Xdeck laptop/book-holder

Abstract

A system and method for using a book/laptop stand is disclosed. The book/laptop stand comprises a short or tall stand, and a mounting deck. The mounting deck comprises a mounting platform, mounting platform coupler, slide clamps, and slide clamp slots. The mounting platform can both rotate and swivel 360°, and is attached to either of the stands by the mounting coupler. Both the height and width of either stand can be adjusted, with optional detents to fix at predetermined locations. The mounting coupler rotationally frictionally couples the mounting platform to the stands. The mounting platform includes slide clamps that are adjustable in location within slide clamp slots. Detents can also be provided for the mounting coupler. The slide clamps include a locking lever, attached to which are a rolling ball that allows users of the book/laptop stand to substantially easily turn pages of a book.

1 . A stand for use in holding a viewable object for a user, comprising: 
 a base;    a mounting platform that includes a plurality of slots and a plurality of clamps, wherein each slot contains a clamp, and further wherein the clamp is configured to secure the viewable object to the generally x-shaped mounting platform, wherein, 
 each of the clamps includes a locking lever, and further wherein  
 each locking lever includes a roller configured to allow a user to move a portion of the viewable object when desired; and  
   a mounting platform coupler configured to frictionally engage the generally x-shaped mounting platform at a user selectable angle to the base.    
   
   
       2 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting platform is generally x-shaped.  
   
   
       3 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting platform comprises: 
 a first substantially planar surface configured to hold the viewable object in a planar relationship with the user; and    a second substantially planar surface substantially parallel to the first substantially planar surface; and    a recessed area formed between the first and second substantially planar surfaces, wherein the recessed area is configured to ventilate excess heat generated by the viewable object.    
   
   
       4 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting coupler is configured to frictionally engage the base at any one of a set of predetermined detent angles.  
   
   
       5 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be adjusted in width and/or height, and further wherein a plurality of detent angles and positions are provided to adjust the width and/or height of the base.  
   
   
       6 . The stand according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an adjustable stabilizer armature adjustable in height above the base, wherein the adjustable stabilizer armature is configured to provide a wedging force to an underside of an object such that the stand is substantially stable and is substantially incapable of tipping, swaying or leaning as a result of securing the viewable object to the mounting platform.    
   
   
       7 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises: 
 a first and second L-shaped cross bar, the first and second L-shaped cross bars including a first end and a second end; and    a first and second base leg, the first and second base legs including a substantially horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein 
 the first and second base legs are configured to frictionally engage the first end of the first and second L-shaped cross bars at the angled portion of the first and second base legs, and wherein  
 the first and second L-shaped cross bars are configured to frictionally engage each other at their respective second ends.  
   
   
   
       8 . The stand according to  claim 7 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can be formed at an angle from about 48° to about 68° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       9 . The stand according to  claim 7 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can be formed at an angle from about 53°to about 63° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       10 . The stand according to  claim 7 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can be formed at an angle of about 58° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       11 . The stand according to  claim 7 , wherein the base further comprises: 
 a rotational coupler configured to rotationally couple the substantially horizontal portion to the angled portion of each of the first and second base legs.    
   
   
       12 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs are configured to be adjusted at a plurality of angles, and wherein a plurality of detent angles are provided to adjust the angled portion of the first and second base legs.  
   
   
       13 . The stand according to  claim 12 , wherein the detent angles are substantially equally spaced at about 5° apart.  
   
   
       14 . The stand according to  claim 12 , wherein the detent angles are not substantially equally spaced apart.  
   
   
       15 . The stand according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second cross bars are replaced by a single cross bar having a first and second end, and the single cross bar is configured to frictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second base legs.  
   
   
       16 . The stand according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 means for adjusting a width of the stand.    
   
   
       17 . The stand according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for adjusting the width of the stand comprises: 
 adjustment of the frictional engagement at the second ends of the first and second L-shaped cross bars thereby adjusting the distance between the first and second base legs.    
   
   
       18 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises: 
 a substantially “[” shaped cross bar, wherein the cross bar includes a first and second end; and    a first and second base leg, the first and second base legs including a substantially horizontal portion and an angled portion rotationally coupled to the substantially horizontal portion, wherein 
 the first and second base legs are configured to frictionally engage the first and second end of the substantially “[” shaped cross bar at the angled portion of the first and second base legs respectively.  
   
