US3048461A - Automatic desk for the disabled - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 7, w62 G. W. PETERSON 3,048,46

AUTOMATIC DESK FOR THE DISABLED Filed Feb. 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 upf@ H g4 IM se /fd M5@ i INVENTOR BY Mwy ATTORNEY` ug 7, 3952 G. w. PETERSQN 390428,4@1

AUTDMATIC DESK FDR :mr: DISABLED Filed Feb. 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Shed'l 2 INVENTOR famo/v )fg/'mmm BY Wwf@ ATTORNEYS ug. 7, 1962 G. W. PETERSON AUTOMATIC DESK FOR THE DISABLED 3 Sheeizs--Sheei'I 3 F'led Feb. 18, 1959 ATTORNEYS ite This invention relates to desks and, more specifically, to an automatic desk for use by the disabled.

There has been a vast amount of intensive effort eS- pecially since World War II, in the field of occupational therapy and efforts to convert the lives of seriously disabled and invalid persons from the status of total 1nactivity to that lof competitive productivity. As a result of these efforts, numerous mechanical aids have been devised which, in one form or another, serve to compensate for the invalids disability and enable him to engage in productive activity to earn a livelihood.

Despite the great mass of such devices which have been developed, there has not 'been developed heretofore a suitable work table or desk for use by those who are seriously or almost totally disabled in the use of limbs and hands, as by paralysis, but still possess full mental powers. As a result, such persons who could otherwise be productive are forced to remain idle.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic desk or table including means enabling a partial or total invalid, such as a paralytic, to perform work usefully and competitively so that he may earn a living, and enjoy the therapeutic beneiit of work as well.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a novel desk or work table for use by the disabled:

(l) which is compact, of relatively simple construction, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture for what it will accomplish;

(2) which is designed to permit access thereto by an invalid cont-ined to a wheel-chair;

(3) which is so constructed that articles placed there- .on and facilities connected therewith become readily accessible to a ywheel-chair-coniined invalid using the desk without requiring him to move from the wheel-chair or to appreciably move his arms;

(4) which is provided with remotely controlled desk trays which are electrically movable from a remote, outof-the-way position on the desk top to positions at which they will be accessible to a wheelchair-confined invalid using the desk;

(5) which is provided `with remotely controlled, electrically actuated means for making a telephone extension accessible to `a wheel-chair-coniined invalid;

(6) which is provided with a recess along its front edge to permit entry thereinto of a lap-board and wheelchair control box, said lap-board becoming contiguous to the top of said desk;

(7) which is provided with a central control panel whereby components of the desk such as movable trays, phone, etc., can be utilized even 'by `a paralyzed person having limited motion only in one hand.

These and other objects `of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, discussion and appended claims taken in connection with the accompanying i rawings, showing a preferred structure and embodiment, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the novel automatic desk for invalids according to this invention showing, in addition to details of the desk top, the relationship between the desk top and a lap-board and control `box secured to a wheel-chair in which the user of the invalid desk will `be sitting;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation View of said invalid desk;

3,048,461 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 FIGURE 3 is a View looking up at the bottom of the desk top of said invalid desk;

FGURE 4 is a sectional view of one of the cabinets of said invalid desk taken along the line 4--4 in FIG- URE l;

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are bottom views of novel desk trays usable with said invalid desk; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 8 of FIGURE l (see also line 8-8 in FIG- URE 7), showing details of a guide shaft used in connection with said novel desk trays.

As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the novel invalid desk of this invention comprises two laterally spaced, opstanding cabinets Ztl and 2,1, each of which has sides 22 and a bottom 24. A single back panel 26 extends between both cabinets yand accordingly serves as a back for each. Each of the cabinets 2t) and 21 is supported at its bottom 2.4 by a leg support 32 which is located midway between the sides of said bottom and which extends longitudinally thereof substantially throughout its length. It desired, adjustable `leg supports can be provided to permit variation in the height of desk top 34. Cabinet 2t) is provided with a unitary front panel Vertically hinged at the left (see FIGURE 2). Cabinet 21 contains a lower drawer 33 slidably mounted within cabinet 21 and an upper drawer 31, whose front panel 30 may be hinged at its bottom to the bottom edge of said drawer 31.

