Stowable and releasably securable mobile structure

Abstract

The present invention is a mobile structure that is stowable and releasably securable to a wall or other rigid body to maximize floor space. The mobile structure preferably comprises a frame defining upper and lower ends, a work surface or pair of cabinets located on the frame and movable between deployed and stowed positions, and a plurality of legs located at the lower end of the frame. Each leg preferably terminates at a wheel or caster to enable the rolling transport of the mobile structure across a floor or other surface. To facilitate the stowable, compact capabilities of the mobile structure, at least one leg of the plurality is movable between deployed and stowed positions. An interlock assembly is also preferably located on the frame and operable to releasably secure the structure to a rigid body in a predetermined location.

1 . A mobile structure comprising:
 a frame;   a work surface located on the frame and movable between deployed and stowed positions;   a plurality of legs located at a lower end of the frame, each leg terminating in a caster, and at least one leg of the plurality movable between deployed and stowed positions; and   at least one interlock assembly operably associated with the frame to releasably secure the structure in a predetermined location.   
   
   
       2 . The mobile structure of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interlock assembly is operably associated with the at least one movable leg to prevent a movement of the leg to the stowed position when the mobile structure is not secured in the predetermined location, and further to prevent the interlock assembly from releasing the structure from the predetermined location when the at least one movable leg is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       3 . The mobile structure of  claim 2  further comprising a handle operably associated with the at least one movable leg to move the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions, the handle operably associated with the interlock assembly to prevent its movement of the leg to the stowed position when the mobile structure is not secured in the predetermined location. 
   
   
       4 . The mobile structure of  claim 3  wherein the handle is also operably associated with the movable work surface to prevent a movement of the work surface to the stowed position when the mobile structure is not secured in the predetermined location. 
   
   
       5 . The mobile structure of  claim 4  wherein the handle is movable between deployed and stowed positions, the handle located in the deployed position when the at least one movable leg is in the deployed position, and further located in the stowed position when the at least one leg is located in the stowed position. 
   
   
       6 . The movable structure of  claim 1  wherein the at least one interlock assembly comprises a sub-assembly located on the frame and adapted for operable engagement with a bracket adapted for attachment to a rigid body located at the predetermined location, the mobile structure secured in the predetermined location when the sub-assembly is engaged with the bracket, and not secured in the predetermined location when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       7 . The mobile structure of  claim 6  wherein the sub-assembly is operably associated with the at least one movable leg to prevent movement of the leg to the stowed position when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket, and further to prevent the sub-assembly from disengaging from the bracket when the at least one movable leg is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       8 . The mobile structure of  claim 7  further comprising a handle operably associated with the at least one movable leg to move the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions, the handle operably associated with the sub-assembly to prevent its movement of the leg to the stowed position when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       9 . The mobile structure of  claim 8  wherein the handle is also operably associated with the movable work surface to prevent movement of the work surface to the stowed position when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       10 . The mobile structure of  claim 8  wherein the handle is movable between deployed and stowed positions. 
   
   
       11 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein the operable relation between the handle, at least one movable leg and sub-assembly comprises a gear assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The mobile structure of  claim 11  wherein the gear assembly comprises a vertical bevel gear located on a horizontal pivot of the handle, a horizontal bevel gear located on an upper end of a vertical drive shaft and meshed with the vertical spur gear, the at least one movable leg located on a lower end of the vertical drive shaft. 
   
   
       13 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a wall for releasably securing the structure to the wall. 
   
   
       14 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a frame of another mobile structure for releasably securing the structure to another mobile structure. 
   
   
       15 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a storage base for releasably securing the structure to the storage base. 
   
   
       16  The mobile structure of  claim 6  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a storage base for releasably securing the structure to the storage base. 
   
   
       17 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein at least the movable work surface is adjustable in height. 
   
   
       18 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  further comprising a computer docking station located on the movable work surface. 
   
   
       19 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  wherein the movable work surface comprises a bed table. 
   
   
       20 . The mobile structure of  claim 10  further comprising at least one storage container located on the frame between the movable works surface and the plurality of legs. 
   
   
       21 . A mobile structure comprising:
 a frame;   a pair of cabinets located on the frame and movable between deployed and stowed positions;   a plurality of legs located at a lower end of the frame, each leg terminating in a caster, and at least one leg of the plurality movable between deployed and stowed positions; and   at least one interlock assembly operably associated with the frame to releasably secure the structure in a predetermined location.   
   
   
       22 . The mobile structure of  claim 21  wherein the at least one interlock assembly is operably associated with the at least one movable leg to prevent a movement of the leg to the stowed position when the mobile structure is not secured in the predetermined location, and further to prevent the interlock assembly from releasing the structure from the predetermined location when the at least one movable leg is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       23 . The mobile structure of  claim 22  wherein the pair of cabinets are operably associated with the at least one movable leg to move the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions, the pair operably associated with the interlock assembly to prevent its movement of the leg to the stowed position when the mobile structure is not secured in the predetermined location. 
   
   
       24 . The movable structure of  claim 21  wherein the at least one interlock assembly comprises a sub-assembly located on the frame and adapted for operable engagement with a bracket adapted for attachment to a rigid body located at the predetermined location, the mobile structure secured in the predetermined location when the sub-assembly is engaged with the bracket, and not secured in the predetermined location when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       25 . The mobile structure of  claim 24  wherein the sub-assembly is operably associated with the at least one movable leg to prevent movement of the leg to the stowed position when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket, and further to prevent the sub-assembly from disengaging from the bracket when the at least one movable leg is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       26 . The mobile structure of  claim 25  wherein the pair of cabinets are operably associated with the at least one movable leg to move the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions, the pair operably associated with the sub-assembly to prevent its movement of the leg to the stowed position when the sub-assembly is not engaged with the bracket. 
   
