U.S. patent application number 13/328522 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for laptop support system and method of manufacture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harry F. House, III. Invention is credited to Harry F. House, III.
Application Number | 20130153351 13/328522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48609009 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130153351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
House, III; Harry F. |
June 20, 2013 |
LAPTOP SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
Abstract
A portable laptop support system including a laptop bag having a
telescoping handle and a foldable stand pivotably secured to the
telescoping handle. The foldable stand is pivotable to and from a
use configuration and a stored configuration. The handle includes a
grip with at least one receiving groove operable to receive a
portion of the foldable stand when the foldable stand is in the
stored configuration.
Inventors: |
House, III; Harry F.;
(Clinton, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
House, III; Harry F. |
Clinton |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48609009 |
Appl. No.: |
13/328522 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/11 ;
29/401.1; 29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
13/28 20130101; A45C 2013/267 20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101;
A45C 2200/15 20130101; Y10T 29/49716 20150115; Y10T 29/49826
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/11 ;
29/401.1; 29/428 |
International
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20060101
A45C009/00; A45C 13/28 20060101 A45C013/28; A45F 4/02 20060101
A45F004/02 |
Claims
1. A portable laptop support system comprising: a bag having a
handle; and a foldable stand pivotably secured to the handle, the
foldable stand operable to be pivoted to and from a use
configuration and a stored configuration.
2. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
handle includes a grip with at least one receiving groove operable
to receive a portion of the foldable stand when the foldable stand
is in the stored configuration to maintain the foldable stand in
the stored configuration.
3. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
foldable stand is secured to the handle via tips, the tips operable
to define an angle of the foldable stand with respect to the handle
when the foldable stand is in the use configuration.
4. The portable laptop support system of claim 3, wherein the tips
are at least partially received in the handle and are operable to
engage an interior thereof to define the angle.
5. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
foldable stand is a resilient wire operable to (i) secure the
foldable stand to the handle, (ii) permit pivoting of the foldable
stand with respect to the handle, (iii) define an angle of
extension from the handle, and (iv) be snap-fit into the
handle.
6. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
handle includes a button operable to maintain the foldable stand in
the stored configuration.
7. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, further
comprising: a base at a bottom of the handle.
8. The portable laptop support system of claim 7, wherein the base
is concealed by the bag.
9. A method of forming a stand for a laptop using a portable laptop
support system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bag
having a cavity operable to house an electronic device; extending a
telescoping handle from the bag; and pivoting a foldable stand
downward from the telescoping handle from a stored configuration to
a use configuration.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the handle includes a grip with
at least one receiving groove operable to nestably receive a
portion of the foldable stand when the foldable stand is in the
stored configuration.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the foldable stand is secured to
the telescoping handle via tips, the tips operable to define an
angle of the foldable stand with respect to the telescoping handle
when the foldable stand is in the use configuration.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of pivoting the
foldable stand downward includes depressing a button on the
telescoping handle to release the foldable stand from the stored
configuration.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:
providing a base at a bottom of the telescoping handle, the base
operable to maintain the bag in an upright position.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the base is concealed by the
bag.
15. A method of manufacturing a portable laptop support system, the
method comprising the steps of: providing a bag having a cavity
operable to house an electronic device and a handle; and securing a
foldable stand to the handle, the foldable stand having a stored
configuration and a use configuration.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the handle includes a grip with
at least one receiving groove operable to nestably receive a
portion of the foldable stand when the foldable stand is in the
stored configuration.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the foldable stand is secured
to the handle via tips, the tips operable to define an angle of the
foldable stand with respect to the handle when the foldable stand
is in the use configuration.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the handle includes a
depressible button operable to maintain the foldable stand in the
stored configuration.
19. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
handle is a telescoping handle.
20. The portable laptop support system of claim 1, wherein the
electronic device includes an electronic display.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present inventive concept relates generally to stands
and systems to support objects. More specifically, embodiments of
the present inventive concept concern a portable support system
being particularly suitable for integration into a laptop bag and
use with a laptop.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Laptops are commonly transported in laptop bags throughout
travel terminals such as airports, bus stations, train stations,
and the like. Generally, such terminals only provide travelers with
seating having no tables or other support structures necessary to
comfortably and efficiently utilize a laptop. Consequently, if
travelers wish to utilize their laptops, the travelers typically
resort to placing their laptop on their lap, which is undesirable
for a number of reasons.