Resting on the tops of cabinets 20, 21 and the top edge of back panel 26 is desk top 34, which is provided with three long, narrow through- slots 36, 38 and 40. Slot 36 has its outer end near the far left hand corner of desk top 34, extends a substantial portion of its length parallel to the rear edge 42 of the desk top, and then curves inwardly toward the front edge 5t) of said top from a point slightly short of its longitudinally central portion to a point slightly beyond that portion and approximately midway between the front 50 and the rear 42 of said top.

Slot 3S is similar to slot 36 in its general configuration, though differing slightly as to detail. Thus, slot 38 starts at a point near the far right hand corner of desk top 34, extends parallel to rear edge 42 of said top for a short distance, curving inwardly toward the front edge Si? of the top like slot 36. The straight portion of slot 33 is displaced a slightly greater distance than is slot 36 from the rear edge 42 of said top though its curved portion 44 is closer to the right side 46 of said top than slot 36 is to left side 48.

Slot 4d is linear and extends from a point near the right edge 46 of the desk top toward the longitudinal center thereof along a line parallel to front and rear edges 50 and 42 approximately midway between said edges.

Desk top 34 has a rectangular cut-out 52 to permit entry thereinto of a lap-board S3 on a wheel-chair (not shown), lap-board 53 being the same height as desk top 34 and adapted to become contiguous to the top. As shown in FIGURE l, lap-board 53 is not as wide as the cut-out portion 52 with which it mates, for a reason which will become apparent as this description proceeds.

Secured to the wheel-chair adjacent the left side of lap-board 53 is a control box 55 which controls movement of the electrically operated wheel-chair by the left hand of the operator. When lap-board 53 is contiguous with desk top 34 (as shown in FIGURE 1), control box 55 will be situated immediately beneath a horizontal panel 56 which is normally Hush with desk top 34 but is hinged for pivotal movement at 58, and has a front edge S7 either rounded or bevelled from the top front edge towards a point inwardly displaced on the underside of panel 56.

Desk top 34 is pro-vided with a cut-out 60 in which may be mounted various controls such as telephone dial 62,

the starting bar 64 of a dictating machine, and push buttons 66 for trays, etc. Openings 68 are also provided near opening 60 for the mounting of pen and pencil holders and the like. Through-slot 70 is provided on the right side of rectangular opening 52 and partially rearward thereof, and serves to permit passage therethrough of tissues from a tissue dispenser 71 situated immediately beneath it on the underside of desk top 34. An oval through-slot 72 is provided adjacent the left edge of opening 52 with its major axis at an angle of approximately thereto, for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

Details of the operating mechanism of the instant desk are shown in FIGURE 3, which, as aforesaid, is a view of desk top 34 looking up at said desk top from the bottom side thereof.

Slide bars 74, 76 and 78, used in cooperation with slots 36, 38 and 40, respectively, are each secured to the back of desk top 34, spaced slightly therefrom by any suitable means, such as mounting brackets or blocks and screws. In a typical embodiment, slide bars 74, 76 and 78 are parallel to the rear face of desk top 34' and displaced therefrom approximately 1 inch. Slide bar 74 is disposed at a slight angle to the main linear portion of slot 36 so that the left end of bar 74 projects slightly beyond and outside said linear portion of slot 36, with the rightmost portion :of said bar extending across the linear portion of slot 36 and beyond the curved portion thereof (as shown in FIGURE 3). Mounted for 4reciprocating sliding movement on slide bar 74 is slide support 80. Rigidly mounted to slide support 80 and extending perpendicularly out from either side of slide bar 74, between said bar and desk top 34, is a slotted member 82. Drive pulley 84 and idler pulley 86 are rotatably mounted on the bottom face of desk top 34 at either end of slide bar 74.` Wire 88 is pulled taut around pulleys 84 and 86 and extends for a portion of its length directly under slide bar 74, being secured at its ends to opposite sides of slide support r80. A reversible electric motor 81 is provided to rotate drive pulley 84 in either direction and correspondingly adjust the position of slide support 80 on slide bar 74. Limit switches 75, provided near each end of slot 36, are adapted to be actuated by slotted member 82 as said member traverses said switches in the course of its movement along said slot. These switches are designed to stop motor 81 when slide support 80 approaches either end of slot 36.

Slide bar 76 is similarly mounted across slot 38. Slide bar 76, slide support 90, slotted member 92 and slot 38 correspond in structure and relationship to one another with previously described slide bar '74, slide support 80, slotted member 82 and slot 36. A wire 94 is pulled taut around idler pulleys 96 and 98 and drive pulley 100, with its ends secured to drive support 90, like the ends of wire 88 are secured to slide support 80. A rreversible electric motor 99 for rotating drive pulley 100 is also provided, as well as limit switches 77 near each end of slot 3S.

Slide bar 78 is similarly positioned relative to slot 40, but lies directly over the entire length of slot 40, inasmuch as it is linear. Slide support 102, which is slidably mounted on slide bar 78, has a central aperture 103 in its face disposed between bar 7 8 and the underside of desk top 34. Wound taut around idler pulleys 104 and 106, and around drive pulley 108, is a wire 110, which is secured at its ends to opposite sides of slide support 102. A reversible electric motor 112 is operatively associated with drive pulley 108 to impart movement to the wire 110 and, accordingly, to slide support 102. Limit switches 79 are provided near each end of slot 40 and are adapted to be actuated when traversed by tab 81 during the course of movement of slide support 102 toward either end of slot 40.

The significance of the foregoing details of the structure of the underside of desk top 34 will be more apparent 4 from the ensuing description of the desk trays 114, 116 and 118 (see FIGURES l, 5, 6 and 7), used in the novel desk of the instant invention.

Details of the bottom portions of trays 114, 116 and 118 are shown in FIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8. Tray 114, which is shown in FIGURE 7, has fixed to its bottom face two plates 146 and 148, one near the front right hand corner, the other near the left rear corner. Projecting outwardly from each of plates 146 and 148 are like shafts 150 and 152, respectively, shaft 152 being somewhat longer than shaft 150. Rotatably mounted on shaft 152 is a plastic bushing 154 with an outer diameter only slightly less than the width of slot 36. Vertically supporting plastic bushing 154 on shaft 152 is a nut 156 which is mounted on threaded portion 158 of shaft 152. End r160 of shaft 152 projects beyond nut 156 for a reason to be discussed below.

As aforesaid, shaft 150 is somewhat shorter than shaft 152, but has a like plastic bushing 154 similarly rotatably mounted on it at about the same height as plastic bushing 154 on shaft 152, by means of nut 164 secured to a short threaded portion on the end of shaft 50. Mounted approximately midway along each of the bottom edges of tray 114 are roller bearings 168, which are of such size that the outermost portion of each roller bearing is a distance away from the bottom of the tray approximately equal to the distance between the topmost portions of plastic bushings `154 and the bottom of said tray.

In use, the longer shaft 152 of tray 114 is inserted down into yslot 36 so that it projects into the longitudinal slot in slotted member 82. Shaft 152 is of such length that it projects down into and slightly beyond the longitudinal slot 83 of slotted member 82 when the roller bearings 168 are resting upon the desk top 34. The outer diameter of shaft 152 is such that suflicient tolerance is provided between said shaft and the sides of the longitudinal slot in slotted member 82 to permit relative movement between them. Also, nut 156 is so positioned on shaft 152 to support plastic bushing 154 at a level on shaft 152 so that when roller bearings 168 are res-ting on desk top 34 the bushing is disposed between the sides of slot 36 with the bushing top substantially level with the upper surface of desk top 34.

Shaft 150 is also inserted in slot 36, and the plastic bushing 154 thereon is similarly positioned on shaft 150 by nut 164 so that when roller bearings 168 are resting on desk top 34 the top of said plastic bushing is just level Iwith desk top 34. It will (be noted 4that due to the positioning of shafts 150 and 152 relative to one another and to tray 114, the tray is disposed on desk top 34 at an angle to back edge 42 of the desk top (see FIGURE 1).

