Portable desktop for suppoting items

• US 20060107878A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Cassata
• Original Assignee: Michael Cassata
• Inventors: Cassata, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/997,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20060107878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/005 mounted on the steering wheel

Abstract

A member (101) having an opening (103) that is capable of accepting a portion of a vehicle steering wheel assembly is used to support an apparatus (100) from the vehicle steering wheel assembly. The apparatus (100) includes a back member (105) and a desktop (107) that can support items (204). Locking mechanisms (113, 115) can be used to secure the back member (105) and the desktop (107) in a fixed, preferably user friendly, position. When the apparatus (100) is in a folded position for carrying or storage, the member (101) can function as a handle.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a member having an opening wherein the opening is capable receiving a steering wheel assembly;

a back element hingedly connected to the member; and

a desktop hingedly connected to the back element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one back hinge that connects the back element to the member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one desktop hinge that connects the desktop to the back element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one back position locking device connected to the back element and the member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one desktop position locking device connected to the desktop and the back element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the member is capable of securely engaging a lateral edge of the desktop when the back and desktop are folded together for storing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is capable of receiving an outer rim of a steering wheel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an edge of the member is capable of engaging a steering wheel column.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a member having an opening wherein the member is capable of attachment to a steering wheel by receiving a portion of the steering wheel through the opening;

at least one back hinge connected to the member;

a back element attached to each back hinge, wherein each back hinge is attached along a first lateral edge of the back element;

at least one desktop hinge connected along a second lateral edge of the back element; and

a desktop connected to each desktop hinge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one back position locking device connected to the back element and the member.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one desktop position locking device connected to the desktop and the back element.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

placing an apparatus having a member that has an opening on a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle, wherein a portion of the steering wheel assembly extends through the opening; and

positioning a back member and positioning a desktop of the apparatus.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned to support items.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned so that the items can be supported in an approximately horizontal position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned so that a screen of a laptop computer can be positioned in a non-horizontal position that can be easily seen by a user.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of securing the back element and the desktop in a fixed position by adjusting locking mechanisms.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of removing the apparatus from the steering wheel assembly and folding the apparatus into a stored position.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of securing the apparatus in a stored position by adjusting locking mechanisms.