Portable, collapsible *standing* desk for laptop?

*gurgle* *sputter*
That's Not A Truck!

*grumble grumble*
...gonna have to draw this, don't have a scanner hooked up, old CAD program doesn't do image export...

I'm going to have to fake it with GIMP!!!

Of course it's been awhile, could use the practice, so it's good.

Apologies in advance for the scrolling. :-)

Now then, first image is original concept. On a real truck the box sides have pockets for posts, hooking bungee cord hook ends, etc. On my Ford they're about (square corner numbers) 1-5/8" x 2", piece of normal 2x2 would drop in. Platform is a chunk of plywood with a 2x2 post, use angle brackets or blocks to stabilize, version shown has the side blocks that would rest on top. For example, rear corner pocket measured 6" deep, center pocket 10", size post accordingly. If not using side blocks then size post for snug-to-tight fit.

2nd image is base, depending on where you place the hinges (the round shapes) the feet can flip up or down, depending on what is best for you for storage. Four sides, four feet.

3rd image shows socket, just a build-up with wood slightly less deep than effective post length and sized down from base (4x4?) to post (snug fit). No pins etc should be needed with sufficient depth, drop in top, pull out.

4th image takes explaining. You know about those hinges with springs in them, to make doors self-closing? This (hopefully) uses them to automatically flip the feet up, offhand though it might take some doing to get the orientation right. Now, the thin piece is mounted to the side of the post, pivots on a small lag bolt. On the other end a small round post is sticking out over the leg, could just be a long bolt with nut. On top of the foot is some steps, lag bolts, small blocks, whatever is sticking up more than the strap post diameter. The thin piece, the strap, can be metal or wood, long as it's sturdy enough.

In operation, flip down foot to where you want it, set the strap, spring tension will hold it in place. If using lag bolts then the heads will provide extra insurance against kick-out. You can set two (90 deg apart) before putting the base upright then set the remaining two. To take down, well an additional detail is the strap is "wobble mounted" to the base, there's enough clearance under the lag bolt head (and washer?) to swing the strap post clear of the foot, and yes the hole in the strap is oversize a bit. So just push the foot down a bit, disengage strap and push to the side, foot swings up, strap hangs down. A metal strap (1/8"x1" perhaps?) should allow the feet to fold up flat as possible in the gap made by the hinge body.

Although, looking at it, guess you could use a tighter pivot mounting, swing the strap up and clear, foot swings up, then fold the strap down. Well this is just a crude drawing, if you build it you'll figure out what works best for you.

You're not going to be balancing a pig on it, but it's more than good enough to keep a laptop supported. And no pins, knobs, or fiddly-bits to lose.

Yep, the ancient engineering principle, 3 feet sit flat, more don't. Why the 3 legged stool was made. Three points minimum (not in a straight line) identify a 2D plane, any more may not all be in only one plane. So three of the Workmate's feet will be flat on any ground but one may not and will have to be lower, since three are on a plane. (It may seem it could be higher or lower, but four feet could identify up to four different planes, with at least one of them one foot will be lower.) So you need an "extension foot" bolted on to that leg, could be something with a slot, or hinged (like your leg, hip bolted to the workmate leg, foot on ground, lock knee in place). Slots may slip but that's not too likely (could use two bolts with knobs to lock down), while knees have a lot of force on them so they often bend without a really hefty lock. Of course that's one adjustable to get it stable, to get it flat and level may take three. With one and sensible placement your coffee mug shouldn't go anywhere but don't expect the dog's ball to stay there. Does that help?

Which is why my design had 4 adjustable feet. ;-)

If it comes to it and the feet are long enough, you could adjust it to sit over a small rock if needed!

Heh, tripod is easier than you think. Start with a thick disk of big enough diameter. Grab protractor. Lay out three lines from center that are 120 deg apart (3 x 120 = 360 which is a circle). Looks like a pizza cut into 3 equal large slices.

Now, measure how thick your tripod leg is. For each pizza slice line, on each side draw a parallel line that's half that thickness away, drawn from the edge to close to the center. Looks like you're cutting strips off of each straight edge of each slice.

Next, for each of those strip lines you just drew, measure in from the edge the thickness of that leg (if using square or round stock, for rectangular use the large end measurement) times 1.5, thus for one inch you'd mark off one and a half inches from the edge on each strip line. Across each pizza slice line, connect those marks. From that connecting line out to the edge, between the strip lines, just scribble that area to death, that's what you'll be removing to make the pockets for the legs. Your pizza now has three notches out of it that are centered on the slice lines.

Now, draw a circle that's slightly smaller than the notches. Looks like maybe you're trying to cut out a better looking small pizza without the notches. Pick out a measurement you think is reasonable, say one inch. For each strip line, draw a line parallel to the strip line on the other side of the notch that's the reasonable measurement away from the strip line, drawn from the edge to the small circle. Now the big part. For each big slice, from the small circle to the edge, between the reasonable lines, scribble that area out, it goes away.

When done, you will have a circle with six arms sticking out, each set of arms making a straight-sided pocket for a leg. To simplify things, you can flatten the three big curves of the circle down to straight. Why, you could even have done it on paper and had a template you could just drop on any proper sized chunk of wood or metal, don't have to start with a disk.

Now, for each leg you center a hole on the end, that is it will be centered on the long dimension and half the thickness (or largest end measurement) in from the end. For each set of arms, measure down half the material thickness and measure in from the edge half the leg thickness (or largest end measurement). That's where you drill the crosshole that will be square to the pocket sides and thru both sides.

After that you just need three carriage bolts and some knobs, put the leg ends in the sockets, slide in the bolts thru all the holes (pocket sides and leg), tighten knobs and set the carriage bolt heads. Tripod.

Since we made the pockets one and a half times deep, even if the leg tops are cut square you should be able to swing them all the way up and down. You could play with making the pockets shallower for less travel, so they only swing out so far before hitting. Think about it, cut out some cardboard model pieces if needed, and you can see if the pocket was just barely deeper than one time deep (just enough for clearance) a combination on the leg tops of an angle cut and an arc centered on the hole would be the best way to have the leg swing out only a fixed amount, no locks needed if that's what you want. (Hint: point of angle on the outside, arc on inside.)

If you want at least one adjustable length leg to level out the top of the central piece (in theory all that's needed, keep turning the tripod until the two non-adjustable ends are on a level line), well, that'll be another post if needed. Meanwhile you can think about what sort of platform to stick on the central piece, don't forget to space it away a bit for knob and finger clearance. Include gloves.

PS, this visualizes better with sausage, ground beef, and chopped onions. Pepperoni, green pepper slices, and mushroom pieces are too chunky, throws you off. Which is too bad, I love mushrooms.

That was, what, over a hundred words to "defend" your vehicle? Over an offhand grumpy comment? Ha-ha-ha-ha! Thanks, I needed a good laugh. Look, just let me know if it needs any more explaining, although if you get to building it things should explain themselves. And lighten up a little, okay? It's the weekend! ;-)

Heh. Yeah, I heard those mix-ups happen often on them there intrawebs, knew not to take it personal in any way. "That's why you use emoticons so it doesn't happen!" LOL, LMAO, etc whatever.

Ah, bummer. My mistake. I've stuck chairs on top of my tripod for sitting on uneven surfaces, like the side of Pike's Peak to watch the race. It worked pretty well for me, but of course I bought a heavy-duty tripod 'cause I knew I probably would be using and abusing it.

maybe a 4 legged tripod? wouldnt that be called a quadpod?

A big easel would easily, but they're not cheap of light... A music stand maybe? How about a custom build tripod..

Well three telescopic poles and some clever hinges... I may build one at some point...

Sadly, I do not, but I will try to point you in the right direction. I have to go to bed now though.