AU713485B2 - Support bracket - Google Patents

Description

WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 1 SUPPORT BRACKET TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a support bracket for a portable computer. The bracket of the present invention is adapted for mounting a portable computer in a vehicle, and more particularly for mounting the computer in a manner that permits full use of the vehicle front seats and that furthermore allows use of the a portable computer and any associated communication devices from a passenger seat in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART The use of portable computers, often known as laptop computers, is now wide spread. It is frequently desirable for a portable computer to be used from within a vehicle, and there is also a demand for the computer to be linked to modem devices that allow data transmission to and from the computer.

To use a computer within a vehicle, in the case of a sole occupant of the vehicle, the computer would usually be positioned on the passenger seat using this surface as a work surface. The driver therefore is required to twist in position to use the computer which may of course not be very comfortable. Use in such a manner is also impossible when the vehicle has two occupants in the front seats. Alternatively, it is possible for the passenger seat area to be modified to form a more appropriate working surface. Such modifications are, however, not practical options for most people, and the sacrifice of the passenger seat prevents such modifications being popular. Other solutions to this problem have been sought in the form of brackets allowing computer to be attached to various parts of the car including to the steering column. Such a device is exemplified in German Patent Number DE 4233889. This type of arrangement has a number of advantages for the user, in that no passenger space is consumed and the driver can operate the computer from the drivers' seat.

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II However, it is apparent that the vehicle could not safely be driven with the device in place, and that some time would necessarily be consumed in setting up the device each time it was to be used. It is also apparent that the positioning of the device on the steering column is not an ideal position for use, and that the ability to operate a computer with any degree of comfort would be compromised by such a situation. The user of the computer is therefore faced with the need to provide storage not only for the computer when it is not in use but also for the brackets used for mounting the device to the steering column.

In vehicles which utilise a column gear shift it is also possible to position a laptop computer in the space between the driver and passenger seats where the gear shift would otherwise be located. U'fortunately, in the majority of cars, the gear shift is floor mounted and such an option is not available.

15 The present invention seeks to provide an alternative support bracket to those described above. The support bracket of the present invention may be used for mounting a laptop computer that includes operating surface for the computer, and one in which the passenger space is not compromised, and wherein the computer is placed in position allowing :20 optimum comfort for the user. In the case of the bracket of the present invention, the user of the computer will be situated in the passenger seat.

This permits a number of options for use. Either a sole occupant of the S* car can move to the passenger seat and use the computer with the car is a stationary condition, or the computer can be used by an occupant of the passenger seat when the car is moving.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support bracket adapted to house and support a laptop computer in a vehicle characterised in that the support bracket comprises:a housing adapted to be connected to and to depend from an inclined /iY supporting surface of a vehicle;

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WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 3 a platform connected to the housing, the platform serving as a supporting surface for a portable computer and being slidably movable with respect to the housing between a stored position and an operable position, wherein in the stored position, the platform is spaced from the supporting surface so as to allow the computer to be located between the platform and the surface, and in the operable position the platform and computer are located in a generally horizontal position to provide a working surface for the computer.

Preferably, the inclined supporting surface is a vehicle dash board in a position normally occupied by the glove compartment. Thus the bracket serves to enable a laptop to be stored in a Dosition that enable the passenger seat to be occupied and easily allows movement of the computer between the stored an operable positions whilst the seat remains occupied.

It is convenient if the housing is adapted to form a shell around the computer, the housing taking the form of a u-shaped member having sides attached at their upper ends to the inclined supporting surface and a base member extending between the sides.

Preferably, the sides are preferably spaced so as to fit the platform snugly therebetween. Laptop computers whilst not necessarily being of exactly equivalent dimensions are nevertheless very similar in size. By judicious selection of the width of the platform and housing a close fit of a computer in the support bracket can be ensured. this not only minimises the space occupied by the unit as a whole, but also provides a more secure environment for the relatively delicate equipment.

