to-use computer desktop constructed in accordance with the present invention in a folded configuration, and Figure 5B is a rear view of a computer folded desktop; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hinge having a displaced pivot, for use in connection with a folding computer desktop, ready for use, constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figures 6A and 6B show partial frontal elevations of alternative, offset, pivotal hinges for a desk, ready for use, according to the invention; Figure 7 is a front elevation, illustrating another embodiment of a ready-to-use foldable computer desk, constructed in accordance with the present invention, in an upright, ready-to-use configuration, including a tower rack to support a unit of the computer processor; and Figure 8 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 7, in a folded configuration, and Figure 8B is a plan view of the tower shelf within the folded computer desk. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring now to the drawings, the invention will now be described in greater detail. As best seen in Figure 1, a foldable, ready-to-use computer desktop, generally designated A, is illustrated, which includes a desktop top 10, having a top 10a and a bottom 10b (Figure 2). A keyboard drawer assembly, generally designated 12, is brought under the top 10 of the desk to contain a computer keyboard 13. The keyboard drawer assembly includes a pair of spaced support elements, 16 and 18, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The spaced support elements support a sliding keyboard drawer 20 and extend away from the part top of the desk to finish at the terminal edges, 16a and 18a, away from the top of the desk. The first and second lateral elements, 22 and 24, spaced from the desk, are pivotally carried by the lower surface 10b of the upper part 10 of the desk. The side elements of the desk end in supports, 22a and 24a, which join the floor and support the top of the desk above the floor. A plurality of hinges, 30 and 32, having offset pivots, are attached to the lower surface of the top of the desk and to the side elements, 24 and 22, of the desk, respectively. Each displaced pivot hinge, 30, 32, includes a first part 30a, 32a, attached to the lower surface 10b of the upper part of the desk, and a second hinge part, 30b, 32b, attached to a respective side element of the desk , as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. The first and second desk side elements pivot about a respective pivot axis, 30c, 32c, of the pivot hinges, between an extended position (Figures 1, 2 and 4) and a folded position (Figures 5A, 5B). In the folded position, the first side element 22 is generally parallel to and placed on the lower side 10b of the upper part 10 of the desk and the second side element 24 is generally parallel to and placed on the first side element 22. For this purpose , the pivot hinges 32 join the second lateral element 24 to the upper part of the writing-board, they have a longer leg 32a with hinges 30 which fix the first lateral element 22 to the upper part of the desk, as best seen in Figures 5A and 5B. This displaces the second side element 24 away from the top of the table by a distance d2 greater than I gave. Preferably d2 is 10.16 cm. and di is 9.525 cm. A folded configuration, usually flat, can be made for the computer desk, when in the folded position, for convenient storage and transport. In the folded position, shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a service space, generally designated 36, is created, which accommodates the keyboard drawer assembly 12 and other computer desk service parts, such as the drawstring of energy 38, which may be a high-voltage protective cord, and a cable tray 40, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The cable tray 40 supports the various cables 42 that go to the computer equipment and cables. sources of energy and protects them from hanging, in an unseen way, under the top of the desk. For this reason, the cable tray 40 can extend over the power surge cord and pass this cord by a sufficient distance so that all these cables can be neatly pressed into the cable tray under the power cord, in a way usually hidden. A remote switch 43 is provided for connecting and disconnecting the switch protecting from overvoltages. For this purpose, the switch 43 is fixed to the operator's side of the desk. An optional opening can also be provided on the top of the desk to guide the monitor cords and the like. In the extended position, the first and second lateral elements, 22, 24, of the desk, extend towards the floor and support the desk above it (Figures 1, 4). As best seen in Figure 4, in the extended position, the first side member 22 has an upper portion 22b, which is secured against the leg 30a of each hinge 30. The second side member 24 similarly includes an upper portion 24b that is it secures against the leg 32a of the hinges 32, as can best be seen in Figures 6a and 6B, which shows two alternate forms of displaced pivot hinges. A clamp assembly 44 is connected between the top 10 of the desk and the side elements, 22, 24, of the desk, to push the side elements outwardly and firmly against the hinge legs 30a, 32a to lock the sides of the desk in an extended, rigid and firm position. While individual clamp assemblies 44 are illustrated, a single clamp can extend between the top of the desk and the side elements or between the side elements themselves. Preferably, the clamp elements 44 are self-locking, so that when the side elements are extended, the clamps are locked in an assurance position, as shown in Figure 4. Such clamp elements are commonly used in the tables folded and similar. It has been found, according to the present invention, that the combination of the hinges with the offset pivots 30c, 32c and the upper coupling portions, 22b, 24b, of the side elements of the desk, provide a highly robust desktop configuration, wherein the side elements are secured and locked in a rigid position against the vertical hinge legs 30a, 32a. The clamp assemblies 44 are secured to the lower side 10b of the top of the desk by means of conventional screws 50. Similarly, the clamp assemblies are secured to the legs by conventional screws or other means. Advantageously, the upper ends of the side elements 22, 24, can be constructed to be placed flush with the ends of the top of the desk so that the desk can remain on its ends when it is folded for storage. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a support shelf is added, as illustrated in the front elevational view of Figure 7. The support shelf 50 includes a horizontal section 54 that provides a surface to support a tower unit. a computer. The horizontal section is supported on one edge by a fastener and latch 55 attached to the inner surface 24b of the second side element 24. The computer table can also be designed with a support shelf supported by the first side element 22. The other The horizontal shelf edge is supported by a vertical section 52, which is carried by a pivot hinge 58 of the shelf, fixed to the lower side 10b of the upper part 10 of the desktop of the computer table A. The tower unit is protected by solid vertical section 52 from damage during use. A corner hinge 56 is used to join the horizontal section to the vertical section to allow the support shelf to be folded. This support shelf is designed to be folded along with the side elements 22 and 24, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 8A. The pivot hinge 58 of the shelf has a first and second pivot portions, 58a and 58b and a displaced pivot 58c, designed to operate as previously described for the hinges 30 and 32 of the side member, when the table is bent. The vertical leg of the first part 58a of the shelf hinge has a length such that the folded support shelf 50 is at a distance d3 from the bottom side 10b of the top of the desk 10 when it is bent. The distance d provided by the vertical hinge leg of the hinge 32 and the distance d2 provided by the vertical hinge leg of the hinge 32, must be increased to accommodate the support shelf of this alternative embodiment. The corner hinge 56 allows the horizontal and vertical sections of the support shelf to remain attached to each other, but can pivot in the same plane when the computer table is bent (Figure 8A). The fastener and latch has two parts, which are the fastening portion 55a, fixed to the horizontal section 54 and a plug portion 55b, fixed to the side member 24. The fastener and latch is decoupled to allow the support shelf to bend. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with the use of specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only and it will be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS 1. A folding computer table, ready for use, this table includes: a desktop top, which has a support surface to hold the computer equipment; a keyboard drawer assembly, to hold a computer keyboard carried under the top of the desk; this keyboard drawer assembly has a pair of spaced supporting elements for supporting a sliding keyboard drawer, and these spaced supporting elements extend away from the top of the desk and terminate at the terminal edges at a predetermined distance in moving away from the top of the desk; a first and second side spaced elements of the desk, carried pivotally by a lower surface of the top of the desk, these first and second side elements end in the supports that are attached to the floor, to hold the top of the desk above a floor; displaced pivot hinges, which join the first and second side elements to the lower surface of the top of the desk, each of these pivoted pivot hinges has a first part, attached to the top of the desk, a second part, joined to the lateral elements, and a pivot displaced from the first part and the upper part of the desk, around which the first and second lateral elements pivot; at least one first of the displaced pivot hinges, which joins the first lateral member to the lower surface of the upper part of the desk, so that the first lateral element pivots about a first pivot axis, displaced from the lower surface, between a bent position and an extended position; the first side element is generally parallel to and lies on top of the desk in the folded position, and extends away from the top of the desk for contact with the floor to support this top of the desk and the computer computer in the extended position; at least one second of the pivoted pivot hinges, joins the second side element to the lower surface of the top of the desk, so that this second side member pivots about a second pivot axis, displaced from the second side member, between a bent position and an extended position; this second side element is generally parallel to and lies on the first side element in the folded position and extends away from the top of the desk to join the floor and support there the top of the desk and the computer equipment in position extended; and the first and second pivot axes are displaced from the bottom surface of the top of the desk, so that the first and second side elements are bent over the terminal edges of the keyboard drawer assembly support elements in the position bent of the first and second side elements in a bent, compact configuration, for convenient storage and / or transportation.
2. 2. The table of claim 1, wherein the first and second pivots of the hinges are displaced by a distance passing the terminal edges of the keyboard assembly.
3. 3. The table of claim 1, including at least one reinforcing element, for maintaining the first and second side elements in the extended position.
4. 4. The table of claim 1, which includes a cable tray, carried under the top of the desk, and an electrical connector, carried inside the cable tray, to be electrically connected to the computer equipment, so that the cords Electrical, which connect the computer equipment, can be stored inside the cable tray, usually hidden from view.
5. 5. The table of claim 1, in which the second pivot axis of the second displacement hinge is displaced by a distance greater than the desktop top compared to the first pivot axis of the first displaced hinge.
6. The table of claim 1, wherein the first and second side elements include a reinforcing portion, which cholses with a vertical leg of the respective displacement hinge in the extended position, and which includes at least one reinforcement assembly for pushing the reinforcing portions of the first and second side elements against the vertical legs in the extended position.
