Laptop computer cart

• US 5,697,686 A
• Filed: 01/26/1996
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bush Industries Incorporated (eSolutions Furniture Group)
• Original Assignee: Bush Industries Incorporated (eSolutions Furniture Group)
• Inventors: Miller, Joseph E., Holler, James M., Fiala, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/592,224
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 312/293.1, 312/330.1, 312/194, 312/311, 312/310, 312/317.3, 312/349, 108/102, 108/143, 108/26, 108/182
• US Class Current: 312/194
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/16 Holders for glasses, ashtrays, lamps, candles or the like forming part of tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/062 the worksurface moving forward to expose the wire gutter, e.g. up and forward
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable laptop computer cart having a slidable desktop movable between a closed, retracted position and an open position which exposes a hidden bin/storage area underneath. The cart is mounted on casters or wheels for easy movement. Additionally, with the desktop in the retracted position, the bin is completely hidden from view allowing the cart to be utilized as a conventional end table or the like. The laptop computer cart is particularly well adapted for use with a laptop computer cart or video game entertainment system while the user is seated upon a couch or sofa.

Claims

1. A laptop computer cart comprising:

a pair of vertically extending, spaced end panels each having a forward edge and a rearward edge and supported on roller means;

a slidable desktop extending between said vertically extending end panels and movable between a fully retracted position substantially over said end panels and an extended, operable position where at least a portion of said desktop extends beyond said forward edge of each said end panel; and

a storage bin extending between and attached to said end panels in a position spaced from said forward edge of each said end panel wherein said storage bin is hidden by said desktop in said retracted position, and wherein a space between said end panels from said storage bin to said forward edge of each said end panel is substantially open.

2. The laptop computer cart of claim 1 wherein said roller means includes a horizontally extending brace attached to each said end panel and a pair of casters attached to opposite ends of each said brace.

3. The laptop computer cart of claim 2 wherein each said brace extends beyond said forward edge of said attached end panel.

4. The laptop computer cart of claim 1 further comprising a compartmentalized tray supported on said storage bin.

5. The laptop computer cart of claim 4 wherein said roller means includes a horizontally extending brace attached to each said end panel and a pair of casters attached to opposite ends of each said brace.

6. The laptop computer cart of claim 5 wherein each said brace extends beyond a forward edge of said attached end panel.

7. The laptop computer cart of claim 1 further including tracks attached to said end panels, said tracks slidably supporting said desktop.

8. The laptop computer cart of claim 7 wherein said roller means includes a horizontally extending brace attached to each said end panel and a pair of casters attached to opposite ends of each said brace.

9. The laptop computer cart of claim 8 wherein each said brace extends beyond a forward edge of said attached end panel.

10. The laptop computer cart of claim 9 further including a substantially cylindrical depression formed in said desktop to provide a cup receiver therein.

11. The laptop computer cart of claim 1 wherein said bin includes a pair of spaced vertical plates extending between and attached to said end panels, and a horizontal plate extending between and attached to said spaced vertical plates at a lower portion thereof.

12. The laptop computer cart of claim 11 wherein said roller means includes a horizontally extending brace attached to each said end panel and a pair of casters attached to opposite ends of each said brace.

13. The laptop computer cart of claim 12 wherein each said brace extends beyond a forward edge of said attached end panel.

14. The laptop computer cart of claim 13 further comprising a compartmentalized tray supported on said spaced vertical plates of said storage bin.

15. The laptop computer cart of claim 14 further including tracks attached to said end panels, said tracks slidably supporting said desktop.

16. The laptop computer cart of claim 15 further including a depression formed in said desktop to provide a cup-holding receiver therein.

17. The laptop computer cart of claim 1 further including a footrest extending between said end panels below said storage bin wherein a user'"'"'s foot is adapted to engage said footrest through said substantially open space between said end panels from said storage bin to said forward edge of each said end panel.