Table for supporting and securing a portable computer in a vehicle

• US 5,673,628 A
• Filed: 12/12/1995
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shane M. Boos
• Original Assignee: Shane M. Boos
• Inventors: Boos, Shane M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US08/570,916
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 108/5, 108/44, 108/45, 108/138, 108/145, 248/172, 248/918
• US Class Current: 108/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/001 of tables or trays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/924 Adjustable size

Abstract

A table for supporting and securing a portable computer in a vehicle comprises a table top with adjustably positionable clamping members and an articulated arm secured at an upper end to the underside of the table and at a lower end to the interior of the car, typically the floor. The clamping members are slidingly secured along the sides of the table to permit sliding advancement of the clamping members relative to and along the sides to which they are attached. Opposed clamping members are retractable and extendable relative to one another. The table is removably securable to the vehicle and collapsible upon itself to permit it to be positioned out of the way when not in use.

Claims

1. A table for supporting and securing a portable computer in a vehicle comprising:

a. a table top having a support surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a left side edge and a right side edge;

b. at least two front abutment members each comprising an abutment plate and a support member;

said support members slidingly secured to said table top such that said abutment plates are slidingly advanceable laterally relative to said front edge of said table top and said abutment plates are positioned above the plane of said support surface;

c. at least two rear abutment members each comprising an abutment plate and a support member;

said support members slidingly secured to said table top such that said abutment plates are slidingly advanceable laterally relative to said rear edge of said table top and said abutment plates are positioned above the plane of said support surface;

d. at least two right side abutment members each comprising an abutment plate and a support member;

said support members slidingly secured to said table top such that said abutment plates are slidingly advanceable transversely relative to said right side edge of said table top and said abutment plates are positioned above the plane of said support surface;

e. at least two left side abutment members each comprising an abutment plate and a support member;

said support members slidingly secured to said table top such that said abutment plates are slidingly advanceable laterally relative to said left side edge of said table top and said abutment plates are positioned above the plane of said support surface;

f. at least one set of said front and rear abutment members being slidingly secured to said table top such that at least one set of said respective abutment plates are slidingly advanceable transversely relative to said front and rear edges of said table top;

g. at least one set of said left side and right side abutment members being slidingly secured to said table top such that at least one set of said respective abutment plates are slidingly advanceable transversely relative to said left side and right side edges of said table top; and

h. a support member securable at one end to said table top and at an opposite end to a vehicle.

2. The table as in claim 1 wherein said front, rear, left side and right side abutment members comprise:

a. a resilient abutment pad secured to each of said abutment plates for providing resilient engagement of said item to be secured to said table by said abutment members.

3. The table as in claim 1 further comprising:

a. a locking assembly secured to said table top and selectively preventing sliding advancement of said front, rear, left side or right side abutment members transversely relative to said front edge, rear edge, left side edge and right side edge respectively.

4. The table as in claim 1 wherein said support member comprises:

a. an articulated arm.

5. The table as in claim 4 wherein said articulated arm includes:

a. a first arm portion and a second arm portion;

said first arm portion pivotally connected at a first end to said vehicle to permit pivotal rotation of said first arm portion of at least approximately ninety degrees relative to said vehicle;

a second end of said first arm portion pivotally connected to a first end of said second arm portion such that said second arm portion may be pivoted in and out of generally side-by-side alignment with said first arm portion;

said second arm portion pivotally connected at a second end to said table top.