US20010013304A1

US20010013304A1 - Computer monitor apron

Info

Publication number: US20010013304A1
Application number: US09/282,000
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley C. Davis; Ronald D. Cook
Original assignee: Boone International Inc
Current assignee: Boone International Inc
Priority date: 1999-03-29
Filing date: 1999-03-29
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: WO2000057757A1; EP1164901A4; EP1164901A1

Abstract

A message board apron for use with a computer monitor and keyboard includes a flat base, a support member extending upwardly from the base, and a tabletop member coupled to the support member proximate an edge of the tabletop member, the tabletop member having a dry-erase writing surface thereon. A variety of holders are provided in the tabletop member for holding accessories, such as hooks, pockets for writing implements or a recessed portion having a shape for receiving a pad of Post-It® notes or other paper therein. The message board apron is placed on a desktop in front of a computer monitor with a keyboard placed in front of or partially underneath the tabletop member, thereby removing providing a writing surface and/or accessories available to the computer user yet held up and away from the desktop surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer accessories, and more particularly to a message board apron for use with a computer monitor and/or keyboard that provides a tabletop.

BACKGROUND

Computer desks are often cluttered and unorganized spaces. First, the computer itself generally takes up substantial space on the desktop requiring sufficient room for a monitor and keyboard, even if other components, such as a computer case and external peripherals are placed off the desktop. A workspace is generally provided for the computer user in front of or adjacent to the keyboard, but this area often becomes cluttered with papers, books and the like. Thus, it may become difficult to locate a pad of paper, a Post-It® note, a pen or other office accessories that may be on the desktop but buried beneath other objects.

To assist in taking and saving messages and the like, a message board may be mounted on a wall near the computer desk. These message boards, however, may not be convenient to the computer user who wants to write a quick message or note without leaving their desk. Message boards have been suggested that are mounted to the face of the monitor, e.g., around one or more edges of the monitor without covering the viewing area. These boards, however, may be bulky and may extend well beyond the space occupied by the monitor, interfering with the computer user's view from their desk. These boards are also mounted at a height and an angle that may not be convenient for the computer user to write a note while seated at the desk.

Therefore, there is a need for a computer accessory that facilitates writing messages and/or holding accessories useful to the computer user without adding substantially to the clutter on a desktop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a message board apron for use with a computer monitor and keyboard. Generally, the message board apron includes a substantially flat base for supporting the message board apron on a horizontal surface, a support member extending generally upwardly from the base, and a tabletop member coupled to the support member, preferably proximate an edge of the tabletop member. The tabletop member preferably has a writing surface thereon, such as a dry-erase laminate surface.

Preferably, the tabletop member extends generally parallel to the base. In addition, the tabletop member may be pivotable relative to the base, for example, by providing a hinged connection between the support member and the base. In a preferred form, the base includes one or more feet extending forward from the support member under the tabletop member, thereby defining a “C” shaped cross-section providing a cavity for receiving a keyboard therein. Preferably, the vertical distance between the base and the tabletop member corresponds substantially to the distance between a horizontal surface and a bottom of a viewing area of a computer monitor placed on the horizontal surface.

The message board apron may also include a variety of holders, such as recesses and hooks, for holding accessories. For example, the tabletop member may include a pocket for receiving a writing implement or an eraser, such as a recessed slot extending horizontally along a portion of the tabletop member or a vertical cylindrical recess for receiving an end of the writing implement therein. A recess may be provided that has a substantially rectangular cross-section for holding one or more planar accessories, such as business cards or floppy disks, in a generally vertical orientation.

A recessed portion may be provided adjacent the writing surface defined by side walls and a bottom wall, the recessed portion having a shape for receiving a pad of paper, such as a pad of Post-It® notes, therein. Two or more upper edges of the side walls of the recessed portion may include retaining lips extending partially across the recessed portion for substantially retaining the pad of paper therein. A generally planar member may be received in the recessed portion substantially parallel to the bottom wall, the planar member being biased to slide away from the bottom wall for directing a pad of paper received thereon into engagement with the retaining lips. One of the side walls may include a sloped edge therein for facilitating removal of one or more sheets from the top of the pad of paper received in the recessed portion.

