Abstract:
A folding portable laptop computer stand mounts to the bottom of a laptop computer. In folded position, its sides and base parallel the bottom of the computer. The base is flat and sits on the lap of a user, or a desktop. When the sides are unfolded they extend from the base, lift the computer above a user&#39;s lap, tilt the keyboard for ease of use and provide space under the computer for a full size mouse pad or stylus drawing pad.

Description:
The invention relates generally to a positioning accessory for a laptop computer and, more particularly, to a collapsible, raised platform for positioning a laptop computer spatially above a user&#39;s lap and angling the keyboard of the computer toward the user. The laptop stand also positions the computer substantially above a user&#39;s lap to allow the positioning of a mouse, mouse pad, stylus pad, or the like, underneath the computer and yet on top of a user&#39;s lap. Applicant claims priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/020,255 filed Jan. 10, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The idea of the laptop computer, originally called “portable computer,” was meant to be positioned on a desktop, but be portable for the benefit of a user. As computers diminished in size, mainly thickness, the term “laptop” became more prominent. The laptop computer became thinner and, if actually positioned on one&#39;s lap, one found both the keyboard and viewing screen in a lower than optimal position. 
   Further, the power supply unit of the laptop computer generates heat which finds its way under the keyboard of the computer, heating the user&#39;s legs. 
   As a result of these limitations in the positioning of the laptop computer, docking stations and other accessories have been developed to more closely fulfill the potential of the laptop computer if able to be positioned somewhat differently from sitting flat on the lap of a user. 
   A need has developed for a portable accessory for use in connection with a laptop computer that more favorably positions the computer above the lap of a user. 
   Additionally, a need has developed for a laptop computer accessory that positions the computer above the lap of the user, and also allows the user to have space under the computer to allow use of a mouse on a mouse pad, a stylus on a stylus pad, or the like. 
   Further, a need has developed for a portable laptop computer accessory that allows the computer to be positioned above a user&#39;s lap and allows the keyboard to be positioned in an ergonomically more efficient position for a user&#39;s hands. 
   Another need has developed for a laptop computer positioning accessory that attaches to the bottom of a laptop computer and conveniently collapses to a thin, folded condition when not in use such that it may be positioned in a laptop computer carrying case along with the laptop computer. 
   Additionally, a need has developed for a foldable laptop computer accessory that releaseably attaches to the bottom of a laptop computer and not only folds and unfolds to a position to elevate and more ergonomically position the laptop computer when used adjacent the lap of a user, but also allows the combination laptop computer and accessory to be carried when the accessory is in a folded position by having a conveniently placed comfortable user&#39;s handle positioned thereon. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention resides in a folding portable laptop stand that comprises a generally flat base including at least two opposed side edges, first and second folding opposed sides extending from respective ones of the opposed side edges of the said base. Each of the first and second opposed sides includes means adjacent an edge thereof for mounting same to one of a platform and the base of a laptop computer. Selectably releasable means for locking each of the first and second foldable opposed sides in an open position are mounted adjacent the sides. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     
         
         
           
             The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood from the following detailed description of a currently preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
           
         
       
    
       FIG. 1  is a ¾ front perspective view of a first embodiment of the laptop computer accessory, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted on the bottom of a laptop computer; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the laptop computer and accessory of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  with the addition of an upper plate for the computer accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment laptop accessory of the present invention with the side walls shown in extended and locked position; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the computer and accessory of the present invention shown in semi-collapsed position; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the laptop computer and accessory of the present invention shown in collapsed position; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the laptop accessory and computer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the computer and accessory shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the computer and accessory shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in semi-collapsed position; 
       FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in collapsed position; 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the invention shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a fragmentary detail perspective view, with portions cut away, of the construction of a handle for the computer accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line  10   a - 10   a  of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a fragmentary detailed view of a pivotal locking bar assembly for the second embodiment of the present invention in locked position; 
       FIG. 19  is a fragmentary detail view similar to  FIG. 18  showing the locking bar of the present invention in unlocked position; 
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a pivot mounting shown in the views of  FIGS. 18 and 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a fragmentary detailed cross sectional view of a snap locking bolt utilized in the laptop computer accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a fragmentary detailed perspective view of a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention showing a folding rear member of the side of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 23  is a fragmentary detailed perspective view of the folding member shown in  FIG. 22  in locked folded position; 
       FIG. 24  is a fragmentary detailed top plan view of the folding member shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a fragmentary detailed top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a detailed fragmentary perspective view of a second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention showing a folding and locking handle; 
       FIG. 27  is a detailed fragmentary side elevational view of the handle shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
       FIG. 28  is a detail fragmentary perspective view of the handle shown in  FIG. 26  in folded and locked position; 
       FIG. 29  is a side elevational view of the handle shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 30  is a fragmentary detailed view of a third modification of the second embodiment of the present invention showing a sliding lock system for the folding side walls thereof; 
       FIG. 31  is a fragmentary detailed perspective view similar to  FIG. 18  showing the third modification of the second embodiment of the present invention in locked position; 
       FIG. 32  shows a fragmentary cross sectional view of a first laptop computer rest positioned on the accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 33  shows a fragmentary view of a second laptop computer rest positioned on the accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 34  shows a fourth modification of the second embodiment of the present invention showing a hinged means of locking and unlocking the side walls in position. 
