GB2502327A

GB2502327A - A portable electronic device stand and a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand

Info

Publication number: GB2502327A
Application number: GB201209137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Richards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-24
Filing date: 2012-05-24
Publication date: 2013-11-27
Also published as: GB201209137D0

Abstract

A portable electronic device stand 10 for supporting a portable electronic device is provided. The stand 10 comprises: a housing 12; and a leg 14. The area of the leg 14, in a plane substantially parallel to the main plane H of the housing 12, is smaller than the area of the housing, in the main plane of the housing. The leg 14 is pivotable with respect to the housing 12 from a closed configuration in which the leg lies substantially parallel to the main plane of the housing, to an open configuration in which the leg lies at an angle transverse to the main plane of the housing. The leg 14 is also rotatable with respect to the housing 12, so that, when the leg is in an open configuration, the leg can support the housing at different points of the housing, in both a portrait and landscape configuration of the housing. The portable electronic device stand 10 may further comprise angle varying means designed to vary the angle of the leg with respect to the housing automatically as the leg is rotated.

Description

A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE STAND, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE STAND

The invention relates to a portable electronic device stand, and a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand.

The portable electronic device stand can be applied to a range of portaNe electronic devices.

including, but not limited to, an electronic mobile communication device, an electronic audio device, an electronic reading device, an electronic visual aid device, a portable computer such as a tablet, or notepad.

It has become common for a screen of, say, a mobile phone device to rotate through 90 degrees to allow viewing, and use, of the screen in both portrait and andscape configurations.

iS It is desirable to have means to support to support the phone, rather than continuously holding it, and various stands have been developed.

A known mobile phone device stand marketed by MacallyTM and sold under the model name KickStandTM comprises a hard shell (for snap on attachment to a mobile phone casing) with a stand. The stand works only in the landscape configuration of the mobile phone.

Another known mobile phone device stand by KhomoM comprises a picture-frame type flap that may allow an electronic reading device to be supported in a vertical or horizontal configuration.

According to reviewers of the device, the flap is flimsy, meaning the electronic reading device is easy to knock over.

Also, a stand marketed by TargusTM and sold under the model name VersavuTM 360 comprises a case that adapts to a stand, the stand rotaring with respect to an electronic notepad, to allow viewing of the notepad screen in both portrait and landscape configurations. The stand, being also a case in another configuration, uses a large amount of material, and adds bulk and mass.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, portable electronic device stand, andlor an improved, or at least an alternative, method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable electronic device stand in accordance with Claim 1.

The portable electronic device stand in accordance with Claim I is advantageous because a user can use the device hands free' in either a vertical (portrait) position. or horizontal (landscape) position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand in accordance with Claim 17.

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Other optional and preferred features, and advantages of said features, for the portable electronic device stand and the method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand are set out in the dependent claims and the description and drawings below.

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Features of the claims, description and drawings can be combined in any complimentary manner, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of a portable electronic device stand iii accordance with the invention, and a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which, Figures 1 to 6 illustrate the features of a mobile telephone stand in accordance with the invention and how the mobile telephone stand is made and assembled, in particular, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an outer surface of a mobile telephone stand, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an inner surface of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the inner surface of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, Figure 4 is an end view of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a side view of the outer surface of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, Figure 6a is an exploded perspective view of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1. showing further details of the stand operation mechanism, Figure 6b is an exploded perspective view of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1. from the opposite direction of the view in Figure 6a, Figure 6c is a detail view of part of the mobile tdephone stand of Figure 6a, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, showing leg operation, for use of the mobile telephone stand in a "portrait" configuration of the mobile telephone, Figure 8 is another perspective view from the rear, showing the mobile telephone stand in use in a "portrait" configuration of the mobile telephone.

