Collapsible supporting device for a portable computer

In a collapsible supporting device for a portable computer, a pair of base members and a pair of interconnecting members are connected pivotally to a coupling seat. A pair of supporting members are coupled to the interconnecting members, respectively. The supporting device is operable to move from a folded position, where the base members and the interconnecting members are disposed parallel to each other, to a supporting position, where the interconnecting members are disposed between the base members, where a stopping block on each base member abuts against a front portion of the computer, where a desired angle is formed between the interconnecting members, and where each supporting member is disposed uprightly and has an abutting end disposed higher than that of each base member and abutting against a rear portion of the computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Chinese Application No. 03153018.4, filed on Aug. 5, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a supporting device, more particularly to a collapsible supporting device for a portable computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a portable computer is disposed directly on a table surface during use, which results in a poor heat-dissipating efficiency. Furthermore, it is not ergonomical for a user to operate a portable computer that is disposed directly on a table surface.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible supporting device for a portable computer that can enable the portable computer to be ergonomically operated and to have a superior heat-dissipating efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible supporting device for a portable computer. The portable computer has opposite front and rear portions. The supporting device comprises:

a coupling seat having a surface, and first and second end portions opposite in a direction;

a pair of elongate base members, each of which has a first pivot end connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the first and second end portions of the coupling seat, and a first abutting end opposite to the first pivot end, the base members being pivotable relative to the coupling seat about first and second axes transverse to the surface of the coupling seat, respectively, the first abutting end of each of the base members being formed with a stopping block;

a pair of elongate interconnecting members, each of which has a second pivot end connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the first and second end portions of the coupling seat, and a coupling end opposite to the second pivot end, the interconnecting members being pivotable relative to the coupling seat about third and fourth axes transverse to the surface of the coupling seat, respectively; and

a pair of elongate supporting members, each of which is coupled to the coupling end of a corresponding one of the interconnecting members and has opposite second abutting ends.

The supporting device is operable so as to move from a folded position, where the base members and the interconnecting members are disposed parallel to each other, to a first supporting position, where the interconnecting members are disposed between the base members, where the stopping block on the first abutting end of each of the base members is adapted to abut against the front portion of the portable computer, where a desired angle is formed between the interconnecting members, and where the supporting members are disposed uprightly such that one of the second abutting ends of each of the supporting members is disposed at a location higher than that of the first abutting end of each of the base members and is adapted to abut against the rear portion of the portable computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 4illustrate the preferred embodiment of a collapsible supporting device200for a portable computer900according to the present invention. The portable computer900has opposite front and rear portions901,902. The supporting device200includes a coupling seat3, a pair of elongate base members5, a pair of elongate interconnecting members4, and a pair of elongate supporting members6.

The coupling seat3has a surface31, and first and second end portions33,34opposite in a direction (A). In this embodiment, the coupling seat3has opposite upper and lower walls32,35disposed spacedly apart from each other, and a connecting block37interconnecting the upper and lower walls32,35and cooperating with the upper and lower walls32,35so as to confine a mounting space36. The upper wall32has the surface31.

Each base member5, which is formed from a metal plate, has a first pivot end51received in the mounting space36in the coupling seat3and connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the first and second end portions33,34of the coupling seat3, and a first abutting end52opposite to the first pivot end51. The base members5are pivotable relative to the coupling seat3about first and second axes (a, b) transverse to the surface31of the upper wall32of the coupling seat3, respectively, as shown inFIG. 2. The first abutting end52of each base member5is formed with a L-shaped stopping block53.

Each interconnecting member4has a second pivot end41received in the mounting space36in the coupling seat3and connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the first and second end portion33,34of the coupling seat3, and a coupling end42opposite to the second pivot end41. The interconnecting members4are pivotable relative to the coupling seat3about third and fourth axes (c, d) transverse to the surface31of the upper wall32of the coupling seat3, respectively, as shown inFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the first and second axes (a, b) are coaxial with the third and fourth axes (c, d) (seeFIG. 2). As such, the first pivot end51of each base member5and the second pivot end41of each interconnecting member4can be connected pivotally to the corresponding one of the first and second end portions33,34of the coupling seat3by means of a respective rivet8extending through a mounting hole342in the upper wall32, a pivot hole411in the second pivot end41of the interconnecting member4, a pivot hole511in the first pivot end51of the base member4, and a mounting hole352in the lower wall35of the coupling seat3. Each interconnecting member4of this embodiment is a telescopic member that includes an inner tube43and an outer tube44. The inner tube43has the second pivot end41, and is mounted with a spring-loaded positioning ball432, as shown inFIG. 6. The outer tube44is formed with a set of positioning holes442disposed spacedly apart from each other in an axial direction. The inner tube43is operable so as to enable the positioning ball432to engage a selected one of the positioning holes442in the outer tube44, as shown inFIG. 6.

Each supporting member6is coupled to the coupling end42of a corresponding one of the interconnecting members4, and has opposite second abutting ends61, each of which is provided with an anti-slip pad610. In this embodiment, each supporting member6, which is a telescopic member having a configuration similar to those of the interconnecting members4, includes an inner tube64having said one of the second abutting ends61, and an outer tube65sleeved mounted on the inner tube64and having the other one of the second abutting ends61. The inner tube64is mounted with a spring-loaded positioning ball (not shown). The outer tube65is formed with a set of positioning holes651disposed spacedly apart from each other in an axial direction. The inner tube64is operable so as to enable the positioning ball to engage a selected one of the positioning holes651in the outer tube65. Each supporting member6of this embodiment further includes a C-shaped ring63sleeved on the outer tube65. The C-shaped ring63has opposite lug ends631connected pivotally to the coupling end42of the corresponding one of the interconnecting members4by means of a rivet9extending through a mounting hole632in one of the lug ends631of the C-shaped ring63, a pivot hole421in the coupling end42of the interconnecting member4, and a mounting hole632in the other one of the lug ends631of the C-shaped ring63such that each supporting member6is pivotable relative to the coupling end42of the corresponding one of the interconnecting members4.

In actual use, the supporting device200is operable so as to move from a folded position, where the base members5and the interconnecting members4are disposed parallel to each other and where the base members5are disposed under the interconnecting members4, respectively, as shown inFIG. 3, to a first supporting position, where the interconnecting members4are disposed between the base members5, where the stopping block53on the first abutting end52of each base member5is adapted to abut against the front portion901of the portable computer900, where a desired angle is formed between the interconnecting member4, and where the supporting members6are disposed uprightly such that one of the second abutting ends61of each supporting member6is disposed at a location higher than that of the first abutting end52of each base member5and is adapted to abut against the rear portion902of the portable computer900, as shown inFIG. 4.

In view of the above configuration, the inner tube43of each interconnecting member4is operable so as to enable the positioning ball432to engage a selected one of the positioning holes442in the outer tube44of the interconnecting member4such that each interconnecting member4is adjusted to have a desired length when the supporting device200is disposed in the first supporting position. Additionally, the inner tube64of the supporting member6is operable so as to enable the positioning ball to engage a selected one of the positioning holes651in the outer tube65of the supporting member6such that each supporting member6is adjusted to a desired height when the supporting device200is disposed in the first supporting position. Therefore, the supporting device200of the present invention is suitable for supporting portable computers900with various sizes. Furthermore, since the rear portion902of the portable computer900is supported by the supporting device200at a location higher than the front portion901so as to form a heat-dissipating space between the portable computer900and a plane10on which the supporting device200is disposed, the portable computer900can thus be ergonomically operated and has a superior heat-dissipating efficiency.

The supporting device200further includes an auxiliary supporting member7that has a third pivot end71connected pivotally to the coupling seat3, and a third abutting end72opposite to the third pivot end71. The auxiliary supporting member7is movable from a collapsed position to an extended position so as to enable the supporting device200to move from the first supporting position to a second supporting position, where the auxiliary supporting member7extends transverse to the surface31of the upper wall32of the coupling seat3, where the third abutting end72of the auxiliary supporting member7is adapted to abut against the front portion901of the portable computer900, and where said one of the second abutting ends61of each supporting member6is adapted to abut against the rear portion902of the portable computer900, such that the portable computer900is suspended above the coupling seat3, as shown inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, the third pivot end71of the auxiliary supporting member7is formed with a pivot groove711. The coupling seat3further has a pivot rod75extending along the direction (A) and extending through a through hole311in the connecting block37and the pivot groove711such that the third pivot end75is rotatable relative to the coupling seat3about the pivot rod75. The auxiliary supporting member7further has a spring751sleeved on the pivot rod75, received in the pivot groove711, and biasing the auxiliary supporting member7to the collapsed position. The third abutting end72of the auxiliary supporting member7is formed with a flange721that is adapted to contact the front portion901of the portable computer900when the supporting device200is disposed in the second supporting position, as shown inFIG. 5. As such, for the portable computer900mounted with an optical disc carriage91in the front portion901, replacement of a disc92can be easily conducted when the portable computer900is supported by the supporting device200in the second supporting position.