Abstract:
The present invention provides a portable support stand for various devices such as computers, tablet PCs, electronic equipment, clipboards, tools, etc. The stand uses a uni-pod configuration promoting stability of the attached device. The leg of the uni-pod may be stationary or adjustable for height and viewing angle. An audible indicator may be used to allow the user to know adjustment is occurring. Objects are attached to the uni-pod leg via elastic straps and adjustable for length and secured inside the uni-pod leg forming a secure slip free connection with the object. A non-slip cap sits between the object attached and the uni-pod leg. A second non-slip tip is attached to the end of the leg to prevent slipping. The uni-pod leg is of a specific diameter and size as to be used with standard microphone stands providing a secure hold on objects via a standard microphone stand clip.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application has no continuations from any other filed or pending U.S. patent application 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a portable support stand for supporting laptop computers, clipboards, tablet PCs, musical equipment, is provided. The stand comprises a primary support leg with non slip primary support leg tip, a center adjustment ring, internal rotation ratchet, elastic connector bands, and a non slip cap. The primary support leg is an elongated body acting as a pivot member. The elongated body includes a non slip primary support leg tip for contacting a support surface (horizontal or vertical) and a second end remote from the first end. The primary support leg pivot member is disposed perpendicular to the center adjustment ring. The center adjustment ring is rotatably coupled to the primary support leg member thereof. The primary support leg is operable to move between a compact position in which the respective main body is substantially received within the receptacle of the center adjustment ring, as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . Furthermore, any Laptop computers, book, tablet PCs, musical equipment is securely fastened to the center adjustment ring by a series of 2 or more elastic connector bands  FIG. 8   a - 8   c  allowing for the securing of said device or book to the present invention. The elastic connector bands clip internally to the inner portion of the center adjustment ring as shown in  FIG. 5C  via internal elastic connector tabs as shown in  FIG. 9  jointly and in a snug position parallel to the front surface of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1E ;  2 A- 2 E;  2 A- 3 E;  4 A- 4 E. The present invention comes in contact with laptops, computers, clipboards, tablet PCs, musical equipment at the non slip cap as shown in  FIG. 5C  and specifically  FIG. 10 . 
         [0003]    The main body of the device  FIG. 7 . has a tapered diameter similar to that of an industry standard support apparatus for musical microphones as shown in  FIG. 13  similar to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. US D618,222S filed on Jan. 22, 2009 and entitled “EQUIPMENT STAND” and U.S. Design patent Ser. No. D579,928S, filed on Oct. 11, 2007 “MICROPHONE HOLDER.” Neither of these designs Ser. No. US D618,222S or Ser. No. D579,928S are claims in this patent and referenced here to show that our device utilizes these industry standard microphone holding diameters to secure our device to standard microphone stands if so desired by the end user. 
         [0004]    In one alternative, the portable support stand allows for the rotation and positioning of any object placed within it and resting on a horizontal or vertical surface as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1E ;  2 A- 2 E;  2 A- 3 E;  4 A- 4 E. 
         [0005]    In another alternative, objects are secured from slipping or via vibration where the object comes in contact with the stand when substantially parallel to the front of the invention and touching the non slip cap which is secured to the center adjustment ring by a series of non slip cap connector tabs  FIG. 10 . 
         [0006]    In another alternative, any sized object may be placed on the stand and secured via the elastic connector bands as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C  regardless of the shape or size of the object respective to the center body non slip cap where the device is attached if substantially parallel to the front of the as shown in FIGS.  1 E, 2 E, 3 E, 4 E. 
         [0007]    In another alternative, the primary support leg and pivot member includes a first engagement to the center adjustment ring to lock the adjustable primary support leg and to permit movement between the upright and angled positions on a horizontal or vertical surface as shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , or via a microphone stand as shown in  FIG. 13   
         [0008]    In a further alternative, the primary pivot member primary support leg internal rotational clips in conjunction with the internal rotational ratchet and internal ratchet selectors via the center adjustment ring provides a means for producing an audible indicator to identify when the adjustable primary support leg is changing position or orientation or angle as shown in FIGS.  14 , 15 , 16 , 17 . 
         [0009]    In a further alternative, each of the multiple elastic connector bands provide a connection to the center adjustment ring  FIG. 9  by means of internal elastic connector tabs through any number of center adjustment ring elastic connector entry holes  FIG. 12  at various positions in center adjustment ring mechanism to the multiple elastic connector bands  FIG. 8   a  and their respective elastic connector holes  FIG. 8   b  to be hidden from view only showing to the user the primary support leg and the multiple elastic connector bands as seen in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0010]    [RELATED TO CLAIM: Elastic bands, holes in the bands and their connection to 
