Foldable stand

Abstract

A stand is provided that is foldable or collapsible between one or more erect positions and a folded or collapsed position. This allows the stand to provide the user with several ergonomic positions for supporting a laptop, book, etc., during use, and then subsequently allows the stand to fold or collapse into a compact configuration for storage, transport, etc.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A foldable stand having a folded position and at least one erect position, comprising:
 at least one support post having opposed ends;   a support defining a support surface; the support pivotally coupled to the at least one support post at one end;   a base pivotally coupled to the at least one support post at the end opposite of the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the base is pivotally coupled to the at least one support post in a selectively adjustable manner. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the base is movable between a plurality of fixed positions. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable stand of  claim 3 , wherein the fixed positions are indexed. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable stand of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of fixed positions are continuous between a beginning position and an ending position. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable stand of  claim 5 , wherein the beginning position is the erect position and the ending position is the folded position. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the base pivots with respect to the at least one support post between the folded position and the at least one erect position. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one erect position comprises a plurality of elected positions. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support is pivotally coupled to the at least one support post in a selectively adjustable manner. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support is movable between a plurality of fixed positions. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable stand of  claim 8 , wherein the fixed positions are indexed. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable stand of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of fixed positions are continuous between a beginning position and an ending position. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable stand of  claim 12 , wherein the beginning position is the erect position and the ending position is the folded position. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping interface between the support post and the base, the clamping interface having an open position that provides movement between the support post and the base and a clamped position that prohibits movement between the support post and the base; and
 an actuator that that moves the base with respect to the support post between the open position and the clamped position.   
     
     
         15 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping interface between the support post and the support, the clamping interface having an open position that provides movement between the support post and the support and a clamped position that prohibits movement between the support post and the support; and
 an actuator that that moves the base with respect to the support post between the open position and the clamped position.   
     
     
         16 . The foldable stand of  claim 16 , further comprising a clamping interface between the support post and the support, the clamping interface having an open position that provides movement between the support post and the support and a clamped position that prohibits movement between the support post and the support; and
 an actuator that that moves the base with respect to the support post between the open position and the clamped position.   
     
     
         17 . The foldable stand of  claim 16 , wherein the clamping interface includes a frusto conical clamping surface. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable stand of  claim 17 , wherein the frusto conical clamping surface defines a tapering side surface that is oriented at an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of a section of the support post. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable stand of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator includes a quick release lever. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support is telescopingly extendible from the at least one support post.