Lap desk

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable lap desk for writing or drawing upon that is especially suited for young children. The lap desk includes a generally planar desk element that provides a first surface and an opposing second surface. Releasably attached to the second surface is a stuffed toy cushion designed to imitate a real or fanciful animal or figure. To create the appearance of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy cushion may include a body portion and one or more appendages. When the lap desk is not being used to write or draw upon, the stuffed toy cushion can be detached from the desk element for a child to play with. In one embodiment, to provide storage for drawing utensils used in conjunction with the desk, the stuffed toy cushion can be formed with an inner cavity that is accessible through an opening.

1 . A lap desk comprising: 
 a planar desk element having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and    a stuffed toy cushion made in imitation of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy cushion is attached to the desk element adjacent the second surface, the stuffed toy cushion includes a body portion and an appendage, the appendage relates to the animal or figure.    
   
   
       2 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the appendage is selected from the group consisting of a flipper, a foot, a leg, a head or a tail.  
   
   
       3 . The lap desk of  claim 2 , wherein the appendage extends partially beyond the periphery of the desk element.  
   
   
       4 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element has a generally rounded rectangular shape.  
   
   
       5 . The lap desk of  claim 4 , wherein the body portion having a generally rectangular shape corresponding to the rectangular shape of the desk member.  
   
   
       6 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the stuffed toy cushion includes stuffing material contained in an outer covering.  
   
   
       7 . The lap desk of  claim 6 , wherein the stuffing material is resilient.  
   
   
       8 . The lap desk of  claim 7 , wherein the resilient stuffing material includes a plurality of foam beads.  
   
   
       9 . The lap desk of  claim 7 , wherein the resilient stuffing material includes a plurality of foam blocks.  
   
   
       10 . The lap desk of  claim 6 , wherein the stuffed toy cushion includes an inner cavity, the inner cavity accessible through an opening disposed through the covering, the inner cavity is separated from the stuffing material by a liner.  
   
   
       11 . The lap desk of  claim 10 , wherein the opening is closable with a zipper.  
   
   
       12 . The lap desk of  claim 11 , wherein the opening is closable with a hook-and-loop type fastener.  
   
   
       13 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element has a lip raised above the first surface and extending about the periphery thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element includes one or more raised ridges extending from the first surface for dividing the first surface into a plurality of separated portions.  
   
   
       15 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element includes a recess disposed into the first surface for receiving a beverage container.  
   
   
       16 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element is made of molded plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the toy cushion is releasably attached to the desk element.  
   
   
       18 . The lap desk of  claim 17 , wherein the desk element has a periphery and includes a plurality of catches formed into the periphery, and the stuffed toy cushion includes a corresponding plurality of cord loops for releasably attaching the stuffed toy cushion to the desk element.  
   
   
       19 . The lap desk of  claim 18 , wherein the desk element includes a lip raised above the first surface and extending about the periphery, and wherein the plurality of catches are formed by disposing U-shaped grooves into the lip.  
   
   
       20 . The lap desk of  claim 17 , wherein the stuffed toy cushion is releasably attached to the desk element by hook-and-loop fastener strips.  
   
   
       21 . The lap desk of  claim 20 , wherein the desk element has a periphery and includes a plurality of hook fastener strips adhered thereto about the periphery, and the stuffed toy cushion includes a loop fastener strip for releasably attaching the stuffed toy cushion to the desk element.  
   
   
       22 . The lap desk of  claim 17 , wherein the stuffed toy cushion is releasably attached to the desk element by snaps.  
   
   
       23 . The lap desk of  claim 22 , wherein the desk element has a periphery and includes a plurality of snap fastener male elements secured about the periphery, and the stuffed toy cushion includes a snap fastener female element for releasably attaching the stuffed toy cushion to the lap desk.  
   
   
       24 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk element includes a wheel and a handle, the wheel being rotatable with respect to the desk element.  
   
   
       25 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the desk includes indicia on the first surface that provides a game board.  
   
   
       26 . The lap desk of  claim 25 , further comprising a plurality of game pieces magnetically attracted to the desk element.  
   
   
       27 . A stuffed toy made in imitation of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy comprising: 
 a body portion including a soft, flexible outer cover and stuffing material contained in the outer cover;    an appendage attached to the body portion which relates to the animal or figure; and    a rigid desk element attached to the body portion for providing a surface for writing or otherwise playing upon.    
   
   
       28 . The stuffed toy of  claim 27 , wherein the appendage is selected from thie group consisting of a flipper, a foot, a leg, a head or a tail.  
   
   
       29 . The stuffed toy of  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of appendages attached to the body portion.  
   
   
       30 . The stuffed toy of  claim 27 , wherein the body portion includes an inner cavity, the inner cavity accessible through an opening disposed through the outer cover, the inner cavity is separated from the stuffing material by a liner.  
   
   
       31 . The stuffed toy of  claim 30 , wherein the opening is closable by a zipper.  
   
   
       32 . The lap desk of  claim 1 , wherein the stuffed toy cushion has the shape of a turtle.  
   
   
       33 . A lap desk comprising: 
 a planar desk element having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and    a stuffed toy cushion made in imitation of a real or fanciful animal or figure, the stuffed toy cushion is attached to the desk element adjacent the second surface, the stuffed toy cushion includes stuffing material contained in an outer covering, the stuffed toy cushion includes an inner cavity, the inner cavity accessible through an opening disposed through the outer covering, the inner cavity is separated from the stuffing material by a liner,    
   
   
       34 . A lap desk comprising: 
 a planar desk element having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and    a stuffed toy cushion made in imitation of a real or fanciful animal, the stuffed toy cushion is attached to the desk element adjacent the second surface,