Foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness

Abstract

A foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing or walking is provided and includes a laptop tray frame, a tray arm connected to said tray frame for supporting a laptop computer, a torso bar pivotally connected to said tray arm, wherein said tray arm can pivot up essentially parallel in position to said torso bar and can pivot down essentially perpendicular in position to said torso bar, a chest support connected to said torso bar, one or more housings attached to said chest support wherein said housings can adjustably slide in relation to said chest support, and shoulder supports pivotally connected to said housings wherein said shoulder supports can pivot laterally in relation to said housings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable holders for computer laptops.

BACKGROUND

Laptops are a ubiquitous part of society and are used in virtually all aspects of the economy. People use laptops at their desk, on their lap while flying, on a train, in a car, while in bed, on a couch, even on a toilet. Use of laptops while standing and moving around, however, has largely been limited to balancing on one forearm, and typing single handedly with the free arm. Work-arounds have been made, most notably the Tablet™ PC which allows use of a stylus on a screen that folds on top of the laptop keyboard.

Presently known art does not sufficiently address and solve these problems. The following represents a list of known related art:

		Issued to/	Date of Issue/
	Reference:	Published By:	Publication:
	US 2006/0175365 A1	Sandler	Aug. 10, 2006
	US Pat. 5074222	Welch	Dec. 24, 1991
	US Pat 5573158	Penn	Nov. 12, 1996
	US Pat 5,421,499	Bauer	Jun. 6, 1995
	US Pat. 5,222,641	Medeiros, et al.	Jun. 29, 1993
	US Pat. 4,799,610	Hsieh	Jan. 24, 1989
	US Pat. 4,450,993	Ephraim	May 29, 1984
	US Pat. 3,106,037	Harkey	Oct. 8, 1963
	US Pat. 3,009,613	Noland	Nov. 21, 1961
	US Pat. 2,685,757	Mirigian	Aug. 10, 1954
	US Pat. 2,603,134	Burnam	Jul. 15, 1952
	US Des. Pat. D388,246	Patterson	Dec. 30, 1997

The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Thus, the art described above does not teach or suggest a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) allows for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing, walking, or sitting; (2) user can mount it on his or her shoulders and carry it on the front of his or her chest; (3) user can open and operate a laptop computer standing, walking, or sitting; (4) user can close the laptop and carry the closed laptop in the holder on the user's shoulders on the front the chest, or remove it from the shoulders; (5) the shoulders straps fold to become a carrying handle while the laptop holder is in the closed position; (6) allows use of both of hands freely while walking, sifting or standing, to type or do other things, without needing to balance the laptop precariously on a forearm or palm; (7) provides a laptop holding tray on a sliding tray arm allowing adjustment of laptop in relation to the body of the user; (8) provides a sliding tray arm that folds up; (9) provides shoulder supports that wrap around shoulders to provide support; (10) provides shoulder supports that rotate freely in housings and, in some embodiments, can be locked in a position; (11) provides housings on chest support that can adjust inwardly or outwardly in relation to each other; (12) provides chest support which connects adjustably to tray arm with torso bar; (13) provides a torso bar which, in some embodiments, adjusts to different highest, (14) tray arm can be locked in a pivot up, pivot down, or tilted position; and (15) provides shoulder support housings that can pivot rollingly in relation to the chest support.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

A foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing or walking is provided and includes a laptop tray frame, a tray arm connected to said tray frame for supporting a laptop computer, a torso bar pivotally connected to said tray arm, wherein said tray arm can pivot up essentially parallel in position to said torso bar and can pivot down essentially perpendicular in position to said torso bar, a chest support connected to said torso bar, one or more housings attached to said chest support wherein said housings can can adjustably slide in relation to said chest support, and shoulder supports pivotally connected to said housings wherein said shoulder supports can pivot laterally in relation to said housings.

The foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness of the present invention presents numerous advantages, including: (1) allows for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing, walking, or sitting; (2) user can mount it on his or her shoulders and carry it on the front of his or her chest; (3) user can open and operate a laptop computer standing, walking, or sitting; (4) user can close the laptop and carry the closed laptop in the holder on the user's shoulders on the front the chest, or remove it from the shoulders; (5) the shoulders straps fold to become a carrying handle while the laptop holder is in the closed position; (6) allows use of both of hands freely while walking, sitting or standing, to type or do other things, without needing to balance the laptop precariously on a forearm or palm; (7) provides a laptop holding tray on a sliding tray arm allowing adjustment of laptop in relation to the body of the user; (8) provides a sliding tray arm that folds up; (9) provides shoulder supports that wrap around shoulders to provide support; (10) provides shoulder supports that rotate freely in housings and, in some embodiments, can be locked in a position; (11) provides housings on chest support that can adjust inwardly or outwardly in relation to each other; (12) provides chest support which connects adjustably to tray arm with torso bar; (13) provides a torso bar which, in some embodiments, adjusts to different highest; (14) tray arm can be locked in a pivot up, pivot down, or tilted position; and (15) provides shoulder support housings that can pivot rollably in relation to the chest support, among other advantages.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness in an open position and in use

FIG. 2 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 partially folded up.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the open position.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 partially folded up to form a carrying handle.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 completely folded up.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness in an open position and in use

FIG. 7 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 enclosed in a case with the carrying handle created by the shoulder supports protruding.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 open with a laptop and with the case attached and case lid folded underneath.

FIG. 9 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in the case with the case open and a laptop attached.

FIG. 10 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 folded up with out the case and holding a laptop.

FIG. 11 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 open.

FIG. 12 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 open and holding a laptop.

FIG. 13 shows the backside of the view in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 shows a chest bar of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 15 shows a tray adjustment bar and torso arm of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 16a shows a chest bar housing of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 16b shows another chest bar housing of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 17 a shoulder support of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWING FIGURES

10 A foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness

12 Laptop tray frame

14 Tray arm

16 Pivot pin

18 Torso bar

20 Inner torso bar tube

22 Outer torso bar tube

24 Chest support

26 Housing

26a Housing shaft

26b Housing seat

28 Shoulder supports

30 Handle

100 Second embodiment of a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness

112 Second embodiment tray frame

112a Tray frame rubber skids

112b Tray frame connectors

114 Tray arm

114a Tray arm first horizontal

114b Tray arm second horizontal

114c Tray arm connectors

114d Tray arm adjustment passages

116 Hinge with passage for hinge pin

116a Hinge pin

118 Torso arm

118a Adjustment passages on torso arm

120 Tray adjustment bar

120a Tray adjustment bar snaps

124 Chest bar

124a Adjustment snaps on chest bar

126 Chest bar housing

126a Lateral chest bar housing passage

126b Vertical chest bar housing passage

126c Lateral Adjustment passages on chest bar housing

126d Vertical adjustment passages on chest bar housing

128 Shoulder supports of second embodiment

128a Shoulder support insertion portion

128b Adjustment snap on shoulder support

130 Handle of second embodiment

L Laptop computer

U User

C Case

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness 10 for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing or walking 10 is provided and includes a laptop tray frame 12, a tray arm 14 connected to said tray frame 12 for supporting a laptop computer L, a torso bar 18 pivotally connected to said tray arm 14, wherein said tray arm 14 can pivot up essentially parallel in position to said torso bar 18 and can pivot down essentially perpendicular in position to said torso bar 18, a chest support 24 connected to said torso bar 18 wherein said chest support 24 can roll rotatably in relation to said torso bar 18, one or more housings 26 attached to said chest support 24 wherein said housings 26 can adjustably slide in relation to said chest support 24, and shoulder supports 28 pivotally connected to said housings 26 wherein said shoulder supports can pivot laterally in relation to said housings 26.

Laptop tray frame 12 attaches to tray arm 14. In an exemplary embodiment, tray frame is a rectangular “L” bar frame sized so that most laptop computers will sit within it, preferably 15% inches by 11½ inches. Tray arm 14 is pivotally attached to torso bar 18 and locks into position with a tray arm pivot pin 16. In open, pivot down, position tray arm is essentially at a right angle to torso bar 18, though it can work in a range of ±0 degrees of right angle. In the closed, pivot up, position, tray arm 14 is folded up essentially parallel, ±10 degrees, to torso bar 18. Tray arm 14 and torso bar 18 connection can allow tray arm 14 to be locked in a tilted position, that is, between perpendicular and parallel in relation to the torso bar 18.

Torso bar 18 preferably is adjustable lengthwise to accommodate different user comfort levels. In an exemplary embodiment, torso bar 18 is configured as in two pieces, an inner torso bar tube 20 which fits extendably inside an outer torso bar tube 22, and locking in adjustment positions with a spring ball.

Chest support 24 is attached to torso bar 18, preferably such that chest support 24 can roll in relation to torso bar 18. Housings 26 attach to chest support 24, preferably allowing housings 26 with shoulder supports 28 to roll rotatably around axis of chest support 24. Housings 26 have a shaft portion 26a through which chest support 24 fits and rolls, and a seat portion 26b into which shoulder supports 28 can pivotally snap fit by spring balls or spring pins other means of snap fitting well known to those of skill in the art. Shoulders supports 28 are hook shaped to grab onto the back of the user U and attaches rotatably to housings 26 such that shoulders supports 28 can spin rotatably in the housings 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, in position of use, user has shoulder straps 28 attached over shoulders grabbing on to the upper back of the U. Chest support 24 lies upon the chest of the user U. Torso bar 18 extends down from chest support 24 along the torso of the user U. Tray arm 14 is in open position, with pin 16. A computer laptop L rests in the laptop tray frame 12 and laptop L is conveniently available for use while the user operates it and moves around. Notably both arms are free and the laptop L is supported.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, tray arm 14 and tray frame 12 with laptop L can be folded up to the torso bar 18. Shoulder supports 28 can be spun rotatably in the housings 26 of chest support 24 toward each other from a handle 30 for carrying. Shoulder supports 28 can also be folded down on top of the folded up tray arm 14 and tray frame 12.

As shown in FIGS. 6-17, in a second embodiment of a foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness 100, the holder 100 can be enclosed in a case C and shoulder supports 128 slid on overt the other to create a convenient handle 130. In this embodiment of a holder 100, the tray frame 112 preferably has a rectangular slatted frame as shown in FIG. 11, with rubber skid pads 112a. A tray arm 114, as shown in FIG. 13, has a first horizontal portion 114a and second horizontal portion 114b creating a “H” shape. Tray arm 114 is provided with tray arm adjustment passages 114d. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, tray arm 114 attaches to tray frame 112 by tray frame connectors 112b to tray arm connectors 114c, preferably with threaded screws. Connectors 112b and 114c can also be male and female molded snap fit portions or any other means of attaching two flat portions together, such as by glue, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Tray arm 114 is preferably a hollow rectangular column into which the tray adjustment bar 120 slidihgly inserts. Tray adjustment bar 120 is provided with adjustment snaps 120a which snap fit through tray arm adjustment passages 114d. Tray adjustment bar 120 is preferably a rectangular column

Tray adjustment bar 120 is hingeably connected to the torso arm 118 by hinge 116 and hinge pin 116a to hinge upward for the carrying position, see FIG. 13, or hinge downward for laptop L use position, as in FIG. 12. Torso arm 118 is preferably an “L” shaped a hollow rectangular column provided with adjustment passages 118a. On one end, the top of the torso arm 118 “L”, the chest bar 124 slidingly inserts. The torso arm 118 torso arm “L” terminates the distal end with the hinge 116.

The chest bar 124 is preferably “T” shaped, the bottom of the “T” insertingly slidingly in the top of the torso arm 118. The chest bar 124 is adjustable in height with a torso arm adjustment snap 124a, see FIG. 14, engageable through the torso arm adjustment passages 118a. The chest bar 124 is provided with adjustment snaps 124a on each end of the top of the “T” of the chest bar 124, as shown in FIG. 14.

Two chest bar housings 126 are slidably connected to each end of the top of the “T” of the chest bar 124, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13. As shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b, each chest bar housing 126 preferably has two vertical adjustment passages 126d for the shoulder support 128 and two lateral adjustment passages 126c for the chest bar 124. The chest bar housings 126 area slidably adjustable on the chest bar 124 by engagement of the chest bar adjustment snap 124a through the lateral adjustment passages 126c. The shoulder support 128 is rotatingly adjustable within the chest bar 124 by engagement of the shoulder support adjustment snap 128b through the vertical adjustment passages 126d. The vertical adjustment passages 126d are provided on the front top of the chest bar housing 126 and the outside top of the chest bar housing 126, as shown in FIGS. 11, 16a, 16b. As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 16a, 16b, and 17, chest bar housing 126 is provided with a lateral chest bar housing passage 126a through which the chest bar slidingly inserts, and vertical chest bar housing passage 126b into which the shoulder support insertion portion 128a rotatingly inserts.

Preferably, the shoulder supports 128, chest bar 124, chest bar housings 126, torso arm 118, tray arm bar 120, hinge 116, tray arm 114, and frame 112 are made of carbon fiber or other material of suitable strength and resilience, such as metal, hard plastic, or hard rubber easily determined by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Adjustment snaps 120a, 124a, 128a are preferably spring pins or similar spring latches well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Hinge pin 116a is preferably steel. Case C can be made of any number of material, including cloth, rubber, metal, or plastic suitable for protecting against the elements and light enough to be carried without aid, encasing a laptop holder 100 and laptop L.

In use in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, a lap top holder in the second embodiment 100 can be provide with a case C in which the laptop holder 100 and laptop L can be stored and encased. The laptop holder 100 with laptop L can be use without removing the case, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the laptop holder 100 and be completely removed from the case C and used with the laptop L. Tray arm and tray adjustment bar hinge up, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13. Shoulder supports 128 turn in chest bar housing 126 to create a handle by which to carry the laptop holder 100 with or without a laptop L.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A foldable portable universal laptop computer holder and harness for hands-free mobile use of a laptop while standing or walking, comprising:

a laptop tray frame;

a tray arm connected to said tray frame for supporting a laptop computer;

a torso bar pivotally connected to said tray arm, wherein said tray arm can pivot up essentially parallel in position to said torso bar and can pivot down essentially perpendicular in position to said torso bar;

a chest support connected to said torso bar;

one or more housings attached to said chest support wherein said housings can adjustably slide in relation to said chest support; and

first and second shoulder supports pivotally connected to said housings

wherein said shoulder supports can pivot laterally in relation to said housings.

2. The apparatus of claims 1, wherein when said tray arm and tray frame are in a pivot up position, said tray frame and tray arm are folded against said torso bar.

3. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein when said shoulder supports pivot toward each other they form a handle with which a user can carry said holder and harness.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said shoulder supports in said handle position are side by side.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said shoulder supports in said handle position are position with said first shoulder support contactingly underneath said second shoulder support.

6. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein shoulder supports can be locked in a pivoted position.

7. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein tray arm can be locked in a tilted position.

8. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said tray arm is pivotally connected to said torso bar by a pin allowing said tray arm into said pivot up and said pivot down positions.

9. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said chest support rotatably connects to said torso bar to roll rotatably in relation to said torso bar.

10. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said housings pivotally attach to said chest support to pivotally roll in relation to said chest support.

11. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said torso bar can adjust to different lengths to accommodate different user sizes.

12. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said tray arm can adjust to different lengths to move a laptop placed thereon closer or farther from a user.

13. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a case into which said holder and harness in a folded up position fits with said shoulder supports, pivoted toward each other and protruding therefrom to form a handle for carrying the case.