US20120118210A1

US20120118210A1 - Fold away desk (FAD) information station/desk caddy

Info

Publication number: US20120118210A1
Application number: US13/136,014
Authority: US
Inventors: Marianne Laughlin; Laura Olsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-21
Filing date: 2011-07-20
Publication date: 2012-05-17

Abstract

The Fold Away Desk serves as an easy access organization station that folds up to a compact portfolio.

This mobile office can stand up in cube form providing an organized, central place of order and privacy which can be folded and safely stored away with ease.

With technology unveiling miniature and condensed products every day, the Fold Away Desk offers the solution to clearing clutter. The stylish scratch proof design ensures safe table top display while being attractive enough for travel. When folded it can also act as a multi use laptop or IPAD case. The Emergency Fold Away version is essential for the increasing worldwide weather crisis evacuations. Instead of losing a lifetime of memories, the user can be prepared for fast, emergency evacuation with photo memory cards, flash drives and critical documents all stored in one organized place and ready to go with a moment's notice.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal storage and organizational systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable desks as movable units for keeping records, information, functional articles and resources organized in the most useful manner possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The life of the average person today is hectic. With working parents, more divorced couples and more complex family living arrangements today, keeping track of information for schools, medical records, work-at-home records, elder care, community events, extra-curricular activities such as recreation leagues and clubs is more challenging than ever. We are commuting more and longer to both work, between homes and recreation.
At the same time, we are living with an abundance of knowledge. While the Internet, technology, digital and electronic media provide us with many conveniences, they also have complicated our lives with speedy and distributed information exchange. One file in one physical place is inadequate today. We are societies on the go. We need work and living space that addresses our modern knowledge and resource management needs in a way which is more organized, multi-purpose and flexible.
A specific example of this heightened need for better file resource management is the formal dining room. Today the formal dining room is used far less for formal dining, and far more for schoolwork, self-employed home office work, special projects and special collections of articles. It often becomes cluttered with so many stray items that the table is not visible. It has become the home office, library, storage room, and catch all, often displacing even flex-work needs due to the mass of paperwork and materials that tend to accumulate because users do not otherwise have a designated work area. Clutter and mess lead to stress, which is the last things today's family's need and an important object of the present invention—to reduce stress through more organized home-work living space.
Numerous file storage systems and products exist for organizing information physically as opposed to electronically using both permanent and temporary storage devices. Known products include full size and movable desks such as lap desks, file cabinets, file folders, stackable file boxes, drawers, file dividers, folios. The problem with these conventional systems is that they are lacking the combined benefits of desk portability, aesthetics integrated with room use, color and texture, and organizational detail to allow the user to fold up and carry a stand-alone work space from room to room and beyond. In addition, many lack modularity, such as portable, subject-specific organization so that records and items can be filed away for storage and easily retrieved or moved from place to place when necessary.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,546 titled “Transportable office work station” by Robert and Cynthia Gurin issued Dec. 17, 1996. This patent covers a transportable office work station comprised of a cabinet having a computer “elevator” and retractable casters to allow users to roll the work station to another location as desired. This requires a level floor surface for rolling the cabinet to a different location. If stairs are involved, the cabinet remains difficult to relocate. Carrying this desk to a car or different location would not be feasible.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,082 to Edward Kramer, issued Apr. 4, 1995 for a “Fold-up, movable desk with movable audiovisual equipment end.” The invention claimed is a movable desk also anticipated to be wheeled when desired to be relocated. The desk parts define a substantial piece of furniture, including a desk work surface, front and rear edge and support pedestal. While the invention can be moved, it is not anticipated to be packed up and easily carried from one location within a home or office to another, to and from vehicles, or regularly transported.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,514 to Brown, Fogle and Salley issued Jun. 23, 1998 covers a “Ready to use foldable computer desk.” This invention teaches a foldable ready to use computer table with a support surface, keyboard drawer assembly and cable tray. While this piece of furniture allows the computer to be stored away, leaving the desktop open and unobstructed, it does not allow for the desk to be carried away or files particularly organized for portability.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,107 B1 issued Apr. 10, 2007 to Steelease Development Corporation, invention titled “Assembly with Movable Work Surface Portion and Material Holder.” This invention also acknowledges the importance of securing clear work space through flexible work stations, but teaches fixed furniture units which may be moved within the structure, but not movable units independently of the structure such as to be carried to and from locations within a home, office or community.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,113 titled “Hand foldable and portable furniture” issued May 29, 1998 to Cleon Benson also discloses a hand foldable article of furniture that can be folded up for storage purposes, but is not anticipated to store things in it once folded up. While the article is portable upon being folded, it stops being an organizational device once folded, which significantly limits its utility if transportable storage is intended.
Numerous other embodiments of modular furniture, foldable furniture, collapsible workstations and the like are taught by the prior art to provide increased workspace and portability, but without the features of the present invention which combines aesthetic, highly organized, highly functional hand foldable and movable storage space which continues to store and organize articles within it while being transported by the individual user.
A first object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an organized place to store paperwork temporarily in combination with work accessories needed to complete the work being stored while working on it in a multi-purpose location.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage unit for items in addition to files which may be needed to help complete work related to the subject matter of the records being stored.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce clutter from loose files and work materials by providing an organizational system that is self-contained and portable so that it can be accessed when needed, then closed up and put away as temporary storage when done working with it.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide organizational systems that are subject matter specific to keep records and related resources in one place, but portable to allow for carrying them with the user from place to place and to have storage components integrated to allow the unit to be hung, stacked or otherwise stored in a manner that renders it easily retrievable.
Still another object of the present invention is to render physical space such as home or office rooms useful for multiple purposes by providing portable storage resources that can allow easy, lightweight, organized transport of records and items needed for accomplishing tasks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a desk with enough structure to hold its form, but covered with a soft material which will not scratch furniture upon which it may be placed.
Another object of the present invention is to integrate form and function of organizational space with that of architectural space to reduce stress, improve the quality of life, improve aesthetics and improve space use for people through better records and resource organization.
Still another object of the present invention is to improve executive functioning of adults and children alike by providing ready, movable office and household organizers that teach subject matter organizational management for a variety of areas, including but not limited to elder care, college application preparation, recreation records and scheduling management, school work, medical records.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage unit with interchangeable storage components which are customized to the storage purpose intended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention unfolded to show the contents of the foldaway desk storage compartments or “inside” view.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention folded to show the outside of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the present invention as viewed from outside of the unit when folded.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention viewed from outside as folded.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a center desk member that folds down and away from a binder-type center support member.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the invention referenced in FIG. 5, showing the folding of the invention into a smaller storage unit with hand-held carrying strap for easy transport.

FIG. 7 of the present invention is an elevational view of the alternate embodiment referenced in FIGS. 5 and 6, showing the unit fully folded and ready to carry.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5-7 depicting a loop handle.

FIG. 9 is a fold-out elevational view of the present invention showing a hard service insert to provide a writing surface through a central member.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing reinforcement rods and base structure support for keeping the invention erect on a work surface while unfolding a center member for desk surface and organizational work use.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention from the outside as folded.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention unfolded to show a single center desk member as well as the contents of the foldaway desk storage compartments or “inside” view.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an example of a storage customization for senior care.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an example of a storage customization with clear pocket storage for enhanced visual content.

FIGS. 17 to 20 depict an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an emergency organizational system with a clear waterproof carrier to protect contents beyond folded members.

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown unfolded as a unit hung on a surface such as a door or wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprised of central support member 10, left wing member 20, right wing member 30, swing panel 40 and carrying handle 50.
FIG. 1 shows the invention unfolded, depicting central support member 10 defined by interior face 12, exterior face 70, bottom edge 15 and top edge 19. Exterior face 70 of central support member 10 is shown at FIG. 3. Central support member 10 is pivotably associated with left wing member 20 and right wing member 30, each having an interior face 22 and 32, respectively, and an exterior face 62 and 64, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. Exterior faces 62, 64 and 66 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Interior face 22 and 32 are further defined by a plurality of storage components 24, 26 and 28 for interior face 22, and storage components 34, 36 and 38 for interior face 32, for holding articles stored within the invention. Swing panel 40 is further defined by base edge 42 pivotably associated with bottom edge 15 of central support member 10 and a fold edge 44. Carrying handle 50 is comprised of carrying swing strap 52, carrying companion strap 56, swing handle support 54 and companion handle support 58. Swing handle support 54 and companion handle support 54 are fixedly adhered to swing panel 40 and exterior face 70, respectively to provide carrying support for the invention when in transport or suspension mode.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, components 24, 26 and 28 are pockets attached to interior face 22 of left wing member 20, and pockets 34, 36 and 38 being attached to interior face 32 of right wing member 30. Two center pockets 13 and 14 are shown to hold, for example, incoming and outgoing bills, with file folder slots 17 and 18 also provided to hold records for other areas of need such as announcements, appointment information, current school papers or items in need of immediate attention. The size, number and arrangement of the storage units, pockets, dimensions and slots varies based on the need of the user. These storage units may be permanently affixed or, alternatively, removably affixed through conventional hook and fastener means. The configuration shown is intended to teach the spirit of the invention and not limit a variety of storage components of different size and placement with the invention.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the plurality of pockets on left and right wing members 20 and 30 are sized to retain various storage articles, such as envelopes, CDs, DVDs, digital memory cards, flash drives, personal digital assistants, cell telephones and the like. FIG. 1 shows the invention with pockets 34, 36 and 38 to store camera memory cards and USB memory sticks and cell phones, and pockets 24, 26 and 28 to store envelopes, stamps and CD/DVD records. Additional sizes and shapes of storage units can be added to accommodate special needs, a designated place for emergency information and whatever other information the user desires.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is made of a quilted fabric (or other durable fabric) that will not harm the finish of a tabletop and is lightweight. The central support member 10 and left and right wing members 20 and 30 are reinforced with either foam board, plastic or another strong material that is also lightweight.
The present invention provides the user with a work area that can be cleared easily and in an organized manner to open and clean the primary space when the user is done with the temporary work at hand or when in need of the primary work space, such as the supporting table. The invention is put into use by carrying it to a desired work location, setting central support member 10 upright on the desired work surface, unfastening fold edge 44 from the closed position depicted in FIG. 4, pivoting swing panel 40 open and away from central support member 10 until it is perpendicular to it and lying flat on the desired work surface at a ninety degree angle to central support member 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Left wing member 20 and right wing member 30 then are opened away from central support member 10 to the left and right, respectively, until the invention is open to a working position, with a slight inward angle of left wing member 20 and right wing member 30 to provide support to keep central member 10 standing upright, as shown in FIG. 1.
After work is concluded and the user desires to store the invention, reverse steps to those cited above are followed to fold left and right wing members 20 and 30 inwardly toward interior face 12 of central support member 10 until wing members 20 and 30 are essentially parallel with central support member 10. Swing panel 40 then is lifted from the work surface, pivoted inwardly so that fold edge 44 is aligned in parallel and close proximity with top edge 19 of central support member 10, then folded over it and fastened to exterior face 70 using conventional releasable closure means, such as hook and fastener, ribbon, snap, button. Velcro, or the like. At this point the invention is in storage position 80, as shown in FIG. 4, with carrying handle 50 being used to lift and transport the invention to the next desired location.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show front face 60 and exterior face 70, respectively. The invention is slender enough to store behind a sofa or cabinet or under a bed. The underlying table that supports the invention when unfolded now can be used for its intended purpose for as long as necessary. When ready to resume work, the invention can be returned to tabletop, unfolded and work begun where the user left off in an organized, time-efficient manner by building on organization, not disturbing files and stored items each time records, notes and organizational tools need to be moved.
The present invention is capable of embodiment in different sizes, shapes, configurations, storage particulars and organizational detail. For example, it can be tailored to work for children that are in shared custody arrangements or children that are on the go and need to complete their work in a variety of places due to scheduling. Users can literally fold up their working space and take it with them from one home to another, school to social event, library to bus or carpool. The preferred configuration gives them tailor-made executive functioning to keep important items in a place where they can be put to use when needed and safely stored away when not in use or while transporting.
FIGS. 5-7 show alternate embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 5, for example, the invention is shown from a front elevational perspective, with central support 90 having an inside surface 93 and inside surface 94, with storage members 95 and 96 affixed to each, respectively, as well as an exterior surface 120, shown in FIG. 6. This embodiment of the invention is further defined by central support 90 having binder 91 and swing panel 100 having binder 92. In this embodiment of the invention, left wing member 99 and right wing member 98 are approximately the same size and dimension or slightly smaller than inside surface 94 and 93, respectively, with left wing member having a carrying handle edge 53 and right wing member having a carrying handle edge 54.
Swing member 100 is further defined by panel members 104 and 106 pivotably associated with binder 91 to allow for additional unit folding. This embodiment of the invention is further defined by carrying handle 50 having strap 52 and strap 54, with strap 52 having strap ends 52 a and 52 b affixed to carrying handle edge 51 of right wing member 98 and with strap 54 having strap ends 54 a and 54 b affixed to carrying handle edge 53 of left wing member 99.
This configuration allows for the invention essentially to be halved upon final folding whereby, from an open position shown in FIG. 5, swing panel 100 is lifted upward toward central support member 90 until it is parallel with central support member 90. The invention then is pivoted inward along binders 91 and 92 to bring interior faces 93 and 94 toward one another. Left wing member 99 then is pivoted along carrying handle edge 54, and right wing member 98 is pivoted along carrying handle edge 51 to fold left and right wing members 99 and 98 inward over swing panel 100 to close the invention like a book, with carrying handle edge 51 and 53 being drawn together in parallel and close alignment to allow for carrying straps 52 and 54 to double up in carrying formation to comprise carrying handle 50, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment of the invention, hard surface 110 is removably inserted into central member 100 to serve as a writing or rigid member support, as needed, as depicted in FIG. 9. This central member may also be adapted for laptop use.
Right and left wing members 98 and 99 fold inward when the invention is prepared for storage, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and outward for workspace use as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 depicts the fully folded invention ready for transport by gripping carrying handle 105, lifting and carrying the article to the desired location. This embodiment allows for the entire invention to be folded in half for storage needs and ease of transport. As with the invention depicted in FIGS. 1-4, storage pockets 95, 96, 24, 26, 28, 34, 36, 38 as shown in FIG. 5, or pockets 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 7, are representative of a sample configuration for storage purposes anticipated by the invention in this alternative embodiment.
FIG. 8 depicts yet another alternate embodiment of the invention showing carrying handle 106 having anchor sites 107 and 108 located on top edge 109 and 110 of panel support members 122 and 124, respectively. When this embodiment of the invention is in use, carrying handle 106 arches across the invention, but when panel support members 122 and 124 are folded into storage configuration, carrying handle 106 forms a loop, as shown in FIG. 8 b.
Additional features capable of being incorporated into the present invention include a central active paper and records center with a plurality of storage members as shown in central support member 90 of FIG. 5 or central support member 10 of FIG. 1. This feature includes the ability to insert a desk calendar for appointment and event scheduling. The present invention also is expandable and adaptable for specific storage and organizational needs, such as to include an electronic device charging station, solar recharging capability, medical summary card, emergency contact card, clear pockets for visual reference, or ribboned “ ”bulletin board” in lieu of pockets on one side. The present invention also has visual story board capability to allow the user to select optional pieces that allow him or her to create visual cues for heightened organizational advantage.
FIG. 9 of the invention shows an additional feature of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4 defined by a pocket 100 formed integrally within swing panel 40 into which rigid member 110 is removably inserted for additional writing support if needed when the invention is open and employed for work use.
FIG. 10 shows yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention in front perspective view. This embodiment of the invention is defined by central support 130 having vertical edges 131 and 133 with rod pockets 132 and 134, respectively, swing panel 140, carrying handle 150 with strap 152 and strap 154. These rod pockets 132 and 134 are of a dimension to receive a rigid support rod 160 and 162, respectively, and are further defined by upper apertures 161 and 163 on vertical edges 131 and 133, respectively, and into which rods 160 and 162 are inserted, respectively. Rod pockets 132 and 134 are further defined by base apertures 135 and 137 on vertical edges 131 and 133, respectively, into which are inserted angle member 164 and 166, respectively, to hold the unit upright when unfolded and in use. Angle members 164 and 166 have a rod receiving member 170 which cooperatively associates with the base support end 175 of the support rods 160 and 162. These angle members 164 and 166 are removably inserted into the base aperture 161 and 163 of the invention, with support rods 160 and 162 locked into support association with angle members 164 and 166 for the purpose of holding erect the invention when it is unfolded for use. When storage is desired, the support rods are 160 and 162 are slid apart from angle member 164 and 166, stored within the folded unit, swing panel 140 lifted upward to close against central support member 130, and carrying straps 152 and 154 brought together for lifting and transporting the invention to its next destination.
FIG. 14 depicts another alternate embodiment of the invention utilizing the same folding system previously described. The inside view shown delineates one interior pocket 18 instead of two making this embodiment more portable for transporting.
Additional embodiments of the present invention include storage configurations which facilitate bill paying, mail storage, organization of records pertaining to applying for and attending college, elder care, child records, such as for school, athletics or extracurricular activities, particularly in joint custody situations, holiday organizer, home remodeling, moving, a mobile business center, a home based business, wedding planner, travel organizer, seasonal home management system such as for a recreational vehicle or vacation home, an emergency evacuation organizer, as shown in FIGS. 15-21. Shown here are additional utilitarian features include clear pockets to facilitate stored content viewing, charging station for electronic component readiness, waterproofing, expandability and hanging configuration.
These are samples of the many possible uses of the present invention. They are meant to be representative of, and not limit, the many possible uses, configurations and storage variations of the basic invention to which the present descriptions and the embodiments sampled in this writing can be applied.

Claims

1. A transportable organizational management system comprised of the following:

1) a central support member having an upper end and a pivot end,

2) a swing panel having an upper swing edge and a pivot edge, with said pivot edge being aligned with said pivot end of said central support member capable of being folded inward toward said central support member for storage and outward away from said central support member for active work use,

3) a plurality of storage units integrally formed on said central support member for containing items and information to be stored therein.