Comfortable Laptop Computer Stand

• US 20110038121A1
• Filed: 06/07/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Monney, Patrick, Chevalley, Simone, Tabasso, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 8,537,537 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops

Abstract

A laptop computer stand includes a case having a top, a bottom, right and left sides, a front, and a back. The stand further includes a plurality of speakers disposed at right and left sides of the top, and an audio hub coupled to the speakers. The audio hub is configured to receive audio signals from a laptop computer coupled to the audio hub, and control the speakers to output audio from the audio signal. The stand further includes a cooling fan disposed in the body below the top. The top includes a top grate formed therein configured to output air blown by the fan, and the back includes a back grate configured to intake air blown out the top grate. The air blown by the fan is configured to circulate between the top of the stand and the bottom of a laptop computer positioned on the top of the stand.

Claims

1. A laptop computer stand comprising:

a case having a top, a bottom, right and left sides, a front, and a back;

a plurality of speakers disposed at right and left sides of the top; and

an audio hub coupled to the speakers and configured to receive audio signals from a laptop computer coupled to the audio hub and control the speakers to output audio from the audio signal

2. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, further comprising a cooling fan disposed in the body below the top;

wherein the top includes a top grate formed therein configured to output air blown by the fan, and the back includes a back grate configured to intake air blown out the top grate.

3. The laptop computer stand of claim 2, wherein the audio hub includes a set of USB connectors configured to receive the audio signal from a laptop computer for output of the audio signal by the speakers and receive power from the laptop computer to power the audio hub and the cooling fan.

4. The laptop computer stand of claim 3, wherein the case includes a storage compartment for storing the set of USB connectors.

5. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, wherein:

the audio hub includes a digital-to-analog converter,

the audio signal received from the laptop computer is a digital audio signal, and

the digital-to-analog converter is configured to convert the digital audio signal to an analog audio signal for output by the plurality of speakers.

6. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, further comprising a control panel having a volume control device for raising and lowering a volume of sound output from the speakers, and having a power switch for powering the fan on and off.

7. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, wherein each of the speakers is at least a two inch speaker.

8. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, wherein the top is substantially planar, and wherein the bottom is contoured and the contour includes a first portion adjacent to the front that is relatively planar, a second portion adjacent to the first portion that is curved downward relative to the top, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion is relatively planar.

9. The laptop computer stand of claim 8, wherein the contour is configured to fit a user'"'"'s lap and curve over a user'"'"'s knees.

10. The laptop computer stand of claim 8, wherein the back is taller than the front.

11. The laptop computer stand of claim 8, wherein with the bottom disposed on a relatively planar work surface, the contour is configured to angle a laptop computer on the top toward the front.

12. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, the bottom includes a mesh surface.

13. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pads coupled to the top, wherein the pads are formed of a material softer than a material of the top.

14. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, further comprising a heat shield configured inhibit heat from passing from the top to the bottom.

15. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, wherein the audio hub includes an audio input port configured to receive analog audio signals from a laptop computer for output of the analog audio signals on the set of speakers.

16. The laptop computer stand of claim 15, wherein the audio input port is a mini jack.

17. The laptop computer stand of claim 1, wherein the set of the speakers includes a set of bass reflex speakers.

18. The laptop computer stand of claim 17, wherein the set of bass reflex speakers are at the back or the top.