Computer pillow stand

A mobile computer such as tablet computer or mobile phone typically lacks built-in structure for standing up on its own. The user must hold it up by hand during use. The present invention is a pillow stand for mobile computers that may be comfortably placed on the lap of a user. It includes an outer shell enclosing a soft filler. A gripping member is positioned on the outer shell for supporting the computer in a backwardly tilting free-standing position. A stabilizing plate is positioned under the outer shell and connected to the gripping member. The stabilizing plate is engaged against the filler to spread the weight of the computer across a large enough area of the soft filler to stably support the computer. The gripping member includes a slot for receiving a lower edge of the computer. An adjusting device connected to the slot is operable to change the width of the slot and thus the tilt and viewing angle of the computer. The pillow stand also lifts the computer higher for reducing neck strain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to stands for mobile computers.

Prior Art

A mobile computer such as tablet computer or mobile phone typically lacks built-in structure for standing up on its own. Tabletop stands are available for propping up a mobile computer on a desk. They support the computer with its lower edge very close to the desk. This low position requires the user to look down and may cause neck strain. Tabletop stands have narrow bases or feet that require a flat and stationary supporting surface. They are not practical for use on a user's lap.

At home, people often use mobile computers while sitting on a sofa or in bed. When the computer is placed on a lap, it is usually held by one hand and operated by the other hand. The hand holding the computer may get tired and the low position of the computer may cause neck strain.

Padded stands specifically designed for supporting a mobile computer on a user's lap or bed are also available. Some padded stands have a hard top surface with a slot at a fixed angle for receiving a computer. The hard surface is uncomfortable for supporting the hands and arms. Some padded stands have brackets for securing four corners of the computer. Most padded stands have a ledge or slot at a lower front edge for supporting the computer, and most of the stand is behind the computer. The computer sits very low in front of the stand so neck strain may result. Most prior art stands have no support for the hands.

Although padded stands are sometimes referred to as “pillow stands”, they do not look or feel like regular pillows. They are either relatively rigid and/or oddly shaped, and they do not blend in with throw pillows on a sofa or bed pillows on a bed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer pillow stand includes an outer shell enclosing a soft filler. A gripping member is positioned on the outer shell for supporting a mobile computer in a backwardly tilting free-standing position. A stabilizing plate is positioned between the outer shell and the filler, and is connected to the gripping member through the outer shell. The stabilizing plate is engaged against the filler to spread the weight of the computer across a wide area of the soft filler to stably support the computer. The gripping member includes a slot for receiving a lower edge of the computer, and an adjusting device operable to change the width of the slot and thus the tilt and viewing angle of the computer. The pillow stand also lifts the computer higher for reducing neck strain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows a computer pillow stand according to the invention. It includes a soft pillow10with a flexible top panel12connected to a flexible bottom panel14joined to form an outer shell15. Pillow10is a throw pillow that blends in with typical home décor.

A gripping member36is attached to the outside of pillow10. Gripping member36includes a movable front tab38spaced apart from a rear tab40to define a transverse slot39there between. Front tab38is movable in a longitudinal direction towards or away from rear tab40by operating an adjusting device42. Alternatively, the front tab may be fixed and the rear tab may be movable. In this example, adjusting device42is a rotary knob. A stabilizing plate22is positioned inside pillow10. Stabilizing plate22includes a front portion24attached to gripping member36, and a rear portion26extending rearwards under top panel12.

FIG. 2is an exploded view of the pillow stand. Gripping member36is for attaching to the outside of outer shell15. Stabilizing plate22is for positioning inside outer shell15through a zipper29. Front portion24of stabilizing plate22is secured to gripping member36with fasteners or screws32that extend through outer shell15. A soft filler30is for positioning inside outer shell15through zipper29.

FIG. 3shows a mobile computer28such as tablet computer or mobile phone positioned in slot39of gripping member36. Soft pillow10may be comfortably placed on the lap of a user. Gripping member36is positioned at the top of pillow10for lifting computer28as high as possible and closer to eye level to reduce neck strain. Gripping member36is positioned at about the middle of top panel12, so that the area in front of computer28serves as a soft hand rest21.

FIG. 4is a sectional view of the pillow stand. Front tab38and rear tab40of gripping member36are angled rearward to define rearward angled slot39. When computer28is positioned in slot39, it is tilted backwards for better viewing. Rear portion26of stabilizing plate22is curved to follow the contour of top panel12.

FIG. 5shows that when computer28is received in gripping member36, it tends to fall backwards slightly. The twisting force applied to gripping member36by computer28is resisted by rear portion26which is pressed against filler30. Rear portion26spreads the force over a wide area of filler30. Rear portion26is not attached to top panel12so no that it is free to move slightly away when pressing down on filler30.

FIG. 7shows that an inner portion of knob or adjusting device42is a threaded shaft44connected to an inner end43of front tab38. Turning adjusting device42moves front tab38along the length of shaft44to adjust the position of front tab38and thus the width of slot39. InFIG. 7, front tab38in its most outward position and slot39in its widest condition. When slot39is adjusted to be wider than the thickness of computer28, the computer is more inclined backwards as shown. Slot39is generally U-shaped when seen from the side.

FIG. 8shows front tab38moved inward to narrow slot39by rotating adjusting device42. When slot39is narrowed, computer28is raised more upright as shown. Therefore the viewing angle of computer28may be changed with adjusting device42. The width of slot39may also be changed to receive a computer thickened with a protective case.

FIG. 9is a side view of an alternative gripping member66with a U-shaped slot69for receiving computer28. An adjusting device62, which in this example is a threaded knob, movably extends into slot69. Adjusting device62is operable to extend into slot69to vary an effective width of slot69and alter the viewing angle of computer28. InFIG. 9, adjusting device62is moved to its outer most position and the effective width of slot69is at its widest, therefore computer28is relatively inclined backwards.

FIG. 10shows alternative gripping member66with adjusting device62moved to its inner most position to narrow slot69, therefore computer28is relatively upright.