Abstract:
The invention is directed multipurpose support device for supporting an item such as a laptop computer or a book. The support device has a base that is adapted to be coupled to a structural support, such as a mobile cart, a desk, a sofa or a wall.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/027,795, filed Feb. 11, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multipurpose support device for supporting an item such as a laptop computer or a book. The multipurpose support device of the present invention is used while attached to a structural support, such as a mobile cart, a desk, a sofa or a wall. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people spend a lot of time using a laptop computer. Most people use a laptop computer by leaving it on the top of a desk and read information on a laptop computer screen with their neck straight or bent downward depending on the position of the computer screen. This posture causes a lot of stress and strain on the user&#39;s neck. In addition, people tend to lean forward and keep their back away from the back of the chair. This posture causes a lot of stress and strain on the back and shoulder. People place their forearms, hands and wrists on top of the desk when they type on the keyboard of the laptop or use the mouse panel of the laptop. This type of posture causes a lot of stress on all joints of upper extremities. Working with a laptop computer for several hours a day with this unhealthy posture could make a person feel tired easily with pain at their neck, shoulder, back and wrists. This could lead to an injury of the spine, back, shoulder, neck, and wrists. 
     To avoid the aforementioned kind of pain or injury, a person should use a laptop computer in a relaxed posture with the least amount of stress and strain to the neck, back, shoulder and wrists. The most relaxed posture for using a laptop computer is sitting on a chair at a reclined angle. The laptop computer is placed in a proper holder with comfortable forearm and wrist supports, so that the user can see the laptop computer screen easily while sitting at a reclined angle with the neck and back rested on the chair back and user&#39;s elbows, wrists and hands rested on proper supports. This relaxed posture causes the least amount of stress to the spine, neck, shoulder, hands and wrists. 
     Similarly, it is important to adopt a proper posture when reading a book. Users often position a book on their laps or on top of a desk and bend over the book in order to read it. Oftentimes, a user will hold the spine of the book with one hand, while turning the pages with the other. In addition to creating fatigue and stress for the neck and shoulders, reading a book can also cause fatigue of the hands and fingers because of the need to grip the book and turn the pages. 
     Devices that are currently available in the marketplace provide a support for a laptop computer or book, but however do not allow the device to be adjusted in order to promote good posture of the user. In other words, the presently available commercial devices do not address the bad posture problems of users of laptop computers and readers of books. Hence, it is desirable to have a support device that is capable of holding a laptop computer or a book, while also promoting good posture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a multipurpose support device comprising: a base comprising a substantially horizontal surface; and a first support member that is coupled to the base, wherein the plane of the first support member is substantially perpendicular to the base, and wherein the base is movably connected to a structure, said structure providing a means for holding the multipurpose support device in a specified position. In an additional embodiment of the invention, a second support member is connected to the first support member wherein the second support member is movable relative to the base and the first support member, and the second support member comprises a plurality of wrist supports. In certain embodiments of the invention, the second support member is immovable relative to the base and the first support member. 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for using a multipurpose support device having a base comprising a substantially horizontal surface; a first support member coupled to the base, and a second support member that is connected to the first support member, and wherein the second support member comprises a plurality of wrist supports; the method comprising the following steps: positioning the bottom edge of a laptop computer on the first support member; positioning the top edge of the lap top on the base; resting the user&#39;s forearms on the forearm supports of the second support member; extending the wrist supports of the second support member towards the surface of the laptop computer; and resting the user&#39;s wrists on the wrist supports of the second support member. 
