Computer support for vehicle use having multiple position adjustments

• US 6,213,438 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leroy M. Ostby, Scot Mccallon
• Original Assignee: Leroy M. Ostby, Scot Mccallon
• Inventors: Ostby, LeRoy M., McCallon, Scot
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZUMNY, JONATHON A
• Application Number:
  US09/465,407
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 248/124.1, 248/125.9, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 248/419, 248/420, 248/421, 248/122.1, 248/123.11, 248/274.1, 248/276.1, 248/278.1, 248/279.1, 248/280.11, 248/281.11, 248/283.1, 248/176.3, 248/178.1, 248/917, 224/545, 224/553, 224/564, 224/539, 224/929, 108/44
• US Class Current: 248/276.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/045 for panning movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment

Abstract

A computer support for use in a vehicle interior includes a base having a pivotally secured riser bracket coupled thereto. The base is attached to a convenient vehicle surface such as the transmission hump or the like. A pair of telescoping risers are supported by the riser bracket and provide vertical movement of an arm carrier mechanism. The arm carrier in turn supports a pair of pivotally coupled arms which in turn support a platform bracket. A computer platform suitable for receiving and supporting a portable computer is received upon the platform bracket and includes a lock mechanism for securing the computer against unauthorized removal. Adjustments are provided for the vertical heights and horizontal position as well as angular tilt and horizontal angular position of the computer platform. Each adjustment of each position and angle includes apparatus for securing and maintaining a selected position.

Claims

1. A computer support for use in supporting a computer within a vehicle, said computer support comprising:

a base securable to a surface within a vehicle;

a riser bracket pivotally secured to said base at a first pivotal attachment;

a pair of extendible risers each secured to said riser bracket and each having an extendible slide for vertical position adjustment;

an arm carrier secured to said slides;

a pair of elongated arms pivotally joined together at a common pivot to form a second pivotal attachment, one of said elongated arms being pivotally secured to said arm carrier at a third pivotal attachment;

a platform bracket carrier pivotally secured to the remaining one of said elongated arms at a fourth pivotal attachment;

a platform bracket pivotally secured to said platform bracket carrier at a fifth pivotal attachment;

a computer platform secured to said platform bracket and having means for engaging a computer; and

lock means for releasibly captivating a computer upon said computer platform.

2. The computer support set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pivotal attachment includes a first pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate vertical angle adjustment of said risers and tightened to secure a selected angle.

3. The computer support set forth in claim 2 wherein said vertical position adjustment includes a height-adjustment bolt and means for tightening said bolt to secure a selected height extension of said risers.

4. The computer support set forth in claim 3 wherein said second pivotal attachment includes a second pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the angle between said arms and tightened to secure a selected angle.

5. The computer support set forth in claim 4 wherein said third pivotal attachment includes a third pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the angle between said arm carrier and said one of said elongated arms and tightened to secure a selected angle.

6. The computer support set forth in claim 5 wherein said fourth pivotal attachment includes a fourth pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the angle between said platform carrier bracket and said remaining one of said elongated arms and tightened to secure a selected angle.

7. The computer support set forth in claim 6 wherein said fifth pivotal attachment includes a fifth pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the tilt-angle between said platform bracket and said platform bracket carrier and tightened to secure a selected tilt-angle.

8. The computer support set forth in claim 3 wherein said height-adjustment bolt includes a height-adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

9. The computer support set forth in claim 4 wherein said second pivot bolt includes an arm-angle adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

10. The computer support set forth in claim 7 wherein said fifth pivot bolt includes a tilt-angle adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

11. The computer support set forth in claim 1 wherein said fifth pivotal attachment includes a fifth pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the tilt-angle between said platform bracket and said platform bracket carrier and tightened to secure a selected tilt-angle.

12. The computer support set forth in claim 11 wherein said fifth pivot bolt includes a tilt-angle adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

13. The computer support set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pivotal attachment includes a second pivot bolt which may be loosened to facilitate adjustment of the angle between said arms and tightened to secure a selected angle.

14. The computer support set forth in claim 13 wherein said second pivot bolt includes an arm-angle adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

15. The computer support set forth in claim 1 wherein said vertical position adjustment includes a height-adjustment bolt and means for tightening said bolt to secure a selected height extension of said risers.

16. The computer support set forth in claim 15 wherein said height-adjustment bolt includes a height-adjustment knob secured thereto in a threaded engagement.

17. The computer support set forth in claim 1 further including a releasible latch operative between said arm carrier and said riser bracket for latching said riser bracket in its lowest vertical height position.