Adjustable Laptop Holder for Exercise Equipment

• US 20070066466A1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lex Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lex Group, LLC
• Inventors: Pan, Bruce (Ying), Shen, Howard, Wu, Chun Hsien (Johnson), Shin, Dong Ik, Fleming, Kweku, Jones, Andrea, Bar, Saumen
• Granted Patent: US 7,335,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/148
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An apparatus in both single and multiple arm forms that adjustably and securely mounts to a variety of exercise equipment and provides adjustable and secure mounting for a laptop computer or similarly configured audio visual device. The apparatus allows for ergonomic access to the laptop or audio-visual equipment for users of various statures who use exercise equipment in various configurations.

Claims

1. An adjustable apparatus for movably and securely attaching a laptop or similarly configured audio-visual device to a cylindrical bar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the cylindrical bar is a component of a piece to exercise equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising the following components:

A clamping means, a base rotating means, an extension means, a laptop mounting means, a laptop securing means, a laptop stabilizing means, and a gripping means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the clamping means contains a shaped unit that mimics and thereby mates with the external shape of the exercise equipment at the point where the apparatus engages the exercise equipment.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extension means comprises two shafts joined by a locking hinge.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extension means comprises a set of concentric sleeves that slide and latch to create a variety of lengths.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the laptop mounting means is configured to rotate in a direction normal to the ground and concurrently in a direction parallel to the ground.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the laptop mounting means is a shaped pocket into which slides a laptop or similarly configured audio visual device;

the pocket consisting of material surrounding the laptop on at least 5 faces and being adjustable through the use of sliders and spring mechanisms;

the pocket adjusting for laptops of varying dimensions.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the laptop securing means is a user-activated spring-loaded clamp with cushioned appendages to protect the item being mounted.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the laptop securing means is in the form of a band that elastically wraps around the item being mounted.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the laptop securing means is in the form of a strap and incorporates mating Velcro™

closures, hooks, buttons or ties to adjustably secure the item being mounted.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the clamping means has an internal section whose shape mimics the external shape of the exercise equipment at the point where the apparatus attaches to the equipment;

and wherein the extension means comprises two shafts joined by a movable hinge to create various lengths;

and wherein the laptop mounting means rotates in a direction normal to the ground and in a direction parallel to the ground and wherein the laptop mounting means is a shaped pocket into which slides a laptop or similarly configured audio visual device;

the pocket consisting of material surrounding the laptop on at least 5 faces and being adjustable through the use of sliders and spring mechanisms;

the pocket adjusting for laptops of varying dimensions.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the extension means comprises a set of concentric sleeves that slide and latch to create various lengths;

and wherein the laptop mounting means rotates in a direction normal to the ground and in a direction parallel to the ground and is a substantially flat platform into which is integrated a laptop securing means;

and wherein the laptop securing means is in the form of a strap and incorporates mating Velcro™

closures to adjustably secure the item being mounted.

14. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an electrical power connecting means, several laptop remote controlling means, a trackball/mouse controlling means, and data input/output means.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising the following components:

A power receptacle, a power extension cord, a USB port, a mouse port, a trackball/mouse/controller, input/output ports, laptop controlling switches, and an electrical power adapter.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the trackball/mouse/controller and the laptop controlling switches control functions and operations of the laptop.

17. A method of accessing a laptop computer or similarly configured audio-visual device while utilizing exercise equipment,

The method comprising the following steps:

a) Providing an adjustable laptop holder comprising a clamping means, a pivoting base means, an extension means, a laptop mounting means, a gripping means, a laptop stabilizing means, and a laptop securing means;

b) Clamping the pivoting base securely to the exercise equipment without puncturing the equipment,

c.) Securing a laptop to the holder,

d.) Using the gripping means to adjust the position of the laptop for easy manipulation and viewing.

18. A method of accessing a laptop computer or similarly configured audio-visual device while utilizing exercise equipment,

The method comprising the following steps:

a) Providing an adjustable laptop holder comprising a clamping means, a pivoting base means, an extension means, a laptop mounting means, a gripping means, a laptop securing means, a laptop stabilizing means, an electrical power connecting means, several laptop remote controlling means, a trackball/mouse controlling means, and data input/output means.

b) Clamping the pivoting base securely to the exercise equipment without puncturing the equipment,

c.) Securing a laptop to the holder,

d.) Connecting the electrical power connection means to a power source,

e.) Connecting the laptop to the electrical power connection means on the apparatus,

f.) Connecting the remote controlling means from the output on the apparatus to the input on the laptop,

g.) Using the gripping means to adjust the position of the laptop for easy manipulation and viewing.

h.) Selectively using the laptop remote controlling means and the trackball/mouse controlling means to control the functions of the laptop.