7. 7. The table of claim 1, which includes a support shelf, carried by the top of the desk, comprising a horizontal section for supporting a computer unit, a vertical section for supporting the horizontal section, and at least one of the sections , horizontal and vertical, can be folded relative to the other, so that the support shelf can be folded into the first and second side elements, when in the folded position.
8. 8. The table of claim 8, which includes a releasable attachment for joining at least one of the sections, horizontal and vertical, to one of the side elements and the top of the desk, respectively, and a hinge of the support shelf, to join to the other of the sections to the desk in the unfolded position.
9. 9. A folding computer desk, ready for use, which comprises: a desktop top; a first folding side desk element, carried by a first side of the top of the desk, and a second folding side desk element, carried by a second side of the top of the desk; at least one first hinge, which pivotally fixes the first side element to the top of the desk, this first hinge, has a pivot axis displaced by a distance from the top of the desk; at least one second hinge, which pivotally fixes the second side element to the top of the desk, this second hinge has a pivot axis displaced by a distance from the top of the desk; the first side element has a bent position, in which the first side member assumes a superimposed, generally parallel, relationship with the top of the desk, and the second side element has a bent position, in which the second side element assumes a overlapped configuration, generally parallel, with respect to the first lateral element; a service space, defined between the first and second side elements in the folded positions and a lower surface of the upper part of the desk; and at least one service device, carried within the service space, for use with a computer equipment, which includes at least one keyboard drawer assembly secured below the top of the desk, which is nested between the bottom surface of the top of the desk and the side elements in the bent positions
10. 10. The desk of claim 9, wherein the pivot axis of the second side member is displaced by a second distance, which is greater than a first distance, which is the distance of the displacement of the pivot axis of the first side member.
11. 11. The desk of claim 9, including at least one stiffening element, for maintaining the first and second side elements in the extended positions.
12. 12. The desk of claim 9, which includes a cable tray, carried under the top of the desk to house cables of the equipment supported on the desk.
13. 13. The desk of claim 12, which includes an electrical connector, carried under the top of the desk, near the cable tray, to be electrically connected to the computer equipment, so that the electrical cords connecting the equipment The computer can be stored inside the cable tray, usually hidden from view.
14. 14. The desk of claim 9, wherein the first and second side elements comprise solid side panels.
15. 15. The desk of claim 14, wherein the side elements include the top ends that are placed flush with the ends of the top of the desk in the bent configuration, so that the folded desk can be retained on its ends for storage .
16. 16. The desk of claim 9, including a foldable support shelf, having a horizontal support section, carried, in a releasable manner, by one of the side elements and a vertical side section carried by the top of the desk.
17. 17. The desk of claim 16, wherein the horizontal section is pivotally joined to the vertical section by a corner hinge, and which includes a support hinge that pivotally fixes the vertical section to the top of the desk, the support shelf that it has a bent position in which the sections, horizontal and vertical, assume a superimposed relationship, generally parallel, between the first lateral element and the upper part of the desk.
18. 18. The desk of claim 17, wherein the shelf hinge has a pivot axis to move the sections, horizontally and vertically, by a third distance, from the top of the desk, this third distance is less than the first distance.
19. 19. The table of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides are solid and provide elongated supports that are attached to the floor.
20. 20. A folding computer desktop, ready for use, which comprises: a desktop top; a first foldable side desk element carried by a first side of the top of the desk, and a second foldable side element of the desk, carried by a second side of the top of the desk; at least one first hinge, which pivotally fixes the first side element to the top of the desk; at least one second hinge, which pivotally fixes the second side element to the top of the desk; the first side element has a bent position, in which the first lateral element assumes a generally superimposed configuration, with respect to the upper part of the desk, this second lateral element has a bent position, in which the second lateral element assumes a configuration , generally superposed with respect to the first lateral element; a service space, defined between the first and second side elements in the folded positions and the lower surface of the upper part of the desk; and at least one service device, carried within the service space, for use with computer equipment and the like, which includes a support shelf carried on the top of the desk, which includes a horizontal section to support a unit of computer, a vertical section for supporting the horizontal section, and the horizontal and vertical sections can be bent in mutual relation, so that the support shelf can be bent with the first and second side elements, when in position bent
21. 21. The table of claim 20, which includes a releasable attachment for joining at least one of the horizontal and vertical sections to one of the side elements and the top of the desk, respectively, and a supporting shelf hinge, to join the other from the sections to the desk in the unfolded position.
22. 22. The table of claim 21, which includes a keyboard drawer assembly, secured below the top of the desk, which nests between the bottom surface of the top of the desk and the side elements, in the folded positions.