     An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for using a multipurpose support device having a base comprising a substantially horizontal surface; a first support member coupled to the base, wherein the plane of the first support member is substantially perpendicular to the base, and wherein the base is movably connected to a structure, said structure providing a means for holding the multipurpose support device in a specified position, and further comprising securing members at the lateral outer edge of the base to which are attached flexible extender members; the method comprising the following steps: positioning an open book on the base; securing each lateral side of the book with the securing members; and positioning one or more selected pages of the book under the flexible extenders. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic top view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic side view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a multipurpose support device  10  is shown holding a laptop computer  12 . The support device  10  comprises a member or base  14  that serves as the platform upon which a portion of the laptop computer  12  rests. The support device  10  further comprises a first support member  15  that is substantially perpendicular to base  14  and immovably connected to base  14 . The first support member  15  provides a surface upon which the bottom portion of the laptop computer may be placed. The multipurpose support device  10  further comprises a second support member  16  that is movably connected to member  15 . In order to prevent the bottom portion of the laptop computer from sliding off the surface of member  15 , a plurality of restraints  19  such as hooks may be employed. The location of the restraints may be changed to allow for better support of a laptop computer by allowing rearrangement of the restraints  19  on member  15 . Member  16  comprises a plurality of wrist supports  17  that may be extended by a user and placed on top of the laptop computer  12 , when the multipurpose support device  10  is in use. The position of member  16  may be adjusted so that the angle of member  16  relative to member  15  can be changed either along a vertical plane or a horizontal plane in accordance with a user&#39;s comfort. When the multipurpose support device is not in use, the wrist supports  17  may be placed within recessed spaces  18  located on member  16 . Additionally, the second support member  16  provides a user with a surface to rest their forearms. Member  16  may optionally comprise a strip of padded material (not shown) to promote comfort of the forearms when they are resting on member  16 . In certain embodiments of the invention, the second support member  16  may be immovably connected to member  15 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the location and position of a first arm member  21  that is attached to the posterior surface, i.e., opposite surface to where the laptop computer would rest, of the base  14  is shown. The first arm member  21  functions to position the multipurpose support device  10  at an angle that is comfortably suitable for the user and which allows the user to maintain the proper posture when using the multipurpose support device. The first arm member  21  is movably connected to a second arm member  20 , which in turn may be connected to additional arm members, a surface such as a desk, a cart or a vertical member (not shown) to facilitate the fixed anchoring of the multipurpose support device  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of the multipurpose support device  10  with first arm member  21  connected to base  14  and second arm member  20  connected to first arm member  21 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the multipurpose support device  10  comprising a first arm member  21  and a second arm member  20 , wherein the second arm member is connected to a vertical member  22 . The vertical member is contained within a housing  26  which comprises a shelf-like member  23  to which the vertical member  22  is connected by its base  24 . The bottom end of the housing comprises a floor  25 , to which are connected a plurality of wheels  27 . The wheels  27  allow a user to transport the multipurpose support device  10  and housing  26  to a convenient location. In the event that wheels  27  are employed, it is desirable to provide a mechanism to fix or lock the wheels (not shown) when the multipurpose support device  10  is conveniently positioned for use. 
     The presence of the first arm member  21  and second arm member  20  permits the user to adjust the position of the multipurpose support apparatus  10 , so that the user may comfortably position a laptop computer at a convenient distance and position in a manner while maintaining good posture. The profile of vertical member  22  may have a straight shape (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) or a curved shape (not shown). 
     The multipurpose support device  10  is positioned relative to the user in a seated position so that the keyboard is approximately at the same plane as the user&#39;s forearms when typing. Additionally, the user&#39;s wrists are at the level of the wrist supports  17 . At the same time, the user&#39;s posture is that of a relaxed, reclining nature. In addition to the wrist supports  17 , an additional forearm support, such as a padded support (not shown) may be included with member  16 , so that the user&#39;s forearms may comfortably rest on the surface of member  16 , while the user&#39;s wrists are supported by the wrist supports  17 . 
     It will be seen from the following description, that the multipurpose support device  10 , particularly base  14  may be horizontally adjustable toward and away from the user, i.e., translationally. Moreover, the multipurpose support device is simultaneously pivotal along a horizontal axis parallel to base  14 . One embodiment of the multipurpose support device  10  for providing both translational and pivotal or rotational movement of the base  14  may comprise a first arm member  21  fixedly attached to the bottom surface of base  14  and having a plurality of sliding dovetail members (not shown). As will be appreciated by those persons of ordinary skill in the art, sliding dovetails are only exemplary of mechanical arrangements that permit base  14  to be movable relative to the housing  26  and the vertical member  22 . 
     From the above description it will be apparent that the multipurpose support device, on which the laptop computer  12  rests, may be moved relative to the user both pivotally and translationally, as well as vertically, thus accommodating users of different height, girth, and personal preference for the position of the laptop computer during keyboarding or using mouse panel as well as for maintaining the display at an appropriate height and angle for viewing. 
     It may be desirable when using a laptop computer  12  with the present invention to connect the computer to a source of AC power through an in-line transformer (not shown) and/or connect it to a printer (not shown). To accommodate the cords to the printer and/or power it may be desirable to hold the cords in a convenient position. For example, a channel or trough (not shown) could be formed in one surface of a solid stanchion or if the stanchion is hollow, such as a pipe, suitable holes could be provided through which the ends of the cord could enter and exit near the member  14  and the floor  25  of the housing  26 . Alternatively, a simple clamp or Velcro belt could be used to hold the cords in place (not shown). 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, one or more sliding plates (not shown) may be added to the back of the base  14 , which can be slid out to enable the user to place books or sheets of paper on the sliding plates when using the multipurpose support device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a user  30  can place the laptop on the anterior surface of base  14 , sit on a chair with a slightly reclined angle  31 , rest the back and neck on the chair, pull and adjust the multipurpose support device  10  to a comfortable position and angle to rest the elbows on the chair arms and rest the forearms on member  16  and rest the wrists on the wrist supports  17 . With this posture, the user&#39;s neck, back, elbows, forearms, and wrist are fully supported and rested on various supports, thus reducing the chance of pain and injury to the users. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, a plurality of adjustable sliding plates of suitable dimensions (not shown) can be added to the anterior surface of the base  14  to raise the bottom portion of the laptop computer away from base  14  in order to make room for a power cord or other wires to be plugged into the back end of the laptop computer. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, two side clamps are added to the surface of the base  14  to enable the user to use the multipurpose support device for reading a book or magazine. In  FIG. 6 , the base  101  is analogous to the base  14  depicted in  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the book holder embodiment of the multipurpose support device of the invention  100  comprises a base  101  having an upper edge member  104 , a lower edge  106 , a first side edge  108 , a second side edge  110 , a front side  112  and a back side  114 . Attached to the lower edge  106 , is a first support member  113  that is fixedly connected to the lower edge  106  and is substantially perpendicular to the base  101 . The upper edge member  104  and the first support member  113  each have a slot  116  present therein. Each of the slots  116  generally extends along the length of the upper edge member  104  and member  113 . Each of a pair of vertical plates  118  is removably extended into the slots  116 . Each of the plates  118  has an outer edge  120  biased outwardly away from the center of the base  101 . The plates  118  also each have an inner edge  124  biased towards the center of the base  101 . The inner edges  124  of the plates  118  face one another. To each of the plates  118 , a movable plate  119  is attached via connectors  121 . The plates  119  are capable of being moved along a vertical plane along the plates  118 . 
     Each of a pair of securing members  126  is attached to the outer edges  120  of the plates  118 . The securing members  126  are adapted for attaching a book to the plates  118 . Each of the securing members  126  preferably comprises a clip  133  biased towards the inner edge  124  of the plates  118 . The clip  133  is used to clamp down the lateral edge of the book pages on to the base  101 . In certain embodiments of the invention, the clip  133  may be transparent, which allows the user to be able to see and read the content on the portion of the page that is clamped under the clip  133 . 
     In use, the plates  118  are extended outwardly from the base  101  so that the base  101  is of a size required for a book to be fixed on the base  101 . The securing members  126  are used to attach a book or other reading material to the plates  118  so that the book is placed in an open position. Each of the securing members comprises a vertical rod  128  to which is attached a flexible finger-like extender  130 . The flexible extenders  130  may be used to maintain the pages of the book in place during use. Each of the plates  119  can be moved along a vertical plane, i.e., up and down in order to accommodate tall or short books. 
     The securing member  126  on one side of the device may be used to secure the pages that have already been read. The securing member  126  on the opposite side of the panel may be used to secure those pages that are not anticipated to be read during a particular session. The collection of pages to be read in a particular session may be positioned between the securing member  126  and the flexible extender  130 . Adjustments of amounts of pages positioned under the securing members  126  and the amounts of pages comprising reading-session pages positioned under the flexible extender  130  are made as desired in relation to reading times or anticipated reading periods. Lastly, during reading, the user can slide a page out from under one flexible extender  130  and slide it under the opposite flexible extender  130 . Optionally, a string or wire  132  can be extended from the upper edge  104  of the panel  101  across the center line of the book and locked at the lower edge  106 . Conversely, the string  132  may be extended from the lower edge  106 , across the center line of the book and locked at the upper edge  104 . The center string  132  is especially useful when the user reads the book on the supporting surface in a lying-down and facing-up position. 
     The first arm member  21  and second arm member  20 , as well as other structures that the second arm member may be connected to (as set forth in  FIGS. 2-5 ), such as a desk, a cart or a vertical member are the same as previously described for the laptop support embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     From the various embodiments described and shown herein, it will be obvious that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described in the various embodiments in this specification and that the scope of the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.