US20130153351A1

US20130153351A1 - Laptop support system and method of manufacture

Info

Publication number: US20130153351A1
Application number: US13/328,522
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry F. House, III
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-16
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2013-06-20

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.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of the Related Art
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Embodiments of the present inventive concept are described herein with reference to the following drawing figures, wherein:

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;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the laptop support system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the laptop stand in a stored configuration;

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;

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;

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;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the laptop support system illustrated in FIG. 4; and

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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° and 90° and most preferably at approximately 80° 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°, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.
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.
The laptop stand 12 extends from the receiver 54 of the handle 22 at angle between 0° and 60° with 0° 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° and 60° 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.
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.
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.
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°, 10°, 15°, and 20° or the like. The laptop 112 is similarly useable with laptop stand 12.
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° and 60° with 0° being perpendicular to the handle 22. Preferably, the laptop stand 92 extends downward with respect to perpendicular and at a downward angle between 30° and 60° 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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.