         [0011]    In another alternative, the plurality of the primary support leg is desirably distributed in a perpendicular arrangement about the center adjustment ring at  FIG. 9  and comprised at least of one projection  FIG. 7  operable to reasonably engage the center adjustment ring via the internal rotational ratchet  FIG. 12  and the primary support leg internal rotational clips with at least one respective connection as shown in  FIG. 11  utilizing the internal ratchet selectors. 
         [0012]    In yet another alternative, the portable support stand further comprises a stopper member or non-slip primary support leg tip  FIG. 6  coupled to the primary support leg  FIG. 7 . 
         [0013]    In yet another alternative, the portable support stand further comprises a stopper member or non-slip primary support leg tip  FIG. 6  that can rotate along the axis of primary support leg when the stand is positioned to grip a horizontal surface. 
         [0014]    In one example, the electronic device, book, musical device., etc., is operable to act in a uni-pod configuration with the primary support leg and rear facing non-slip primary support leg tip on a horizontal surface and when secured to the perpendicular surface of an object via the non slip cap with the elastic connector bands wrapped around the edges of an object being held in the device thus creating two additional points of contact via the elastic connector bands and the primary support leg plus on a horizontal surface forming a tri-pod arrangement as seen in  FIGS. 1   a , 1   c , 1   e , 2   a , 2   c , 2   d , 2   e , 3   a , 3   c , 3   d , 3   e , 4   a , 4   c , 4   d , 4   e,    
         [0015]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a portable support stand for use with an electronic devices, clipboards, and musical devices comprises a primary support leg with a specific diameter  FIG. 13  to be used with industry standard microphone clips and stands via an elongated body including a first end for contacting a support surface and a second end remote from the first end. The adjusting of height and angle of the stand is created by rotating the position of the primary support leg relative to the horizontal or vertical or free form surface so that the center adjustment ring and configured in either a 180.degree or 10.degree position and in contact of the support surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate a stand device supporting a tablet computer in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate the stand device of  FIGS. 1A-1F  supporting a book in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate the stand device of  FIGS. 1A-1F  supporting a laptop PC in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate the stand device of  FIGS. 1A-1F  supporting a musical device in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a portable stand with the elastic connector bands in an open and closed configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an exploded view of the portable stand of  FIGS. 3A-3F  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates the non-slip primary support leg tip of the portable stand of  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates the primary support leg—primary pivot member of the portable stand of  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrates elastic connector bands and elastic connector holes in  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  illustrates the center adjustment ring of the stand in  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  illustrates the non slip cap in  FIG. 5   a  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates the inner rotation ratchet of the primary support leg—primary pivot member of the stand in  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  illustrates the inner ratchet of the a rotating center adjustment ring, of the stand in  FIG. 5   c  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  illustrates the portable stand of  FIGS. 3A-3F  in a compact configuration for use with an industry standard music stand clip as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E ,  FIGS. 2A-2E ,  FIGS. 3A-3E  and  FIGS. 4A-4E  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  illustrate exemplary compact positioning of a stand from  FIG. 1F  in accordance with all aspects of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  illustrate exemplary compact positioning of a stand from  FIG. 1F  in accordance with all aspects of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  illustrate exemplary compact positioning of a stand from  FIG. 1F  in accordance with all aspects of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  illustrate exemplary compact positioning of a stand from  FIG. 1F  in accordance with all aspects of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  illustrates the internal rotational ratchet of  FIG. 12  and the configuration used to secure to the primary support leg to the center adjustment ring via the internal ratchet selectors, the internal rotational ratchet, and the primary support leg internal rotational clips from  FIG. 11   
           [0036]      FIG. 19  illustrates the internal rotational ratchet of  FIG. 12  as a cutaway drawing example used to further illustrate the above description. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying figures. In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each term selected includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. (standard—don&#39;t change) 
         [0038]    As mentioned above, the present invention provides a portable support platform or stand that is suitable for use with laptop computers, tablet computers and other portable equipment.  FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate a tablet PC computer  10  that is supported by a stand  100 .  FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate the stand  100  supporting a laptop style personal computer (“laptop PC”)  20 .  4 A- 4 E illustrate the stand  100  supporting a musical device (“musical device”)  40 . As can be seen in the various views of  FIGS. 1 and 3  and  4 , the stand  100  has a mono-pod-type configuration, which, as will be explained in more detail below, may be placed on many different surfaces in a wide variety of orientations and positions. This gives the user supreme flexibility in placing his or her laptop computer, tablet PC or other device in the exact arrangement desired. While the tablet PC  10  and laptop PC  30  and musical device  40  are exemplary, the stand  100  may support portable devices of many different types and configurations, including but not limited to PDAs, personal stereos, pictures, etc. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate the stand  100  in detail. As seen in the front and rear perspective views of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the stand  100  includes at a minimum a pair of elastic connector bands  103  that are coupled to the center adjustment ring  104  which enables the stand  100  to accommodate devices of varying sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the primary support leg  101  may adjusted at various angles, which is particularly helpful when positioning the laptop or tablet PC for viewing. Thus, it can be seen in  FIG. 1F  that the stand  100  preferably provides a rubber band and uni-pod configuration in which the stand rests on three points when placed on a support surface and also provides three points on which the user device rests. This rubber band and uni-pod arrangement is maintained no matter what specific placement is used to support the user device, as shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1-4   
         [0040]      FIG. 5A  illustrate the stand  100  in detail. As seen in the rear perspective views of  FIG. 1A  detailing the elastic connector bands  103  in its their open position and the primary support leg  101  not supporting any object held by the device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5B  illustrate the stand  100  in detail. As seen in the front perspective views of  FIG. 1A  detailing the elastic connector bands  103  in its their closed position when the primary support leg  101  is supporting a tablet PC, music device, etc., held by the device. 
         [0042]    As shown in the views of  FIG. 5C  the primary support leg  102  including a stopper  101 . The stopper or non-slip primary support tip  101  as connected to  102  prevents the device from slipping off a horizontal surface while the non slip cap prevents objects attached to the device  100  from slipping off the device  100 . Objects are secured to the device by the elastic connector bands  103  and in this case, the laptop  10 , tablet PC  30  or other portable device will rest on the stand at three points, namely points A, B and C as shown in  FIG. 14-17  and  FIG. 1F . In addition to the overall open architecture, this bowed/curved uni-pod-type configuration promotes air circulation and cooling for the user device. Furthermore, by contacting the stand  100  at only one location, this gives additional stability to the user device. This may be especially important for table PC-type devices or laptops where the user is writing on or typing on the device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5   c  is an exploded view of the stand  100  in order to better illustrate various aspects of the stand. As seen in this figure, the primary support leg  102 , as well as the pivot center adjustment ring section  104 , may be formed from a number of discrete components. For example, the primary support leg  102  may comprises a main body and a pivot member  104 . The pivot member  104  may be integrally formed with the main body portion  102  or may be fabricated separately and connected to the main body portion  104 . The primary support leg  102  may also include one or both of a non-slip primary support leg tip and a grip member  101 . 
         [0044]    Each of these components is illustrated in detail in the accompanying figures. For instance,  FIG. 7  illustrate the main body portion  102  which can be fabricated as a single component and can be connected to the pivot member of the center adjustment ring  104 . As best seen in the perspective view of  FIG. 1F  and the front view of  FIG. 1C , the main body portion  102  may include a cavity  114  formed generally by sidewalls The cavity  114  may include one or more receptacle edges  109  adapted to receive the center adjustment ring  104 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   b  illustrates the elastic connector bands  103  and elastic connector holes  107  that allow connection to the internal elastic connector tabs  106  through the elastic connector holes  107 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  also illustrate the connection of the internal elastic connector tabs  106  to the elastic connector bands  103  via the elastic connector entry holes  108  allowing for the connection of the elastic connector bands  103  to the center adjustment ring  104 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates the center adjustment ring pivot section  104  preferably includes a central pivot point  102  as connected to  104 . The upper primary support leg portions  102  is desirably adjustably coupled to the central pivot  104  by an adjustment mechanism such as the internal rotational ratchet  109  and an engagement member where the internal ratched selectors  112  provides a pleasing sound, letting the user know a rotation is taking place and the device is secure. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  illustrates the non slip cap  105  which is desirably adjustably coupled to the center adjustment ring  104  by an series of non slip cap connector tabs  115  and when pressed upon a tablet PC, laptop, or other device the stand has a secure connection to the device via the non slip cap rubber ring  111 . 
         [0049]    A discussion of various components and assembly of the center adjustment ring section  104  will now be presented with regard to  FIGS. 11-18 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the pivot member or primary support leg  102  includes a receptacle or primary support leg internal rotational clips  110  adapted to receive via tension the center adjustment ring  104  securing the center adjustment ring  104  to the primary support leg internal rotational clips projections  110 . the primary support leg internal rotational clips  110  hold the primary support leg  102  in place via an angular tension created as the primary support leg internal rotational clips  110  and the internal rotational ratchet  109  push themselves against the inner wall of the center adjustment ring  104  and the internal ratchet selectors  112  and preferably snaps into back into an uncompressed state, which desirably creates a clicking or other sound. This audible indicator lets the user know that the primary support leg  102  is now in the fully secure position. Once a sufficient amount of force is applied, by twisting the primary support leg around the center axis of the center adjustment ring the primary support leg moves and allows for height adjustment of the device. 
         [0050]      FIG. 19  is a cutaway view along the  100  line of  FIG. 5C . The cutaway view illustrates the relative positioning of the components of the pivot section  102 . In order to rotate the open primary support leg, the pivot section  102  may be operated as follows. First, the user twists the may press the primary support leg  102  in a clockwise or counter clockwise fasjion around the cnter of rotation of the center adjustment ring  104 . This pushes the internal rotational ratchet  109  against the internal ratchet selectors  112 , which cause compression of internal rotational ratchet  109  while maintaining pressure of the primary support leg internal rotational clips  110  and primary support leg  102  body against the edges of the center adjustment ring  104 . This results in disengagement, clicking and regagement of the of primary support leg  102  and center adjustment ring  104 . The user is now able to adjust the primary support leg  102  relative to the center adjustment ring  104 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  illustrates also the elastic connector bands  103  being able to pass through the center adjustment ring elastic connector entry holes  108  also as detailed in  FIG. 18   
         [0052]    Also shown in these figures is an understood connection  113 , to industry standard microphone clip stands  FIG. 13  which enables the primary support leg  102  to rotatably move relative to the center adjustment ring  104  leg as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Thus, in this arrangement, the stand  100  is not only useable on horizontal survaces but also in performance situations where desktop or horizontal surface configurations are not possible. This makes the stand  100  very beneficial for people who are performance artists and also standard users of laptop PC&#39;s and tablet PC&#39;s. 
         [0053]    Once assembled, the stand  100  may be used in a wide range of positions and orientations. For instance,  FIGS. 14-17  illustrate numerous positions when the primary support leg  102  is in a upright configuration. the primary support leg  102  is moveable along one general path or rotating plane. The stand  100  may range from a fully closed position of 0.degree. to a minimally open position shown in  FIG. 15  to a substantially fully open shown in  FIG. 17  with the primary support leg being nearly 165.degree.-180.degree. or any incremental range may be provided between the minimally open position to the substantially fully extended position. By way of example only, increments of 1.degree., 2.degree., 3.degree., 4.degree., 5.degree., 10.degree., 15.degree. or 20.degree. may be provided. The specific incremental positions preferably directly correspond with the spacing and placement of the series of openings  112  in the engagement member  104 , thus, the user may utilize the stand in any configuration or angular mode along a horizontal surface or to rotate objects secured by the device when the device is supported in an industry standard microphone clip  113 . 
         [0054]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. For instance, the stand may or may not include audible indicators, or may incorporate visual or textural indicators in lieu of or in conjunction of the audible indicators. Furthermore, the primary support leg may be adjustable only between the fully closed and fully opened positions, or may be adjustable among any number of increments between fully closed and fully opened. All features in any of the embodiments are usable with all other embodiments presented herein. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 CITATIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Patent # 
                 Title 
                 Author 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 APPLICATIONS 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 11/556,970 
                 XDECK 
                 David Russell 
               
               
                   
                 LAPTOP/BOOK- 
                 Sparling, 
               
               
                   
                 HOLDER 
                 Venice, CA ( 
               
               
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                 D579928 
                 Microphone holder 
                 Takashi Murata 
                 4 Nov 2008 
               
               
                 D618222 
                 Equipment stand 
                 Ryan Kallas 
                 22 Jun 2010 
               
               
                 7712719 
                 Folding support stand 
                 Bradley 
                 11 May 2010 
               
               
                   
                 for portable electronic 
                 A. Derry et al 
               
               
                   
                 devices 
               
               
                 D474661 
                 Rubber strap wrench 
                 Wu Sheng 
                 20 May 2003 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Huang 
               
               
                 4569108 
                 Closed loop-hook and 
                 Leonard 
                 11 Feb 1986 
               
               
                   
                 elastic band fastener 
                 M. Schwab 
               
               
                 D589962 
                 Combined support 
                 Maruyama 
                 April 2009 
               
               
                   
                 stand and data entry 
                 et al. 
               
               
                   
                 device 
               
               
                 D592188 
                 Electronic device 
                 Huang 
                 May 2009 
               
               
                   
                 holder 
               
               
                 D592188 
                 Electronic device 
                 Nicieja 
                 12 May 2009 
               
               
                   
                 holder 
               
               
                 D603840 
                 Windshield mounting 
                 Lee et al. 
                 November 
               
               
                   
                 assembly for handheld 
                   
                 2009 
               
               
                   
                 GPS device 
               
               
                 D610587 
                 Adjustable stand 
                 Bandringa 
                 February 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 2010 
               
               
                 D616431 
                 Electronic device 
                 Hijmans 
                 May 2010 
               
               
                   
                 holder 
               
               
                 D618692 
                 Stand for mobile video 
                 Deutsch et al. 
                 June 2010 
               
               
                   
                 devices 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
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                 REFERENCED BY 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Patent # 
                 Title 
                 Author 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 D630222 
                 Electronic device holder 
                 Chung-Hung Lin 
                 4 Jan 2011 
               
               
                 D620941 
                 Folding laptop stand 
                 Michael Stacey, 
                 3 Aug 2010 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Kevin Stacey 
               
               
                 D610587 
                 Adjustable stand 
                 John Spencer 
                 February 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Bandringa 
                 2010 
               
               
                 D596875 
                 Guitar stand 
                 Craig Small, Cedric 
                 July 2009 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Liautaud