Figure 9 is a rear view of the mobile telephone stand, Figure 10 is a side view of the mobile telephone stand, showing the angle of inclination of the leg in a "portrait" configuration of the mobile telephone, Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mobile telephone stand of Figure 1, showing leg operation, for use of the mobile telephone stand in a "landscape" configuration of the mobile telephone, Figure 12 is another perspective view from the rear, showing the mobile telephone stand in use in a "landscape" configuration of the mobile telephone, Figure 13 is a rear view of the mobile telephone stand, and Figure 14 is a side view of the mobile telephone stand, showing the angle of inclination of the lcg in a "landscapc" configuration of thc mobilc tclcphonc.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a portable electronic device stand such as a mobile telephone stand 10 comprises a housing 12 and a leg 14.

The housing 12 can be a rear casing of a mobile telephone, or a frame/cover for (cUp on) attachment to a rear casing of a mobile telephone, or a protective mobile telephone case, sleeve, skin, or another type of add-on or accessory product, for example made of silicon, leather, p'astic, wood, metal, glass, or any other suitable material.

Referring to Figure 2, the housing 12 comprises a substantially planar base wall 16, comprising a main plane H, and four upwardly extending side wails, a first side wall 17, a second side wall 18, a third side wall 20, a fourth side wall 22. Each side wall 17, 18, 20, 22 extends in the same iS direction from the penpheral edges of the base wall 14. In the embodiment shown, the size of the base wall 14 corresponds to the area of a mobile phone in plan.

Where the housing is a frame that attaches to a rear casing of a mobile phone the housing comprises a suitable part of a snap-on system on the upper part of the side walls 17, 18, 20, 22.

Referring to Figure 6a, the outer surface of the base wall 16 of the rear casing 12 comprises a recessed section 24. The recessed section 24 is moulded. The depth of the recessed section 24 is about 1.5 mm.

The recessed section 24 is elongate, and extends from adjacent the centre of the base wall 16 of the housing 12 to (or towards) the periphery of the housing 12 at the side wall 18. Hence, the recessed section 24 extends in the direction of the longest side of the base part of the housing. A centre line along the recessed section 24 is at 90 degrees to the side wall 18. The reason the recessed section 24 does not extend fully to the centre of the base wall 16 of the housing 12 is discussed below.

Referring to Figure 6c, the base wall 16 of the housing 12 comprises an aperture 26 that passes through the recessed section 24.

Referring to Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c, the mobile telephone stand 10 comprises a leg rotation limiting means 28, in particular a first leg rotation limiting means for use of the stand in a portrait configuration, and a second leg rotation limiting means for use of the stand in a landscape configuration. The leg rotation limiting means 28 is in the form of an arcuate slot through the recessed section 24 of the base wall 16 of the housing 12. The arcuate slot 28 concentrica'ly sulTounds the centre of the aperture 26 for the length of the arcuate slot. The arcuate slot 28 extends through about 90 degrees with respect to the centre of the aperture 26.

Referring to Figure 3, a first end 30 of the arcuate slot 28 coincides with a straight line from the centre of the aperture 26 to the centre of the lower wail 18 of the housing 12. A second end 32 of the arcuate slot 28 coincides with a straight line from the centre of the aperture 26 to the nearest point of the left hand wall 20 of the housing 12.

Referring to Figure 6c, a groove 34 is formed in the recessed section 24. The groove 34 comprises a first flat portion 34a, a ramp 34b, and a second flat portion 34c. The depth of the ramp 34b progressively increases along its length from the first flat portion 34a end to the second flat portion 34c end. The groove 34 concentrically surrounds the centre of the aperture 26 for the length of the groove.

Referring to Figure 6 a and 6b, a eg camer 36 in the form of a disc 111cc part comprises a recess 38 for at least partially accommodating the leg 14. The disc like part 36 also comprises an elongate aperture 40. At both ends of the elongate aperture 40, the disc like part 36 comprises bores (not shown). A colTesponding bore extends through the eg (represented by dotted line in Figure 6a). With the leg 14 in the recess, and the bores in the disc like part 36 and leg coinciding, a pin 42 is installed in the bores, so as to connect the leg to the disc like part, in a manner in which the eg is able to pivot about the pin.

