Laptop computer stand

Abstract

A laptop computer stand, for holding a laptop computer having a keyboard portion and a display portion that is pivotable relative to the keyboard portion. The stand has a base adapted to either sit on a surface or be coupled to a structure, and a support member coupled to the base, wherein the laptop keyboard portion sits on the support member. The support member has a retaining structure that overlies at least part of the laptop keyboard portion, to retain the keyboard portion on the support member. The stand also has a locking mechanism coupled to the base or the support member, and selectively fixable to the laptop computer.

1 . A laptop computer stand, for holding a laptop computer having a keyboard portion and a display portion that is pivotable relative to the keyboard portion, the stand comprising: 
 a base adapted to either sit on a surface or be coupled to a structure;    a support member coupled to the base, wherein the laptop keyboard portion sits on the support member, the support member comprising a retaining structure that overlies at least part of the laptop keyboard portion, to retain the keyboard portion on the support member; and    a locking mechanism coupled to the base or the support member, and selectively fixable to the laptop computer.    
   
   
       2 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a support plate on which the laptop keyboard portion sits.  
   
   
       3 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 2 , wherein the support plate is tilted at an angle from the horizontal.  
   
   
       4 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is tiltable relative to the base.  
   
   
       5 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower support plate coupled to the support plate.  
   
   
       6 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 5 , wherein the lower support plate supports the lower edge of the laptop keyboard portion.  
   
   
       7 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 6 , wherein the lower support plate is adjustably received in the support plate.  
   
   
       8 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure overlies the entire width of the laptop keyboard portion.  
   
   
       9 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure overlies the edges of the laptop keyboard portion.  
   
   
       10 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises separable parts.  
   
   
       11 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 10 , wherein the parts are receivable into one another to mechanically couple them together.  
   
   
       12 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical coupling is accomplished with mating threads.  
   
   
       13 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises brackets that releasably grip opposite sides of the laptop computer.  
   
   
       14 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 13 , wherein the opposite sides are of the display portion of the laptop computer.  
   
   
       15 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a padlock that is insertable through one of the separable parts.  
   
   
       16 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 15 , wherein the padlock, when inserted, prevents the separation of the separable parts.  
   
   
       17 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is slidable relative to the support member.  
   
   
       18 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tab that selectively overlays one end of the laptop keyboard portion.  
   
   
       19 . The laptop computer stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable that couples the locking mechanism to another part of the stand.  
   
   
       20 . A laptop computer stand, for holding a laptop computer having a keyboard portion and a display portion that is pivotable relative to the keyboard portion, the stand comprising: 
 a base adapted to either sit on a surface or be coupled to a structure;    a support member comprising a support plate coupled to the base, wherein the laptop keyboard portion sits on the support plate, the support member further comprising a retaining structure that overlies at least part of opposite edges of the laptop keyboard portion, to retain the keyboard portion on the support member; and    a locking mechanism coupled to the base or the support member, and selectively fixable to the laptop computer, the locking mechanism comprising two separable parts that can be mechanically coupled together and locked in the coupled position, each such part carrying a structure that releasably grips an edge of the laptop computer.