WO2005043321A2

WO2005043321A2 - Mobile computer workstation

Info

Publication number: WO2005043321A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/035055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles James Niel; Edward James Niel
Original assignee: Charles James Niel; Edward James Niel
Priority date: 2003-10-22
Filing date: 2004-10-22
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Also published as: WO2005043321A3

Abstract

A lightweight, sturdy, mobile computer workstation having an upper frame attached rotatably to a lower frame. An upper shelf support is attached foldably, slideably, and rotatably to the upper frame. A lower shelf support is attached rotatably and foldably to the lower frame. The upper shelf support can fold onto the upper frame, and the upper frame can fold over the lower frame, to make the unit very compact, suitable for easy transportation in a car.

Description

MOBILE COMPUTER WORKSTATION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. provisional patent application Serial Number 60/513,255, filed October 22, 2003, entitled "MOBILE COMPUTER WORKSTATION," incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to mobile computer work stations and, more particularly, to a mobile, lightweight, collapsible computer work station with folding shelves that support and secure a computer and printer, while allowing all wiring to remain attached during transport.

BACKGROUND ART Individuals such as salespersons who wish to make computer presentations to prospective customers often have insufficient space for setting up their computers. Furthermore, if the presenter wishes to leave a printout of the information presented, the setting up of a printer requires even more space. If a presenter needs to spend time hooking up wires, setting up a computer and a printer, then less time is available for a presentation. In addition, the setting up process can be burdensome and annoying, due to space limitations, thereby making a negative impression on the target of the presentation. These problems lower the chance that the presentation will produce successful results. Existing computer workstations are known but have limited mobility, or are highly complex in structure and components, or will not fit into any but the largest of vehicles. Additionally, most portable workstations made to take outside of the office do not have provisions for a printer. Consequently, existing workstations do not satisfy the demand for a sturdy, collapsible, lightweight, portable, computer/printer workstation that is inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and simple to use. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a portable computer workstation that holds a laptop computer and a printer, and is useful for making presentations. The workstation has a folding upper portion with folding upper shelf to support a laptop computer and a lower portion with a lower shelf to support a printer or a combination scanner/printer/copier. Computers and printers can be attached reversibly to the shelves with snapping or hook-and-pile fasteners. The workstation may easily fit into most vehicles for transportation. Since the printer and computer are reversibly secured to the shelves, those machines may be easily removed and used separately from the workstation and may remain attached during transport. While the workstation is designed so that the shelves are preferably substantially perpendicular to the vertical portions of the workstation while in use, once the laptop and printer are removed, the shelves can rotate parallel to the vertical portions, and the upper portion can fold over the lower portion. Such a configuration is remarkably compact and allows for easy storage or shipping. In use, the top shelf is at a normal desktop height which allows for comfortable typing while the user is seated at virtually any desk chair. The workstation has large wheels to allow the workstation to be easily maneuvered about the room. The lower shelf is large enough so that it may support a standard-sized printer. The workstation can contain electrical components to connect the computer and printer to power outlets if desired.

An advantage of the present invention is a mobile computer workstation that allows placement of a laptop computer and printer conveniently on one lightweight mobile stand. Another advantage is a mobile computer workstation that folds for transportation while that computer, printer and wiring remain attached, and unfolds for presentation in a matter of seconds.

Another advantage is a rugged portable desk that folds neatly to fit in a trunk or back seat of a car, yet extends to standard desk height in seconds. Another advantage is a desktop that can be adjusted to provide the most comfortable angle for typing using just a single lever.

Another advantage is a desktop height that can be maintained constant regardless of desktop angle, allowing the use of any standard office chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a left front perspective view of the mobile computer workstation of the present invention in its upright, extended, working position.

Fig. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the mobile computer workstation in its upright, extended, working position.

Fig. 3 is an exploded right rear perspective view of the upper shelf support.

Fig. 4 is a left front perspective view of the mobile computer workstation shown in an upright position with the upper shelf deck folded to align with the workstation's upper vertical rails (semi-folded state). Fig. 5 is a left rear perspective view of the mobile computer workstation shown with the upper shelf deck folded to align with the workstation's upper rails, and the upper portion of the workstation in a partially folded state.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the mobile computer workstation in a lowered, transport or storage state.