[0005] Using a laptop in one's lap restricts movement. Further,
such generally prevents use of other materials in combination with
the laptop, e.g., papers, magazines, and the like. Still further,
prolonged use of the laptop in the one's lap may cause discomfort
and may even lead to injury due to the awkward angle that one must
position their head to view the laptop.
[0006] Presently, there are no readily-available portable laptop
support systems to aid travelers who desire to utilize their
laptops. In view of the aforementioned problems, there is a need
for a portable laptop support system that is easy to transport,
easy to use, and is easily and economically manufactured.
SUMMARY
[0007] The following summary is provided to indicate the nature of
the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the
present inventive concept are described below, the summary is not
intended to limit the scope of the present inventive concept.
[0008] Embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a
portable laptop support system that remedies the aforementioned
problems, as set forth above, by providing an integrated laptop
stand in a telescoping handle of a laptop bag. Additionally, the
present inventive concept is easily and economically manufactured
and easily installed.
[0009] The present inventive concept provides, in its simplest
form, a bag operable to house an electronic device, e.g., a laptop,
having a handle, e.g., a telescoping handle, with a pivoting laptop
stand operable to support the electronic device thereon. The
present inventive concept is operable to support one or more of the
electronic devices via the stand without interfering with or
otherwise obstructing any and all openings/compartments in the bag.
In this manner, the stand provides an additional degree of
functionality to traditional bags.
[0010] The aforementioned aspects may be achieved in one aspect of
the present inventive concept by providing a portable laptop
support system having a laptop bag having a telescoping handle and
a foldable stand pivotably secured to the telescoping handle. The
foldable stand may have and be pivotable to and/or from a use
configuration and a stored configuration.
[0011] The handle may include a grip with at least one receiving
groove operable to receive a portion of the foldable stand when the
foldable stand is in the stored configuration to maintain the
foldable stand in the stored configuration. The foldable stand may
be secured to the telescoping handle via tips. The tips may be
operable to define an angle of the foldable stand with respect to
the telescoping handle when the foldable stand is in the use
configuration.
[0012] The tips are at least partially received in the telescoping
handle and are operable to engage an interior thereof to define the
angle. The foldable stand may be made of a resilient wire such that
the foldable stand is operable to (i) secure the foldable stand to
the telescoping handle, (ii) permit pivoting of the foldable stand
with respect to the telescoping handle, (iii) define an angle of
extension from the telescoping handle, and/or (iv) be snap-fit into
the telescoping handle. The telescoping handle may include a button
operable to maintain the foldable stand in the stored
configuration.
[0013] The system may further include a base at a bottom of the
telescoping handle. The base may be entirely or at least partially
concealed by and/or within the laptop bag. The laptop bag may be a
travel bag, a suitcase, and/or a purse. The handle may be a
telescoping, folding, and/or a pivoting handle that moves relative
to other elements of the laptop bag, e.g., a primary housing and/or
an interior cavity of the laptop bag. The electronic device may be
a laptop, a dvd player, a tablet computer, and/or a television,
and/or may include an interactive electronic display screen.
[0014] The aforementioned aspects may be achieved in another aspect
of the present inventive concept by providing a method of forming a
stand for a laptop using a laptop support system. The method may
include the steps of providing a bag having a cavity operable to
house a laptop, extending a telescoping handle from the bag, and/or
pivoting a foldable stand downward from the telescoping handle from
a stored configuration to a use configuration.
[0015] The handle may include a grip with at least one receiving
groove operable to nestably receive a portion of the foldable stand
when the foldable stand is in the stored configuration. The
foldable stand may be secured to the telescoping handle via tips.
The tips may be operable to define an angle of the foldable stand
with respect to the telescoping handle with the foldable stand is
in the use configuration. The step of pivoting the foldable stand
downward may include depressing a button on the telescoping handle
to release the foldable stand from the stored configuration.
[0016] The method may further include the step of providing a base
at a bottom of the telescoping handle, the base operable to
maintain the bag in an upright position. The base may be entirely
concealed by the bag.
[0017] The aforementioned aspects may be achieved in another aspect
of the present inventive concept by providing a method of
manufacturing a laptop support system, the method including the
steps of providing a bag having a cavity operable to house a laptop
and a telescoping handle, and/or securing a foldable stand to the
telescoping handle. The foldable stand may have a stored
configuration and a use configuration. The handle may include a
grip with at least one receiving groove operable to nestably
receive a portion of the foldable stand when the foldable stand is
in the stored configuration.
[0018] The foldable stand may be secured to the telescoping handle
via tips. The tips may be operable to define an angle of the
foldable stand with respect to the telescoping handle when the
foldable stand is in the use configuration. The telescoping handle
may include a depressible button operable to maintain the foldable
stand in the stored configuration.
[0019] Other aspects and advantages of the present inventive
concept will be apparent from the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] Embodiments of the present inventive concept are described
herein with reference to the following drawing figures,
wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a laptop support
system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
inventive concept illustrating a laptop stand integrated into a bag
with the laptop stand in a use configuration;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the laptop support
system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the laptop stand in a stored
configuration;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a magnified front perspective view of the laptop
support system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the laptop stand in a
stored configuration;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another laptop support
system in accordance with another embodiment of the present
inventive concept illustrating a laptop stand integrated into a bag
with the laptop stand in a use configuration;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the laptop support
system illustrated in FIG. 4 with the laptop stand in use and
supporting a laptop;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the laptop support
system illustrated in FIG. 4; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the laptop support
system illustrated in FIG. 1 with a base support structure
integrated into an interior of the bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present inventive concept is susceptible of embodiment
in many forms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification
describes, certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be
understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. The
principles of the present inventive concept are not limited to the
particular disclosed embodiments.
[0029] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3, a portable laptop
support system 10 is generally illustrated in an exemplary
embodiment. The system 10 generally includes a laptop stand 12 that
is integrated into a bag 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the bag
14 is of appropriately sized and shaped for use as a "carry-on bag"
for traveling on an airplane or the like. It is foreseen, however,
that the bag 14 may be of any size or shape without deviating from
the scope of the present inventive concept.
[0030] The bag 14 includes an interior cavity 16 that is sized and
shaped to selectively receive and store a plurality of objects
including, but not limited to, a laptop, a dvd player, a
television, a tripod, and/or the like. The cavity 16 is accessed
via an opening 18 in a top 20 of the bag 14. The opening 18 is
operable to be selectively opened and closed via a zipper or the
like. The bag 14 further includes a telescoping handle 24 extending
from and secured to a rear 24 of the bag 14. The handle 24 includes
upper, middle, and lower arms, 26, 28, 30 that extend vertically
with respect to the bag 14 when the bag 14 is in an upright
position as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0031] The upper arms 26 are operable to be received in the middle
arms 28, and the upper and middle arms 26, 28 are operable to be
received in the lower arms 30. The middle and lower arms 28, 30
respectively have, on an interior thereof, upper and lower
supplemental support arms 36, 38 that increase the structural
integrity of the handle 22.
[0032] At an uppermost end 40 of the handle 22 is a horizontal grip
42 that connects the upper arms 26 and provides a gripping surface.
At an uppermost end 46 of the supplemental upper arms 36 are
fasteners 48 extending between and connecting the supplemental
upper arms 36 and the middle arms 28. The fasteners 48 are bolts in
the exemplary embodiment, but it is foreseen that the fasteners 48
may be any suitable connection means without deviating from the
scope of the present inventive concept.
[0033] Also at the uppermost end 46 of the supplemental upper arms
36 are receivers 54 that receive tips 56 of the laptop stand 12
therethrough so that the laptop stand 12 is integrated with the
handle 22 of the bag 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver
54 are apertures of equal size that are formed in and equally
spaced from the uppermost end 46 of the supplemental upper arms 36.
The tips 56 of the laptop stand 12 are curved or angled with
respect to side arms 60 of the laptop stand 12 to impart a folding
ability to the laptop stand 12 with respect to the handle 22. In
the exemplary embodiment, the tips 56 are angled upward with
respect to a horizontal plane defined by the side arms 60 when the
laptop stand 12 is in a use configuration, as illustrated by FIG.
1. The tips 56 are preferably angled upward between 70.degree. and
90.degree. and most preferably at approximately 80.degree. with
respect to the horizontal plane defined by the side arms 60 so that
the tips 56 extend slightly toward a direction of extension of the
side arms 60 with respect to the handle 22. In this manner, the
tips 56 are operable to abut an interior 62 of the supplemental
upper arms 36 when the laptop stand 12 is in the use configuration
and, thereby, define an angle of extension of the laptop stand 12
with respect to the handle 22. It is foreseen, however, that the
tips 56 may be angled at any angle, e.g., 90.degree., without
deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.