The message board apron may be placed on a desktop in front of a computer monitor with a keyboard placed in front of or partially underneath the tabletop member. The base may be arranged rearward under the monitor stand, thereby substantially anchoring the message board apron. Alternatively, the base may be arranged forward under the tabletop member, such that the keyboard may be slid over the base and stored under the tabletop member. The tabletop member preferably abuts the face of the monitor immediately under the viewing area, thereby not interfering substantially with use of the monitor.

A message board apron in accordance with the present invention allows a variety of accessories, such as a writing surface, a pad of paper, writing implements and the like to be removed from the desktop surface around the computer, but still allows the accessories to be available for the computer user. The user may conveniently write notes or messages on the writing surface and/or the top sheet of the pad of paper, without having to stand or otherwise leave the computer desk, and without having to hunt through a cluttered desk for something to write on or for a writing implement.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a message board apron, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. [0012]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the message board apron of FIG. 1. [0013]
FIGS. [0014] 3A-3C are perspective views of the message board apron of FIG. 1 being assembled.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show the message board apron in front of a computer monitor with a keyboard placed under and in front of the message board apron, respectively. [0015]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a message board apron with a computer monitor and keyboard, in accordance with the present invention. [0016]
FIG. 6 is a side view of the message board apron of FIG. 5. [0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first preferred embodiment of a [0018] message board apron 10 that generally includes a tabletop 12, one or more support members 14 and a base 16. The tabletop 12 is a generally planar member, preferably having a generally rectangular shape. The tabletop 12 includes front and back edges 18, 20 generally having a length corresponding generally to the width of a computer monitor, and side edges 22 having a length substantially smaller than the length of the front and back edges 18, 20. The back edge 20 preferably has a shape corresponding substantially to the face of a computer monitor, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a flat screen display, below the viewing area. For example, the back edge 20 may have a slight concave shape, as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively, may have a substantially flat shape (not shown).
The [0019] tabletop 12 has an upper surface 24 which includes one or more useful accessories. For example, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the upper surface 24 includes a dry-erase laminate surface 26 which covers a substantial portion of the tabletop 12. The laminate surface 26 may be formed from a variety of known materials, such as coated paper, melamine-coated masonite or porcelain-coated steel or other metal. Alternatively, other erasable writing surfaces may be provided, such as a “wet-erase” laminate or slate.
An elongate semi-cylindrical slot [0020] 28 extends along the upper surface 24 for receiving a dry-erase marker or other writing implement 29. Alternatively, cylindrical vertical pockets (not shown) may be provided in the upper surface 24 or extending from the side edges 22 for receiving a writing implement. A generally semi-cylindrical slot 40 is also provided for receiving a similarly shaped dry-erase eraser, such as a generally cylindrical-shaped eraser (not shown).
A generally rectangular or [0021] square recess 30 is provided adjacent the dry-erase surface 26 for receiving a pad of Post-It® notes and the like (not shown). The recess 30 includes a plurality of side walls 32 and a bottom wall 34 (shown in phantom) having a predetermined width, length and depth corresponding substantially to a desired pad size. A pair of retaining lips 36 are provided along upper edges 38 of the recess 30, preferably integrally formed or molded into the tabletop 12, for substantially retaining the pad in the recess 30. One of the side walls 32 a may include a sloped region 33 to facilitate taking one or more sheets from the top of the pad.
A planar member [0022] 35, such as a plastic panel having a width and length slightly smaller than the recess 30, may be placed in the recess 30 which is biased upwards to direct the pad into engagement with the retaining lips 36. For example, one or more springs 37 (shown in phantom) may be provided in the recess 30 beneath the planar member, e.g., attached to and/or extending upwardly from the bottom wall 34 of the recess 30.
Other structures may also be provided that are attachable to or integrally molded to the [0023] tabletop 12. For example, one or more hooks (not shown) may be attached or mounted to the tabletop 12, e.g., along one or both of the side edges 18, for receiving a key ring or other item. Recesses having shapes corresponding substantially to appropriately sized objects may also be provided in the upper surface 24. For example, a recess may be provided that has a rectangular shape for holding a plurality of planar objects, e.g. business cards or floppy disks, in a substantially vertical orientation.
Alternatively, the [0024] tabletop 12 may provide one or more dispenser holders (not shown) for receiving accessories such as scotch tape or stamps. The dispenser holder may simply be a semi-cylindrical recess into which a roll may be received, or tabs may be provided for engaging a hub of the roll (not shown).
Turning to FIGS. 1, 2 and [0025] 3A-3C, the tabletop 12 is substantially supported by the support member 14 and the base 16. The support member 14 and base 16 are preferably separate components that are attached to the tabletop 12 and/or each other to provide the assembled message board apron 10. The separate components may be initially separated in a substantially flat configuration, e.g., pre-packaged for sale, and assembled by the purchaser prior to use. Alternatively, the tabletop 12, support member 14 and/or base 16 may be integrally formed or molded together as a single piece.
