GB2335593A - Turntable for a laptop computer - Google Patents

Abstract

The turntable 2 comprises a lower circular portion 4 and an upper circular portion 6, adapted to be mutually rotatable about a central pivot 12. Lower portion 4 has a greater height but less diameter than upper portion 6. The upper portion 6 may be made from perspex. The turntable may be used to support a laptop computer.

Description

1 1 2335593 1 A TURNTABLE FOR A LAPTOP COMPUTER This invention relates to

a turntable for use with a laptop computer.

when operating a laptop computer whilst sitting at a table in consultation, it is sometimes desirable to turn the computer to enable the screen to be viewed by others. This requires space to move the computer, involves time, inconvenience and a risk of damage to a polished work surface.

The present invention aims to substantially overcome the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a turntable for a laptop computer comprising a first portion for contacting a work surface, and a second portion for supporting a laptop computer, the first portion being positionable in surface contact with the second portion, the second portion being rotatable with respect to the first portion to allow movement of the laptop computer supported on the second portion in use on rotation of the second portion.

The first portion and/or the second portion may be formed of perspex. The advantage of using perspex is that it is a relatively low friction material. Other low friction materials similar to perspex may be used to form the first and second portions of the turntable.

Preferably, the first portion has a substantially circular periphery. Also preferably, the second portion has a substantially circular periphery.

The first portion may have a substantially planar upper surface, and the second portion may have a substantially planar lower surface for contacting the upper surface of the first -7 portion when the second portion is supported on the f irst portion in use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a pivot means locatable in or on one or other of the first portion and the second portion, and a recess in the other of the f irst portion and the second portion to receive the pivot means, the pivot means and the recess being operable to retain the second portion on the first portion in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion has a lower surface for contacting a work surface, the lower surface having a non- slip portion attached thereto to inhibit movement of the first portion across the work surface.

Preferably, the second portion has an upper surface for contacting a laptop computer, the upper surface having a nonslip portion attached thereto to inhibit movement of the laptop computer in use relative to the upper surface.

Preferably the first portion has a first cross-sectional area, and the second portion has a second cross-sectional area, the first crosssectional area being less than the second cross-sectional area.

In the preferred embodiment where both the first and second portions have a substantially circular periphery, the first portion has a first diameter, and the second portion has a second diameter, and preferably the first diameter is around 155 mm and the second diameter is around 160 mm.

Preferably the first portion has first thickness, and the second portion has a second thickness, the second thickness preferably being less than the first thickness.

1 3 In a further preferred embodiment, the first thickness is around 4 mm, and the second thickness is around 2 mm. Thus, the weight of the composite turntable is such as to enable the turntable to be easily lifted from the work surface by the 5 user.

The turntable in which the present invention is embodied will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the sole drawing which is a side elevation of a turntable.

The sole figure shows a turntable 2 comprising a first or lower portion 4 and second or upper portion 6. Preferably, the lower portion 4 and upper portion 6 are in the form of two substantially planar discs. The lower portion 4 has a substantially planar upper surface 8 and the upper portion 6 has a substantially planar lower surface 10. A pivot means, for example a spindle 12 comprises a cylindrical portion 13 integral with a frustum 15. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 is less than the diameter of the upper face of the frustum 15 and a flange 17 is formed which extends from the outer peripheral edge 21 of the upper face of the frustum 15 to the outer peripheral edge 22 of the base of the cylindrical portion 13.

In use, the frustum 15 is received in a correspondingly shaped recess 14 which extends from the upper surface 8 of the lower portion 4 and through the lower portion 4 towards the lower surface 16 of the lower portion. The cylindrical portion 13 is received in a correspondingly shaped recess 19 extending through the upper portion 6. The spindle 12 and recesses 14 and 19 are located substantially concentrically in the 1 1 j 4 respective lower and upper portions 4 and 6. Adhesive may be placed around the peripheral outer f ace of the cylindrical section 13 and on the upper face of the flange 17 to retain the spindle 12 in the upper portion 6 once assembled.

The lower portion 4 has a smaller diameter than the upper portion 6 but has a greater thickness than the upper portion 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the lower portion is around 155 mm and the thickness of the lower portion is around 4 mm whereas the diameter of the upper portion is around 160 mm and the thickness of the upper portion is around 2 mm.

In use, the lower surf ace 16 of the lower portion 4, which may have a non-slip portion (not shown) attached thereto to inhibit movement of the lower portion relative to the work surface, is placed on a work surface and the lower surface 10 of the upper portion 6 is placed in surface contact with the upper surf ace 8 of the lower portion 4 so that it rests concentrically on the lower portion 4, the spindle 12 being located in the corresponding recesses 14 and 19. A laptop computer (not shown) may be placed on the stacked lower and upper portions so that the under surf ace of the laptop keyboard rests on the upper surface 18 of the upper portion 6. The upper surface 18 of the upper portion 6 may have a non-slip portion (not shown) attached thereto to inhibit movement of the laptop computer relative to the upper portion 6.

when a torque is applied to the upper portion 6 by the operator, either directly to the upper portion 6 or indirectly by turning the laptop computer resting thereon, and the torque is sufficient to overcome the friction between the upper surface 8 of the lower portion 4 and lower surface 10 of the 1 upper portion 6, the upper portion 6 rotates about the spindle 12 with respect to the lower portion 4 until the torque is removed and the screen of the laptop computer has been rotated: to the desired position. Further rotation is inhibited by' friction between the two contacting surfaces of the lower and upper portions. This arrangement is particularly advantageous as rotation of the upper portion 6 and therefore the laptop computer screen past the required position is inhibited.

The differences in diameter and thickness of the lower and 10 upper portions 4 and 6 render it easy for the operator to lift the assembled turntable off the work surface by inserting his fingers in the gap formed between the lower surface 10 of the is upper portion 6 and upper surf ace 8 of the lower portion 4.

Furthermore, the thickness of the lower portion 4 is such that the gap formed between the lower surface 10 of the upper portion 6 and the work surface on which the lower portion 4 is positioned has been found to be sufficient to enable the operator's fingers to be inserted into the gap to lift the turnable.

various alternatives to the embodiments described are possible, for example, whilst the upper and lower portions 6 and 4 forming the turntable have been described as being made of perspex, both portions may be formed from any similar material having a relatively low coefficient of friction.

Thus, the turntable described is a light, easily transportable, low cost turntable which provides a low profile and a stable base for typing.

6 1 1

Claims (10)

1. A turntable for a laptop computer comprising a first portion for contacting a work surface, and a second portion for supporting a laptop computer, the first portion being positionable in surface contact with the second portion, the second portion being rotatable with respect to the first portion to allow movement of the laptop computer supported on the first portion in use on rotation of the second portion.

2. A turntable according to claim 1 wherein the first portion and/or the second portion are formed of perspex.

3. A turntable according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the first 15 portion has a substantially circular periphery.

4. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second portion has a substantially circular periphery.

5. A turntable according to any one of claims comprising pivot means locatable in or one or first portion and the second portion, and a recess of the first portion and said second portion to pivot means, the pivot means and the recess being retain the second portion on the first portion in 1 to 4 further other of the in the other receive the operable to use.

6. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first portion has a first cross sectional area, and the second portion has a second cross sectional area, the first 1 7 cross sectional area being less than the second cross sectional area.

7. A turntable according to any one of cl-aims 1 to 6 wherein the first portion has a first thickness, and the second portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

8. A turntable according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the first portion has a diameter of around 155 mm, and 10 the second portion has a diameter of around 160 mm.

9. A turntable according to claim 7 wherein the first thickness is around 4 mm and the second thickness is around 2 nIM.

10. A turntable substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.