GB2256792A

GB2256792A - Laptop support

Info

Publication number: GB2256792A
Application number: GB9113089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richardson Dunn Kinnear
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-18
Filing date: 1991-06-18
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Also published as: GB9113089D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laptop computer input, system which system comprises at least one flexible, elongate, securing element 6 and a computer input device 16. The securing element 6 has a base support means 12 formed and arranged for extending at least partially across the lap of a user thereof. The base support means 12 also has a computer input device 16 interface attachment means formed and arranged for attaching thereto a base portion 28 of the computer input device 16. At least one securing element is disposable in use of the laptop, computer input, system around the thighs of the user with the base support means 12 extending across the lap with the computer input device 16 mounted thereon. <IMAGE>

Description

LAPTOP SUPPORT The present invention relates to a support platform for use with computer input devices such as joysticks, mice and keyboards, which support platform may be positioned on a user's lap to facilitate use of a said input device.

Input devices are normally desk top mounted to provide a steady base or mounting for their use. Joysticks require a particularly steady mounting for their effective use as the rapid jerking movements exerted whilst playing an interactive game for instance necessitate that the base of the joystick be firmly located for the effective use of the device. Present designs of joystick provide either suction cups for mounting the base to a desk top or the like or merely holding the base of the device in one hand and operating the joystick handle with the other hand. Thus none of the presently used methods of using a joystick device provides an effective and comfortable method of use.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.

The present invention provides a method of using a computer input device across the lap of a user thereof which method comprises the steps of: providing at least one flexible, elongate, securing element, attaching at least a base portion of a said computer input device to said securing element at a computer input device interface attachment means portion thereof, bringing said computer input device interface attachment means portion of said securing element into a position across the lap of a said user, and disposing said securing element around the thighs of a said user so as to secure said computer input device firmly in position across the lap of a said user.

In another respect the present invention provides a laptop, computer input, system which system comprises at least one flexible, elongate, securing element and a computer input device, said securing element having a base support means formed and arranged for extending at least partially across the lap of a user thereof, said base support means also having a computer input device interface attachment means formed and arranged for attaching thereto a base portion of said computer input device, said at least one securing element being disposable in use of said laptop, computer input, system around the thighs of a user with said base support means extending across the lap with said computer input device mounted thereon, whereby in use of such a system a said computer input device may be securely held in position on the lap of a user.

In a further respect the present invention provides a laptop support device which device comprises a generally rigid platform means formed and arranged for extending across the lap of a user thereof, said platform means having a computer input device interface attachment means formed and arranged for securely attaching thereto at least a base portion of a said computer input device, said platform means also having laterally spaced apart mounting means, and at least one flexible, elongate, securing element, said at least one securing element being connected to said platform means at said spaced apart mounting means and being disposable, in use, around the thighs of a user whereby in use of said laptop support device a computer input device may be securely held in position on the lap of a user.

The flexible, elongate, securing element may be in the form of a one-piece elasticated belt or strap but preferably said securing element is a belt provided with engagement means formed and arranged for releasably connecting two end portions of the belt together.

Preferably said engagement means is in the form of an adjustment buckle but desirably said two end portions of said belt have respective parts of a hook and loop type fastener. Advantageously by using an engagement means of the type mentioned above the effective length of the securing element may be adjusted to suit users of.

different sizes.

Conveniently said platform means is formed integrally with said securing element.

Preferably the platform means extends fully across and overlaps the lap of a user. In practice the desired width of the platform will depend on whether an adult or a child is to use the device and accordingly at least two sizes of platform are desirably provided. Suitable widths will generally be in the range of from 30 to 40 cm wide, for adults and for children the width may be 20 to 30 cm. It will be understood that by a user splaying apart their legs or closing together their legs a more or less comfortable position can be achieved. The securing elements may be slackened or tightened in use by an outward or inward movement of the user's legs, thereby providing a variable degree of stability to the platform whilst in use.

Preferably the underside of said platform is covered with a resiliently deformable covering such as a polymeric foam material or the like. Desirably the underside of said platform is contoured to fit over the lap of a user so as to provide more lateral support for the input device to minimise lateral sliding of the platform, in addition to providing a more comfortable position in use.

The laterally spaced apart mounting means of said platform may be connected to the support element in any suitable means but preferably said mounting means are in the form of elongate apertures on opposite sides of the platform means which are formed and arranged to have passed therethrough a belt-form securing element. In another form two securing elements may be provided, each one having one end attached to each respective spaced apart mounting means. Said elements may be secured by being adhesively or otherwise bonded to the platform or by screw attachment thereto.

