Portable folding desk

Abstract

A portable folding desk includes a support member, which has an upper end, and a connector, which is attached to the support member and sized and shaped so as to be removably coupled to a rail mounted to a substantially vertical wall for supporting the desk therefrom. A cover panel extends substantially horizontally from the upper end of the support member in a first direction, while a desk panel is movably attached to the support member. The desk panel is movable between a first position, in which it is oriented substantially vertically, and a second position, in which it extends substantially horizontally from the upper end of the support member in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. The cover panel and the desk panel cooperate to form a substantially continuous horizontal work surface when the desk panel is in its second position.

1 . A portable desk, comprising a support member having an upper end; a connector attached to said support member and sized and shaped so as to be removably coupled to a rail mounted to a wall for supporting said desk therefrom; a cover panel extending substantially horizontally from said upper end of said support member in a first direction; and a desk panel movably attached to said support member such that it is movable between a first position, in which it is oriented substantially vertically, and a second position, in which it extends substantially horizontally from said upper end of said support member in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction, said cover panel and said desk panel cooperating to form a substantially continuous horizontal work surface when said desk panel is in its said second position. 
   
   
       2 . The desk of  claim 1 , wherein said cover panel includes a substantially planar upper surface; and wherein said desk panel includes a substantially planar surface, said surface of said desk panel being in a substantially abutting relationship relative to said surface of said cover panel when said desk panel is in its said second position such that said surface of said desk panel and said surface of said cover panel form said continuous horizontal work surface. 
   
   
       3 . The desk of  claim 2 , wherein said support member includes a support panel which does not extend beyond said cover panel. 
   
   
       4 . The desk of  claim 3 , wherein said support panel has first and second substantially planar surfaces, said connector being attached to said first surface, said cover panel extending in said first direction above said connector such that said connector is hidden below said cover panel and behind said support panel. 
   
   
       5 . The desk of  claim 4 , wherein said cover panel includes a substantially planar lower surface, said connector attached to said lower surface of said cover panel and being made from a substantially rigid material so as to fixedly attach said cover panel to said support panel. 
   
   
       6 . The desk of  claim 5 , wherein said desk panel is pivotally attached to said support panel adjacent said upper end, said desk panel being oriented substantially parallel to said support panel when said desk panel is positioned in its said first position, said desk panel being oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to said support panel when said desk panel is positioned in its said second position. 
   
   
       7 . The desk of  claim 6 , wherein said support panel has a lower end; and wherein said desk panel has a free end, said end of said desk panel being substantially coplanar with said lower end of said support panel when said desk panel is in its said first position. 
   
   
       8 . The desk of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one bracket for supporting said desk panel in its said second position. 
   
   
       9 . The desk of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one bracket includes a pair of foldable brackets, each of which includes a first leg, which is attached to said desk panel, and a second panel, which is attached to said support panel, and a latch for releasably maintaining said first leg substantially perpendicularly relative to said second leg for supporting so as to support said desk panel in its said second position. 
   
   
       10 . The desk of  claim 3 , further comprising a support strip attached to said first surface of said support panel and projecting from said support panel in said first direction. 
   
   
       11 . The desk of  claim 10 , wherein said support strip is engageable with the wall so as to maintain said support panel substantially vertical. 
   
   
       12 . The desk of  claim 3 , wherein said connector extends from a first location adjacent one side of said support panel to a second location adjacent an opposite side of said support panel, said connector including a channel for removably receiving the rail. 
   
   
       13 . The desk of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle attached to said cover panel. 
   
   
       14 . A desk system, comprising a rail attached to a substantially vertical wall; and a desk removably mounted to said rail, said desk including a support member, a connector, which is removably coupled to said rail for supporting said support member in a substantially vertical orientation, and a desk panel, which is movably attached to said support member, said desk panel being movable between a first position, in which it is oriented substantially vertically, and a second position, in which it extends substantially horizontally from said support member so as to provide a substantially horizontal work surface. 
   
   
       15 . The desk system of  claim 14 , wherein said desk includes a cover panel extending substantially horizontally from an upper end of said support member in a first direction, said desk panel extending substantially horizontally from said upper end of said support member in a second direction opposite to said first direction when said desk panel is positioned in its said second position. 
   
   
       16 . The desk system of  claim 15 , wherein said cover panel includes a substantially planar upper surface; and wherein said desk panel includes a substantially planar surface, said surface of said desk panel being in a substantially abutting relationship relative to said surface of said cover panel when said desk panel is in its said second position such that said surface of said desk panel and said surface of said cover panel form said continuous horizontal work surface. 
   
   
       17 . The desk of  claim 16 , wherein said support member includes a support panel which does not extend beyond said cover panel such that said surface of said desk panel can abut said surface of said cover panel when said desk panel is positioned in its said second position. 
   
   
       18 . The desk system of  claim 17 , wherein said support panel includes first and second substantially planar surfaces, said connector being attached to said first surface, said cover panel extending in said first direction above said connector such that said connector is hidden below said cover panel and behind said support panel. 
   
   
       19 . The desk of  claim 18 , wherein said support panel has a lower end; and wherein said desk panel has a free end, said end of said desk panel being substantially coplanar with said lower end of said support panel when said desk panel is in its said first position. 
   
   
       20 . A method for forming a substantially horizontal work surface by mounting a desk to a rail attached to a substantially vertical wall, the desk including a support member, a connector, which is sized and shaped so as to be removably coupled to the rail, and a desk panel, which is movably attached to the support member, the desk panel being movable between a first position, in which it is oriented substantially vertically, and a second position, in which it is oriented substantially horizontally, said method comprising the steps of removably connecting the connector of the desk to the rail such that the support member is oriented substantially vertically; and positioning the desk panel in the second position so as to form the work surface.