CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/901,972 filed on Feb. 17, 2007 at USPTO, USA.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is an article of furniture. It relates generally to the field of furniture and ergonomics and more specifically to a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space.

BACKGROUND ART

Ergonomic ways to use devices have been around since the beginning of automation. There were few inventions such as in-bed laptop desks, cantilever arm desk and mobile desks for the user to operate from the bed. This invention provides a few best known ergonomic positions for the user in operating and using devices such as laptop computer, read-write work space, TV etc.,.

Relevant Prior Art Includes

U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,066â€”Multi-function support
U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,050â€”A portable desk for use with a lap-top computer
U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566â€”A potable ergonomic computer workstation
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,567â€”Book holding device
U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536â€”Computer support apparatus and method
U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,753â€”A cantilevered and adjustable computer desk
U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,840â€”Mobile clinical workstation
U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,522â€”Overbed table for use with a patient support

Technical Problem

The prior inventions required manual intervention to remove the device from the bed to a different safe position after the usage. Even though, such machines could be used for in bed operations, the user can not safely go to sleep after the usage of the machine without putting it away from the bed. Prior arts lacked safe means for mounting the monitoring equipments, display units, communication devices and medical apparatus right near the patient in bed. With the prior devices secured ways of mounting displays, entertaining children and monitoring babies were not feasible right in the bed.

The prior arts could not be left in bed or near bed while the user is sleeping or unconscious, since it might result in personal damage and/or property damage.

Technical Solution

This invention provides a convenient work space above and close to the bed, with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustments. The positional and tilt adjustments are made feasible by means of various moving mechanisms. User can easily program the desk to be moved automatically to a safe position after a programmable time-out. Specific holders provided for securing the devices to the desk make this invention safe.

Advantageous Effects

The primary advantage of the invention is to provide a convenient and safe work space for in-bed operations like working with the laptop computer, reading, writing and watching TV.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide multiple degrees of freedom to adjust positional distance and the viewing angle from the user to the main board.

A further advantage of the invention is to provide a platform for mounting devices and gadgets safely and securely right above the user in bed.

Yet another advantage of the invention is gadgets rack for keeping the ear phones, mobile phone, CD player, CDs, DVDs, MP3 player, Home Theater systems etc.,.

Still yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a desk for easy and safe operation for persons with disabilities, bed-ridden patients and children.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A Main Board for providing work space above the bed, Tilt locking wheels mounted between the Main Board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the Mainboard, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the Mainboard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 (prior art) shows a portable computer workstation.

FIG. 2 shows the device with a laptop and a read/write box.

FIG. 3 shows the components in detail.

FIG. 4 shows the side panels assembly on both sides of the bed.

FIG. 5 shows the main board assembly.

FIG. 6 depicts the perspective view from the back of the main board and how the read/write box and the laptop computer are mounted on the main board.

FIG. 7 shows the additional keyboard cradle that can be used for heavy key-in operations while lying down in the bed.

FIG. 8 shows the perspective back view of a prototype of the device made of wood.

DRAWINGSâ€”REFERENCE NUMERALS

20â€”Side Rails

22â€”Side Rail Support

23â€”Side rail nails

24â€”Side Panel bolts & nuts

26â€”Side glides

28â€”rivets

30â€”Side Panels

32â€”Extendable arms

34â€”Tilt locking disks

36â€”Keyboard Cradle holder

38â€”Tilt locking latches

40â€”Main board flanges

42â€”Main board length pieces

44â€”Main board side pieces

46â€”Length piece front side rail

48â€”Length piece top side rail

50â€”Main board nails

52â€”Main board bolts and nuts

54â€”Laptop bottom holders

56â€”Laptop top holders

58â€”Read/Write box holders

60â€”Gadgets rack holders

62â€”Rear panel TV holders

64â€”Read/Write box

66â€”Read/Write Folding unit

68â€”Side lights

70â€”Fiber glass front cover

72â€”Folder lock wheels

74â€”Folder lock

76â€”Keyboard cradle length piece

78â€”Keyboard Pad

Best Mode

The best mode of this invention comprises the preferred embodiment of the invention described below. Adding more embedded devices such as computer, display units, digital circuitry for automation, motorized movements, hydraulic actuators and electric actuators are possible.

Mode for Invention

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A main board for providing work space above the bed, tilt locking wheels mounted between the main board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the main board, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the main board.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention, an article of furniture accomplishes the provision of a convenient work space for the user to operate from the bed.

In medical and clinical applications this invention can be safely used for patient monitoring, securing communication devices and medical apparatus near the patient.

The main board discussed can be mounted to wall, ceiling or supporting columns and used in environments such as office, fast food joints, etc.,

This invention can further be deployed for monitoring kids, unconscious patients in bed. The same invention can be used as an in-bed entertainment center.

Television sets such as LCD TV, Plasma TV, Projectors can be mounted on the rear panel of the main board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSSide Panel Assembly

As shown in FIG. 4., side rail 20R is nailed to side rail support 22R using side rail nails 23 and then side rail support 22R is attached to the right side of the bed using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Side panel 30R is riveted to side glide 26R using rivets 28. Extendable arm 32R is attached to the side panel 30R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Tilt locking disk 34R is fit to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. The side glide 26R is inserted in the slot of side rail 20R. Similarly the left side panel assembly is done using the appropriate left side components. Tilt locking disk 34R is attached to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R.

Main Board Assembly

As shown in FIG. 5, Along with the main board flange 40R, three main board length pieces 42 and two main board side pieces 44 are fastened using main board bolts and nuts 52. Three length piece front side rails 46 are nailed with each length piece 42 using main board nails 50. Two length piece top side rails 48 are nailed to the center and the bottom length pieces 42C and 42B of the main board using main board nails 50. Nail the tilt locking latches 38 to the bottom of the main board side pieces 44 at the back of the main board.

Mounting Holders

As shown in FIG. 6, Slide the read write box holders 58 in the slot of length piece top side rail 48 nailed to main board length piece 42C and 42B. Slide the Laptop bottom holders 54 in the slot of length piece front side rail 46 of the bottom length piece 42B. Slide the Laptop top holders in the slot of length piece front side rail 46 of the main board length piece 44C. Nail rear panel TV holders 60 to the top of the main board length piece 44T.

Keyboard Cradle Assembly

Attach the Keyboard cradle holders 36R, 36L to the right side and left side panels 30R and 30L. Slide the keyboard cradle length piece 76 into the holders attached to the bottom of keyboard pad 78.

Read/Write box is assembled as shown in FIG. 3 by sliding the folding unit 66 along with the folder lock wheels 72 inside read/write box 64.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.