Mounting and containment system for portable computers

Abstract

A mounting system for a portable computer suitable for use in a vehicle comprising a support member and an adjustable area, wherein the adjustable arm is attached to the body of the vehicle and also to the support member.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, adapted to hold a portable computer, and an adjustable arm attached to the support member, wherein the arm is connectable to the body of a vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . A. mounting system according to  claim 1  wherein the arm is pivotably connected, at a point proximal a first end of the arm, to a housing.  
     
     
         3 . A mounting system according to  claim 2  wherein the second end of the arm is pivotably connected to the support member  
     
     
         4 . A mounting system according  claim 1  wherein at least one of the arm and the support member may be stowed within a housing.  
     
     
         5 . A mounting system according to  claim 2  wherein a biasing means is applied between the arm or pivotable connection and the housing in order to counterbalance the mass of the support member and portable computer.  
     
     
         6 . A mounting system according to  claim 5  wherein the biasing means comprises a spring, a gas strut or similar hydraulic means, or an electromagnetic means.  
     
     
         7 . A mounting system according to  claim 5  wherein the biasing means exerts a downward force on the arm or pivotable connection.  
     
     
         8 . A mounting system according to  claim 4  wherein as the arm is moved from a closed or storage position to an open or in-use position wherein the supporting member is automatically tilted, rotated, or tilted and rotated in a pre-determined direction and/or extent towards a user.  
     
     
         9 . A mounting system according to  claim 2  wherein as the arm and support member are retracted from the housing a mechanism automatically adjusts an angle a defined as the acute angle formed between the plane of the outer face of the support member and the longitudinal axis of the arm.  
     
     
         10 . A mounting system according to  claim 9  wherein the angle a varies between 30 and 60° when the system is closed and between 0 and 30° when the system is fully open.  
     
     
         11 . A mounting system according to  claim 1  wherein a docking station is mounted for sliding movement upon the support member.  
     
     
         12 . A mounting system according to  claim 11  wherein the docking station slides in a directions generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the arm.  
     
     
         13 . A mounting system according to  claim 11  wherein the docking station slides a distance of 50 to 150 mm.  
     
     
         14 . A mounting system according to  claim 4  wherein during the final stages of closure further biasing means partially restrains closure, in order to reduce any impact between the support member and housing on closure.  
     
     
         15 . A mounting system according to  claim 14  wherein the further biasing means comprises a fluid filled strut.  
     
     
         16 . A mounting system according to  claim 1  wherein means are provided to assist a user to open and close the system while in a normal seated position within the vehicle; and thus help avoid strain injury.  
     
     
         17 . A mounting system according to  claim 16  wherein the assisting means comprises a hand operated lever mechanically connected to an arm raising and lowering mechanism.  
     
     
         18 . A mounting system according to  claim 17  wherein the hand operated lever has a slidably extending portion, to allow a user greater leverage when fully extended.  
     
     
         19 . A mounting system according to claims  4  wherein the housing has a “dog-leg” configuration.  
     
     
         20 . A mounting system according to  claim 4  wherein during movement of the support member away from the housing the pivotable connection moves in a upward direction relative to a housing for the arm and/or support member.  
     
     
         21 . A mounting system according to  claim 4  wherein the pivotable connection may move along a guide track attached to the housing.  
     
     
         22 . A mounting system according to  claim 21  wherein a wheel or roller engages the guide track to assist movement of the pivotal connection there along.  
     
     
         23 . A mounting system according to  claim 4  wherein the housing is lockable.  
     
     
         24 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, adapted to hold a portable computer, and means for extending and retracting the support member from and to a lockable housing connectable to the body of a vehicle.  
     
     
         25 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, that allows a portable computer to be readily repositioned for use by either of two users.  
     
     
         26 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member that may be positioned to a users preference and that can be moved from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position the support member is securely stowed in a fixed enclosure.  
     
     
         27 . A mounting system for a portable computer according to  claim 26  wherein the support member is automatically rotated or tilted.  
     
     
         28 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, adapted to bold a portable computer, an adjustable arm attached to the support member, and a housing for the arm and/or support member wherein during movement of the support member away from the housing one end of the arm moves vertically in an opposite direction to the support member.  
     
     
         29 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, adapted to hold a portable computer, an adjustable arm attached to the support member, and a housing for the arm and/or support member wherein during movement of the support member away from the housing the support member moves relative to the arm.  
     
     
         30 . A. mounting system according to  claim 29  wherein the support member moves about a pivot connecting the support member either directly or indirectly to the arm.  
     
     
         31 . A mounting system for a portable computer comprising a support member, adapted to hold a portable computer, and an extendable arm attached to the support member, wherein the arm is connectable to the body of a vehicle such that when the arm is extended to allow access to the computer it hinders or prevents a driver using the vehicle.  
     
     
         32 . A mounting system for a portable computer substantially as described by reference to FIGS.  1  to  21 .  
     
     
         33 . A vehicle with a mounting system for a portable computer according to  claim 1.