GB2575083A

GB2575083A - Portable computer holder

Info

Publication number: GB2575083A
Application number: GB201810608A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barrons Bruce
Original assignee: Airpole Ltd
Current assignee: Airpole Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2020-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-28
Also published as: GB2575083B; GB201810608D0

Abstract

A portable computer holder 100 has a body having a computer receiving formation (118, 132, fig. 3) for receiving a portable computer (32, fig. 5) and a strap 152 in which, in use, an opening is defined between the strap and the computer to receive a user's hand. The holder may comprise two openings in the body for receiving opposite ends of a portable computer, which may be joined by the strap. The openings are preferably normal to the strap, and the strap is preferably offset from the centre of the openings to engage the user’s wrist in use. The body is preferably constructed from two stitched or adhered layers of a flat, flexible material. The strap may be in two parts, which are attachable by hook-and-loop attachment. A glove 136 may be included, and the attachment formation is preferably located on the back of the glove and preferably comprises a portion of hook-and-loop material to attach to a portable computer.

Description

Portable computer holder

The present invention relates to a portable computer holder. More specifically, the present invention relates to a holder which enables a tablet computer to be easily held by a user.

Tablet computers are used in many fields. In addition to leisure purposes, tablet computers are often used for practical purposes. One such application is shown in Figure 1. A gutter 10 is provided at the top of a wall 12, and below a roof 14. A gutter cleaning apparatus 16 is provided comprising a lance 18. At one end of the lance 18 there is provided a nozzle 20, which nozzle is fed by an air tube 22. The other end of the air tube 22 is fed by an air compressor 24. In this way, compressed air exiting the nozzle 20 at high speed can clear debris from the gutter 10.

A problem with this device is that it is difficult to observe whether clearing has been effective. The gutter 10 is clearly at a much higher position than a user 26. To remedy this problem, a wireless camera 28 is provided mounted to the lance 18, which camera has a field of vision directed into the gutter 20. The camera 28 transmits visual data 30 to a tablet computer 32 comprising a screen 34. The camera feed is displayed on the screen 34 so the user 26 can properly manipulate the lance 18 and perform gutter clearing with real-time visual feedback.

Although effective, this apparatus is problematic as the user 26 need to use one hand to hold the tablet computer 32. This means he or she only has a single hand remaining to manipulate the lance 18, which is less preferable than using two hands, as it generally offers less accuracy. Single-handed operation of the lance also offers less control than two-handed operation. Further, holding an expensive tablet computer with a single hand carries the risk of dropping it, which may cause damage.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable computer holder comprising:

a body having:

a computer-receiving formation for receiving a portable computer; and, a strap;

in which, in use, an opening is defined between the strap and the computer to receive a user's hand.

In this way, the user does not need to grip the computer- the strap retains it on the user's hand.

Preferably the computer-receiving formation comprises two openings in the body for receiving opposite ends of a portable computer.

Preferably the strap joins two regions of the body defining the two openings.

Preferably the two regions of the body defining the two openings are generally normal to the strap, and in which the strap is offset from the centre of the two regions of the body defining the two openings such that the strap engages the user's wrist in use.

Preferably the body is constructed from a flat, flexible material. This may be a closed-cell foam such as neoprene.

Preferably each of the openings are defined between two layers of the flat, flexible material.

Preferably a first layer of material defines the strap, and in which the openings are defined between the first layer and two separate portions of a second layer.

Preferably the layers of material are stitched together. The layers may be glued / adhered in addition to, or instead of, stitched.

Preferably the strap has a first strap portion and a second strap portion, the first and second strap portions being attachable.

Preferably the first and second strap portions are attachable by a hook-and-loop attachment.

Preferably there is provided a portable computer holder according to any preceding claim, comprising a glove having a portable computer attachment formation for attaching a portable computer held by the body.

Preferably wherein the attachment formation is located on the back of the glove.

Preferably the attachment formation comprises a portion of hook-and-loop material.

