Patent Publication Number: US-11382421-B1

Title: Notebook computer stand

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a stand and more specifically to a notebook computer stand. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Besides being used in mobile business applications, notebook computers are becoming more frequently used in field applications by technicians and engineers involved in IT networking, security systems, fire alarm systems, access control systems, CCTV systems and the like. Many of these systems are configured, troubleshot, and repaired by simply plugging a notebook into an accessible port. 
     However, these field locations are typically in crowded data access closets, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, storerooms, or the like where horizontal space to setup the notebook is at a premium. Additionally, many of these locations are accessed while on an extension or step ladder where a notebook computer cannot be safely used at all. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a notebook computer can be easily and safely used under less than ideal field conditions. The development of the Notebook Computer Stand fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a laptop stand which has a laptop platform having a front and a rear, a laptop computer that is placed upon the laptop platform once the laptop platform is horizontally oriented and includes a rigid plate for supporting the laptop computer, a lip which runs across the front of the laptop platform, a platform skirt, a portion which extends away from the entire bottom perimeter edge of the laptop platform, and a left restraint aperture and a right restraint aperture for coupling a left restraint and a right restraint to the laptop platform. Each of the restraints includes a restraint ring, a restraint feature, and a restraint clip. 
     The laptop stand also has a support leg which extends down from the front of the laptop platform to support the front of the laptop platform in a horizontal orientation. The support leg includes a leg base and a leg extension. The laptop stand also includes one or more leg retainers which are disposed beneath the front edge of the laptop platform. The one or more leg retainers are shielded by the platform skirt. The one or more leg retainers pivotably couple to a pivot rod of the support leg such that the support leg pivots under the laptop platform, which is also shielded by the platform skirt. The pivot rod is hingedly couple to the one or more leg retainers on the laptop platform such that the pivot rod pivots away from the laptop platform. 
     The laptop stand also has a first platform retainer and a second platform retainer detachably coupled to the work area to support the rear of the laptop platform. The first platform retainer and the second platform retainer are operable as an anchor for attachment of the left restraint and the right restraint, and the platform retainers each include a retainer clamp having a clamp body, a clamp moveable armature, and a clamp screw. The laptop stand also has a pair of flexible legs straps having a left leg strap and a right leg strap that limit the distance that the support leg pivots away from the laptop platform and a plurality of feet each having a left lateral extension lock and a right lateral extension lock. 
     The left restraint aperture may pass through the laptop platform from the top surface to the bottom surface at the left rear corner of the laptop platform and the right restraint aperture may pass through the laptop platform from the top surface to the bottom surface at the right rear corner of the laptop platform. The left restraint may detachably couple the left rear corner of the laptop platform to the work area and the right restraint detachably couples the right rear corner of the laptop platform to the work area. The restraint ring may couple to the laptop platform at the left restraint aperture or the right restraint aperture. A first end of the restraint feature may couple to the restraint ring, which may be coupled to a second end of the restraint feature. The restraint clip may detachably couple to the first platform retainer or the second platform retainer. The restraint clip may be clipped directly to the restraint ring, bypassing the restraint feature, if the laptop platform is adjacent to the work area and the separation provided by the restraint feature is neither necessary nor desired. 
     The lip may be an upward projection from the front edge of the laptop platform to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off of the front of the laptop platform. The support leg may be stored against the bottom of the laptop platform and the support leg may extend and pivot to support the front end of the laptop platform when in use. The leg base may be hingedly coupled to the bottom of the laptop platform and the leg extension may slidably couple to the leg base and may be extended away from the leg base to lengthen the support leg. The leg base may include the pivot rod, the left base strut, and the right base strut. 
     The leg base may include a strut cross brace which may be coupled between the left base strut and the right base strut on the lower one-half of the left base strut and the right base strut to keep the left base strut and the right base strut aligned even when the leg extension is completely removed from the leg base. The leg extension may include the left extension strut, the right extension strut, the foot, a left lateral extension armature, and a right lateral extension armature. The lower end of the left extension strut and the right extension strut may be each coupled to one of the foot. The top of the left leg strap may be coupled to the left rear underside of the laptop platform and the bottom of the left leg strap form a left self-loop that encircles a left base strut or a left extension strut. 
     The top of the right leg strap may be coupled to the right rear underside of the laptop platform and the bottom of the right leg strap may form a right self-loop that may encircle a right base strut or a right extension strut. The left extension strut and the right extension strut may extend laterally from within a foot of the leg extension to span an opening in the work area. The upper end of the left base strut may be coupled to the pivot rod that projects perpendicularly to the pivot rod. The lower end of the right base strut may be hollow such that the right extension strut slides into the right base strut. The left base strut may include a left strut extension lock and the right base strut may include a right strut extension lock to lock the leg extension into the leg base such that the length of the support leg does not change. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is an in-use view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the laptop stand coupled to a ladder while supporting a laptop. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               100  laptop stand 
               200  laptop platform 
               201  platform skirt 
               202  left restraint aperture 
               204  right restraint aperture 
               206  left restraint 
               208  right restraint 
               210  individual restraint 
               212  restraint ring 
               214  restraint feature 
               216  restraint clip 
               218  leg retainer 
               220  lip 
               222  left leg strap 
               224  right leg strap 
               226  left self-loop 
               228  right self-loop 
               230  support leg 
               232  leg base 
               234  pivot rod 
               240  left base strut 
               242  left strut extension lock 
               244  right base strut 
               246  right strut extension lock 
               250  leg extension 
               252  left extension strut 
               254  right extension strut 
               260  foot 
               262  left lateral extension lock 
               264  right lateral extension lock 
               266  left lateral extension armature 
               268  right lateral extension armature 
               270  first platform retainer 
               272  second platform retainer 
               280  retainer clamp 
               282  clamp body 
               284  clamp moveable armature 
               286  clamp screw 
               288  retrained aperture 
               900  laptop computer 
               910  work area 
               916  ladder 
           
         
       
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is directed to a laptop stand (herein described as the “invention”)  100 . The invention  100  may comprise a laptop platform  200 , a support leg  230 , a first platform retainer  270 , and a second platform retainer  272 . The invention  100  may detachably couple to a work area  910  and may be operable as a stand which may support a laptop computer  900  while the laptop computer  900  is being used. The invention  100  may thus allow the laptop computer  900  to be conveniently accessed in an environment where no horizontal surfaces are available upon which the laptop computer  900  may be placed.  FIG. 8  is an in-use view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the laptop stand coupled to a ladder while supporting a laptop. As non-limiting examples, the work area  910  to which the invention  100  is coupled may be a panel enclosure, an equipment rack, or a ladder  916 . The invention  100  may appeal to field service personnel working in the areas of, but not limited to, IT networking, security systems, fire alarm systems, access control systems, CCTV systems, and data centers. The first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  may detachably couple to the work area  910  to support the rear of the laptop platform  200 . The support leg  230  may extend down from the front of the laptop platform  200  to support the front of the laptop platform  200  in a horizontal orientation. The laptop computer  900  may be placed upon the laptop platform  200  once the laptop platform  200  is horizontally oriented. 
     The laptop platform  200  may be a rigid plate for supporting the laptop computer  900 . The laptop platform  200  may be oriented horizontally during use. In a preferred embodiment, the laptop platform  200  may measure fifteen inches with two-inch error (15±2 in.) from side to side and eleven inches with a one-inch error (11±1 in.) from front to rear. 
     The laptop platform  200  may comprise a lip  220  running across the front of the laptop platform  200 . The lip  220  may be an upward projection from the front edge of the laptop platform  200  that is operable to prevent the laptop computer  900  from sliding off of the front of the laptop platform  200 . The horizontal orientation of the laptop platform  200  is not critical because the lip  220  may prevent the laptop computer  900  from sliding forward. In some embodiments, the rear of the laptop platform  200  may be elevated such that the laptop platform  200  is angled up to thirty-five degrees (35°) from horizontal. The laptop platform  200  also may comprise a platform skirt  201 , a portion that extends away from the entire bottom perimeter edge of the laptop platform  200 . The platform skirt  201  is the same thickness as the laptop platform  200  and may be formed from the same material. The platform skirt  201  depends downward from the laptop platform  200  approximately one inch (1 in.) in height, or any such height that provides protective shielding for the moving portions of the attachment of the support leg  230  to the under surface of the laptop platform  200 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The laptop platform  200  may comprise a left restraint aperture  202  and a right restraint aperture  204  for coupling a left restraint  206  and a right restraint  208  to the laptop platform  200 . The left restraint aperture  202  may pass through the laptop platform  200  from the top surface to the bottom surface at the left rear corner of the laptop platform  200 . The right restraint aperture  204  may pass through the laptop platform  200  from the top surface to the bottom surface at the right rear corner of the laptop platform  200 . 
     The left restraint  206  may detachably couple the left rear corner of the laptop platform  200  to the work area  910 . The right restraint  208  may detachably couple the right rear corner of the laptop platform  200  to the work area  910 . An individual restraint  210  selected from the left restraint  206  and the right restraint  208  may comprise a restraint ring  212 , a restraint feature  214 , and a restraint clip  216 . The restraint ring  212  may couple to the laptop platform  200  at the left restraint aperture  202  or the right restraint aperture  204 . A first end of the restraint feature  214  may couple to the restraint ring  212 . The restraint clip  216  may couple to a second end of the restraint feature  214 . The restraint clip  216  may detachably couple to the first platform retainer  270  or the second platform retainer  272 . The restraint feature  214  may provide horizontal or vertical separation distance between the laptop platform  200  and the first platform retainer  270  or the second platform retainer  272 . The restraint clip  216  may be clipped directly to the restraint ring  212 , bypassing the restraint feature  214 , if the laptop platform  200  is to be adjacent to the work area  910  and the separation provided by the restraint feature  214  is neither necessary nor desired. In a preferred embodiment, the restraint feature  214  is wire rope; other embodiments may provide for a chain or other similar resilient material. 
     One (1) or more leg retainers  218  may be located beneath the front edge of the laptop platform  200 , preferably shielded by the platform skirt  201 . Each leg retainer  218  may pivotably couple to a pivot rod  234  of the support leg  230  such that the support leg  230  may pivot under the laptop platform  200 , also shielded by the platform skirt  201 . In some embodiments, the one (1) or more leg retainers  218  may constrain the pivot rod  234  from sliding laterally. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a rear view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A left leg strap  222  and a right leg strap  224  may be flexible straps that limit the distance that the support leg  230  may pivot away from the laptop platform  200 . The top of the left leg strap  222  may be coupled to the left rear underside of the laptop platform  200 . The bottom of the left leg strap  222  may form a left self-loop  226  that encircles a left base strut  240  or a left extension strut  252 . The left self-loop  226  may slide up and down between the left base strut  240  and the left extension strut  252 . The top of the right leg strap  224  may be coupled to the right rear underside of the laptop platform  200 . The bottom of the right leg strap  224  may form a right self-loop  228  that encircles a right base strut  244  or a right extension strut  254 . The right self-loop  228  may slide up and down between the right base strut  244  and the right extension strut  254 . Other embodiments provide for the left leg strap  22  and right leg strap  224  to be length adjustable. 
     The support leg  230  may comprise a leg base  232  and a leg extension  250 . The support leg  230  may be stored against the bottom of the laptop platform  200 . The support leg  230  may extend and pivot to support the front end of the laptop platform  200  when in use. The leg base  232  may be hingedly coupled to the bottom of the laptop platform  200 . The leg extension  250  may slidably couple to the leg base  232  and may be extended away from the leg base  232  to lengthen the support leg  230 . The left extension strut  252  and the right extension strut  254  may extend laterally from within a foot  260  of the leg extension  250  to span an opening in the work area  910 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The leg base  232  may comprise the pivot rod  234 , the left base strut  240 , and the right base strut  244 . The pivot rod  234  may hingedly couple to the one (1) or more leg retainers  218  on the laptop platform  200  such that the pivot rod  234  may pivot away from the laptop platform  200 . The upper end of the left base strut  240  may couple to the pivot rod  234  and may project perpendicularly to the pivot rod  234 . The lower end of the left base strut  240  may be hollow such that the left extension strut  252  may slide into the left base strut  240 . The upper end of the right base strut  244  may couple to the pivot rod  234  and may project perpendicularly to the pivot rod  234 . The lower end of the right base strut  244  may be hollow such that the right extension strut  254  may slide into the right base strut  244 . The right base strut  244  may be oriented to be parallel to the left base strut  240 . 
     In some embodiments, the leg base  232  may further comprise a strut cross brace coupled between the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244  on the lower one-half (½) of the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244 . The strut cross brace may be operable to keep the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244  aligned even when the leg extension  250  is completely removed from the leg base  232 . The strut cross brace may be oriented to be parallel to the pivot rod  234 . 
     The left base strut  240  may comprise a left strut extension lock  242  and the right base strut  244  may comprise a right strut extension lock  246 . The left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246  may be operable to lock the leg extension  250  into the leg base  232  such that the length of the support leg  230  may not change. As non-limiting examples, the left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246  may be thumbscrews that pass through the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244  and press against the left extension strut  252  and the right extension strut  254  or the left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246  may be telescopic tube clamps. 
     The leg extension  250  may comprise the left extension strut  252 , the right extension strut  254 , the foot  260 , a left lateral extension armature  266 , and a right lateral extension armature  268 . The lower end of the left extension strut  252  may couple to the foot  260 . The outside diameter of the left extension strut  252  may be less than the inside diameter of the left base strut  240  such that the upper end of the left extension strut  252  may slide into the left base strut  240 . The lower end of the right extension strut  254  may couple to the foot  260 . The outside diameter of the right extension strut  254  may be less than the inside diameter of the right base strut  244  such that the upper end of the right extension strut  254  may slide into the right base strut  244 . The right extension strut  254  may be oriented to be parallel to the left extension strut  252 . 
     The support leg  230  may be lengthened by releasing the left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246  and by sliding the left extension strut  252  and the right extension strut  254  out of the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244  such that the foot  260  moves farther away from the laptop platform  200 . The length of the support leg  230  may be fixed by securing the left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246 . The support leg  230  may be shortened by releasing the left strut extension lock  242  and the right strut extension lock  246  and by sliding the left extension strut  252  and the right extension strut  254  into the left base strut  240  and the right base strut  244  such that the foot  260  moves towards the laptop platform  200 . 
     The foot  260  may be hollow such that the left lateral extension armature  266  and the right lateral extension armature  268  may slide into the foot  260 . The outside diameter of the left lateral extension armature  266  may be less than the inside diameter of the foot  260  such that the proximal end of the left lateral extension armature  266  may slide into the left end the foot  260 . The outside diameter of the right lateral extension armature  268  may be less than the inside diameter of the foot  260  such that the proximal end of the right lateral extension armature  268  may slide into the right end of the foot  260 . The width of the foot  260  may be increased by extending the left lateral extension armature  266  and the right lateral extension armature  268 . 
     The foot  260  may comprise a left lateral extension lock  262  and a right lateral extension lock  264 . The left lateral extension lock  262  may be operable to lock the left lateral extension armature  266  into the foot  260  such that the width of the foot  260  may not be increased on the left side. The right lateral extension lock  264  may be operable to lock the right lateral extension armature  268  into the foot  260  such that the width of the foot  260  may not be increased on the right side. As non-limiting examples, the left lateral extension lock  262  and the right lateral extension lock  264  may be thumbscrews that pass through the foot  260  and press against the left lateral extension armature  266  and the right lateral extension armature  268  or the left lateral extension lock  262  and the right lateral extension lock  264  may be telescopic tube clamps. 
     The first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  may detachably couple to the work area  910 . The first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  may be operable as anchors for attachment of the left restraint  206  and the right restraint  208 . 
       FIG. 4  is a right side view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. An individual platform retainer selected from the first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  may be a retainer clamp  280 . The retainer clamp  280  may comprise a clamp body  282 , a clamp moveable armature  284 , and a clamp screw  286 . The retainer clamp  280  may be detachably coupled to the work area  910  by grasping a portion of the work area  910  between the clamp body  282  and the clamp moveable armature  284 . The clamp screw  286  may be operable to move the clamp moveable armature  284  towards or away from the clamp body  282  such that the retainer clamp  280  may be tightened against the work area  910  or loosened for removal from the work area  910 . The clamp body  282  may comprise a retrained aperture  288  for coupling the left restraint  206  or the right restraint  208  to the retainer clamp  280 . 
       FIG. 5  is a left side view of a laptop stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The left restraint  206  and the right restraint  208  may be coupled to other forms of anchors. As a non-limiting example, wire hooks may be detachably coupled to the work area  910  and the left restraint  206  and the right restraint  208  may be coupled to the wire hooks. 
     In some embodiments, the support leg  230 , the first platform retainer  270 , the second platform retainer  272 , or combinations thereof may be stored under the laptop platform  200 . In such embodiments, the support leg  230 , the first platform retainer  270 , and/or the second platform retainer  272  may be retained beneath the laptop platform  200  by a clip, magnet, or other retention mechanism that is positioned and shaped to retain the corresponding the support leg  230 , the first platform retainer  270 , and/or the second platform retainer  272 . 
     In use, a user may enter the work area  910  and find it necessary to use the laptop computer  900 . The user may couple the first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  to the work area  910 . As non-limiting examples, the first platform retainer  270  and the second platform retainer  272  may be coupled to a shelf, equipment frame, or rung of a ladder. The user may pivot the support leg  230  away from the laptop platform  200 . The user may couple the left restraint  206  to the first platform retainer  270  and the right restraint  208  to the second platform retainer  272  to secure the rear of the laptop platform  200  to the work area  910 . The user may extend the leg extension  250  and position the support leg  230  such that the laptop platform  200  is held in a horizontal orientation by the left restraint  206 , the right restraint  208 , and the support leg  230 . If the support leg  230  is aligned with an opening in the work area  910  that is wider than the foot  260 , the left lateral extension armature  266  and the right lateral extension armature  268  may be extended to span the opening. The left strut extension lock  242 , the right strut extension lock  246 , the left lateral extension lock  262 , and the right lateral extension lock  264  may be operable to assure that the support leg  230  does not change length, orientation, or width while in used. 
     The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the invention  100  may vary upon manufacturing. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.