Portable desktop for suppoting items

Abstract

A member ( 101 ) having an opening ( 103 ) that is capable of accepting a portion of a vehicle steering wheel assembly is used to support an apparatus ( 100 ) from the vehicle steering wheel assembly. The apparatus ( 100 ) includes a back member ( 105 ) and a desktop ( 107 ) that can support items ( 204 ). Locking mechanisms ( 113, 115 ) can be used to secure the back member ( 105 ) and the desktop ( 107 ) in a fixed, preferably user friendly, position. When the apparatus ( 100 ) is in a folded position for carrying or storage, the member ( 101 ) can function as a handle.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a member having an opening wherein the opening is capable receiving a steering wheel assembly;    a back element hingedly connected to the member; and    a desktop hingedly connected to the back element.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one back hinge that connects the back element to the member.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one desktop hinge that connects the desktop to the back element.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one back position locking device connected to the back element and the member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one desktop position locking device connected to the desktop and the back element.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member is capable of securely engaging a lateral edge of the desktop when the back and desktop are folded together for storing.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is capable of receiving an outer rim of a steering wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the member is capable of engaging a steering wheel column.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a member having an opening wherein the member is capable of attachment to a steering wheel by receiving a portion of the steering wheel through the opening;    at least one back hinge connected to the member; a back element attached to each back hinge, wherein each back hinge is attached along a first lateral edge of the back element;    at least one desktop hinge connected along a second lateral edge of the back element; and a desktop connected to each desktop hinge.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one back position locking device connected to the back element and the member.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one desktop position locking device connected to the desktop and the back element.  
   
   
       12 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 placing an apparatus having a member that has an opening on a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle, wherein a portion of the steering wheel assembly extends through the opening; and positioning a back member and positioning a desktop of the apparatus.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned to support items.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned so that the items can be supported in an approximately horizontal position.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the back member and the desktop are positioned so that a screen of a laptop computer can be positioned in a non-horizontal position that can be easily seen by a user.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of securing the back element and the desktop in a fixed position by adjusting locking mechanisms.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of removing the apparatus from the steering wheel assembly and folding the apparatus into a stored position.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of securing the apparatus in a stored position by adjusting locking mechanisms.