Portable rest device for laptop computer

A portable rest device for a laptop computer is made of a thermally-conductive material, and comprises a top face for receiving the laptop computer and a bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern. Due to this design, the portable rest device dissipates 1) the heat generated by the laptop computer and captured by the top face, and 2) the heat generated by the user when the bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern is disposed on the user's lap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of laptop computers. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a portable rest device for use with a laptop computer.

2. Brief Description of the Current Technology

The use of laptop computers has become widespread in the past several years. When they first appeared on the market, their relative light weight and flexibility of use was offset by important disadvantages in terms of performance, screen size, robustness and cost in comparison with desktop computers. However, the technology has evolved to such a degree in recent years that their advantageous characteristics have become even more attractive and their disadvantages have been significantly overcome. Consequently, laptop computers are nearly commonplace.

The aforementioned advantages of laptop computers are such that many users make use of such computers in a very different environment than that found in most office buildings. Indeed, laptop computers are now frequently employed in situations whereby the user finds himself or herself in a comfortable chair without the use of a desk and where the laptop computer generally rests on the user's lap while the user is in a sitting position. Although such a position can be comfortable for a few minutes, an important impediment to maintaining such a position for a lengthy period of time is the discomfort which naturally arises from the use of laptop computers in such a position. Such discomfort is due to three factors:1. A modern laptop computer generates a non-negligible amount of heat. When the bottom of the laptop computer is in direct contact with a user's thighs, this heat contributes to a higher than ambient operating temperature which consequently tends to transfer itself to the user by means of thermal conduction through the bottom part of the laptop computer to the user's thighs.2. The bottom part of laptop computers is generally made of metal and/or plastic. Metal or plastic surfaces in direct contact with a user's lap, whether clothed or not, whether or not heat is generated by such surfaces, eventually lead to discomfort. The user's thighs tend to generate heat, which if not dissipated, leads to an increase in temperature, thereby causing perspiration, thereby contributing to user's discomfort.3. A user, whether or not annoyed by increased temperatures due to non-dissipated heat, tends to spread apart or move toward each other his (her) thighs in a random fashion, thereby occasionally blocking ventilation ports of the laptop computer which should normally contribute to cooling down the laptop computer. Such behaviour therefore contributes to less efficient internal cooling of the laptop computer, higher internal operating temperatures and thereby contribute to increased user discomfort.

Consequently, there is a need for a portable rest device for a laptop computer which addresses these three problems and which thereby contributes to increase the user's comfort while using a laptop computer in a sitting position in the absence of a desk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable rest device for a laptop computer made of thermally-conductive material, and comprising a top face for receiving the laptop computer and a bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern.

The present invention also relates to a portable rest plate for a laptop computer made of thermally-conductive material, and comprising a top face for receiving the laptop computer and a heat-dissipating three-dimensional bottom face.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The first, second and third non-limitative, illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the different figures of the drawings, the same references are used to identify the same or similar elements of the portable rest plate for laptop computer.

The portable rest plate for a laptop computer according to the illustrative embodiments of the present invention present, amongst others, the following features:the portable rest plate for a laptop computer is made of a thermally-conductive material;the portable rest plate for a laptop computer comprises a slip-resistant top face for receiving the laptop computer and preventing said laptop computer from slipping onto this top face; andthe bottom face of the portable rest plate for a laptop computer is formed with a heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern that can be disposed on a user's lap when the user is in a sitting position.

Advantageously, the portable rest plate according to the illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be given, in particular but not exclusively, a size and shape suitable to accommodate several sizes and shapes of laptop computers.

First Illustrative Embodiment

The first illustrative embodiment of portable rest plate for a laptop computer according to the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the first illustrative embodiment generally identified by the reference20will be described in connection withFIGS. 1-3.

