Laptop computer support table

• US 6,604,472 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William S. Mcneil
• Original Assignee: William S. Mcneil
• Inventors: McNeil, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US09/866,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 108/42, 108/152, 108/48, 248/161, 248/157, 190/11, 190/12.A, 190/15.1
• US Class Current: 108/42
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/00 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/001 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/262 for wheeled luggage
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82

Abstract

A pair of embodiments are disclosed for providing a computer table attachable to a piece of luggage standing in an upright position upon which a portable computer may be supported for typing use. One embodiment provides a simple, flat, custom-designed piece of ABS plastic with a foldable leaf portion adapted to be received in a cavity in the flat plastic tray. The leaf portion has trunnions adjacent one end which are adapted to be received into complemental slots to allow the leaf to fold away. In this embodiment the tray has a reduced overall thickness than in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment the tray is fitted with a fixed upstanding rib member rather than one which may be folded away. In both embodiments a further but shorter rib is provided at the opposite end of the tray to insure that a computer does not slide off the tray while the tray is in use. Another slight rib could extend about the periphery of the table.

Claims

1. A laptop computer support member adapted for use with an adjustable handle of a piece of luggage, wherein the adjustable handle includes parallel dependent bars thereon which are telescopically arranged to be received in recesses provided in a top wall of said piece of luggage, said laptop computer support member comprising:

a tray element having a substantially planar top surface having an area adequate to accommodate and support a bottom surface of a laptop computer, said top surface of said computer support member further including a ridge adapted to retain the computer from sliding off the tray element when said computer support member is placed on the luggage,

said support member further including a projecting portion bearing oppositely extending walls integral with said support member, which projecting portion is adapted to slip between the parallel dependent bars of the adjustable handle,

said projecting portion being further provided with a recess arranged to receive a pivotally disposed leaf member capable of being moved out of the planar surface plane into an erect position after insertion between said parallel dependent bars, whereupon, when the adjustable handle is urged downwardly against the flat surface of the computer support member to secure the support member into a position for use as a table.

2. A laptop computer support member as claimed in claim 1, which further includes providing said pivotally disposed leaf member with laterally offstanding trunnion members adjacent to opposite edge portions thereof, said trunnion members arranged to be received in said slots in opposed wall areas of said recess in said portion which projects from said flat surface area.

3. A laptop computer support member as claimed in claim 2, wherein said leaf member is designed so as to be movable from a non-functional position from said planar surface into a right angular erect position when positioned beneath said adjustable handle.

4. A tray element which forms a support member for a laptop computer when positioned adjacent to and engaging an adjustable handle of a piece of luggage, wherein the adjustable handle includes front and back sides as well as parallel dependent bars thereon which are telescopically arranged to be received in recesses provided in a top wall of said piece of luggage, said tray element comprising:

a substantially planar top surface having an area adequate to accommodate and support a bottom surface of a laptop computer, said top surface of said tray element further including a ridge adapted to retain the computer from sliding off the tray element when said tray element is placed on the luggage,

said tray element further including a projecting portion bearing oppositely extending walls integral therewith, which projecting portion is adapted to slip between the parallel dependent bars of the adjustable handle,

said projecting portion including an erect member which extends perpendicularly from the top surface of the tray element, and which slides to the back side of the adjustable handle, whereupon, when the adjustable handle is urged downwardly against the flat surface of the tray element to secure the tray element into a position for use as a table, the erect member engages the back side of the adjustable handle to hold the tray element in place in a substantially horizontal position on the luggage.

5. A laptop computer support system which includes a tray element which, in combination with a piece of luggage forms a support member for a laptop computer, wherein the luggage has a handle and the handle includes front and back sides as well as parallel dependent bars thereon which are arranged to be connected to the top wall of said piece of luggage, said tray element comprising:

a substantially planar top surface having an area adequate to accommodate and support a bottom surface of a laptop computer, said top surface of said tray element including a ridge adapted to retain the computer from sliding off the tray element when said tray element is placed on the luggage,

said tray element further including a projecting portion bearing oppositely extending walls integral with said tray element, which projecting portion is adapted to slip between the parallel dependent bars of the handle,

said projecting portion including an erect member which extends perpendicularly from the top surface of the tray element, and which slides to the back side of the handle, whereupon, the computer tray element can be secured into a position for use as a computer support by engagement of the erect member against the back side of the handle to hold the tray element in place in a substantially horizontal position on the luggage.

6. A laptop computer support system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the erect member consists of a pivotally mounted leaf member and a recess arranged to receive the pivotally disposed leaf member so that the leaf member can be pivoted between a position within the recess and an erect position for insertion between said parallel dependent bars.

7. A laptop computer support system as claimed in claim 6, which further includes providing said pivotally disposed leaf member with laterally off-standing trunnion members adjacent to opposite edge portions thereof, said trunnion members arranged to be received in said slots in opposed wall areas of said recess in said portion which projects from said flat surface area.

8. A laptop computer support system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said leaf member is designed so as to be movable from a non-functional position from said planar surface into a right angular erect position when positioned beneath said adjustable handle.