Tablet Bed Stand

Abstract

An adjustable floor stand positioning a small electronic device for viewing or operating by a person reclining in a bed comprises a compact profile in a housing resembling a briefcase or travel bag. A counter-weighted folding and articulating arm extends its reach to adjustably position the electronic device for optimal use by the reposing person. Innovative means for manipulating the arm made the adjustment and positioning simple and effortless, while the housing disguises the equipment as a household item.

Description

This is a U.S. Non-Provisional application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to adjustable tables for use while sitting or reclining, and more particularly to an adjustable holder for a portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A person lounging in a chair, or reclining in a bed, often needs an adjustable table to serve as a desk for work, reading or even dining purposes. Such devices are well known. One such device is the ubiquitous hospital table, which has a floor support positioned beneath a hospital bed and a table surface cantilevering there from to reach over the bed's occupant.

Reading devices, which have articulating arms to reach over a bed or chair from a floor stand also are common. Two such devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,929,026 to Busby and U.S. Pat. No. 2,104,072 to Carr. In each instance, a book holder is placed at the end of a multi-sectioned arm, wherein the several sections of the arm have adjustment features to place the holder at a height, at an overhang distance, and in a posture relative to a desired viewing position. The holder may hold the book open or illuminate the book with a light.

In a more modern application, laptop computers are desirably used in reclining or lounging positions where other work surfaces may not be available; or, where sitting at a desk may have become tiresome; or, where a mouse is needed for the pointing device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,982 to Jackson and U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536 to Sevier describe two such laptop-supporting devices. In both cases, a stand mounted on friction feet or casters is slid underneath a chair or bed for a close approach, and upright poles with extension arms to place the computer at a position for viewing and handling by the reclining person. The devices bear similarity to the hospital table cousin, however, and are an unsightly welcome in a bedroom, or other room of ambience pretention. They also require a clearance beneath the hosting furniture to accommodate the stand and would be inappropriate for use with a water bed, or a bed with a cabinet base, as an example.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,265 to Dobson, a universal-table stand is weighted to avoid the counterbalancing extension of a footed stand; therefore, the space it occupies is more compact. Nevertheless, the reaching arms and dangling appliances still give an ungainly appearance and make the device difficult to store and hide, not to mention the lost convenience of having it handy.

In a still more modern application, electronic tablets and e-readers find use in a bed or a lounge chair scenario. While such devices are designed to be hand-held, it is a fact that a tabletop-like-display posture is preferred, as evidenced by covers which convert to a table stand. Additionally, manipulations on the screen by touch are required, leaving only one hand for holding purposes; this, in turn, limits long-term application sessions. Furthermore, the modern tablet device is finding its way into uses where a display is needed while hands are busy elsewhere, such as in a surgery suite or beside a dentist's chair, for example. Other emerging uses include merchandising applications, where the device may be used in interactive ways, such as registering a sale or signing a credit card charge.

Thus, a variety of applications, including handling a tablet device from a bed or chair position, will require the support of an appropriately articulating floor stand. What is missing in the present state-of-art, however, is a stand which takes up limited space while complementing its surroundings and which can be deployed by simply positioning the device where needed while avoiding the use of tightening knobs or locking levers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the case of a tablet or e-reader, however, or any device, such as a notebook, that bridges the gap between a smart phone and a laptop, the size is small enough to hide it away in a discrete configuration. It would be desirable to have the articulating stand fold itself into an appliance of common use and public display in a household or office, such as a small travel bag, or a briefcase, or even a casing resembling (or actually being a shelled-out version of) a desktop tower unit. Such a configuration may also be convenient for portability purposes. The discrete housing would look natural, and perhaps even decorative, in certain embodiments, next to a bed or chair, and could remain permanently in place for convenient access.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic tablet which is adjustable for use by a person in repose on a bed or in a chair to achieve a preferred position for viewing or working. It is a further object for the stand to be collapsible and to fit into a housing which takes the appearance of another commonly seen household item. It is a further object for the housing to be compact in size while being sufficiently weighted to counterbalance an extended reach of the arm with the tablet at its extremity. It is a further object for the arm to be easily adjustable and settable without locking levers and knobs. It is a further object for the tablet at the end of the arm to have roll, pitch and yaw adjustment capability. It is a further object for the stand to have electrification for recharging the tablet. It is a further object for the housing to be portable or otherwise easily moveable.