Preferably, the platform is movable between the stored and operating positions by being slidable on one or more runners, the one or more runners being located on either side of the platform.

In a preferred form of the invention the runners each comprise an approximately C-shaped channel having an open inwardly turned side, a runner wheel being provided in each runner, the wheels being WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 4 connected to an upstanding lip on each side of the platform, the platform being slidable in the runners, through location of the lips in the channel.

Importantly, the runners are each provided with a deflection channel adjacent an upper end thereof thereby creating a point about which the platform can pivot to produce the necessary movement from a stored position to an operable position.

As mentioned previously, computers and associated communication equipment are relatively delicate and it is desirable to avoid sudden shock being imparted to the equipment. Therefore, the return of the platform and associated computer from the operable position to the stored position is advantageously dampened by an associated shock absorbing mechanism.

The shock absorbing mechanism may, in one form of the invention comprise a gas strut attached to the platform and having an attached swing arm adapted to bear against the platform and dampen the fall of the platform as it moves between operable and stored positions. This can be arranged if the strut is pivotally attached to the base member at a point adjacent an upper edge thereof and is arranged such that a piston is extendible downwardly from the base of the strut.

Preferably, the swing arm is pivotally attached to a lower end of the piston, and that the arm is secured to the base member at a point inwardly spaced from the point of connection between the piston and the arm, the point of connection between the swing arm and the base member being in the region of a lowermost corner of the base member, whereby the arm is freely movable about the point of connection between the piston and the arm.

Preferably, the swing arm is of sufficient length to extend along substantially the greater part of the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- I WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 FIG 1 illustrates a bracket in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the bracket supporting a computer in an extended position; FIG 2 illustrates the bracket of FIG 1 without the computer; FIG 3 shows an underside perspective view of the bracket in a retracted position; FIG 4 shows the bracket in front view in a retracted position; FIG 5 illustrates an upper perspective view of the bracket in a retracted position; FIG 6 depicts a top view of the bracket in the extended position; FIG 7 is a side view of the bracket in the extended position; FIG 8 is a side view of the bracket in the retraced position; FIG 9 shows a top view of the bracket in the retracted position; FIG 10 shows a side view of the bracket and as supported in situ in a vehicle; FIG 11 shows a perspective view of the bracket of FIG 1 in situ in a vehicle in the extended position; and FIG 12 shows the arrangement of FIG 11 in a partially retracted position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The drawings illustrate a support bracket 10 for use with a personal computer 12, the support bracket 10 being adapted to allow the computer 12 to be mounted to a vehicle dash board 14 in a position normally occupied by a glove compartment. In the context of the present invention the term dash board is used to indicated that part of a vehicle which is WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 6 located in front of the front seat passengers and is attached to the interior of the body of the vehicle; dash board, in the present context therefore includes all of the front interior panelling of the vehicle including the areas typically allotted to shelves or glove compartments.

The support bracket 10 includes a housing 16 able to be connected to the inclined dash board of a vehicle, a platform 18 connected to the housing 16, the platform 18 serving as a supporting surface for the portable computer 12 and being slidably movable between a stored and an operable position shown for example in FIGS 1 and 3 respectively. In the stored position, the platform 18 is disposed approximately aligned with the vehicle dash board 14 and spaced therefrom so as to allow the computer 12 to be located between the platform 18 and the vehicle dash board 14, and in the operable position the platform 18 and computer 12 are located in a generally horizontal position to provide a working surface for the computer 12.

When stored, the computer 12, being located on the platform 18, is in an inclined position against the vehicle dashboard 14 which minimises the space occupied by the assembly when not in use, thereby leaving the maximum available space for an occupant of the passenger seat.

The housing 16 comprises an outer casing adapted to form a shell around the computer 12, the housing taking the form of a u-shaped member having sides 20 attached at their upper ends, through flanges 22 to the vehicle dash board 14 and a base member 24 extending between the sides As can be seen in the drawings, the sides 20 are spaced apart so as to fit the platform 18 and computer 12 snugly therebetween. The sides 20 of the housing are of sufficient length to create a space between the base member 24 and dash board 14 into which the computer and any associated plug in communication device can be slotted. Moreover, the height of the side walls 20 is such that a laptop computer is able to be stored in a closed position on the platform 18 against the dash board when the when platform is in the retracted position.

i WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 7 In the embodiment described herein the side walls 20 are of generally rectangular construction and are expected to be fitted against a flat surface, typically that part of a dash board which in which the glove compartment would be located. The surface to which the support bracket 10 is to be connected would not necessarily be flat in all cases. Where curvature, or other uneven surface topography is expected, appropriate corresponding alteration to the height of the side walls 20 can be envisaged. It is easy to see that a number of geometries of the side walls could be manufactures to enable optimum accommodation of the support bracket 10 in different models of vehicles.

The platform 18 is movable between the stored (retracted) and operating (extended) positions by being slidable on a pair of runners 26 located on either side of the platform 18. The runners are attached for convenience to the inner surfaces of the sides 20 adjacent the point of connection of the sides 20 and the base member 24. It can be seen that the base member 24 serves to maintain the side walls 20 and runners 26 at an appropriate spacing this effectively assists in the installation of the bracket. It is also to be noted that the base member 24 is wider than the platform 18 and the side walls 20, having a portion extending beyond the outer edge of the side walls The runners 26 are formed of an approximately C-shaped channel having an open inwardly turned side. A runner wheel (not shown) is provided to run each runner 26, the wheels being connected to an upstanding lip 28 disposed on each side of the platform 18. The platform 18 is therefore able to slide in the runners 26, through location of the lips 28 in the channels.

At their upper ends the runners 26 are each provided with a deflection channel 30 running into the main channel. As can be seen in side view, in FIGS 7 and 8 the deflection channels 30 run approximately vertically, when the support bracket 10 is positioned so that the runners 26 and base manner 24 are arranged at an inclined angle. By directing the platform 18 into the deflection channel 30 the orientation of the platform 18, and any computer stored thereon, will be altered by the pivoting of the platform about an axis extending generally between the channels The effect of the pivotal motion is to raise the lower end of the platform 18 WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 8 such that the platform 18 is approximately level and therefore available for use when the platform is in the extended position. Not expressly illustrated in the drawings are stoppers at both ends of the runners 26 and the deflection channels 30 which retain the platform in the appropriate position and prevent escape of the platform 18.

As can be seen from FIGS 11 and 12, the position of the platform 18 and computer 12 in the extended condition are ideal for operation of the computer from the passenger seat. Located on the platform 18 are the computer 12 and an associated plug in communication device 32. The movable platform 18 is open at the rear thereof and thus allows any cabling from either of the devices is able to extend from the back of the devices down through the space between the base member 24 and dash board 14 and to any subsequent location, for example, to a power supply.

The return of the platform 18 and associated computer 12 from the operable position to the stored position is dampened by an associated shock absorbing mechanism in the form of a gas strut 34. The gas strut 34 is seen most clearly in FIGS 2 and 9 and is located on the base member 24 on the outside of one of the sides 20. The strut 34 is pivotally attached to the base member 24 at a point 36 adjacent an upper edge thereof and is arranged such that a piston 38 is extendible downwardly from the base of the strut 34. Pivotally attached to a lower end of the piston 38 is a swing arm 40. The arm 40 is secured to the base member 24 at a point 42 inwardly spaced from the point of connection between the piston 38 and the arm 40, the point 42 of connection between the swing arm 40 and the base member 24 being in the region of a lowermost corner of the base member 24. The arm 40 is freely movable about the point 42. Furthermore, the swing arm 40 is of sufficient length to extend along substantially the greater part of the platform 18.

Located on the free end of the arm 40 is a buffer block 44. The buffer block 44 is generally disc shaped and formed of resilient material such as rubber or equivalent plastics material.

The arm 40 and buffer block 44 can thus move in an arc over the platform 18 centred on the point 42 and at the same time a corresponding WO 98/17501 PCT/AU97/00688 9 movement of the piston 38 into or out of the body of the strut 34 occurs. In the extended position shown in FIG 2 the piston 38 is also extended and, as the computer 12 is returned to the storage position the platform 18 bears against the buffer block 44, rotating the arm 40 returning the piston 38 into a retracted position in the strut 34, until the fully retracted position shown in FIG 9 is reached. The strut 34 thereby preventing any undesirable sudden shock being imparted to the equipment.

Modifications and variations of the present invention, such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the invention. In particular, modifications of the damping system may be envisioned that allow the retraction operation to be softened without the use of the gas strut 34 and base member 24 are possible. ln such arrangements, the damping mechanism could, for example, be built into the runner 26 or associated more closely therewith. It will also be appreciated that other damping means than the one shown can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the location of the bracket of the present invention in the area normally set aside for the glove compartment is one only of convenience. There are many such locations in a vehicle where the bracket may be placed. It is also possible to arrange the bracket such that operation from the driving position is possible. In such a case, the platform 18 would be releaseably connected to one runner 26 and able to swivel about a second runner.

Claims (9)

1. A support bracket (10) adapted to house and support a laptop computer in a vehicle characterised in that the support bracket comprises:- a housing (16) adapted to be connected to and to depend from an inclined supporting surface of a vehicle; a platform (18) connected to the housing, the platform serving as a supporting surface for a portable computer and being slidably movable with respect to the housing between a stored position and an operable position, wherein in the stored position, the platform is spaced from the supporting surface so as to allow the computer to be located between the platform and the surface, and in the operable position the platform and computer are located in a generally horizontal position to provide a working surface for the computer; the support bracket further including a shock absorbing mechanism whereby movement of the platform from the operable position to the :i stored position is dampened by the shock absorbing mechanism, thereby preventing any undesirable shock being imparted to the equipment.

2. A support bracket according to claim 1, characterised in that the inclined supporting surface is a vehicle dash board in a position normally occupied by the glove compartment.

3. A support bracket according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing is adapted to form a shell around the computer, the housing taking the form of a u-shaped member having sides attached at their upper ends to the inclined supporting surface and a base member (24) extending between the sides. r

4. A support bracket according to claim 3, characterised in that the K sides are preferably spaced so as to fit the platform snugly therebetween.

CTAU 9 7 0 0 688 i RECEIVEO I MAY 19 8 11 A support bracket according to claim 4, characterised in that the platform is movable between the stored and operating positions by being slidable on one or more runners the one or more runners being located on either side of the platform.

6. A support bracket according to claim 5, characterised in that the runners each comprise an approximately C-shaped channel having an open inwardly turned side, a runner wheel being provided in each runner, the wheels being connected to an upstanding lip (28) on each side of the platform, the platform being slidable in the runners, through location of the lips in the channel.

7. A support bracket according to claim 5, characterised in that the runners are each provided with a deflection channel (30) adjacent an upper end thereof thereby creating a point about which the platform can pivot to produce the necessary movement from a stored position to an operable position.

8. A support bracket according to claim 1, characterised in that the shock absorbing mechanism comprises a gas strut (34) attached to the platform and having an attached swing arm (40) adapted to bear against the platform and dampen the fall of the platform as it moves between operable and stored positions.

9. A support bracket according to claim 8, characterised in that the swing arm has some form of cushioning means attached thereto on a free end thereof. A support bracket according to claim 8, characterised in that the strut is pivotally attached to the base member at a point adjacent an upper edge thereof and is arranged such that a piston (38) is extendible downwardly from the base of the strut. AMENDED SHEET !PEA/AU