Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a laptop platform for resting a laptop computer on a user&#39;s lap; the platform comprising a composite structure having risers to establish an air gap between the platform and the laptop. In one embodiment the platform is further configured with upper and lower layers including a plurality of ribs extending therebetween to define a pocket or pockets of air. The air pockets act as a second insulating source while the ribs aid in stiffening the platform. Further, a designated insulation material may be is adhered to the lower surface of the platform to create a third, separate barrier to heat transfer across the platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of portable personal computers and more particularly to an insulating board or heatshield used in connection with a portable personal computer to shield the user&#39;s lap from heat generated by the computer.  
         [0003]     2. General Background and State of the Art  
         [0004]     The proliferation of portable personal computers, or laptop computers, is well documented. Laptop computers are used by business travelers to perform virtually all of the tasks enabled by desk top computers during previously unproductive hours traveling on airplanes, in hotels, and generally away from the office. Laptops also offer an alternative to bulkier, space consuming desk top models, with the opportunity to readily take the laptop to remote locations such as lectures, business meetings, or the like, and also to bring one&#39;s computer home in the evenings to continue working on projects. The reduction in the size and weight of today&#39;s laptops render them indispensable to travelers and business people around the world.  
         [0005]     Laptop computers, like desk top computers, include a processing unit or chip that performs calculations used in the operation of the laptop. The processing unit generates a substantial amount of heat, and as processors grow more powerful and faster (in the multi-Gigahertz range) the amount of heat that the chips generate continues to increase. In most desktop computers, there are fans, heat sinks and adequate airspace to dissipate the heat generated by the processor. However, in a laptop computer there is very little room for large fans or open airspace, so heat is transferred through the underside of the computer where it comes in contact with the user&#39;s lap. The processors can produce up to 100 watts per square centimeter—the equivalent heat generated by a light bulb, and temperatures can easily reach 115° F. or more. The push for smaller and lighter laptop computers exacerbates the problem of heat dissipation. The heat problem is a byproduct of consumer demand for smaller, faster computers with reasonable battery life because large fans and extra airspace require larger units with reduced battery life. As a result, the underside of a laptop computer is notorious for being very warm or even hot to the touch when it has been running for a period of time.  
         [0006]     Left unchecked, the heat build up of the laptop computer is transferred to the user at the point of contact where the laptop rests on the user&#39;s lap. As the laptop heats up, the build up of heat may become uncomfortable and can even result in pain. In this event, the user must endure the discomfort or discontinue operation of the laptop to allow the unit to cool down. Once cooled down, the laptop will once again begin to heat up to the point where discomfort requires another shutdown to allow further cooling. This repeating pattern of working followed by forced breaks to allow the computer to cool down is unproductive and can be disruptive, not to mention the discomfort involved. As a result, others have attempted to solve this problem through various methods.  
         [0007]     For example, a product marketed by Macally U.S.A. of Irwindale, Calif. called the “IcePad” comprises a two panel hinged device that allows air to circulate between the laptop and the user. However, the Icepad is heavy and bulky—two significant shortcomings when traveling. In addition, the Icepad has grooves or channels for airflow along its bottom surface that create an uneven surface, and such uneven surfaces can become uncomfortable to the user after prolonged use. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,614 to MacEachern discloses a heat dissipating laptop support comprising a trapezoidal stand with stackable risers to allow air to pass through while tilting the laptop toward the user (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The laptop sits on a column of spacers that can adjust in height depending upon the number of spacers used. However, one risk in this device is that the spacers may become uncoupled and dislodged, causing the laptop to fall, and the device is ill-suited for adjusting to variable sized laptops. In addition, U.S. patent Publication No. US 2003/0080264 to Helmetsie et al. discloses a laptop support with Velcro® fasteners that include louvers to circulate air between the laptop and the support. These louvers define grooves on the underside of the support that bear against the user and may become uncomfortable over time. The iGo ErgoStand offered by iGo® products (www.igo.com) is a notebook stand that claims to “raise(s) your notebook for a more comfortable typing position and viewing angle,” and “increasing the airflow around your system allows it to run cooler.” The device is designed for resting on a table rather than a user&#39;s lap, and the large opening in the ‘X’ pattern will not shield the laptop heat from the users lap if the Ergo Stand should be placed between the laptop computer and the user&#39;s lap. Small rubber pads at the end of the four corners are designed to mate to the bottom plastic surface of the laptop. They are not large enough to mate with the friction pads on the bottom of laptops that are positioned on various locations based on the size and make of the laptop. Also, the shape and plain shell structure (the bottom of the Ergo Stand is hollow) does not offer a large bending moment of inertia and hence would not likely offer sufficient structural support. Other devices are known for supporting a laptop to provide a stable platform, but none of the prior art devices are well suited for the combination of heat dissipation and comfort.  