Desirably the platform is made from a suitably strong yet lightweight material, for instance moulded polypropylene. Advantageously, such a material allows indentations or other specially moulded shapes to be incorporated into the surface such as indentations for the thighs on the underside or indentations on the interface attachment means of the surface to facilitate the attachment of the input device to the platform. The securing elements may be made of leather or a woven cloth/plastic strap or any other suitable material which may optionally be elasticated.

Preferably a said computer input device is securely attached to said platform means by screws passing from the underside of the platform, through the platform into the base of the input device. It will be understood that the casing of most input devices is held together from the underside thereof by screws, accordingly such screws may be removed and replaced with longer screws which have passed through the platform. Any other suitable form of attachment means may be provided such as adhesives, snap connectors and the like, but releasable attachment means are preferred.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given by way of example of some preferred embodiments illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop support device in use with a joystick; Fig. 2 is a front view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an underside plan view of the embodiment in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention for use with a mouse input device.

Fig. 1 shows a laptop support device of the invention generally indicated by reference number 1 in use on the lap 2 of a user 4. Securing straps 6 are provided on each side 8, 10 of a support platform 12 and are wrapped around the user's 4 legs 14. A joystick 16 is securely attached to the platform 12.

In more detail and with reference to Fig. 2 the platform 12 is a generally oblong shaped board having a contoured underside 18 formed and arranged for fitting around the users legs. The securing straps 6 are attached to each side 8, 10 of the platform 12 by retaining screws 20.

Each strap 6a, b is provided with one respective side of a hook and loop type fastener 22a, 22b so that the two straps 6a, 6b may be connected together to hold the platform in place on a user.

The joystick 16 is attached to the surface 24 of the platform by screws which will be seen more clearly in the underside plan view of Fig. 3. The joystick attachment screws 26 pass through the platform into the underside base 28 of the joystick 16 (See Fig. 2). The underside 18 of the platform is covered with a soft resilient padding 30 for comfort in use.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment generally similar to that in Figs. 1 to 3 except that the joystick has been replaced by a mouse 32 and mouse pad 34. The mouse pad 34 is attached to the surface 24 of the platform by adhesive. It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus for example a laptop computer may be attached by suitable means to the support platform.

Claims

1. A laptop, computer input, system which system comprises at least one flexible, elongate, securing element and a computer input device, said securing element having a base support means formed and arranged for extending at least partially across the lap of a user thereof, said base support means also having a computer input device interface attachment means formed and arranged for attaching thereto a base portion of said computer input device, said at least one securing element being disposable in use of said laptop, computer input, system around the thighs of a user with said base support means extending across the lap with said computer input device mounted thereon, whereby in use of such a system a said computer input device may be securely held in position on the lap of a user.

2. A laptop support device which device comprises a generally rigid platform means formed and arranged for extending across the lap of a user thereof, said platform means having a computer input device interface attachment means formed and arranged for securely attaching thereto at least a base portion of a said computer input device, said platform means also having laterally spaced apart mounting means, and at least one flexible, elongate, securing element, said at least one securing element being connected to said platform means at said spaced apart mounting means and being disposable, in use, around the thighs of a user whereby in use of said laptop support device a computer input device may be securely held in position on the lap of a user.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said flexible, elongate, securing element is in the form of a one-piece elasticated belt or strap.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said flexible elongate, securing element is in the form of a belt provided with engagement means formed and arranged for releasably connecting two end portions of the belt together.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 4 wherein said engagement means is a hook and loop type fastener.

6. The invention as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said computer input device is selected from the group of a joystick, a mouse, a mouse pad, and a computer keyboard.

7. A laptop, computer input, system as claimed in claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said base support means is in the form of a platform means having an underside contoured to fit over the lap of a user.

8. A method of using a computer input device across the lap of a user thereof which method comprises the steps of: providing at least one flexible, elongate, securing element, attaching at least a base portion of a said computer input device to said securing element at a computer input device interface attachment means portion thereof, bringing said computer input device interface attachment means portion of said securing element into a position across the lap of a said user, and disposing said securing element around the thighs of a said user so as to secure said computer input device firmly in position across the lap of a said user.

9. A laptop, computer input, system substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A laptop support device substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.