Supports – Stand – To hold a particular article
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-15
2001-10-23
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
To hold a particular article
C248S463000, C248S125800, C248S917000, C248S170000, C403S348000, C403S350000, 24, 24
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305653
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personal computers have evolved to the point where portable “laptop” or “notebook” models are quite common. The present invention allows greater ease of use of such portable computers by providing a compact, readily portable and ergonomically comfortable freestanding support for the computer along with supporting means for external peripheral devices such as disk drives, and for a pointing device, such as a “mouse.”
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Portable “laptop” or “notebook” computers, which are in widespread use, are commonly supported on whatever surface may be available including table or desk tops or the users' lap, i.e the tops of the user's legs while the user is in a sitting position. Even assuming a surface to be available, the height of the typical desk top or table top is often not suitable for the most comfortable and convenient use of a keyboard or mouse since a table top or desk top is typically higher than is desirable. Additionally while most such surfaces are level and flat, use of a keyboard may be much more comfortable if it can be tilted slightly toward the user. Supporting such a device on the user's lap for any length of time also means that the user has little ability to change positions or leave a seated position. Also a mouse, commonly used as a pointing device, typically requires a flat surface upon which it may be operated. When a notebook computer is supported on the user's lap there is typically no convenient way of using a mouse, which generally requires a flat open surface area on which it may be moved. Many notebook computers provide a non-movable “trackball” built into or appended to the computer keyboard as an alternative to a mouse, but a mouse is often preferred as an input and pointing device. The present invention allows for attachment of a mousepad support to allow use of a conventional movable mouse.
The present invention as shown in
FIGS. 1-3
comprises a stable detachable tripod support for a notebook computer providing a “footprint” at floor or ground level which is a triangle approximately 17 inches on a side. The area of this footprint is sufficiently large to provide substantial stability for the computer or similar device yet is small enough to allow support and use of the device in a relatively confined space, such as on the floor in front of a seat on a commercial airliner.
In use, the tripod support is typically oriented with a single front leg oriented toward the user so that the users feet straddle that leg thereby minimizing any interference between the user's legs and feet and the legs of the tripod. Each of the tripod legs is adjustable in height to allow the computer to be set to a height which is appropriate and comfortable for the user. The upper surface of the head of the tripod is permanently fixed to tilt or cant the computer toward the user at a fixed angle of approximately 15 degrees from horizontal when all legs are extended to equal lengths. However, the angle of tilt of the computer may be easily adjusted by simply adjusting the front leg to a different height from the rear two legs.
The extended tripod provides a keyboard height of approximately twenty-nine inches, which is approximately the ideal height above the floor for a seated user. The tripod may also be placed upon a table or desktop with the legs partially collapsed to place the keyboard at lectern height for use by a standing user such as a might be appropriate when giving a presentation.
The tripod legs are connected at approximately their midpoints by a hinged central yoke assembly which further braces the tripod and fixes the position of the extended tripod legs relative to the central axis of the tripod and to one another. This central yoke further provides a supporting location on the vertical axis of the tripod on which external peripheral devices may be supported.
A collapsible “spider” having four foldable arms provides a platform to support the computer and means for simple and secure attachment of the computer to the tripod. The spider may be left attached to the lower or bottom surface of the computer by means of several areas of hook and loop fastener material which are spaced over the flat underside or back surface of the computer at points to correspond with mating fastener material on the ends of the spider arms. The spider itself is detachably connected to the tripod head by means of a “bayonet” quick-release connector having coaxial mating portions on the spider and on the tripod head. Attachment of the spider, with or without the computer attached, is accomplished by simply engaging the respective mating components and rotating the spider a portion of a turn to lock the spider in place.
The tripod support of the present invention is readily portable, weighing less than 1.25 pounds and being collapsible to a generally cylindrical shape of approximately 15 inches in length by three inches in diameter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable portable freestanding tripod support for a portable computer having a tripod base for stability.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable portable freestanding tripod support for a portable computer which provides for adjustability of the height and tilt of the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable portable freestanding tripod support for a portable computer which is quickly and securely attached to the computer and easily detached from the computer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable portable freestanding tripod support for a portable computer which positions the computer at a comfortable height and orients the computer for the most comfortable use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable portable freestanding tripod support for a portable computer which is adaptable to virtually any computer or similar keyboard device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable freestanding tripod support for a portable keyboard device to allow support and use of the device in relatively confined spaces, such as when the user is seated in a commercial airline seat.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable freestanding tripod support for a portable keyboard device which further provides an area below the computer on the central axis of the support for supporting a peripheral device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable freestanding tripod support for a portable keyboard device which further provides for attaching a support for using a mouse or other pointing device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable head and platform device easily molded from tough, strong, resilient, lightweight and low-cost plastic material for supporting a keyboard device on a tripod.
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Oldham A. Evert
Pruitt Drexel L.
Braun Leslie A.
Freudenberg Kenton L.
Freudenberg Maxwell C.
Wood Kimberly
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