Devices For Providing A Workstation And Methods Of Making And Using The Same

Abstract

The invention provides a device, and method of making and using the device, for providing at least one work surface. The device may include (a) a base portion 110 that includes an upper base portion 120 and a lower base portion 130, the upper base portion 120 and the lower base portion 130 forming a base portion cavity 115 disposed there between; and (b) at least one base portion extension 300, each base portion extension 300 attached to the base portion 110, each base portion extension 300 movable between a stored position in which the base portion extension 300 is mostly disposed in the base portion cavity 115, and an extended position, in which the base portion extension 300 is mostly extended out from the base portion 110 so as to form a working surface. The at least one base portion extension 300 may include four base portion extensions 300. The device may further comprise a work surface assembly 200, the work surface assembly 200 pivotally disposed upon the base portion 110 so as to form a work surface such that the angle of the work surface may be varied. Yet further, the device may further comprise a leveling assembly 500, the leveling assembly 500 pivotally disposed under the base portion 110 and attached to the lower base portion 130, the leveling assembly 500 pivotally disposed such that the angle that the base portion 110 is disposed upon a surface may be varied.

1 . A device for providing at least one work surface, the device comprising:
 a base portion that includes an upper base portion and a lower base portion, the upper base portion and the lower base portion forming a base portion cavity disposed there between;   at least one base portion extension, each base portion extension attached to the base portion, each base portion extension movable between a stored position in which the base portion extension is mostly disposed in the base portion cavity, and an extended position, in which the base portion extension is mostly extended out from the base portion so as to form a working surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one base portion extension is four base portion extensions. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a work surface assembly, the work surface assembly pivotally disposed upon the base portion so as to form a work surface such that the angle of the work surface may be varied. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , the work surface assembly pivotally disposed upon the upper base portion of the base portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of work support assemblies mounted on the work surface assembly, the work support assemblies provided to support an item on the work surface assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , the work support assemblies provided to support a lap top computer on the work surface assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a leveling assembly, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed under the base portion and attached to the lower base portion, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed such that the angle that the base portion is disposed upon a surface may be varied. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , each of the base portion extensions being pivotally attached to the base portion, so as to pivot from the stored position to the extended position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the base portion extensions is provided to support a mouse pad. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the base portion extensions is provided with a plurality of receptacles to house a pad of paper and a writing instrument, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the base portion extensions is provided with a receptacle shaped to support a beverage receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the base portion extensions is independently rotatable from the other base portion extensions. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further including a respective rotation assembly to pivotally support a respective base portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , each rotation assembly including a plurality of seating surfaces so as to pivotally support the corresponding base portion extension between the upper base portion and the lower base portion. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , each rotation assembly further including a plurality of friction o-rings to interface with the seating surfaces so as to pivotally support the corresponding base portion extension between the upper base portion and the lower base portion. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a work surface assembly, the work surface assembly pivotally disposed upon the base portion so as to form a work surface such that the angle of the work surface may be varied; and   a leveling assembly, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed under the base portion and attached to the lower base portion, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed such that the angle that the base portion is disposed upon a surface may be varied.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of work support assemblies mounted on the work surface assembly, the work support assemblies provided to support an item on the work surface assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is constructed primarily of plastic. 
     
     
         19 . A device for providing at least one work surface, the device comprising:
 a base portion that includes an upper base portion and a lower base portion, the upper base portion and the lower base portion forming a base portion cavity disposed there between;   at least one base portion extension, each base portion extension attached to the base portion, each base portion extension movable between a stored position in which the base portion extension is mostly disposed in the base portion cavity, and an extended position, in which the base portion extension is mostly extended out from the base portion so as to form a working surface;   a work surface assembly, the work surface assembly pivotally disposed upon the base portion so as to form a work surface such that the angle of the work surface may be varied;   a leveling assembly, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed under the base portion and attached to the lower base portion, the leveling assembly pivotally disposed such that the angle that the base portion is disposed upon a surface may be varied; and   a plurality of work support assemblies mounted on the work surface assembly, the work support assemblies provided to support an item on the work surface assembly.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using a device for providing at least one work surface, the method comprising:
 providing a base portion that includes an upper base portion and a lower base portion, the upper base portion and the lower base portion forming a base portion cavity disposed there between;   providing at least one base portion extension, each base portion extension attached to the base portion, each base portion extension movable between a stored position in which the base portion extension is mostly disposed in the base portion cavity, and an extended position, in which the base portion extension is mostly extended out from the base portion so as to form a working surface; and   rotating the base portion extension from the stored position to the extended position so as to support an item on the base portion extension.