Abstract:
A support apparatus for portable computers utilizes a plurality of legs removably coupled to a pedestal that incorporates a storage compartment within which the plurality of removable legs may be stored when not in use. By incorporation of a storage compartment within the pedestal, the overall bulk of the support apparatus is reduced, and furthermore, the removable legs are retained in such a manner that all components of the support apparatus can be transported as a unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is generally related to a support apparatus such as a stand or table, and in particular, to a support apparatus for use in supporting a portable computer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As people have become more mobile in their personal and business endeavors, as well as more dependent on computer technology, the need for portable computers has steadily increased. A wide variety of types of portable computers have been developed to meet this need, including laptop or notebook computers, sub-notebook computers, palm-type computers, hand-held computers, etc. Many laptop computers, for example, have many of the same performance characteristics of traditional desktop computers, but use a clamshell-like case that can be closed when the computer is not in use to facilitate storage and transportation of the computer. 
     Portable computers have an innumerable number of uses. For example, portable computers are often used during business or leisure travel, e.g., while waiting in an airport, or in a car, airplane or train. Portable computers are also useful for taking notes during meetings or classes, for giving business presentations, or just about any time a user needs to use a computer away from his or her home or office. 
     One drawback to many portable computers, and in particular most laptop computers, is that often these computers need to be supported on a desk or table or a similar location that positions the computer at a convenient height and location to enable a user to interact with the keyboard and/or pointing device for the computer and view the display. In many instances, however, a desk or table may not be available to the user, and the user may be forced to place the computer on his or her lap, on a chair, on a floor, or in another relatively inconvenient location. In these situations, the user often finds it much more difficult to use the computer, decreasing that user&#39;s productivity. In some circumstances, the user may choose to not even bring along the computer at all if it is anticipated that no suitable support location will be available in a given situation. 
     To alleviate some of these difficulties, computer supports and stands have been used in the past to support a portable computer on a support surface. For example, some laptop computers include fold-out legs that incline the rear of the computer to tilt the keyboard to a more comfortable orientation. These legs are typically only one or two inches long, and thus require the same type of support surfaces mentioned above. 
     In addition, computer stands have been developed to support a portable computer on a support surface such as a floor. One specific type of stand utilizes a flat plate that functions as a pedestal for supporting a portable computer on a conventional tripod. The tripod&#39;s legs may be collapsible in much the same manner as a camera tripod, with each leg having multiple elongate sections joined in a telescoping arrangement. One drawback of such a stand, however, is that the stand, when not in use, is relatively bulky and difficult to transport. And while the plate and the tripod may be removable from one another, separation of such components only presents a user with more parts to transport. 
     Therefore, a need continues to exist in the art for an improved manner of supporting a portable computer, particularly one that avoids the additional bulk and inconvenience associated with conventional computer supports. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention addresses these and other problems associated with the prior art by providing a support apparatus that utilizes a plurality of legs removably coupled to a pedestal that incorporates a storage compartment within which the plurality of removable legs may be stored when not in use. By incorporation of a storage compartment within a pedestal, the overall bulk of the support apparatus is reduced, and furthermore, the removable legs are retained in such a manner that all components of the support apparatus can be transported as a unit. As such, the support apparatus can be broken down into a relatively compact unit that is better suited for transportation along with a portable computer than other conventional options. 
     The pedestal in a support apparatus consistent with the invention is used to support a portable computer on a support surface such as a floor or table, or simply on the ground. In some embodiments, the portable computer merely rests on the pedestal. In the alternative, any number of securing mechanisms may be used to removably secure the computer to the pedestal. Further, in other embodiments, the support apparatus may be integrated directly into the base of a portable computer. 
     These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, and the objectives and advantages obtained thereby, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described specific embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop computer supported by a support apparatus consistent with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded fragmentary perspective view of the support apparatus of FIG. 1, with the legs thereof shown in storage positions within a storage compartment in the support apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the support apparatus of FIG. 1, taken through lines  3 — 3  thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an interconnection between a leg and one of the recesses in the support apparatus of FIG. 3, taken through lines  4 — 4  thereof. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the legs in the support apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in a collapsed configuration. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of one of the legs in the support apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate threaded interconnection between a leg and a pedestal recess to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate leg configuration consistent with the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of yet another leg configuration consistent with the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a partially-exploded fragmentary perspective view of another support apparatus consistent with the invention, illustrating alternate storage compartment, door and securing mechanism configurations to those shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a laptop computer incorporating an integrated support apparatus consistent with the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of an another support apparatus consistent with the invention, and incorporating an externally-located storage compartment formed in the bottom of the pedestal thereof. 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another leg configuration consistent with the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the leg of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates another alternate interconnection between a leg and a pedestal recess consistent with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the Drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a support apparatus  10  for use in supporting a laptop computer  12  consistent with the invention. Support apparatus  10  includes a plurality of legs  14  removably coupled to a pedestal  16  and used to support the pedestal on a support surface  18 , e.g., a floor, a table, or other horizontally-oriented surface. 
     Portable computer  12 , which may include practically any type of transportable computing or other electronic device (e.g., a laptop or notebook computer, a sub-notebook computer, a hand-held computer, a palm-type computer, etc.), is supported on an upper support surface  22  of pedestal  16 , which is typically planar in configuration. Portable computer  12  may simply rest on support surface  22 , or in the alternative, may be removably secured thereto, e.g., via one or more brackets, such as brackets  24 ,  26 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, brackets  24 ,  26  are secured to pedestal  16  via threaded fasteners, e.g., for bracket  24 , a threaded fastener  28  projecting through a mounting aperture  30  and engaging a threaded recess  32  in a sidewall  40  of the pedestal (see also fastener  29  for bracket  26  in FIG.  1 ). Each bracket  24 ,  26  includes an angled tab  44 ,  46  that engages a shoulder or notch on the corresponding side wall of laptop computer  12 , e.g., for bracket  24 , a shoulder  48  formed on side wall  50 . 
     Each threaded fastener is preferably selected to be capable of being quickly fastened and unfastened from pedestal  16  to facilitate setup and breaking down of the support apparatus. For example, each threaded fastener  28 ,  29  may be a thumbscrew or the like. A fastener consistent with the invention may also be manipulated through the use of a tool, e.g., a flat-head, Phillips-head, hex-head or Torx-head screw or bolt that is manipulatable by a screwdriver, an Allen wrench or a dedicated tool provided with the apparatus. 
     Pedestal  16  of support apparatus  10  includes a storage compartment  20  forming an inner chamber within the pedestal. External access to storage compartment  20  is provided through an opening  52  formed in external wall  40  of the pedestal. This storage compartment is used to retain a plurality of legs in storage positions illustrated at  14 ′ in FIG.  2 . External access to this storage compartment is restricted through the use of a door  54  that in this embodiment is configured to slide between open and closed positions to selectively restrict access to the storage compartment through opening  52 . A tab  56  extends outwardly at a right angle from the surface of sliding door  54  to facilitate user manipulation of the door. In addition, one or more detents (not shown) may be utilized in connection with door  54  to maintain the door in either or both of its open and closed positions. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, each leg  14  is removably coupled to pedestal  16  via a corresponding recess  60  formed in the bottom surface of pedestal  16 . Each recess  60  is angled in such a manner to separate the distal ends of each leg to provide a more sturdy footprint for the pedestal, e.g., with each leg projecting in space from a common point along a central, vertically-oriented axis defined through the pedestal. It should be appreciated that any number of legs and corresponding recesses, as well as any suitable leg orientation, may be used in the alternative. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each recess  60  is circular in cross-section, including a longitudinal slot  62  extending parallel to the direction of insertion of a leg into the recess. An annular slot  64  extends roughly 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the recess and in a direction generally perpendicular to longitudinal slot  62 , and defines a shoulder  66 . 
