Device for holding a portable computer for operation in a supine position

Abstract

A device for holding a portable computer in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position is provided which comprises at least one substantially planar support panel having a first face, a second face, and a perimeter of support; a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and a means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel, wherein the support panel forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and wherein upon securing the computer to the panel, an accessible keyboard face and/or a viewable face of a monitor of the computer forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the panel.

1 . A device for holding a portable computer in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position comprising: 
 at least one substantially planar support panel;    a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and    means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel,    wherein the support panel forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact,    and wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the support panel.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel is selected from the group consisting of clamps, clips, sleeves, tabs, hook-shaped slide guards, screws, and straps.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  which comprises a plurality of support panels adapted for each securing a face of a keyboard and a face of a monitor.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3  which comprises separate support panels for securing a back face of a keyboard and a back face of a monitor.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 3  which comprises separate support panels for securing a front face of a keyboard and a front face of a monitor.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 3  which comprises separate support panels for securing a back face of a keyboard and a front face of a monitor.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the stand is connected to a support panel at a perimeter of the support panel.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein a first of the legs of the stand is a curved L-shaped leg connected to a left perimeter of a support panel and a second leg of the stand is a curved L-shaped leg connected to a right perimeter of a support panel.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the support panel is pivotally attached to each leg thereby enabling rotation of the support panel about an axis substantially parallel with the base of contact.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein the attachment of the legs to a panel creates an axis of rotation of the panel which is in substantial adjacent alignment with an axis where a monitor meets a keyboard of a computer held in the device.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the legs each comprise a flexible junction at each of their points of connection to the support panel which thereby enable the legs to fold inwardly beneath the support panel.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the first and second legs each comprise an elbow rest near a terminal end distal from the support panel.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the support panel is a rectangular planar structure comprising a hook-shaped slide guard.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 13  further comprising a horizontal rail raised from a top portion of the support panel which provides space between the rail and support panel to hold a laptop computer adjacent to the support panel.  
   
   
       15 . A device for holding a portable computer in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position comprising: 
 at least one substantially planar support panel comprised of at least one slidably expandable/contactable vertical band having a first face, and a second face, wherein said support panel further comprises a hook-shaped slide guard at at least one end of the band;    a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and    a means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel,    wherein the support panel forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and wherein upon securing the computer to the panel, an accessible keyboard face and/or a viewable face of a monitor of the computer forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and    wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the panel.    
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15  which further comprises at least one substantially planar support panel comprised of at least one slidably expandable/contactable horizontal band having a first face, and a second face, wherein said support panel further comprises a hook-shaped slide guard at at least one end of the band.  
   
   
       17 . A device for holding a portable computer in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position comprising: 
 at least one substantially planar support panel comprised of at least one slidably expandable/contactable horizontal band having a first face, and a second face, wherein said support panel further comprises a hook-shaped slide guard at least one end of the band;    a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and    a means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel,    wherein the support panel forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and wherein upon securing the computer to the panel, an accessible keyboard face and/or a viewable face of a monitor of the computer forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and    wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the panel.    
   
   
       18 . A device for holding a portable computer in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position comprising: 
 at least one substantially planar support panel having a first face, a second face, and a perimeter of support;    a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and    a means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel, and    wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the panel.    
   
   
       19 . A method of operating a portable computer in an inverted position while an operator thereof is in a supine position comprising: 
 inserting a portable computer in an inverted position into a device comprising    at least one substantially planar support panel having a first face, a second face, and a perimeter of support;    a stand, for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, comprised of at least two legs for contacting the surface and forming a substantially planar base of contact, and    a means for securing a face of an open portable computer to a face of the support panel,    wherein the support panel forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact, and wherein upon securing the computer to the panel, an accessible keyboard face and/or a viewable face of a monitor of the computer forms an acute angle of 90° or less with the base of contact,    wherein a distance between the legs where the surface is contacted and a height of the legs between the surface and the panel is sufficient for the operator to comfortably fit beneath and reach the panel, and    operating the computer by means of touching the keyboard and viewing the monitor.    
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a portable computer in an inverted position while an operator thereof is in a supine position according to  claim 19  wherein the device comprises separate support panels for securing a face of a keyboard and a face of a monitor.