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US5240215A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal computer support bracket

Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad Co
•
Filing: 1992-08-24
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Granted: 1993-08-31
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Expires: 2012-08-24
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Abstract

Abstract A universal computer support bracket adapted for use in a vehicle, particularly in a train. The bracket includes a channel to be mounted on a vertical surface. Slidably mounted in the channel is one end of a folding table support bracket. Pivotally mounted to the other end of the folding table support bracket is a folding table which may be pivoted between a substantially horizontal support position and a substantially vertical storage position. Mounted on the folding table is a pivot joint assembly on which is mounted a computer support table. The computer support table may thus be tilted to facilitate use of the computer. The invention is thus designed specifically to provide a reliable, sturdy and steady computer support bracket for use in a variety of situations, while recognizing and addressing important space considerations.

Inventors

  • 👤 Steven J. Moore

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 03:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/03; A47B21/0314; A47B5/00; A47B5/04; B61; B61D; B61D37/00; F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/12; F16M11/14; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2021; F16M11/24; B60R11/0252; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/008; B60R2011/0082; B60R2011/0084; B60R2011/0085; B60R2011/0089; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/02; F16M2200/021; F16M2200/022; F16M2200/025; F16M2200/028; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044; F16M2200/048; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/919

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
A universal computer support bracket comprising, a channel having a longitudinal axis, said channel having means for mounting to a vertical surface, a folding table support bracket having first and second ends and means at said first end for slidably engaging said channel such that said folding table support bracket may be slid in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said channel, a folding table having top and bottom surfaces, said table pivotally mounted adjacent said second end of said support bracket such that said folding table may be pivoted between a substantially horizontal support position and a substantially vertical storage position, a pivot joint assembly mounted on said folding table, and a computer support table mounted on said pivot joint assembly such that said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
A universal computer support bracket comprising, a channel having a longitudinal axis, said channel having means for mounting to a vertical surface, a folding table support bracket having first and second ends and means at said first end for slidably engaging said channel such that said folding table support bracket may be slid in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said channel, a folding table having top and bottom surfaces, said table pivotally mounted adjacent said second end of said support bracket such that said folding table may be pivoted between a substantially horizontal support position and a substantially vertical storage position, a pivot joint assembly mounted on said folding table, and a computer support table mounted on said pivot joint assembly such that said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 1 wherein said channel further comprises a pair of channels and a channel alignment plate, said channels mounted on said channel alignment plate in generally parallel alignment, said channel alignment plate adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 59 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 2 wherein said pair of channels further comprise a pair of compression springs, one mounted within each channel and attached at one end to a lower end of a channel and at the other end to said folding table support bracket whereby raising and lowering of said bracket may be greatly facilitated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 2 wherein said folding table support bracket further comprises a pair of channel guide sections adapted to fit and be slidably secured within each of said channels and a substantially horizontal table section extending between and connected to said guide sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 43 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 1 wherein said folding table further comprises a securement and release means operatively mounted on said folding table such that said folding table may be releasably secured in either said support position or said storage position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 1 wherein said folding table further comprises a hole extending through said table connecting said top and bottom surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 6 wherein said computer support table further comprises a shaft extending downwards from a bottom surface of said support table, said shaft mounted thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 63 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 7 wherein said pivot joint assembly is mounted on said bottom surface of said folding table such that said shaft of said computer support table may extend downwards through said hole in said folding table and be secured in said pivot joint assembly whereby said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 1 wherein said pivot joint assembly comprises a ball vise assembly, said ball vise assembly comprising a securable ball and socket type joint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 147 words
In a railroad locomotive cab having an upright support wall, a universal computer support bracket comprising, a channel having a longitudinal axis, said channel mounted on said upright support wall, a folding table support bracket having first and second ends and means at said first end for slidably engaging said channel such that said folding table support bracket may be slid in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said channel, a folding table having top and bottom surfaces, said table pivotally mounted adjacent said second end of said support bracket such that said folding table may be pivoted between a substantially horizontal support position and a substantially vertical storage position, a pivot joint assembly mounted on said folding table, and a computer support table mounted on said pivot joint assembly such that said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 147 words
In a railroad locomotive cab having an upright support wall, a universal computer support bracket comprising, a channel having a longitudinal axis, said channel mounted on said upright support wall, a folding table support bracket having first and second ends and means at said first end for slidably engaging said channel such that said folding table support bracket may be slid in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said channel, a folding table having top and bottom surfaces, said table pivotally mounted adjacent said second end of said support bracket such that said folding table may be pivoted between a substantially horizontal support position and a substantially vertical storage position, a pivot joint assembly mounted on said folding table, and a computer support table mounted on said pivot joint assembly such that said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 47 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 10 wherein said channel further comprises a pair of channels and a channel alignment plate, said channels mounted on said channel alignment plate in generally parallel alignment, said channel alignment plate adapted to be mounted on said upright support wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 59 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 11 wherein said pair of channels further comprise a pair of compression springs, one mounted within each channel and attached at one end to a lower end of a channel and at the other end to said folding table support bracket whereby raising and lowering of said bracket may be greatly facilitated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 48 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 11 wherein said folding table support bracket further comprises a pair of channel guide sections adapted to fit and be slidably secured within each of said channels and a substantially horizontal table section extending between and connected to said guide sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 43 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 10 wherein said folding table further comprises a securement and release means operatively mounted on said folding table such that said folding table may be releasably secured in either said support position or said storage position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 26 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 10 wherein said folding table further comprises a hole extending through said table connecting said top and bottom surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 31 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 15 wherein said computer support table further comprises a shaft extending downwards from a bottom surface of said support table, said shaft mounted thereon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 63 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 16 wherein said pivot joint assembly is mounted on said bottom surface of said folding table such that said shaft of said computer support table may extend downwards through said hole in said folding table and be secured in said pivot joint assembly whereby said computer support table may be tilted relative to said folding table.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 30 words
A universal computer support bracket of claim 10 wherein said pivot joint assembly comprises a ball vise assembly, said ball vise assembly comprising a securable ball and socket type joint.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-08-30 1997-03-01 1997-08-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-08-30 2001-03-01 2001-08-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-08-30 2005-03-01 2005-08-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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