These objects, and others to become hereinafter apparent, are embodied in an adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device having a display comprising a housing based on a floor surface adjacent to a person in repose in a bed or on a chair. The housing has an interior space and a weighted base. The adjustable floor stand is further comprised of a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing. The arm is capable of folding into the interior space. The adjustable floor stand is further comprised of a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm. The holder is adjustable for a preferred viewing angle. Lastly, the adjustable floor stand is comprised of a means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person. The means for manipulating includes a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts. Functionally, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating. The reach may exercise some or all of the six degrees of freedom. Finally, the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing masquerades as a common household object, such as a briefcase or a small travel bag. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the means for manipulating comprises at least two sections of the folding, articulating arm hingeably attached to each other to fold within the interior space and to unfold there from to boom the holder over the person. At least one of the sections is comprised of telescoping tubes to provide extension capability. In another aspect of the means for manipulating, at least one section of the folding, articulating arm is hingeably attached to the housing in the interior space. The hinged section comprises at least one boss moveably received in an arcuate channel in the housing. The arcuate channel defines a range of vertical angle positioning for the hinged section. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the means for stabilizing comprises at least one eccentric joint slideable within a tube of the folding, articulating arm connected to the housing. The eccentric joint is settable to bind in one direction and releasable in the reverse direction.

The binding anchors a plurality of telescoping tubes attached thereto. In another aspect of the means for stabilizing, close-tolerance friction fit ups at all joints and sliding interfaces frictionally maintain structural interpositions until released through application of moderate directional forces applied by hand.

As this is not intended to be an exhaustive recitation, other embodiments may be learned from practicing the invention or may otherwise become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood through the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cartoon sketch of a reclining person withdrawing the folding, articulating arm of the present invention from its housing;

FIG. 2 is a cartoon sketch of the FIG. 1 person with the arm fully extended to place the tablet in a preferred position for operational use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of the present invention with the arm stowed away inside;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 and showing the collapsed configuration inside;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus as partially articulated with the cover of the housing removed;

FIG. 7 is the perspective view of the apparatus as fully articulated with the cover removed;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing interior views of the rotational embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 10 is a detail view of FIG. 9 showing one of the eccentric plugs with the collar to actuate rotation;

FIG. 11 is another detail view of FIG. 9 showing an additional eccentric plug connected to the innermost telescoping tube, which applies the rotational torque;

FIG. 12 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 13 is a section view taken along the lines 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing ball and yoke-and-pin joints;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of FIG. 13 showing a yoke-and-pin joint;

FIG. 15 is another detail view of FIG. 13 showing a pair of ball joints;

FIG. 16 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 17 is a section view taken along the lines 17-17 of FIG. 16 showing interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 18 is a detail view of FIG. 17 showing the eccentric plug from an orthogonally different view;

FIG. 19 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 20 is a section view taken along the lines 20-20 of FIG. 19 showing more interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 21 is a detail view of FIG. 19 showing a top view of the tablet held in the holder;

FIG. 22 is a detail view of FIG. 20 showing two eccentric plugs with the tension mechanism threading through one and connected to apply tension to the other;

FIG. 23 is a partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along the lines 24-24 of FIG. 23 showing the vertical angle constrained by the arcuate channel in addition to an interior view of the rotational embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 25 is a detail view of FIG. 24 showing an eccentric plug of the rotational embodiment in an extended position;

FIG. 26 is another partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 27 is a section view taken along the lines 27-27 of FIG. 26 showing the vertical angle articulation and interior view of the tension embodiment of the arm; and

FIG. 28 is a detail view of FIG. 27 showing a view of the yoke-and-pin hinge at the base of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The major components of an adjustable floor stand 1 are best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The adjustable floor stand 1 is comprised of a housing 10, a folding, articulating arm 20 and a means for manipulating 30 (FIGS. 9-10). The means for manipulating 30 includes, among other things, a means for stabilizing 40. A holder 21 holds a small electronic device 3. In the preferred embodiment, the small electronic device 3 is a small electronic device with a display 2.