Fig. 7 is a fractured, perspective view from the left front of the upper shelf showing the application of the "secure lock system" for mounting devices to the upper shelf, the application being identical for both the upper and lower shelves. Fig. 8 illustrates the method of unfolding and adjusting the upper shelf on the mobile computer workstation.

Fig. 9 shows the complete folding of the workstation frame for packaging, shipping, or transport.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION While the following description details the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways.

Fig. 1 provides a left front perspective view of the mobile computer workstation of the present invention in its upright, extended, working position, showing the following elements: lower frame 100, pivot rivet 101, axle rivet 102, glide support 103, upper frame 104, eccentric cam adjustment lever 105, handle 106, upper shelf 107, roller latch 108, frame latch 109, power cord wrap bar 110, surge protector 111, lower shelf 112, lower shelf support 113, leg support 114, frame brace 115, axle 116, wheel 117, axle end cap 118, corrugated wiring harness 131, and wire tie 132.

Fig. 2 provides a right rear perspective view of the mobile computer workstation in its upright, extended, working position, further showing the following elements: split bodied glide block 122, c-channel glide rail 124, and small pop rivet 126.

Fig. 3 provides an exploded right rear perspective view of the upper shelf support. The upper shelf support is formed by two c-channel glide rails 124 attached to upper shelf 107 by pop rivets 119 and bushing spacers 125. Glide rails

124 have a rigid non-compressible spacer 123 between them which is attached to the upper frame 104 at a first (upper) end by means of a rod 120. Rod 120 is inserted through a split bodied glide block 122, through a first c-channel glide rail 124, through tubular spacer 123 and through a second split bodied glide block 122. Glide blocks 122 are positioned on the rails of upper frame 104 as shown in Fig. 2, 5, and 6. A nut 121 is fastened to one end of rod 120 and an eccentric cam adjustment lever 105 is attached to the opposite end of rod 120. Glide blocks 122 can slide up and down the rails of upper frame 104 until lever 105 is actuated to compress glide blocks tightly around the rails of upper frame 104. The glide blocks 122 then become reversibly fixed in position as desired on upper frame 104. In this manner the glide rails 124 are fixed rotatably, foldably, slideably, and reversibly to the first end of upper frame 104.

The eccentric cam adjustment lever 105 applies tension to the rod 120 when the lever is in the closed position (perpendicular to the rod 120) and relives tension to the rod 120 when in the open position (parallel with the rod 120). Tension applied to the rod 120 is transferred to each of the split bodied glide blocks 122 since they are the only components in the aforementioned assembly designed to flex under compression. This compression causes the split bodied glide blocks 122 to contract upon the upper frame 104, producing friction and resistance to movement while still allowing the upper shelf 107 and attached assembly to pivot on rod 120 as its axis. Likewise, when tension is relieved from rod 120 by opening the eccentric cam adjustment lever 105, the split bodied glide blocks 122 return to their non-compressed state, thus reducing the friction between the split bodied glide blocks 122 and the upper vertical frame 104. This allows the split bodied guide blocks 122 to move freely along the upper frame 104 in addition to allowing the upper shelf deck 107 to pivot up and down.

A roller 128 fits into each glide rail 124. Rollers 128 are attached to one end of a glide support 103 by axle rivets 102. The opposite end of glide support 103 is attached rotatably to a second (lower) end of upper frame 104 with axle rivets 102 and bushing spacers 125. Glide support 103 has roller latches 108 which hold upper shelf 107 stowed in place against glide support 103 by means of clamps 127 attached to shelf 107 by rivets 126.

The rollers 128 glide smoothly back and forth within the "C" channel glide rails 124 limited in travel at each end by the protruding large pop rivets 119 at each end of the "C" channel glide rails 124. The rollers 128 act as a pivot point at any given point along their path of travel. An additional pivot point is provided at the opposite end of the folding shelf glide support 103 where it affixes to the upper frame 104 utilizing axle rivets 102 and bushing spacers 125.

