Portable And Adjustable Desk

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a portable, adjustable, and foldable desk for using laptop computers or reading books in bed. The apparatus comprises a flat upper panel attached to leg assemblies at first lockable joints, and joint locks. The flat upper panel is freely rotatable about the first lockable joints on unlocking the first lockable joints for adjusting angle of the flat upper panel. Each of the leg assemblies comprises leg segments interconnected at second lockable joints. The leg segments are freely rotatable about the second lockable joints on unlocking the second lockable joints for adjusting height of the leg assemblies. The joint locks lock the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints. Each joint lock comprises a first friction plate, a second friction plate, a washer, and a locking button. The locking button locks the first friction plate, the second friction plate, and the washer using a pushing force.

1 . A portable apparatus for providing an adjustable activity surface, comprising:
 a flat upper panel attached to a plurality of leg assemblies at a plurality of first lockable joints, wherein said flat upper panel is freely rotatable about said first lockable joints on unlocking the first lockable joints for adjusting angle of the flat upper panel;   said leg assemblies, wherein each of the leg assemblies comprises a plurality of leg segments interconnected at second lockable joints, wherein said leg segments are freely rotatable about said second lockable joints on unlocking the second lockable joints for adjusting height of the leg assemblies; and   a plurality of joint locks for locking the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints;   
     whereby said free rotation about the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints enables adjustment of angle of the flat upper panel and height of the leg segments respectively for said adjustable activity surface. 
   
   
       2 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said joint locks comprises:
 a first friction plate comprising an elongate shaft extending outward from said first friction plate;   a second friction plate comprising an opening for passing said elongate shaft;   a washer sandwiched between the first friction plate and said second friction plate for preventing relative motion between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, wherein said washer comprises an opening for enabling the elongate shaft to pass through; and   a locking button for locking the first friction plate, the second friction plate, and the washer together by exerting a pushing force along the elongate shaft, wherein said locking button comprises a socket for housing the elongate shaft.   
   
   
       3 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flat upper panel comprises an elevated portion for preventing sliding of an article placed on the flat upper panel. 
   
   
       4 . The portable apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the flat upper panel comprises a plurality of wrist supports on either side of said elevated portion. 
   
   
       5 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a restraint band for restraining an article to the flat upper panel. 
   
   
       6 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flat upper panel comprises a plurality of exhaust fans for dissipating heat generated by an article placed on the flat upper panel. 
   
   
       7 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flat upper panel comprises a receptacle for holding articles. 
   
   
       8 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flat upper panel comprises a plurality of integrated universal serial bus hubs. 
   
   
       9 . A method of using a plurality of joint locks for adjusting angle and height of an activity surface, comprising the steps of:
 providing said joint locks at a plurality of first lockable joints between a flat upper panel and a plurality of leg assemblies, and at a plurality of second lockable joints between a plurality of leg segments of each of said leg assemblies, wherein each of the joint locks comprises a first friction plate, a second friction plate, a washer, and a locking button;   adjusting angle of said flat upper panel by freely rotating the flat upper panel about said first lockable joints, wherein the flat upper panel provides said activity surface;   adjusting height of the leg assemblies by freely rotating said leg segments about said second lockable joints; and   locking each of the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints using one of the joint locks;   
     whereby said locking of the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints locks the flat upper panel at said adjusted angle and the leg assemblies at said adjusted height. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said step of locking each of the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints comprises the steps of:
 sandwiching said washer between said first friction plate and said second friction plate by passing an elongate shaft through an opening in the washer and an opening in the second friction plate; and   exerting a pushing force on said locking button along said elongate shaft;   
     whereby the washer prevents relative motion of the first friction plate and the second friction plate, thereby locking the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of unlocking each of the first lockable joints and the second lockable joints by exerting a pulling force on said locking button.