U.S. patent application number 11/531106 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for support pad for a laptop computer.
Invention is credited to Dennis Kappen, Ed PANZIERA.
Application Number | 20080061207 11/531106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39186000 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080061207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PANZIERA; Ed ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
SUPPORT PAD FOR A LAPTOP COMPUTER
Abstract
A support pad for a laptop computer includes a laptop abutting
surface and an opposite surface, the laptop abutting surface for
contacting a lower surface of the laptop computer. A plurality of
channels is provided in the laptop abutting surface for minimizing
contact between the laptop abutting surface and the laptop computer
and for facilitating heat dissipation from the laptop computer. A
thickness of the support pad is sized to minimize heat transfer
therethrough.
Inventors: |
PANZIERA; Ed; (King City,
CA) ; Kappen; Dennis; (Brampton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERRY + CURRIER
1300 YONGE STREET, SUITE 500
TORONTO
ON
M4T-1X3
US
|
Family ID: |
39186000 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531106 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/00 20060101
A47B091/00 |
Claims
1. A support pad for a laptop computer comprising: a laptop
abutting surface and an opposite surface, said laptop abutting
surface for contacting a lower surface of said laptop computer; a
plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels
provided in said laptop abutting surface, said plurality of first
and second channels for minimizing contact between said laptop
abutting surface and said laptop computer and for facilitating heat
dissipation from said laptop computer; and a thickness sized to
minimize heat transfer through said support pad.
2. (canceled)
3. A support pad as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first channels
extend between a left edge and a right edge of said support
pad.
4. A support pad as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second
channels initiate at a top edge of said support pad and extend
towards a bottom edge of said support pad, said second channels
intersecting each of said first channels.
5. A support pad as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first channels
are linear and extend generally parallel to one another.
6. A support pad as claimed in claim 4, wherein a distance between
said second channels decreases between said top edge and said
bottom edge.
7. A support pad as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wrist
rest provided adjacent a bottom edge of said support pad.
8. A support pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support pad is
made of a flexible material.
9. A support pad as claimed in claim 8, wherein said support pad is
made of foam material.
10. A support pad as claimed in claim 7, wherein said wrist rest is
raised from said laptop abutting surface.
11. A support pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein an aspect ratio of
said channels, between channel depth and channel width, is greater
than 1.
12. A support pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pitch of said
channels is greater than twice the channel width.
13. A support pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thickness
provides a temperature gradient of at least 15.degree. C. between
said laptop abutting surface and said opposite surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a support pad for a laptop
computer and in particular, a support pad for dissipating heat from
a lower surface of the laptop computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable laptop computers operate at high temperatures and
require proper ventilation in order to operate efficiently. Heat
build-up in laptop computers can reduce battery life, damage
critical components and cause the laptop to shut down at
inopportune times resulting in the loss of important data. Heat
build-up may also cause damage to work surfaces and further poses a
health risk to operators who use the laptop computer in a laptop
configuration.
[0003] Laptop computers are designed to cool themselves; however,
they require unrestricted ventilation to their lower surfaces in
order to do so. Laptops typically include risers that are mounted
at each of the corners to provide a gap between the lower surface
of the laptop from the surface on which it is resting. In order for
the risers to function properly, the operator must use the laptop
on a hard planar surface, such as a desk, for example. It is often
desirable, however, to use the laptop computer in the laptop
configuration with the lower surface of the computer resting on the
operator's lap or another non-ventilating surface, such as a bed,
for example. Such surfaces inhibit proper cooling of the laptop
computer by restricting air flow to the lower surface thereof.
Further, little or no heat dissipation occurs through the
non-ventilating surfaces and therefore, the risk of heat build-up
in the laptop computer is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
support pad for a laptop computer including a laptop abutting
surface and an opposite surface, the laptop abutting surface for
contacting a lower surface of the laptop computer, a plurality of
channels provided in the laptop abutting surface, the plurality of
channels for minimizing contact between the laptop abutting surface
and the laptop computer and for facilitating heat dissipation from
the laptop computer and a thickness sized to minimize heat transfer
through the support pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention will be better understood with reference to
the following Figures in which like numerals denote like parts and
in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a laptop abutting
surface of a laptop support pad according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing an opposite surface of
the laptop support pad of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the laptop support pad of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the laptop support pad of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-section on 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of the laptop support pad of FIG. 1
being used in a laptop configuration;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the laptop support pad of FIG. 1
being used in a desktop configuration;
[0013] FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing a laptop abutting
surface of a laptop support pad according to another embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing a laptop abutting
surface of a laptop support pad according to yet another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a laptop support pad 10 is
generally shown. The laptop support pad 10 is generally a one-piece
body 12 that is made of foam or another suitable insulating
material. The one-piece body 12 includes a laptop abutting surface
14, an opposite surface 16 and left, right, top and bottom edges,
18, 20, 22 and 24, respectively. The edges 18, 20, 22, 24 form a
continuous border around the support pad 10.
[0016] Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, multiple heat dissipation
channels 26 are provided in the laptop abutting surface 14 so that
the laptop abutting surface 14 is made up of a plurality of ribs
15. First channels 28 extend between the left edge 18 and the right
edge 20 of the support pad 10. The first channels 28 are linear and
extend generally parallel to one another. Second channels 30
initiate at the top edge 22 and extend towards the bottom edge 24.
As shown, the second channels 30 intersect each of the first
channels and the distance between the second channels 30 gradually
decreases as the distance from the top edge 22 increases. A third
arc-shaped channel 32 initiates and terminates at the top edge 22
without intersecting any of the other channels 28, 30. In one
embodiment, an aspect ratio between the channel depth and the
channel width of first channels 28 is greater than 1 and a pitch
between the first channels 28 is greater than twice the channel
width.
[0017] The laptop support pad 10 has a generally constant
thickness, as shown in FIG. 5, and increases in height from the
bottom edge 24 to the top edge 22. The thickness is determined
based on the heat conductivity of the laptop support pad material
to provide a temperature gradient of at least 15.degree. C. between
the laptop abutting surface 14 and the opposite surface 16.
[0018] The support pad 10 further includes a wrist rest 34, which
is generally flat and free of channels 26, located adjacent the
bottom edge 24.
[0019] When used in a laptop configuration, the laptop abutting
surface 14 of the support pad 10 contacts a lower surface 38 of a
laptop computer 36 and opposite surface 16 rests on a user's lap
40, as shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, when used in a desktop
configuration, the laptop abutting surface 14 of the support pad 10
contacts the lower surface 38 of the laptop computer 36 and
opposite surface 16 rests on a desktop 42, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0020] The heat dissipation channels 26 in the support pad 10
minimize the amount of contact between the laptop abutting surface
14 and the laptop computer 36 so that conductive heat transfer
between the laptop computer and the support pad 10 is minimized.
The channels 26 further facilitate heat dissipation from the laptop
computer 36 by directing air flow through the channels 26.
[0021] In addition to facilitating heat dissipation, the support
pad 10 shields the surface on which it is resting from the heat of
the laptop computer 36. Thus, heat that is absorbed by the support
pad 10 is not transferred to the user's lap 40 or the desktop
42.
[0022] In use, the support pad 10 is placed on the user's lap 40,
or a desktop 42, and the laptop computer 36 is positioned on the
laptop abutting surface 14 of the support pad 10. In addition to
their function in heat dissipation, the channels 26 provide a
non-slipping surface so that the laptop computer 36 does not shift
once it has been positioned on the support pad 10. The support pad
10 is sized to accommodate laptop computers 42 that are up to 17
inches wide. Smaller laptop computers 36 are positioned close to
the top edge 22 of the support pad 10 so that the user may take
advantage of the wrist rest 34.
[0023] The incline of the support pad 10 improves ergonomics for
the user by reducing eyestrain and wrist strain. Further, because
the support pad 10 is made of foam material, it is flexible and
therefore, comfortable for the user when it is used in the laptop
configuration. The foam material is closed cell, non-marking, water
and mildew resistant so that the support pad 10 will not mark
clothing when used in the laptop configuration and will not damage
surfaces when used in the desktop configuration.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 8, a support pad 10a according to another
embodiment is generally shown. The support pad 10a is similar to
the support pad 10 of FIG. 1, however, the support pad 10a includes
a wrist rest 34a that is raised beyond laptop abutting surface 14a.
In use, a forward edge of a laptop computer (not shown) abuts an
upwardly extending surface 44 of wrist rest 34a. The raised wrist
rest 34a of this embodiment functions along with channels 26a to
resist slipping of the laptop on the support pad 10a. Further, the
raised wrist rest 34a provides additional comfort to the user
because the wrist rest 34a is generally flush with a keypad surface
(not shown) of the laptop computer.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 9, a support pad 10b according to yet
another embodiment is generally shown. In this embodiment, ribs 15b
extend only partway along the width of the support pad 10b between
left and right edges 18b and 20b. Channels 28b are provided between
the ribs 1b. In this embodiment, the increased aspect ratio of the
ribs 15b results in less contact between laptop abutting surface
14b and the laptop computer than in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0026] In another embodiment, the support pad 10 is sized to
accommodate particular models of laptop computers. Such laptop
computer models may be larger or smaller than 17 inches wide.
[0027] In another embodiment, the support pad 10 is made of any one
or a combination of: rigid foam, thermoplastic, metal, metal foil
and open celled foam. A decorative fabric covering may further be
included.
[0028] The support pad 10 may be manufactured using a thermoforming
process. Alternatively, the support pad 10 may be injection molded,
stamped, vacuum formed or manufactured using another suitable
process.
[0029] A specific embodiment of the present invention has been
shown and described herein. However, modifications and variations
may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although the
laptop support pad 10 has been described for use on a lap or a
desktop, it will be appreciated that the support pad 10 may be used
on any surface. All such modifications and variations are believed
to be within the sphere and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *