Abstract:
An adjustable projector stand is provided for supporting a video or still image projector. The projector stand is adjustable in pitch and tilt for positioning and leveling images projected on a screen in a manner that compensates for uneven support structures, such as tilted tables and poorly placed screens. The device may be powered manually by the user or by battery through the use of a motor. The projector stand generally consists of a platform with two legs, each of which is formed by two pivotally joined rods. Each leg is in direct rotational communication with a threaded rod disposed within the platform. Each rod is in turn coupled to a means for rotation, which may consist of a manually rotated knob or a battery powered motor. The raising and lowering of one leg may be performed independent of the other in order to allow the projector stand to be leveled on an uneven surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/078,465 filed Jul. 7, 2009. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a projector support, and more particularly, to an adjustable video and, or still image projector stand that is adjustable in pitch and tilt for positioning and leveling images projected on a screen in a manner that compensates for uneven support structures, such as tilted tables and poorly placed screens. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Still photograph and video projectors that project images on a remote screen are commonly used for doing presentations in classrooms, in meetings, at conferences and the like. A projector must typically be elevated to ensure the images are projected fully on the screen. Currently, people use books and other items to prop up the projector to the right height and angle so the images appear properly on the screen. Oftentimes it is difficult and tedious to find the right height and angle and requires numerous adjustments of the projector and support structure, such as a table. Needless to say, this is highly rudimentary and inconvenient. If there existed a single device that could conveniently and easily adjust the height and angle of a projector in a matter of seconds it would fully resolve these issues and be well received. 
     Unfortunately, there are no known devices that adequately and effectively adjust the height and angle of conventional projectors. The stands known consist of projector and computer stands that are complicated in structure and impractical or do not provide for vertical and horizontal adjustment, as contemplated by the instant invention. For instance, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0034125, filed by Lo, discloses a hidden electric power elevating stand having crossing braking rods, a transversal rod and bearings. The Lo design is overly complex and comprises too many moving parts. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0289715, filed by Tsuboi, discloses a projector stand having swivel-like base that regulates inclinations along a horizontal plane and a direction perpendicular to the projective direction within a prescribed angular range. The Tsuboi projector stand is limited in the amount of adjustments that can be made, changes the angle of projection which can affect the quality of the projection and can be unstable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,350, issued to McKsymick, discloses a portable compact computer and projector stand consisting of a table with telescopic legs. This design is bulky, complex and not conveniently portable. As the background devices fail to adequately and effectively address the aforementioned issues, there exists a need for an adjustable projector perch as contemplated by the instant invention disclosed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manually adjustable projector stand. 
     It is also an object of the instant invention to provide an adjustable projector stand with a motorized raising and lowering mechanism. 
     It is another object of the instant invention to provide a manually adjustable to projector stand wherein one side of the stand may be adjusted separately from the other in order to account for an uneven resting surface. 
     It is an additional object of the instant invention to provide a motorized adjustable projector stand wherein one side of the stand may be adjusted separately from the other in order to account for an uneven resting surface. 
     In light of these and other objects, the instant invention comprises a projector stand that is adjustable in pitch and tilt for positioning and leveling images projected on a screen in a manner that compensates for uneven support structures, such as tilted tables and poorly placed screens. The device may be powered manually or electrically through the use of a motor. The projector stand generally consists of a platform with two legs, each of which is formed by two pivotally joined rods. Each is in direct rotational communication with a threaded rod disposed within the platform. Each rod is in turn coupled to a means for rotation, which may consist of a manually rotated knob or an electrically powered motor. The raising and lowering of the legs may be performed independent of each other in order to allow the projector stand to be leveled on an uneven surface. 