   
       27 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein the operable relation pair of cabinets, at least one movable leg and sub-assembly comprises a gear assembly. 
   
   
       28 . The mobile structure of  claim 27  wherein the gear assembly comprises a first spur gear located on first vertical pivot of a first cabinet of the pair and meshed with a second spur gear located on an upper end of a second vertical pivot of the second cabinet of the pair, the at least one movable leg located on a lower end of the second vertical pivot. 
   
   
       29 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a wall for releasably securing the structure to the wall. 
   
   
       30 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to the frame of another mobile structure for releasably securing the structure to another mobile structure. 
   
   
       31 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a storage base for releasably securing the structure to the storage base. 
   
   
       32 . The mobile structure of  claim 24  wherein the bracket is adapted for attachment to a storage base for releasably securing the structure to the storage base. 
   
   
       33 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein at least the pair of cabinets is adjustable in height. 
   
   
       34 . The mobile structure of  claim 26  wherein each cabinet of the pair includes a plurality of through drawers. 
   
   
       35 . The mobile structure of  claim 1  further comprising a storage base, the storage base comprising:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       36 . The mobile structure of  claim 35  further comprising a plurality of retainers operably associated with the pair of elongated members. 
   
   
       37 . The mobile structure of  claim 15  wherein the storage base comprises:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       38 . A mobile structure of  claim 15  wherein the storage base comprises:
 a chassis;   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members, the support adapted to support the plurality of legs of at least one mobile structure and having a forward edge defining a ramp; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       39 . The mobile structure of  claim 38  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the mobile structure.   
   
   
       40 . The mobile structure of  claim 16  wherein the storage base further comprises:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       41 . The mobile structure of  claim 16  wherein the storage base further comprises:
 a chassis;   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members, the support adapted to support the plurality of legs of at least one mobile structure and having a forward edge defining a ramp; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       42 . The mobile structure of  claim 41  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the mobile structure.   
   
   
       43 . The mobile structure of  claim 21  further comprising a storage base, the storage base comprising:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       44 . The mobile structure of  claim 43  further comprising a plurality of retainers operably associated with the pair of elongated members. 
   
   
       45 . The mobile structure of  claim 31  wherein the storage base comprises:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       46 . A mobile structure of  claim 31  wherein the storage base comprises:
 a chassis;   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and adapted to support the plurality of legs of at least one mobile structure, the support having a forward edge defining a ramp; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       47 . The mobile structure of  claim 46  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the mobile structure.   
   
   
       48 . The mobile structure of  claim 32  wherein the storage base further comprises:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support:   
   
   
       49 . The mobile structure of  claim 32  wherein the storage base further comprises:
 a chassis;   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and adapted to support the plurality of legs of at least one mobile structure, the support having a forward edge defining a ramp; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       50 . The mobile structure of  claim 49  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the mobile structure.   
   
   
       51 . A storage base for a mobile structure comprising:
 a chassis;   a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis and adapted to support at least one movable structure, the elongated members also adapted for operable relation with a plurality of retainers; and   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and substantially parallel with the elongated members; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       52 . A storage base comprising:
 a chassis;   a support located at a lower end of the chassis and adapted to support the plurality of legs of at least one mobile structure, the support having a forward edge defining a ramp; and   a plurality of casters connected to the support.   
   
   
       53 . The storage base of  claim 52  further comprising:
 a pair of elongated members located on an upper end of the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the mobile structure.   
   
   
       54 . The storage base of  claim 52  wherein further comprising:
 a bracket connected to the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the interlock sub-assembly of the mobile structure.   
   
   
       55 . The storage base of  claim 53  further comprising:
 a bracket connected to the chassis of the storage base and adapted for operable association with the interlock sub-assembly of the mobile structure.   
   
   
       56 . The mobile structure of  claim 1  wherein the mobile structure has a forward to rearward depth not exceeding a range of between about 8 inches and about 4 inches. 
   
   
       57 . The mobile structure of  claim 21  wherein the mobile structure has a forward to rearward depth not exceeding a range of between about 8 inches and about 4 inches. 
   
   
       58 . A method of removably securing a mobile structure to a rigid body comprising:
 maneuvering the mobile structure into proximity with a bracket mounted to the rigid body;   engaging an interlock sub-assembly of the with the bracket;   moving at least one movable leg from a deployed position to a stowed position, the location of the at least one leg in the stowed position preventing a removal of the interlock sub-assembly from the bracket;   moving the at least one movable leg from the stowed position to the deployed position, the location of the at least one movable leg in the deployed position allowing for a removal of the interlock sub-assembly from the bracket;   disengaging the interlock sub-assembly from the bracket; and   maneuvering the mobile structure out of proximity with the bracket.   
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein moving the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions is accomplished by moving a handle. 
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the rigid body comprises a wall. 
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the rigid body comprises another mobile structure. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the rigid body comprises a base. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 58  wherein moving the at least one movable leg between the deployed and stowed positions is accomplished by moving a pair of cabinets. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the rigid body comprises a wall. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the rigid body comprises another mobile structure. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the rigid body comprises a base.