     Each leg  14  has a circular cross-section that roughly matches that of the corresponding recess  60 , with a longitudinally-extending tab  84  formed along the outer wall of a mounting section  70  thereof. During insertion of a leg in to a recess, tab  84  aligns with longitudinal slot  60 . Once the leg is fully received within the recess, tab  84  also aligns with annular slot  64 . Consequently, a twisting force may then be applied to rotate the leg in a clockwise direction (when viewed from the bottom of the pedestal) to transpose the tab  84  through the annular slot  64 , e.g., to the position shown at  84 ′. In this position, the tab engages shoulder  66  of annular slot  64  to securely retain the leg within the recess. Removal of the leg then requires merely a counter-clockwise twisting force be applied to return the tab to a position coextensive with longitudinal slot  62 , followed by withdrawal of the leg from the recess. 
     It should be appreciated that various detent mechanisms may be utilized to prevent the inadvertent rotation of the leg between an engaged and disengaged position in the recess. Moreover, various alternate securing mechanisms, e.g., the use of additional cooperating tabs and annular slots, as well as a different position of each longitudinal and/or annular slot in the recess, may also be used. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, each leg  14  includes a plurality of elongate sections, here sections  70 ,  72  and  74 , arranged in a telescoping arrangement. A foot  76 , e.g., formed of rubber or another non-slip material, may be disposed at the distal end of elongate section  74 . A pair of locking mechanisms are respectively utilized to selectively permit the relative movement of sections  70  and  72 , and  72  and  74  to extend the leg between a collapsed and extended position. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the locking mechanism between sections  70  and  72  includes a locking aperture  80  formed in section  70  that engages a pin  86  disposed at the free end of a leaf spring  88 . The leaf spring  88  is in turn secured via a rivet  89  to an inner surface of section  72 . An identical mechanism may also be used between sections  72  and  74  (an aperture  82  therefor is shown in FIG.  5 ). With this configuration, expansion of a leg from a collapsed to an extended configuration merely requires that each of sections  72 ,  74  be withdrawn from the corresponding sleeves formed by sections  70 ,  72  until the spring-loaded pin (e.g., pin  86 ) engages with the corresponding aperture  80 ,  82 . Then, to collapse a leg, a user is required to depress each spring-loaded pin to disengage the pin from the corresponding aperture  80 ,  82 , and then retract each section  72 ,  74  back into the sleeve formed by the mating section  70 ,  72 . 
     In use, therefore, support apparatus  10  may be transported along with the portable computer with its legs stored in a storage position within the storage compartment of the pedestal, as generally shown in FIG.  2 . Then, to use the support apparatus in an operative manner, external access to the storage compartment is obtained by opening door  54 , thereby permitting the removal of each leg from the storage compartment. 
     Next, each leg is subsequently inserted into its corresponding recess  60  in the pedestal, with each leg twisted to an engaged position in which the tab thereon engages the shoulder of the annular slot in the recess (FIG.  4 ). Once all legs have been inserted in this manner, each leg may then be extended to an operative, extended position through the use of the locking mechanisms formed by the spring-loaded pins and corresponding apertures (e.g., pin  86  and  80  of FIG.  6 ). 
     Subsequently, a portable computer is placed on the support surface defined by the pedestal, and optionally secured to the pedestal through brackets  24 ,  26  (FIG.  1 ). 
     To disassemble the support apparatus, e.g., for transportation, the portable computer is removed from the support surface, including disengaging brackets  24 ,  26  (if used). Each leg is collapsed and removed from the cooperating recess in the pedestal, and each leg, once in a collapsed position, is returned to the storage compartment. The door to the storage compartment is then closed, resulting the support apparatus being collapsed into a compact unit. 
     It should also be appreciated that, if desired, space for brackets  24 ,  26 , as well as any threaded fasteners or tools, may also be provided within storage compartment  20 . Each threaded fastener may also be secured within its associated recess in the sidewall of the pedestal during transportation in the alternative. 
     It will be appreciated that a wide variety of modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For example, different mechanisms for securing each leg to the pedestal may be used in the alternative. As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, a threaded engagement mechanism may be used, where a pedestal  90  having a recess  92  engages a leg  94  through cooperating threads  96 ,  98 . 
     As another example, FIG. 15 illustrates a pedestal  230  that receives a leg  232  within a recess  234  having two or more transversely-extending slots  236  that define two or more engagement shoulders  238 . Each leg  232  includes at least two cooperating resilient elongate fingers  240 ,  242  respectively terminating with engagement tabs  244 ,  246 . To insert a leg into a recess, therefore, a compressive force is applied to fingers  240 ,  242  to permit the tabs  244 ,  246  to be received within recess  234 . Then, upon further insertion of the leg into the recess, the tabs become aligned with the slots, permitting the fingers to spring outwardly upon release of the compressive force to engage the tabs within the slots. Removal of a leg similarly requires a compressive force to be applied to the fingers to permit the tabs to be withdrawn through the recess. It should be appreciated that the cross-sectional profile of each recess  234  and leg  232  may also be configured to restrict rotation or other movement of the leg while the leg is engaged within the recess. 
     A multitude of other mechanisms that are capable of removably securing an elongate member to a support member may be used in the alternative. 
     A wide variety of different leg designs may also be utilized in the alternative. For example, it may be desirable in many instances to permit the relative length of each leg to be adjusted, e.g., to tilt the working surface of the laptop from a purely horizontal orientation, to support the laptop on a non-horizontal support surface, or to permit the support apparatus to be used at different heights (such as on a table or on a floor). The configuration of each leg  14  shown in FIG. 5 does permit limited length adjustment, as only of one the two pairs of sections may be extended if desired. To provide greater adjustment flexibility, on the other hand, it may be desirable to provide multiple locking apertures at different positions along the longitudinal axis of each section, as represented by apertures  99  in FIG.  1 . 
     Moreover, in other embodiments, more continuous length adjustment may be provided, e.g., through the use of thumbscrews, annular compression clamps or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an alternate leg  190  is shown including a plurality of sections  192 ,  194 ,  196  and a foot  198 . A compression clamp  199  is mounted to each of sections  192 ,  194  to selectively restrict the relative movement of the corresponding sections  194 ,  196  retained therein. A multitude of other mechanisms for providing an adjustable length leg may be used in the alternative. 
     As another alternative, rather than having multiple sections that are permanently secured in a telescoping arrangement, a leg may have sections that are fully removable from one another. As shown, for example, in FIG.  9 ,, a leg  100  may include multiple sections  102 ,  104 ,  106  that are releasably secured to one another through mating bell and spigot interconnections. Each section  102 ,  104  includes a first end  102   a ,  104   a  forming an outer sleeve portion having a predetermined inner diameter. Likewise, each section  104 ,  106  includes a second end  104   b ,  106   b  forming an inner sleeve portion having an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter at the first of the corresponding mating leg section. Section  102  further includes a tab  108  disposed at a second end  102   b  thereof, and section  106  includes a leg defined at the first end  106   a  thereof, which may or may not include a non-slip material disposed thereon. As another alternative, each leg may also include an elastic “shock” cord that extends through each section  102 ,  104 ,  106  to facilitate the engagement of the sleeve portions of each section. 
     Other mechanisms, e.g., threaded interconnections, may be used to join multiple separate leg sections to one another in the alternative. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a leg  200  includes a pair of cooperating sections  202 ,  204  capable of being joined through the use of cooperating threads. At least the end  202   a  of leg section  202  is provided with opposing sets of internal threads  206 ,  208  separated by opposing unthreaded channels  210 ,  212 , effectively dividing the inner cross-section of the leg section into four quadrants. At the end  204   a  of leg section  204 , opposing sets of external threads  214 ,  216  are separated by opposing unthreaded channels  218 ,  220 . As is best shown in FIG. 14, each set of threads  206 ,  208 ,  214  and  216  occupies slightly less than 90 degrees to permit a user to freely slide leg portion  204  into leg portion  202  to a desired distance, with thread sets  206 ,  208 ,  214  and  216  respectively received within channels  218 ,  220 ,  210  and  212 . A quarter turn of leg section  204  relative to leg section  202  engages the thread sets to lock the leg sections together with a desired length. If desired, one or more stops  222  may also be disposed on either or both of leg sections  202 ,  204  to limit the rotation of the leg sections beyond a locked orientation. Moreover, it may be desirable to orient the threads in each set of thread slightly upward to permit the weight of the portable computer and pedestal to resist the disengagement of the respective thread sets. 
     Furthermore, in other alternative embodiments, different numbers of elongate sections may be utilized. Moreover, alternate mechanisms of providing adjustable-length elongate member may be used for each leg. In addition, any or all of the legs may have a fixed or adjustable length when in an operative position. Other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     A wide variety of alternate mechanisms may also be used to secure a portable computer to a pedestal. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, portable computer  12  may be secured to a support apparatus  110  through the use of a bracket  112  that is secured to the support apparatus  110  by a threaded fastener  114 , and which includes an angled tab  116  that extends over and engages an upper surface  118  of the portable computer. In such a configuration, no specific shoulder or notch need be defined in the side wall of the portable computer. It should also be appreciated that different numbers of brackets, as well as different locations around the perimeter of the laptop computers may also be used in the alternative. Moreover, while the embodiments illustrated herein illustrate a pedestal that has a length and width that substantially match that of the base of a portable computer, the length and width or any other dimension of the pedestal need not correspond to that of the portable computer. In particular, it may be desirable to configure a pedestal to operate with multiple types and brands of portable computers, each of which may have different external dimensions. 
     As another alternative, hook and loop fastener (e.g., as shown at  91 ,  93  in FIG.  7 ), as well as adhesives, tapes and the like, may also be used in lieu of or in addition to brackets to either permanently or temporarily secure a portable computer to a pedestal consistent with the invention. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, it may also be desirable to integrate a support apparatus into a laptop computer itself. For example, a laptop computer  130  including a base  132  and a display panel  134  is shown having a support apparatus portion  136  including a storage compartment  138  having an opening  140  selectively closed by a door  142 . A plurality of legs  144  are shown secured within recesses  146  in the same manner as discussed above for support apparatus  10 . 
     In addition, a storage compartment may take a number of alternate configurations. For example, returning to FIG. 10, support apparatus  110  is shown with a storage compartment  152  having a plurality of partitions  158  that partition the compartment into a plurality of slots  152   a ,  152   b  and  152   c  for individually receiving each removable leg. It should also be appreciated that multiple storage compartments may be provided within the support apparatus to receive one or a subset of the legs used by the apparatus. Each compartment may be jointly accessible through a common opening, as in FIG. 10, or in the alternative, may be accessible through a separate, dedicated opening. 
     Also, as further shown in FIG. 10, various alternate closure mechanisms may be utilize to selectively permit external access to a storage compartment. Support apparatus  110 , a hinged door  164  that is mounted to the support apparatus via one or more hinges  166 , and retained in a closed position by a latch  168 . It should be appreciated that more than one door may be utilized to effect closure of a storage compartment, and that other known door designs may be used in the alternative. 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a storage compartment consistent with the invention need not form an inner chamber within the support apparatus. Instead, a storage compartment may be defined by one or more recesses formed within an external wall of the support apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, a support apparatus  170  has a pedestal with a bottom surface  172  within which is formed a plurality of recesses  174  for use in removably coupling a plurality of legs to the pedestal. A storage compartment  176 , including a plurality of recesses  178 ,  180  and  182 , is formed in the bottom surface  172 . To removably couple a plurality of legs (e.g., legs  184  and  185 ) into recesses  178 ,  180  and  182 , various snap-fit or detent mechanisms (not shown), which are generally well known in the art, may be utilized within each recess  178 ,  180 ,  182 . Consequently, in this configuration, a user is permitted to snap each leg into its cooperating recess in the storage position, and to remove such a leg from the recess by prying the leg from the detents formed by the associated snap-fit mechanisms. 
     The pedestal and legs in a support apparatus consistent with the invention may also be constructed of any number of materials, e.g., various plastics and/or metals In one embodiment, for example, the pedestal may be injection molded from a durable and lightweight plastic material. 
     Additional modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention lies in the claims hereinafter appended.