STAND FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

A stand for an electronic device includes a front plate having a channel at a bottom edge thereof for accepting an edge of an electronic device therein, a back plate hingedly connected to the front plate, and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the front plate. The arms are adjustable so as to vary a distance between distal ends of the arms to accommodate the electronic device therebetween.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to stands, holders and supports designed to display electronic devices for easy viewing and, more particularly, to a desktop-integrated stand for a tablet computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stands and supports that allow readers of conventional books to place their reading material at a comfortable reading level and prevent eyestrain and fatigue of the neck, arms and hands are known. With the increasing availability and widespread use of electronic books, smart phones and tablet computers, however, stands for these devices are in demand. In particular, many schools throughout the country are now utilizing tablet computers as teaching devices in the classroom. Tablet computers in the classroom can be cumbersome to use, are prone to sliding off of desks resulting in damage, and can be difficult to hold and maintain at proper viewing angles during use.

In view of the above, there is a need for a stand for a tablet computer and other electronic devices that can be integrated with a desk, which is easy to use, and which allows a user to maintain such tablet computer or electronic device in a comfortable and convenient viewing position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device that is integrated with a desk.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device that prevents such device from sliding off of a desk.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device that is moveable between a stowed position off of the surface of a desk and an extended, ‘use’ position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device that supports such electronic device in either a horizontal or vertical position.

It is another object of the present invention provide a stand for an electronic device that can accommodate electronic devices of various sizes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic device that is ergonomic.

A stand for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a front plate having a channel at a bottom edge thereof for accepting an edge of an electronic device therein, a back plate hingedly connected to the front plate, and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the front plate. The arms are adjustable so as to vary a distance between distal ends of the arms to accommodate the electronic device therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk and integrated stand for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-12 are various views of the desk and integrated stand of FIG. 1 showing the stand in various positions.

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view of the stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of guide members of the desk and integrated stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a desk and integrated stand supporting an electronic device in a stowed position.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a desk and integrated stand supporting an electronic device in a vertical orientation and in an extended, ‘use’ position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a desk and integrated stand supporting an electronic device in a horizontal orientation and in an extended, ‘use’ position.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the integrated stand supporting an electronic device in a vertical orientation and in an extended, ‘use’ position.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the integrated stand supporting an electronic device in a horizontal orientation and in an extended, ‘use’ position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a desk 10 having an integrated stand 12 for an electronic device is shown. As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, the stand 12 includes a front plate 14 and a back plate 16 that are connected to one another via a living hinge 18. The front plate 14 and back plate 16 are generally rectangular in shape. The back plate 16 is longer, however, than the front plate 14, and has flared or outstanding projections 19 at the bottom thereof that aid in coupling the stand to the desk 10. The front plate also includes a pair of feet 20 that contact a support surface, such as desk 10, and that generally define a pair of channels 22 for receiving the bottom edge of, and retaining, an electronic device, as discussed in detail hereinafter.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the front plate 14 also includes a pair of adjustable retaining arms 24 that extend from the sides of the front plate 14. The arms 24 are slidably connected to the front plate 24 and extendable generally horizontally therefrom, by means known in the art. For example the retaining arms may be housed in a guide channel (not shown) in or attached to the back of the front plate 14. The arms 24 are manually extendable from a narrow position, as shown in FIG. 6, in which the distance between the distal ends of the arms 24 is generally the same width as the front plate 14, to an extended position, as shown in FIG. 5, in which the distance between the distal ends of the arms 24 is much greater than the width of the front plate 14. The distal ends of the retaining arms 24 define a channel similar to channel 22 of feet 20 for receiving and retaining the edges of an electronic device, as discussed in detail hereinafter. Importantly, the adjustable arms 24 allow the stand to be customized to support electronic devices of various sizes, and in multiple orientations.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front plate 14 and back plate 16 may be connected at their respective centers by a tether 26. As will be readily appreciated, the tether 26 prevents the ‘opening’ biasing action of the living hinge 18 from separating the front and back plates 14, 16 to an excessive degree. In particular, the tether 26 maintains an optimum angle at the hinge 18 between the front plate 14 and back plate 16 so that an electronic device supported by the stand 12 is maintained in a comfortable and convenient viewing position.

In an embodiment, the stand 12 may be manufactured from plastic, although other materials known in the art may also be utilized.

The manner in which the stand 12 is secured to a desk 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 8 and 10-14. As shown therein, the desk 10 includes a cut-away portion 40 at the front edge thereof (opposite where a user sits). In other embodiments, the cut-away portion may be omitted. A generally rectangular pocket 42 is secured to the desk 10 in the area of the cut-away portion 40 by means known in the art, such as through the use of screws, rivets and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the pocket 42 is open at both ends to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris therein.

Movement of the stand 12 in an out of the pocket 42 is regulated by rail slides 44. These rail slides are best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. As shown in FIG. 11, the rail slides 44 are secured to the rear wall of the pocket 42. The projections 19 of the back plate 16 are engaged with the rail slides 44 such that the back plate 16 may translate upwards or downwards within the rail slides 44. The rail slides 44 also include position stops 46 at the top thereof that limit the upwards travel of the back plate 16, thereby preventing the stand 12 from being separated from the desk 10. In particular, as the stand 12 is drawn upwards from the pocket 42, the projections 19 travel within the rail slides 44 until the projections 19 contact the position stops 46.

By traveling within the rail slides 44, the stand 12 may be transitioned from a stowed position within the pocket 42, as shown in FIGS. 10-12, and a ‘use’ or extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, in which the front plate 14 is at an optimum viewing angle for a user.

In operation, the stand 12 may be in a stowed position within the pocket 42 of the desk. A user may grasp the stand 12 in the area of the living hinge 18 and pull the stand 12 from the pocket 42. When the feet 20 of the front plate 14 clear the top surface of the desk 10, the biasing force of the living hinge 18 causes the front plate to automatically rotate forward, towards a user, about hinge 18. As discussed above, this rotation is limited by tether 26. Moreover, as discussed above, upwards travel of the stand 12 from the pocket is limited by position stops 46 in the rail slides 44. As will be readily appreciated, in use, a user must simply pull upwards on the stand 12 until the feet 20 of the front plate clear the edge of the desk 10, and the stand 12 will automatically position itself in proper position (i.e., such that an optimum angle of the front plate 14 in relation to a user is realized).

Once in this position, a user may place an electronic device, such as a tablet computer 50 on the stand 12 such that the bottom edge of the table computer is engaged with channels 22 of feet 20. A user may then adjust the retaining arms 24 such that the channels in the retaining arms engage the respective sides of the electronic device 50. Importantly, by adjusting the retaining arms 24, the electronic device may be retained in either a vertical orientation on the stand 12, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, or in a horizontal /landscape orientation, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19. In addition, as discussed above, the adjustable retaining arms 24 permit electronic devices of varying sizes to be accommodated on the stand 12. Notably, the position of the feet 20 and retaining arms 24 does not inhibit access to functional buttons, such as the power button and ‘home’ button of the electronic device 50.

After the electronic device 50 has been properly oriented on the stand 12, such that it is held in place by the channels in the feet 20 and retaining arms 42, the electronic device 50 is at an optimum viewing angle and key striking position for a user. After use, a user may remove the electronic device 50 from the stand 12 and push the bottom of the front plate 14 such that the front plate 14 folds against the back plate 16 and the feet 20 clear the edge of the desk 10. Once the feet 20 clear the edge of the desk 10 the 12 stand can freely drop into its stowed position within the pocket 42. Alternatively, the electronic device 50 can be left in position on the stand 12 and both the stand 12 and the electronic device 50 stowed in the pocket 42 in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 15.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 50 is a tablet computer, such as an iPad®, etc., although the stand of the present invention may be utilized with other electronic devices without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.

As will be readily appreciated, the desk 10 and stand 12 for an electronic device of the present invention is user friendly and can be used by a wide range of students from pre-school to college, as well as in other training or instructional environments. Importantly, the stand 12 secures the electronic device thereto in a manner such that it cannot tumble out and be damaged, and is designed to be ergonomic. The stand 12 is also designed such that a user may quickly and easily change the orientation of the electronic device, as desired.

Notably, the desk and stand combination reduces the use of paper products by making electronic devices easier to use in the classroom, and provides technology to a student's fingertips in the classroom, thus eliminating the need for dedicated computer labs or workstations.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A stand for an electronic device, comprising: a front plate having a channel at a bottom edge thereof for accepting an edge of said electronic device therein;a back plate hingedly connected to said front plate; anda pair of arms extending from opposed sides of said front plate, said arms being adjustable so as to vary a distance between distal ends of said arms to accommodate said electronic device therebetween.

2. The stand of claim 1, wherein: said back plate is slidably connected to a desk.

3. The stand of claim 1, wherein: said back plate is hingedly connected to said front plate via a living hinge.

4. The stand of claim 2, wherein: said front plate includes a pair of feet, said feet defining said channel for retaining said edge of said electronic device.

5. The stand of claim 1, wherein: said pair of arms are slidably connected to said front plate.

6. The stand of claim 4, wherein: said front plate is foldable substantially against said black plate; andwherein said stand is movable from an extended position in which said feet are supported on a surface of said desk, to a stowed position in which said front plate is folded against said back plate and said stand is generally below a surface of said desk.

7. The stand of claim 6, wherein: said desk includes a pocket for accommodating said stand therein when in said stowed position.

8. The stand of claim of claim 5, wherein: each of said arms include a channel at said distal end thereof for receiving an edge of said electronic device.

9. The stand of claim 1, further comprising: a tether connected to said front plate and said back plate and configured to limit travel of a lower edge of said front plate with respect to a lower edge of said back plate.

10. The stand of claim 1, wherein: said front plate and said back plate are plastic.

11. A desktop-integrated stand for an electronic device, comprising: a desk;a pocket secured to said desk adjacent to a front-edge thereof; anda stand slidably connected to said pocket and movable between a stowed position substantially within said pocket and an extended position on a surface of said desk, said stand including a front plate, a back plate hingedly connected to said front plate, and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of said front plate.

12. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, wherein: said arms are adjustable so as to vary a distance between distal ends of said arms to accommodate said electronic device therebetween.

13. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 12, wherein: said distal ends of said arms define a channel configured to receive opposed edges of said electronic device.

14. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, wherein: said arms are slidably connected to said front plate.

15. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, wherein: said front plate includes a foot for supporting said stand on said surface of said desk, said foot defining a channel for receiving an edge of said electronic device.

16. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, said back plate is hingedly connected to said front plate via a living hinge.

17. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, further comprising: a tether connected to said front plate and said back plate and configured to limit travel of a lower edge of said front plate with respect to a lower edge of said back plate.

18. The desktop-integrated stand of claim 11, wherein: said front plate and said back plate are formed from plastic.

19. A stand, comprising: a front plate having a channel at a bottom edge thereof for accepting an edge of an electronic device therein; anda back plate hingedly connected to said front plate;wherein said stand is configured to selectively support said electronic device in both a vertical orientation and a landscape orientation.