Patent Publication Number: US-2011057006-A1

Title: Multi-purpose mount for portable computers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,319, filed Sep. 10, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to mounts, brackets, and attachments for temporarily supporting an article from another object, and more particularly to a multi-purpose mount for portable computers, allowing the computer to be suspended and deployed for use from the steering wheel of a vehicle or other convenient base. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is well known that advances in microelectronics have led to the development of relatively small computing devices that are sufficiently lightweight and portable as to be carried and used virtually anywhere. Such devices, i.e., laptop, notebook, and tablet computers and the like, have proven to be extremely important business and entertainment tools for perhaps most people, with business people being at a distinct disadvantage if they are unable to use a computer on the job. 
     The portability of such devices has resulted in their being carried into the field by sales personnel to place and record orders, track sales, check on availability of orders, etc. Contractors also frequently use portable computers to make notes, work up estimates, and perform other tasks critical to the job at hand. Many other professionals also rely upon their personal computers for various purposes, both in the home and office and while traveling. 
     While it is obviously not reasonable or safe to use a personal computer while operating a motor vehicle, the need frequently occurs to use such a computer from a parked motor vehicle in the field. Clearly, it is most convenient to use the computer from the passenger side of the vehicle, where there is more room. However, this is not always a suitable option for the driver and computer user. There may be a passenger in that seat, or perhaps other articles of equipment that are at best inconvenient to move. Moreover, many times it is inconvenient for the driver and computer operator to relocate to the passenger seat due to an intervening console or other structure, and the driver/computer operator only needs to use the computer for a short time. 
     Thus, a multi-purpose mount for portable computers solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The multi-purpose mount for portable computers has a base with a back pivotally secured thereto. The base and back are preferably constructed of aluminum or other metal angle extrusions and plates to provide the desired qualities of strength and light weight. A mechanism is provided between the base and back to allow the maximum open angle between the base and back to be adjusted as desired. The base provides support for a conventional portable computer (e.g., a laptop computer), and includes means for removably securing the computer positively to the base. The back of the device serves to support the screen of the computer when opened, with the opposite side of the back having a pair of hooks extending therefrom for removably securing the device to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. Other accessories may be provided with the computer holder or mount. A mouse pad may be added to one side of the base, if so desired. The base may be provided with a pair of “keyhole” slots in the side thereof. The mouse pad has a corresponding pair of pins or bolts extending from the edge thereof to engage the slots in the base. Additionally, a sunshade may be removably attached to the top of the back structure to extend over the computer screen when deployed. 
     The multi-purpose mount may be folded when not in use. The back folds substantially parallel to the base. The portable computer may remain in place between the base and back of the mount when they are folded. A caddy or holder may also be provided for the folded mount and computer therein. The caddy also provides storage for the folded sunshade. The caddy may be secured in an unused seat using the conventional seatbelt provided or, alternatively, may be secured to a central console, or merely placed upon the floor of the vehicle, as desired. 
     While the multi-purpose mount is directed primarily for the support of a laptop computer or the like from the steering wheel of a vehicle, the device may also be used for the support of such an electronic device in other environments as well, e.g., home, office, school, or various public locations. The mount provides greater comfort for the user than would be the case when the computer is placed directly upon the lap of the user, and the spacing from other structures greatly improves ventilation for the computer for greater comfort for the user and greater reliability for the computer. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-purpose mount for portable computers according to the present invention, shown deployed upon a steering wheel and holding a portable computer therein for use. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the multi-purpose mount for portable computers of  FIG. 1 , showing its general construction. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the assembled multi-purpose mount of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the angular adjustment between the base and the screen support. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the multi-purpose mount of  FIG. 1  with folded computer therein, stored in a caddy or holder. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a multi-purpose mount for supporting a portable computer (e.g., laptop, etc.) from the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, or from any other suitable mounting surface.  FIG. 1  of the drawings provides an environmental perspective view of the deployed multi-purpose mount for portable computers  10 , with a portable computer C shown thereon in broken lines.  FIG. 1  also illustrates additional accessories that may be provided and used with the mount  10 , i.e., a sunshade  12  and removably installed mouse pad  14 . 
       FIG. 2  provides an exploded perspective view of the various components comprising the multi-purpose mount  10 , as well as showing alternative positions for the mouse pad  14 . The mount  10  includes a base  16  with a back  18  pivotally extending therefrom, generally as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings. The base  16  includes mutually opposed first and second side members, respectively  20  and  22 , with a forward crossmember  24  connecting the forward ends of the two side members  20  and  22 . 
