WO2022071921A1

WO2022071921A1 - Device stands

Info

Publication number: WO2022071921A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/053259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tien Liang Chung
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-09-29
Filing date: 2020-09-29
Publication date: 2022-04-07

Abstract

In an example, a device stand may include a base, a first pair of legs having a front leg and a rear leg, and a second pair of legs having a front leg and a rear leg. Each front and rear leg may be rotatably engaged with the base such that the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs are movable between an open and closed position. The device stand may also include a cover having a device interface disposed on top of the base, a first locking lug, and a second locking lug. The first locking lug and second locking lug may be movable within a first lug channel and a second lug channel, respectively, in the base between a released position and a locked position.

Description

DEVICE STANDS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Electronic devices such as computing devices may include displays. A display may be integrated into the computing device, e.g., in a notebook or all-in-one computer, or they may be a separate component for use with a computing device, e.g., a monitor for use with a desktop tower computer. Displays may include a device stand upon which the display panel, or a chassis enclosing a display panel, may be mounted so as to be placed on a work surface, e.g., a desktop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of an example device stand.

[0003] Fig. IB is an exploded perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 1 A.

[0004] Fig. 1C is another perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 1 A.

[0005] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of another example device stand.

[0006] Fig. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 2A.

[0007] Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the example device stand of Fig. 2A taken along view line CS of Fig. 2A.

[0008] Fig. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the example device stand of Fig. 2A taken along view line CS of Fig. 2A.

[0009] Fig. 2E is a perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 2A.

[0010] Fig. 2F is an exploded perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 2A. [0011] Fig. 3 A is a perspective view of an example electronic device having an example device stand.

[0012] Fig. 3B is another perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 3 A.

[0013] Fig. 3C is another perspective view of the example device stand of Fig. 3A.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an example all-in-one (AIO) computer having an example device stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As described above, electronic devices such as computing devices may include a display for use in conjunction with the computing device. In some situations, the display may be a standalone component, e.g., a display device or monitor for use with a desktop tower, and in other situations the display may be integrated into the computing device, e.g., in an all-in-one (AIO) computer. Such an integrated computing device or a standalone display device may be referred to as an electronic device and may include a display panel component. Such electronic devices may further include a display stand or device stand to support the electronic device upon a work surface, such as a desktop, or any other surface upon which the electronic device may be placed.

[0016] In some situations, the device stand may be a separate component from the electronic device and may be attached to the electronic device, or a chassis thereof, for use. This may prove to be beneficial for certain aspects of the electronic device’s lifecycle, e.g., in shipping, transporting, or otherwise moving the device’s location. Such device stands may often be removably attached to the electronic device using screws, bolts, pins, clips, or other standalone fasteners. Stands themselves often include a relatively wide base or a plurality of legs so as to provide adequate support and stability to the electronic device when the device is assembled. As such, such stands, even when disassembled from the rest of the electronic device, may have a large footprint and may be cumbersome to transport and/or ship and may require a large box or a large amount of padding, Styrofoam, etc. when packaged for transport.

[0017] In some situations, it may be desirable to include a removable device stand with an electronic device to aid in shipping, transporting, and/or package size, yet also further be able to aid in shipping and transporting by only needing a smaller-footprint package than the size of the stand itself. As such, it may be desirable to provide a removable stand that is foldable or can be further broken down so as to fit in such a smaller package.

[0018] Implementations of the present subject matter provide device stands for use with electronic devices. Such examples of device stands are attachable and removable from electronic devices in an easy and convenient manner. When removed from an electronic device, such stands may be further folded into a smaller-footprint size, and then expanded or unfolded once the stand is to be assembled on to the device, or a chassis thereof, for use. Thus, such electronic devices may be transported in a smaller, more manageable package, yet still provide the advantages of having a device stand when in use.

[0019] Referring now to Fig. 1A, a perspective view of an example device stand 100 is illustrated. Referring additionally to Fig. IB, an exploded perspective view of the example device stand 100 of Fig. 1 A is illustrated. In some examples, device stand 100 may include a base 102, a first pair of legs 104 having a front leg 104f and a rear leg 104r, and a second pair of legs 106 having a front leg 106f and a rear leg 106r. Each front and rear leg 104f, 104r, and 106f, 106r may be rotatably engaged with the base 102 such that the first pair of legs 104 and the second pair of legs 106 are movable between an open and closed position. The pairs of legs 104 and 106 are illustrated in Figs. 1 A-1B as being in the open position. Device stand 100 may also include a cover 108 having a device interface 110 disposed on top of the base 102, a first locking lug 112, and a second locking lug 116. First locking lug 112 and second locking lug 116 may be movable within a first lug channel 114 and a second lug channel 118, respectively, in the base 102 between a released position and a locked position.

[0020] Referring now to Fig. 1C, another perspective view of example device stand 100 is illustrated wherein the first and second pairs of legs 104, 106 have been moved from the open position to the closed position. For example, front leg 104f and rear leg 104r of the first pair of legs 104 have been moved along example directions 105f and 105r, respectively, from an extended, open position, to a central orientation or closed position. Similarly, front leg 106f and rear leg 106r of the second pair of legs 106 have been moved along example directions 107f and 107r, respectively, from an extended, open position, to a central orientation or closed position. When all of the legs are disposed in the closed position, the device stand 100 has a more narrow, thin footprint which can be packaged and transported in a much smaller-footprint box or crate.

[0021] Referring now to Fig. 2A, a perspective view of another example device stand 200 is illustrated. Example device stand 200 may be similar to other example device stands described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example device stand 200 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example device stands, as they are described above. Example device stand 200 may include a first pair of legs 204 having a front leg 204f and a rear leg 204r, and a second pair of legs 206 having a front leg 206f and a rear leg 206r. In Fig. 2A, first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 are illustrated as being disposed in the open position.

[0022] Referring additionally to Fig. 2B, an exploded perspective view of the example device stand 200 of Fig. 2A is illustrated. Some of the components of device stand 200 are omitted from Fig. 2B for the sake of clarity. Device stand 200 may include a base 202. Base 202 may be a rigid or semi-rigid member which may provide support and/or a place to which assemble the other components of the device stand 200. In some examples, base 202 may be a rigid plate constructed out of a metallic or polymer material. The base 202 may have sufficient stiffness and/or sturdiness so as to provide support to an electronic device, or a chassis and associated components thereof, and transfer the weight of such components to a plurality of legs attached to the base 202. In some examples, the base 202 may have a rounded or oval shape or profile, and in other examples the base 202 may have another shape such as a square or rectangle.

[0023] The base 202 may rotatably engage with each of the legs of the pairs of legs 204, 206. The base 202 may include a first pair of leg slots 222f and 222r to rotatably engage with the front leg 204f and rear leg 204r, respectively. Similarly, the base 202 may include a second pair of leg slots 224f and 224r to rotatably engage with the front leg 206f and rear leg 206r, respectively. In some examples, front leg 204f may include a leg post 226f, rear leg 204r may include a leg post 226r, front leg 206f may include a leg post 228f, and rear leg 206r may include a leg post 228r. Each slot of the first pair of leg slots 222f and 222r may engage with a leg post of the first pair of legs 204, and each slot of the second pair of leg slots 224f and 224r may engage with a leg post of the second pair of legs 206 such that each leg of the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 is rotatably engaged with the base 202. In some examples, each leg post may be a shaft or cylinder to enable rotation of the leg post within a leg slot of the base 202. In further examples, each leg post may have a shoulder or flange disposed on top of the leg post so as to prevent each leg from pulling vertically out of the corresponding leg slot when assembled. [0024] The device stand 200 may further include a first locking lug 212 and a second locking lug 216. The first locking lug 212 may be slidably disposed within a first lug channel 214 and the second locking lug 216 may be slidably disposed within a second lug channel 218

(e.g., as illustrated in Fig. 2F). Each locking lug 212, 216 may be movable or slidable between a released position and a locked position. Referring additionally to Figs. 2C-2D, cross-sectional views of the example device stand 200 are illustrated. Fig. 2C illustrates the first locking lug 212 and second locking lug 216 as being disposed in a raised or released position. When in the released position, the locking lugs 212, 216 do not interfere with or contact any of the legs of the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206. The first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 are free to be moved between the open and closed positions.

[0025] In some examples, the device stand 200 may include a lug bias member 220 disposed on a device interface of a cover 208. The lug bias member 220 may be a resilient or elastic component capable of undergoing elastic deformation. In other words, the lug bias member 220 may be capable of returning to its original size or shape after undergoing a deformation. In some examples, the lug bias member 220 may exert or provide a reaction force in response to undergoing a deformation, the reaction force being proportional in magnitude and opposite in direction to the deformation. In some examples, the lug bias member 220 may be a spring such as a wire spring, coil spring, torsional spring, leaf or band spring, or another type of spring. In some examples, the lug bias member 220 may be formed of a metallic material like spring steel. In other examples, the lug bias member 220 may be formed of another material, e.g., a polymer or plastic material. In further examples, the lug bias member 220 may be formed of bent or stamped sheet metal. [0026] In some examples, the lug bias member 220 may be disposed on a top side of the cover 208 and may be arranged or oriented so as to pull or urge the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 towards the released position. In order to move from the released position to the locked position, each of the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 may be pushed or translated within the respective lug channels in a downward direction towards the legs of the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206, e.g., along direction 209. Fig. 2D illustrates the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 as being disposed in the locked position. The locking lugs have moved through the corresponding lug channels so as to each extend and protrude out from a bottom surface of the base 202 so as to be disposed in between the front leg and rear leg of each of the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206. Specifically, the first locking lug 212 is disposed in between the front leg 204f and rear leg 204r when disposed in the locked position, and second locking lug 216 is disposed in between front leg 206f and rear leg 206r when disposed in the locked position.

[0027] Referring additionally to Fig. 2E, another perspective view of example device stand 200 is illustrated. The first locking lug 212, disposed in between the front and rear legs of the first pair of legs 204 in the locked position, prevent the front and rear legs from moving from the open position to the closed position. Similarly, the second locking lug 216, disposed in between the front and rear legs of the second pair of legs 206 in the locked position, prevent the front and rear legs from moving from the open position to the closed position. As such, the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 are closable when the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 are in the released position, but are held in the open position when the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 are in the locked position. Accordingly, the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 are disposable in the locked position only when the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 are in the open position. [0028] In some examples, the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 may have a profile that substantially matches or complements that of the inner surfaces of the respective front and rear legs when in the open position. As such, each of the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 may efficiently engage with such surfaces and prevent movement of the legs. In some examples, each of the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 may have a triangular or trapezoidal portion 240 to engage with the inner surface of the corresponding front and rear legs, as well as a post portion 242 which may have another shape or profiled, e.g., rounded or cylindrical. The post portions 242, in some examples, may attach to or engage with the lug bias member 220.

[0029] Referring additionally to Fig. 2F, an exploded perspective view of example device stand 200 is illustrated. Some elements of device stand 200 are omitted from Fig. 2F for clarity. The device stand 200 may include a first lug channel 214 and a second lug channel 218, within which the first and second locking lugs 212, 216, respectively, may be disposed and travel. Accordingly, the first and second lug channels 214, 218 may have a profile or shape that substantially matches that of the first and second locking lugs 212, 216, respectively. In some examples, the first and second lug channels 214, 218 may have a triangular or trapezoidal profile to match the shape of the trapezoidal portion 240 of each of the locking lugs. In some examples, the lug channels 214 and 218 may extend through both the base 202 as well as the cover 208. The portion of the lug channels 214, 218 that extends through the cover, in some examples, may have a rounded profile to match the shape of the post portions 242 of each of the locking lugs 212, 216. In further examples, the post portion 242 of the first and second locking lugs 212, 216 may extend through the cover 208 and into the device interface 210 so as to engage with the lug bias member 220. [0030] In some examples, the device stand 200 may include a first bias member 230 disposed in between the front leg 204f and rear leg 204r of the first pair of legs 204 and a second bias member 232 disposed in between the front leg 206f and rear leg 206r of the second pair of legs 206. Such first and second bias members 230 and 232 may be resilient and elastic components, similar to lug bias member 220. In some examples, first and second bias members 230 and 232 may be leaf or band springs and may urge the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 towards the open position. As such, in some examples, the first and second bias members 230 and 232 may be disposed on a bottom side of the base 202 and may be fixed to the base 202 by a spring post 238.

[0031] In some examples, the device stand 200 may further include a front stopping lug 234 (illustrated in Fig. 2B), and a rear stopping lug 236 (illustrated in Figs. 2C-2D). The front and rear stopping lugs 234, 236 may each extend from the base 202, or a bottom surface thereon, and may stop the front and rear legs, respectively, of the first and second pairs of legs 204, 206 from moving past or beyond the open position. Stated differently, the first bias member 230 may push the front and rear legs 204f, 204r of the first pair of legs 204 from the closed position until the legs contact the front stopping lug 234 and rear stopping lug 236, respectively, at which point the front and rear legs 204f, 204r are disposed in the open position. The second bias member 232 may urge or push the second pair of legs 206 in a similar fashion.

[0032] In some examples, the front and rear stopping lugs 234, 236 may be unitary portions of the base 202, e.g., molded as part of the base 202, etc. In other examples, the front and rear stopping lugs 234, 236 may be separate components that are assembled on to the base 202, or a bottom surface thereon. In some examples, the front and rear stopping lugs 234, 236 may be fasteners such as screws, bolts, pins, etc., that are inserted into the base 202. [0033] Referring now to Fig. 3A, a perspective view of an example electronic device 301 having an example device stand 300 is illustrated. Example device stand 300 may be similar to other example device stands described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example device stand 300 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example device stands, as they are described above.

[0034] In some examples, electronic device 301 may include a chassis 344 having a stand interface 346, and device stand 300. The illustrated example may be associated to a situation where electronic device 301 has been unpackaged after transport or shipment, and a first and second pair of legs, 304, 306, respectively, of device stand 300 are disposed in the closed position so as to be efficiently packaged for such transport. The chassis 344 may be a housing, frame, or other support structure to support and protect components disposed within the electronic device 301. In some examples, electronic device 301 may include a display panel within the chassis 344 and may be a peripheral or external display for a computing device such as a desktop personal computer (PC).

[0035] Referring now to Fig. 3B, another perspective view of electronic device 301 is illustrated. Components of electronic device 301, apart from stand interface 346 and device stand 300, having been omitted for clarity. Front and rear legs 304f, 304r of first pair of legs 304 have each been moved from the closed position as illustrated in Fig. 3 A, to the open position, e.g., along directions 305f and 305r, respectively. Similarly, front and rear legs 306f, 306r of second pair of legs 306 have each been moved from the closed position as illustrated in Fig. 3 A, to the open position, e.g., along directions 307f and 307r, respectively. As such, clearance is now provided in between said front and rear legs into which corresponding first and second locking lugs may be pushed. [0036] In order to transition such first and second locking lugs, the stand interface 346 of the chassis 344 may be inserted into a device interface 310 of a cover 308 of the device stand 300, e.g., along direction 311. The stand interface 346 may be removably insertable or engageable with the device interface 310. Said stand interface 346 may push against the first and second locking lugs, or post portions thereof extending into the device interface 310, against the urging of a lug bias member in order to extend the first and second locking lugs out of a bottom surface of a base of the device stand 300 in order to dispose each locking lug in between corresponding front and rear legs in order to lock the legs in the open position. Stated differently, the stand interface 346 of the chassis 344 may push the first and second locking lugs to the locked position when the stand interface 346 is engaged with or inserted into the device interface 310 and the first and second pairs of legs 304, 306 are in the open position. Thus, unfolding the legs of the electronic device 301 and then assembling the electronic device, or a chassis thereof, to the device stand 300 may lock the legs in the open position, thus ensuring a stable and secure base for the electronic device 301. Stated yet differently, the first and second pairs of legs 304, 306 are urged towards the open position by a first and second bias member, respectively, and are held in the open position by the first and second locking lugs if the device interface is engaged with the stand interface. In some examples, a lug bias member is to hold the first and second locking lugs in the released position if the device interface 310 is separated from the stand interface 346. Fig. 3C illustrates the example electronic device 301 in the assembled, secured, and ready-to-use configuration.

[0037] Referring now to Fig. 4, a perspective view of an example all-in-one (AIO) computer 403 is illustrated. In some examples, the AIO computer 403 may include a chassis 444 having a stand interface, a system board 450 disposed within the chassis 444 and having a processor 452 disposed thereon, a display 448 disposed within the chassis 444, and a device stand 400. Example device stand 400 may be similar to other example device stands described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example device stand 400 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example device stands, as they are described above.

[0038] The system board 450 may be a circuit board such as a motherboard having electrical and processing components disposed thereon. The processor 452 may be a component able to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory or data storage devices. Electronic device 403 may include other electrical or computing components including, but not limited to, integrated circuits, memory, storage drives, power supplies, thermal components, and other suitable components.

[0039] The device stand 403 may include a first pair of legs 404 and a second pair of legs 406, each pair including a front leg and a rear leg movable in between a closed position, e.g., for shipping, and an open position, e.g., for assembly and use. The device stand 400 may also include a base, a cover disposed on the base, and a first and second locking lug movable between a released position and a locked position, wherein the first and second locking lugs hold the first and second pairs of legs 404, 406, respectively, in the open position.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device stand, comprising: a base; a first pair of legs having a front leg and a rear leg and rotatably engaged with the base between an open position and a closed position; a second pair of legs having a front leg and a rear leg and rotatably engaged with the base between an open position and a closed position; a cover having a device interface disposed on top of the base; a first locking lug movable within a first lug channel in the base between a released position and a locked position; and a second locking lug movable within a second lug channel in the base between a released position and a locked position.

2. The device stand of claim 1, further comprising a first bias member disposed in between the front leg and rear leg of the first pair of legs and a second bias member disposed in between the front leg and rear leg of the second pair of legs.

3. The device stand of claim 2, wherein the first and second bias members are to urge the first and second pairs of legs towards the open position.

4. The device stand of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking lugs are disposable in the locked position only when the first and second pair of legs are in the open position.

5. The device stand of claim 1, further comprising a lug bias member disposed on the device interface to urge the first lock and second lock towards the released position.

6. The device stand of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first pair of leg slots and a second pair of leg slots, wherein each slot of the first pair of leg slots is to engage with a leg post of the first pair of legs and each slot of the second pair of leg slots is to engage with a leg post of the second pair of legs such that each leg of the first and second pair of legs is rotatably engaged with the base.

7. The device stand of claim 1, further comprising a front stopping lug and a rear stopping lug extending from the base to stop the front legs and the rear legs, respectively, of the first and second pair of legs from moving beyond the open position.

8. An electronic device, comprising: a chassis having a stand interface; a device stand, comprising: a base rotatably engaged with each of a front leg and a rear leg of a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the first and second pairs of legs movable between an open position and a closed position; a cover disposed on the base having a device interface to removably engage with the stand interface of the chassis to attach the device stand to the chassis; 15 a first locking lug slidably disposed within a first lug channel extending through the base and the cover between a released position and a locked position; a second locking lug slidably disposed within a second lug channel extending through the base and the cover between a released position and a locked position, and a lug bias member disposed on the device interface to urge the first and second locking lugs towards the released position; wherein the first and second pairs of legs are closable when the first and second locking lugs are in the released position and are held in the open position when the first and second locking lugs are in the locked position.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the stand interface of the chassis is to push the first and second locking lugs to the locked position when the stand interface is engaged with the device interface and the first and second pairs of legs are in the open position.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising a front stopping lug to stop the front legs from moving beyond the open position and a rear stopping lug to stop the rear legs from moving beyond the open position.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a display for a computing device.

12. An all-in-one (AIO) computer, comprising: a chassis having a stand interface; 16 a system board disposed within the chassis and having a processor disposed thereon; a display disposed within the chassis; and a device stand, comprising: a base having a plurality of leg slots and a front and rear stopping lug extending from a bottom surface of the base; a cover having a device interface on a top surface; a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, each pair having a front leg and a rear leg and movable between an open position and a closed position, each leg having a leg post to rotatably engage with one of the plurality of leg slots; a first locking lug slidable along a first lug channel extending from the device interface through the base from a released position to a locked position; and a second locking lug slidable along a second lug channel extending from the device interface through the base from a released position to a locked position, wherein the stand interface of the chassis is to push the first and second locking lugs to the locked position when the stand interface is engaged with the device interface.

13. The AIO computer of claim 12, wherein the first and second locking lugs are only movable to the locked position if the first pair and second pair of legs are in the open position. 17

14. The AIO computer of claim 13, wherein the first and second pair of legs are urged towards the open position by a first and second bias member, respectively, and are held in the open position by the first and second locking lugs if the device interface is engaged with the stand interface.

15. The AIO computer of claim 12, wherein a lug bias member is to hold the first and second locking lugs in the released position if the device interface is separated from the stand interface.