Patent Application
20140231600
The present invention relates to support devices and more particularly to an adjustable support stand for an electronic display device, such as, a tablet computer, e-book reader, etc.
Tablet computers and e-book readers are basically handheld devices and holding these devices for long periods of time is far from convenient. They can however be placed on surfaces, such as a tabletop, but, then again, that is not a generally desirable viewing angle. This exact need for a means for providing a convenient viewing angle led to the inception of support stands whereon, the device is propped at upright or close-to-upright positions. The market for tablet computers, and the like, is relatively young, and the market for the aforementioned support stands can only be relatively younger. Therefore, there is a lot of inventive space around for one to come up with new ideas concerning the support devices.
The present invention is an adjustable stand for an electronic display device. The stand comprises a hinge rod, a top and a bottom receptacle and a rear leg member wherein, the bottom receptacle and the rear leg member are hingedly coupled to the hinge rod. The top receptacle and the rear leg member are looped together by means of an elastic string band, which abuts the front of the hinge rod centrally as it extends between the top receptacle and the rear leg member. A locking device is used for restricting or increasing the loop of the elastic band. In order to use the stand, a display device is initially received within the bottom receptacle. Once there, the top receptacle is placed over the display device. The locking device is adjusted before or after the top receptacle is placed such that, the display device is firmly held between the top and bottom receptacles. Notably, the top and bottom receptacles and the rear leg member comprise frame structure, each made from a pliable wire.
Other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Referring to
Still referring to
The top and bottom receptacles, and the rear leg member are basically frame structures that are simple in construction made by bending a single elongate pliable wire or rod. The pliable wire is preferably a galvanized steel wire. Before a pliable wire being bent into one of the components, the pliable wire is inserted into a non-latex rubber tubing. The rubber tubing prevents any slippage between the adjustable stand and the surface (even a smooth surface) whereon the stand is placed. Yet another advantage is, the rubber tubing also cushions to the pliable wire in case of a fall or drop. The rubber tubing also cushions the device therewithin, and while doing so, doesn't scratch the device.
In order to make the bottom receptacle, initially, an elongate pliable wire (inserted into a tubing) is bent into a U-shape so as to form a pair of opposing side receptacle wire sections and a central receptacle wire section that joins the pair of side receptacle wire sections at the ends thereof. The free ends of the U-shaped wire are hingedly coupled to the pair of hinge sleeves by winding the free ends of the U-shaped wire between the loops of the hinge sleeves. More particularly, the hinge rod is disposed behind the U-shaped wire as the U-shaped wire is hingedly coupled to the hinge rod. Therefore, as the wing-nuts are loosened and tightened, the angular movement of the U-shaped wire relative to the hinge rod is loosened and tightened respectively. However, the U-shaped wire can be hingedly coupled to the hinge rod even at later stages of making the bottom receptacle. The U-shaped wire (coupled to the hinge rod) is held in the upright position and the bottom portion thereof is bent backwards to forwards till a pair of loops are formed and a portion of the bottom portion extends beyond the side receptacle wire sections as viewed from side. The pair of loops acts as a pair of front legs for the stand.
The portion the bottom portion that extends beyond the side receptacle wire sections is referred to as a projection portion. The projection portion is divided into a pair of opposing projection wire sections and a central receptacle wire section. The pair of projection wire sections is bent upwards such that, a U-shape is formed between a projection wire section and the corresponding side receptacle wire section as viewed from side. The mid section of the central receptacle wire section is bent downwards such that, the central receptacle wire section forms an M-shape or a claw shape as viewed from front. The bottom receptacle receives the display device as a bottom edge of the device is received within the U-shape formed between the pair of projected wire sections and the side receptacle wire sections. As the bottom receptacle is made of a pliable material, once the bottom edge of the device is received within the bottom receptacle, the pair of projected wire sections and the central receptacle wire section may be pressed against the device for a snug fit.
The initial step of making the rear leg member is similar to that of the bottom receptacle, which is to bend an elongate pliable wire (inserted into a tubing) into a U-shape resulting the formation of a pair of opposing side leg wire sections and a central leg wire section that joins the pair of side leg wire sections at the ends thereof. The free ends of the U-shaped wire are hingedly coupled to the pair of hinge sleeves by winding the free ends of the U-shaped wire between the loops of the hinge sleeves. More particularly, the hinge rod is disposed in front of the U-shaped wire as the U-shaped wire is hingedly coupled to the hinge rod. Therefore, as the wing-nuts are loosened and tightened, the angular movement of the U-shaped wire relative to the hinge rod is loosened and tightened respectively. However, the U-shaped wire can be hingedly coupled to the hinge rod even at later stages of making the rear leg member. The bottom portion of the U-shaped wire held in an upright position is bent forward and then upward such that, a pair of U-shapes is formed between the bent section of the U-shaped wire and the rest of the U-shaped wire as viewed from side. The pair of U-shapes acts another pair of hind legs for the stand. In one embodiment, the mid portion of the central wire section comprises a loop or the like, the object of which will be apparent from the following body of text. The length of the portion of the bottom receptacle that extends between the hinge rod and a ground contact point of a loop is substantially equivalent to that of a portion of the leg member that extends between the hinge rod and a ground point of contact of a U-shape of the pair of U-shapes.
The top receptacle is made by permanently joining the free ends of a pliable wire (inserted into a tubing) to form a circular ring divided into first and second circumferential sections. Once there, the first circumferential section is bent into a planar V-shape about a midpoint. With the ring is being held upright, with the V-shape forming bottom of the ring, the second circumferential section is bent forward or backward so as to form an inverted U-shape between the first and second circumferential sections as viewed from side. The midpoint of the second circumferential section is bent upwards so as to form a W-shape or a claw shape as viewed from front. A top edge of the device is received within the inverted U-shape formed between the first and second circumferential sections as the top receptacle is received over the device. As the top receptacle is made of a pliable material, once the top edge of the device is received within the top receptacle, the claw-shaped portion of the top receptacle may be pressed against the device for a snug fit.
Referring again to
In order to use the stand, the stand is moved to a standing position from a collapsed position by angling the bottom receptacle and the rear leg member away from each other to a desired angle. The stand is then placed upright on the front and hind legs. Once there, the bottom edge of the device is snugly received within the bottom receptacle. The top receptacle is then placed over the top edge of the device such that, a snug fit is achieved between the device and the top receptacle. If the reach of the top receptacle is not enough, the loop of the elastic ring is freed by operating the locking device. On the other hand, if the elastic ring is a slack, the loop of the elastic ring is restricted by operating the locking device. As the top and bottom receptacle are made of pliable material, minor adjustments can be made. For example, if a front camera on the device is being blocked, the claw section on the upper receptacle can be bent upwards or downwards so as to make the camera view unobstructed. In another example, the stand can be fitted over the thigh of a user by simply receiving the thigh between the front and rear legs such that, the device is facing the user. Once there, the front are rear legs are pressed towards each other for achieving a snug fit between the thigh and the stand.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