The invention also provides an assembly of a portable computer and a portable computer holder according to the first aspect, wherein the portable computer comprises a portion of hook-and-loop material for attachment to the back of the glove, and is arranged to be retained in position by the strap passing over the palm of a user's hand.

The term portable computer is used to cover any computer-type device with a screen. For example, as well as tablet computers this term also covers smartphones and laptop-tablet hybrids.

Example portable computer holders according to the present invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic of a gutter cleaning apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of a first portable computer holder according to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the portable computer holder of Figure 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear perspective view of the portable computer holder of Figure 2 in use;

FIGURE 5 is a front perspective view of the portable computer holder of Figure 2 in use;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the portable computer holder of Figure 2;

FIGURE 7 is a front view of a second portable computer holder according to the present invention; and,

FIGURE 8 is a rear view of a second portable computer holder according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a portable computer holder 100 comprises a flexible fabric body 102 having a first part 104 and a second part 106. In this embodiment the body 102 is constructed from the closed-cell foam- specifically neoprene.

The first part 104 comprises a first layer 108 and a second layer 110.

The first layer 108 comprises a first rectangular portion 112 and a second rectangular portion 114. The second rectangular portion 114 is positioned at 90 degrees to the first rectangular portion 112 and extends from a long side thereof. The second rectangular portion 114 is positioned proximate to (although slightly offset from) an end of the first rectangular portion. In this way, the first layer 108 is substantially L shaped (with a small foot at the bottom of the L).

The second layer 110 is rectangular and is the same size and shape as the first rectangular portion 112 of the first layer 108.

The second layer 110 is overlaid onto the first rectangular portion 112 of the first layer 108 and the layers 108,110 are attached by means of a seam 116 extending around the two short edges and one long edge of the first rectangular portion 112 and second layer 110. In this way a pocket is formed between the layers 108, 110 with an opening 118 facing the second rectangular portion 114 of the first layer 108.

A first portion of hook-and-loop material 120 is provided proximate the free end of the second rectangular portion 114 of the first layer 108. The first portion of hook-and-loop material 120 is on the same side of the first layer 108 as the second layer 110.

The second part 106 comprises a first layer 122 and a second layer 124.

The first layer 122 comprises a first rectangular portion 126 and a second rectangular portion 128. The second rectangular portion 128 is positioned at 90 degrees to the first rectangular portion 126 and extends from a long side thereof. The second rectangular portion 128 is positioned proximate to (although slightly offset from) an end of the first rectangular portion. In this way, the first layer 122 is substantially L shaped (with a small foot at the bottom of the L).

The second layer 124 is rectangular and is the same size and shape as the first rectangular portion 126 of the first layer 122.

The second layer 124 is overlaid onto the first rectangular portion 126 of the first layer 122 and the layers 122, 124 are attached by means of a seam 130 extending around the two short edges and one long edge of the first rectangular portion 126 and second layer 124. In this way a pocket is formed between the layers 122, 124 with an opening 132 facing the second rectangular portion 128 of the first layer 122.

A second portion of hook-and-loop material 134 is provided proximate the free end of the second rectangular portion 128 of the first layer 108. The second portion of hook-and-loop material 134 is on the opposite side of the first layer 122 to the second layer 124.

The first and second parts 106, 108 can be assembled as shown in Figures 2 and 3- that is by engaging the first portion of hook-and-loop material 120 with the second portion of hook-and-loop material 134. This engagement creates the H-shaped fabric body 102. It will be noted that the second rectangular portion 114 of the first part 104 and second rectangular portion 128 of the second part 106 do not extend from the respective centres of the first rectangular portion 112 of the first part 104 and the first rectangular portion 126 of the second part 106. They are offset towards the lower end in Figures 2 and 3.

The holder 100 is provided with a glove 136 (Figures 4 to 6). The glove 136 comprises an outer surface 138 having a palm region 140 and a back region 142, as well as fingers 144. At least one of the glove fingers 144 is of the fingerless style such that the user's fingertip projects therefrom. This allows for operation of a touchscreen. In other embodiments, the glove may not be fingerless, or may have fingertips coated in a material which can be used to control a touchscreen.

On the back region 142 there is positioned a third portion of hook-and-loop material 146.

A tablet computer 32 is provided. The tablet computer 32 comprises a screen 34. On the back face of the tablet computer 32 there is provided a fourth portion of hook-and-loop material 148.

In use, a first end 148 of the tablet computer 32 is inserted into the opening 118. A second end 150 is inserted into the opening 132. The parts 102,104 are attached by engagement of the first and second portions of hook-and-loop material 120, 134.

The tablet 32 is held onto the user's hand in two ways. Firstly, the corresponding third and fourth portions 146, 148 of hook-and-loop material engage to retain the tablet 32 on the glove 136 (and thereby the back of the user's hand). Secondly, the second rectangular portion 114 of the first part 104 and second rectangular portion 128 of the second part 106 join to form a strap 152 between the opposing ends of the holder 100 where the openings 118, 132 are defined. This strap 152 passes over the wrist of the hand (Figure 4) below the palm to hold the tablet 32 in position (Figure 5). In this way, the tablet 32 is held securely. Further, because the strap 152 passes over the wrist, below the palm, the palm is left free to grip the lance without moving the strap in use. Because the strap is offset (i.e. not in the centre of the H as shown in Figures 2 and 3), the strap 152 will naturally rest below the user's palm, at the wrist. In use, the strap 152 is offset from the centre of the tablet computer, which is positioned centrally on the back of the hand. Therefore it is also important that the strap 152 is offset from the third and fourth portions 146, 148 of hook-and-loop material in use.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown an alternative holder 100' constructed without the join at the strap 152'. This is simpler in construction, but does not allow the tension across the hand to be varied to suit the user's preference.

Variations fall within the scope of the present invention.

The holders 100,100' may be adapted to hold mobile phone and other types of portable computer.

The holders 100,100' may be constructed from other types of material.

The glove and the third and fourth portions of hook-and-loop material may be omitted, although the tablet will be less securely held in this configuration.

Claims

1. A portable computer holder comprising:

a body having:

a computer-receiving formation for receiving a portable computer; and, a strap;

2. A portable computer holder according to claim 1, wherein the computer-receiving formation comprises two openings in the body for receiving opposite ends of a portable computer.

3. A portable computer holder according to claim 2, wherein the strap joins two regions of the body defining the two openings.

4. A portable computer holder according to claim 3, in which the two regions of the body defining the two openings are generally normal to the strap, and in which the strap is offset from the centre of the two regions of the body defining the two openings such that the strap engages the user's wrist in use.

5. A portable computer holder according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the body is constructed from a flat, flexible material.

6. A portable computer holder according to claim 5, wherein each of the openings are defined between two layers of the flat, flexible material.

7. A portable computer holder according to claim 6, wherein a first layer of material defines the strap, and in which the openings are defined between the first layer and two separate portions of a second layer.

8. A portable computer holder according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the layers of material are stitched or adhered together.

9. A portable computer holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap has a first strap portion and a second strap portion, the first and second strap portions being attachable.

10. A portable computer holder according to claim 9, wherein the first and second strap portions are attachable by a hook-and-loop attachment.

11. A portable computer holder according to any preceding claim, comprising:

a glove having a portable computer attachment formation for attaching a portable computer held by the body.

12. A portable computer holder according to claim 11, wherein the attachment formation is located on the back of the glove.

5

13. A portable computer holder according to claim 12, wherein the attachment formation comprises a portion of hook-and-loop material.

14. An assembly of a portable computer and a portable computer holder according to claim 13, wherein the portable computer comprises a portion of hook-and-loop material for attachment to the back of the glove, and is arranged to be retained in position by the strap passing over the palm and / 10 or wrist of a user's hand.