Abstract:
An assembly for supporting a laptop computer or other tray-like product is provided. The inventive support assembly includes a series of supporting straps which depend from a harness unit. The harness unit includes a series of straps and is fitted securely and snugly to the user. The supporting straps which depend from the harness unit are selectively adjustable and include coupling members at the end of the straps for both engaging and supporting the base of the laptop computer.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Nos. 60/461,798, filed Apr. 10, 2003 and 60/472,069, filed May 19, 2003; both applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Personal computers are becoming more and more a part of everyday life. Many individuals, whether those in the business world or students, require the need to utilize a computer while on the go. Most of these individuals use what is known as a laptop computer, which essentially is a portable computer comprising a base portion which houses the guts of the computer and which includes an overlying keyboard, as well as a pivotally attached screen portion which is used to view the computer during operation. Because of the size and weight of most laptop computers, they normally must be used while an individual is sitting down, with the base either resting on a table or other support structure, or directly on the lap or legs of the individual. While not impossible, it is extremely difficult to utilize a laptop computer while standing, unless, of course, a flat support surface can be located. However, for many individuals who travel to or from work or school, they often must be standing, either on a train or subway, or even on the bus. In a standing position, it is extremely difficult, as one can appreciate, to properly use a laptop computer.  
           [0003]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an assembly for supporting a laptop computer or other tray-like product for a user who is in a standing position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an assembly for supporting a laptop computer or other tray-like product is provided. The inventive support assembly includes a series of supporting straps which depend from a harness type unit worn by an individual. The harness unit also includes a series of straps and is fitted securely and snugly to the user. The supporting straps which depend from the harness unit are selectively adjustable and include coupling members at the end of the straps for both engaging and supporting the base of the laptop computer. Preferably, each coupling member includes a plurality of hooks and/or loops extending from the ends of the strap surfaces and suitable for engaging corresponding hook/loop members disposed along the underside of the laptop base.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a strap assembly for supporting a laptop computer or similar type of tray-like product.  
           [0006]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a strap assembly for supporting a laptop computer which is selectively engaged to a harness unit. Another object of the invention is to provide a strap assembly for supporting a laptop computer that utilizes hook and loop coupling members.  
           [0007]    Still, other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the following description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strap assembly of the invention being used to support a laptop computer;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strap assembly shown in FIG. 1 being used for supporting an artist&#39;s palette; and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a strap assembly used for supporting a conventional laptop computer  33  and generally indicated at  11  is shown. Strap assembly  11  is typically made from a fabric material and includes a harness or support unit  12  unit comprising a pair of length adjustable shoulder straps  13 , an adjustable a waist strap  15 , a vertically directed front strap  17  and a cross strap  19 . Harness unit  12  may be adjusted in height to accommodate various sized and shaped individuals by means of hook and loop type fasteners as, for example, shown with respect to front strap  17 .  
         [0014]    A strap support or connecting assembly  21  is selectively coupled to shoulder straps  13  of harness unit  12  by means of anchors  23 , as shown in FIG. 1. In particular, support assembly  21  includes strap support members  25  which wrap around and otherwise engage anchors  23 , and are adjustable in position by conventional hook and loop type fasteners in order to selectively adjust the height of supporting assembly  21 . Depending from the bottom ends at each of strap members  25  are a pair of forward supporting straps or other top of connecting elements  27 A and a pair of rearward supporting straps or other type of connecting elements  27 B. Each of straps  27 A and  27 B have free ends  29 A and  29 B respectively, as best shown in FIG. 2, formed with a plurality of hook-type fasteners  30 A,  30 B.  
         [0015]    Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, laptop computer  33  includes a base  35  having an overlying keyboard  37  as well as a pivotally connected screen member  39 , as is well known. Base  35  includes a bottom  36  having two pairs of loop-type fasteners  31 A and  31 B located adjacent the corners of base  35 . As shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to support laptop computer  33 , hook-type fasteners  30 A,  30 B of free ends  29 A,  29 B selectively engage loop-type fasteners members  31 A,  31 B disposed along bottom  30  of laptop base  35 .  
         [0016]    Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, strap assembly  11  is shown being used to support an artist&#39;s palette  43 . In particular, supporting straps  27 A and  27 B of support assembly  21  have hook-type fasteners  30 A,  30 B along ends  29 A and  29 B of straps  27 A, 27 B that are engaged to a corresponding number of loop-type fasteners  41 A, 41 B disposed along the bottom of palette  43 . As can be seen, palette  43  is formed with an opening  45  for retaining and otherwise storing one or more brushes  47 .  
         [0017]    Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a second embodiment of a strap assembly used for supporting a tray  133  and generally indicated at  111  is shown. Strap assembly  111  includes a harness or support unit  112  comprising a pair of shoulder straps  113  and a waist strap or belt  115 . Strap assembly  111  also includes a strap support assembly generally indicated at  121  selectively coupled to shoulder straps  113 . Particularly, support assembly  121  includes a pair of forward supporting straps or other type of connecting elements  127 A and a pair of rear supporting straps or other type of connecting elements  127 B, both depending from and coupled to the bottom ends of shoulder straps  113 , as shown best in FIG. 6. Forward supporting straps  127 A are releasably coupled to shoulder straps  113  by means of hook  161  fixed to one end of each of supporting straps  127 A and buckle  163  fixed along each of shoulder straps  113 .  
         [0018]    Each of supporting straps  127 A and  127 B have support ends  129  with extending hooks  130 . Hooks  130  are used for supporting tray  133  as described below.  
         [0019]    Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as well as FIG. 7, tray  133  includes a base  135  having a top surface  137  suitable for receiving and supporting a piece of paper  145  and the like. Tray  133  also includes a pivotally connected support shelf  129  having a pair of vertically oriented flexible bands  141  which can be used to secure a book or other type of reading material in an open position along the top surface of shelf  129 .  
         [0020]    In order to support tray  133 , base  135  includes a bottom  136  having two pairs of fasteners  131  located adjacent the corners of base  135 . As shown, the forward pair of fasteners  131 A includes a buckle member  132  to which hooks  130  of supporting straps  127 A and  127 B may be selectively engaged, as shown in FIG. 5, to enable tray  133  to be supported by means of assembly  111 . Also, fasteners  131  B also include a buckle member for selective engagement to a hook  139  depending from waist strap or belt  115  of harness unit  112 . Thus, tray  133  is, in part, supported along the waist of the wearer.  
         [0021]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the products set forth above without departing from the spirit and scope from the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0022]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.