GB2390297A

GB2390297A - Folding laptop computer stand

Info

Publication number: GB2390297A
Application number: GB0215257A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Sloly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-02
Filing date: 2002-07-02
Publication date: 2004-01-07
Also published as: GB0215257D0

Abstract

A collapsible fold-flat stand for a laptop computer comprises rest 1 hinged to base 3 and having a hinged support plate 2 which engages tongue-and-groove fashion with the base at 6. These parts have openings to ensure ventilation of the computer. Lugs 4, which may be hinged and/or of adjustable width, support the computer. The base of the open stand may provide storage for paperwork or peripherals.

Description

1 2390297

FOLDING LAPTOP COMPUTER STAND.

The invention relates to a portable laptop computer stand of the type which can be folded flat for transportation. The invention is a free standing structure that may be put anywhere convenient.

Disc jockeys or D]'s are known for their ability to mix and blend music in order to entertain an audience. Traditionally they have relied on vinyl records as the audio source material. The draw back with vinyl as that it is heavy and a DJ on tour may be required to play multiple sets or music styles thus being required to transport a large quantity of material. Recently the industry has witnessed the rapid development of computer based audio software and hardware aimed at replicating vinyl's tactile feel whilst allowing the D] to store an expanded catalogue of music on a single portable lap top computer.

D]'s want to take said technology in to environments, such as nightclubs; bars and other music venues. However, laptop computers are known for there portability but not necessarily for there durability. Laptop computers are built as a one piece unit that unfolds to reveal a keyboard housed in the inside lower panel and the monitor screen on the inside upright panel. The laptop computers exterior casing has a number of openings that act as cooling vents

and access panels. When laptop computers are opened and placed on a flat surface they are at risk from surface hazards and spillages that could contaminate the computer via the cooling vents and access panels. When placed on a flat non vented surface laptop computers can become excessively hot due to the heat build up between the laptop computer and the work surface, thus lowering the performance of the processor chip. Also, when a laptop computer is placed on a flat surface the keyboard and screen are not ideally positioned for a user.

The portable laptop stand invention provides a rigid stand that lifts the laptop computer away from work surface hazards and contaminants. The open stand position provides a better viewing angle of the laptop computer monitor screen and angles the keyboard to avoid the user's wrists resting on the casing edges, a practice that can cause discomfort. The stand being aerated allows better heat displacement from the computers component parts. Tests show that a computers performance is greatly enhanced operating under cooler conditions. The laptop stand in the open position gives the user space between the computer and the base to store peripheral computer components, cables and / or paperwork.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a laptop computer stand movable from a storage configuration to an in use configuration, comprising a base; in hinged connection with said base, a rest

for a laptop computer; and in hinged connection with said rest, a swing plate, wherein said in use configuration said swing plate engages the base to support the rest in an inclined position.

Suitably, the base is provided with cut-away portions to reduce weight and assist with heat dissipation.

Suitably the base is provided with rubber feet to keep the laptop computer stand from sliding when placed on a surface.

Suitably the rest is provided with cutaway portions to reduce weight and assist with heat dissipation.

Suitably, the laptop computer stand is provided with one or more lugs for the retaining (varying sized) laptop computer snug to the rest. Lug types include screw adjustable to accommodate varying sized laptop computers; a folding lug type of either living hinge or other hinge type with or without a slot cut in to the rest at an appropriate place to accommodate the tip of the retaining lug and / or a plate that can be slotted to the lower cutaway of the rest plate in order to accommodate a laptop computer of varying size; a single one piece lug running the length of or part length of the rest plate hinged or not hinged with a living hinge or other, permanently attached or removable.

Suitably the engagement of the swing plate to the base to form the in use structure is carried out by way of a tongue and grove arrangement; screw type locking device or a slot or groove cut at the appropriate position in the base to accommodate a tongue on the swing plate or vice versa.

When the laptop computer is in the in use configuration the base of the laptop computer stand forms an enclosure for storage of computer peripherals and / or paperwork.

Suitably, a flexible perforated material can be attached either permanently or as an addition to the base thus screening the cutaway portions thereby ensuring no smaller stored objects can pass through the cutaways. The additional base screen can be left in situation during laptop stand storage configuration Suitably, when the laptop computer stand is in storage; the swing plate is tucked away between the base and the rest for transportation.

Suitably, the rest; base, and swing plate are provided with cutaway portions to dissipate heat. Suitably the rest; base and swing plate are also provided with folded edges for added strength.

Suitably as a system for use by disc jockeys comprising audio mixing desk and / or turntables, a laptop computer and laptop computer stand.

Suitably as a system for use by disc jockeys comprising laptop computer and laptop computer stand.

Suitably as a system for use by mechanics and engineers working in contaminated environments to analyse or test equipment. Comprising analytical or te* equipment; a laptop computer and a laptop computer stand. Suitably as a system for use by those employed in the field for collecting

data; carrying out repairs and / or referencing data. Comprising data collection and or repair equipment; a laptop computer and a laptop computer stand.

Suitably as a system to help avoid surface contaminants and liquid spillages from contaminating laptop computer supported thereon.

