Folding Desktop Table and Magnetic Mat

Abstract

A portable, ergonomic work structure for designing and viewing scrapbook layouts. The desktop device includes a tabletop that contains magnets to which a layout mat may be removably attached. The layout mat is preferably a ferromagnetic sheet on which a scrapbook layout can be held in place by removable magnets. The tabletop preferably includes a foldable support to allow the layout to be viewed at an angle and to reduce the desktop table's footprint on the working surface. In order for the layout mat to be held securely to the tabletop while in use, the surface of the magnets in contact with the layout mat are raised slightly above the tabletop surface.

1 . A desktop table device, comprising:
 a tabletop having an upper and a lower surface and at least one recess in said tabletop;   at least one magnet securely contained in said at least one recess such that a top surface of said magnet is proximate to said upper surface of said tabletop; and   a mat removably attached to said tabletop via said at least one magnet.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said mat comprises a sheet of ferromagnetic material. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said top surface of said magnet is proud of said upper surface of said tabletop. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  where said top surface of said magnet is proud of said upper surface of said tabletop by a distance in a range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a handle element adapted for removing said mat from said tabletop. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said handle element comprises a formed portion of said mat. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said handle element comprises a corner of said mat bent at an angle. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said angle is substantially 45 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The devise of  claim 1  further comprising a stand element attached to said lower surface of said table, said stand element adapted to support said table such that said upper surface is angled away from horizontal. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said stand element is foldably attached to said lower surface. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said upper surface is angled away from horizontal by a angle in the range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one latching device for removably securing said desktop table device to a second desktop table device. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said latching device removably secures said first and second desktop tables in a first configuration wherein the upper surfaces of said first and second tables form a contiguous working surface, and in a second configuration wherein the upper surfaces of said first and second tables confront each other. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said latching device comprises a tubular pin extending from an edge of said first table, and a latching element, rotatabably attached to an edge of said second table, said latching element comprising a clasp element capable of releasably engaging with said pin. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said clasp element comprises an open slot. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said mat further comprises a hanging element. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein said hanging element comprises a hole in said mat. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said sheet of ferromagnetic material is powder coated. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein said powder coating has a neutral color. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said mat is substantially square in shape with sides that are substantially 14 inches in length.