     In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom elevational partial cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended and illustrating the leg channels and leg driver mechanisms in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs retracted in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs retracted in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer refracted and legs extended illustrating the stand in a tilted position, such as when placed on a tilted surface, in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs retracted in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer retracted and the legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer refracted and legs extended illustrating the stand in a tilted position, such as when placed on a tilted surface, in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer retracted and legs extended illustrating the stand in a level position in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs retracted in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective cut-away view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs refracted and illustrating the leg channels in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended and illustrating the leg channels in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom elevational partial cut-away view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs extended and illustrating the leg channels and leg driver mechanisms in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom elevational partial cut-away view of the alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand with the stabilizer and legs retracted and illustrating the leg channels and leg driver mechanisms in accordance with the instant invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the adjustable projector stand in accordance with the instant invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 to 20  depict the preferred and alternative embodiments of the instant invention which is generally referenced as a projector stand, stand and, or by numeric character  10  or  110 . The instant invention comprises a portable, collapsible, projector stand device that may be used on virtually any surface, such as an unlevel table top, to project still or video images onto the center of a screen. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , the projector stand  10  permits the adjustment of the stand  10  up, down, and side to side. The instant invention  10  eliminates the need for books and other items to prop up a projector and enables the leveling of the projector when placed on an unlevel surface for perfect centering of the projected image on a screen every time. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the preferred embodiment of the projector stand  10  comprises a flat housing  12  having an upper surface or platform  14  and bottom surface  15  and secures a stabilizer arm  16 , first adjustable leg  18 , second adjustable leg  19 , first knob  20  for retracting and extending the first leg  18 , second knob  21  for retracting and extending the second leg  19 , first leg drive system  30  disposed in a first channel  28  formed in the lower surface  15  of the housing  12 , second leg drive system  40  disposed in a second channel  29  formed in the lower surface  15  of the housing  12  and tactile adjustment knobs  20  and  21  in mechanical communication with the drive systems  30 , 40  for rotating the drive systems  30 ,  40  to extend and retract the legs  18 ,  19 . The platform  14  is flat and can support a still picture or video projector, computer or other device that projects images. The first and second knobs  20  and  21  may project from the top or extend from the back of the housing  12 . The knobs  20 ,  21  are manipulated to lower, raise and, or level the platform  14  by imparting independent rotational movement on the drive systems  30 ,  40  to adjust the respective heights of the legs  18 ,  19  for achieving the desired horizontal balance and projection height. The stabilizer arm  16  is hinged to the back end of the housing  12  and foldable into a recessed storage channel  26  formed in the bottom surface  15  of the housing  12  for storage and transport of the projector stand  10 . The stabilizer arm  16  is pivoted outward from the storage channel  26  for stabilizing the stand  10 . The stabilizer  16  preferably comprises a rubber or rubber-like cap  17  on the end of the stabilizer  16  for preventing it from sliding. The legs  18 ,  19  are retractable into the channels  30 ,  40 , respectively, for storage and transport of the stand  10  and extendable from the channels  30 ,  40 , respectively, for raising, lowering and leveling the stand  10 . When the stand  10  is placed on an unlevel support surface, such as a table top, the legs  18 ,  19  are placed in different positions relative to each other by manipulating the knobs  20 ,  21  so as to adjust the height of their respective corners until the platform  14  is level, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the first leg  18  comprises a first rod  18   a  pivotally connected to a fixed second rod  18   b  by a hinge or hinge pin  18   c , the second leg  18  comprises a first rod  19  pivotally connected to a fixed second rod  19   b  by a hinge or hinge pin  18   c , the first drive system  30  comprises a first adjustment knob  20  and first threaded rod  34  and the second drive system  40  comprises a second adjustment knob  21  and second threaded rod  44 . The first threaded rod  34  is fixed to the first knob  20  such that the rod  34  is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of rotation of the first knob  20  as dictated by the user. Likewise, the second threaded rod  44  is fixed to the second knob  21  such that the rod  44  is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of rotation of the second crank lever  21  as dictated by the user. The first leg rod  18   a  is rotatably secured in the first channel  30  and threadably mated to the first threaded rod  34  such that it moves along the rod  34  toward the fixed rod  18   b  when the threaded rod  34  is rotated in one direction to extend the first leg  18  and moves away from the fixed rod  18   b  when the threaded rod  34  is rotated in the opposite direction to retract the first leg  18 . Likewise, the first leg rod  19   a  of the second leg  19  is rotatably secured in the second channel  40  and threadably mated to the second threaded rod  44  such that it moves along the rod  44  toward the fixed rod  19   b  when the threaded rod  44  is rotated in one direction to extend the second leg  19  and moves away from the fixed rod  