Suitably as a laptop computer stand which is made from metal, plastics material, wood, composites or from any combination of these materials.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to me accompanying drawings in which; FIGURE 1 shows in perspective the front of the laptop computer stand in the open position; FIGURE 2 shows in perspective the rear of the laptop computer stand in the open position; FIGURE 3 shows in perspective the laptop computer stand in the folded position for transportation; FIGURE 4 shows in perspective the laptop computer stand with a shaded laptop computer in situation; As shown in Figure 1 the erected laptop computer stand comprises of an aerated rest 1 with folded edges 12 on either side. Attached to the rest 1 are two lugs 4 that hold a laptop computer in place. An aerated swing plate 2 is connected to the rest 1 utilising a hinge. The swing plate 2 locks in to a base 3 utilising a tongue and groove assembly 6. The rest 1 is connected to the base 3 via a hinge along the front edge 5. The base has folded edges 9 a hinged front 5 and a folded rear 11 that is gapped to allow for the tongue 6 of plate 2 to slot in to and hold the structure rigid.

As shown in Figure 2 the erected laptop stand viewed from the rear. This drawing allows for the viewing of the hinge arrangements 7 and 10. Also shown is the folded edge 8 of the rear swing plate 2, this fold gives greater rigidity. As shown in Figure 3 the laptop computer stand is in the closed position for transportation. To obtain the collapsed position from the ere* position the swing plate 2 is detached from the base 3 at point 11. In this folded position the swing plate 2 becomes trapped between the rest 1 and the base 3 As shown in Figure 4 the laptop computer stand is shown in the open position with a shaded laptop computer in place.

Referring to Figure 1 space is created when the laptop stand is in the open position for computer peripherals such as power supply, paperwork and cables to be stored between the base 3, the swing plate 2 and the rest 1.

Referring to the drawing the laptop stand comprises of three 1, 2 and 3. They are connected via hinges and at points 7 and 10. To create the rigid open structure shown in Figure 1 and / or 2 The so plate slots in to the groove 6 that is created by a fold 11 at the rear of the J - e 3. The fold enables the tongue 6 at the bottom of the swing plate 2 to slide in to the gap provided by the fold.

Claims

1. A laptop computer stand movable from a storage configuration to an in use configuration, comprising a base; in hinged connection with said base, a rest for a laptop computer; and in hinged connection with said rest, a swing plate, wherein said in use configuration said swing plate engages the base to support the rest in an inclined position.

2. A laptop computer stand according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with cut-away portions.

3. A laptop computer stand according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the base is provided with rubber feet.

4. A laptop computer stand according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rest is provided with cut away portions.

5. A laptop computer stand according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rest is provided with one or more lugs for use in retaining laptop computer snug to the rest.

6. A laptop computer stand according to claim 5 wherein the one or more lugs comprises a screw adjustable lug that accommodates varying sized laptop computers.

7. A laptop computer stand according to claim 5 wherein the one or more lugs comprises a folding lug of either free living hinge or other with or without a slot cut in to the rest at an appropriate place to accommodate the tip of the retaining lug.

8. A laptop computer stand according to claim 5 wherein the one or more lugs comprises a plate that can be slotted to a cutaway in the rest plate in order to accommodate a laptop computer of varying size

9. A laptop computer stand according to claim 5 wherein the one or more lugs comprises; a lug running the length of or part length of the rest plate hinged or not hinged with a living hinge or other, permanently attached or removable.

10.A laptop computer stand according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the swing plate engages the base by way of a tongue and grove arrangement.

11.A laptop computer stand according to claims 1 to 6 wherein me swing plate engages the base by way of screw type locking device.

JO

12.A laptop computer *and according to claims to 7 wherein, the swing plate engages the base by way of a slot or groove cut at the appropriate position in the base to accommodate a tongue on the swing plate or visa versa.

I.

13.A laptop computer *and according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the swing plate is provided with cut away portions to reduce weight and allow for heat dissipation.

14.A laptop computer *and according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the swing plate is provided with rolled or folded edges to provide additional *rength.

15.A laptop computer stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the in use configuration the base forms an enclosure for storage of computer peripherals and / or paperwork.

16.A laptop computer *and according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a one piece flexible perforated material is attached either permanently or as an addition to the base thus screening the larger cutaway portions and therefore ensuring no smaller *ored objects can pass through the cutaways.

1'

17. A laptop computer stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when in the storage configuration, the swing plate is tucked away between the base and the rest for transportation.

18.A laptop computer stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rest is provided with cutaway portions to dissipate heat.

19. A laptop computer stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, the rest is also provided with folded edges for added strength and lugs to hold the laptop computer in place whilst the laptop stand is in use.

20.A laptop computer stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said hinged connections that ufflises living hinges, or fabricated mechanical hinges or a pin, or pins to form a moving joint.

21. A kit of parts comprising a laptop stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with a laptop computer.

22.A system for use by disc jockeys comprising audio mixing desk and / or turntables, a laptop computer and laptop computer stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

23.A system for use by mechanics and engineers working in contaminated environments to analyse or te* equipment. Comprising analytical or test equipment; a laptop computer and a laptop computer stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

24.A system for use by those employed in the field for collecting data;

carrying out repairs and / or referencing data. Comprising data collection and or repair equipment; a laptop computer and a laptop computer stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

25. Use of a laptop computer stand as claimed in any of the preceding claims to help avoid surface contaminants and liquid spillages from contaminating laptop computer supported thereon.

26. A laptop computer *and as claimed in any preceding claims which is made from metal, plastics material, wood, composites or from any combination of these materials.

27.A portable laptop computer stand substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing