Abstract:
The present invention is an apparatus designed to improve the ability of a machine, particularly a laptop computer, to dissipate heat by separating the machine cooling fan discharge from a nearby impermeable surface. In its broadest form, the inventor now presents the apparatus comprised from a base member that is minimalist in design and that is able to be contracted in size in at least two (2) differing dimensions (e.g., length and width, etc.). More specifically, the inventor now presents the apparatus comprised from a base member constructed from a system of elongated horizontal supports integrated with a plurality of footing members, the component parts of the base member having integrated means whereby the whole base member may be contracted in size in at least two (2) differing dimensions (e.g., length and width, etc.).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    (a) Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention is in the technical field of supporting bases for machines. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of supporting bases affording improved heat dissipation in supported machines. Still more particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of supporting bases affording improved heat dissipation in supported laptop computer. 
         [0007]    (b) Background Art 
         [0008]    Design and placement of a functional and efficient cooling fan discharge has long been a challenge of the mechanical design of devices and machines that generate a notable amount of heat during their operation. The generation of heat during operation is a problem common to many of the machines that modern humans experience in daily life including, but not limited to motor vehicles, televisions, refrigeration units, and computers. While common to both mechanical and electronic machines, the problem is particularly apparent in electronic machines due to the tendency of these machines to be placed in tight places such as bookshelves, entertainment cabinets, and computer desks, wherein cooling fan discharge and, therefore, outflow, is inhibited. In no singular case is the problem more apparent than the modern laptop computer wherein the cooling fan discharge is frequently located on the bottom of the computer housing, the aspect of the laptop computer that is specifically designed to be flush against the lap of a user or, otherwise, a tabletop, desktop, or other impermeable surface. Where there is a problem, technology will develop to provide a solution and, true to this statement, many inventors and inventions have attempted to address the problem of proper spacing of mechanical devices, particularly laptop computers, from impermeable surfaces to allow for proper cooling fan outflow from the device. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, stands, pads, supports and devices utilized to improve the ability of a machine, and particularly a laptop computer, to dissipate heat generated during the operation of the machine are well known in the prior art. Occurring with particular frequency in the prior art are inventions improving the ability of a laptop computer to dissipate heat by separating the laptop cooling fan discharge from an impermeable surface upon which it would otherwise be situated. 
         [0010]    An early seen commonality among the prior art improving the ability of a laptop computer to dissipate heat by separating the laptop cooling fan discharge from an impermeable surface upon which it would otherwise be situated is the positioning of the laptop computer upon an inventive panel either itself separating the computer from a lap, desktop, tabletop, or the like, or the panel utilizing some design characteristic such as channeling, wedging, or propping, to specifically facilitate cooling fan outflow from the base of the laptop computer. Examples of this approach to the problem may be found in MacEachern U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,040 granted Jan. 27, 2004 disclosing a heat dissipating laptop computer stand with adjustable tilt, Saad United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0243878 published on Nov. 2, 2006 disclosing a ventilation support for laptop computers, Panziera United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0061207 published Mar. 13, 2008 disclosing a support pad for a laptop computer, Richter United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0090834 published Apr. 9, 2009 disclosing a support box for supporting a laptop computer, Huang U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,109 granted Nov. 8, 2011 disclosing a cooling stand, and Hu U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,124 granted Dec. 6, 2011 disclosing a supporting stand with heat dissipation device. While each of these disclosures likely aptly solve the problem at hand, each may be characterized by a common shortcoming—the invention is typically large, cumbersome, and, in most cases, at least the size of the laptop computer itself. In this sense, the aforementioned inventions impose upon a user the further burden of storing and transporting a cumbersome and inconvenient panel or large rigid stand, an inconvenience that arguably renders the purported convenience of a the laptop computer itself moot. 
         [0011]    Undoubtedly responsive to the above identified shortcoming in the prior art, inventors have attempted to address the problem of the storing and transport of a cumbersome and inconvenient panel or large rigid stand in one of two ways. First, the prior art has attempted to manage the problem of inconvenient storage and transport of a cumbersome panel or large rigid stand by producing the same in such way that it may be folded, broken down, or contracted for easier storage and/or transport. Examples of this approach to the problem may be found in Marceau United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0262485 published Dec. 30, 2004 disclosing a portable rest device for laptop computer, Sullivan U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,872 granted Apr. 25, 2006 disclosing a universal laptop computer mount, Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,540 granted Apr. 24, 2007 disclosing a portable support for laptop computer, Marceau U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,747 granted Jul. 31, 2007 disclosing a portable rest device for laptop computer, Freebairn United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0054149 published Mar. 6, 2008 disclosing a collapsible computer platform, Lee U.S. Pat. No. 7,600,736 granted Oct. 13, 2009 disclosing a lockable notebook stand, and Huang United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0214737 published Aug. 26, 2010 disclosing an extendable heat-dissipating base set for notebook computers. While these examples are no doubt an improvement upon the cumbersome and inconvenient panel or large rigid stand, the result of breaking down and/or folding or collapsing a bulky stand is that a user is left with a smaller, but nonetheless, bulky stand or competent part of an otherwise bulky stand. In this sense, the component parts or a bulky stand or a bulky stand having a significantly reduced spatial footprint are still nonetheless large, cumbersome, and sizable when compared to the spatial footprint of most modern laptop computers. Accordingly, a user must account not only for storage of the portable laptop computer, but also storage and transport of the component parts of the bulky stand or the reduced size bulky stand itself. This remains an unnecessary inconvenience frequently encountered with the examples in the prior art. 
         [0012]    The second way in which inventors have attempted to address the problem of the storing and transport of a cumbersome and inconvenient panel or large rigid stand is through minimalist design. Examples of this approach include Hsu U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,758 granted Apr. 30, 1996 disclosing a folding stand for notebook computers, Lord U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,241 granted Mar. 4, 2003 disclosing an apparatus for cooling a laptop computer, Lord United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0179131 published Jul. 16, 2009 disclosing a laptop cooling stand with fan, Leung U.S. Pat. No. 7,600,730 granted on Oct. 13, 2009 disclosing a portable computer stand, and Petrie United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0321605 published on Dec. 31, 2009 disclosing a laptop stand. The cited Lord disclosures makes excellent progress in reducing bulk of the laptop computer stand through the abandonment of bulky paneling as a base structural feature of the stand, but even the Lord minimalist designs leave a stand of substantial enough size that the stand must be specifically negotiated during storage or transfer. Likewise, the cited Petrie disclosure is very successful in terms of minimalist design, however, the feature that the device breaks into separate parts and must be stored as such between uses always raises the concern that parts may be lost, thus, rendering the device inoperable. 
         [0013]    The present inventor regards the cited Leung and Hsu disclosures as the best solutions known in the prior art to the combined problem of (i) improving the ability of a laptop computer to dissipate heat by separating the laptop cooling fan discharge from an impermeable surface upon which it would otherwise be situated and (ii) storing and transport of a cumbersome and inconvenient panel or large rigid stand. The Leung invention separates the cooling fan discharge of a typical laptop computer from an impermeable surface upon which the laptop might rest and does so utilizing a device that collapses to a relatively small size. However, the fact that the Leung invention is intended to only prop the rear bottom portion of a laptop computer, thus better exposing the cooling fan discharge, is problematic in that a device that only props the rear of a laptop computer and does not provide for support of the front bottom of the computer is ill-suited for use in the lap of a user or under any condition wherein the front bottom of the laptop is not resting on a relatively even surface. As opposed to the Leung invention, the Hsu invention is specifically designed to support the entirety of the laptop computer base and still is designed to collapse to a relatively small size. However, both the Leung and Hsu disclosures are further limited in that the respective inventions may only be reduced in size for purposes of storage and transport in one dimension—lateral length of the device. Further, in terms of materials, composition and structure, both the Leung and Hsu disclosures appear to contemplate inventions having many composite parts and molded pieces and appear to contemplate inventions that, therefore, would be costly to manufacture. 
         [0014]    The cited prior art references go a long way to address the problem of improving the ability of a laptop computer to dissipate heat, but there remains need for devices that solve the problem while minimizing the spatial footprint of the device without sacrificing function. There is a specific need for a device that solves the problem of improving the ability of a laptop computer to dissipate heat while providing stable support for the laptop computer and remaining functional in use and in storage and transport. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is an apparatus designed to improve the ability of a machine, particularly a laptop computer, to dissipate heat by separating the machine cooling fan discharge from a nearby impermeable surface. In its broadest form, the inventor now presents the apparatus comprised from a base member that is minimalist in design and that is able to be contracted in size in at least two (2) differing dimensions (e.g., length and width, etc.). More specifically, the inventor now presents the apparatus comprised from a base member constructed from a system of elongated horizontal supports integrated with a plurality of footing members, the component parts of the base member having integrated means whereby the whole base member may be contracted in size in at least two (2) differing dimensions (e.g., length and width, etc.). 
         [0016]    For the purposes of this utility patent application, the phraseology “elongated horizontal support” shall mean a horizontally oriented support of rigid material, or a support comprising component parts formed from a rigid material, having a length being at least twice the thickness of the horizontally oriented support. The material composition of the horizontally oriented support or the component parts comprising a support shall be any material sufficiently rigid as to not deform under the weight of a machine contemplated to be supported by the device disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, iron, steel, aluminum, plastic, ceramic, carbon composite, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like. 
         [0017]    For the purposes of this utility patent application, the phraseology “footing member” shall mean any member comprised of a material sufficiently durable to sustain the wear and tear of repeated use of the disclosed device to which an elongated horizontal support is attached that provides constant contact with a surface during use and, in fact, supports at least one elongated horizontal supports above said surface. Though a “footing member” may be made of any material sufficiently durable to sustain the wear and tear of repeated use of the disclosed device, it is specifically contemplated that a “footing member” may be made from a substantially slip-resistant material for purposes of stability of the device during use. 
         [0018]    With more specificity, the present invention is contemplated to be a base member upon which a machine, particularly a laptop computer, may rest, the base member being expressly not constructed utilizing a panel, solid plane of material, or flat surface as the primary structural component, but rather being comprised of a system of interconnected elongated horizontal supports and footing members, thus making the device far less bulky than the disclosures found in the prior art. It is further contemplated that any elongated horizontal support will be capable of contraction by means integrated within the elongated horizontal support, including, but not limited to telescopic means integrated within the elongated horizontal support that allow for the telescoping of the support and/or hinge means integrated within the elongated horizontal support that allow for the folding of the support. By the telescopic or folding contraction of the elongated horizontal supports, the base member itself is afforded the capacity to telescopically contract or contract by folding in at least two (2) varying dimensions. 
         [0019]    It is a present object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that serves to space the cooling fan discharge of a mechanical or electronic device away from a surface that may obstruct the discharge and impede the outflow of heated air, thus allowing the cooling system of the mechanical or electronic device to operate with greater efficiency. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that serves to space the cooling fan discharge of a laptop computer away from a surface that may obstruct the discharge and impede the outflow of heated air, thus allowing the cooling system of the laptop computer to operate with greater efficiency. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that is convenient to store and transport. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that has the capacity to expand and contract as needed to accommodate a large number of varying shapes, contours and sizes of laptop computer. 
         [0023]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that has the capacity to expand and contract without sacrificing the utility of the apparatus in serving to space the cooling fan discharge of a laptop computer away from a surface that may obstruct the discharge and impede the outflow of heated air, thus allowing the cooling system of the laptop computer to operate with greater efficiency. 
         [0024]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that may be contracted to a relatively small spatial footprint, thus facilitating ease of storage, transport and handling, generally. 
         [0025]    It is a further object of the now disclosed invention to provide an apparatus that may be manufactured cost effectively. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an alternative configuration of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention depicting the present invention in use; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a secondary preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the secondary preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a left side view of the secondary preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative configuration of the secondary preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  there is shown a top view of a first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first elongated horizontal support constructed from a first hollow length of rigid material  61  and a second hollow length of rigid material  62  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the first hollow length of rigid material  61 ; a second elongated horizontal support constructed from a third hollow length of rigid material  65  and a fourth hollow length of rigid material  66  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the third hollow length of rigid material  65 ; a third elongated horizontal support constructed from a fifth hollow length of rigid material  54  and a sixth hollow length of rigid material  53  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 ; a fourth elongated horizontal support constructed from a seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and an eighth hollow length of rigid material  56  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 ; a first elbow  64  connecting the second hollow length of rigid material  62  to the third hollow length of rigid material  65 ; a second elbow  52  connecting the fourth hollow length of rigid material  66  to the sixth hollow length of rigid material  53 ; a third elbow  55  connecting the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54  to the eight hollow length of rigid material  56 ; a fourth elbow  59  connecting the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  to the first hollow length of rigid material  61 ; a first footing member  63  affixed to the first elbow  64 ; a second footing member  51  affixed to the second elbow  52 ; a third footing member  57  affixed to the third elbow  55 ; and a fourth footing member  60  affixed to the fourth elbow  59 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 2  there is shown a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus also depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus as shown in  FIG. 2  comprising a first elongated horizontal support constructed from the first hollow length of rigid material  61  and the second hollow length of rigid material  62  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the first hollow length of rigid material  61 ; a second elongated horizontal support constructed from the third hollow length of rigid material  65  and the fourth hollow length of rigid material  66  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the third hollow length of rigid material  65 ; a third elongated horizontal support constructed from the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54  and the sixth hollow length of rigid material  53  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 ; a fourth elongated horizontal support constructed from the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 ; the first footing member  63  affixed at the junction of the second hollow length of rigid material  62  and the third hollow length of rigid material  65 ; the second footing member  51  affixed at the junction of the fourth hollow length of rigid material  66 ; the third footing member  57  affixed at the junction of the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54  and the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56 ; and the fourth footing member  60  affixed at the junction of the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and the first hollow length of rigid material  61 . It is noteworthy that the elbows depicted in  FIG. 1  are not visible in the view of  FIG. 2  due to obstruction by the first footing member  63 , second footing member  51 , third footing member  57 , and fourth footing member  60 , respectively. 
         [0036]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 4  there is shown a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus also depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  as the same would appear in use supporting a laptop computer  67  and spacing the bottom of the laptop computer  67  away from the impermeable surface upon which the same would rest in the absence of the now disclosed invention. Specifically there is shown the fourth elongated horizontal support constructed from the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 ; the third elbow  55  and the fourth elbow  59  attached at each end of the fourth elongated horizontal support constructed from the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 ; the third footing member  57  affixed to the third elbow  55 ; and the fourth footing member  60  affixed to the fourth elbow  59 . Notably the remaining structural features of the first preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4  are obstructed from view by the placement of the laptop computer  67 . 
         [0037]    In more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 4 , the first preferred embodiment, as shown, depicts how the invention might appear while fully extended and in use. Specifically, the elongated horizontal supports of the embodiment are at full extension, exposing nearly the entire surface area of both the first hollow length of rigid material  61  and the second hollow length of rigid material  62 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65  and the fourth hollow length of rigid material  66 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54  and the sixth hollow length of rigid material  53 , and the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  and the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56 . Further, the laptop computer  67  rests upon the perimeter of elongated horizontal supports formed of the first hollow length of rigid material  61 , the second hollow length of rigid material  62 , the first elbow  64 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65 , the fourth hollow length of rigid material  66 , the second elbow  52 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 , the sixth hollow length of rigid material  53 , the third elbow  55 , the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 , the eighth hollow length of rigid material  56 , and the fourth elbow  59 . The first footing member  63 , second footing member  51 , third footing member  57  and fourth footing member  60  serve to suspend the perimeter of elongated horizontal supports above an impermeable surface, thus separating the cooling fan discharge, assumed to be on the bottom panel of the laptop computer  67  from direct or near contact with the surface and thereby improving outflow from the cooling fan. 
         [0038]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 3  there is shown a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus as also depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , as the same would appear in a fully contracted configuration. Namely there is shown the apparatus fully contracted and thereby displaying only the first footing member  63 , second footing member  51 , third footing member  57 , and fourth footing member  60 , along with the first hollow length of rigid material  61 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 , and the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58 . As mentioned in the detailed descriptions of  FIG. 1 , the counterpart hollow lengths of rigid material to each of the first hollow length of rigid material  61 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 , and the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  were concentric with and of smaller gauge than their respective first hollow length of rigid material  61 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 , and the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  counterparts and have, thus, been telescopically overtaken by their first hollow length of rigid material  61 , the third hollow length of rigid material  65 , the fifth hollow length of rigid material  54 , and the seventh hollow length of rigid material  58  counterparts in the depiction of  FIG. 3 . It is the integrated telescoping functionality of the elongated horizontal supports that allows the first embodiment to contract in both a length and width dimension. 
         [0039]    In further detail, still referring to the first preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , although the component parts  58   59   54   53   66   65   62   61  of the telescoping elongated horizontal supports may be made of any sufficiently rigid material that they resist deformation under the weight of a machine or laptop computer  67 , the inventor presently contemplates that the same may be inexpensively formed of a rigid plastic, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Likewise, although the footing members  57   51   63   60  may be made of any sufficiently durable material to sustain a substantial number of uses of apparatus, the inventor presently contemplates that the same may be preferably formed form a substantially slip resistant material and likely some type of rubber. It should be noted that the elbow components  64   51   55   59 , when necessary, are contemplated of like composition with the component parts  58   59   54   53   66   65   62   61  of the telescoping elongated horizontal supports, though appropriately molding the embodiment is contemplated to obviate the need for the elbow components  64   51   55   59  altogether. The footing members  57   51   63   60  may be affixed to the elongated horizontal support perimeter by any means sufficient and durable, though the inventor expressly contemplates the footing members  57   51   63   60  being affixed by means of a strong and durable adhesive. 
         [0040]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 5  there is shown a top view of a second preferred embodiment of the now disclosed apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first elongated horizontal support constructed from a first hollow length of rigid material  73  and a second length of hollow rigid material  71  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the first hollow length of rigid material  73 ; a second elongated horizontal support constructed from a third hollow length of rigid material  70  and a fourth length of hollow rigid material  69  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and a fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  and a sixth length of hollow rigid material  74  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76 ; a first slip-resistant pad  72 ; a second slip-resistant pad  68 ; a third slip resistant pad  75 ; and a fourth slip resistant pad  77 . Footing members present cannot be seen from the view of  FIG. 5  due to obstruction. 
         [0041]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 6  there is shown a right perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the now disclosed apparatus, also shown in  FIG. 5 , the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 6  comprising a first elongated horizontal support constructed from a first hollow length of rigid material  73  and a second length of hollow rigid material  71  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the first hollow length of rigid material  73 ; a second elongated horizontal support constructed from a third hollow length of rigid material  70  and a fourth length of hollow rigid material  69  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and a fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  and a sixth length of hollow rigid material  74  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76 ; a first slip-resistant pad  72 ; a second slip-resistant pad  68 ; a third slip resistant pad  75 ; a fourth slip resistant pad  77 ; a first footing member  78 ; and a second footing member  79 . As in  FIG. 5 , a third footing member present cannot be seen from the view of  FIG. 6  due to obstruction. 
         [0042]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 7  there is shown a left perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the now disclosed apparatus, also shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 7  comprising a first elongated horizontal support constructed from a first hollow length of rigid material  73  and a second length of hollow rigid material  71  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the first hollow length of rigid material  73 ; a second elongated horizontal support constructed from a third hollow length of rigid material  70  and a fourth length of hollow rigid material  69  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and a fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  and a sixth length of hollow rigid material  74  concentric with and of smaller gauge than the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76 ; a first slip-resistant pad  72 ; a second slip-resistant pad  68 ; a third slip resistant pad  75 ; a fourth slip resistant pad  77 ; a first footing member  78 ; and a third footing member  80 . As in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the second footing member present cannot be seen from the view of  FIG. 7  due to obstruction. 
         [0043]    In more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , the second preferred embodiment, as shown, depicts how the invention might appear while fully extended and in use. Specifically, the elongated horizontal supports of the embodiment are at full extension, exposing nearly the entire surface area of both the first hollow length of rigid material  73  and the second length of hollow rigid material  71 , the third hollow length of rigid material  70  and the fourth length of hollow rigid material  69 , and the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  and the sixth length of hollow rigid material  74 . Further, a machine or laptop computer is contemplated to rest upon the first slip-resistant pad  72 , the second slip-resistant pad  68 , the third slip-resistant pad  75 , and the fourth slip-resistant pad  77 . The first footing member  78 , the second footing member  79 , and the third footing member  80  serve to suspend the “T”-structure of elongated horizontal supports above an impermeable surface, thus separating the cooling fan discharge, assumed to be on the bottom panel of the machine or laptop computer supported, from direct or near contact with the surface and thereby improving outflow from the cooling fan. 
         [0044]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 8  there is shown a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus as also depicted in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , as the same would appear in a fully contracted configuration. Namely there is shown the apparatus fully contracted and thereby displaying only the first slip-resistant pad  72 , the second slip-resistant pad  68 ; the third slip-resistant pad  75 , the fourth slip resistant pad  77 , along with the first hollow length of rigid material  73 , the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76 . As mentioned in the detailed descriptions of  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , the counterpart hollow lengths of rigid material  71   69   74  to each of the first hollow length of rigid material  73 , the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  were concentric with and of smaller gauge than their respective first hollow length of rigid material  73 , the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  counterparts and have, thus, been telescopically overtaken by their first hollow length of rigid material  73 , the third hollow length of rigid material  70 , and the fifth hollow length of rigid material  76  counterparts in the depiction of  FIG. 8 . It is the integrated telescoping functionality of the elongated horizontal supports that allows the second embodiment to contract in both a length and width dimension. 
         [0045]    In further detail, still referring to the second preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 , although the component parts  71   69   74   73   70   76  of the telescoping elongated horizontal supports may be made of any sufficiently rigid material that they resist deformation under the weight of a machine or laptop computer, the inventor presently contemplates that the same may be inexpensively formed of a rigid plastic, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Likewise, although the footing members  78   79   80  may be made of any sufficiently durable material to sustain a substantial number of uses of apparatus, the inventor presently contemplates that the same may be preferably formed form a substantially slip-resistant material and likely some type of rubber. Likewise, although the slip-resistant pads  72   68   77   75  may be made of any sufficiently durable material to sustain a substantial number of uses of apparatus, the inventor presently contemplates that the same may be preferably formed form a substantially slip-resistant material and likely some type of rubber. The footing members  78   79   80  may be affixed to the elongated horizontal support “T”-structure by any means sufficient and durable, though the inventor expressly contemplates the footing members  78   79   80  being affixed by means of a strong and durable adhesive. Likewise, the slip-resistant pads  72   68   77   75  may be affixed to the elongated horizontal support “T”-structure by any means sufficient and durable, though the inventor expressly contemplates the slip-resistant pads  72   68   77   75  being affixed by means of a strong and durable adhesive. 
         [0046]    Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0048]    It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description. 
         [0049]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.