       INVENTION SUMMARY  
       [0008]     The present invention is directed to a lightweight composite thermal insulating board (“heatshield”) for a laptop computer that shields heat from the user using multiple layers each adapted to provide rigidity and/or thermal protection while providing a comfortable contact surface for the user. In one embodiment, the composite insulating laptop board of the present invention comprises a first layer of thin plastic that gives the board a smooth, hard upper surface. The hardened plastic top layer preferably includes an underside comprising ribs beneath the surface that adds rigidity and stiffness to the board. A second layer of plastic encloses the ribs to create a pockets of air therebetween which act as an insulation layer, while this second plastic layer further solidifies the board. Alternatively, the ribs may be open at the sides to permit the circulation of air between the ribs. Underneath the second plastic layer can be an insulating material such as a foam, cloth, expanded polymeric material, or other suitable lightweight insulating material, to further inhibit heat from passing through the board. Alternatively, the insulating material can be sandwiched between the first and second layers rather than adhered to the bottom surface of the second layer.  
         [0009]     In addition to the composite structure described above, the insulating laptop board can be configured on its upper surface with integral risers extending diagonally to the board&#39;s corners. The risers are adapted to support cooperating footpads on the base of a laptop to establish an air gap between the underside of the laptop and the upper surface of the board. Employing a diagonal or “X”-shaped arrangement of the risers allows the present invention to accommodate a variety of laptop sizes. Further, the integral nature of the risers eliminates any possibility that the risers can become dislodged or separate from the board. The continuous surface can be created with various manufacturing methods such as injection molding that creates a smooth, uninterrupted surface with varying elevations. To aid in supporting the laptop on the risers, each riser may also include an upwardly projecting wall that acts as a stop or catch. By strategically placing the footpads of the computer adjacent the walls of the risers, the laptop may be confined on the risers to resist sliding or shifting of the laptop on the board&#39;s upper surface during use. In addition, the risers may be equipped with a non-slip surface to engage the footpads of the laptop and prevent the laptop from sliding when in use. The invention thusly comprises a lightweight, sturdy, thermally insulating composite laptop board with a small profile and no moving parts.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevated, perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a laptop resting on the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, close-up view of a riser of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a lower perspective view of the first layer of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the first layer of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the first layer of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4D  is an elevated perspective view of the first layer of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the composite layers of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     An embodiment  10  of the heat shielding laptop board of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which disclose a rigid, planar rectangular composite board having a first layer  12  with short platforms or steps, hereafter “risers”,  14  diagonally extending to each corner in an “X”-shaped configuration. The risers  14  may be hollow so as to form a cavity therebelow, or the risers may be solid throughout. Each riser  14  may include inclined sides  16  located within the interior area  18  of the first layer  12  and vertical edges  20  along the board&#39;s perimeter. The flat top surface  22  of each riser  14  may be configured to be parallel to each other riser top surface  22  defining a second horizontal plane or elevation  24  parallel to the first horizontal plane or elevation  26  of the first layer  12 . Alternatively, the top surfaces  22  and/or interior surface  18  may be angled with respect to each other for a more ergonomic-friendly positioning of the laptop, or the surfaces  22  may be oriented at different heights to allow for improved typing positions. Each top surface  22  of the risers  14  is preferably fitted with a non-slip material  28  adhered thereto, such as a rubber or polymer material used on the bottom surface of common mouse pads or other frictional surface. Alternatively, the top surface  22  may be made of a polymer material with non-slip surface characteristics. The risers  14  include a rounded first end portion  30  proximal to the center area  32  of the board  10 , and a second corner shaped end portion  34  distal to the center area  32  of the board  10  and conforming with the corners of the board as shown in  FIG. 1 . Between the proximal end  30  and the distal end  34  of the risers  14 , the beveled sides  16  may extend parallel to each other. Of course, the shape of the risers  14 , their position on the board  10 , as well as the shape and alignment of the beveled sides can be varied for numerous configurations without deviating from the scope of the invention.  
         [0019]     Risers  14  are shaped and dimensioned such that the bottoms of various sized lap tops can rest on surfaces  22  of risers  14 . Each riser  14  can also include an upstanding wall or stop member  36  disposed on the flat top surface  22  along an outer peripheral edge coinciding with the longitudinal sides  38  of the board  10 , where a portion  40  of wall member  36  angles inwardly from the outer peripheral edge and along the flat top surface  22  to bound a portion  42  of the perimeter of the riser&#39;s upper surface  22 . The walls  36  cooperate to act as a stop for the laptop&#39;s foot pads (not shown) that project downward from underside of laptop  44 . The angle of the inwardly directed portion  40  of the walls  36  is adapted to account for the most standard sizes of laptop computers, such that the footpads of the various computers  44  will bear against the walls  36 , further preventing the laptop from shifting or sliding on the surface  22  of the riser  14 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of a riser  14  of the embodiment described above. As shown in  FIG. 2  the risers  14  provide for an air gap  58  between the computer&#39;s bottom surface  60  and the upper surface  18  of board  10  for heat dissipation.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 4   a - d  illustrate several views of the top layer  12  of board  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - d , the top layer  12  is preferably comprised of a thin plastic shell formed with the integral risers  14  on the upper surface  46  and a series of panels or ribs  48  on the underside  50 . The risers  14  increase the bending moment of inertia of the first layer  12  and thus add stiffness to the board  10 . The ribs  48  of the underside  50  portion of top layer  12  serve a dual purpose. The first purpose is to add stiffness to the overall board structure to prevent bending or flexing. The presence of the ribs increases the rigidity of the board. The second purpose is that the ribs form compartments that define air pockets therebetween, and the air pockets serve as an insulating mechanism to resist the passage of heat through board  10 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , air is a well-known insulator and the trapped air within the composite board between the ribs  48  provide a barrier for transmitting heat across the board  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5  the air is trapped in a checkerboard pattern of air pockets. Other patterns such as a honeycomb pattern can be employed. In another embodiment, the ribs  48  do not form sealed compartments but rather the compartments formed by the ribs open at the vertical sides  38  of the first layer  12  allowing ventilation of the board&#39;s interior. In still another embodiment ribs  48  are not present. Instead, the sides  38  seal the underside  50  to form an insulating cavity between top layer  12  and second layer  52 . The insulating cavity can also be a vacuum, gas filled, or can be fully or partially filled with insulating material such as insulating foam materials. Likewise, the ribbed embodiment can be similarly insulated.  
         [0021]     The second layer  52  of board  10  may be a thin plastic counterpart shell to the first layer  12  for enclosing the ribs  48 . The second layer  52  of the board  10  serves as an additional stiffening member in addition to enclosing the ribs  48  of the first layer  12  akin to a composite sandwich structure. In one embodiment, a thermal insulating third layer  54  is disposed beneath the second layer  52  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Layer  54  can be formed of neoprene, polymer, foam, cloth, or other insulation material. When the board  10  is placed on the user&#39;s lap, layer  54  can also serve as a frictional surface to resist slippage of the board when in use. Layer  54  can also be formed of a material that is comfortable to a user&#39;s bare skin and can be formed of a material that breathes or wicks away moisture. As shown in  FIG. 5  the air is trapped in a checkerboard pattern of air pockets. Other patterns such as a honeycomb pattern can be employed. Alternatively, layer  54  can be omitted or sandwiched between the first and second layers  12  and  52 . With the insulating layer  54  incorporated either internally or externally, the board  10  includes two layers  12  and  52  that cooperate to form the board  10 , a layer of air pockets  50  defined by the ribs  48 , and an insulating layer  54  that inhibits heat transfer across the board and provides a soft contact surface for the user. The vertical sides  38  of the first layer  12  extend around the periphery of first layer  12  and when joined with second layer  52  form a common periphery.  
         [0022]     As discussed above, the present invention can include three or more insulating mechanisms that inhibit heat transfer across board  10  between the laptop and the user, in addition to the shell formed by the first and second layers  12  and  52 . The three mechanisms include: the air gap  58  formed by the positioning of the laptop  44  on the risers  14 ; the air pockets  50  between the first layer  12  and second layer  52  of board  10  defined by the ribs  48 ; and an insulation layer  54  either sandwiched within the board between the first and second layers  12  and  52 , or secured to the underside of the second layer  52 . The insulating layer may also comprise a thin film of insulating material deposited on second layer  52 .  
         [0023]     In addition, a laptop positioned on the risers  14  will be inhibited from sliding or shifting when in use due to a non-slip surface  28  on the top surface  22  of each riser. Further, upstanding wall members  36  on the peripheral edge of each riser and extending inwardly along a riser serve as a stop or catch to secure the laptop on the board and prevent movement of the laptop. The positioning of the risers and particularly the upstanding wall members  36  allow for variable sized laptops to be used with a single embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]     While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. For example, it should be appreciated that the board  10  can be made of various materials including polymers and composites. Further, the first layer  12  may be made of the same material as the second layer  52 , or the two layers may be constructed from two different materials. Moreover, while the board  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as having a rectangular shape, other shapes that conform to the shape of various laptops may be employed. Other departures from the description above will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the scope of the invention is intended to include all such variations.