Looking at the Figures, it will be noted the leg 14 is about 1/6 of the area of the housing 12, in a plane para'lel to the main plane H of the housing. The leg 14 could be a smaller surface area if it retains the strength required, for example as little as about 1/8 of the area. The leg 14 could also be bigger but the leg area should remain less than the area of the base part 16 of the housing, preferably less than 1/3 of the area.

A tip 44 depends from the underside of the leg i4. The tip 44 and the groove 34 are designed to cooperate to form a leg angle controlling means.

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A rotation controlling element 46 also depends from the underside of the disc Uke part 36.

Referring to Figure 6b, a tube 48 depends from the underside of the centre of the disc like part 36. A free end of the tube 48. uppermost in Figure 6b, is passed through the aperture 26 in the wall 16 of the housing 12. The tip 44 and the elongate aperture 40 are arranged adjacent the groove 34. The rotation controlling dement 46 locates in the arcuate slot 28. The free end of the tube 48 is then folded over to prevent the tube withdrawing from the aperture 26, and the leg 14 separating from the housing 12.

The leg 14 comprises a retaining part aperture 50, about half way along its length. The recessed section 24 comprises a retaining part 60. Referring to Figure 6c, the retaining part 60 comprises a retaining part first wafl 62 that extends outwarWy from the recessed section 24, and a retaining part second wall 64 that extends at 90 degrees to the retaining part first wall. The retaining part is designed to hold the leg 14 in the closed position when the leg is not in use as a stand.

The recessed section 24 comprises a spring 70, to force the leg 14 away from the recessed section 24, when the retaining part is moved so as to uncouple from the material surrounding the retaining part aperture 50.

Referring to Figure 1, when not in use, the leg 14 is stowed, at least partly encapsulated in the recessed section 24. When stowed, or closed, the leg lies in a plane substantially parallel to the main plane of the housing.

The area defined by the two largest dimensions of the leg is smaller than the area defined by the two largest dimensions of the housing. In other words, the area of the leg 14 in a plane substantially parallel to the main pbne of the housing 12 is smaller than the area of the housing in the main plane of the housing. If the housing is a frame/cover for (clip on) attachment to a rear casing of a mobile telephone, the area of the leg 14 in a plane substantially parallel to the main plane of the casing is smaller than the area of the casing in the main plane of the casing.

In the embodiment shown, the leg 14 does not protrude beyond the walls 17, 18, 20, 22 at the periphery of the housing 12.

Referring to Figure 4, the eg 14 protrudes from the external surface of the base wall 16 of the housing 12 by a distance P. Tn the embodiment shown, P is about 1.5 mm. This distance is approximately the same as the distance a camera lens protrudes from the housing on some mobile phone models. Nevertheless, P may be smafler, or the leg 14 may not protrude from the surface of the housing at all. For different applications of the stand 10, where the device is larger, the distance the leg 14 protrudes may increase accordingly, but, in percentage terms, the leg will protrude by no more than about 100 % of the width of the housing, preferably less than about 50% of the width of the housing.

In use, referring to Figures 7 to 10, the retaining part second wall 64, on the flexible retaining part first wall 62, is manually push operated so that the retaining part second wall 62 no longer coincides with the retaining part aperture 49. This leaves the leg 14 unhindered to move away from the recessed section 24 of the base wafl 16 of the housing 12. Due to the bias of the spring 70, the leg 14 is forced away from the recessed section 24, in the direction of arrow A, so that the leg can be arranged at a convenient angle ready for use as a mobile telephone stand.

As the lower part of the leg 14 is pulled away from the recessed section 24, the tip 44 of the leg, which is "North" of the pivot pin 42, moves into contact with the groove 34. in particular the first flat portion 34a thereof. The tip 44 of the leg 14 being in contact with the flat portion enhances stability of the stand 10.

The mobile telephone stand 10 (and the mobile phone fitted thereto) can stand on, say, a desk, a table, a window sill, a mantelpiece, and many other flat or substantially flat surfaces, or non points of substantially equal height on non flat surfaces.

Referring to Figure 10, the applicant has found an angle of inclination between the phone and the leg of about 55 degrees is optimum. A range of angles are envisaged for example from about 45 degrees to about 65 degrees for optimum screen viewing and stability.

As mentioned above with reference to Figure 5, the disc like part 36 is below the centre of the housing in the portrait configuration. The keyboard of a touch screen mobile phone tends to be arranged in the lower quadrant of the screen. Hence the stand 10 can be used to type in this portrait configuration. In order to broaden the area of the screen that can be used whilst maintain stability of the stand, a user can unclip the housing 12 from the phone, rotate the entire housing through 180 degrees and re-clip the housing to the phone, with the heavier end of the phone arranged below the disc like part 36.

Referring to Figures 11 to 14, in accordance with the invention, the stand 10 can also be used in another configuration of a smart phone, i.e. a landscape configuration.

Looking at Figure 11, a user manually operates the retaining part 60 in the same way as the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 7 to lO. Then, the user moves the leg 14 in an anti clockwise direction to correspondingly rotate the disc like part 36 in an anti clockwise direction, shown by arrow B. As the leg 14 is turned in the direction of the arrow B, the rotation controlling element 46 moves within the arcuate slot 28 until, in the desired configuration, the end 32 of the arcuate s'ot is reached, which prevents further rotation of the leg. It will be appreciated that the disc like part 36, and the leg 14, move through about 90 degrees.

Simultaneously, the tip 44 of the leg 14 moves along the groove 34, in particular from the shallower first flat portion 34a, via the ramp 34b, to the deeper second flat portion 34c. When the tip 44 of the leg is at the deeper second flat portion 34c of the groove 34, the tip 44, which is "North" of the pivot pin, can pivot deeper into the groove, thereby increasing the angle of inclination which the leg can attain. Referring to Figure 14, in this configuration the angle of inclination is about 72 degrees, but the angle of inclination may be about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees for optimum screen viewing and stability. Again, the tip 44 of the leg 14 being in contact with the flat portion 34c enhances the stability of the stand 10.

The off-centre position of the disc like part 36 in the portrait configuration, and the increase of the angle of inclination of the leg in the landscape configuration, enable good viewing and stability of the mobile phone to which the stand 10 is fitted in both the portrait and landscape configurations.

lii order to further optiniise the viewing and stability of the mobile phone to which the stand 10 is fitted in both the portrait and landscape configurations. in another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown for conciseness, the length of the leg could be variable, for example telescopic. Such an alTangement would permit the centre of the disc like part 36 to be further above the centre of mass of the phone.

It is envisaged that the design of the stand 10 could easily be modified so that the leg 14 could be rotated in a clockwise direction when viewed in Figure 11 to move from the portrait to landscape configuration.

The leg 14 can have a thin grip / rubber foot at its bottom where it rests on applicable surfaces, in order to prevent it slipping.

In a simplified embodiment of the invention, the leg 14 may be attached to the disc like part 36 or the housing i2 by a live hinge.

In one embodiment of the invention, the leg 14 could be manually movable from the plane H of the housing 12 to a position where the stand can function. It is mentioned in the description above that the leg 14 does not protrude beyond the housing periphery in the portrait configuration. If the leg i4 is manually movable, the leg 14 could protrude by a small amount, for example up to 1.5 mm (but up to about 3 mm in other embodiments).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown for conciseness, the movement of the leg i4 from a stowed position to an open position and/or the rotation of the leg, can be controlled (wholly or at least partly) by electromechanical means or electromagnetic means. Leg movement may be operated by a switch or button on the housing or activated remotely by a button or a touch screen "button" on the screen of the portable electronic device. The switch or button can be any suitable size, shape, or style.

It is noted that the leg 14 does not form part of an encasing surface of a protective case, unlike in the aforementioned Targus Versavu device.

The single attachment between the leg 14 and the housing 12 is itself designed to keep the device at a fixed angle of inclination, whereas in the Targus Versavu device the angle of inclination is offly stable due to the grooves on the inner surface of the case (providing a rigid triangle effect).