[0034] Each of the side arms 60 includes an angled extension 64
that connects the side arms 60 to the tips 56 of the laptop stand
12. The extensions 64 extend outwardly from each other to define a
width of the laptop stand 12 or distance between the side arms 60
that is sufficient to securely support an object on the laptop
stand 12. Additionally, the extensions 64 are angled to cause, in
cooperation with the tips 56, the laptop stand 12 to be securely
engaged to and locked with the handle 22. The extensions 64 also
position the side arms 60 to at least partially abut the upper
supplemental arms 36 when the laptop stand 12 is in a stored
configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0035] The laptop stand 12 extends from the receiver 54 of the
handle 22 at angle between 0.degree. and 60.degree. with 0.degree.
being perpendicular to the handle 22, which is defined by the tips
56. Preferably, the laptop stand 12 extends downward with respect
to perpendicular and at a downward angle between 30.degree. and
60.degree. with respect to perpendicular. In this manner, an object
may be placed on and supported by the laptop stand 12 while biased
against an end support 70 via gravity. The object may be an
electronic device having an electronic display such as, but not
limited to a laptop, a dvd player, a television, and/or the like,
as will be further discussed hereafter.
[0036] The end support 70 extends from the side arms 60 and is
operable to be received by at least partially received by grooves
72 formed at least partially about the grip 42, that is, in a side
surface 78 and a top surface 80 of the grip 42. The laptop stand 12
is formed of a resilient material, such as wire or the like, to
permit the laptop stand 12 to be flexibly received and snap-fit
into the grooves 72, thereby forming a secure engagement therewith.
A depressible button 84 is provided on the handle 22 and partially
extends from the grip 42. The button 84 is required to be depressed
to permit the end support 70 to pass over the handle 22 when
engaging and disengaging the grooves 72. In this manner, the button
84 provides an obstacle, which further prevents the laptop stand 12
from undesired disengagement from the grooves 72.
[0037] When the laptop stand 12 is in the stored configuration, the
laptop stand 12 is substantially flush with the vertical plane
defined by the handle 22 and is operable to be simultaneously
compressed with the handle 22. Additionally, the grooves 72 in the
grip 42 prevent the laptop stand 12 from interfering with the grip,
for instance, when a user is utilizing the handle 22.
[0038] Turning to FIGS. 4-6, another embodiment of a laptop stand
92 is illustrated. The laptop stand 92 includes a planar support 94
of mesh material or the like with end supports 96. The planar
support 94 and end supports 96 are hinged to a base 98 via hinges
100, which are operable to cause the planar support 94 to be
positioned at one of a plurality of angles with respect to the base
98. A selectively-positionable stand 102 is rotatably secured to
the base 98 via receivers 104. To position the planar support 94,
the stand 102 is rotated and positioned within one of a plurality
of grooves 110 arranged along dual securement strips 111 secured to
a bottom of the planar support 94. In this manner, an object to be
supported via the laptop stand 92, that is, on the planar support
94, for example, an electronic device such as, but not limited to
laptop 112, a dvd player, having a keyboard 113A and/or an
electronic display 1136, is operable to be positioned at various
angles, such as, 5.degree., 10.degree., 15.degree., and 20.degree.
or the like. The laptop 112 is similarly useable with laptop stand
12.
[0039] Depending from the base 98 is a backstop 114 operable to
abutably engage the middle arms 28 when the laptop stand 92 is
configured to its use configuration, as illustrated by FIG. 5. The
backstop 114 in cooperation with a rear 118 of the stand 102
secures the laptop stand 92 to the handle 22. Additionally, the
backstop 114 is operable to impart an additional degree of angle to
the laptop stand 92 in cooperation with the stand 102, which may be
between 0.degree. and 60.degree. with 0.degree. being perpendicular
to the handle 22. Preferably, the laptop stand 92 extends downward
with respect to perpendicular and at a downward angle between
30.degree. and 60.degree. with respect to perpendicular. In this
manner, an object may be placed on and supported by the laptop
stand 92 while biased against the end supports 96 via gravity.
[0040] Concealed within the bag 14 and at a base of the lower arms
30 of the handle 22 are base supports 120, each having vertical and
horizontal sections 122, 124. The base supports 120 are operable to
maintain the laptop support system 10 in an upright position in
use.
[0041] In this manner, the laptop support system 10 is integrated
into the bag 14 and operable to provide a support for objects such
as the laptop 112 or the like and is easily and economically
manufactured, and is easy to use.
[0042] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to
be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting
sense to interpret the scope of the present inventive concept.
Modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could
be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit of the present inventive concept.
[0043] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of the present inventive concept as it pertains to any
apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *