Adjustable work surface with ball and socket receivers

Abstract

A multi-functional adjustable tray that mounts on the arm of a chair to provide a comfortably accessible work surface to support a computer mouse and other IO devices. The adjustable tray may be easily mounted to an arm of a chair and provides width, length, rotation, and storage adjustments. The adjustable tray includes a platform that is pivotally connected to a support device through a ball and socket connection device thus allowing wide degrees of latitude and flexibility of use so as to accommodate increased ease of use with the I/O device. The ball and socket connection device includes a mechanism for selectively restricting movement of the platform.

1 . An adjustable work surface for connection with a piece of furniture, said work surface comprising: 
 a platform having a flat working surface, said platform having a bottom surface, said platform configured for attachment to a first attachment body;    a first attachment body for connecting the bottom surface of the platform to connection device first end;    a second attachment body for connecting the a piece of furniture to the connection device second end;    the connection device, having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a first joint configured for selective rotation about its connection with the first attachment body, said second end comprising a second joint configured for selective rotation about its connection with the second attachment body.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 1  wherein said first and second joints comprise ball and socket joints.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 1 , wherein said connection device comprises at least one intermediate joint between said first and second joints, thereby defining a connection device first sleeve connected at said at least one intermediate joint to a connection device second sleeve.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one intermediate joint comprises a third and fourth joints configured for selective rotation.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 4 , wherein said third and fourth joints comprise ball and socket joints.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 5 , wherein said first sleeve comprises the socket for said third joint, wherein said second sleeve comprises the socket for said fourth joint and wherein the balls for the third and fourth joint sockets are interconnected by a bar thereby providing for the interconnection of the third and fourth joints.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 2 , wherein said connection device further comprises at least one tensioning device for adjusting the tension in the joints thereby allowing a user to control the position of the platform relative to the piece of furniture.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 4 , wherein said connection device further comprises at least one tensioning device for adjusting the tension in the joints thereby allowing a user to control the position of the platform relative to the piece of furniture.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 1 , wherein said second attachment body is connected to an extension arm, said extension arm configured for insertion and connection within a receiver defined in said a piece of furniture.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 9 , wherein said a piece of furniture is a chair arm.  
   
   
       11 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 9 , wherein said a piece of furniture is a portion of a desk.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 9 , wherein said a piece of furniture is a portion of a table.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 2 , wherein said second attachment body comprises one or more balls for connecting with said socket joints.  
   
   
       14 . An adjustable work surface for connection with a piece of furniture, said work surface comprising: 
 a platform having a flat working surface, said platform having a bottom surface defining a plane, said platform configured for attachment to a first attachment body;    a first attachment body for connecting the bottom surface of the platform to connection device first end;    a second attachment body for connecting a piece of furniture to the connection device second end;    the connection device, having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a first joint configured for selective rotation in a first plane, said second end comprising a second joint configured for selective rotation in a plurality of planes, said first plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the platform's bottom surface.    
   
   
       15 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 14 , wherein said first joint comprises a pivot joint and said second joint comprises a ball and socket joint.  
   
   
       16 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 14 , wherein said connection device further comprises at least one tensioning device for adjusting the tension in the joints thereby allowing a user to control the position of the platform relative to the piece of furniture.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 14 , wherein said second attachment body is connected to an extension arm, said extension arm configured for insertion and connection within a receiver defined in said a piece of furniture.  
   
   
       18 . An adjustable work surface for use on an arm chair, said work surface comprising: 
 a platform having a flat working surface, said platform having a bottom surface, said platform configured for attachment to a first attachment body;    a first attachment body for connecting the bottom surface of the platform to connection device first end;    a second attachment body for connecting the arm chair to the connection device second end;    the connection device, having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a first joint configured for selective rotation in a first plane, said second end comprising a second joint configured for selective rotation in a second plane, said first plane generally perpendicular to said second plane.    
   
   
       19 . The adjustable work surface of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 an armchair stop for supporting and storing said platform wherein said platform is pivotally adjustably connected to said armchair stop by a rotational fastener allowing said platform to rotate in a horizontal plane and be stored in a vertical plane;    at least two parallel guides adjustably connected to said armchair stop to mount and secure the adjustable tray to fit the width dimension of said chair arm; and    at least one compression element which passes around said at least two parallel guides to compress and secure said parallel guides to said chair arm,    wherein said platform further defines at least one curved slot for allowing said platform to be selectively attached to said armchair stop through said slot.