This application claims the benefit of co-pending Provisional Application Serial No. 60/002,692 filed on August 23, 1995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable stands or carts and, in particular, the present invention relates to stands or carts adapted for use with laptop computers and entertainment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable laptop computer carts having a slidable desktop movable between a closed, retracted position and an operable position exposing a hidden bin/storage area underneath. In the operable position, the cart is well suited for use with laptop computers or various video game entertainment systems or the like. The cart of the present invention is preferably mounted on casters or wheels for movement to the appropriate location. Additionally, with the movable desktop in the retracted position, the bin is preferably completely hidden from view, allowing the cart to be used as a conventional end table or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop computer cart according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a desktop thereof in an open position;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the laptop computer cart illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A is a plan view of the laptop computer cart illustrated in Fig. 1 with the desktop in a closed position;

Fig. 3B is a plan view of the laptop computer cart illustrated in Fig. 1 with the desktop in the open position;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a laptop computer carr illustrated in Fig. 1 with the desktop in the closed position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a laptop computer cart according to a second embodiment of the present invention with a desktop thereof in an open position;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the laptop computer cart illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the laptop computer cart illustrated in Fig. 5 with the desktop in a closed position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a plastic tray according to a first design for use with the laptop computer carts illustrated in Figs. 1-7; and Fig. 9 is a plan view of a plastic tray according to a second design for use with the laptop computer carts illustrated in Figs. 1-7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A laptop computer cart 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1-4. The cart 10 includes a pair of substantially vertical end panels 12 spaced apart from each other and attached to horizontally extending braces 13 which are supported on casters or wheels 14. A slidable desktop 16 extends across the end panels 12 and is intended to serve as a desktop for the user. The desktop 16 is slidable on conventional roller tracks 17 relative to the end panels 12. The braces 13 provide stability and support for the cart 10 when the desktop 16 is in the open position as will be discussed. The desktop 16 is preferably 25" to 27" above the floor which, together with the slidability of the desktop 16, makes the cart 10 particularly well adapted for use at a couch or sofa.

Beneath the desktop 16 is a hidden bin 18 formed by a pair of spaced vertical plates extending between the end panels 12 and a horizontal plate connecting the spaced,

vertically extending plates at the bottom thereof to form bin 18 as best illustrated in Fig. 4. The bin 18 is intended to serve as a storage area for various components of a laptop computer such as diskettes, power cords, battery packs, etc. The bin 18 may also store a collection of video games together with the video game entertainment system. The bin 18 may also be utilized to store file folders and any other appropriate materials. A plastic tray 20 is removably provided on the bin 18, preferably on only one-half of the bin 18 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The tray 20 is preferably formed of plastic and has a preformed compartment therein particularly adapted for receiving computer diskettes, pencil trays or the like to assist in storage of appropriate components. Additionally, the desktop 16 may be provided with a cup-holding receiver 22 formed as a depression therein. The depression is partially circular in plan view with a generally rectangular portion in one part thereof as shown in the figures. The cup-holding receiver 22 is suited to receive a coffee cup, soft drink cans as well as rectangular juice boxes. By forming the cup-holding receiver 22 in the desktop 16, it assures that the cup-holding receiver 22 is positioned close to the user during operation. In operation, the slidable desktop 16 is slid toward the user to an open position exposing and providing access to the storage bin 18 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3B. The cart 10 is particularly well adapted for use with a laptop computer or an entertainment system such as a NINTENDO ^® video game system, etc. The height of the desktop 16 is selected to accommodate a user on a couch or sofa. Consequently, the cart 10 is also conveniently utilized as a snack table for eating a meal on a sofa or couch. The width of the desktop 16 may be selected, as appropriate. However, a width between 28" and 32" has been found to be particularly effective. In the open position, the desktop 16 provides a supporting surface for a laptop computer or video game entertainment system or the like, while simultaneously

permitting access to the εtorage bin 18 which would store peripherals associated with the laptop computer or video game entertainment system (i.e., diskettes, video game cartridges, controllers etr..ϊ. The braces 13 extend forward beyond the end panels 12 to provide a stable base for the laptop computer cart 10 with the desktop 16 in the forward open position. When not in operation, the desktop 16 is moved to the retracted or closed position shown in Figs. 3A and 4, completely hiding the storage bin 18, allowing the cart 10 to operate as a conventional end table or the like. Stops are provided to hold the desktop 16 in the closed position during movement of the cart 10.

Figs. 5-7 illustrate a modified laptop computer cart 10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cart 10' includes substantially vertical spaced end panels 12' supported directly on casters or wheels 14'. A slidable desktop 16' on tracks 17' and hidden bin 18' are provided substantially the same as described above in connection with cart 10. The width of the end panels 12' is selected such that the casters or wheels 14' may be positioned appropriately to provide a stable base for the cart 10' even when the slidable desktop 16' is in the open position as shown in Fig. 5. Additionally, the cart 10' includes a footrest 24 provided on the bottom portion thereof extending between end panels 12'. Cart 10' operates substantially the same as cart 10 discussed above in connection with Figs. 1-4.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate separate embodiments of plastic trays 20 and 20' for use with the carts 10 or 10' deεcribed above in connection with Figs. 1-7. Either plastic tray 20 or 20' is intended to overlap the vertical extending plates forming the bins 18 and 18' discussed above. The plastic trays 20 and 20' include a plurality of specifically shaped compartments therein for storage. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the plastic tray 20' may include a cup-holding compartment as well as a shallow pencil-holding

tray and various compartments which can be used for storing diskettes, paper clips or the like.

Although several embodimentε of the present invention have been described with particularity herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the attached claimε.