Abstract:
A system for mounting a laptop computer on a mobile casterized base, comprising: an articulated arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjustably connected to the mobile casterized base; and a bracket assembly adjustably connected to the second end of the articulated arm for securely retaining the laptop computer, the bracket assembly being adjustable in at least one dimension to securely retain the laptop computer.

Description:
Be it known that I, Landers Sevier IV, a citizen of the United States, residing at 3726 Montrose Road, Birmingham, Ala. 35213; have invented a new and useful “Computer Support Apparatus and Method.” 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although personal computers have only been available to the public for slightly over twenty years, personal computing has become a pervasive part of most people&#39;s lives. As computer technology has allowed for the manufacturing of computers of increasing power and decreasing size, personal computers or “laptop” computers have become increasingly used by those who use a computer in various places. The emergence of email and the Internet have also provided ways for both stationary and mobile computer users to interact regardless of the distance between communicators. 
     Over a much longer period of time, people who are confined to a bed such as a hospital or sick bed have desired to continue working, communicating with others, or performing tasks of leisure. Various devices have been made, and some have been patented, that allow the bedridden to read, eat or drink, or even use certain kinds of computers. One such patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,193,647, was issued for a bed frame-mounted tray that may hold a book or magazine in an inverted position so that a bedridden person could read while lying in bed. Not only was this invention connected to the bed of the person using the tray, it did not provide for the attachment of a computer of any kind in any useful fashion. Indeed, computers were unknown when U.S. Pat. No. 2,193,647 was issued. 
     Another relevant patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,710, directed to a device for supporting a computer so that one may use the computer while lying on a bed. This patent does support a computer on a support system independent of the bed, but the support system is on casters on top of the bed so that the entire device must be surrounding the person using the device, which requires a considerable amount of work to situate. Also, the device does not allow the computer supported thereon to be inverted; a user of the device needs to be propped up in order to access the computer. Finally, the patented invention is not directed to an apparatus for supporting a laptop computer; the patented device is thus very cumbersome to use. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566 was issued for a portable ergonomic workstation that articulates to a user&#39;s position. Although a disabled person confined to a bed is contemplated by the inventor of that invention, the patented invention does not allow for the utilization of a computer support apparatus that employs components that are already common to the environments in which they are used, such as the tray stands in a hospital. 
     What is needed, then, is a system for supportably mounting a portable computer, such as a laptop computer, so that the computer may be usably presented to a user who is bedridden, especially where the system employs an articulating arm extending from an installed base upon which the computer is mounted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for supporting a portable computer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for supportably mounting a portable computer on a base, the portable computer being movable to a bedded person&#39;s position via an articulating arm. 
     In its most basic form, the portable computer support of the invention involves an articulated arm adjustably connected to a mobile casterized base, and a portable computer retaining means attached to the second end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm has one or more joints that allow the arm to position a portable computer so that a user lying in a bed can use the computer, and the arm should be able to be locked into position in front of the user so that the computer will not be allowed to be easily pushed away during use. 
     The portable computer support means may be any configuration that holds a computer in such a manner that the computer may be rotated from a first position in which the computer is accessible to a sitting or standing person, to a second position in which the computer screen and keyboard are presented toga user who is lying in a supine position. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for stably supporting a portable or laptop computer. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for mounting a portable or laptop computer to a mobile base. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for presenting a portable or laptop computer to a person who is supine. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for articulating a portable or laptop computer to a person who is bedridden in any manner. 
     In addition to the foregoing, further, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention should become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, wherein there are shown and described illustrated embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the computer support apparatus of the invention supporting a portable computer and placed in usable proximity to a bed. 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal isometric view of the computer support apparatus of the invention supporting a portable computer and indicating height adjustability. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the computer support apparatus and supported computer of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the computer support apparatus of the invention supporting a portable computer and indicating height adjustability. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the computer support apparatus of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom isometric view of the computer holding portion of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of the computer holding portion shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the computer holding portion shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of an upper portion of the computer support apparatus of the invention with computer supported therein, showing certain ranges of motion. 
     FIG. 10 is a rear view of an upper portion of the computer support apparatus of the invention with computer supported therein, showing horizontal adjustability. 
     FIG. 11 is another view of FIG. 10, showing rotational ranges of motion. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the computer support apparatus of the invention with computer supported therein, showing rotational ranges of motion. 
     FIG. 13 is a view of FIG. 12, after the computer support apparatus is rotated in a plane. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a portable computer  5  (the specific embodiment of portable computer  5  shown is a laptop computer) is positioned over a bed  6  (such as a hospital-type bed) using the system of the invention An articulated arm  10  having a pair of arm segments  11  is supported on a base  14 . Base  14  is very similar to a known hospital tray base, and should include locking casters  15  on its lower end for allowing base  14  to be moved and/or secured against movement as the user desires. A lever  16  allows the top portion of base  14  to be adjustable in height in a manner that is well-known to those who make hospital tray stands. Articulated arm  10  is supported on base  14  via clamp  13  which may be secured at any position along the top of base  14  in the process of locating portable computer  5  in front of a user. 
     Further referring to FIG. 1, arm segments  11  are connected by a lockable knuckle joint  17  which allows arm segments  11  to rotate with respect to one another in a single plain towards or away from the user. A pair of ball-and-socket joints  18  are at opposite ends of articulated arm  10 , one being on the end of articulated arm  10  adjacent clamp  13  and the second being on the end of articulated arm  10  adjacent portable computer  5 . Ball-and-socket joints  18  allow for rotation in multiple dimensions and are lockable in place such that once portable computer  5  is positioned in front of a user, it may be secured against movement by the same mechanism that locks knuckle joint  17  against movement. Alternatively, ball-and-socket joints  18  could be replaced by knuckle joints similar to knuckle joint  17  without sacrificing the utility of the invention. Although portable computer  5  may be inverted so as to be effectively used by a bedridden or supine user, portable computer  5  is retained in place and secured to articulated arm  10  by a bracket assembly  12 , which is adjustable to hold any of a variety of portable computers or laptop computers in such a manner to allow one who is resting in bed to comfortably use a computer. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a frontal perspective view of the system of the invention is shown with base  14  having lockable casters  15 , base  14  further being height-adjustable by depressing and subsequently releasing lever  16  in a known manner. Articulated arm  10  is attached to the top of base  14  via lockable clamp  13 , which may be positioned at any point along or adjacent to the top of base  14 . Clamp  13  is connected to articulated arm  10  by ball-and-socket joint  18  that allows motion in multiple dimensions of arm segment  11 . Both of arm segments  11  are connected together by a knuckle joint  17  which is lockable in place and when unlocked allows for rotational motion in a single plane varying the angle between arm segments  11 . 
     Further referring to FIG. 2, articulated arm  10  supports bracket  12 , which securely retains portable computer  5  therein primarily through the use of retaining rod  19 . Retaining rod  19  is an adjustable-length rod that secures portable computer  5  against movement out of bracket  12  while portable computer  5  is inverted. Another feature of bracket  12  that aids retention of portable computer  6  is elongated tab  20 , which is a long metal piece having an upturned flange. The up-turned flange engages a lower front portion of portable computer  5  to secure the computer against movement in that direction. A telephone  7  may also be mounted to bracket  12  as an enhanced version of the system of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, base  14  is shown to be supporting articulated arm  10  width is clamped thereto by lockable clamp  13 . Arm segments  11  engage eat other at knuckle joint  17 . A first ball-and-socket joint  18  connects articulated arm  10  to lockable clamp  13  while a second ball-and-socket joint  18  connects articulated arm  10  to bracket  12 . Bracket  12  secures portable computer  5  therein, and telephone  7  is supported thereon. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a rear view of the system of the invention indicates vertical and horizontal motion. Specifically, vertical motion of the system of the invention is achieved by depression and release of lever  16  in a known manner to raise and lower base  14 . Articulated arm  10  may also be relocated horizontally along the top of base  14  by releasing and tightening clamp  13  at various positions along the top of base  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view of the system of the invention is shown with base  14  as described above, clamp  13  adjacent first ball-and-socket joint  18  which is connected to articulated arm  10 . Arm segments  11  are adjustably connected together by lockable knuckle joint  17 , and a second ball-and-socket joint  18  is connected at the end of articulated arm  10  opposite first ball-and-socket joint  18 , positioned to be attached to bracket  12 . 
     Articulated arm  10  is of a type that may be purchased from any of a variety of suppliers such as Bogen Photo Corporation of Ramsey, New Jersey. With this type of articulated arm  10 , as knuckle joint  17  is locked in place ball-and-socket joints  18  are also locked, securing all joints of articulated arm  10  against movement which is an essential part of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     Further referring to FIG. 5, bracket  12  is adjustable in width and length to contain the lower portion of a portable or laptop computer. Bracket  12  has a pair of cutout portions  50  to ensure minimal interference with any power connections or other interfaces that may occur near the back area of portable computer  5 . Retaining rod  19  is adjustable with the width of bracket  12  and secures the portable computer  5  against falling out when portable computer  5  is inserted therein. Similarly, elongated tab  20  is adjustable to the lower front portion of the portable computer so as to prevent portable computer  5  from slipping out during inverted use, while at the same time being minimal in size to avoid interfering with any disk drives or other connections that may be positioned near the front area of portable computer  5 . Telephone platform  21  may also be added to bracket  12  for supporting a telephone  7  for use by the person using the portable computer  5 . A wiring harness and remote power supply (not shown) may also be added to the system of the invention to allow a user of the invention to control the flow of the wiring to any conventional wall outlet as desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a bottom perspective view of bracket  12  is shown indicating the directions in which bracket  12  is adjustable so as to allow bracket  12  to retain various-sized portable computers. As described above, elongated tab  20  is designed to adjustably engage the front lower portions of portable computers and is adjustable due to the positioning of a first slot  22  which is a slot that, when combined with first releasable fastener assembly  23  allows for adjustably securing elongated tab  20  in place. Similarly, a second slot  24  and second releasable fastener assembly  25  allow for the width of bracket  12  to be adjusted to the size of portable computers to be employed therein. Likewise, retaining rod  19  is able adjust to the width of bracket  12  as well. Platform  21  may be attached to bracket  12  in the manner described above. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, the top view of bracket  12  may be seen including tab  20  having elongated slot  22  and nut and bolt assembly  23  and an adjustable slot  24  and nut and bolt assembly  25 . The width of bracket  12  and retailng rod  19  control the degree to which portable computers are secured in bracket  12  may be opened so as to usably present the screen of the portable computer to the user and to provide a secure backing or support for the screen of the portable computer. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, an exploded view of bracket  12  is shown including tab  20 , with elongated slot  22 , elongated slot  24 , adjustable retaining rod  19 , nut and bolt assemblies  23  and  25 , attachable telephone platform  21 , telephone jack plate  26  and a pair of flanges  27 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the forward and backward rotation axes of the system of the invention are shown, including the degree to which portable computer  6  can be opened. The upper or screen portion of portable computer  5  may be rotated away from the lower or keyboard portion until the upper portion touches flange  27 . Articulated arm  10  may be rotated around in any or all of  3  axes of motion that run perpendicular to the degree of opening of portable computer  5  and through the pivot points of knuckle joint  17  and each of ball-and-socket joints  18 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, lateral adjustment positions are illustrated as options for adjusting the lateral position of portable computer  5  with respect to base  14 . Lateral adjustments are be made by loosening, adjusting, and tightening clamp  13  to the top of the base  14  until the desired positioning is achieved. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, rotational motion of the system of the invention may be made around two rotational axes, namely, those axes around which ball-and-socket joints  18  are allowed to rotate, until portable computer  5  is positioned to the satisfaction of the user. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, the front view of the system of the invention shows rotation of the system in a plane that is parallel to ground level. Specifically, rotation around an axis perpendicular to the ground and running through lower ball-and-socket joint  18  adjacent clamp  13  may be made to swivel articulating arm  10  and portable computer  5  to a position deemed suitable by a user. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, second ball-and-socket joint  18  is located adjacent bracket  12  (seen in earlier figures) may also be pivoted horizontally in the same manner as that described above relating to FIG. 12, thus allowing two axes or rotational pivot points parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. Each such pivot points are realized as ball-and-socket joints  18  are rotated around an axis running through each of said ball-and-socket joints  18  and perpendicular to the ground. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Computer Support Apparatus and Method, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.