Devices and methods for supporting and protecting portable electronics
A support and protect device for portable electronic device, comprising a main portion, at least one return portion, and at least one intermediate portion. The at least one intermediate portion connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion. When the support and protect device is in a support configuration, the portable electronic device rests on the main portion. When the support and protect device is in a protect configuration, the portable electronic device is held within the at least one storage gap.
The present invention relates to accessories for portable electronics such as laptop computers and, more specifically, to systems and methods for storing portable electronics in one use configuration and supporting portable electronics in another use configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional electronic devices are often configured to be arranged on a dedicated work surface such as the top of a desk or the like. A dedicated work surface is typically flat and hard. Electronic devices typically comprise foot members defined to space a main housing of the device from the dedicated work surface. The space between the device housing and the work surface allows air flow that can be employed to cool the electronic circuits within the device housing.
Portable electronic devices are often used in settings where no such defined work surface exists. For example, as its name suggests a laptop computer may be arranged on a non-dedicated work surface such as the user's lap. Many non-dedicated work surfaces are not hard and flat and may not allow air flow to be established between the device housing and the non-dedicated work surface. The use of portable electronic devices on non-dedicated work surfaces may thus result in overheating of the device electronics. Overheating of the device electronics can cause temporary or permanent damage to the electronics within the electronic device. The need thus exists for improved systems and methods of supporting portable electronic devices on non-dedicated work surfaces.
Portable electronic devices are also often transported from one work location to another. Although designed to be small and lightweight, portable electronic devices are typically delicate. Accordingly, portable electronic devices are often used with transportation systems such as cases, bags, and the like. The transportation systems typically both protect the portable electronic device and facilitate gripping of the device. The need thus also exists for systems and methods for protecting portable electronic devices during transportation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention may be embodied as a support and protect device for portable electronic device, comprising a main portion, at least one return portion, and at least one intermediate portion. The at least one intermediate portion connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion. When the support and protect device is in a support configuration, the portable electronic device rests on the main portion. When the support and protect device is in a protect configuration, the portable electronic device is held within the at least one storage gap.
Referring initially to
The example portable electronic device 22 is a laptop computer comprising a main portion 24 connected to a screen portion 26 by one or more hinges 28. The screen portion 26 is thus movable between an open configuration (
As perhaps best shown in
Referring now to
In the example device 20, an angle between the support plane A and the return plane B is approximately 15°, should be within a first range of from approximately 5° to 20°, and in any event should be within a second range of from approximately 0° to 300. If the example stop portion 36 is used, an angle between the support plane A and the stop plane C is approximately 75°, should be within a first range of from approximately 60° to 90°, and in any event should be within a second range of from approximately 20° to 110°.
As shown in
The return portion 34 and juncture between the main portion 30 and the stop portion 36 thus define a surface plane D that, in
Typically, the intermediate portion 32 is arranged away from the user such that the main portion 30 slants up and away from the user. Some users may prefer the intermediate portion 32 arranged towards the user such that the main portion 30 slants down and away from the user. The orientation of the work surface 60 may also influence the decision of where to arrange the intermediate portion 32 relative to the user.
When the device 20 is in a protect configuration, at least a portion of the electronic device 22 is inserted into a storage gap 62 (
In this protect configuration, the support and protect device 20 covers a substantial portion of the electronic device 22. With the support and protect device 20 in the protect configuration, the user may thus grasp the intermediate portion 32 of the device 20 with the storage gap 62 facing up to transport the electronic device 22. Damage to the electronic device 22 is thus less likely during transportation when received within the storage gap 62 defined by the support and protect device 20.
Referring now to
The example first and second intermediate layers 82 and 84 are thin sheets of foam that are adhered to the core member 80. The intermediate layers 82 and 84 may for formed of open- or closed-cell foam. The example intermediate layers 82 and 84 are compressible; the surface 40 and 42 of the device 20 are thus relatively soft to the touch. The compressibility of the intermediate layers 82 and 84 also inhibits transmission of external blows to the electronic device 22 when the device 22 is stored in the storage gap 62.
The example cover layers 86 and 88 are formed by cloth or fabric sheets that are adhered to or stretched over the intermediate layers 82 and 84. The cover layers 86 and 88 define a matrix of interconnected passageways that allow air flow to the intermediate layers 82 and 84 from the first and second surfaces 40 and 42, respectively. The cover layers 86 and 88 also protect the intermediate layers 82 and 84 by limiting access of dirt and the like to the intermediate layers 82 and 84. The example cover layers 86 and 88 are washable to facilitate cleaning of the surfaces 40 and 42 of the device 20.
Referring now to
The supporting device 120 comprises a main portion 130, first and second intermediate portions 132 and 134, and first and second return portions 136 and 138. The intermediate portions 132 and 134 extend between the main portion 130 and the return portions 136 and 138. In the example device 120, the return portions 136 and 138 are substantially parallel to the main portion 130.
In the support configuration, the return portions 136 and 138 are adapted to engage a work surface, such as the work surface 60 described above, to space the main portion 130 above the work surface. The electronic device 22 may then be placed on the main portion 130 and used in a conventional manner. In one typical use scenario, the intermediate portions 132 and 134 are arranged parallel to each other and to the user's thighs. The main portion 130 is typically substantially parallel to the work surface.
In the protect configuration, the electronic device 22 is arranged within first and second storage gaps 140 and 142 defined between the return portions 136 and 138 and the main portion 130. The return portions 136 and 138 may be configured to deflect slightly when the electronic device 22 is arranged within the storage gaps 140 and 142 to apply a clamping force on the device 22 that inhibits movement of the device 22 relative to the device 130.
Referring now to
The supporting device 150 comprises a main portion 160, first and second intermediate portions 162 and 164, and first and second return portions 166 and 168. The intermediate portions 162 and 164 extend between the main portion 160 and the return portions 166 and 168. In the example device 150, the return portions 166 and 168 are angled with respect to the main portion 160.
In the support configuration, the return portions 166 and 168 are adapted to engage a work surface, such as the work surface 60 described above, to space the main portion 160 above the work surface. The electronic device 22 may then be placed on the main portion 160 and used in a conventional manner. Typically, the intermediate portions 162 and 164 are arranged parallel to each other and to the user's thighs. The angling of the return portions 166 and 168 with respect to the main portion 160 allows the electronic device 122 to be arranged at an angle (in either direction) as is comfortable for the user.
In the protect configuration, the electronic device 22 is arranged within first and second storage gaps 170 and 172 defined between the return portions 166 and 168 and the main portion 160. The return portions 166 and 168 may be configured to deflect slightly when the electronic device 22 is arranged within the storage gaps 170 and 172 to apply a clamping force on the device 22 that inhibits movement of the device 22 relative to the device 150.
Referring now to
The present invention may be embodied in forms other than those described above. The scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims appended hereto and not the foregoing detailed description of the invention.
Claims
1. A support and protect device for portable electronic device, comprising:
- a main portion;
- at least one return portion;
- at least one intermediate portion that connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion; whereby
- when the support and protect device is in a support configuration, the portable electronic device rests on the main portion; and
- when the support and protect device is in a protect configuration, the portable electronic device is held within the at least one storage gap; and
- the main portion, the return portion, and the intermediate portion are defined by a core member, where the core member is sufficiently rigid to protect the portable electronic device when the support and protect device is in the protect configuration; and sufficiently resilient to allow the return portion to deflect relative to the main portion to allow the portable electronic device to be placed within the at least one storage gap.
2. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, comprising:
- one return portion; and
- one intermediate portion; whereby
- the intermediate portion is arranged such that the main portion is angled with respect to the return portion.
3. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the return portion defines a return plane; and
- the return plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
4. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the support and protect device defines a surface plane; and
- the surface plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
5. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stop portion that extends from the main portion to inhibit movement of the electronic device relative to the main portion.
6. A support and protect device as recited in claim 5, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the stop portion defines a stop plane; and
- the stop plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
7. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
- at least one intermediate layer attached to the core member; and
- at least one cover layer arranged to cover the at least one intermediate layer.
8. A support and protect device as recited in claim 7, in which at least one intermediate layer is resilient.
9. A support and protect device as recited in claim 7, in which at least one intermediate layer defines a matrix of interconnected passageways that allow air flow along at least one surface of the main portion.
10. A support and protect device as recited in claim 7, in which at least one intermediate layer comprises a sheet of foam.
11. A support and protect device as recited in claim 1, in which at least one groove is formed in the main portion to facilitate air flow to the electronic device in the support configuration.
12. A method of supporting and protecting a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a supporting and protecting device comprising a substantially rigid core member defining a main portion, at least one return portion, and at least one intermediate portion that connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion;
- arranging the portable electronic device on the main portion in a support configuration, where the core member is sufficiently rigid to support the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in the support configuration; and
- arranging the portable electronic device within the at least one storage gap in a protect configuration, where the core member is sufficiently resilient to allow the return portion to deflect relative to the main portion to allow the portable electronic device to be placed within the at least one storage gap.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, in which the step of providing the supporting and protecting device comprises the step of arranging the intermediate portion such that the main portion is angled with respect to the user.
14. A method as recited in claim 12, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the return portion defines a return plane; and
- the return plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
15. A method as recited in claim 12, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the support and protect device defines a surface plane; and
- the surface plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
16. A method as recited in claim 12, in which the step of providing the support and protect device further comprises the step of providing a stop portion that extends from the main portion, where the stop portion inhibits movement of the electronic device relative to the main portion in the support configuration.
17. A method as recited in claim 16, in which:
- the main portion defines a support plane;
- the stop portion defines a stop plane; and
- the stop plane is angled with respect to the support plane.
18. A method as recited in claim 12, in which the step of providing the support and protect device comprises the steps of:
- attaching at least one intermediate layer to the core member; and
- attaching at least one cover layer to the at least one intermediate layer to cover the at least one intermediate layer.
19. A method as recited in claim 18, in which the at least one intermediate layer defines a matrix of interconnected passageways that allow air flow along at least one surface of the main portion.
20. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of forming at least one groove in the main portion to facilitate air flow to the electronic device in the support configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2008
Inventors: Sabrena Wright (Bellingham, WA), Edwin Cheong (Bellingham, WA)
Application Number: 11/639,766
International Classification: B65D 25/26 (20060101);