Desktop Insert

Abstract

A desktop insert to be installed at an opening formed in a desktop and in which can be stored stationery supplies, electronic devices or hanging files so as to provide for a better use and organization of desktop space. The desktop insert includes a removable storage tray that is suspended below the desktop for receipt of the stationery supplies or electronic devices. Wire routing openings are provided through the desktop insert to enable an electronic device in the storage tray to be connected to a computer seated on the desktop or to a source of power. When the storage tray is removed, one or more hanging files can be suspended from the desktop insert so as to lie below the desktop for receipt of a corresponding number of paper files, or the like.

1 . A desktop insert to be attached to a desktop at an opening formed therein, said desktop insert including a storage tray having an open top and a bottom for receiving and storing at least one article, the bottom of said storage tray moving downwardly and through the opening formed in the desktop such that said bottom lies below the desktop. 
     
     
         2 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 1 , also including a base having an open top, a bottom and a lip projecting outwardly from said top, the bottom of said base moving downwardly and into the opening formed in the desktop prior to the bottom of said storage tray being moved downwardly and through said opening, such that the lip at the top of said base is seated upon said desktop, said storage tray being received within and mated to said base by way of the open top of said base. 
     
     
         3 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 2 , wherein the bottom of said base is open, said storage tray being received within said base such that the bottom of said tray moves downwardly through and past each of the open top and the open bottom of said base. 
     
     
         4 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 3 , wherein said storage tray has an ear extending from each of the opposite ends thereof and said base has a catch located at each of the opposite ends thereof, said storage tray being received within and moving downwardly through said base such that the catches of said base engage the ears of said tray, whereby said tray is suspended from said base so that the bottom of said tray lies below the bottom of said base. 
     
     
         5 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 4 , wherein the storage tray is removable from said base when the ears of said tray are lifted upwardly and away from the catches of said base. 
     
     
         6 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 5 , wherein the catches located at the opposite ends of said base are hanging rails, said hanging rails adapted to receive and support a hanging file therebetween when said storage tray is first removed from said base and the hanging file is then moved downwardly through the open top and open bottom of said base. 
     
     
         7 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 2 , also including a cover extending across and closing the open top of said storage tray after said tray is received in and mated to said base. 
     
     
         8 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 7 , wherein said cover is removable from the top of said storage tray in order to place within or remove the at least one article from the tray. 
     
     
         9 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one article stored within said storage tray is an electronic device and wherein said top has at least one wire routing opening formed therein through which to receive an electrical wire from the electronic device stored within said storage tray for connection to a different electronic device seated on the desktop. 
     
     
         10 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 7 , wherein said base has a cover seat located at each of the opposite ends thereof, said cover laying upon the cover seats of said base so as to extend across and close the open top of said storage tray. 
     
     
         11 . The desktop insert recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of said storage tray is closed, said closed bottom having a hole formed therein and at least one wire catching slot projecting from said hole, said hole adapted to receive therethrough an electrical wire having a terminal end to be captured and held in place by said wire catching slot. 
     
     
         12 . The combination comprising:
 a desktop, said desktop having an opening formed therethrough; and   a desktop insert being moved into the opening in said desktop such that said insert is attached to and suspended from said desktop, said desktop insert including a compartment in which to store at least one electronic device at a location below said desktop, said desktop insert also including at least one wire routing opening through which to receive an electrical wire to be connected from the electronic device below said desktop to a source of electrical power or to a different electronic device located on said desktop.   
     
     
         13 . The combination recited in  claim 12 , wherein there is a groove formed in said desktop around the opening therein, said desktop insert being attached to said desktop within said groove, whereby a portion of said desktop insert is located substantially flush with said desktop. 
     
     
         14 . The combination recited in  claim 12 , wherein the compartment of said desktop insert is a storage tray having a closed bottom and an open top, said storage tray being located below said desktop to removably receive and store the at least one electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The combination recited in  claim 14 , wherein said desktop insert also includes a base having a frame surrounding an open drop-through window, said frame moving downwardly and into engagement with said desktop at the opening formed therein, and the storage tray of said desktop insert moving downwardly and into engagement with said base, the closed bottom of said tray moving downwardly through the drop-through window surrounded by the frame of said base. 
     
     
         16 . The combination recited in  claim 15 , wherein said desktop insert also includes a top extending across and covering the open top of said storage tray after said tray is moved downwardly and into engagement with said base. 
     
     
         17 . The combination recited in  claim 16 , wherein said wire routing opening is formed through said top. 
     
     
         18 . The combination recited in  claim 16 , wherein the frame of said base has a cover seat located at each of the opposite ends thereof, said top laying upon said cover seats so as to extend across and cover the open top of said storage tray. 
     
     
         19 . The combination recited in  claim 15 , wherein there are a pair of hanging file rails located at opposite ends of said base and extending laterally across the frame thereof adjacent said drop-through window. 
     
     
         20 . The combination recited in  claim 19 , further comprising at least one hanging file having a jacket and a hanging hook attached to said jacket, said storage tray being moved upwardly and out of engagement with said base such that the closed bottom of said storage tray is removed from the drop-through window surrounded by the housing of said base, whereupon the jacket of said at least hanging file is moved through said drop-through window and the hanging hook attached to said jacket is moved into surrounding engagement with the hanging file rails of said base, whereby said hanging file is suspended from said hanging file rails.