Supports – Stand – Standard type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-02
2001-11-13
King, Anita (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
Standard type
C248S918000, C248S188500, C108S045000, C108S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315252
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide a free-standing support for holding a laptop computer, or equivalent, at a convenient height for use in an automobile or the like.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a support which is adjustable and which can be fitted into a wide variety of vehicles.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such a support in which a computer held thereon can be disposed not only at a convenient distance from the computer operator but also sat an optimum angle for keyboard entry and screen viewing.
In accordance with the present invention, a computer stand comprises a weighted base, a flexible column which is attached to and extends upwardly from the base, and a support plate. Secured to the upper end of the column, the support plate includes an upper surface on which the computer rests in use. The column comprises a telescopic section and a semi-rigid flexible section which is bendable through an angle of at most about 45 degrees and which holds its position once it has been so bent. With the improved stand, not only does the support plate tend to stay fixed in place once positioned, even while it is being subjected to the acceleration and deceleration forces commonly experienced in moving automobiles, but also the driver, using only one hand and while his vehicle is in motion, can make small adjustments in the angular orientation of the support plate.
Means for securing the computer to the support plate includes a hook and loop-type fastener, such as segments of VELCRO®, affixed to the support plate and to the computer. In the case of the hook and loop-type fastener, one segment thereof is attached adhesively to the support plate in such a way that a hook (or alternately, loop) face of the segment is directed away from the support plate. A mating segment of the fastener is secured to the bottom side of the computer so that when the computer is placed on top of the support plate, the two segments form a bond, holding the computer securely. Alternately, a double-sided adhesive tape or a mechanical fastener can be used to mount the computer permanently.
Prior to use, the computer stand is simply carried into a vehicle; and the base is set so that it does not interfere with either the driver's or any passenger's seating. In practice, it has been found that even in a compact automobile, a driver can use a computer mounted on the computer stand according to the present invention without interfering with the utilization of the adjacent front seat.
Once a computer has been affixed, with a fastener, to the support plate, its position can be adjusted, by rotating it and by bending the column and either extending or retracting the telescopic section, until the user can read the computer screen.
The computer stand of this invention is particularly useful for commuters who wish to read computer-generated maps as they are driving. Further, in combination with a satellite-based locator system, information can be fed into the computer to guide a driver as he reads a map displayed thereon.
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King Anita
Leon Harry I.
Steadman Vivian L.
Wood Kimberly
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