       FIG. 35  is a three quarter top perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention shown in open position. 
       FIG. 36  is a three quarter top perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention, similar to that shown in  FIG. 35 , shown in closed position. 
       FIG. 37  is a top plan view of the third embodiment of the invention shown in blank unfolded position. 
       FIG. 38  is an enlarged elevational end view of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 35 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional laptop computer  110  is shown in open position mounted atop a first embodiment of an accessory  111  constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in open and locked position. 
   The accessory  111  may be called a lectern or pulpit-type foldable spacer that can be positioned on a user&#39;s lap or on a desk top, etc. (not shown). The accessory in the open and unlocked position has sufficient space under the laptop computer  110  to slide a mouse  112  thereon for operation with the computer  110 , or position a stylus pad  113  and stylus  114  for a person who draws in connection with using the laptop computer. Space may also be provided at the back of the hollow interior of the accessory for a transformer  115  or other implement that would be used in connection with plug in power to the computer. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the opposed foldable sides  116 ,  117  of the computer accessory  111  provides at each of its outer edges a mounting flap  116   a ,  117   a , respectively, making up the top sides of the first embodiment of the accessory. Those flaps  116   a ,  117   a  may be mounted to a computer bottom by hook and loop strips, commonly sold under the trademark VELCRO, or may be supplied with snap on buttons that mate with complementary recesses in the laptop computer, or other fastening means. The accessory shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a generally rectangular base  118 , and a pair of generally trapezoidal two-piece folding sides  116 ,  117  which, in this embodiment, fold outwardly when the accessory is in its closed position. 
   A generally W-shaped wire structure  120  including a pair of opposed straight ends  121 ,  122 , and a handle-like middle  123 , is pivotally mounted on the end or mounting flaps  116   a ,  117   a  such that moving the handle in the hollow interior of the accessory moves the end arms  121 ,  122  downwardly across a living hinge  116   b ,  117   b , respectively, in the middle of each of the two-piece trapezoidal sides  116 ,  117  to maintain those sides in an unfolded upright position. Pivoting the handle  123  toward the horizontal allows the two-piece trapezoidal sides  116 ,  117  to collapse when the accessory  111  is not in use. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first modification of the first embodiment  111  of the present invention is shown to include a generally rectangular flat top portion or plate generally indicated at  125  that, in this modification, is permanently affixed to the upper flaps  116   a ,  117   a  adjacent the foldable side panel of the accessory of the present invention. The generally rectangular panel is sized and configured to retain the bottom of a laptop computer  110  thereon. The panel  125  of the modification also includes a handle  126  adjacent the rear end thereof for carrying the combination laptop computer and folding accessory, and also an L-shape ledge  127  extending upwardly from the front side of the panel  125  to form a resting place for the front of the bottom of the laptop computer  110  when positioned thereon. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the generally smaller front ends of the trapezoidal side surfaces  116 ,  117  may include portions cut away  116   c ,  117   c  to allow free ergonomic access for a user&#39;s hand (not shown) or arm to operate the locking hinge  123  or other apparatus positioned on top of the base  118  of the accessory  111 . 
   While the accessory  111  of the invention may be made of many differing sheet materials, manufacturing and other considerations make plastic a preferred material for the accessory. As shown herein, the panels of the accessory may be made of a corrugated plastic with a pair of opposed spaced apart inner and outer side walls and transverse perpendicular webs ( FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  21 ) extending between the spaced walls forming pockets therein. This corrugated plastic material is extremely versatile and, as will be shown hereinafter, provides interior spaces for pivotal mounting of locking and positioning members. Also, each of the side walls when the opposing side wall is cut or separated, may provide a living hinge such as at  116   b ,  117   b  along the interior of the space between adjacent webs perpendicular to the outer surfaces. The operation of such living hinges will be described in more detail below. 
   As noted with the first embodiment, if the outer surface of the corrugated plastic is cut, along with cuts through successive ones of the parallel interior webbing, across the grain thereof, a living hinge is also formed on the remaining surface. Such a living hinge is shown at  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the first embodiment of the present invention. Such a living hinge is also shown between the upper side edge of the two-piece side surfaces  116 ,  117  and the mounting flap  116   a ,  117   a  adjacent each. 
     FIGS. 4 through 9  disclose how the accessory  111  of the first embodiment folds from its open position to its flat closed position. In  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the accessory is shown in its open locked position with its generally trapezoidal two-piece sides  116 ,  117  locked in their parallel position by the generally W-shaped pivoting arm  120  which is in its locked position, generally parallel to the rear side of the upper member of the trapezoidal side members. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the distal arms  121 ,  123  of the W-shaped locking member  120  may be curved to fit along cutouts in the outer side surfaces of the two-piece sides that allow the distal arms to nest therein. In  FIG. 5 , the handle  123  in the center of the generally M-shaped wire structure  120  has been moved to its horizontal position or to its position parallel to the bottom of the computer to allow the two-piece sides  116   a ,  117   a  of the accessory to begin to fold outward along their central living hinges  116   b ,  117   b . It should also be noted that living hinges adjacent the top side surfaces and the mounting flaps and the living hinges  118   a ,  118   b  between the base  118  and the side surfaces are also contributing to allowing the side members  116 ,  117  to fold outwardly. 
     FIGS. 6 and 9  show the accessory  111  in its flat folded position with the two-piece trapezoidal side surfaces  116 ,  117  backfolded one half on top of the other half of each to provide a flat storage position for the accessory, up against the bottom of the laptop computer  110 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10-15  and  18 ,  19 , a second embodiment  135  of the computer mounting apparatus of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment  135  is shaped similarly to the first embodiment  111  when in its upright open position. However, the second embodiment of the present invention includes two-piece generally trapezoidal side walls that fold inwardly when collapsing the accessory to a flat position rather than folding outwardly as in the first embodiment. 
   While several means for locking and unlocking the living hinge  136   a ,  137   a  at the joinder of each of the two-piece side walls may be used, a pivoting two-piece locking bar generally at  138  is shown in locked position between the living hinges  136   a ,  137   a  of the two piece side members. 
   In  FIG. 19  the locking bar  138  is unlocked and moved from its straight position, to be described in more detail below, to its generally V-shaped position allowing the two-piece side members  136 ,  137  to fold inwardly toward the center of the hollow space in the middle of the foldable accessory  135 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 15  show the second embodiment of the present invention  135  in its collapsed generally flat position with its back folded first  136  and second  137  pieces of each side member backfolded toward the interior of the accessory. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19  disclose the locking bar  138  which is shown more generally in  FIGS. 10-15 . The locking bar  138  is a two-piece mechanism with a top member  140  and a bottom member  141  pivotally mounted at their center. 
   The pivoting bar locking mechanism  138  is shown as a solid bar with custom cutouts, recesses and detents. The locking bar is pivotally mounted at  142 , and adjacent the living hinge between the top and bottom portions of each of the opposed side members  136 ,  137 , as will be discussed in more detail below. The two-piece locking bars  140 ,  141  are also pivotally mounted to each other at  142  in juxtaposed top and bottom positions centrally thereof. 
   In the locking bar, a detent  143 ,  144  arising from one member fits into an indent  145 ,  146  in its complementary members side wall to lock the bar in straight position. Moving the pivot member  142  up or down slightly will move the detent out of the corresponding indent and allow the members to pivot in an X shape as shown in  FIG. 19  to allow the opposed two piece side members to collapse inwardly to fold the accessory  135  in its flat folded position shown in  FIGS. 12 and 15 . 
     FIG. 20  discloses an outside pivot member  150  positioned within the corrugations at the juncture of the two sided side members  137   b ,  137   c  where the living hinge  137   a  is found. The pivot member  150  is an elongate member that fits within the corrugation and may be formed of rubber, plastic or the like. The member shown in  FIG. 20  is a bendable rubber rod which may be positioned in the corrugation when the sides are collapsed. Other pivot rods may also be used, such as those with one-way barbs  150   a - 150   a  to facilitate anchoring them inside of a web pocket. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a first modified portion of the top panel  125  of the first embodiment  111  may include a handle  152  adjacent a back side thereof. The handle  152  is formed by extending the corrugated plastic outwardly and cutting an elongate slot  153  therein for a user&#39;s fingers. In order to provide a comfortable handle for a user, a soft tubular rubber piece  154 , about twice the length of that shown, is inserted over the outer portion  152  of the handle outwardly of the slot  152   a  formed therein. In order to provide the elongate tubular rubberized portion without a seam that might be uncomfortable to a user, a cut  152   a  is made across the middle of the end portion of the corrugated plastic and the rubberized tube is inserted, first over one half of the slot and then is bent to allow the other half if the handle to be inserted in the hollow middle of the tube. 
   In order to maintain structural integrity, a rod  155  is inserted in one of the corrugations formed on the outer portion of the plastic part of the handle  152  to run between the two halves to lock the assembly of the handle in operating position. The rod  155  may be bent along its middle or formed in a slightly arc to lock the bar within the elongate parallel interior of the individual corrugation as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 22-25 , a second modification for locking the collapsible side members is shown. In  FIG. 22 , the two-part collapsible side member  160  has a rear panel  161  that parallels the rear end of the two side panels  160   a ,  160   b  such as shown. This panel has a living hinge  162  on the inside thereof, which when the side panels are positioned in their upright or open position, the end panel is allowed to fold inwardly such that its base  161   c  contacts and engages the base  164  of the accessory with a detent at the bottom thereof that may lockingly engage an indent  164   a  in the bottom of the base  164 , both in closable position shown in  FIG. 24  and in open and locked position shown in  FIG. 25 . The use of corrugated plastic siding allows for this double folding hinge feature. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 26-29 , a third means for locking the second embodiment of the present invention in an open position utilizes the handle  165  in the upper plate  166 . The handle  165  is cut along one side thereof to form another living hinge  167  which will fold downwardly to form a three-sided box with the top panel  166 , and the side panel  168  when it is positioned in its upright position. A detented end portion  165   a  of each end of the handle  165  is sized to fit within an indent or cutout  168   a  in the corrugated side member  168  such that when the side member is in vertical position that detent  165   a  will releasably lockingly fit in the indent  168   a  to lock the side members in an open position. As the handle  165  is pliable, the handle may be pulled forward to allow the side members to collapse into its closed position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 21 , a means for locking and unlocking folding adjacent members of the laptop computer accessory of the present invention is shown to include a bolt  171  and a complementary threaded hollow rivet type member  172 . The bolt is positioned through an aperture  173  through the corrugated plastic panel  174 , and the bolt has an enlarged head  171   a  along with the hollow interiorly threaded rivet member also having an enlarged head  172   a . When the bolt  171  is threaded through the rivet member  172 , the hollow member is sized to slightly compress the corrugated plastic panel  174  when the bolt is fully threaded thereon. The length of the bolt is such that an aperture  176  positioned through an adjacent corrugated side wall  177  will allow the threaded end bolt to retain that member on the distal end of the bolt. The aperture  176  in the corrugated member side wall  177  will elastically deform a sufficient number of times before wearing out to allow the apparatus to be locked in a closed position as desired. 
     FIGS. 30 and 31  disclose a fourth means for locking the two-piece folding side members of the apparatus. In this fourth modification, an aperture  180  is formed in the side wall  181  of one of the upper  181   a  and lower members  181   b  such that an L-shape pin  182  may be inserted therein along the hollow interior of the corrugation. If the pin  182  is moved upwardly in this instance, the pin  182  will move upwardly and out of the juncture  181   c  of the two-piece side members where the living hinge is, thus allowing the member to inwardly collapse or fold inwardly. When the pin  182  is moved downwardly such that the pin crosses the living hinge portion  181   c  of the joint near the two members, that pin will lock the members in open position. 
     FIGS. 32 and 33  disclose a pair of front rest or ledges  190 ,  191  of differing construction that are part of the upper plate  192 ,  193  of the accessory that allows the computer to be located in a proper mounting position on the accessory. 
     FIG. 34  discloses fifth means for locking the side members in open position. This fifth modification includes triangulating a portion  201  of the folding side wall  202  adjacent the base  203  of the accessory by providing another living hinge  204  (also shown at  206 ) where that triangulated member is attached to the side wall, the triangulated member may be moved 90 degrees when the side walls are in open position and again a depression or detent  205  (also shown at  207 ) in the base may provide a means for lockingly stopping the hinged member  201  to provide a fifth means for locking the second embodiment of the present invention in an open position. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 35-38 , a third embodiment accessory of the present invention, generally indicated at  210 , the third accessory  210  is a simplified stand that, similarly to the first embodiment, utilizes the base of the computer  110  as part of its overall structure. 
   The third embodiment accessory  210  may be formed from a blank sheet of corrugated plastic similar to that used in the first two embodiments when it is cut out as shown in  FIG. 37 . In this third embodiment, a rectangular blank includes a plurality of vertical cuts in the top layer of the corrugation and a single cut parallel to the right edge of the blank made in the bottom surface of the corrugation. That cut,  211 , provides a distal portion  212  that may be attached to a bottom of the laptop computer  110  by means of hook and loop fasteners, buttons, rivets or the like as discussed with the previous embodiments. 
   A relatively large flat rectangular base portion  213  provides a flat bottom for the accessory. A rectangular cutout  214  is positioned centrally axially along the length of the third embodiment adjacent and overlapping the opposite side of the base  213  from the strip  212 . A cutout along the corrugation parallel to  211  leaves the opposing side of the corrugation in tact providing a living hinge  215 ,  216  positioned on either side of the second rectangular cutout. Additional living hinges  217 ,  218  are formed adjacent the opposing side of that cutout. In between are a pair of panels  220 ,  221  which, as shown in  FIG. 35 , may be backfolded to be positioned on top of the base  213  when the accessory is in its open position shown at  FIG. 35 . 
   A second panel  222  extends completely across the blank through a central portion thereof. A second aperture  223  is axially oriented similarly to and spatially related to rectangular aperture  214  for combining therewith to provide space for a user&#39;s hand. The central part of portion  222  provides a handle for the accessory which may be constructed similarly to handle  125  shown in  FIG. 16 . A flexible tubular member  225  is positioned over that handle  222  for ease of user gripping. 
   A fourth living hinge is found at  226  which is parallel to living hinges  217 ,  215  and  211  and spatially related thereto defining an opposing end portion  227  of the panel which provides a surface on which the opposing side of the base of computer  110  may be attached by hook and loop fasteners, etc. as shown and discussed in connection with the first embodiment. 
     FIG. 35  shows the third embodiment  210  of the accessory in an open position with the dual portions  220 ,  221  backfolded over the base such that the handle portion  222  is substantially vertical (over center folded) to provide a triangulation of the accessory when mounted on the base of the computer  110 .
           FIG. 38  shows that triangulation in greater detail.       
   In  FIG. 36 , the handle  225  has been pulled outwardly of the base  213  such that the computer  110  substantially lies parallel to that base with the handle  225  positioned externally and spatially related to the base  213 , so that the combination of the accessory  210  and the computer  110  may be carried by a user gripping the handle. While corrugated plastic has been the material of choice shown herein, it should be noted that blow molded or injection molded plastic may also easily be used. 
   Thus, three embodiments of the proposed laptop computer mounting accessory with a number of modifications to the first and the second embodiments to provide means for locking the accessory in an open position, and for providing means for mounting the laptop computer on the accessory and for carrying a combination of the laptop computer and an accessory which is folded flat and has a handle on the end thereof have been shown and described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.