Portable desktop apparatus for exercise equipment

Abstract

A portable desktop apparatus that can be easily and stably mounted to a piece of standard exercise equipment, set at a position desired by the user, and used to accommodate a laptop computer or other equipment. The apparatus is lightweight, adaptable, adjustable, made of durable material, and easily broken down for transport. The user of the apparatus may mount the apparatus to exercise equipment such as a treadmill in order to benefit from light exercise while conducting work-related tasks or other business. The user receives health benefits as a result and is able to burn calories while working as opposed to working in a stationary position and having to find other time for exercise, or forfeit the opportunity to exercise. The apparatus is equipped with safety features for improved stability. Proper use of the apparatus may provide long-term health benefits for its users.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This nonprovisional utility patent application was filed within one year of and claims a domestic priority date of Jun. 21, 2007 based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 936,315, filed Jun. 21, 2007.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicableTHE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC[0004]Not applicableBACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006]Most modern exercise equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes or elliptical machines, include fixtures that enable one to place a book or magazine in an upright or angled position to enable the user to read while exercising. While such fixtures provide the user with the ability to read while exercising, they lack significant capacity for carrying out other work, such as working with a laptop computer or writing. To provide a more useful wo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]This invention is a portable desktop apparatus that is adaptable to a variety of standard fitness equipment, including, without limitation treadmills. The portable desktop apparatus can be easily set up, removed, stored and transported without the need for special tools or luggage. The portable desktop enables users to perform a variety of tasks that they might typically perform at a stationary office desk. The portable desktop apparatus can also be set at varying widths to accommodate the exercise equipment selected by the user on which the apparatus is to be mounted while providing for additional overall width of the apparatus.

[0013]The primary benefit of the portable desktop apparatus is that can be mounted onto modern exercise equipment for the purpose of carrying out desktop tasks, such as tasks performed using a laptop computer or similar device, while exercising, and can be transported from place to place and adapted to various makes and models of exercise equipment. The desktop surface is substantially planar and the apparatus includes a support means for mounting the desktop on a piece of exercise equipment in such a way that it remains stable enough for the user to perform common office tasks while using the exercise equipment simultaneously. Other features are provided to facilitate adjustment, storage and transport.

[0014]By providing the user with a portable desktop that can be mounted to a variety of types of exercise equipment, the invention discussed here allows the user to benefit from exercising without having to sacrifice time that would otherwise be devoted to working or carrying out business or other tasks. It is currently recognized that moderate exercise such as walking or peddling at low speeds can burn calories and provide other health benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, prevention of obesity and diabetes, improved bone strength, reduced cancer risks, and improvement of symptoms of depression. Yet many people have difficulty finding the time to benefit from these types of exercises due to busy work schedules and other responsibilities. This invention is designed to provide the user with the capability of carrying out a variety of common work-related or other tasks while enjoying the benefits of exercise, particularly light exercise that raises metabolic rates.

[0015]By providing a stable, shock-resistant desktop that can be securely mounted to many types of treadmills or other exercise equipment, the portable desktop apparatus allows the user great versatility in application. For example, a laptop computer may be set atop the desktop once mounted to the exercise equipment, thereby allowing the user to conduct any number of activities from the laptop, including but not limited to word processing, photo editing, sending and receiving email, using the internet, generating spreadsheets or other program files, and so on. With the recent advent of wireless printers, it is conceivable that documents may be generated from a laptop set atop the desktop while the person preparing said documents exercises. Alternatively, books, papers, writing utensils and other such materials may be set atop the mounted desktop and used during exercise. A telephone equipped with headphones, speakerphone or wireless technology may also be set atop the desktop, thus enabling the user to conduct computer activities or write messages while communicating with associates telephonically. All of this can be accomplished while burning calories and improving fitness due to simultaneous exercise.

[0016]The desktop apparatus may be sufficiently portable to allow its user to pack it away in a suitcase or briefcase and travel with it, although some users may prefer to fix the apparatus to their home exercise equipment, for example, in a more permanent fashion. Moreover, it is conceivable that an exercise equipment manufacturer could incorporate the apparatus into its exercise equipment. However, the feature of portability is especially useful to people who spend time traveling on business and as a result sacrifice time that would otherwise be available for exercise in order to meet the growing needs of the workplace. The portable desktop apparatus is equipped for easy setup and breakdown in order to maximize the time management benefits conferred upon the health-conscious user by the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Yet many people have difficulty finding the time to benefit from these types of exercises due to busy work schedules and other responsibilities.

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