The adjustable floor stand 1 is designed to be placed adjacent to a reposing person 4 in a bed 5 or a lounging chair 6 (not shown). The folding, articulating arm 20 cantilevers and extends, by the means for manipulating 30, the holder 21, with the small electronic device 3 thereon, to a preferred location 31, whereat an adjustment can be made to a preferred viewing angle 22 (FIG. 2). In the preferred embodiment, the housing 10 masquerades as a common household item, such as a briefcase 13 or a computer case 17.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the housing 10 is compact in size and is comprised of an interior space 11 and a weighted base 12. The weighted base 12 is sufficiently heavy to counterbalance a full range of articulated reach (FIG. 2). The interior space 11 has sufficient capacity to receive the folded conformation of the folding, articulating arm 20 (FIG. 5). The housing 10 further comprises a cover 14. The cover 14 may be a simple lid, hinged or otherwise. In the preferred embodiment the cover 14 has a rubberized panel with a slit 15 in it to give way for withdrawing the folding, articulating arm 20.

The folding, articulating arm 20 is rendered manipulable by the means for manipulating 30. Referring to FIGS. 7-11, the folding, articulating arm 20 is comprised of at least one, and preferably two or more, arm sections 32. The sections 32 are hingeably connected to fold and take up a compact folded conformation. One section 32, a distal section 38, is hingeably attached in the interior space 11 to the housing 10. The means for manipulating 30 the distal section 38 comprises at least one arcuate channel 16 embossed into a sidewall of the housing 10. The arcuate channel 16 slidingly receives a boss 34 extending laterally from the section 38 (FIG. 17). The attitude of the hinged distal section 38 constrained by the arcuate channel 16 defines a vertical angle 35 of deployment (FIG. 24). In the preferred embodiment, there are bilateral bosses 34 in oppositely-facing arcuate channels 16. The distal section 38 can be attached by any known hinge technology; but, in the preferred embodiment, the hinge is a yoke-and-pin joint 36.

The means for manipulating 30 further comprises a plurality of telescoping tubes 33, which facilitate the extension of the folding, articulating arm 20. One subset of the telescoping tubes 33 is casing tubes 42, which essentially jacket an interior 26 of the folding, articulating arm 20, wherein other telescoping tubes 33 provide a spinal structure. An electric wire 27 (not shown) can thread the interior 26 to electrify a recharging port on the holder 21, or otherwise provide lighting.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the folding, articulating arm 20 is hingeably connected to the holder 21 at the end of a proximal section 39. The holder 21 receives the small electronic device 3 and retains it thereon by spring clips 25 (FIG. 7). The holder 21 is hingeably connected by at least one ball joint 24. In the preferred embodiment, two such ball joints 24 give roll, tilt and yaw adjustment capability. One or more of the ball joints may be slotted to restrict movement in a preferred orthogonal direction.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11 and 16-22, the means for stabilizing 40 comprises at least one eccentric joint 41 slideably engaged in one of the casing tubes 42. The eccentric joint 41 is comprised of a two-part plug 44 divided by a slip plane 45 (FIG. 11). The slip plane 45 is inclined to a common axis 46 running through the two-part plug 44 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the folding, articulating arm 20. In one embodiment of the eccentric joint 41, one of the parts of the two-part plug 44 is rotated about the common axis 46 in the slip plane 45 to cause the two parts to shift laterally and set against the wall of the host casing tube 42. In another embodiment, the same lateral shift can be achieved by applying tension in the axial direction to one of the parts against the other. When set, sliding movement is stopped in a binding direction 43 and the telescoping tubes 33 connected to the eccentric joint 41 are thereby anchored. The anchor forms a base for extension of the folding, articulating arm 20. The rotational embodiment of the eccentric joint 41 can be set by twisting collar 47 and rotating the innermost telescoping tube 33 interconnecting the collar 47 and the operable part of the two-part plug 44. The tension embodiment, on the other hand, can be set by pulling up on an interconnecting cable 48 (FIG. 22). The interconnecting cable 48 may thread through telescoping tubes 33. The set in both cases is maintained by friction and released by countermotions of the setting thereof. In the case of the interconnecting cable 48, the release may rely upon frictional engagement of the telescoping tubes 33. A plurality of eccentric joints 41 may be used to stage cascading telescoping tubes 33.

The means for stabilizing 40 further comprises designed close-tolerance fitting of all interfacing components of joints and tubes. The tolerance should be close enough that friction holds the interface until moderate directional force is applied by hand. In the preferred embodiment, the folding, articulating arm 20 and the holder 21, after setting one or more of the eccentric joints 41, will simply remaining in any position put thereto until repositioned.

The housing 10 may be comprised of a simple box of plastic, metal, wood, or fabric construction. In the preferred embodiment, the box may be made to look like a brief case or a travel case, or may actually be specimens of the same. In another embodiment, the box may have one or more panels decorated or covered to coordinate with the bed 5, or another feature of the space, and look like a complimentary piece of furniture. In another embodiment, the box may be made to look like a computer casing, or may actually be a shelled-out version of a desktop computer. In one embodiment, the telescoping tubes 33, the casing tubes 42, and any sections 32 of the folding, articulating arm 20 may be fabricated from extruded metal tubing. In the preferred embodiment, the tubing would be carbon fiber tubing. Carbon fiber is preferred for its light weight and thermal dimensional stability. The eccentric joint 41 may be machined metal, wood or hard-durometer rubber. The yoke-and-pin joint 36 is preferably comprised of injection molded parts from resin. The weight in the weighted base 12 may be sand, ball bearings, a plug casting or any dense fill material. The weighted base 12 may also be filled with loose pocket change. In short, the novel concept comprehends many disguises and creative uses in addition to the principal function.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, the folding, articulating arm 20 may comprise one or more scissor sections. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Claims

1. An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device having a display, comprising: a housing based on a floor surface adjacent to a person in repose in a bed or on a chair, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing, said arm capable of folding into the interior space;a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm, said holder adjustable for a preferred viewing angle; anda means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person, said means for manipulating including a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts;whereas, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating, said position exercising some or all of the six degrees of freedom, and the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.

2. The adjustable floor stand of claim 1, wherein the housing masquerades as a common household object.

3. The adjustable floor stand of claim 2, wherein the housing outwardly appears to be a briefcase or small travel bag.

4. The adjustable floor stand of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a cover, said cover including a rubberized panel with a slit therein through which to withdraw the folding articulating arm.

5. The adjustable floor stand of claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least one section of the folding, articulating arm with telescoping tubes, said telescoping tubes providing extension capability.

6. The adjustable floor stand of claim 5, wherein the at least one section is hingeably attached to the housing in the interior space and comprises at least one boss moveably received in an arcuate channel in the housing, said arcuate channel defining a range of vertical angle positioning for said at least one section.

7. The adjustable floor stand of claim 6, wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least two sections, said at least two sections hingeably attached to each other to fold within the interior space and to unfold there from to boom the holder over the person.

8. The adjustable floor stand of claim 7, wherein at least one hingeable attachment is a yoke-and-pin joint.

9. The adjustable floor stand of claim 1, wherein the holder is electrified to provide a recharging port for the small electronic device with a display.

10. The adjustable floor stand of claim 1, wherein the holder is attached to the folding, articulating arm by at least one ball joint, the at least one ball joint providing at least pitch and yaw adjustments for the holder.

11. The adjustable floor stand of claim 10, wherein the small electronic device with a display is attached to the holder by spring clips.

12. The adjustable floor stand of claim 5, wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one eccentric joint slideable within a casing tube of the folding, articulating arm connected to the housing, said eccentric joint settable to bind in one direction and releasable in the reverse direction, the binding anchoring a plurality of telescoping tubes attached thereto.

13. The adjustable floor stand of claim 12, wherein the eccentric joint comprises a two-part plug with the parts interfacing in a slip plane inclined to a common axis, said interfacing parts rotatable in said plane about said axis to offset one from another laterally and to bind thereby against the wall of the casing tube.

14. The adjustable floor stand of claim 13, wherein the eccentric joint is set by rotating one of the plug parts against the other.

15. The adjustable floor stand of claim 13, wherein the eccentric joint is set by applying tension to one of the parts against the other.

16. The adjustable floor stand of claim 9, wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand.

17. The adjustable floor stand of claim 10, wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand.

18. An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device, comprising: a housing based on a floor surface in proximity to a person operating the small electronic device, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing, said arm capable of folding into the interior space;a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm, said holder adjustable for a preferred viewing angle; anda means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person, said means for manipulating including a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts;whereas, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating, said position exercising some or all of the six degrees of freedom, and the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.

19. The adjustable floor stand of claim 18, wherein the housing masquerades as an object commonly found in its location of use.

20. The adjustable floor stand of claim 19, wherein the housing appears to be a computer casing.