19   b  when the threaded rod  44  is rotated in the opposite direction to retract the second leg  19 . The first knob  20  resembles a standard rotatable kno that is hand-operated to turn the rod  34  in one direction for extending the first leg  18  to raise one side of the stand  10  and turn the rod  34  in an opposite direction for  15  retracting the first leg  18  into the channel  30  to lower the one side. Likewise, the second knob  21  resembles a standard rotatable knob that is hand-operated to turn the second rod  44  in one direction for extending the second leg  19  to raise the opposite side of the stand  10  and to turn the rod  44  in an opposite direction for retracting the second leg  19  into the second channel  40  to lower the same opposite side. When the stand  10  is placed on an unlevel surface the legs  18 ,  19  would be offset to level the platform  14 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7-19 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention which is motorized is shown. The projector stand  110  comprises a flat housing  112  having an upper surface or platform  114  and bottom surface  115  and secures a stabilizer arm  116 , a first adjustable leg  118 , a second adjustable leg  119 , first electric controls  120 - 122  for retracting and extending the first leg  118 , second electric controls  124 - 126  for retracting and extending the second leg  119 , wherein the first and second electronic controls  120 - 126  are used to lower, raise and level the platform  114  based on the positioning of the legs  118 ,  19 , a first leg drive system  130  disposed in a first channel  128  formed in the lower surface  115  of the housing  112 , a second leg drive system  140  disposed in a second channel  129  formed in the lower surface  115  of the housing  112  and power supply  146  in electrical communication with the electronic controls and drive systems  130 ,  140  for supplying power to the drive systems  130 ,  140 . The platform  114  is flat and supports a projector. The stabilizer  116  is manually retractable into the housing  112  for storage and transport of the projector stand  110  and extendable from the housing  112  for stabilizing the stand. The stabilizer  116  preferably comprises a rubber or rubber-like cap  117  on the end of the stabilizer  116  for preventing it from sliding. The legs  118 ,  119  are retractable into the channels  130 ,  140 , respectively, for storage and transport of the stand  110  and extendable from the channels  130 ,  140 , respectively, for raising, lowering and leveling the stand  110 . When the stand  110  is placed on an unlevel support surface, such as a table top, the legs  118 ,  119  are placed in different positions relative to each other so as to adjust the height of their respective corners until the platform  114  is level, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , the first leg  118  comprises a first rod  118   a  pivotally connected to a second rod  118   b  by a hinge or hinge pin  118   c  and the second leg  118  comprises a first rod  19   a  pivotally connected to a second rod  119   b  by a hinge or hinge pin  118   c.    
     With reference to  FIGS. 14-19 , the first drive  130  comprises a first motor  132  and first threaded rod  134  and the second drive  140  comprises a second motor  142  and second threaded rod  144 . The first threaded rod  134  is fixed to the first motor  132  such that the rod  134  is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of rotation of the motor  132  as dictated by the first set of electronic controls  120 ,  122 . Likewise, the second threaded rod  144  is fixed to the second motor  142  such that the rod  144  is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of rotation of the second motor  142  as dictated by the second set of electronic controls  124 ,  126 . The first leg&#39;s  118  first rod  118   a  is fixed to the first channel  130  at the opposite end of the first motor  132 . The second rod  118   b  is threadably mounted to the first threaded rod  134  such that it moves toward the fixed rod  118   a  when the threaded rod  134  is rotated in one direction to extend the first leg  118  and moves away from the fixed rod  118   a  when the threaded rod  134  is rotated in the opposite direction to retract the fist leg  118 . Likewise, the first rod  119   a  of the second leg  119  is fixed to the second channel  140  at the opposite end of the second motor  142 . The second rod  119   b  is threadably mounted to the second threaded rod  144  such that it moves toward the fixed rod  119   a  when the threaded rod  144  is rotated in one direction to extend the second leg  118  and moves away from the fixed rod  119   a  when the threaded rod  144  is rotated in the opposite direction to retract the second leg  119 . The first electronic controls  120 ,  122  comprise a tactile elevating or “+” control  120  that electrically couples the power supply  146  to the first motor  132  to turn the rod  134  in one direction for extending the first leg  118  to raise one side of the stand  110  and tactile lowering “−” control  122  that electrically couples power  146  to the first motor  132  to turn the rod  134  in an opposite direction for  115  retracting the first leg  118  into the channel  130  to lower the one side. Likewise, the second electronic controls  124 ,  126  comprise a tactile elevating or “+” control  124  that electrically couples the power supply  146  to the second motor  144  to turn the second rod  144  in one direction for extending the second leg  119  to raise the opposite side of the stand  110  and tactile lowering “−” control  126  that electrically couples power  146  to the second motor  142  to turn the rod  144  in an opposite direction for retracting the second leg  119  into the second channel  140  to lower the same opposite side. When the stand  110  is placed on an unlevel surface the legs  118 ,  119  would be offset to level the platform  114 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the power supply  146  is disposed in the bottom surface of the housing  112 . The power supply  146  preferably comprises four AA batteries but may comprise other types of batteries or be adapted for receiving AC power. 
     With reference to  FIG. 20 , the alternative embodiment of the projector stand  110 ′ comprises a lower rubber mat platform  112  joined to a top platform  152  by a collapsible scissor-like lifting and lowering mechanism  150 . The scissor-like lifting and lowering mechanism  150  may be lifted by a motor or manually using similar crank levers to those used in the preferred embodiment. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.