Portable, compact computer and projector stand

• US 20020020655A1
• Filed: 10/15/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PC Tables Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mark Mcksymick
• Inventors: McKsymick, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 6,637,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/738
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/06 with separable parts

Abstract

A portable, compact computer and projector stand is provided. A table top having a generally planar upper surface for supporting a laptop computer and a projector includes an L-shaped track receiving lip for engaging a linearly elongated channel formed within a table bottom for providing a linearly extendible table surface area. The table bottom is supported by removably attachable, hollow, telescopic legs and includes a lower surface forming an accessory insert receiving cavity for removably securing a foam insert which acts as a storage volume for telescoping legs and other accessories. A removably attachable, telescopic working document holder is provided for supporting documents, notes, sketches, and similar items.

Claims

1. A portable, compact computer and projector stand comprising:

a table top having a generally planar upper surface for supporting a laptop computer and a projector, said table top constructed of a rigid plastic material and having a table bottom receiving end opposite an enclosed end, and said table top having an L-shaped track receiving lip circumscribing a substantial portion of said upper surface of said table top and extending perpendicularly downward.

a table bottom having a generally planar upper surface, said table bottom constructed of a rigid plastic material and having an upper surface opposite a lower surface, wherein said upper surface is of a split-level design which includes a primary top and a secondary top;

a closed cell foam insert, said closed cell foam insert being of medium density and die cut with a suitable adhesive adhered to an underside of said closed cell foam insert;

a plurality of telescoping legs, said plurality of telescoping legs being of a hollow configuration constructed of a lightweight metal material; and

a working document holder, said working document holder being of a linearly, elongated telescopic design comprising an easel portion telescoping within a pedestal, said working document holder being suitable for supporting documents, wherein said documents being held securely to said easel portion via an attachment means.

2. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 1, wherein said table bottom includes a plurality of linearly elongated channels integrally formed and extending perpendicularly downward along opposite sides of said table bottom, and wherein said plurality of linearly elongated channels comprising an uppermost channel serving as a track guide for slidably receiving said L-shaped track receiving lip of said table top.

3. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said table bottom comprising a floor circumscribed by walls forming an accessory insert receiving cavity of a generally rectangular configuration.

4. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 3, wherein said lower surface includes a plurality of integrally molded pockets positioned in corners of said floor, wherein each of said plurality of integrally molded pockets is designed and configured for slidably receiving and securing each of said plurality of telescoping legs.

5. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 2, wherein said uppermost channel having a plurality of spring-loaded detents aligned at spaced locations along a linear length within said uppermost channel.

6. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 2, wherein said table top having a flexible release/catch element molded integral to said upper surface of said table top, and wherein said flexible release/catch element comprising a protruding catch projection for frictionally engaging each of said plurality of spring-loaded detents upon linear engagement of said L-shaped track receiving lip within said uppermost channel, thereby providing selective linear adjustment of said table top, and wherein said flexible release/catch element can be pulled in a direction away from said table top so as to remove mechanical interference between said plurality of spring-loaded detents and said protruding catch projection, and whereupon subsequent release of said flexible release/catch element allows for frictional engagement of said protruding catch projection with nearest of said plurality of spring-loaded detents.

7. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 5, wherein said uppermost channel further comprising a proximal spring-loaded detent mountably positioned within said uppermost channel in such a manner and location so as to provide a flat planar upper surface upon flush engagement by said table bottom receiving end with said primary top of said table bottom.

8. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 6, wherein said uppermost channel further comprising an extreme spring-loaded detent mountably positioned within said uppermost channel at an extreme end of said uppermost channel opposite said top, whereupon subsequent slidable engagement of said table top to a farthest extended position provides an extensive surface area for easily accommodating said laptop computers and said projectors.

9. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 1, wherein said closed cell foam insert is dimensionally-shaped so as to correspondingly rest in a fitting and snug manner within said accessory insert receiving cavity.

10. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 9, wherein said closed cell foam insert includes a plurality of accessory-shaped cutouts designed in various shapes for removably receiving said plurality of telescoping legs and associated components.

11. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of accessory-shaped cutouts is adapted so as to provide a storage volume for said plurality of telescoping legs and said associated components.

12. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of telescoping legs being constructed of aluminum and comprising a lower member telescoping within a medial member, and an upper member having said medial member telescoping within said upper member.

13. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 12, wherein said upper member and said medial member include a plastic sleeve for being slid ably received within an end of said upper member and an end of said medial member, and wherein said plastic sleeve is designed and configured so as to accommodate a forward end of a plastic collet.

14. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 13, wherein said plastic collet having a rearward end for being insertably received within an opposite end of said medial member and said lower member for effectively securing said lower member with said medial member, and said medial member within said upper member, thus providing for substantial integrity and stability of said portable, compact computer and projector stand during operation.

15. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 13, wherein said forward end of said plastic collet is slidably received and turned within each of said plurality of integrally molded pockets for effectively securing said upper member within each of said plurality of integrally molded pockets.

16. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 12, wherein said plurality of telescoping legs further comprise a plurality of rubber feet for preventing inadvertent movement by said portable, compact computer and projector stand during use, wherein each of said plurality of rubber feet is slidably received within a lower end of said lower member, and is removably held within said lower end through frictional interference.

17. The portable, compact computer and projector stand of claim 1, wherein said pedestal is removably secured within an impingement void formed along said upper surface of said table bottom, and wherein said attachment means is an alligator clip.