Abstract:
A notebook computer stand for a notebook computer provides a U-shaped pocket and a support. The U-shaped pocket receives the relatively thicker frame portion of the notebook computer housing the keyboard, the CPU, the mouse, and related hardware. The notebook computer&#39;s hinged display is deployed above the pocket for ease of viewing. In one embodiment, the notebook computer stand includes a storage compartment, cable slots for routing cables connected to the notebook computer, and height adjusters for varying the height of the computer stand and, indirectly, the viewing angle of the display.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to computer stands and the like and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a stand for a notebook computer. 
     2. Discussion 
     It is known in the art relating to computers to provide a notebook computer. A notebook computer is a relatively smaller computer which includes an integral CPU, keyboard, mouse, hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM or DVD drive, rechargeable battery, and video output device (also referred to as a display)—all powered by either an internal battery or a single AC power connection. Notebook computers differ from personal computers (commonly referred to as PCs), consisting of individual components which are connected to provide a computer system. A PC monitor may weigh 20-40 pounds, while the unit containing the CPU, hard drive(s), CD-ROM, battery, and floppy drive may weigh 20-30 pounds. The PC keyboard and PC mouse are separate units. Over the last 10-15 years, such relatively smaller computers have been called laptop computers (sometimes shortened to “laptops”) and, more recently, notebook computers (sometimes shortened to “notebooks”). Notebook computers currently range in weight from about five to seven pounds. The general field in which notebook computers and laptop computers are used is referred to in the industry as mobile computing or portable computing. 
     Notebook computers are commonly used by professionals in a variety of fields, but they are especially useful to individuals who work both in a business office and also at home. College professors, attorneys, accountants, corporate managers at all levels, marketing personnel, and medical personnel, among others, have found notebook computers to be especially useful because notebook computers can be easily transported with them to any work location. Similarly, software development professionals routinely carry notebook computers with them so they are available at any time and at any location. 
     Notebook computers offer many advantages, and they also have limitations. The integration of keyboard and mouse into a single package, for example, limits the size of the keyboard and the type of mouse. Many notebooks incorporate an eraser-type mouse amid the keys in the keyboard with left and right mouse buttons below the space bar of the keyboard. Other notebooks incorporate an input device which is actuated by the user&#39;s hand on a pad located on the integrated unit. Most professionals-and software developers, in particular-prefer a conventional mouse of the type used with PCs. Likewise, most notebook users prefer a conventional PC keyboard. As a result of these preferences, many notebook users carry with them a conventional keyboard and a conventional mouse, both of which can be connected to the notebook and utilized in lieu of the integrated keyboard and mouse. Many notebook users keep a conventional keyboard and a conventional mouse at home while keeping another conventional keyboard and another conventional mouse at the office, thereby permitting them to transport a relatively compact notebook computer while retaining the ease of use of a conventional keyboard and mouse. 
     When a conventional PC keyboard and a conventional PC mouse are connected to a notebook computer, the notebook computer&#39;s integrated mouse and keyboard are disabled. The notebooks&#39; keyboard and mouse may actually be in the way, yet the notebook&#39;s screen is still required for use of the notebook. Many users experience difficulty in finding a comfortable arrangement of the conventional PC keyboard and the conventional PC mouse together with the notebook computer and its display. The problems and limitations associated with use of a conventional PC keyboard and a conventional PC mouse are overcome by applicant&#39;s notebook computer stand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a computer stand for a notebook computer. A U-shaped pocket receives the relatively thicker frame portion of the notebook computer housing the keyboard, the CPU, the mouse, and related hardware. The notebook computer&#39;s hinged display is deployed above the pocket for ease of viewing. In one embodiment, the notebook computer stand includes a storage compartment, cable slots for routing cables connected to the notebook computer, and height adjusters for varying the height of the computer stand and, indirectly, the viewing angle of the display. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a computer stand which facilitates use of a state-of-the-art notebook computer in conjunction with a conventional PC keyboard and a conventional PC mouse. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a notebook computer stand which organizes cables attached to the notebook computer so the cable remain in an organized arrangement when the notebook computer is disconnected and transported to a remote location. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a notebook computer stand which includes a storage compartment for storing connecting cables. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a notebook computer stand which permits adjustment of the height and viewing angle of the notebook computer&#39;s display. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the notebook computer stand of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is back pictorial view of the notebook computer stand of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view showing one end of the notebook computer stand of FIG. 1 with a height adjuster added to permit adjustment of the angle at which the display D is deployed. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the notebook computer stand of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the notebook computer stand of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a view of the notebook computer stand of FIG. 1 with a spacer added to prevent accidental depression of the notebook keyboard and mouse keys. 
     FIG. 7 is an end view of a second embodiment of the notebook computer stand of the present invention in which a pocket is disposed within a support. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of the pocket shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a third embodiment of the notebook computer stand of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a detail of the computer stand shown in FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description of the invention, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings. 
     Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, a notebook computer stand  20  includes a generally U-shaped pocket  22  having a lip  24 . The pocket  22  is attached to a support  26 . The notebook computer stand  20  is shown as it is intended to be used with a notebook computer N having a relatively thinner display D hinged to a relatively thicker frame portion F. The frame portion F of the notebook computer N is received by the pocket  22 , and the display D is deployed in an upright position for viewing by the user. In FIG. 1, a keyboard K and a mouse M are attached to appropriate connections on the back of the frame portion F of the notebook computer N. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the pocket  22  of notebook computer stand  20  is formed by a front member  28 , a back member  30 , and a bottom  32 . The front member  28  and the back member  30  are generally parallel one to the other. 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, a cable guide  34  attached to the support  26  and the back member  30  includes an upper slot  36  and a lower slot  38 . For purposes of illustration, a mouse connector MC, a keyboard connector KC, and a printer connector PC are threaded through the upper slot  36  and the lower slot  38 . 
     As previously stated, notebook computer users frequently prefer to use a conventional PC keyboard and a conventional PC mouse. Slots  36  and  38  preserve the general arrangement of keyboard, mouse, printer, and other cables when the user disconnects the notebook computer N for transport to a remote location. 
     In FIGS. 3-5, the notebook computer stand  20  of the present invention includes two height adjusters  40 . The height adjusters  40  include threaded bolts  42  having a head (not shown) enclosed in rubber enclosures  44 . The threaded portion  46  extends through a bore in the support  26  and is held in place by a nut  48  which is spot welded to the support  26 . Adjustment of the threaded bolt  42  in the nut  48  raises and lowers the height of the front To portion  50  of the base  26  along A and produces a corresponding movement of the pocket  22  along M, thereby adjusting the position of the notebook computer display D. Two pads  52  (See FIG. 5) near the rear portion  54  of the base  26 , together with the rubber enclosures  44 , prevent scratching of the work surface by the base  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a spacer  54  prevents the keys on the notebook computer keyboard from being accidentally depressed by biasing the frame portion F of the notebook computer N against the back member  30  of the pocket  22 . 
     It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the spacer  54  can be formed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, hard rubber, foam rubber, or plastic. Further, the spacer  54  could be formed from a narrow metal strip. In any case, the spacer  54  is attached to the front member  28  so as to force the frame portion F against the back member  30  of the pocket  22 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment  60  of the notebook computer stand according to the present invention includes a pocket  62  formed from a front  64  and a back  66  attached to a bottom  68 . The pocket  62  is disposed in a support  70 . The support  70  is formed by two vertical members  72  attached to a horizontal base  74 . In use, the frame portion F of the notebook computer N is received in the pocket  62 , and the hinged display D (See FIG. 1) is deployed in the use position for viewing. The pocket is maintained in a stable upright position by the vertical members  72 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, shown therein is the pocket  62  of the notebook computer stand  60 . Mounting slots  80  in the back  66  permit vertical mounting of the pocket  62  on wall mounts (not shown). It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the wall mounts can be screw heads or nail heads. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the pocket  62  and the wall mounts, taken together, create a notebook computer stand. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 8-10, the pocket  62  has horizontal slots  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c  in the back  66  and a single horizontal slot  84  in the front  64 . A selected horizontal slot  82  and the horizontal slot  84  cooperatively receive a sheet member  86  having a lip  88  at one end (See FIG. 9) and a distal end portion  89 . A notebook computer stand  90  is assembled by sliding the end of the sheet member  86  distal from the lip  88  through the horizontal slot  84  in the front  64  and then through one of the horizontal slots  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c  in the back  66  of the pocket  62 . The notebook computer stand  90  is supported on a horizontal surface by the distal end portion  89  of the sheet member  86  and the bottom  68  of the pocket  52 . Placement of the sheet member  86  through horizontal slot  82   c  in the back  66  causes the pocket  62  to tilt slightly in a generally backward direction. Deployment of the sheet member  80  through horizontal slot  82   b  results in an increased tilt of the pocket  62 , and deployment of the sheet member  80  through horizontal slot  82   a  results in a still further increased tilt of the pocket  62 . 
     FIG. 10 is a detail of FIG. 9 showing the horizontal slots  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c  in the back  66  of the pocket  62  and the horizontal slot  84  in the front  64  of the pocket  62 . As illustrated in FIG. 10, the sheet member  86  extends through horizontal slot  82   b  and horizontal slot  84  in a mid-tilt position according to the present invention. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.