The first illustrative embodiment20ofFIGS. 1-3is made of a plate21made of thermally-conductive material, for example aluminum having a thickness of about ¼ inch (6.3 mm). Aluminum is an adequate material due to its light weight and excellent thermal conductivity characteristics. The aluminum can be left in its natural state, or it can be painted or anodized. When appropriately dimensioned, the first illustrative embodiment20can be used with different sizes and shapes of laptop computers.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, the top face22of the first illustrative embodiment20is substantially flat to receive a laptop computer. This top face22is advantageously at least slightly roughened, for example through sanding, to for a slip-resistant surface suitable to prevent slippage of the laptop computer onto the top face22. The top layer23(FIG. 3) of the first illustrative embodiment20is a full-area layer that is, for example, 0.08 inch (2 mm) thick. The bottom face of the first illustrative embodiment20defines a heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern comprising a set of laterally adjacent, parallel linear fins such as24which are, for example, 0.17 inch (4.3 mm) deep. In the first illustrative embodiment20, each pair of adjacent fins24are spaced apart from each other by a generally rectangular groove such as25, for example 0.17 inch wide. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3a regular interval separates the pairs of laterally adjacent fins20to form a regular pattern of laterally adjacent, longitudinally extending linear fins24. For establishing an appropriate flow of air through the grooves25, the pattern of fins24and grooves25extend over the entire dimension of the first illustrative embodiment20, i.e. from one end to the other of the first illustrative embodiment20. It should be kept in mind that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide any suitable pattern of fins on the bottom face.

A pair of opposite, longitudinal oblong holes26and27are formed through the thermally-conductive material through the entire thickness of the portable rest plated according to the first illustrative embodiment20adjacent the respective longitudinal opposite edges of the portable rest plate. In the same manner, a pair of opposite, transversal oblong holes28and29are formed through the thermally-conductive material of the first illustrative embodiment20adjacent the respective transversal opposite edges of the portable rest plate. The functions of the holes26-29are to facilitate handling of the first illustrative embodiment20along with or without the presence of a laptop computer, to reduce weight of the first illustrative embodiment20, and to improve flow of air through the grooves such as25to result in a better transfer of heat from the fins24to this flow of air. Of course, the holes26-29can present shapes other than oblong.

Operation of the First Illustrative Embodiment

In operation, the laptop computer (not shown) is placed on the top face22of the first illustrative embodiment20and the fins24are placed on the user's lap perpendicular to the thighs of the user in a sitting (or eventually in a laying position). The roughness of the top face22will prevent the laptop computer from slipping onto this top face22. Also, the above described orientation of the fins24and grooves25will prevent the first illustrative embodiment20from slipping along the user's thighs while allowing the user to spread apart or move his (or her) thighs toward each other.

The oblong holes26-29facilitate manipulation and carrying of the first illustrative embodiment20. Also, when the laptop computer is placed on the top face22, the oblong holes26-29of the first illustrative embodiment will allow the user to properly grasp the laptop computer by passing fingers though these oblong holes to thereby enable safe and easy manipulation and carrying of the assembly including the first illustrative embodiment20and the laptop computer positioned on the top face22thereof.

Since the first illustrative embodiment20is made of thermally conducting material, it captures part of the thermal energy generated by hot spots found on the bottom face or on the periphery of the laptop computer including ventilation ports. By thermal conduction:the first illustrative embodiment20tends to evenly spread the thermal energy transferred from the laptop computer over the top face (22) area of the thermally conductive portable rest plate;the first illustrative embodiment20tends to propagate the thermal energy from the top face22to the bottom face of the thermally conducting rest plate through an air-cooled heat exchanging pattern including the fins24and grooves25, to thereby minimize the amount of thermal energy reaching the user's thighs; andthe thermally conducting fins24are in direct contact with the user's lap and therefore capture part of the thermal energy produced by the user's thighs to propagate the so captured thermal energy by thermal conduction through the air-cooled heat-dissipating pattern including the fins24and the grooves25, whereby the amount of thermal energy reaching the top face22of the thermally conducting rest plate is minimized.

Therefore, the grooves25offer a path for evacuating user's perspiration at several points to thereby improve the user's comfort. Also, the heat-dissipating portable rest plate for a laptop computer does not become uncomfortable due to excessive heat transferred to a user operating the laptop computer in a sitting position.

Second Illustrative Embodiment

The second illustrative embodiment of portable rest plate for a laptop computer according to the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the second illustrative embodiment generally identified by the reference40will be described with reference toFIGS. 4-7.

The second illustrative embodiment40ofFIGS. 4-7is made of two plate portions41and42(FIG. 4). The two plate portions41and42are made of thermally-conductive material, for example aluminum having a thickness of about ¼ inch (6.3 mm). Aluminum is an adequate material due to its light weight and excellent thermal conductivity characteristics. The aluminum can be left in its natural state, or it can be painted or anodized. When appropriately dimensioned, the first illustrative embodiment can be used with different sizes and shapes of laptop computers.

