Abstract:
A stand supports a laptop computer spaced above a supporting surface so that air can circulate between the computer and the supporting surface to cool the computer.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the general art of supports, and to the particular field of stands for computers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The proliferation of portable personal computers, or laptop computers, is well documented. Laptop computers are used by business travelers to perform virtually all of the tasks enabled by desk top computers during previously unproductive hours traveling on airplanes, in hotels, and generally away from the office. Laptops also offer an alternative to bulkier, space consuming desk top models, with the opportunity to readily take the laptop to remote locations such as lectures, business meetings, or the like, and also to bring one&#39;s computer home in the evenings to continue working on projects. The reduction in the size and weight of today&#39;s laptops render them indispensable to travelers and business people around the world. 
   Laptop computers, like desk top computers, include a processing unit or chip that performs calculations used in the operation of the laptop. The processing unit generates a substantial amount of heat, and as processors grow more powerful and faster (in the multi-Gigahertz range) the amount of heat that the chips generate continues to increase. In most desktop computers, there are fans, heat sinks and adequate airspace to dissipate the heat generated by the processor. However, in a laptop computer there is very little room for large fans or open airspace, so heat is transferred through the underside of the computer where it comes in contact with the user&#39;s lap. The processors can produce up to 100 watts per square centimeter—the equivalent heat generated by a light bulb, and temperatures can easily reach 115° F. or more. The push for smaller and lighter laptop computers exacerbates the problem of heat dissipation. The heat problem is a byproduct of consumer demand for smaller, faster computers with reasonable battery life because large fans and extra airspace require larger units with reduced battery life. As a result, the underside of a laptop computer is notorious for being very warm or even hot to the touch when it has been running for a period of time. 
   Left unchecked, the heat build up of the laptop computer is transferred to the user at the point of contact where the laptop rests on the user&#39;s lap. As the laptop heats up, the build up of heat may become uncomfortable and can even result in pain. In this event, the user must endure the discomfort or discontinue operation of the laptop to allow the unit to cool down. Once cooled down, the laptop will once again begin to heat up to the point where discomfort requires another shutdown to allow further cooling. This discomfort can be eliminated by using the laptop tray, or by using it in its carrying case. However, using a laptop on any flat surface, tray, table, or in its carrying case restricts cooling. This can cause the laptop to overheat and fail. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a stand that supports a laptop computer spaced above a supporting surface and includes indentations between surfaces that will contact the laptop computer and the remainder of the supporting element so that air can circulate between the computer and the supporting surface and between the computer and the stand to cool the computer. The stand includes a plurality of elements that are hingeably connected together so the stand can be collapsed for storage. In all cases the laptop cooling stand elevates the laptop to let hot air flow away from it. 
   Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a laptop computer support stand embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a detail of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a laptop computer support stand  10 . Stand  10  comprises a first leg  20  which includes a first end  22 , a second end  24  and a longitudinal axis  26  which extends between first end  22  and second end  24  of first leg  20 . First leg  20  further includes a first side edge  30  which is a top side edge when the first leg is in use and a planar second side edge  32  which is a bottom side edge when the first leg is in use. A first transverse axis  34  is located adjacent to first end  22  of the first leg and extends between first side edge  30  and second side edge  32  of the first leg. A second transverse axis  36  is located adjacent to second end  24  of the first leg and extends between first side edge  30  and second side edge  32  of the first leg. Second transverse axis  36  is essentially equal in length to first transverse axis  34  of the first leg. A third transverse axis  40  is located between first end  22  and second end  24  of the first leg and extends between first side edge  30  and second side edge  32  of the first leg. Third transverse axis  40  is smaller in length than first transverse axis  34  of the first leg. An indentation  44  is defined in first side edge  30  of the first leg. Indentation  44  is located between the first end of the first leg and the second end of the first leg. 
   A second leg  60  includes a first end  62 , a second end  64  and a longitudinal axis  66  which extends between first end  62  and second end  64  of the second leg. Second leg  60  further includes a first side edge  70  which is a top side edge when the second leg is in use. First side edge  70  of second leg  60  adjacent to second end  64  of the second leg is co-planar with first side edge  30  of first leg  20  adjacent to first end  22  of the first leg. Second leg  60  further includes a second side edge  72  which is a bottom side edge when second leg  60  is in use. Second side edge  72  is planar and is co-planar with second side edge  32  of first leg  20 . 
   Second leg  60  further includes a first transverse axis  80  which is located adjacent to first end  62  of the second leg and which extends between first side edge  70  and second side edge  72  of the second leg. Second leg  60  further includes a second transverse axis  82  which is located adjacent to second end  64  of the second leg and which extends between first side edge  70  and second side edge  72  of the second leg. Second transverse axis  82  is essentially equal in length to first transverse axis  80  of the second leg and is also essentially equal in length to first transverse axis  34  of first leg  20 . Second leg  60  further includes a third transverse axis  90  which is located between first end  62  and second end  64  of the second leg and which extends between first side edge  70  and second side edge  72  of the second leg. Third transverse axis  90  of the second leg is smaller in length than first transverse axis  80  of the second leg. 
   An indentation  94  is defined in first side edge  70  of the second leg. Indentation  94  is located between first end  62  and second end  64  of the second leg. Second side edge  72  of the second leg is planar and is co-planar with second edge  32  of the first leg. 
   Second leg  60  further includes a fourth transverse axis  100  located immediately adjacent to first end  62  of the second leg and which is located between first transverse axis  80  of the second leg and first end  62  of the second leg. Fourth transverse axis  100  is larger than first transverse axis  80 . A retention foot  102  is located on first end  62  of the second leg. 
   A first hinge  110  connects first end  22  of the first leg to second end  64  of the second leg. The second leg is hingeably movable with respect to the first leg to move between a use orientation (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which extends perpendicular to the first leg and a storage orientation which extends essentially parallel to the first leg. 
   A third leg  120  includes a first end  122 , a second end  124  and a longitudinal axis  126  which extends between first end  122  and second end  124  of the third leg. Third leg  120  further includes a first side edge  130  which is a top side edge when the third leg is in use as shown in  FIG. 1 . First side edge  130  of the third leg adjacent to second end  124  of the third leg is co-planar with first side edge  30  of the first leg adjacent to second end  24  of the first leg. Third leg  120  further includes a second side edge  132  which is a bottom side edge when the third leg is in use. A first transverse axis  136  is located adjacent to first end  122  of the third leg and extends between first side edge  130  and second side edge  132  of the third leg. 
   A second transverse axis  138  is located adjacent to second end  124  of the third leg and extends between first side edge  130  and second side edge  132  of the third leg. Second transverse axis  138  is essentially equal in length to first transverse axis  136  of the third leg and is also essentially equal in length to the second transverse axis  36  of the first leg so that first side edge  30  of the first leg adjacent to second end  24  of the first leg is co-planar with first side edge  130  of the third leg adjacent to second end  124  of the third leg. 
   Third leg  120  further includes a third transverse axis  140  located between first end  122  and second end  124  of the third leg and extends between first side edge  130  and second side edge  132  of the third leg. Third transverse axis  140  of the third leg is smaller in length than first transverse axis  136  of the third leg. An indentation  142  is defined in first side edge  130  of the third leg. Indentation  142  is located between first end  122  and second end  124  of the third leg. Second side edge  132  of the third leg is planar and is co-planar with second edge  32  of the first leg. 
   A fourth transverse axis  150  is located immediately adjacent to first end  122  of the third leg and is located between first transverse axis  136  of the third leg and first end  122  of the third leg. Fourth transverse axis  150  is larger than first transverse axis  136  of the third leg, and a retention foot  152  is located on first end  122  of the third leg. A second hinge  160  connects second end  24  of first leg  20  to second end  124  of third leg  120 . The third leg is hingeably movable with respect to the first leg to move between a use orientation, shown in  FIG. 1 , which extends perpendicular to the first leg and a storage orientation which extends essentially parallel to the first leg. Hinge  160  is sized relative to hinge  110  so that the second and third legs fold neatly onto each other and onto first leg  20  when the stand is in a stored configuration. 
   The first, second and third legs form a U-shape with the first side edge of the second leg adjacent to the second end of the second leg co-planar with the first side edge of the first leg adjacent to the first end of the first leg and the first side edge of the third leg adjacent to the second end of the third leg co-planar with the first side edge of the first leg adjacent to the second end of the first leg when the second and third legs are in the use orientations thereof with respect the first leg. 
   The indentations in the first, second and third legs defining air gaps between a laptop computer and the legs when the laptop computer is supported on the legs and the retention feet on the second and third legs abutting an edge of the laptop computer to support the laptop computer in place on the legs. 
   While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.