US20110005721A1

US20110005721A1 - Integrated cooling lapdesk without electronics

Info

Publication number: US20110005721A1
Application number: US12/459,974
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam Sum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-10
Filing date: 2009-07-10
Publication date: 2011-01-13

Abstract

A cooling lapdesk comprises an interior cushion layer including a rear, a front, a left side and a right side, the rear being thicker than the front, the left and right sides having equal thickness at a given proximity to the front or rear, the interior layer elastic throughout its length and width. The cooling lapdesk also has a hollow exterior cover layer tightly surrounding and urged to be in contact with the interior layer on all sides of the interior layer, the exterior layer including a cooling top section integrally formed with the exterior layer, the cooling top section having a coolant such as granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate embedded therein, the granules capable of absorbing heat striking the cooling top section. The granules may be housed in compartments on the top surface of the top section of the exterior layer that are elevated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for supporting and cooling laptop computers.
Some computer laptops have reported CPU temperatures as high as 226 degrees Fahrenheit during regular use. After an hour and a half of use, a computer laptop may get got so hot that it has to be turned off. Although it is normal for laptop computers to run hot, especially newer models with high processor and bus speeds, this heat can damage the delicate electronics inside the laptop computer. In addition, it can burn the user's skin. Even if the computer laptop is placed on a hard surface, or on a lapdesk, the problem remains that the CPU temperatures can damage the electronics.
Prior art solutions include removing the batteries whenever possible since they produce heat while they're charging. This is inconvenient and does not entirely solve the problem. Certain accessories help dissipate the heat. For example, the CoolPad from RoadTools LLC, consists of two flat pieces of ABS plastic connected with a Teflon bearing in the center. The bearing allows you to rotate your laptop 360 degrees (as you would do when giving a presentation). Four rubber feet mounted on the bottom plate allow air to circulate under the bottom of the laptop when it's resting on a flat surface. Other accessories include the LapMate (from Swedish manufacturer Jessen Produktion AB), a wooden plank with three small fins that raise the back of the laptop and prevent it from sliding into the user's stomach.
Other accessories include lapdesks that support the laptop computer so that it need not rest on the user's laptop. In addition, the Targus Heat Defense Cooling Pad is a cooling pad or mat that may be inserted under the computer to cool it.
As can be seen, there is a need for a cost effective and practical apparatus that solves the heat problem from laptop computers and that provides support for computers, particularly one that is easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is presented a cooling lapdesk, comprising a foam cushion shaped to support a laptop computer; and a cover tightly enclosing the foam cushion, the cover including a top section integraIly formed with the cover and having granules embedded in the top section, the granules capable of absorbing heat and turning into a gel when heat from an object elevates a temperature of the granules to approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the top section thereby cooling the object.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is presented a lapdesk adapted to absorb heat from a laptop computer striking a top surface of the lapdesk by means of a top section integrally formed with a cover, the cover enclosing and urged against an interior cushion layer, the top section using granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate embedded therein to absorb heat from the laptop computer striking the top surface of the lapdesk, the lapdesk also adapted to rest on a user's lap and support the laptop computer.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is presented a cooling lapdesk, comprising an interior layer including a rear, a front, a left side and a right side, the rear being thicker than the front, the left and right sides having equal thickness at a given proximity to the front or rear, the interior layer elastic throughout its length and width; and a hollow exterior layer surrounding and urged to be in contact with the interior layer on all sides of the interior layer, the exterior layer including a cooling top section integrally formed with the exterior layer, the cooling top section having granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate embedded therein, the granules capable of absorbing heat striking the cooling top section.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling lapdesk in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention receiving heat waves from a laptop computer from afar;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling lapdesk of FIG. 1 receiving heat waves from a laptop computer resting on the cooling lapdesk;

FIG. 3 a is a side view of the cooling lapdesk of FIG. 1 with the closure mechanism closed;