The [0026] support member 14 extends generally downwardly and preferably substantially perpendicularly from the tabletop 12, and has a first upper end 54 and a second lower end 42. The first end 54 is coupled to the tabletop 12, preferably to a lower surface 50 thereof. In a preferred form, the support member 14 is attached on or near the back edge 20 of the tabletop 12, thereby maximizing the space under the tabletop 12. Alternatively, the support member 14 may be attached to an intermediate region (not shown) of the lower surface 50, or the support member 14 may extend along the lower surface 50, for example, at least partially between the back and front edges 20, 18. In a further alternative, the support member 14 may have an arcuate shape, may be bent or otherwise oriented at an angle with respect to the tabletop 12 to provide a space under the tabletop 12 for accommodating a keyboard and the like.
As best seen in FIG. 3A, slots or [0027] pockets 48 are provided in the lower surface 50 of the tabletop 12, preferably defined by wall portions 56 integrally molded into the tabletop 12. A first set of tabs 52 are provided on the first end 54 of the support member 14 that correspond to respective slots 48, e.g., the tabs 52 being defined by notches 53 formed in the support member 14. To attach the support member 14 to the tabletop 12, the tabs 52 are aligned with and securely inserted into the slots 48.
Turning to FIGS. 3B and 3C, a [0028] flange 58 extends along the second end 42 of the support member 14 that includes notches 60 defining a second set of tabs 62 for attaching the base 16 thereto. The base 16 includes a pair of substantially flat feet 66 extending generally perpendicularly from the second end 42 of the support member 14. Each foot 66 preferably includes a toe portion 44 and a heel portion 46 located on opposite ends of the foot 16, and a raised tab 64 defined by slots 65 at an intermediate location between the heel and toe portions 46, 44.
Each [0029] foot 66 may be attached to the support member 14 by aligning and inserting the tabs 62 into the slots 65 until the tabs 62 substantially engage the raised tabs 64. In a preferred form, the toe portion 44 is substantially longer than the heel portion 46. Thus, when the foot 66 is attached to the support member 14, the toe portion 44 extends further from the support member 14 than does the heel portion 46.
In addition, one or more non-skid elements (not shown) may be provided on each of the [0030] feet 66 to engage a surface onto which the message board apron 10 is placed. The non-skid elements may prevent the feet 66 from sliding along the surface and/or may prevent the feet 66 from scuffing or otherwise damaging the surface. In one form, one or more tabs (not shown) of non-skid material, such as rubber or silicone, may be attached, for example by an adhesive, to predetermined locations on a bottom surface 45 of the feet 66. The tabs may have a generally circular shape and may have an indented surface to provide a slight suction cup contact with the surface that may further prevent skidding. Alternatively, a non-skid layer of material, such as a thin rubber mat, may be attached to and cover a portion of or all of the bottom surface 45 of the feet 66. The layer of material may include a patterned surface to further enhance engagement between the feet 66 and the surface, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
When the [0031] message board apron 10 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the toe portion 44 preferably extends forward, i.e., towards the front edge 18 of the tabletop 12. Thus, the message board apron 10 has a generally “C” shaped cross-section that defines a cavity 94, as shown in FIG. 2. Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the message board apron 10 may be placed in front of a computer monitor 80 such that the back edge 20 of the tabletop 12 abuts the front face 82 of the monitor a short distance below the viewing area 84. A keyboard 90 may be placed under the tabletop 12 when not being used (FIG. 4A), the keyboard 90 resting on the feet 66, and then the keyboard 90 may be partially pulled out during use (FIG. 4B).
Thus, the [0032] message board apron 10 provides a writing surface and/or a number of useful accessories that occupy substantially little desktop space other than the space already required for a computer keyboard. The tabletop 12 extends at least partially over the keyboard 90, but the keyboard 90 may be easily moved out to access all of its keys. The writing surface 26 on the tabletop 12 is provided in a generally horizontal arrangement only inches above the desktop surface, thus providing a more comfortable, natural location for the writing surface than vertically mounted message boards. The tabletop 12 may be oriented substantially horizontally when placed on a horizontal surface, such as a desktop, or the tabletop 12 may be angled slightly downward from the back edge 20 towards the front edge 18 to provide additional comfort or convenience.
Alternatively, the [0033] feet 66 may be attached to the support member 14 such that the toe portion 44 extends rearward. For this arrangement, the toe portion 44 may be placed under the monitor 80 or its support stand (not shown) in order for the back edge 20 of the tabletop 12 to abut the face 82 of the monitor.
In further alternatives, a single foot (not shown) may be provided, for example, extending the full width of the [0034] support member 14 or tabletop 12 or only partially along the width if it provides sufficient stability for the tabletop 12. The support member 14 may include a plurality of generally vertical members (not shown) extending between the tabletop 12 and one or more feet 66. In addition, the connection between the support member 14 and the tabletop 12 or the base 16 may be pivotable, such that the generally horizontal angle of the tabletop 12 may be adjusted by the user and/or the vertical distance between the tabletop 12 and the base 16, i.e., the height of the tabletop 12, may be adjusted.
Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, another preferred embodiment of a [0035] message board apron 110 is shown, for use with a computer monitor 80 and a keyboard 90. The message board apron 110 generally includes a tabletop 112, a support member 114 attached to the tabletop 112, and a base 116 pivotally attached to the support member 114. The tabletop 112 preferably includes a dry-erase surface 126, and a recess 130 for receiving a pad of Post-It® notes and the like, similar to the embodiment described above.
In addition, the [0036] tabletop 112 includes a raised lip 128 extending along the front edge 118 for preventing a writing instrument 129 from falling off the tabletop 112. A plurality of substantially vertical cylindrical recesses 170 are provided in the tabletop 112 for holding writing instruments, a substantially horizontal semi-cylindrical recess 140 is provided for an eraser (not shown), and a rectangular recess for business cards and the like (not shown) is also provided. Other accessories may be provided in addition to or instead of those shown, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The [0037] support member 114 includes an upper flange 152 which may be fastened to the tabletop 112, e.g., to the lower surface 150, by screws, bolts, adhesives and the like, and/or by an interlocking fit, such as the tabs and slots described previously. The support member 114 also has a hinge 162 mated to a cooperating hinge 164 on the base 116. The hinges 162, 164 preferably allow the support member 114 to be adjusted, but substantially hold a position once set. For example, the hinges 162, 164 may be held simply by internal friction, or alternatively by a locking mechanism (not shown) which may be manually locked and unlocked to substantially anchor and release the support member 114, respectively.
The base [0038] 116 is preferably a single substantially flat panel which is arranged rearward from the tabletop 112, and onto which the base 86 of the monitor 80 is placed, thereby substantially anchoring the message board apron 110 relative to the monitor 80. The back edge 120 of the tabletop 112 may abut the face 82 of the monitor 80 without substantially obstructing the viewing area 84, as explained previously. The tabletop 112 may then be pulled forward, if desired, to change the angle of the upper surface 124. Alternatively, the tabletop 112 may be pivotable relative to the support member 114, thereby allowing the height of the tabletop 112 to be adjusted independently of the angle.
Thus, the [0039] tabletop 112 is provided a predetermined distance above the surface of the desktop 92, thereby defining a cavity 94 into which the keyboard 90 may be slid, as best seen in FIG. 6. Preferably, the support member has a predetermined height such that tabletop 112 is located between about three inches and about eight inches above the desktop 94, and more preferably between about four inches and about six inches, i.e., close to the height of the bottom of the viewing area of a standard computer monitor. This allows the tabletop 112 to be used without substantially obstructing the viewing area 84 and allows the accessories thereon to be available without occupying substantial extra space on the desktop 94.
In further alternatives, it may be possible to eliminate the support member and base and directly couple a tabletop, such as that shown in FIG. 1, to the face of a computer monitor below its viewing area. For example, the tabletop may be integrally molded as part of the monitor housing, extending from the face below the viewing area of the monitor. Alternatively, the tabletop may be a separate member attached to the front of the monitor by an adhesive and/or by a mechanical fastener, such as a clamp or strap. [0040]
In one form, a separate tabletop member may be provided that defines an upper surface having an erasable writing surface thereon. A back edge of the tabletop member may have a shape corresponding substantially to the shape of the face of the computer monitor. An adhesive, such as a double-sided adhesive tape, may be applied to the back edge and/or to region of the face of the computer monitor to which the tabletop member is to be attached. The back edge of the tabletop may then be bonded substantially permanently to the face of the computer monitor. [0041]
Alternatively, one or more clamping members may be provided having a first extension attached to the tabletop member and a second extension attachable to the computer monitor. For example, the first extension may be attached to the back edge of the tabletop member and/or to a lower surface of the tabletop member. The second extension may be attached to a side panel and/or a lower panel of the monitor housing. In a further alternative, one or more straps may be attached to the tabletop member that may be extended at least partially around, and preferably completely around, the computer monitor and secured thereto. In still a further alternative, hook and eye material be attached along the back edge of the tabletop member and the face of the monitor, respectively, for attaching the tabletop member to the monitor. [0042]
The adhesive and/or mechanical fastener should be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the tabletop member, and any accessories that may be received therein, such as a pad of Post-It® notes, a dry-erase pen and the like. Thus, the tabletop member may be supported in a cantilever manner from the face of the monitor. When the monitor is placed on a horizontal surface, the stand which supports the monitor thus also supports the tabletop at a predetermined height above the surface, thereby providing a space thereunder for receiving a keyboard, as described above. [0043]
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. [0044]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A message board apron for use with a computer monitor and keyboard, comprising:

