Abstract:
The present invention provides a laptop computer support having a generally planar support base with shoulder straps attached to a leading edge of the support base and back straps attached to a trailing edge of the support base. The shoulder and back straps converge at a strap junction overlaying the user&#39;s back when the computer support is in use. The laptop computer support affords virtually unrestricted access to at least three sides of the laptop computer base wherein hardware/software ports are conventionally located, and the shoulder and back straps are advantageously configured so as to distribute the weight of a laptop computer evenly across the user&#39;s shoulders and back. The laptop computer is variably fixed to the support base with a hook and loop type fastener.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to computer supports. More particularly, this invention relates to personal portable computer supports. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional laptop, or portable computer supports have certain drawbacks that limit their functionality and, further, may cause particular stress related injuries to a user. One such computer support is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,225, issued to Hrusoff et al. As can be seen in the Hrusoff patent, a portable computer carried in the support is limited in its functionality since the sidewalls have restricted access to conventionally located hardware and software portable computer ports that a user may desire to access during, for example, a stand up sales presentation or when using a computer for field work. Also, the Hrusoff support uses a shoulder/neck strap which forces the user to bear the weight of the portable computer across the upper shoulders and lower neck region which may lead to stress related injuries. Also, the shoulder/neck strap limits a user&#39;s freedom of movement in that a portion of the strap attaches vertically to the edge of the support closest to the user&#39;s body, thereby restricting lateral arm movement. 
     Miles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,777 discloses a computer carrying case that simply unzips in such a matter so as to afford a user access to the computer while the computer remains in the case. The Miles carrying bag does not allow a user to stand erect and be mobile while using the portable computer. 
     Other conventional personal portable computer stands simply unfold and stand erect on the floor as a portable computer is placed on the stand&#39;s platform. These stands are stationary and not intended to allow a user to be mobile when performing a sales presentation, for example. Furthermore, conventional unfolding portable computer stands are simply another piece of equipment that the user must carry from location to location until the user desires to assemble the stand and place the portable computer thereon. 
     OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it has been an objective of the present invention to provide a portable computer support that more evenly distributes the weight of a portable computer over a user&#39;s shoulders and back. 
     It has been a further objective of the present invention to provide a portable computer support which allows a user to retain access to conventionally located hardware and software ports on at least three sides of the portable computer. 
     It has been another objective of the present invention to provide a convenient and easy to use portable computer support that a user may wear over the user&#39;s shoulders and across the user&#39;s back so that a user may stand erect and be mobile while using a portable computer. 
     It has been yet another objective of the present invention to provide a less bulky and easy to store portable computer support that insulates a user&#39;s lap from heat generated by the computer. 
     It has been another objective of the present invention to provide a portable computer support which allows a user to quickly and easily connect and disconnect the computer support from around the user&#39;s body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objectives of the present invention are accomplished by a laptop, or portable computer support in one presently preferred embodiment with a generally planar support base upon which a portable computer is located. The portable computer can be variably fixed to the support base with a hook and loop 
     type fastener. The support base has opposed leading and trailing edges and opposed side edges. The edges combine to define a support base area which accommodates virtually all portable computers. The support base is attached with quick connect/disconnect buckles to shoulder straps near the support base&#39;s leading edge, and back straps attached near the support base&#39;s trailing edge. Each of the shoulder straps and back straps are adjustable in length so that a user may achieve the proper fit of the computer support when worn by the user. 
     The shoulders straps are attached with elastic straps to the opposed side edges proximate the leading edge. A living hinge is provided inboard of the elastic strap&#39;s attachment to the opposed side edges parallel to the leading edge and has a longitudinal dimension substantially equal to the width of the support base. When the computer support is in use and the support base is bearing the weight of a portable computer, the elastic straps upwardly bias a lip portion proximate the leading edge to help prevent the portable computer from accidentally becoming dislodged and falling over the support base leading edge. 
     The back straps are attached to the support base&#39;s second surface with hip straps that are so stitched to the second surface that when extended, define an angle in the range of about 30°-35° with respect to the support base trailing edge. 
     The back straps and shoulder straps converge at a strap junction which rests on the user&#39;s back when the computer support is in use. The computer support advantageously distributes the weight of the portable computer across the user&#39;s shoulders and across a large area of the user&#39;s back by converging the shoulder straps and back straps at the strap junction. 
     The planar support base provides access to a computer&#39;s forward face and opposed side faces where hardware and software ports are conventionally located so that a user may have access to these ports during a standup presentation or at any other time. In addition, because of the computer support&#39;s slim profile, the computer support may be left attached to the computer when the computer is stored in a conventional carrying case. Despite the support&#39;s slim profile, it still affords a user insulation from heat generated by the computer when on a user&#39;s lap. The slim profile allows the user to use the computer support with the computer attached thereto virtually anywhere, including at the beach, in a park, and in airline seats, while the user in a sitting or standing position and providing the user with a full and unobstructed view of the computer&#39;s flip-up monitor. 
     The computer support has a pair of utility flaps which hang from the support base on either side thereof and are attached thereto with a hook and loop-type fastener. The utility flaps have pockets in which items such as writing instruments or diskettes may be advantageously stored. When the portable computer is not in use, the utility flaps may be folded over the computer and joined to each other, providing a protective pocket in which the computer may be kept and in which the shoulder and back straps may be stored. 
    
    
     The features and objectives of the present-inventive portable computer support will become more readily apparent from the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the portable computer support of the present invention during use; 
     FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the portable computer support during use; 
     FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the portable computer support during use; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the portable computer support; and 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the portable computer support. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 1-5, the present inventive laptop or portable computer support  10  has a generally planar support base  12  having opposed first and second surfaces  14 ,  16 . The first surface  14  has a non-skid texture  18  to help prevent a portable computer  20 , commonly known as a laptop or notebook computer, from accidentally sliding off the first surface  14  when a user  15  places the computer  20  thereon during use, or when removing the computer  20  from the first surface  14 . As used herein, “portable computer” shall include any other mobile device, including, for example, analyzers, monitors, data collectors and testing equipment. 
     The support base  12  has a leading edge  22  and an opposed trailing edge  24  defining a base depth D therebetween. The support base has opposed side edges  26 ,  28  defining a base width W. The support base  12  has an area defined by the base width W and the base depth D large enough to accommodate placement of the vast majority of portable computers  20  thereon. In addition, the dimensions of the support base  12  may be modified to accommodate computers of different sizes. 
     The support base  12  defines a living hinge  30  therein proximate the trailing edge  24 . The living hinge  30  has a longitudinal dimension L substantially equal to the width W of the support base  12 . 
     The portable computer  20  generally has a bottom surface  32 , a rearward face  34 , a forward face  36 , opposed side faces  38 ,  40 , hardware/software connections and ports  42  defined in said rearward, forward, and opposed faces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and a flip-up monitor  44 . As will be discussed further below, the living hinge  30  divides the support base  12  into a lip portion  46  and a carry portion  48 , the lip portion  46  being biased upwardly when the computer support  10  is in use to cradle the computer rearward face  34 . 
     The computer support  10  is provided with at least one hook and loop type fastener to variably affix the computer bottom surface  32  against the base first surface  14 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of loop portions  52  of the fastener  50  are affixed to the first surface  14  and corresponding hook portions (not shown) are affixed to the computer bottom surface  32 . The number and/or spacing of hook and loop type fasteners  50  may be varied as desired. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the hook portion and the loop portion  52  is stitched to the first surface  14 , however, any suitable method of attachment is contemplated. Further, in a preferred embodiment, at least one of the hook portion and the loop portion  52  is attached to the bottom surface  32  of the computer  20  with contact adhesive, however, any suitable method of attachment is contemplated. 
     The computer support  10  has a pair of first female quick connect/disconnect buckle halves  56 ,  58  each of which are attached adjacent the opposed side edges  26 ,  28  and generally opposite one from the other. Each of the first female buckle halves  56 ,  58  is attached to its respective opposed side edge  26 ,  28  proximate the living hinge  30  by a respective elastic strap  60 ,  62  stitched to the opposed side edges  26 ,  28 . The straps  60 ,  62  may be attached to the trailing edge  24  or proximate the trailing edge  24  on the side edges  26 ,  28  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As discussed further below, when the computer support  10  is in use, the weight of the computer  20  bearing upon the support base  12  causes the elastic straps  60 ,  62  to stretch upwardly and, therefore, bias the lip portion  46  of the computer support  10  upwardly and function as a safeguard to prevent the computer  20  from falling from the support base  12  over the trailing edge  24 , when in use. 
     The computer support  10  has a pair of second female quick connect/disconnect buckle halves  64 ,  66  attached to the second surface  16  proximate the leading edge  22 . Each of the second female buckle halves  64 ,  66  is attached to the second surface by a respective hip strap  68 ,  70 . 
     Each of the hip straps  68 ,  70  is stitched to the second surface  16  so that when extended an angle θ in the range of about 120 to 125° is defined between each hip strap  68 ,  70  and the leading edge  22 . 
