Portable desk and computer support

What is this patent about?

’597 is related to the field of mobile workstations, specifically portable desks designed to transform a vehicle's passenger seat into a functional office environment. The invention addresses the ergonomic and safety challenges faced by mobile professionals who must operate laptops and peripheral equipment from the driver’s seat, where standard vehicle consoles are often too low, narrow, or poorly positioned for comfortable use.

The underlying idea behind ’597 is to provide a stable, elevated platform that bridges the gap between the passenger seat and the driver by utilizing a cantilevered work surface that extends over the center console. By decoupling the computer support from the main desk body and placing it on a dedicated track, the inventor allows the hardware to be pulled directly into the driver’s ergonomic “strike zone” for active use and then retracted for safe storage during transit.

The claims of ’597 focus on a main desk body featuring a work surface with a sliding support member that moves parallel to the desk plane between a retracted storage position and an extended user position. The independent claims specifically protect the combination of this sliding computer mount with a second, independently adjustable support member for peripherals, ensuring that both a laptop and a device like a printer are simultaneously accessible and secured within the driver's reach.

In practice, the desk is secured to the passenger seat using the vehicle’s own seatbelt, which passes through a dedicated transverse slot in the desk frame. The laptop is strapped to a plate that travels along a curved guide slot, allowing the computer to not only move closer to the driver but also pivot to the optimal typing angle. A secondary mount, often utilizing a universal ball-and-socket joint, holds a printer or other peripheral, allowing it to be tilted or rotated independently of the laptop’s position.

This approach differs from prior vehicle desks by eliminating the need for the driver to twist their torso or balance equipment on their lap. By integrating a recessed storage cavity beneath the sliding mechanism, the invention provides a way to manage cables and store office supplies without cluttering the cabin. The result is a modular office setup that maintains a horizontal work plane regardless of the seat's slope, keeping equipment stable and accessible while preventing it from becoming a projectile during sudden stops.