Abstract:
A support apparatus and method includes, for a surface with an edge, an unbound base resting on the surface with an edge. An angled face is connected to the unbound base. The connection of the angled face creates an edge receiving notch and the edge receiving notch is conformed to receive the edge of the surface and support and extend the angled face beyond the edge of the surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a support apparatus and method. In particular, according to one embodiment, the invention relates to a support apparatus for use with a surface with an edge. An unbound base includes an angled face. The angled face connection creates an edge receiving notch. The edge receiving notch is conformed to receive the edge of the surface and support and extend the angled face beyond the edge of the surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is no doubt that technology has greatly enhanced the ability of individuals to accomplish more tasks more efficiently than ever before. The increased use of these technologically advanced devices at home and in the workplace, however, has created new problems and added new difficulties for users of these devices. 
     For purposes of example only, and not by limitation, a typical work surface height does not allow for proper ergonomics when using devices, such as data entry-input/output devices such as laptops, tablet PCs, and the like, from a sitting or a standing position. In particular, the typical height of a desktop work surface area positions devices at a level which does not allow the recommended horizontal positioning (perpendicular to the torso) of the forearms, when entering data, and so forth, because unrecommended erect seating is employed. In this position, the forearms of a user have to be angled upward from the torso to reach over the work surface area to input data. 
     Angled forearms cause a smaller elbow angle, thereby decreasing circulation and compressing nerves. An associated problem is that, as a result of this position, a user&#39;s wrists have to be hyper-extended downward to reach the device in order to enter data, for example. A still further problem associated with the prior art, is that the back, shoulders and neck of a user have to be hunched (craned) over to accommodate the downward angle of the wrists and to see and operate the device. 
     Modern chairs associated with home and work surfaces are incorporating several features that encourage a reclined working position. The term “counter balanced seating” refers to seating that cradles the back, putting a vertical and horizontal multidirectional support along the entire back to relieve spine compression. Reclining offers several advantages to the prior art required position for operation of devices. The reclining positioned allows the forearms to be positioned perpendicular to the torso. As a result, the wrists, therefore, are at their neutral position in relation to the device. The back is cradled in this reclining positioned thereby relieving compression stress on the spine. This cradled position allows a user to take full advantage of the lumbar support in modern chairs. Reclining also opens the abdominal angle (between the torso and legs) for better blood circulation. Additionaly, the popliteal angle (behind the knee) is opened as well providing better circulation in the legs. Additionally, reclining allows the spine to conform to its natural s-shaped position. Other features of modern chairs also facilitate use of the Applicant&#39;s device in that the arms of the chairs may also be adjustable so that they may be located in best relation to the support. 
     An additional problem exists with users of modern devices in the normal home and office workplace. Most modern devices have some sort of material on the bottom of the device intended to secure them to the surface. Rubberized feet are common. The problem is that this makes the device difficult to move around the surface when not needed or for minor adjustments to shift the body of the user for better circulation. That is to say, prior art devices which are stationery in nature and are not easily moved, do not allow the user to easily change the effective seating, or standing, positions, thus causing poor circulation and pressure points. 
     In addition to the difficulty in moving and relocating devices along a horizontal plane, another common prior art problem with the operation of a device on a surface is that the vertical location of the device, such as the display screen on a portable computer or tablet PC, is often at improper viewing levels. Typically, they are too low thus causing stress on the neck from bending down and, again, are difficult to adjust. 
     Many prior art devices do exist for aiding in the use of modern devices. Representative of these are U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,354, 658 B 1; 6,113,050; 5,822,185; and 5,111,361. A primary objective of these prior art devices is to secure it in place so that it does not move during the use of the device attached to it. Again rubberized feet, to prevent movement during use of the device, are common as are clamps and other complicated attachment devices. Thus, the prior art devices, while designed to solve some problems associated with the use of devices on a surface, create other problems in their complexity and in the inability to be rapidly moved from one place to another on the surface. An associated problem is that, while some of the prior art devices allow for use of a device beyond the edge of a surface, these devices require complicated clamps and the like and are not, again, easily moved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The support apparatus and method of the present invention includes, for a surface with an edge, an unbound base resting on the surface with an edge. An angled face is connected to the unbound base such that the connection of the angled face to the unbound base creates an edge receiving notch. The edge receiving notch is conformed to receive the edge of the surface and support and extend the angled face beyond the edge of the surface. According to one embodiment, the unbound base further includes at least one lateral movement device attached to the unbound base for moving the unbound base laterally while resisting movement backwards and forwards. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the support apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown with the edge receiving notch in position on the edge of a surface; 
     FIG. 3 is a left perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use on a surface; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use on the edge of a surface by a user in a reclined position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-6. With specific reference to FIG. 1, the support apparatus  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an unbound base  12 . Unbound base  12  includes an angled face  14 . Angled face  14  is connected to unbound base  12  such that an edge receiving notch  16  is created on the bottom  18  of unbound base  12 . As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, edge receiving notch  16  cooperates with an edge  20  of a surface  22  as will be more fully described hereafter. 
     As used herein, the term “unbound” is meant to define a base  12  that is not clamped, tied, or secured to the surface or elsewhere by any other means except its own weight. The force of gravity alone is utilized to locate the support apparatus  10  of the present invention where desired. Thereafter, the weight of the unbound base  12  in combination with a lateral movement device  32  and nonskid material  44 , in appropriate situations as discussed hereafter, enable the support apparatus  10  to resist movement as well. 
     As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, angled face  14  has a first end  24  and a second end  26 . Angled face  14  is connected to unbound base  12  such that the first end  24  of angled face  14  extends past the edge receiving notch  16  towards the back  28  of unbound base  12 . Further, the second end  26  of angled face  14  extends past the edge receiving notch  16  and beyond the front  30  of unbound base  12 . As described herein, angled face  14  is connected to unbound base  12 . According to one embodiment, however, support apparatus  10  is a monolithic polyhedron. A monolithic design is useful for ease of manufacturer, simplicity and ruggedness. In any event, angled face  14  extends over edge receiving notch  16  in the direction towards the back  28  of unbound base  12  and the front  30 . The front  30  ending at the beginning of edge receiving notch  16 . 
     FIG. 1 also illustrates another embodiment of the invention including a lateral movement device  32 . Lateral movement device  32  may be any device now known or hereafter developed for moving support apparatus  10  in a lateral direction. According to one embodiment, lateral movement device  32  is a rubberized, sticky wheel  34 . Rubberized, sticky wheel  34  is connected, according to one embodiment, to the back  28  of unbound base  12 . Rubberized, sticky wheel  34  may be connected to unbound base  12  by any means now known or hereafter developed, including a screw  36 . As is known in the art, screw  36  is used to connect rubberized, sticky wheel  34  to the back  28  of unbound base  12  while at the same time enabling rubberized sticky wheel  34  to freely rotate in a lateral, side to side motion. Accordingly, however, the rubberized, sticky wheel  34  enables unbound base  12  to successfully resist movement in the direction towards the back  28  and/or of the front  30 . As more clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to one embodiment, two wheels  34  are attached to the back  28  of unbound base  12 . Wheels  34  may be ball rollers or any other type of lateral movement device  32  that enables lateral movement while resisting movement from side to side. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention, an attachment device  38  is connected to angled face  14  for the attachment of a device  40 , such as a laptop computer or any other known device or device developed hereafter (as shown in FIGS.  5  and  6 ). The attachment device  38 , according to one embodiment, is a combination of hook and loop material  42  attached in combination to the angled face  14  and to the device  40  in a manner well-known in the art. Any attachment device  38  now known or hereafter developed serving the purpose of the invention is suitable, such as, for example and not by limitation, a raised lip or edge (not shown) along the bottom of the second end  26  of angled face  14 . 
     FIG. 1 also illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein a nonskid material  44  is attached to the bottom  18  of unbound base  12  from approximately the back  28  up to approximately the edge receiving notch  16  and/or the front  30  of unbound base  12 . Nonskid material  44  co-operates with the heavy, weighted, unbound base  12  to retain unbound base  12  in position when support apparatus  10  is utilized as illustrated in FIG. 2, as will be discussed more fully hereafter. Nonskid material  44  may be rubber, plastic, or any other slip resistant material now known or hereafter developed. 
     Raised rest  46 , according to one embodiment, is attached to the second end  26  of angled face  14 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, according to one embodiment, a pair of raised rests  46  are utilized. Raised rest  46  serves to raise the second end  26  of angled face  14  slightly above the surface  22  as also shown in FIG.  5 . This enables a user to slip his or her fingers between the surface  22  and the second end  26  of angled face  14  so as to grasp support apparatus  10  and lift the raised rest  46  off of surface  22 . As will be discussed more fully hereafter, in this position, the user may easily move support apparatus  10  around the surface  22  by utilizing a side to side, zig-zag motion. This zig-zag motion is familiar to any person who ever used a two wheeled hand dolly. 
     As best seen in FIG. 1, angled face  14  creates an angle  48  with relation to the unbound base  12 . Additionaly, as previously discussed, angled face  14  creates an angle  50  resulting in the creation of edge receiving notch  16 . Obviously, angle  48  and angle  50  are susceptible to modification and variation according to the uses and desires of the individual. For example only, and not by limitation, it is well within the skill of those of ordinary skill in the art to create a movable joint at angle  48  and angle  50  such that these angles may be adjusted in place by a user. 
     Further, it can be observed from FIG. 1, that angled face  14 , according to one embodiment of the invention, tapers in width from the first end  24  to the second end  26 . This is in keeping with the aspect of the invention whereby unbound base  12  is created from material heavy enough to support the support apparatus  10  in position on surface  22  when support apparatus  10  is utilized as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6. That is to say, unbound base  12 , according to the invention, must be sufficiently heavy to support a device  40  in the cantilevered position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 and hereafter disclosed and described. This weighted factor may be achieved, again, by the selection of a sufficiently heavy material to create unbound base  12  in the first place, or by the addition of additional weights, such as, for example only and not by limitation, screw  36  or by any other means now known or hereafter developed 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, support apparatus  10  is shown in position on surface  22  such that angled face  14  is supported by, and extended beyond, the edge  20 . According to this embodiment, edge receiving notch  16  receives edge  20  such that the bottom  18  of unbound base  12  rests essentially completely on the surface  22 . In this case, nonskid material  44 , as previously discussed, helps secure unbound base  12  in location. Additionally, lateral movement device  32 , rubberized, sticky wheels  34  according to one embodiment, enable unbound base  12  to move side to side but mist movement towards the back  28  or the front  30 . That is to say, unbound base  12  has a pair of sides  52 . Lateral movement device  32  allows support apparatus  10  to be moved in the direction of the sides  52  of unbound base  12  but resists movement in the direction of either the back  28  or the front  30  of unbound base  12 , as previously described. 
     In this position, when a user decides to move support apparatus  10 , the user grasps overhanging second end  26  of angled face  14  and lifts it up. As a result, the bottom  18 , including nonskid material  44  is lifted off of surface  22 . At that point, only lateral movement device  32  of support apparatus  10  is in contact with surface  22 . A user then simply manipulates support apparatus  10  in a zig zag motion as illustrated by arrows  54  as shown in FIG.  3 . This side to side motion is facilitated, as previously described, by the lateral movement device  32  such that support apparatus  10  can be easily and quickly maneuvered around the surface  22  either into or out of position for use. 
     FIG. 3 also illustrates the support apparatus  10  according to another embodiment wherein the top  56  of unbound base  12  is utilized to support a box  58  containing writing implements  60 . Certainly, any other types of convenient accessories for device  40 , such as paper, paper clips, tape, and so forth can be easily accommodated by support apparatus  10 . 
     The position of support apparatus  10  as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, enables a user to sit in a reclined position thereby achieving the benefits of the reclined position as previously discussed. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the support apparatus  10  according to one embodiment. Nonskid material  44  is shown attached to the bottom  18  of unbound base  12 . Additionally, lateral movement device  32 , in the form of a pair of rubberized, sticky wheels  34 , are shown connected to the back  28  of unbound base  12 . Notch  16  is formed at the front  30  of unbound base  12  by angled face  14 . Raised rests  46  are shown oppositely positioned on the second end  26  of the bottom of angled face  14 . As previously described, raised rests  46  enable a user to lift the second end  26  of angled face  14  off of surface  22 . According to one embodiment, raised rests  46  are thin, non-stick glides. As a result, when support apparatus  10  is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, all that is necessary to maneuver support apparatus  10  is to move it in the zig-zag motion without actually having to lift support apparatus  10  off of the support  22 . In fact, if all that is desired is to move the support apparatus sideways, it may be simply slid laterally with very little effort. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the use of support apparatus  10  on the surface  22  is illustrated. In this situation a user has easily maneuvered support apparatus  10  to a position away from the edge  20  such that the user&#39;s forearms are essentially perpendicular to his torso and his wrists are in a natural comfortable position. Additionally device  40  is in a raised position above the surface  22  such that the user does not have to crane his neck down in order to view the laptop screen of device  40 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a user has easily maneuvered support  10  such that edge receiving notch  16  captures edge  20  and the angled surface  14  is extended beyond edge  20 . In this position, a user is free to fully recline while still maintaining his arms at a perpendicular or greater angle to his torso and keeping his wrists in a relaxed, natural position for use with the keyboard of device  40 . Again, the monitor/screen of device  40  is at head level such that a user does not have crane his neck down to view his work. 
     The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of the illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.