FIG. 3 b is a side view of the cooling lapdesk of FIG. 1 with the closure mechanism open;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooling lapdesk of FIG. 1 with the interior layer of the cooling lapdesk exploded out of the exterior layer;

FIG. 5 is sectional view of the cooling lapdesk of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 5 with the coolant in granule form;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and further including a side view of a laptop computer resting on the top section of the exterior layer of the cooling lapdesk and with the coolant in gel form;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a cooling lapdesk in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention resting on the lap of a person and supporting a laptop computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention generally provides a lapdesk that sits on a lap of a user and may support a laptop computer while cooling the bottom of the laptop computer. Integrated into one unit, the exterior surface may includes a top section whose compartments may house granules of Glauber's salt that may absorb heat upon contact. The lapdesk may include an interior layer made of a foam cushion to which the exterior layer may be urged. The foam cushion may be shaped to allow a laptop computer to sit on the lapdesk. For example, the top may be inclined.
In contrast to the prior art, in which the cooling mechanism of the lapdesk requires fans or other electronics, the lapdesk of the present invention may achieve a cooling effect without fans or other electronics. In further contrast to the prior art in which the cooling mechanism is a mat that is separate from the lapdesk, and which may be separated accidentally or fall away from the lapdesk, the lapdesk of the present invention may include an integrated cooling mechanism. In further contrast to prior art lapdesks in which the cooling mechanism must be purchased, manipulated and maintained separately from the lapdesk, the lapdesk of the presented invention may have an integrated cooling mechanism. In contrast to the prior art lapdesks in which the cooling mechanism is complicated and/or expensive, the cooling mechanism of the present invention is technologically simple and requires no effort.
FIG. 1 shows generally the integrated cooling lapdesk 10 of the present invention. As seen from FIG. 8, cooling lapdesk 10 may be adapted to rest on a user's lap and support the laptop computer. For example, cooling lapdesk 10 may comprise a shaped interior layer 30 or interior portion 30 that may be made of foam or other elastic material suitable for a cushion. Interior layer 30 may be elastic throughout its length and width. Interior layer may include a rear 16, a front 18, a left side 12 and a right side 14 As seen from FIG. 3 a, rear 16 may be thicker than the front 18. For example, rear 16 may be approximately 89 millimeters thick and front 18 may be approximately 51 millimeters thick. Moreover, left side 12 and right side 14 may have equal thickness at a given proximity to the front 18 or rear 16. Accordingly, as seen from FIG. 4, lapdesk 10 may have trapezoidal left and right sides 12, 14 with the front 18 being of less thickness than rear 16. Interior portion 30 may be shaped to support the bottom of a laptop computer.
Interior layer 20 may have a density sufficient to function as a cushion that is both comfortable for placement on the lap of the user and supportive of the laptop computer. For example, the density of interior layer 20 may be approximately between 20 and 40 kg/m³. In certain embodiments, the density of foam interior; layer may be 29 kg/m³. Interior layer 30 may vary in weight. For example interior layer 30 may weigh approximately 30 ounces (approximately 850 grams).
Cooling lapdesk may also comprise a hollow exterior layer 20. Exterior layer 20 may surround and be urged against interior layer 30 by the tight fit of exterior layer 20 and inside surface 28 of exterior layer 20 may be in contact with interior layer 30 on all sides of interior layer 30. Exterior layer 20 may be a cover 20 that may tightly enclose and be urged to fit snugly around interior portion 30 and may contact interior portion 30. As seen from FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b, cover 20 may be made of synthetic material and may have a closure device 22 for opening and closing exterior layer 30 such as a zipper 22 on left side 12 or right side 14. In certain embodiments, zipper 22 may also be situated along front 18 or along rear 16. Exterior layer 30 may vary in weight. For example exterior layer 30 may weigh approximately 5.3 ounces (approximately 150 grams).
Exterior layer 20 may be bumpy, as seen from FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Exterior layer 20 may include a cooling top section 21 integrally formed with exterior layer 20. As best seen from FIG. 6, and as also seen from FIG. 5, cooling top section 21 may have coolant 26 such as granules 26 of a compound that absorbs heat and changes phase at room temperature or a little above room temperature. For example, cooling top section 21 may have granules 26 of sodium sulfate decahydrate, also known as Glauber's Salt, embedded therein. The granules 26 may be capable of absorbing heat striking cooling top section 21.
As seen from FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, granules 26 may experience a phase change and may turn into a gel form 32 in whole or in part when granules 26 reach a temperature of approximately 32.4 degrees Celsius. However, the cooling top section 21 may begin to work at cooling the laptop computer's lower surface, or other objects resting on the top section 21 even before the formal change in phase. For example, cooling top section 21 may contain granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate and may begin to absorb heat at approximately 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), which is equal to or only a little above room temperature since room temperatures is generally defined as 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Cooling top section 21 may be capable of absorbing the heat from a functioning laptop computer. Accordingly, lapdesk 10 may be adapted to absorb heat from a laptop computer striking a top surface of the lapdesk by means of top section 21 integrally formed with cover 20. Top section 21 may have a non-slip top surface 21 a that may include elevated compartments 24 housing granules 26. Elevated compartments 24 may be separated by valleys 24 a. In certain embodiments, valleys 24 a may not contain any granules 26 and as such the valleys 24 a may form a repeating pattern.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cooling lapdesk, comprising:

a foam cushion shaped to support a laptop computer; and

a cover tightly enclosing the foam cushion, the cover including a top section integrally formed with the cover and having granules embedded in the top section, the granules capable of absorbing heat and turning into a gel when heat from an object elevates a temperature of the granules to approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the top section thereby cooling the object.

2. The cooling lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the top surface is bumpy.

3. The cooling lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the lapdesk has no fan or electronic components.

4. The cooling lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the granules are sodium sulfate decahydrate.

5. The cooling lapdesk of claim 1, wherein the cover is made of synthetic material and has a side with a zipper.

6. A lapdesk adapted to absorb heat from a laptop computer striking a top surface of the lapdesk by means of a top section integrally formed with a cover, the cover enclosing and urged against an interior cushion layer, the top section using granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate embedded therein to absorb heat from the laptop computer striking the top surface of the lapdesk, the lapdesk also adapted to rest on a user's lap and support the laptop computer.

7. The lapdesk of claim 6, wherein the top section has a top surface that includes elevated compartments housing the granules.

8. The lapdesk of claim 7, wherein the elevated compartments are separated by valleys, the valleys forming a repeating pattern.

9. The lapdesk of claim 6, wherein the top section has a non-slip surface.

10. A cooling lapdesk, comprising:

an interior layer including a rear, a front, a left side and a right side, the rear being thicker than the front, the left and right sides having equal thickness at a given proximity to the front or rear, the interior layer elastic throughout its length and width; and

a hollow exterior layer surrounding and urged to be in contact with the interior layer on all sides of the interior layer, the exterior layer including a cooling top section integrally formed with the exterior layer, the cooling top section having granules of sodium sulfate decahydrate embedded therein, the granules capable of absorbing heat striking the cooling top section.

11. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the granules are housed in compartments that are elevated.

12. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the cooling top section has elevated portions housing the granules and has valleys between the elevated portion that do not contain granules.

13. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the interior layer has a density of between 20 and 40 kg/m³

14. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the exterior layer includes closure means for opening and closing the exterior layer.

15. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the granules turn into a gel when the granules reach a temperature of approximately 32.4 degrees Celsius.

16. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the top section is capable of absorbing the heat from a functioning laptop computer.

17. The cooing lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the granules begin absorbing heat from an object when the granules exceed a temperature equal to approximately room temperature.

18. The cooling lapdesk of claim 10, wherein the cooling lapdesk has no fan or electronic components.