# US 2014/0153182 A1 · Portable-computer stand and method of providing the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153182 A1 - Document ID: US20140153182A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/098,295 - Filed: 2013-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: Belkin International, Inc. - Applicants: Belkin International, Inc. - Inventors: Timothy North; Kenneth Mori; Mona Lisa Alexander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153182A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - A47B 23/042: {Book-rests or note-book holders resting on tables (releasably mounted A47B23/02)} - F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} - A47B 2023/049: {Desk stand for laptop computer} - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A stand for a portable computer can include a top including a front surface, a rear surface, and a trough. The stand can include a base. The rear surface can be substantially coplanar with the front surface. The rear and front surfaces can be configured to support the portable computer in a first orientation. The trough can be configured to hold the portable computer in a second orientation different from the first orientation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stand for a portable computer comprising: a top comprising: a front surface; a rear surface; and a trough; and a base, wherein: the rear surface is substantially coplanar with the front surface; the rear and front surfaces are configured to support the portable computer in a first orientation; and the trough is configured to hold the portable computer in a second orientation different from the first orientation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the trough is located between the front and rear surfaces and separates the front surface from the rear surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the trough extends through the rear surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the front and rear surfaces are angled such that the rear surface is located higher than the front surface when the base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the trough is substantially vertical when the base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the trough is angled rearward from vertical when the base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1 comprising: a cradle connecting the top to the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, comprising: a docking cradle connecting the top to the base, the docking cradle comprising one or more ports configured to electrically couple the portable computer to one or more peripheral devices or resources. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1 comprising: a connector connecting the top to the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the top comprises a shelf extending outward from the front surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1 comprising: a second trough located between the front surface and the trough. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The stand of claim 11, wherein: the second trough is smaller than the trough. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the stand is configured to support the portable computer in an open configuration and a closed configuration when the portable computer is in the first orientation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the stand is configured to support the portable computer in a closed configuration when the portable computer is in the second orientation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the stand is not configured to support the portable computer in an open configuration when the portable computer is in the second orientation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1, wherein: the front and rear surfaces are integral with each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1 comprising: a docking cradle connecting the top to the base, the docking cradle comprising one or more ports configured to electrically couple the portable computer to one or more peripheral devices or resources, wherein: the front and rear surfaces are angled such that the rear surface is located higher than the front surface when the base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface; the top comprises a shelf extending outward from the front surface at an end of the front surface that is opposite the rear surface; the trough is located between the front and rear surfaces and separates the front surface from the rear surface; the trough is angled rearward from vertical when the base is placed on the substantially horizontal surface; the stand is configured to support the portable computer in an open configuration and a closed configuration when the portable computer is in the first orientation; and the stand is configured to support the portable computer in the closed configuration when the portable computer is in the second orientation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The stand of claim 17 comprising: a second trough located between the front surface and the trough. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The stand of claim 1 comprising: a connector connecting the top to the base, wherein: the trough extends through a center of the rear surface and through a portion of a center of the front surface; the front and rear surfaces are integral with each other; the front and rear surfaces are angled such that the rear surface is located higher than the front surface when the base is placed on a substantially horizontal surface; the trough is substantially vertical when the base is placed on the substantially horizontal surface; the top comprises a shelf extending outward from the front surface at an end of the front surface that is opposite the rear surface; the stand is configured to support the portable computer in an open configuration and a closed configuration when the portable computer is in the first orientation; and the stand is configured to support the portable computer in the closed configuration when the portable computer is in the second orientation. ### Claim 20 A method for providing a stand for a portable computer, the method comprising: providing a top comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a trough; and providing a base, wherein: the rear surface is substantially coplanar with the front surface; the rear and front surfaces are configured to support a portable computer in a first orientation; and the trough is configured to hold the portable computer in a second orientation different from the first orientation. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 comprising: providing a cradle; and attaching the top to the base with the cradle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 comprising: providing a docking cradle comprising one or more ports configured to electrically couple the portable computer to one or more peripheral devices or resources; and attaching the top to the base with the docking cradle.