초록 ▼

The support system of the present invention provides an enhanced mounting system for electronic devices which makes portable use of the electronic devices simpler and more efficient. One exemplary application for which this system is very useful is photography. The system preferably, but not necessa

The support system of the present invention provides an enhanced mounting system for electronic devices which makes portable use of the electronic devices simpler and more efficient. One exemplary application for which this system is very useful is photography. The system preferably, but not necessarily, includes a support platform that may be secured to a tripod, rolling stand, quick release plate, or to any other suitable support structure.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system configured to support an electronic device, comprising: a support platform comprising first and second major exterior surface layers and a core, the core comprising polymer, the support platform being configured to support a laptop thereon;at least one blocker located on the first major

1. A system configured to support an electronic device, comprising: a support platform comprising first and second major exterior surface layers and a core, the core comprising polymer, the support platform being configured to support a laptop thereon;at least one blocker located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one blocker being detachably engageable at multiple locations along the first major exterior surface layer;at least one dynamic hold down located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform and adapted to, in combination with the at least one blocker, secure the laptop in position on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one dynamic hold down being detachably engageable at multiple locations on the first major exterior surface layer;wherein the core defines at least one battery cavity adapted to detachably engage a battery positioned therein and secure the battery spaced apart from the laptop while allowing the battery to power the laptop without having to remove the battery from the at least one battery cavity, the core also defines at least one hard drive support cavity adapted to detachably engage a hard drive positioned therein and spaced apart from the laptop so that the hard drive can be used by the laptop without having to remove the hard drive from the at least one hard drive cavity. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second major exterior surface layers are formed by the same polymer as the core. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a hood that is detachably secured to the support platform and configured to cover all but one side of the electronic device positioned on the support platform to reduce glare when a user operates the electronic device. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the hood is formed by multiple bendable and detachable panels such that the hood can be folded into a compacted orientation when not secured to the support platform. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the core is formed by first and second polymer sections, the first and second polymer sections being secured together in a coextensive fashion via an adhesive layer to form the core, the first polymer section including the first major exterior surface layer, the second polymer section including the second major exterior surface layer. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the core further comprises a drawer which is extendable from the core and also generally formed by a polymer, each of the at least one dynamic hold down comprising: a pillar configured to detachably engage the support platform so that a pillar longitudinal axis of the pillar is generally perpendicular to a plane formed by the support platform;a plunger slideably positioned within the pillar and configured so that a plunger longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the pillar longitudinal axis; anda biasing element configured to drive the plunger generally outwardly from the pillar; the second major exterior surface of the support platform defining a plurality of holes configured to allow a user to manually eject a hard drive from the at least one hard drive cavity and to allow a user to manually eject a battery from the at least one battery cavity. 7. A method of supporting an electronic device, comprising the steps of: providing a support platform having first and second exterior surface layers, the support platform being configured to support a laptop thereon;providing at least one blocker and at least one dynamic hold down on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one blocker and the at least one dynamic hold down being detachably engageable at multiple locations along the first major exterior surface layer to allow laptops of varying sizes to be secured to the support platform;detachably locating a supplemental hard drive in the support platform, the supplemental hard drive being spaced apart from the laptop but configured for use by the laptop without needing to remove the supplemental hard drive from the support platform;detachably locating a battery in the support platform, the battery being spaced apart from the laptop but configured for use by the laptop without needing to remove the battery from the support platform; andpositioning the laptop on the support platform and adjusting the at least one blocker and the at least one dynamic hold down to secure the laptop thereto. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a hood formed by a plurality of panels that are hinged together to allow the hood to move between a compacted orientation and an enlarged operational orientation; the hood being detachably securable to the support platform. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a hood further comprises the plurality of panels further comprising bendable seams, the plurality of panels being hinged together using hook and loop material and the hood being detachably engageable with the support platform via hook and loop material, a curtain being detachably attached to the hood to completely enclose the electronic device supported on the support platform. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the support platform further comprises the first and second major exterior surface layers of the support platform being formed by a paint layer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing a support platform further comprises the support platform defining a hole proximate to each of the supplemental hard drive and the supplemental battery located within the support platform to allow for manual detachment thereof. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the support platform further comprises the first and second major exterior surface layers of the support platform being formed by wood. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the support platform further comprises the first and second major exterior surface layers each being formed by a layer of metal secured to a core. 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the support platform further comprises the first and second major exterior surface layers being formed by polymer. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the support platform further comprises the first and second major exterior surface layers being formed by another polymer which has a higher density than a remainder of the support platform. 16. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing a support platform further comprises forming the core by: using computer numerical control equipment to manufacture first and second polymer halves; using adhesive to secure the first and second polymer halves together to form the core. 17. A system configured to support an electronic device, comprising: a support platform having first and second major exterior surface layers;at least one blocker located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one blocker being detachably engageable at multiple locations along the first major exterior surface layer;at least one dynamic hold down located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform and adapted to, in combination with the at least one blocker, secure the laptop in position on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one dynamic hold down being detachably engageable at multiple locations on the first major exterior surface layer; andwherein the support platform defines at least one battery cavity adapted to detachably engage a battery positioned therein and secure the battery spaced apart from the laptop while allowing the battery to power the laptop, the support platform also defines at least one hard drive support cavity adapted to detachably engage a hard drive positioned therein and secure the hard drive spaced apart from the laptop while allowing the laptop to use the hard drive. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the hood is formed by multiple bendable and detachable panels such that the hood can be folded into a compacted orientation when not secured to the support platform. 19. The system of claim 5, wherein the laptop support further comprises a drawer which is extendable from the laptop support, the system further comprising: at least one dynamic hold down comprising: a pillar configured to detachably engage the support platform so that a pillar longitudinal axis of the pillar is generally perpendicular to a plane formed by the support platform;a plunger slideably positioned within the pillar and configured so that a plunger longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular to the pillar longitudinal axis; anda biasing element configured to drive the plunger generally outwardly from the pillar;the second major exterior surface of the support platform defining a plurality of holes configured to allow a user to manually eject a hard drive from the at least one hard drive cavity and to allow a user to manually eject a battery from the at least one battery cavity. 20. A system configured to support an electronic device, comprising: a support platform comprising first and second major exterior surface layers and a core, the support platform being configured to support a laptop thereon;at least one blocker located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one blocker being detachably engageable at multiple locations along the first major exterior surface layer;at least one dynamic hold down located on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform and adapted to, in combination with the at least one blocker, secure the laptop in position on the first major exterior surface layer of the support platform, the at least one dynamic hold down being detachably engageable at multiple locations on the first major exterior surface layer;wherein the core defines at least one battery cavity adapted to detachably engage a battery positioned therein and secure the battery spaced apart from the laptop while allowing the battery to power the laptop without having to remove the battery from the at least one battery cavity, the core also defines at least one hard drive support cavity adapted to detachably engage a hard drive positioned therein and spaced apart from the laptop so that the hard drive can be used by the laptop without having to remove the hard drive from the at least one hard drive cavity.