Abstract:
The present invention achieves technical advantages as a combination portable computer carry case and cooling support with an deployable/expandable and retractable receptacle, such as a pocket. The device is configured to receive a portable computer for carrying in a first orientation, and also configured to support the portable computer at an angle upon a work surface in an ergonomic position in a second orientation. The pocket can hold portable computers of varying sizes, and is aesthetically appealing as it won&#39;t sag when used. The pocket conveniently collapses to provide a coplanar support surface when used as a support stand.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/281,365 filed Nov. 16, 2009 entitled Notebook Computer Stand Having Fabric Sail. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to the field of portable computers and computer accessories, and more particularly to portable computer carrying cases and desk/lap supports for portable computers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Portable computers, including tablet computers, notebook computers and so forth continue to evolve with the increased features and functionality. These computers have become an important part of a user&#39;s professional and personal lives, and are thus carried between environments and rooms throughout the day. A user may desire to move often, and be able to quickly orient the computer for continued use. When a computer is used on one&#39;s lap, this mobility is not such an inconvenience. 
         [0004]    However, user&#39;s often desire to situate a portable computer on a laptop stand. When traveling from room to room in a home, for example, this necessitates using two hands, one to carry the computer and the other to carry the stand. A user may often have the need to have a free hand to carry papers, or even a cup of coffee which is not free in such a situation. 
         [0005]    There is a desire for an improved device that is configured to conveniently stow a portable computer for transport, but which can also function as a stand for ergonomically orienting the portable computer during use, such as upon one&#39;s lap or a work surface including a desk or table. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention achieves technical advantages as a combination portable computer carry case and cooling support with a deployable/expandable and retractable receptacle, such as a pocket. The device is configured to receive a portable computer for carrying in a first orientation, and also configured to support the portable computer at an angle upon a work surface in an ergonomic position in a second orientation. The pocket can hold portable computers of varying sizes, and is aesthetically appealing as it won&#39;t sag when used. The pocket conveniently collapses to provide a coplanar support surface when used as a support stand. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a notebook computer stand according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a rear perspective view of the stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a portable computer supported on the stand of  FIG. 3  with a fabric sail in a retracted, unused position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts the stand supporting the portable computer as shown in  FIG. 4  with the sail in the retracted, unused position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the stand and computer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a back elevational view of the stand and computer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the stand and computer of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  whereby the fabric sail is stretched and secured under the notebook computer stand, and snuggly around the front corners of the stand; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention including an expandable/deployable and retractable receptacle including a pocket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  standing upward with the pocket expanded and receiving the portable computer in a substantially vertical orientation; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a partial cut away view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  illustrating springs coupled to the expandable pocket; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  depicts the springs extended when the pocket is expanded and extensions across the pocket bottom; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  depicts a bottom view of the apparatus and pocket in the retracted position; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  depicts a bottom view of the apparatus and pocket in the expanded position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a portable computer stand  10  including a fabric member  12 , referred to hereafter as a “sail”, secured to a top edge  14  of the stand  10  and extending forwardly about and encapsulating a portable computer  16  disposed therein. The fabric member  12  is elastic, and has elastic edges such when deployed it is snuggly secures about and protects the portable computer about the lower corners of the portable computer. The fabric member  12  also secures the portable computer to the stand  10 , such that the stand can function as a computer caddy. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  depicts a rear perspective view of the portable computer stand  10  and computer  16 , depicting the fabric member  12  extending over a rear portion of the top corners  18  of the portable computer stand, each side of the integrated handle  20  extending between the corners  18 . The body of the fabric member selectively secures the portable computer  16  to the stand  10  such that the stand and the computer can be carried as one by the handle  20 , with the computer both secured to and protected during transport. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stand  10  is rigid and has a computer support member  24  and upper support surface configured to extend under and support the computer lower major surface. The stand also has a curved extension  22  configured to form a V-shape with the support member  24 , such that the stand is self-supporting and can stand in a vertical orientation upon a horizontal work surface without tipping, such upon the floor, a table, or other such surface. The fabric member  12  can be colored such that it is aesthetically pleasing in appearance, and may have a design or logo if desired. The fabric member  12  may also be interchangeable if desired. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts a second preferred embodiment of the present invention at  30 , wherein like numerals refer to like elements, similar to device  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and including a fan  32  and air vent  34  disposed in the computer supporting surface to facilitate cooling of the portable computer  16  disposed thereover during operation. The stand  30  also includes the integral curved supporting base member  22  as shown in  FIG. 2  to extend over a supporting horizontal surface and incline the computer support surface  18 , as shown. The supporting base member  22  is curved such that it may be comfortably rested upon a user&#39;s lap if desired, with minimal contact area to permit the user&#39;s lap to breath. The computer support member  24  and the base member  22  generally form a sharp “C”, or a sideways when viewed from the side. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  depicts the portable computer  16  supported on the stand  30  with the fabric sail  12  in a retracted, unused position. The computer is angled in an ergonomic position, such at about a 5 degree angle. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts the stand  30  supporting the portable computer  16  as shown in  FIG. 4  with the sail  12  in the retracted, unused position. A spacing  26  is provided in the upper surface  28  of the computer support member to facilitate airflow beneath the portable computer  16  and direct the heated air flow to exhaust laterally from under the computer  16 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the stand  30  and computer  16  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a back elevational view of the stand  30  and computer  16  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the stand  30  and computer  16  of  FIG. 4  whereby the stand includes an integral power charging interface  32 , which may include a cord for powering the portable computer when supported. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  further illustrating the power charging interface  32 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  whereby the fabric sail  12  is stretched and secured under the computer stand, and snuggly around the front corners of the stand, as shown. In this orientation the fabric sail  12  allows operation of the inclined computer while seated upon a user&#39;s lap. The fabric sail  12  provides a comfortable cushion upon the user&#39;s lap and reduces any heat from being communicated to the user&#39;s lap. The fabric sail is aesthetically pleasing when stowed underneath the computer stand, and forms sidewalls each side of the computer stand as shown. 
         [0034]    The computer stand achieves technical advantages by the permitting the portable computer to be secured to the computer stand by the deployed sail member during transport or storage, wherein the sail member is easily retractable to permit access and use of the computer, and which sail can also be easily stowed under the stand during use and provide a comfortable support on a user&#39;s lap. 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a device at  100  another embodiment of the invention seen to comprise of a combination portable computer carrying case and support stand having a deployable/expandable and retractable pocket  102 . Device  100  is seen to have similar features to the previous embodiments, including being a combination carrying case, support stand, and having an expandable member configured to receive and protect a portable computer. Device  100  is seen to include a major support surface  104  configured to receive the lower major surface of a portable computer thereupon. Support surface  104  is a non-slip surface such that the portable computer is restricted from slipping when angled above a work surface at an angle, such as about 10-15 degrees. The support surface  104  may be comprised of a fabric, perhaps having indicia or a design, and may be comprised of other materials or combinations thereof including a rubber material to provide a high-friction support surface. 
         [0036]    Device  100  is further seen to include a central opening  106  disposed in a central portion of support surface  104  and exposing an integral cooling fan  108  configured to generate air flow beneath the lower major surface of the portable computer when disposed thereover to cool the computer during operation. The opening  106  is seen to extend laterally across the support surface to generate sufficient cooling under the portable computer, and has curved lateral edges forming a generally oval opining  106 . Further seen in  FIG. 11  is a pair of openings  110  extending rearward through a back surface of support member  104  such that air generated under the portable computer is configured to flow along a back surface of the portable computer and heated air is exhausted through the openings  110 . 
         [0037]    A handle  112  is formed through a top end of the support surface  104  and is configured to be positioned above the support surface  104  when the device  100  is stood vertically, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Handle  112  is elongated and configured to comfortably receive the fingers of a user&#39;s hand when toting the device and portable computer in the pocket. 
         [0038]    The device  100  is further seen to include an extension or arm  114  that is rigid and rigidly connected to the rigid support surface  104 . The extension  114  angles from the support surface  104  to generally form a V-shape, rest upon a work surface, and angle the support surface such that the portable computer positioned thereon is in an ergonomic operable position for use by a user. The extension comprises a major surface that is non-planar such that is tangentially engages the work surface to minimize contact area. In particular, when the device is situated upon a user&#39;s lap, the outwardly curve lower surface of the extension makes a nominal contact surface such that it is comfortable and allows breathing area to the user&#39;s lap. 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 12 , the device  100  is shown positioned vertically upon a work surface on a lower end  116  of the support surface  104 , and a lower end  118  of the extension  114  such that the portable computer is vertically oriented in the pocket  102 . The pocket is deployed and expanded, and the portable computer is partially disposed in the pocket  102  and partially outside the pocket  102  and facing outwardly. The pocket  102  has a pair of opposing sidewalls  120  that are adjustable, having dimensions that increase in size and width when the portable computer is disposed in the pocket  102 . The handle  112  is positioned at an upper end of the device  100  in this orientation and configured to be grasped and carried by a user. As an alternative design, the support surface  104  may be provided with one or more grip pads shown at 122. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown the device  100  from the rear, with the curved extension  114  extending rearwardly beneath the support surface  104  thereabove. The extension  114  is seen include a stowage receptacle  124 , such as an expandable or resilient pocket with open ends  126  configured to receive and stow items and accessories, such as a power cord, thumb drive and other items. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , there is shown a partial cutaway view of the device  100  illustrating the mechanism that facilitates the pocket  104  to deploy/expand and retract, allowing the pocket sidewalls  120  to expand such that the portable computer can be securely received therein.  FIG. 14  depicts the pocket  102  in the retracted position such that a top surface thereof is coplanar with the remaining portion of the support surface  104 , and  FIG. 15  shows the pocket  102  in the deployed and expanded position such that the top surface of the pocket that forms a portion of the support surface  104  is offset and non-planar with the rest of the support surface  104 , but which is still parallel to the remaining support surface  104 . The pocket  102  is configured to form a generally rectangular pocket, and having an open bottom portion  126  as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0042]    As shown in both  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , the pocket  102  is formed in one preferred embodiment by a member  128 , such as a fabric, strapped around a lower portion of the device  100  from a first end  130 , across a rigid planar member  132  forming a portion of the support surface  104  and also a front portion of the pocket  102 , to a second end  134 . Extending within the first end  130  and second end  134  is a support member comprising a wire  136  exposed by an opening along a leading edge thereof, as shown. A pair of resilient members comprising springs  140  each have hooks  142  on one end secured around the exposed wire  136 , and having opposing hooks  144  secured around fixed posts  146  extending upwardly from a base surface  148 . A pair of springs are provided at both the first end  130  and the second end  134  so that the member  128  can adjust to vary the dimension of the pocket sidewall  120  as shown. The springs  140  stretch to allow the member ends to laterally move toward the support surface edge as the pocket  104  deploys and expands. 
         [0043]    The member  128  slides around smooth guide rollers  150  disposed about a frame member  152  as shown in  FIG. 14  to prevent wear or binding. An inner end  154  of frame  152  is configured to extend through a pair of guide loops  156  of support  158  and laterally move as the pocket is deployed and expanded, as shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . The frame  152  has a side extension  160  that is configured to pivot outwardly as the pocket  102  deploys and expands, and forms a support extending at an angle across the open bottom end of the pocket  102  when expanded to support an edge of the portable computer when vertically oriented, as shown in  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the support surface  104  has a shouldered portion  162  configured to receive the rigid member  132  when retracted. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , there is shown a bottom view of the device  100  and pocket  102  when retracted, and  FIG. 17  shows the pocket  102  with the pocket expanded with the open end  126 . The springs  140  are encased in a cavity such that they are not exposed to the pocket  102 . 
         [0045]    Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.