   
   
       19 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the substantially “[” shaped cross bar comprises: 
 a first and second substantially “L” shaped cross bar part, each of the first and second cross bar part comprising a first and second end; and    a substantially straight cross bar part, the substantially straight cross bar part comprising a first and second end, wherein, 
 the first end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second base leg, respectively, and  
 the second end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage the first and second end of the substantially straight cross bar part, respectively.  
   
   
   
       20 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs is rotated to form an angle from about 48°to about 68° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       21 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can be rotated to form an angle from about 53° to about 63° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       22 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can be rotated to form an angle of about 58° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.  
   
   
       23 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs are configured to be adjusted at a plurality of angles, and wherein a plurality of detent angles are provided to adjust the angled portion of the first and second base legs.  
   
   
       24 . The stand according to  claim 23 , wherein the detent angles are substantially equally spaced at about 5° apart.  
   
   
       25 . The stand according to  claim 23 , wherein the detent angles are not substantially equally spaced apart.  
   
   
       26 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second base legs are further configured to rotationally fold together such that the substantially horizontal portion and the angled portion are substantially parallel and adjacent one another.  
   
   
       27 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the angled portion of each of the first and second base legs further comprise: 
 a first outer tube;    a first inner tube spring coupled to the first outer tube; and    a twist lock configured to retain the first inner tube at a user selectable height with respect to the first outer tube as a result of the spring force applied by the spring between the first outer tube and the first inner tube.    
   
   
       28 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the base further comprises: 
 a rotational coupler configured to rotationally couple the substantially horizontal portion to the angled portion of each of the first and second base legs.    
   
   
       29 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the user can occupy a range of positions from a substantially supine position to a substantially sitting up position.  
   
   
       30 . The stand according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for adjusting a width of the stand.    
   
   
       31 . The stand according to  claim 30 , wherein the means for adjusting the width of the stand comprises: 
 means for adjusting the width of the “[” shaped cross bar, wherein the means for adjusting the width of the “[” shaped cross bar comprises 
 a first and second substantially “L” shaped cross bar part, each of the first and second cross bar part comprising a first and second end; and  
 a substantially straight cross bar part, the substantially straight cross bar part comprising a first and second end, wherein, 
 the first end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second base leg, respectively, and  
 the second end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage the first and second end of the substantially straight cross bar part, respectively, wherein adjustment of the width of the “[” shaped cross bar comprises 
 adjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the first L-shaped cross bar and the substantially straight cross bar, or,  
 adjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the second L-shaped cross bar, or  
 adjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the 1 st  L-shaped cross bar and the substantially straight cross bar, and  
 adjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the 2 nd  L-shaped cross bar and the substantially straight cross bar.  
 
 
   
   
   
       32 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots comprises: 
 a first upper pair of slots, each of the respective upper pair of slots having both a substantially horizontal portion, and an angled portion that is formed at about a 45° angle with respect to the substantially horizontal portion; and    a second lower pair of slots, each of the respective lower pair of slots having both a substantially horizontal portion, and an angled portion that is formed at about a 140° angle with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.    
   
   
       33 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially spherical ball rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       34 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially cylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       35 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the roller comprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       36 . The stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the viewable object comprises a laptop computer, and wherein 
 the slots are configured to allow a user to adjust the clamps to accommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.    
   
   
       37 . The stand according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a removable strap attached to the mounting platform, and configured to segregate a user selectable portion of the viewable object.    
   
   
       38 . The stand according to  claim 37 , wherein the viewable object comprises a book, and the user selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book.  
   
   
       39 . A method of enabling a user to hold and view a viewable object in a stand, wherein the stand comprises a base, a generally x-shaped mounting platform that includes a plurality of slots and clamps, the clamps including locking levers with rollers, the stand further comprising a mounting platform coupler, the method comprising: 
 providing a user with the stand, wherein the user employs the stand to hold and adjustably view the viewable object by: 
 adjusting a height of the base;  
 coupling the generally x-shaped mounting platform to the base;  
 positioning the viewable object onto the generally x-shaped mounting platform;  
 clamping the viewable object onto the mounting platform with the clamps;  
 adjusting a viewing angle of the mounting platform with respect to the user using the mounting platform coupler; and  
 moving a first portion of the viewable object from a first and second clamp to a third and fourth clamp by rolling the first portion out from under the first and second clamp and inserting and rolling the first portion under the third and fourth clamps, such that a second and subsequent portions of the viewable object can now be viewed, and wherein the second and subsequent portions of the viewable object and the viewable object remains substantially undisturbed while the first portion is being moved.  
   
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 isolating a user-selected portion of the viewable object with a removable strap attached to the generally x-shaped mounting platform.    
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a width of the stand.    
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the user is substantially supine.  
   
   
       43 . The stand according to  claim 39 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially spherical ball rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially cylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the roller comprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       46 . The method according to  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 segregating a user selectable portion of the viewable object with a removable strap attached to the mounting platform.    
   
   
       47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein the viewable object comprises a book, and the user selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book.  
   
   
       48 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the viewable object comprises a laptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion is not performed, and wherein the method further comprises: 
 adjusting the position of one or more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user to accommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.    
   
   
       49 . The method according to claims  39  further comprising: 
 adjusting the position of one or more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user to accommodate a plurality of different sized books.    
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the step of adjusting the height of the base comprises: 
 raising the height of the base by loosening a twist lock on the base to allow the user to raise the height of the base; and    lowering the height of the base by loosening the twist lock on the base to allow the user to lower the height of the base.    
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein, 
 the base includes a first and second base leg,    each of the base legs including the twist lock,    a first outer tube and a first inner tube, and    a spring coupled between the first outer tube and the first inner tube, and wherein the steps of raising and lowering the height of the base comprises:    raising the inner tube up in relation to the outer tube via an expansion force provided by the spring; and    lowering the inner tube in relation to outer tube by preventing the inner tube from dropping via the expansion force provided by the spring.    
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 lifting an adjustable stabilizing armature that is coupled to the stand against an underside of an object, thereby providing a wedging force such that the stand is substantially stable and substantially incapable of tipping, leaning or swaying with the viewable object mounted on the mounting platform.    
   
   
       53 . A method of using a stand to hold and view a viewable object, wherein the stand comprises a base, a generally x-shaped mounting platform that includes a plurality of slots and clamps, the clamps including locking levers with rollers, the stand further comprising a mounting platform coupler, the method comprising: 
 adjusting a height of the base;    coupling the generally x-shaped mounting platform to the base;    positioning the viewable object onto the generally x-shaped mounting platform;    clamping the viewable object onto the mounting platform with the clamps;    adjusting a viewing angle of the mounting platform with respect to the user using the mounting platform coupler; and    moving a first portion of the viewable object from a first and second clamp to a third and fourth clamp by rolling the first portion out from under the first and second clamp and inserting and rolling the first portion under the third and fourth clamps, such that a second and subsequent portions of the viewable object can now be viewed, and wherein the second and subsequent portions of the viewable object and the viewable object remains substantially undisturbed while the first portion is being moved.    
   
   
       54 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 isolating a user selected portion of the viewable object with a removable strap attached to the generally x-shaped mounting platform.    
   
   
       55 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a width of the stand.    
   
   
       56 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the user is substantially supine.  
   
   
       57 . The stand according to  claim 53 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially spherical ball rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       58 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein each roller comprises a substantially cylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       59 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the roller comprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to the respective locking lever.  
   
   
       60 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 segregating a user selectable portion of the viewable object with a removable strap attached to the mounting platform.    
   
   
       61 . The method according to  claim 60 , wherein the viewable object comprises a book, and the user selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book.  
   
   
       62 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the viewable object comprises a laptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion is not performed, and wherein the method further comprises: 
 adjusting the position of one or more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user to accommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.    
   
   
       63 . The method according to claims  53  further comprising: 
 adjusting the position of one or more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user to accommodate a plurality of different sized books.    
   
   
       64 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the step of adjusting the height of the base comprises: 
 raising the height of the base by loosening a twist lock on the base to allow the user to raise the height of the base; and    lowering the height of the base by loosening the twist lock on the base to allow the user to lower the height of the base.    
   
   
       65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein 
 the base includes a first and second base leg,    each of the base legs including the twist lock, 
 a first outer tube and a first inner tube, and  
 a spring coupled between the first outer tube and the first inner tube, and  
   wherein the steps of raising and lowering the height of the base comprises: 
 raising the inner tube up in relation to the outer tube via an expansion force provided by the spring; and  
 lowering the inner tube in relation to outer tube by preventing the inner tube from dropping via the expansion force provided by the spring.  
   
   
   
       66 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 lifting an adjustable stabilizing armature that is coupled to the stand against an underside of an object, thereby providing a wedging force such that the stand is substantially stable and substantially incapable of tipping, leaning or swaying with the viewable object mounted on the mounting platform.