a substantially flat base for supporting the message board apron on a horizontal surface;

a support member extending generally upwardly from the base;

a tabletop member coupled to the support member, the tabletop member having a writing surface thereon.

2. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the support member is attached to the tabletop member proximate to a back edge thereof.

3. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the tabletop member extends generally parallel to the base.

4. The message board apron of

claim 3

, wherein the tabletop member includes a pocket for receiving a writing implement.

5. The message board apron of

claim 4

, wherein the pocket is a recessed slot extending along a portion of the tabletop member.

6. The message board apron of

claim 4

, wherein the pocket comprises a substantially vertical cylindrical recess for receiving an end of the writing implement therein.

7. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the tabletop member further comprises a recessed portion adjacent the writing surface defined by side walls and a bottom wall, the recessed portion having a shape for receiving a pad of paper therein.

8. The message board apron of

claim 7

, wherein one or more upper edges of the side walls of the recessed portion include a retaining lip extending partially across the recessed portion for substantially retaining the pad of paper therein.

9. The message board apron of

claim 8

, further comprising a generally planar member received in the recessed portion substantially parallel to the bottom wall, the planar member being biased away from the bottom wall for directing a pad of paper received thereon into engagement with the retaining lip.

10. The message board apron of

claim 8

, wherein one of the side walls includes a sloped region therein for facilitating removal of one or more sheets from the pad of paper received in the recessed portion.

11. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the writing surface comprises a dry-erase laminate.

12. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the tabletop member is pivotable relative to the base.

13. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the base comprises one or more feet extending forward from the support member under the tabletop member, thereby defining a “C” shaped cross-section providing a cavity for receiving a keyboard therein.

14. The message board of

claim 1

, further comprising a non-skid element on a bottom surface of the base.

15. The message board apron of

claim 1

, wherein the vertical distance between the base and the tabletop member corresponds substantially to the distance between a horizontal surface and a bottom of a viewing area of a computer monitor placed on the horizontal surface.

16. A message board apron for use with a computer monitor and keyboard, comprising:

a generally planar tabletop member defining an upper surface having a laminate surface thereon;

a support member extending from the tabletop member, the support member having first and second ends, the first end being coupled to or near a back edge of the tabletop member; and

a substantially flat base portion coupled to the support member, the base portion extending generally parallel to the tabletop member.

17. The message board apron of

claim 16

, wherein the support member is pivotally attached to one of the base and the tabletop member for adjusting the position of the tabletop member relative to the base.

18. The message board apron of

claim 16

, wherein the tabletop member comprises a recess having a predetermined shape for holding an appropriately shaped accessory.

19. The message board apron of

claim 18

, wherein the recess has a substantially rectangular cross-section for holding one or more planar accessories in a generally vertical orientation.

20. The message board apron of

claim 19

, wherein the one or more planar accessories are selected from the group consisting of business cards and floppy disks.

21. The message board apron of

claim 18

, further comprising a tape dispenser received in the recess.

22. The message board apron of

claim 18

, wherein the appropriately shaped accessory is a pad of paper, and the recess has a shape for holding the pad of paper therein substantially parallel to a bottom wall thereof.

23. The message board apron of

claim 22

, wherein the recess comprises two or more upper edges having retaining lips extending partially across the recess for substantially retaining the pad of paper therein.

24. The message board apron of

claim 23

, further comprising a generally planar member received in the recess substantially parallel to the bottom wall, the planar member being biased away from the bottom wall for directing a pad of paper received thereon into engagement with the retaining lips.

25. The message board apron of

claim 23

, wherein the recess comprises a sloped region for facilitating removal of one or more sheets from the pad of paper received in the recess.

26. The message board apron of

claim 18

, wherein the recess comprises a substantially vertical cylindrical pocket for receiving an end of the writing implement therein.

27. The message board apron of

claim 18

, wherein the recess comprises a semi-cylindrical slot extending substantially horizontally along a portion of the tabletop for holding a writing implement.

28. The message board apron of

claim 16

, further comprising an accessory hook extending from the tabletop member.

29. The message board apron of

claim 16

, wherein the base portion comprises one or more feet extending forward from the support member under the tabletop member, thereby defining a “C” shaped cross-section providing a cavity for receiving a keyboard therein.

30. The message board apron of

claim 16

, wherein the vertical distance between the base portion and the tabletop member corresponds substantially to the distance between a horizontal surface and a bottom of a viewing area of a computer monitor placed on the horizontal surface.

31. A message board apron for a computer monitor, comprising:

a generally planar tabletop member defining an upper surface having an erasable writing surface thereon;

means for coupling the tabletop member to a face of a computer monitor.

32. The message board apron of

claim 31

, wherein the tabletop member has a back edge having a shape corresponding substantially to the shape of the face of the computer monitor below a viewing area thereof.

33. The message board apron of

claim 32

, wherein the means for coupling the tabletop member to the face of the computer monitor comprises an adhesive on the back edge of the tabletop member bondable to the face of the computer monitor.

34. The message board apron of

claim 32

, wherein the means for coupling the tabletop member to the face of the computer monitor comprises a clamp member having a first extension attached to the tabletop member and a second extension attachable to the computer monitor.

35. The message board apron of

claim 32

, wherein the means for coupling the tabletop member to the face of the computer monitor comprises a strap attached to the tabletop member, the strap being extendable at least partially around the computer monitor.

36. The message board apron of

claim 31

, wherein the tabletop member further comprises a recess having a predetermined shape for holding an appropriately shaped accessory.

37. The message board apron of

claim 31

, wherein the writing surface comprises a dry-erase laminate.

38. A computer monitor, comprising:

a monitor housing having a front panel, the front panel having an opening therein defining a viewing area; and

a generally planar tabletop member extending from the front panel below the viewing area, the tabletop member comprising an upper surface having a writing surface thereon.

39. The computer monitor of

claim 38

, wherein the tabletop member is integrally molded to the monitor housing.

40. The computer monitor of

claim 38

, wherein the tabletop member is attachable to the front panel of the monitor housing.

41. The computer monitor of

claim 40

, wherein the tabletop member is attached to the front panel by an adhesive.

42. The computer monitor of

claim 40

, wherein the tabletop member is attached to the front panel by a mechanical fastener.