The stand 10 in accordance with the invention allows a mobile telephone device to be used hands free on the stand 10 in both a landscape (sometimes referred to as horizontal) configuration and a portrait (sometimes referred to as vertical) configuration, rather than solely in one of the configurations.

If the stand 10 is integral to the outer casing of the mobile telephone device, there is no requirement for any third party accessory / case attachment.

The applicant envisions that the invention can be applied to any portable electronic device stand, and is not limited to only a mobile telephone device, and the terms "portable electronic device" and "mobfle telephone device" can be used interchangeably. The portable electronic device may be a Smartphone, a mobile phone, another handheld mobile communication device, an electronic reading device such as a KindleTM. an electronic visual aid, an electronic audio playing device such as an IPo&M, a digital camera or digital video recorder, an dectronic display device such as an electronic calendar, a digital picture frame, a portable computer, such as a netbook, notebook, notepad, tablet computer such as an lpadTM, or the like.

Alternatively, the stand may be an integral part of a (protective) case for any of the above mentioned electronic devices.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, the leg of the stand may be fitted directly to an inner body part or inner working part of a portable electronic device. In this embodiment, in use, the leg projects through the casiiig of the portable electronic device. If a protective case is fitted to the casing, in use the leg can project through the casing of the portable dectronic device and the case.

The applicant also envisions that the stand invention can be applied to any portable (i.e. non-electronic) (display) device, and the terms "portable device" and "portable electronic device" can be used interchangeably.

The portable electronic device stand 10 in accordance with the invention provides a flip out leg to support the device in both portrait (vertical) position, and landscape (horizontal) position, th both cases the device sitting / leaning at an angle for stability and good viewing.

The stand 10 can be made of any suitable material or combination of materiaL, including UPYC, p'astic, metaL wood, or glass.

The rotating leg/stand can also be used as part of a protective case / sleeve I skin, add-on product, should the device not already be fitted with a stand/leg as part of the devices outer casing assembly, thus being a standalone item which can be fitted to the device permanently or at anytime.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A portable electronic device stand for supporting a portable electronic device, the portable dectronic device stand comprising a housing and a leg, the leg being pivotable with respect to the housing from a closed configuration, to an open configuration in which the leg lies at an angle transverse to a main plane of the housing, for viewing a screen of a portable dectronic device supported by the stand, the leg also being rotatable with respect to the housing, so that, when the leg is in an open configuration, the stand is suitable for viewing a screen of a portable electronic device supported by the stand in both portrait and landscape configurafions.
2. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device stand is integral with the casing of a portable electronic device.
3. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device stand is integral with a frame that is attachable to the casing of a portable electronic device.
4. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises rotational movement limiting means designed to Umit rotational movement of the leg with respect to the housing.
5. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 4, wherein the rotational movement limiting means comprises a first rotational movement limiting means for use of the stand in a portrait configuration, and a second rotational movement limiting means for use of the stand in a landscape configuration.
6. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 5, wherein the rotational movement limiting means comprises an arcuate slot.
7. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises angle varying means designed to vary the angle of the leg with respect to the housing.
8. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 7, wherein angle varying means is designed to vary automatically as the leg is rotated.
9. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 8, wherein angle varying means comprises a groove having a ramp portion which cooperates with a part of the leg.
10. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 9, wherein the ramp portion has a flat section adjacent one or both ends of the ramp portion.
II. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable dectronic device stand comprises a manually operable catch for retaining the leg.

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12. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding daim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises biasing to force the leg open.
13. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the leg does not extend beyond the periphery of the area of the housing defined by the two greatest dimensions of the housing.
14. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the leg is at least partly accommodated within a recess defined in the housing.
15. A portable electronic device stand substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompany drawings.
16. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the area defined by the two largest dimensions of the leg is sma'ler than the area defined by the two largest dimensions of the housing.
17. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand, the method comprising the steps of, providing a housing and a leg, and alTanging the leg such that the leg is pivotable and rotatable with respect to the housing.
18. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompany drawings.