Adjustable high-low locking laptop computer mount

• US 6,491,276 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Belliveau
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Belliveau
• Inventors: Belliveau, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Application Number:
  US09/482,228
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 248/372.1, 248/420, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 248/918, 108/147, 108/144.11, 108/138, 361/680, 361/681, 361/682, 361/683
• US Class Current: 248/372.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/028 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment

Abstract

A computer mount for mounting a laptop computer in an automobile, such as a police or a public safety vehicle allows a computer to be quickly and easily moved to an out-of-the-way position (e.g., out of the deployed airbag zone) before moving the vehicle. Thus, while the vehicle is in motion the mount is kept low, out of the airbag zone. When the car is stopped, the mount is quickly and easily raised up and brought to a convenient ergonomic position for typing.

Claims

1. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element, the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the first end of the rail assembly and the first end of the biasing element; and

a housing, wherein the first end of the biasing element and the first end of the rail assembly are connected to the housing;

a first angle between a base of the housing and the rail assembly is fixed and a second angle between the base and the biasing element varies as the mount is moved between the up position and the down position.

2. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end, the rail assembly includes a first member at the first end and a second member at the second end, the second member being slidable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first member;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element, the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the first end of the rail assembly and the first end of the biasing element, the mount is configured to move from the up position to the down position when a downward force is applied to the surface for receiving the computer; and

a housing, wherein the first end of the biasing element and the first member of the rail assembly are connected to the housing.

3. The computer mount assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pin attached to the housing, the pin configured to engage the mount.

4. The computer mount assembly of claim 3, wherein the pin is configured to engage the mount in a plurality of positions.

5. The computer mount assembly of claim 4, wherein the mount is slidably movable to a plurality of positions between the up position and the down position by engaging the pin with the mount.

6. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element;

housing connected to the first end of the rail assembly and to the first end of the biasing element; and

a pin attached to the housing, the pin configured to engage the mount in a plurality of positions,

the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the housing, the biasing element and the rail assembly being positioned relative to a base of the housing to reduce the effective amount of force needed to compress the biasing element, the mount is configured to move from the up position to the down position when a downward force is applied to the surface for receiving the computer.

7. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element; and

a housing connected to the first end of the rail assembly and to the first end of the biasing element,

the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the housing, the biasing element and the rail assembly being positioned relative to a base of the housing to reduce the effective amount of force needed to compress the biasing element, the mount is configured to move from the up position to the down position when a downward force is applied to the surface for receiving the computer and the mount includes a plurality of adjustable members configured to secure a computer to the surface of the mount.

8. The computer mount assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the adjustable members is secured to the surface with a locking mechanism.

9. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element; and

a housing connected to the first end of the rail assembly and to the first end of the biasing element,

the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the housing, the biasing element and the rail assembly being positioned relative to a base of the housing to reduce the effective amount of force needed to compress the biasing element, a first angle between the base and the rail assembly is fixed and a second angle between the base and the biasing element varies as the mount is moved between the up position and the down position.

10. A computer mount assembly comprising:

a biasing element having a first end and a second end;

a rail assembly having a first end and a second end;

a mount having a surface for receiving a computer, the mount being connected to the second end of the rail assembly and to the second end of the biasing element; and

a housing connected to the first end of the rail assembly and to the first end of the biasing element,

the mount being slidably movable in a single action between an up position and a down position relative to the housing, the biasing element and the rail assembly being positioned relative to a base of the housing to reduce the effective amount of force needed to compress the biasing element, the mount is configured to move from the up position to the down position when a downward force is applied to the surface for receiving the computer and the rail assembly includes a first member at the first end and a second member at the second end, the second member being slidable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first member.