The second end of upper frame 104 is attached rotatably to the first end of lower frame 100 with pivot rivets 101. Upper frame 104 has a frame latch 109 attached rotatably at the second end of upper frame 104. When frame latch 109 is folded over first (upper) end of lower frame 100, upper frame 104 is maintained in an extended position, parallel to lower frame 100. This is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. When frame latch 109 is unfolded off of lower frame 100, upper frame 104 can rotate downward, as is illustrated in Fig. 5.

Second end 14 of lower frame 100 has a lower shelf support 113 attached foldably and rotatably to second end 14 of lower frame 100 by axle 139, as shown in Fig. 6. Second end 14 also has wheels 177 attached rotatably to a wheel axle 116 having axle end caps 118, and a lower shelf support bracket 138 (see Fig. 5). Lower shelf support 113 has a leg support 114 attached rotatably and foldably at front end 14 of lower shelf support 113. Leg support 114 has a frame brace anchor 137 with frame braces 115 attached rotatably thereon. Frame braces 115 extend away from frame brace anchor 137 and attach rotatably to wheel axle 116. Lower shelf 112 can be attached to lower support shelf 113 by bolts 133 and 136.

The wires required for connecting and plugging in the laptop and the printer can be contained within a corrugated wiring harness 131 attached to upper and lower frames 104 and 100 with ties 132 (see Figs. 1 and 2). Any excess wire is preferably coiled and neatly stored under the lower shelf with just enough wire leader to reach the respective equipment. There is a power strip 111 preferably located on top of lower shelf 112 into which the laptop and printer can be plugged. A single cord with a plug emerges from the workstation 10, so that only one socket is required to provide power to both the laptop and the printer. The power strip 111 is preferably a regular plug end power strip with six outlets so that if the user requires the operation of more than a laptop and a printer, the power strip 111 would be able to accommodate extra equipment. The device's ability to connect the laptop to a wall socket has the further advantage of preserving the laptop battery. The power strip 111 would preferably also offer spike voltage protection, and, as an option, a brown out and black out battery backup. Excess power cord from power strip 111 can be wrapped around a wrap bar 110 attached to lower frame 100, or a retractable cord mechanism could be attached in lieu of a long power strip cord. Fig. 7 is a fractured, perspective view from the left front of the upper shelf

107 showing the application of the secure lock system 160 for mounting devices to the shelves 107 and 112. Although any mounting devices known in the art may be used, the secure lock system 160 is preferred. Secure lock system 160 has a first snapping fastener 151 which has adhesive upper surface 152. The adhesive adheres first snapping fastener 151 to the underside of computer 150. A second snapping fastener 153 has an adhesive under surface 154. The adhesive adheres second snapping fastener 153 to the top surface of mounting block 155. Snapping fasteners 151 and 153 have snapping elements 156. Adhesive pad 157 has adhesive on both sides, adhering to the bottom surface of mounting block 155 and to the top surface of shelf 107. Accordingly, a plurality of snapping fasteners 151, preferably four, can be applied to the bottom surface of a computer, printer, or similar device, and a plurality of corresponding snapping fasteners 153 can be applied to the top surface of the shelves. The computer or other device will rest upon, and be secured to the mounting blocks 155 with snapping fasteners 151 and 153 by virtue of the interlocking action of snapping elements 156. Snapping elements 151 and 153 are mutually engaged by pressing first snapping element 151 onto second snapping fastener 153. The snapping fasteners 151 and 153 of secure lock system 160, thus, allow the computer, printer, or other devices to be easily detached and reattached any number of times. The snapping elements may be made of any suitable material, preferably plastic, and any strong commercial adhesive known in the art may be used.

Fig. 8 illustrates the method of unfolding and adjusting the upper shelf 107 on the workstation 10. In the folded position, shown in step 1, glide supports 103 and glide rails 124 are unobtrusive and parallel with upper frame 104. Glide blocks 122 are in their highest position on upper frame 104. Adjustment lever 105 is in a locked position. The forward bottom portion of upper shelf 107 is pulled (rotated) upward. In the upward position glide supports 103 extend outward from upper frame 104. Rollers 128 on glide supports 103 have moved from the rear of guide rails 124 to the front of guide rails 124. In step 3 adjustment lever 105 is opened by pulling up, and tension in glide blocks 122 is released. The back end of upper shelf 107 can then be pushed down to place upper shelf 107 in a horizontal position, perpendicular to vertical upper frame 104. In step 4, upper shelf 107 is fixed in the horizontal position by closing adjust lever 105 returning tension to glide blocks 122. Adjusting the angle of upper shelf 107 or returning it to the folded position is accomplished by reversing steps 1-4.

Fig. 9 illustrates the complete folding of the workstation for packaging, shipping, transport, and the like. Step A shows workstation 10 in a semi-folded position with lower shelf 112 removed. Upper shelf 107 is shown with a laptop computer 150 attached to upper shelf 107. Upper frame 104 is rotated downward towards lower frame 100, lower shelf support 113 is rotated upwards towards lower frame 100, and leg support 114 is rotated towards wheels 117. As the process continues the entire workstation 10 is collapsed as shown in step B. The work station can be constructed to include additional spacing for using an external mouse and to produce any desired height of upper shelf. Preferably the height is between 24 and 48 inches. The frames, shelves, shelf supports, and other elements of the workstation can be constructed of any suitable metal, plastic, or combination thereof, and could vary in size to better suit various devices such as projectors and audio equipment. The wheels can be constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, and the like.

The foregoing description has been limited to specific embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent, however, that variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, with the attainment of some or all of its advantages and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, computers and printers can be attached to shelves 107 and 112 by any suitable method known in the art. The present invention may also be used in remote environments such as construction sites with the use of a DC to AC voltage converter. A hard case enclosure can be provided that securely snaps over the folded workstation to be used, for example, when the workstation is turned over to airline baggage handlers.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as recited in the following claims.

Claims

1. A workstation, comprising: a) an upper frame having a first end and a second end, said first end having an upper shelf support and said second end having a pivoting frame latch; b) said upper shelf support attached reversibly, rotatably, foldably, and slideably, to said upper frame; c) a lower frame having a first end and a second end, said first end attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame, said pivoting frame latch reversibly folding over said first end of said lower frame to maintain said upper frame in an extended position; and d) said lower frame having a lower shelf support, said lower shelf support attached foldably and rotatably to said second end of said lower frame.

2. The workstation of claim 1, wherein said upper shelf support comprises two c-channel glide rails having a tubular spacer with a rod therein at one end of said c- channel glide rails, said rod fixing said c-channel glide rails rotatably, foldably, and slideably to said first end of said upper frame by means of split bodied glide blocks.

3. The workstation of claim 2 wherein said upper shelf support further comprises rollers fitting into said c-channel glide rails, said rollers attached to a glide support, said glide support attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame.

4. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said lower frame further comprises an axle with two wheels attached rotatably at said second end of said lower frame.

5. The workstation of claim 4 wherein said lower shelf support has a leg support attached rotatably at a front end of said lower shelf support.

6. The workstation of claim 5 wherein said leg support has a frame brace anchor with frame braces attached rotatably thereon, said frame braces extending away from said front end of said lower shelf support and attaching rotatably to said axle.

7. The workstation of claim 2 wherein said split bodied glide blocks have an eccentric cam adjustment lever to open and close said split bodied glide blocks.

8. A workstation, comprising: a) an upper frame having a first end and a second end, said first end having an upper shelf support and said second end having a pivoting frame latch; b) said upper shelf support attached reversibly, rotatably, foldably, and slideably, to said upper frame; c) a lower frame having a first end and a second end, said first end attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame, said pivoting frame latch reversibly folding over said first end of said lower frame to maintain said upper frame in an extended position; d) said lower frame having a lower shelf support, said lower shelf support attached foldably and rotatably to said second end of said lower frame; and e) said upper shelf support having two c-channel glide rails and a tubular spacer at one end of said c-channel glide rails with a rod therein, said rod fixing said c-channel glide rails rotatably, foldably, and slideably to said first end of said upper frame by means of split bodied glide blocks.

9. The workstation of claim 8 wherein said upper shelf support further comprises rollers fitting into said c-channel glide rails, said rollers attached to a glide support, said glide support attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame.

10. The workstation of claim 8 wherein said lower frame further comprises an axle with two wheels attached rotatably at said second end of said lower frame.

11. The workstation of claim 10 wherein said lower shelf support has a leg support attached rotatably at a front end of said lower shelf support.

12. The workstation of claim 11 wherein said leg support has a frame brace anchor with frame braces attached rotatably thereon, said frame braces extending away from said front end of said lower shelf support and attaching rotatably to said axle.

13. The workstation of claim 8 wherein said split bodied glide blocks have an eccentric cam adjustment lever to open and close said split bodied glide blocks.

14. A workstation, comprising: a) an upper frame having a first end and a second end, said first end having an upper shelf support and said second end having a pivoting frame latch; b) said upper shelf support attached reversibly, rotatably, foldably, and slideably, to said upper frame; c) a lower frame having a first end and a second end, said first end attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame, said pivoting frame latch reversibly folding over said first end of said lower frame to maintain said upper frame in an extended position; d) said lower frame having a lower shelf support, said lower shelf support attached foldably and rotatably to said second end of said lower frame; e) said upper shelf support having two c-channel glide rails and a tubular spacer at one end of said c-channel glide rails with a rod therein, said rod fixing said c-channel glide rails rotatably, foldably, and slideably to said first end of said upper frame by means of split bodied glide blocks; and f) said upper shelf support having rollers fitting into said c-channel glide rails, said rollers attached to a glide support, said glide support attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame.

15. The workstation of claim 14 wherein said lower frame further comprises an axle with two wheels attached rotatably at said second end of said lower frame.

16. The workstation of claim 15 wherein said lower shelf support has a leg support attached rotatably at a front end of said lower shelf support.

17. The workstation of claim 16 wherein said leg support has a frame brace anchor with frame braces attached rotatably thereon, said frame braces extending away from said front end of said lower shelf support and attaching rotatably to said axle.

18. The workstation of claim 14 wherein said split bodied glide blocks have an eccentric cam adjustment lever to open and close said split bodied glide blocks.

19. A workstation, comprising: a) an upper frame having a first end and a second end, said first end having an upper shelf support and said second end having a pivoting frame latch; b) said upper shelf support attached reversibly, rotatably, foldably, and slideably, to said upper frame; c) a lower frame having a first end and a second end, said first end attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame, said pivoting frame latch reversibly folding over said first end of said lower frame to maintain said upper frame in an extended position; d) said lower frame having a lower shelf support, said lower shelf support attached foldably and rotatably to said second end of said lower frame; e) said upper shelf support having two c-channel glide rails and a tubular spacer at one end of said c-channel glide rails with a rod therein, said rod fixing said c-channel glide rails rotatably, foldably, and slideably to said first end of said upper frame by means of split bodied glide blocks; f) said upper shelf support having rollers fitting into said c-channel glide rails, said rollers attached to a glide support, said glide support attached rotatably to said second end of said upper frame; g) said lower frame having an axle with two wheels attached rotatably at said second end of said lower frame; and h) said split bodied glide blocks have an eccentric cam adjustment lever to open and close said split bodied glide blocks.

20. The workstation of claim 19 wherein said lower shelf support has a leg support attached rotatably at a front end of said lower shelf support.

21. The workstation of claim 20 wherein said leg support has a frame brace anchor with frame braces attached rotatably thereon, said frame braces extending away from said front end of said lower shelf support and attaching rotatably to said axle.

22. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising shelves attached to said upper shelf support and said lower shelf support, said shelves having one or more secure lock systems with snapping fasteners to reversibly attach devices to said shelves.

23. The workstation of claim 8 further comprising shelves attached to said upper shelf support and said lower shelf support, said shelves having one or more secure lock systems with snapping fasteners to reversibly attach devices to said shelves.

24. The workstation of claim 14 further comprising shelves attached to said upper shelf support and said lower shelf support, said shelves having one or more secure lock systems with snapping fasteners to reversibly attach devices to said shelves.

25. The workstation of claim 19 further comprising shelves attached to said upper shelf support and said lower shelf support, said shelves having one or more secure lock systems with snapping fasteners to reversibly attach devices to said shelves.