     The computer support  10  has a pair of shoulder straps  72 ,  74  and a pair of back straps  76 ,  78 , each of the shoulder straps  72 ,  74  connected to a respective first male buckle half  80 ,  82  to be received in a respective first female buckle half  56 ,  58  and each of the back straps  76 ,  78  connected to a respective second male buckle half  84 ,  86  to be received in a respective second female buckle half  64 ,  66 . Each shoulder strap  72 ,  74  has a first and a second shoulder strap end  88 ,  90 . So that the user  15  may adjust the length of the shoulder straps  72 ,  74  to best fit the user&#39;s torso  93 , each first shoulder strap end  88  is initially threaded through a respective sliding eyelet  92 ,  94 . Each first shoulder strap end  88  is threaded through a respective first male buckle half  80 ,  82  and then secured to the eyelet  92 ,  94  by means known in the art. 
     Each of the back straps  76 ,  78  has a first and a second back strap end  96 ,  98 . Each back strap  76 ,  78  is threaded through a respective sliding eyelet  100 ,  102  and second male buckle halves  84 ,  86 , in the same manner as the shoulder straps  72 ,  74 , described above, so that the user  15  may also adjust the back straps  76 ,  78 . 
     The second shoulder strap ends  90  and second back strap ends  98  converge and are attached to a common strap junction  104  which rests over the user&#39;s back  106 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer support  10  is provided with first and second utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  which may be selectively attached to the first surface  14  of the base  12 . The utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  are preferably attached to the base  12  with a hook and loop type fastener (not shown) however, any other suitable attachment may be used. The utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  are provided with pockets  112  for holding, for example, writing instruments or computer diskettes. 
     The utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  have top and bottom edges  114 ,  116  opposed side edges  118 ,  120  and obverse and reverse sides  12 ,  124 . Preferably, complementary portions of a hook and loop type fastener (not shown) are provided on the base  12  proximate opposite side edges  26 ,  28  and on respective utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  proximate the top edge  114  on the reverse side  124 . When the utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  are attached to the base  12  and the computer support  10  is in use, the utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  tend to hang from opposite side edges  26 ,  28  below the base  12  so that the pockets  112  open upwardly, as seen in FIG.  1 . 
     Provided proximate the bottom edges  116  are complementary portions of a hook and loop-type fastener  126   a ,  126   b . The hook and loop-type fastener  126   a ,  126   b  allows the user to essentially protect the computer  20  when not in use by folding the first and second utility flaps  110   a ,  110   b  over the computer  20  and securing the hook and loop-type fastener  126   a ,  126   b  together, thereby wrapping the computer  20  in a protective pocket (not shown). Also, the shoulder straps  72 ,  74  and the back straps  76 ,  78  may be folded and stored within the protective pocket. 
     In use, a user  15  may locate the computer  20  on the computer support first surface  14  and fix the computer  20  in place with the hook and loop type fastener  50 . The user may then connect the first male buckle halves  80 ,  82  to respective first female buckle halves  56 ,  58  and drape the shoulder straps  72 ,  74  over the user&#39;s shoulders  108  so that the strap junction  104  rests on the user&#39;s back  106 . The user  15  may then connect the second male buckle halves  84 ,  86  with the second female buckle halves  64 ,  66 , respectively. Once the user  91  has connected the first and second male buckle halves  84 ,  86  to the first and second female buckle halves  64 ,  66 , the user  91  may adjust the lengths of each of the shoulder straps  72 ,  74  and back straps  76 ,  78  as desired. 
     The user  15  may then stand with the computer  20  located on the carry portion  48 . The weight of the computer  20  bearing upon the support base  12  causes the elastic straps  60 ,  62  to stretch, biasing the lip portion  46  upward to help cradle the computer&#39;s rearward face  34  and prevent the computer  20  from becoming dislodged and falling over the trailing edge  24 . Because the computer support  10  is generally planar and the leading edge  22  and opposed side edges  26 ,  28  do not cover the forward face  36  and opposed side faces  38 ,  40 , the user is free to access the hardware/software connections and ports  42  commonly located therein. 
     In addition, because the support base  12  has a slim profile defined by the first surface  14  and the second surface  16 , the computer support  10  may be left attached to the computer  20  when the computer  20  is stored in a conventional carrying case (not shown). Despite the slim profile of support base  12 , it affords a user  15  insulation from heat generated by the computer  20  when on a user&#39;s lap. The slim profile allows the user  15  to use the computer support  10  with the computer  20  attached thereto virtually anywhere, for example, the beach, in a park, or in airline seats, while the user  15  sits or stands providing the user  15  with a full and unobstructed view of the computer&#39;s flip-up monitor  44 . 
     From the above disclosure of the detailed description of the present invention and the preceding summary of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.