The bottom faces of desk trays 116 and 118 are equipped similarly to that of desk tray 114, with two plates, two shafts (one long, one short), a plastic bushing on each shaft, 4a nut on each shaft supporting said plastic bushings, and roller bearings. As in the case of desk tray 114, the longer shaft on desk tray 116 projects down into a longitudinal slot 93 in slotted member 92 on slide support 90, with the other shaft and bushing thereon merely projecting down into slot 38 to serve as a guide.

The longer shaft on tray 118 projects down through slot 40 into the aperture 103 on the slide support 102. The shorter shaft also projects into slot 40 but, as in the case of the shorter shaft on trays 114 and 116, merely `serves as a guide for tray 118.

The desk tray 114 is conventional insofar las it is generally rectangular in shape and consists of a bottom panel, two sides, and an end, the tray being open at its other end. Vertical dividing partitions and 122 can be provided to divide tray 114 into three equal, longitudinal compartments 124. Situated in each of compartments 124 is a slidable tray 126 which consists of a sideless, elongatel flat sheet of metall or the like having an upward projection 128 at its end which is of a height substantially equal to the height of the end of the desk tray. While the width of each of slidable trays 126 is substantially equal to the width of the compartment 124 in which it sits (it will be of a slightly lesser width to permit the sliding of the slidable tray relative to desk tray 114), the length of each slidable tray 126 is slightly greater than the corresponding length of its compartment 124 to provide -a handle 130, which may be used to move slidable trays 126 in and out of said compartment. An aperture 132 is provided in each projection of slidable trays 126 to facilitate withdrawal of said trays.

Insofar as a plan view of tray 116 is concerned (as in FIGURE l), tray 116 is identical to tray 114 except that, as shown in the drawings, the former is larger.

Tray 11,8, however, merely consists of a substantially rectangular box having a bottom panel 134, -with a side panel 136 and a shortened side panel 138, an end panel 140 and a shortened end panel 142. One corner of desk tray 118 has been out off, thus providing easier access to the interior of said tray through opening 144.

In FIGURE 4, details are shown of the novel construction employed to facilitate use of a telephone. Mounted within cabinet is a vertical slide bar 17 0 which is rigidly secured at its top and bottom relative to the desk by any suitable means. Vertical slide bar 170 is located approximately centrally between the sides 22 of cabinet 20 and approximately the same distance from the front edge 50 of desk top 34 as is oval slot 72. Slidably mounted on vertical slide bar 170 is a slide-support 172. Iournalled for rotation through a 180 axis of rotation between bifurcated projection 174 on slide support 172 is a telephone support bar holder 176, which is provided with an axial central bore (not shown) for receiving a telephone support bar 178. Pulled taut about idler pulleys 180 and 182 and drive pulley 184 is a wire 186 which is attached to slide support 172 at opposite ends. A reversible electric motor 18S is operatively connected to drive pulley 184 for displacement of wire 186 and slide-support 172. Rigidly mounted on slide bar 170 at a point near its top is a rubber stop 190, to limit the upward movement of slide-support 172. A limit switch (not shown) similar to switches 75, 77 and 79, provided near each end of slide bar 170, is adapted to be actuated by slide-support 172 as it traverses the switch in the course of its movement along slide bar 170. As in the case of the other switches, these switches are designed to stop motor 138 when slide-support 172 approaches either end of slide bar 179.

Rotataibly mounted immediately beneath slot 72 in desk top 34 are a pair of pulleys 192, for locating and supporting the free end 194 of telephone support bar 17S. Mounted on the free end of telephone support bar 178 is a telephone holder 194, which supports a conventional telephone unit including an earpiece 196 and mouthpiece 19S.

In operation the desk functions as follows: The person using the desk, sits in his wheel-chair (not shown) with his left hand atop control box 5S (shown schematically), which projects slightly outwardly in front and to the left side of the wheel-chair lap-board 53, and presses the control button which actuates the wheel-chair drive mechanism, propelling the wheel-chair forward toward cut-out 52 in the central portion of the desk front. As the wheelchair lap-board S3 moves forward into the right-most portion of cut-out 52 the operators left hand abuts the rounded or bevelled front edge of hinged panel 56, causing said panel to pivot upwardly about its hinges 58, and ride up over the operators hand. When the front edge 200 of the wheel-chair ylap-board abuts the `front edge 202 of cutout 52, the control box 55 is situated directly under the front portion of panel 56. Since the height from the tloor of the top of control box 55 is less than that of the lower edge of panel 56, panel 56 pivots about its hinges 58 to a horizontal position diush with the surface of desk top 34 when the operator removes his hand from the control box and up through the opening between the left edge of the wheel-chair lap-board and the adjacent side of cut-out `52.

Desk trays 114, 116 and 118 are separately controlled by individual circuits so that each desk tray may be moved to its forward position independently of the others, without jamming into one of the others. When it is desired to utilize any one of the trays, the particular control button 66 which actuates the system controlling movement of that tray is depressed, closing the circuit and actuating the associated reversible electric motor, resulting in movement of the associated drive wire, which in turn moves the slide-support 812, or 92, or 162 along the slide bar on which it is mounted. In the case of desk tray 118, it merely moves parallel to slot 40 toward the center of the desk. As is apparent, the plastic bushings 154 on the shafts 152 attached to the bottom of tray 118, guide the tray in the slot 40. When each of the desk trays approaches the end of its guiding slot, the slotted member (812 and 92, respectively, in the case of trays 114 and 116) or tab 81 (as the case may be) will actuate a limit switch and stop its associated motor. The trays will thus come to rest at the end of the slot in which it is moving. Actuation of this switch may also serve to reverse the motor associated therewith for movement of each tray in the opposite direction.

The operation of trays 114 and 116, however, is slightly different than that involved in the case of tray 1-18. As described above, each of these trays is mounted with the two bushings 154 on the underside of each tray received in slots 36 and 38, respectively; the end of longer shaft 152 at the rear of each of trays 114 and '116 projects into slot 83 and 93, respectively, in slotted members 82 and 92. When slide-support is at the left end of slide bar 74 (as shown in FEGURE 3), shaft 152 is disposed in longitudinal slot 83 of member 82 near the front edge 50 of desk top 34. As slide-support 80` proceeds toward the other end of slide bar 74, upon rotation of motor -pulley 84, shaft 152, which is restricted to movement within slot 36, slides toward the opposite end of the slot 83 in member 82, thereby permitting bushings 154 on the underside of the tray to travel in curved slot 36. Movement of shaft 152 toward the opposite end of slot 83 in slide member 82 (i.e., to the lower end of member 82 as shown in FIGURE 3) is at a maximum where slot 36 begins to arc toward front edge 50 of desk top 34 and bar 7 4 crosses the arc of slot 36. At that point, shaft 152 will begin to ride back toward the other end of slotted member 82 and will continue to so move until the tray reaches its limit of forward movement. Since, as aforesaid, tray 1114 is disposed at an angle to back edge 42 of the desk top, the open front of this tray will be facing the user of the desk when the tray is at its forward limit of movement.

The operational movement of tray 116 is identical to that of tray 114 and therefore need not be discussed in any greater detail.

The operaton of the telephone support mechanism is similar to that of the desk trays in that movement of the telephone is brought about by means of a moving slidesupport on a rigid slide `bar (see FIGURE 4). When the button actuating the drive mechanism in the telephone support system is pressed, slide-support 172 moves upwardly on slide bar 170. As slide-support 172 rises, telephone support bar holder 176 and bar 178 pivot about the point of attachment of holder 176 in bifurcated projection 174, with pulleys 192 providing for free movement of telephone support bar 178 through oval slot 72 in desk top 34. As can be clearly seen from the dotted line drawing in FIGURE 4, as telephone support har holder 176 and telephone support bar 178 rotate away from slide bar 170, the telephone earpiece 196 and mouthpiece 198 move upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the desk and, accordingly, toward the person sitting at the desk. When upward movement of slide bar 172 ceases through actuation of the limit switch by slide-support 172, as described above, the telephone unit will be positioned adjacent the users head so that he can easily speak into and hear out of said telephone. To serve this purpose, telephone support bar 178 may Ibe curved, instead of straight as shown in FIGURE 4.

While the electric motors used in the novel desk of the instant invention have been described generally as reversible, it is to 'be understood that various types of drive mechanisms may 4be used. Alternatively to the use of limit switches, a system including a sequence switch having a forward, neutral and reverse position (actuated each time the operating button is pressed) may be utilized. Such operating systems are, of course, merely illustrative of circuits which may be used. The disclosed preferred system utilizes a reversing motor such as manufactured by Gleason Avery Inc., of Auburn, New York, Model 5502C-3. Also, it is to be understood that the electrical wiring used in the instant desk is completely conventional.

Similarly, additional features maybe added, or existing features modified, to compensate for individual patterns of reach and strength of each individual user. Lamps, waste paper slots, additional trays, a P.A. system, electrical outlets, etc., may be built into my novel desk without changing the basic nature thereof. Formica strips or the equivalent may `be inlaid into the desk top under the locus of movement of the roller bearings on the desk trays to prevent wear of the desk top, or the entire desk top may be covered with such a material.

Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of this invention has been heretofore described as containing a driving mechanism including slide bars, slide supports, drive wires, etc., it is within the scope of the instant invention to use drive mechanisms other than the foregoing. For example, instead of having the drive mechanism on the underside of the desk top as previously described, it is possible to attach a housing containing a drive mechanism (such as a small reversible motor) to a convenient portion of each of the desk trays. Each of the desk trays would otherwise be constructed as heretofore described, the motor on each tray being connected through a suitable gear train to a third shaft (i.e., besides shafts 150 and 152) extending from the bottom of the desk tray at a point near the rearmost of the guiding shafts 152 on said tray, said third shaft projecing downwardly into the guiding slot in which said tray rides. Fixed on the end of the third shaft may be either a gear or a suitable friction surface which, in the normal position of said shaft, will be biased against a corresponding toothed or friction surface either lining one side wall of the guiding slot or located in close proximity thereto. In other words, the system may include a rack and gear or a similar combination of friction elements. When the motor is turned on, the motor will be operative, through the connecting gear train, to rotate the third shaft and accordingly to drive the desk trays in either direction along the guiding slots in the desk top. A power wire con- 5 nected to the motor may pass through the guiding slot in the desk top to a suitable power source.

Alternatively, the motor housing may be supported from the underside of each desk tray by suitable means such as means securing it to shafts and 152, with a pinion or friction wheel on the motor shaft extending upwardly toward the guiding slot and engaging the rack or friction surface as before described, to produce movement of each of the desk trays.

By means of either of the last-mentioned drive mechanisms, the desk structure may be considerably simplified, the slide bars, slide supports, drive Wires, etc., being completely obviated.

The numerous advantages of the instant desk should be immediately apparent. For the first time, a really simple and easily operated desk is provided for use by those who are physically handicapped to an extent that conventional desks are not .appropriate for their use. The novel features of the invention permit use of a desk by a person who has lost control of leg and body movement 53 but still retains some control and movement of at least one hand and forearm. The desk is compact and provides the operator with means to perform numerous operations at merely the flick of a button.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A combination comprising: a desk having a top; at least one desk tray situated on said desk top; means for moving each said desk tray from a position on said desk top remote from the front portion thereof toa second position adjacent said front portion; said means including guide means in the form of a through-slot in said desk top, said through-slot being formed to provide a predetermined path of movement for said tray from said remote position towards said second position, said through-slot being arcuate at least for a portion of its length; slide means on the underside of said desk top having thereon a slide member adapted to slide freely along said slide means, said slide member being provided with a member having an elongated slot extending at a substantial angle to said slide means, said desk tray having a projection attached thereto which passes through said through-slot and rides in said elongated slot of said member, said slide means being so situated relative to said through slot in the desk top that when said slide member is moved along the length of said slide means, said projection remains in said longitudinally slotted member and follows the path of said through slot substantially throughout its length.

2. A desk combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said slide member is remotely operable.

l 3. A desk combination as defined in claim l, comprismg a plurality of desk trays, operable independently.

4. A desk combination as recited in claim 3 additionally including: an aperture in the desk top; a telephone support shaft extending from a point beneath said desk top through said aperture to .a point above said desk top, the end of said support shaft above said top supporting a telephone unit remotely from the user of said desk; and remotely operable means beneath said desk top for movmg said support shaft up through said aperture and for moving said telephone unit upwardly and laterally towards said user of said desk as said shaft moves up through said aperture.

5. A combination comprising: a desk having a top; at leastone desk tray situated on said desk top; means for movmg each said desk tray from a position on said desk topremote `from the front portion thereof to a second posltlon adjacent said front portion; said means includmg guide means associated with said desk top `formed to provlde an arcuate predetermined path of movement for said tray; and remotely controlled means operatively associated with said guide means for moving said tray from said remote position towards said second position; a recessed area in said desk top near the front edge thereof to accommodate the lapboard of a wheel chair, the pontion of said desk top at one side of said rst recessed area being further lrecessed in a direction towards the lbaok of said desk top; and a panel fitting in and substantially filling said further recessed area, the top surface of said panel being normally flush with the top surface of said desk top, said panel being pivotally secured to said -desk top to per-mit entry into said further recessed area of a wheel chair control box and the hand of an operator of said wheel chair.

6. A desk combination as recited in claim 5, additionally including: an aperture in said desk top, and a telephone support shaft extending through said aperture from a point beneath said desk top to a point above said desk top; said support shaft supporting a telephone u-nit above said desk, said unit normally being located remote from said rst -recessed area when in position adjacent the desk top; and remotely operable means beneath said desk top for moving said support shaft up through said aperture and -for moving said telephone unit laterally and upwardly towards the desk-user seated at said rst recessed area.

7. A desk combination comprising: a desk top and spaced means for supporting said desk top, with knee space between said support means below at least one side of said desk top, thereby providing a main Working area on said desk top along said side thereof above said knee space; a control panel on said desk top adjacent said main working area for operation by a user seated at said one side of .the desk; an aperture in said` desk top at one side of said main working area; a movable support member extending through said aperture with its lower end beneath said desk top and its upper end above said desk top; a telephone unit supported at the upper end of said support member, said telephone unit Inormally being near the top of the desk when said support member is at its lower position; means beneath said -desk top -for moving said support member so that said telephone unit rises from said desk top and also moves side-ways in the direction of said main working area to a predetermined extent, Ywhereby said telephone unit is displaced to a position adjacent the head of a user of the desk, through operation of said control panel; said means including a slide mounted vertically in a plane substantially parallel to a vertical plane passing through said aperture, a slide support slidably mounted on said slide, with said telephone support member being a rod pivotally mounted on said slide support `for angular movement away from said vertical slide in a direction toward said main Working area of the desk as said telephone support member rises.

8, A desk combination as defined in claim 7, wherein: the upper portion of said telephone support rod rests against a pulley wheel which is located so as to avoid frictional contact between said rod and the sides 0f said aperture throughout the range of vertical and sidewise movement of said telephone support rod.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 9,783 Persey June 14, 1853 519,630 Hogg May 8, 1894 734,817 Cavanagh July 28, 1903 776,355 Selander Nov. 29, 1904 1,818,606 Burks Aug. 11, 1931 2,288,822 -McCarron July 7, 1942 2,621,995 Zenner Dec. 16, 1952 2,633,398 McAllister Mar. 31, 1953 2,669,790 Wells Feb. 23, 1954 2,861,857 Lee Nov. 25, 1958 2,875,012 Riley Feb. 24, 1959 2,888,306 Sease May 26, 1959

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