Laptop elevation device

• US 8,139,357 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2010
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian T. Trang
• Original Assignee: Brian T. Trang
• Inventors: Trang, Brian T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Desai, Nidhi
• Application Number:
  US12/754,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20110069447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901-67945, 36167955-67959, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 400/681
• US Class Current: 361/679.59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops

Abstract

A laptop elevation device (1) that attaches to a bottom surface (13) of a laptop (12). Each laptop elevation device has a fold-up leg (2) pivotally or hingedly attached to a base (3). An arm (5) is pivotally attached to the base. When the laptop elevation device is in an open position, the arm may be folded downward to engage one of a plurality of holes (9) located on the leg, thereby locking the laptop elevation device at a desired height. The base may be built into a laptop or attached to the underside of an existing laptop using an attachment means (14). The leg may also have a layer of rubber (11) to prevent the leg from slipping while in use. A clip (11) located on the base locks the leg and arm in place while the laptop elevation device is in folded position. An additional feature of the laptop elevation device is one or more non-slip strips (20) that attach to the underside of a laptop to allow the front portion of the laptop to hang over the edge of a flat surface (22) while the laptop is in an elevated position. An alternative embodiment of the laptop elevation device provides a handle (17) for carrying the laptop computer.

Claims

1. A laptop elevation device for laptop computers, said laptop elevation device comprising:

a first base;

a first leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the first base;

an attachment means located on the first base for attaching the laptop elevation device to a corner area of a bottom surface of a laptop computer;

a second base;

a second leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the second base;

an attachment means located on the second base for attaching the second base to a corner area of a bottom surface of the laptop computer opposite from the corner area where the first base is attached;

at least two holes located on the first leg;

a substantially U-shaped first arm located between the first leg and the first base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the first leg and the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the first leg;

at least two holes located on the second leg;

a substantially U-shaped second arm located between the second leg and the second base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the second leg and the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the second leg;

said first base being separate from the second base, thereby allowing a user to attach the first base and the second base to opposite corner areas of a bottom surface of a laptop computer regardless of the dimensions of the laptop computer and while still leaving a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the laptop uncovered by the laptop elevation device;

at least one non-slip strip; and

an attachment means located on the at least one non-slip strip for attaching the at least one non-slip strip of the laptop elevation device to a bottom surface of a laptop computer;

wherein;

said projection located on the first substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the first leg; and

said projection located on the second substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the second leg;

wherein the laptop elevation device further comprising;

a first spring located between the first base and the proximal end of the first leg;

said first spring providing tension pushing the first leg into a closed position against the first base;

a second spring located between the second base and the proximal end of the second leg; and

said second spring providing tension pushing the second leg into a closed position against the second base.

2. The laptop elevation device of claim 1 further comprising:

a clip located on the distal end of the first leg for locking the first leg in a closed position against the first base; and

a clip located on the distal end of the second leg for locking the second leg in a closed position against the second base.

3. A laptop elevation device for laptop computers, said laptop elevation device comprising:

a first base;

a first leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the first base;

an attachment means located on the first base for attaching the laptop elevation device to a corner area of a bottom surface of a laptop computer;

a second base;

a second leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the second base;

an attachment means located on the second base for attaching the second base to a corner area of a bottom surface of the laptop computer opposite from the corner area where the first base is attached;

at least two holes located on the first leg;

a substantially U-shaped first arm located between the first leg and the first base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the first leg and the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the first leg;

at least two holes located on the second leg;

a substantially U-shaped second arm located between the second leg and the second base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the second leg and the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the second leg;

said first base being separate from the second base, thereby allowing a user to attach the first base and the second base to opposite corner areas of a bottom surface of a laptop computer regardless of the dimensions of the laptop computer and while still leaving a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the laptop uncovered by the laptop elevation device;

said projection located on the first substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the first leg; and

said projection located on the second substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the second leg;

at least one non-slip strip; and

an attachment means located on the at least one non-slip strip for attaching the at least one non-slip strip of the laptop elevation device to a bottom surface of a laptop computer;

wherein the laptop elevation device further comprising;

a first spring located between the first base and the proximal end of the first leg;

said first spring providing tension pushing the first leg into a closed position against the first base;

a second spring located between the second base and the proximal end of the second leg; and

said second spring providing tension pushing the second leg into a closed position against the second base.

4. The laptop elevation device of claim 3 further comprising:

a clip located on the distal end of the first leg for locking the first leg in a closed position against the first base; and

a clip located on the distal end of the second leg for locking the second leg in a closed position against the second base.

5. A laptop elevation device for laptop computers, said laptop elevation device comprising:

a first base;

a first leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the first base;

an attachment means located on the first base for attaching the laptop elevation device to a corner area of a bottom surface of a laptop computer;

a second base;

a second leg having a proximal end pivotally attached to the second base;

an attachment means located on the second base for attaching the second base to a corner area of a bottom surface of the laptop computer opposite from the corner area where the first base is attached;

at least two holes located on the first leg;

a substantially U-shaped first arm located between the first leg and the first base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the first leg and the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the first base;

said substantially U-shaped first arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the first leg;

at least two holes located on the second leg;

a substantially U-shaped second arm located between the second leg and the second base for maintaining a predetermined distance between the second leg and the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having two proximal ends pivotally attached to the second base;

said substantially U-shaped second arm having a distal end having a projection extending from the distal end and having a substantially similar shape as the at least two holes located on the second leg;

said first base being separate from the second base, thereby allowing a user to attach the first base and the second base to opposite corner areas of a bottom surface of a laptop computer regardless of the dimensions of the laptop computer and while still leaving a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the laptop uncovered by the laptop elevation device;

said projection located on the first substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the first leg;

said projection located on the second substantially U-shaped arm is a pin that engages the at least two holes on the second leg;

a first spring located between the first base and the proximal end of the first leg;

said first spring providing tension pushing the first leg into a closed position against the first base;

a second spring located between the second base and the proximal end of the second leg;

said second spring providing tension pushing the second leg into a closed position against the second base;

at least one non-slip strip; and

an attachment means located on the at least one non-slip strip for attaching the at least one non-slip strip of the laptop elevation device to a bottom surface of a laptop computer.

6. The laptop elevation device of claim 5 further comprising:

a clip located on the distal end of the first leg for locking the first leg in a closed position against the first base; and

a clip located on the distal end of the second leg for locking the second leg in a closed position against the second base.