The two plate portions41and42have respective, mutually mating adjacent edges43and44(FIG. 4). Edge43comprises a longitudinal, elongated female-cross-section integral slide member45(FIG. 7). Edge44comprises a longitudinal, elongated male-cross-section integral slide member46(FIG. 7) fitting in the female-cross-section slide member45. The male and female slide members45and46are mutually mating each other so that the male slide member46can be slid into the female slide member45for both assembling and disassembling the plate portions41and42. An example of cross sections for the male46and female45slide members is given inFIG. 7; however, it should be kept in mind that the present invention is intended to encompass any suitable cross section for the slide members45and46.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the top face such as47of each plate portion41,42of the second illustrative embodiment40is flat to receive a laptop computer. This top face47is advantageously at least slightly roughened, for example through sanding, to define a slip-resistant surface suitable to prevent slippage of the laptop computer onto the top face47. The top layer such as48of each plate portion41,42of the second illustrative embodiment40is a full-area layer which is, for example, 0.08 inch (2 mm) thick. The bottom face of each plate portion41,42of the second illustrative embodiment40defines a heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern comprising a set of laterally adjacent, parallel linear fins such as49which are, for example, 0.17 inch (4.3 mm) deep. In the second illustrative embodiment40, each pair of adjacent fins49of each plate portion41,42are spaced apart from each other by a generally rectangular groove such as50, for example 0.17 inch wide. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6a regular interval separates the pairs of laterally adjacent fins49to form a regular pattern of laterally adjacent, longitudinally extending linear fins49. For establishing an appropriate flow of air through the grooves50, the pattern of fins49and grooves50extends over the entire dimension of the portable rest plate, i.e. from one end to the other of each plate portion41,42of the second illustrative embodiment40. It should be kept in mind that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide any suitable pattern of fins on the bottom face of each plate portion41,42.

A pair of opposite, longitudinal oblong holes51and52are formed through the respective plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40adjacent the respective longitudinal opposite edges of these respective plate portions41and42. The functions of the oblong holes51and52are to facilitate handling of the plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40along with or without the presence of a laptop computer, to reduce weight of the second illustrative embodiment40, and to improve flow of air through the grooves such as50(FIG. 6) to result in a better transfer of heat from the fins49to this flow of air. Additional holes similar to holes28and29ofFIG. 1can be made. Of course, the holes such as51and52can present any shape other than oblong.

Operation of the Second Illustrative Embodiment

The first operation consists of sliding the male slide member46into the female slide member45to thereby assemble the two plate portions41and42and thereby form the second illustrative embodiment40. Subsequently, the male slide member46can be slid outside the female slide member45to disassemble the two plate portions41and42and thereby facilitate storage of the second illustrative embodiment40for example in a laptop computer carrying case (not shown).

After the two plate portions41and42have been assembled together, the laptop computer (not shown) is placed on the top faces47of the two plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40and the fins49of the two plate portions41and42are placed on the user's lap perpendicular to the thighs of the user in a sitting (or eventually a laying) position. The roughness of the top faces47will prevent the laptop computer from slipping onto the top faces47. Also, the above described orientation of the fins49and grooves50will prevent the second illustrative embodiment40from slipping along the user's thighs while allowing the user to spread apart or move his (or her) thighs toward each other.

The oblong holes51and52facilitate manipulation and carrying of the two plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40. Also, when the laptop computer is placed on the top faces47of the two plate portions41and42, the oblong holes51and52of the second illustrative embodiment40will allow the user to properly grasp the laptop computer by passing fingers though these oblong holes to thereby enable safe and easy manipulation and carrying of the assembly including the second illustrative embodiment40and the laptop computer positioned on the top faces47of the two plate portions41and42.

Since the two plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40are made of thermally-conductive material, by thermal conduction:the two plate portions41and42of the second illustrative embodiment40capture part of the thermal energy generated by hot spots found on the bottom face or on the periphery of the laptop computer including ventilation ports;the second illustrative embodiment40tends to evenly spread the thermal energy received from the laptop computer over the top face (47) area of the two thermally-conductive plate portions41and42;the second illustrative embodiment40tends to propagate the thermal energy from the top faces47of the two plate portions41and42to the bottom portion of these two thermally-conductive plate portions41and42through an air-cooled heat exchanging pattern including the fins49and grooves50, to thereby minimize the amount of thermal energy reaching the user's legs; andthe thermally conducting fins49are in direct contact with the user's lap and therefore capture part of the thermal energy produced by the user's thighs to propagate the so captured thermal energy by thermal conduction through the air-cooled heat-dissipating pattern including the fins49and the grooves50, whereby the amount of thermal energy reaching the top faces47of the two plate portions41and42is minimized.

Therefore, the grooves50offer a path for evacuating user's perspiration at several points to thereby improve the user's comfort. Also, the heat-dissipating portable rest plate for a laptop computer does not become uncomfortable due to excessive heat transferred to a user operating the laptop computer in a sitting position.

Third Illustrative Embodiment

The third illustrative embodiment of portable rest plate for laptop computer according to the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the third illustrative embodiment generally identified by the reference60will be described with reference toFIGS. 8-11.

The third illustrative embodiment60ofFIGS. 8-11can be folded and comprises, for that purpose, two plate portions61and62hinged to each other. The two plate portions61and62are made of thermally-conductive material, for example aluminum having a thickness of about ¼ inch (6.3 mm). Aluminum is an adequate material due to both its lightweight and excellent thermal conductivity characteristics. The aluminum can be left in its natural state, or it can be painted or anodized. When the plate portions61and62are appropriately dimensioned, the third illustrative embodiment can be used with different sizes and shapes of laptop computers.

Referring toFIG. 10, the top face63of plate portion61and the top face64of plate portion62of the third illustrative embodiment60are substantially flat to receive a laptop computer (not shown). These top faces63and64are advantageously at least slightly roughened, for example through sanding, to form a slip-resistant surface suitable to prevent slippage of the laptop computer onto these top faces63and64. Plate portion61comprises a full-area top layer65and plate portion62of the third illustrative embodiment comprises a full-area top layer66. As an example, the full-area top layers65and66are 0.08 inch (2 mm) thick. The plate portion61of the third illustrative embodiment60comprises a bottom face defining a heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern comprising a set of laterally adjacent, parallel linear fins such as67. In the same manner, the plate portion62of the third illustrative embodiment60comprises a bottom face defining a heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern comprising a set of laterally adjacent, parallel linear fins such as68. For example, the fins67and68are 0.17 inch (4.3 mm) deep. In the third illustrative embodiment60, each pair of adjacent fins67and68of the respective plate portions61and62are spaced apart from each other by a generally rectangular groove such as69and70, respectively. For example, the rectangular grooves69and70are 0.17 inch wide. As illustrated inFIGS. 8-10, a regular interval separates the pairs of laterally adjacent fins67and68to form a regular pattern of laterally adjacent, longitudinally extending linear fins67and68. For establishing an appropriate flow of air through the grooves69and70, the pattern of fins67and68extends over the entire dimension of the portable rest plate, i.e. from one end to the other of the plate portions61and62, respectively. It should be kept in mind that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide any suitable pattern of fins67and68on the bottom face of the plate portions61and62.

The plate portions61and62are connected to each other through a hinge71(FIGS. 9 and 11). For that purpose, the third illustrative embodiment60comprises mutually mating notched edge72of the plate portion61and crenelated edge73of the plate portion62. The hinge71comprises a pivot pin74extending longitudinally through the notched72and crenelated73edges, and about which both the notched edge72and crenelated edge73rotate. When the third illustrative embodiment60is folded, the fins67of plate portion61are inserted in the rectangular grooves of plate section62, and the fins68of plate portion62are inserted in the rectangular grooves69of plate portion61. A locking mechanism78(FIG. 11) is provided to lock the plate portions61and62in the unfolded position of the third illustrative embodiment60; this locking mechanism78may consist, for example, of a spring-biased pin75mounted on the notched end72and having one end (not shown) that is automatically inserted by the force produced by the spring (not shown) into a corresponding hole (not shown) of the crenelated edge73as soon as the pin and hole becomes in registry upon unfolding of the third illustrative embodiment60. The present invention is intended to encompass the use of any other type of suitable locking mechanism. Locking the plate portions61and62in the unfolded position of the third illustrative embodiment60is required to ensure proper and safe use of this third illustrative embodiment60. To subsequently fold the third illustrative embodiment60, the pin75is manually pulled or pushed against the force produced by the spring until the end of the pin is withdrawn from the hole of the crenelated edge, and the plate portions61and62are pivoted about the pivot pin74until the fins67and68are inserted in the rectangular grooves70and69, respectively. In the folded position, the third illustrative embodiment60can be more easily stored and carried for example in a laptop computer carrying case.

A pair of opposite, longitudinal oblong holes79and80(FIGS. 8 and 9) are formed through the respective plate portions61and62of the third illustrative embodiment60adjacent the respective longitudinal opposite edges of these respective plate portions61and62. The functions of the oblong holes79and80are to facilitate handling of the plate portions61and62of the third illustrative embodiment60along with or without the presence of a laptop computer, to reduce weight of the third illustrative embodiment60, and to improve flow of air through the grooves69and70(FIGS. 9 and 10) to result in a better transfer of heat from the fins67and68to the flow of air. Those of ordinary skill in the art will note that, when the third illustrative embodiment60is in the folded position, the oblong holes79and80are in register with each other. Additional holes similar to holes28and29ofFIG. 1can be made. Of course, the holes such as79and80can present a shape other than oblong.

Operation of the Third Illustrative Embodiment

The first operation consists of unfolding the third illustrative embodiment60by rotating the plate portions61and62apart from each other until the spring-biased pin75of the locking mechanism78automatically inserts into the hole of the crenelated edge73to thereby lock the plate portions61and62in the unfolded position of the third illustrative embodiment60. The third illustrative embodiment60can be subsequently unfolded by manually pulling or pushing the pin75against the force produced by the spring until the end of the pin is withdrawn from the hole of the crenelated edge73and, then, by pivoting the plate portions61and62pivoted about the pivot pin74until the fins67and68are inserted in the rectangular grooves70and69, respectively. In the folded position, the third illustrative embodiment60can be more easily stored and carried for example in a laptop computer carrying case.

After the third illustrative embodiment60has been unfolded, the laptop computer (not shown) is placed on the top faces63and64of the two plate portions61and62and the fins67and68of the two plate portions61and62are placed on the user's lap perpendicular to the thighs of the user in a sitting (or eventually a laying) position. The roughness of the top faces63and64will prevent the laptop computer from slipping onto the top faces63and64. Also, the above described orientation of the fins67and68and grooves69and70will prevent the third illustrative embodiment60from slipping along the user's thighs while allowing the user to spread apart or move his (or her) legs toward each other.

The oblong holes79and80facilitate manipulation and carrying of the third illustrative embodiment60. Also, when the laptop computer is placed on the top faces63and64of the two plate portions61and62, the oblong holes79and80of the third illustrative embodiment will allow the user to properly grasp the laptop computer by passing fingers though these oblong holes to thereby enable safe and easy manipulation and carrying of the assembly including the third illustrative embodiment60and the laptop computer positioned on the top face63and64of the plate portions61and62.

Since the two plate portions61and62of the third illustrative embodiment60are made of thermally conducting material, by thermal conduction:the two plate portions61and62of the third illustrative embodiment capture part of the thermal energy generated by hot spots found on the bottom face or on the periphery of the laptop computer including ventilation ports;the third illustrative embodiment60tends to evenly spread the thermal energy received from the laptop computer over the top face (63and64) area of the two thermally conductive plate portions61and62;the third illustrative embodiment60tends to propagate the thermal energy from the top faces63and64of the two plate portions61and62to the bottom layer of these two thermally conducting plate portions61and62through an air-cooled heat exchanging structure including the fins67and68and the rectangular grooves69and70, to thereby minimize the amount of thermal energy reaching the user's legs; andthe thermally conducting fins67and68are in direct contact with the user's legs and therefore capture part of the thermal energy produced by the user's legs to propagate the so captured thermal energy by thermal conduction through the air-cooled heat-dissipating structure including the fins67and68and the rectangular grooves69and70, whereby the amount of thermal energy reaching the top faces63and64of the two plate portions61and62is minimized.

Therefore, the rectangular grooves69and70offer a path for evacuating user's perspiration at several points to thereby improve the user's comfort. Also, the heat-dissipating portable rest plate for a laptop computer does not become uncomfortable due to excessive heat transferred to a user operating the laptop computer in a sitting position.

The portable rest plate according to the present invention further comprise the advantage of extending the lifetime of the laptop computer since the portable rest plate captures part of the thermal energy generated by hot spots found on the bottom surface or on the periphery of said laptop computer, including ventilation ports.

The portable rest plate can also be integrated to the laptop computer with substantially the same advantages.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments can be modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention.