SECURING DEVICE FOR A PORTABLE COMPUTER

Abstract: A securing device for a portable computer having a flat case, in particular for use in ships, comprises a support (1) fitted with a mounting element (4,5) for being mounted on a table. The computer can be placed on said support. Clamping means (8-10) are provided for clamping the portable computer down on said support. Said clamping means are so designed that they secure the portable computer in vertical direction with respect to the support (1), in particular at the location of the front corners of the portable computer. The securing device according to the invention can be universally applied for all kinds of portable computers, and it anchors the computer firmly in the desired position.

Description: Securing device for a portable computer The present invention relates to a securing device for a portable computer having a flat case, in particular for use in means of transport, comprising a support fitted with a mounting element for being mounted on a surface, on which support the computer can be placed, as well as clamping means for clamping the portable computer down on said support . Such a securing device is already known, for example from US patent no. 5,722,624. Said known securing device is intended for being adjustably mounted on a table. The support is in the form of a platform, whereas the clamping means consist of clamping members capable of sliding movement under said platform, which can engage the portable computer on the sides thereof and which can be locked in position by means of screws. The object of the invention is to provide an improved securing device for a portable computer. In order to accomplish that objective, the securing device according to the invention is characterized in that said clamping means are so designed that they secure the portable computer in vertical direction with respect to the support, in particular at the location of the front corners of the portable computer. First and foremost, the invention enables an improved fixation of the computer to the support, since the computer is clamped down on the support, as a result of which it will not easily slip out of said clamping means. Furthermore, the clamping means will not affect the operation of the computer adversely, since the clamping means are not positioned in front of ports, connections or input openings. Especially when the clamping means engage the front corners of the portable computer, few problems will arise. An investigation has shown that most computers do not have any control elements, input openings, connections or the like near their front corners . In an advantageous embodiment of the securing device according to the invention, said clamping means comprise two upper clamping members, which are so positioned with respect to said support that the portable computer fits under said clamping members with its two front corners, whereas the clamping members preferably comprise stops for positioning the computer relative to the support . In this embodiment the computer only needs to be slid under the clamping members and be positioned against the stops, after which the computer can be secured in position. Advantageously, the support comprises a clamping table, onto which the portable computer can be placed, and which comprises hold-down means, by means of which it can be moved towards and away from said clamping members . In this manner a simple construction is obtained, wherein the two clamping members can remain stationary and wherein only the clamping table pushes the computer against the clamping members from below. In an advantageous embodiment, said clamping table and said clamping members are mounted on said support, whereas the clamping members are adjustable for height with respect to said support, in such a manner that the spacing between the clamping table and the support can be varied. In this manner it is possible to adapt the height of the clamping members to the type of the computer in question, so that the computer can just be slid under the clamping members in the lowermost position of the clamping table and the clamping table only needs to be pushed upwards slightly in order to secure the computer in position. The securing device is in particular suitable for use on a table, in particular a map table of a ship. In such a case, the computer, which is for example used as a navigation aid on the ship, is firmly anchored, so that there will be no danger of the computer becoming detached, with the attendant risk of crew members being injured, even in bad weather conditions, wherein the ship may make unexpected movements . The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, which shows a few embodiments of the securing device according to the invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective top plan view of a first embodiment of the securing device according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the securing device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the securing device of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views, seen from the front and from the rear, respectively, of a second embodiment of the securing device according to the invention. Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII in Fig. 5. Figs . 8 and 9 are a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, of a clamping member from the securing device of Figs. 5 - 7. The drawings show embodiments of a securing device for a portable computer having a flat case. Such computers, which are also known as "laptops", generally consist of a flat case comprising a keyboard and most of the hardware, as well as a cover comprising the display screen, which is pivotally connected thereto. In most cases, the laptops are rectangular in shape. The securing device according to the invention is intended for securing the computer during use, that is, only the lower case is secured, whereas the cover may or may not be secured, in which former case it is secured by separate retaining means. In principle it is also conceivable to secure a closed computer in the securing device, of course. Figs. 1 - 4 show a first embodiment of a securing device comprising a support 1, which is to be disposed on a supporting surface, in this case a table. When the securing device is used in a ship, said table will frequently be the map table that is arranged for navigation. In this embodiment, support 1 consists of a first part 2 and a second part 3. First part 2 comprises a mounting element for mounting the support on the table . In this embodiment, said mounting element comprises a clamping block 4 to be placed in the table, as well as a rotary knob 5 in the form of a screw clamp, which locks the first part 2 that is supported on said table in position with respect to the clamping block 4 that is present in said table. The clamping pin (not shown) that is passed through the table also functions as a pivot or hinge of the first part 2 of support 1, so that support 1 can pivotally slide over the table and be positioned at various angles with respect to the table. Second part 3 extends slightly obliquely with respect to first part 2 and is connected thereto via a hinge 6 having a large diameter. A computer to be supported can be positioned in a desired manner by adjusting the co-operating parts 2 and 3 of support 1. The two parts 2 , 3 of support 1 can be locked in position relative to each other by means of an operating handle 7. The second part 3 of support 1 comprises a clamping table 8, as well as two clamping members 9 and 10. Clamping table 8 is at least substantially circular in shape, with two projections 11 and 12, via which clamping table 8 extends under clamping members 9 and 10. The diameter of clamping table 8 is such that the surface area thereof is generally significantly smaller than that of the underside of the portable computer. The upper side of the clamping table may be coated with rubber, so as to prevent the computer from moving out of position and from being damaged. Clamping table 8 is adjustable for height by means of a screwed spindle or wedge (not shown in detail) . Said screwed spindle or wedge can be operated by means of the operating handle 13 on the front of the securing device. Clamping members 9 and 10, which are in the form of flat dishes, are disposed on the front ends of the second part 3 of support 1. Said flat dishes, which are coated with rubber on the underside, are mounted on a downwardly extending part 14, 15. Said parts 14, 15 can jointly function as a lower stop for the computer, and furthermore they form, together with an upwardly extending part on second part 3 of support 1, a guide 16, 17 for vertical adjustment of the respective clamping members 9, 10. Clamping members 9, 10 can be locked in the desired vertical position by means of a screw (not shown) . Said vertical position will be determined by the height of the lower case of the computer. As a rule, the vertical position of the clamping members 9, 10 will be adjusted so that it is just possible to slide the lower case of the computer over the clamping table 8 to a position under the clamping members 9, 10, such that the dishes of the clamping members properly engage the upper edge of the computer. Following that, the clamping table 8 will be moved upwards by means of operating handle . The front corners of the computer will be clamped firmly between the projections 11, 12 of the clamping table and the clamping members 9, 10 positioned thereabove . Present on the upper side of the clamping members 9, 10 are furthermore rubber elements 18, which are capable of receiving the cover/display screen of the computer without causing damage thereto when the cover is folded down on the upper side of the clamping members 9, 10. Figs . 5 - 9 show a second embodiment of the securing device according to the invention. The main difference with the first embodiment is the fact that the clamping table 8 is fixed to the second part 3 of the support 1, and consequently is not adjustable for height for the purpose of securing the computer in position. In this embodiment, the clamping action of the clamping members 9, 10 relative to the clamping table 8 is effected exclusively by the clamping members 9. To this end, the parts 14 and 15 of the clamping members 9, 10, in the form of rods in this embodiment, are passed through the table and fitted with clamping locking elements 20. As is shown in Figs. 8, 9, each locking element 20 comprises a washer plate 21 engaging around rod 14, 15, which is movably supported by a spring 22 or the like, a flattened pin 23, which is capable of pressing washer plate 21 into an inclined position relative to rod 14, 15, as well as an operating handle 24 for operating pin 23. In this embodiment, clamping members 9, 10 are pushed onto the upper side of the computer case by hand, and subsequently secured in position by locking element 20, whereby the computer is clamped down securely. Also the rubber studs on the underside of the clamping members 9, 10 contribute thereto. First part 2 and second part 3 of support 1 comprise a guide 26 having the shape of a circular segment, as a result of which second part 3 comprising table 8 can be adjusted at various angles relative to the first part 2 of support 1. Rotary knob 5 and a pin 27 jointly secure support 1 on a supporting surface and lock table 8 in a desired angular position. As a matter of fact, pin 27 also functions as the vertical pivot of the securing device . Figs . 5 - 7 f rthermore show that the securing device also comprises a hook-shaped member 28, which is slidably and pivotally connected to table 8 on the rear side of clamping table 8 by means of a guide 29, and which can be locked in position by means of a rotary knob 30. A hook 31 at the upper end of hook- shaped member 28 can engage the edge of the cover of the computer comprising the display screen, thus retaining said cover in the position of use so as to lock the computer as a whole in position on the securing device . From the foregoing it will be apparent that the invention provides a universal securing device for all kinds of portable computers which anchors the computer firmly in the desired position. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments as described above and shown in the drawings, which can be varied in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Thus the support may be arranged for being mounted on different surfaces, such as a wall or the like.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A securing device for a portable computer having a flat case, in particular for use in means of transport, • comprising a support (1) fitted with a mounting element (4, 5) for being mounted on a surface, on which support the computer can be placed, as well as clamping means (8 - 10) for clamping the portable computer down on said support, characterized in that said clamping means (8 - 10) are so designed that they secure the portable computer in vertical direction with respect to the support (1) , in particular at the location of the front corners of the portable computer. 2. A securing device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means (8 - 10) comprise two upper clamping members (9, 10) , which are so positioned with respect to said support (1) that the portable computer fits under said clamping members with its two front corners, whereas the clamping members preferably comprise stops (14, 15) for positioning the computer relative to the support (1) . 3. A securing device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means (8 - 10) comprise a clamping table (8) , onto which the portable computer can be placed, and which may comprise hold-down means (13) , by means of which it can be moved towards and away from said clamping members (9, 10) . 4. A securing device according to claim 3 , wherein said clamping table and said clamping members (9, 10) are mounted on said support (1) , and wherein said clamping members are adjustable for height with respect to said support, in such a manner that the spacing between the clamping table and the clamping members can be varied. 5. A securing device according to claim 4, wherein said clamping members (9, 10) and said support (1) comprise guides (16, 17) for guiding the movement of said clamping members with respect to said support, whereas a fixing element, such as a screw or locking means (20) , is provided for locking the clamping β β Φ 0 0 U) 0 TJ A >1 4-1 φ ^ - ^ Φ 4J tn β -rl Φ 4-1 r-1 • φ Λ LΠ A 0 β β -rl 4J β TJ tn 90 A rl CQ rH 4J > -H -H Φ β -rl -rl -H β β r rd Φ Φ Λ β ■ H Φ , — . ft A φ -H CQ Φ > -H -rl o TJ Φ tn in 4-) φ 43 rd rd ^ β ft SH o ε 4J A rd O iH 0 CD o ■ H TJ β Φ β o 4-1 4-J ϋ ^^ 0 φ ] rd 4-1 4-1 ft φ rl rd 4-> H o rd (TJ β -H 4-J & CQ ε J A ^~- rH Φ Φ A ft tn •H CQ rd & Φ ε φ Φ 4-1 ft A 4J TJ •rl & υ U 4H rl Φ & β z ID 1 0 CQ ε 0 rd ϋ β φ rd Φ 1 rd 0 4-1 4-1 φ CD 0 Φ CM rd ft C ■ H ε -H Φ 4-1 CQ ». 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Inventors: STREEFKERK PETER ROELAND, STREEFKERK, PETER, ROELAND
Applicants: STREEFKERK PETER ROELAND, STREEFKERK, PETER, ROELAND
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47B21
IPC codes: A47B21, B60R11, F16M11