A LAPTOP COMPUTER SUPPORT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a laptop (or notebook) computer support.

BACKGROUND

A laptop computer, also known as a notebook computer, is a small personal computer designed for mobile use. A rechargeable battery is provided that can be charged from an AC/DC adapter and has enough capacity to power the laptop computer for several hours. A laptop computer integrates typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, and a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a trackpad, or a pointing stick) into a single portable unit.

The pointing device is often less preferred to a conventional mouse. However, the mouse performs best on a flat surface which is not always available when using the laptop computer. Patent documents US 5,400,903, 6,036,011 and

D380.462 disclose laptop computer carry-cases each with a retractable shelf that can be used as a mouse pad. However, the shelf undesirably occupies potential storage space of the carry-case. In addition, computer accessories (e.g. USB memory sticks, wireless broadband modems, etc.) are readily lost or difficult to locate within these types of carry-cases.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a carry-case with improved storage capabilities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laptop computer support including: a chassis for supporting a laptop computer; a carriage for retracting relative to the chassis, and defining a storage space for storing one or more computer accessories.

The chassis may include a tubular body. The carriage may include a shelf which can slide into the chassis. The shelf may define a cavity containing the storage space, and include a pivotally mounted cavity lid which covers the cavity. The cavity lid may be sized to form a mouse pad.

The body may include a base defining a channel, and a channel cover for covering the channel. The chassis may further include a hinge mechanism for hingedly connecting the channel cover to the base. The hinge mechanism may include an "L" shaped member and a strip pivotally connected to the "L" shaped member. The body may further include a plurality of pads mounted to the channel cover and for supporting the laptop computer. ^{' ■} -

The laptop computer support may further include a laptop computer cover for pivotally mounting to the chassis and able to be pivoted to cover the laptop computer.

The laptop computer support may further include a carry-case body for pivotally mounting to the chassis which, in turn, forms a carry-case lid.

The laptop computer support may further include a shelf retainer assembly including: a shelf retainer; and a keyboard shelf for sliding to protrude from the shelf retainer, and having a keyboard support portion which can be tilted. According another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage for a laptop computer support, the carriage able to retract relative to a chassis for supporting a laptop computer, the carriage defining a storage space for storing one or more computer accessories.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable computer support including: a chassis for supporting a portable computer; a carriage for retracting relative to the chassis, and defining a storage space for storing one or more computer accessories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a disassembled laptop computer support in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the laptop computer support of Figure 1 with its shelf partially retracted;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of a carry-case in which the laptop computer support of Figure 1 is inserted;

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of a partially assembled laptop computer support in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of an alternative partially-assembled laptop computer support in accordance with the second embodiment;

Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of a hinge mechanism of the laptop computer support of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side sectional view of a body of the laptop computer support of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a modular carry-case including the laptop computer support of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of the carry-case of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of a shelf retainer assembly which can be fastened to the body of Figure 7 or the carry-case of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a laptop computer support 2 as shown in Figure 1. The laptop computer support 2 includes a chassis in the form of a tubular body 4 for supporting a laptop computer (not shown). A removable carriage in the form of a shelf 6 is provided and is slidably retractable relative to the body 4. As shown in Figure 2b, the shelf 6 defines an internal storage space 8 for storing computer accessories including, for example, USB memory sticks, wireless broadband modems, cables etc. The laptop computer support 2 is described in detail below.

The tubular body 4 is integrally formed as a unitary piece from lightweight plastics material. The shelf 6 is similarly made from lightweight plastics material and can freely slide in and out of the body 4. The shelf 6 defines a cavity containing the storage space 8. As can best be seen in Figure 2, a pivotally mounted cavity lid 10 covers the storage space 8 and is sized to form a mouse pad. In use, the user can slide the shelf 6 partially outward from within the body 4 and use the lid 10 as a mouse pad when the laptop computer rests upon the body 4. Advantageously, the shelf 6 can be rotated 180° and inserted into either end of the body 4 so that the lid 10 can protrude from either side of the body 4 for either left or right handed mouse usage.

In Figure 3, the shelf 6 can be fully retracted into the body 4 so that the laptop computer support 2 can be inserted within a carry-case 12 to effectively form its floor. The support 2 can also form a suitable insert for stabilising limp carry- case 12 made from fabric. The carry-case 12 may define a side slot (not shown) through which the shelf 6 can protrude when the support 2 is located within the carry-case 12. Advantageously, computer accessories can be stored in the storage space 8 within the shelf 6 which would otherwise not be possible if the storage space was not present. In this manner, the user is able to readily locate the computer accessories stored within the shelf 6.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a laptop computer support 2 as shown in Figure 4. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

In this embodiment, the two-part body 4 includes a molded plastic base 14 defining a channel 16. The body 4 further includes a channel cover 18 for covering the channel 16. The support 2 further includes a hinge mechanism 20 for hingedly connecting the channel cover 18 to the base 14. As can best be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the hinge mechanism 20 includes an "L" shaped member 22 and a strip 24 pivotally connected to the "L" shaped member 22.

Furthermore, in Figure 4, the laptop computer support 2 further includes a laptop computer cover 26 for pivotally mounting to the body 4 and able to be pivoted to cover the laptop computer resting upon the channel cover 18. As can best be shown in Figure 5, the laptop computer cover 26 is pivotally mounted to the U" shaped base 14 with a fastener 28. In one example of the second embodiment, the channel cover 18 can be fixedly fastened to the base 14 with a number of screws as shown in Figure 5. The body 4 also includes a quartet of corner pads 30 mounted to the channel cover 18 and for supporting the laptop computer. Each corner pad 30 is detachable and made from high- friction non-slip material. Advantageously, air can pass beneath a laptop computer resting upon the pads 30 to facilitate cooling of the laptop computer.

Figure 8 shows an exploded view of a modular carry-case 12 including the laptop computer support 2 of Figure 5. The carry-case 12 includes a carry- case body 32 for pivotally mounting to the support body 4. As can best be seen in Figure 9, the support body 4 effectively forms a carry-case lid for sealing an internal carry-case chamber. As previously described, the cover 26 can be pivotally mounted to the body 4 using the fastener 28.

Figure 10 shows an additional shelf retainer 34 that can be fastened to either the base of the carry-case body 32 or the base of the support body 4. A keyboard shelf 36 can be slidably received within the shelf retainer 34. The shelf 36 includes two pivotally mounted shelf portions to facilitate ergonomic use of an external keyboard rested upon the extended keyboard shelf 36. The outermost keyboard shelf portion supporting the keyboard can be tilted relative to the retainer 34 to suit the user's particular needs.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

For example, the support 2 of each embodiment may be fitted with a restriction mechanism to restrict the extent to which the shelf 6 can protrude from the body 4 to thereby prevent the shelf 6 from inadvertently becoming dislodged from the body 4.

In addition, the body 4 may define slots for receiving respective storage drawers, or cavities for receiving complementarily shaped computer accessories. Appropriate clips can be used to secure pivotal parts together, such as the laptop computer cover 26 relative to the base 14 (Figure 5) and the carry-case body 32 relative to the support body 4 (Figure 9).

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.