     First and second extension members, respectively  26  and  28 , are affixed to the rearward ends of the respective side members  20  and  22 , and extend upwardly and slightly rearwardly therefrom. The extension members  26 ,  28  may be permanently and immovably affixed (e.g., welded, etc.) to the rearward ends of the two side members  20  and  22  of the base  16 , if so desired. However, the extension members illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  will be seen to have a plurality of attachment passages  30  formed therethrough, allowing some adjustment in the positioning or attachment of the extension members  26  and  28  to their respective base side members  20  and  22 . A rear crossmember  32  connects the lower ends of the two extension members  26 ,  28  to provide a more rigid structure for the base  16 . 
     The back  18  includes mutually opposed and parallel first and second side members, respectively  34  and  36 , pivotally attached respectively to the first and second extension members  26  and  28  of the base  16 . At least an upper crossmember  38  connects the two side members  34 ,  36 , with a medial crossmember  40  also being shown in  FIG. 2 . The angle between the base  16  and the rigid back assembly  18  is thus adjustable as desired by means of the pivotal attachment of the two side members  34 ,  36  of the back  18 . 
     It will be seen that the pivotal attachment of the side members  34 ,  36  to the respective extensions  26 ,  28  is somewhat above the lowermost ends of the side members. A slot having a series of adjustment notches  42  therein is formed in each of the extensions  26  and  28 , below the pivot attachment thereof. A stop rod  44  is secured laterally across the back  18 , through the two slots of the side members  34  and  36 . This stop  44  may be selectively placed in any two corresponding notches  42 , and bears against the backs of the side members  34  and  36  when the back  18  is completely opened relative to the base  16 . This adjustment of the maximum angle between the base  16  and back  18  is shown clearly in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. The stop rod  44  is shown placed in the lowermost notch pair in solid lines in  FIG. 3 , thus allowing the lower portions of the side members  34 ,  36  to pivot closer to their corresponding extensions  26 ,  28  before the rod  44  contacts the backs of the side members, thereby opening the included angle further between the base  16  and back  18 . Repositioning the rod  44  across the uppermost notch pair as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3  results in the rod  44  contacting the backs of the side members  34 ,  36  closer to their pivot points with the extensions  26 ,  28 , thereby closing the angle between the base  16  and back  18 . 
     The base  16  may include provision for removably mounting a computer mouse pad  14  thereto, if so desired. (It should be noted that the mouse pad  14  described herein comprises a rigid sheet of material, rather than being a flaccid pad, although the rigid mouse pad  14  may have such a traction or friction surface removably or permanently applied thereto to facilitate engagement with a computer mouse ball.) Each of the side members  20  and  22  of the base  16  includes an outwardly and downwardly depending flange, respectively  46  and  48 , extending therefrom. At least one side member of the base, e.g., the second side member  22 , includes at least two keyhole-shaped mouse pad attachment slots  50  disposed through the flange  48 . It will be seen that the opposite flange  46  may also include such slots therein to allow the mouse pad  14  to be installed to either side of the base  16  as desired; such an alternative pad installation is indicated in broken lines in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, a second mouse pad  14  may be installed in addition to the first pad, to serve as a small writing surface or for other purposes as desired by the user. The mouse pad  14  extends from a base attachment flange  52  normal to the plane of the pad  14 , with the flange  52  including at least two mouse pad attachment pins  54  extending therefrom. The pins  54  are shown in broken lines extending from the alternative mouse pad  14  shown to the left in  FIG. 2 , with the attachment ends of the pins  54  being visible through the mouse pad flange  52  in  FIG. 3 . Each of the pins  54  has a larger diameter head, with the heads passing through the larger diameter portions of the keyhole slots  50  and the pins sliding downwardly into the narrower portions of the slots  50  to secure the mouse pad  14  removably to the side member  20  or  22  of the base  16 . 
       FIG. 1  of the drawings is an exemplary illustration showing the temporary and removable attachment of the multi-purpose mount  10  to the steering wheel W of a motor vehicle, with a portable computer C mounted on the steering wheel mount. Each of the side members  34  and  36  of the back  18  includes a steering wheel attachment, respectively  56  and  58 , extending from the upper end thereof; both such attachments  56  and  58  are shown clearly in  FIG. 2 . These steering wheel attachments  56 ,  58  preferably comprise padded hooks or curved fingers loosely attached to their respective side members  34  and  36 , to allow them to pivot for alignment to various portions of the steering wheel W (shown in broken lines in  FIG. 1 ) as required. Each of the back side members  34  and  36  may be provided with a plurality of holes or passages therethrough, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , to allow the steering wheel attachments  56 ,  58  to be adjustably attached thereto in order to adjust for different steering wheel heights and diameters. A plurality of computer attachment fasteners  60 , e.g., hook and loop fabric material or other attachment means as desired, is provided on the side members  20 ,  22  and/or forward crossmember  24  of the base as shown in  FIG. 2 , with mating attachment components being provided on the computer C. 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates the installation of the sunshade  12  over the multi-purpose mount  10  and computer C resting thereon. The sunshade  12  includes a central panel  62  having fastening or attachment means  64  for temporarily and removably securing the sunshade  12  to the back  18  of the multi-purpose mount  10 , e.g., hook and loop fastener material, etc. The back  16  includes corresponding straps  66  of suitable material extending from the upper crossmember  38 . The straps  66  secure removably to the attachments  64  of the central panel  62  of the sunshade  12 , to secure the sunshade to the multi-purpose mount  10 . The straps  66  are also used to hold the base  16  and back  18  of the multi-purpose mount  10  closed when the device is not in use, by attaching to corresponding attachments  68  on the forward crossmember  24  of the base  16 . 
     The central panel  62  of the sunshade  12  includes mutually opposed forward and rearward channels, respectively  70  and  72 , along the forward and rearward edges thereof. The channels  70 ,  72  contain laterally opposed first and second lateral panels, respectively  74  and  76 , therein, with the panels  74 ,  76  slidably adjusting laterally inwardly or outwardly to adjust the total width of the sunshade  12  as desired. Each lateral panel has a hinge, respectively  78  and  80 , disposed along its outboard edge, with first and second extensions  82  and  84  respectively extending from the hinges  78  and  80 . The two extensions  82  and  84  also serve to hold the deployed sunshade  12  open above the computer screen by bracing their rearward edges upon the side members  34  and  36  of the back  18  or upon the steering wheel W. 
     The multiple panel configuration of the sunshade  12  allows the sunshade  12  to be stored compactly, as shown in  FIG. 4 . For storage, the two lateral panels  74  and  76  are slid inwardly beneath the central panel  62 , and the two extensions  82  and  84  are folded inwardly to lie over their respective lateral panels  74  and  76 . The folded sunshade  12  may then be stored compactly in a relatively thin space or slot. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a caddy  86  providing for the compact storage of the multi-purpose mount  10 , its sunshade  12 , as well as a computer C and other accessories. The caddy  86  includes a base  88  having a front crossmember  90 , a rear crossmember  92 , and mutually opposed first and second sides, respectively  94  and  96 , extending upwardly from the front and rear crossmembers  90  and  92 . First and second back side member storage receptacles, respectively  98  and  100 , are provided at the junctures of the first and second sides  94  and  96  with the front crossmember  90 , with the lower portions (i.e., having the adjustment slots and notches  42  therein) of the first and second side members  34  and  36  of the back  18  seating in the receptacles  98  and  100  when the multi-purpose mount  10  is folded. It will be seen in  FIG. 4  that the caddy  86  has sufficient depth to allow a personal computer C or the like to be contained within the folded multi-purpose mount  10  while stored in the caddy  86 . 
     Laterally opposed first and second sunshade storage channels, respectively  102  and  104 , extend upwardly from the junctures of the first and second sides  94  and  96  with the rear crossmember  92  of the caddy  86 , with an upper crossmember  106  joining the upper ends of the channels  102  and  104 . These components  102  through  106  form a sunshade storage rack  108 . The sunshade  12  may be folded for compact storage as described further above and slid into the channels  102 ,  104  of the rack  108  for storage with the folded multi-purpose mount  10 , generally as shown in  FIG. 4 . The caddy  86  may be secured in a vehicle seat S or other suitable area by means of a conventional seat belt B or other securing means, as desired. Pads  110  and  112  may be removably placed along the edges of the forward crossmember  90  of the base  88  and the upper crossmember of the sunshade storage rack  106  of the caddy  86 , if so desired. A third such pad, not shown, may be installed along the edge of the rear crossmember  92 , if so desired. 
     In conclusion, the multi-purpose mount for a portable computer provides a handy means of supporting and deploying a personal computer or the like from the driver&#39;s position in a motor vehicle, enabling the driver or other user to work with such a computer from the driver&#39;s position when the vehicle is parked. The multi-purpose mount provides adjustability for various vehicle and computer configurations, and provides sufficient space therein when folded to allow a personal computer with folding screen to be folded and contained therein when not in use. The accompanying caddy provides secure storage for the multi-purpose mount when not in use, as well as storage for any computer that might be contained within the mount and other accessories, e.g., an accompanying sunshade, etc. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.