GB2433854A

GB2433854A - Support for a portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2433854A
Application number: GB0625336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tania Jane Beagley
Original assignee: Eleksen Ltd
Current assignee: Eleksen Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-12-20
Publication date: 2007-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-20
Also published as: GB0625336D0; GB0526161D0; GB2433854B

Abstract

A support device 101 for a portable electronic processing device 107, comprising a rear portion 102 and first and second side portions 103, 104 each operatively connected to the rear portion and having a free end 105, 106. The support device is configurable between a storage configuration in which the first and second side portions are normally biased towards the rear portion and a supporting configuration in which the free ends are opened away from the rear portion to receive an electronic processing device. The electronic processing device is then located such that the first and second side portions grip the electronic processing device towards the rear portion which may be bent into a curved shape (202, figure 5). In use, the rear portion provides first and second points 109, 110 of support, and the electronic processing device provides a third point 111 of support on a surface 108. The electronic device may be a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant or similar. The support device side portions may be provided with ridges (304, figure 3) to enhance their grip and may be manufactured with the rear portion as a single unit or as separate units that are joined to the rear portion.

Description

Support Device

Cross Reference to Related Application

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 05 26 161.5, fIled 21 December 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support device for supporting a portable electronic processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art

International patent publication no. WO 2001/075572 A3 discloses flexible foldable keyboard apparatus and an interface connector configured to connect with the electrical connectors of a mobile telephone. The interface connector is provided with a leg that is hinged to the interface connector. The leg is foldable between a storage position along the interface connector, and an operating position to provide a stand for a mobile telephone received in the interlace connector.

International patent publication no. WO 2003/079619 A3 discloses flexible foldable keyboard apparatus, an interface device configured to connect with the electrical connectors of a mobile telephone, and a mobile telephone support device. The mobile telephone support device is arranged to fold between a fully folded storage configuration and a fully unfolded supporting configuration, in which the support device is configured to support a mobile telephone in an orientation in which an electrical connection is provided 4040-P163-GB-2 between the interface device and the electrical connectors of the mobile telephone.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support device for a portable electronic processing device, the support device comprising: a rear portion, and first and second side portions operatively connected to the rear portion and having a free end; the support device configurable between a storage configuration in which the first and second side portions are normally biased towards the rear portion, and a supporting configuration in which the free ends of the first and second side portions are opened away from the rear portion, and the support device is configured to receive the electronic processing device between the first and second side portions and the rear portion such that the first and second side portions grip the electronic processing device towards the rear portion; whereby the rear portion provides first and second points of support, and the supported electronic processing device provides a third point of support.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a support device in a supporting configuration; Figure 2 shows a support device in a storage configuration; Figure 3 shows components of the support device of Figure 2; Figures 4A-4C show schematics of different mechanical connections between a side portion and the rear portion of a support device; Figures 5A and 58 illustrate reconfiguration of a support device from a storage configuration to a supporting configuration; Figure 6 shows a second view of the support device of Figure 1; 4040-P 1 63-GB-2 Figure 7 illustrates a construction of a support device; Figure 8 shows a support device in use.

Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Figure 1 A support device 101 is shown in Figure 1. The support device 101 comprises a rear portion 102, a first side portion 103 and a second side portion 104. The first side portion 103 extends from the rear portion 102 and has a free end 105, and similarly the second side portion 104 extends from the rear portion and has a free end 106. The first and second side portions 103, 104 are operatively connected to, and are arranged to be moved relative to, the rear portion 102.

The support device 101 is configured to support a portable electronic processing device, for example a mobile telephone or hand-held computing device such as a PDA device.

In Figure 1, support device 101 is shown in a supporting configuration, supporting a portable electronic processing device 107 upon a support surface provided by a tabletop 108. In the supporting configuration, the free ends 105, 106 of the first and second side portions respectively are opened away from the rear portion 102. The electronic processing device 107 is received between the first side portion 103, the rear portion 102 and the second side portion 104, such that the electronic processing device 107 is in contact with the support device 101 and the table top 108. In the supporting arrangement shown in Figure 1, the rear portion 102 of the support device 101 provides a first point of support 109 and a second point of support 110, whilst the electronic processing device 107 provides a third point of support 111.

4040-P 1 63-GB-2 Figure 2 Figure 2 shows a support device 201. The support device 201 comprises a rear portion 202, a first side portion 203 and a second side portion 204. The first side portion 203 has a free end 105, and similarly the second side portion 204 has a free end 206.

Support device 201 is shown in Figure 2 in a storage configuration. In the configuration shown, the rear portion 202 is substantially flat, and the first and second side portions 203, 204 are substantially flat and extend inwardly along the inside face 207 of the rear portion 202. In plan view of the support device in the storage configuration, the first and second side portions 203, 204 do not extend beyond the edges of the rear portion 202.

As shown, in the storage configuration of support device 201, a gap is present between the free ends 105, 106 of the first and second side portions 203, 204 respectively. Thus, it can be seen from Figure 2 that each of the first and second side portions 203, 204 has a length that is less than half the length of the rear portion 202.

Figure 3 According to the construction of support device 201, the rear portion 202 and the first and second side portions 203, 204 are manufactured as separate parts. In this illustrated example, each of the rear, first side and second side portions has a substantially generally rectangular shape.

The rear portion 202 presents a first slot 301 and a second slot 302, each configured to receive one of the first and second side portions 203, 204.

Thus, first side portion 203 may be inserted into slot 301, as illustrated by arrows A, and second side portion 204 may be inserted into slot 302, as illustrated by arrows B. 4040-P163-GB-2 In Figure 3, first side portion 203 is shown with the inside face 303 thereof facing upwards. The inside face 303 of the first side portion 203 has ridges 304, the function of which will be described in further detail below. The ridges 304 are located towards the free end 205 of the first side portion Similarly, second side portion 204 has an inside face 305 having ridges 306 positioned towards the free end 206 thereof. In this example, the ridges extend across the width of the rear portion 202 of the support device 201.

Figures 4A-4C Figures 4A-4C each shows a schematic of a different mechanical connection between a side portion and the rear portion of a support device, the rear portion having a slot configured to receive the side portion. Similar components are referenced with the same numerals.

In Figure 4A, the side portion 401 is received within the slot 402 of the rear portion 403 with an interference fit.

In Figure 4B, the side portion 401 and the rear portion 403 each have a surface contour to complement the surface contour of the other component such that the side portion 401 is received within the slot 402 with a positive mechanical fit.

In Figure 4C, the rear portion 403 defines a threaded bore 404, and the side portion 401 is provided with a complementary threaded recess 405. Thus, when the side portion 401 is received within the slot 402, the side portion 401 and rear portion 403 may be mechanically joined by a screw 406.

Figures M & 5B Figures 5A and 5B illustrate reconfiguration of the support device 201 from the storage configuration illustrated in Figure 5A into a supporting configuration.

4040-P163-GB-2 Once assembled, first and second side portions 203, 204 of the support device 201 are normally biased towards the storage configuration. Hence, the support device 201 is normally biased towards the storage configuration.

The rear portion 202 and the first and second side portions 203, 204 of the support device 201 are each fabricated from a resilient material. A suitable material is po'ypropylene.

As described above, the first and second side portions 203, 204 are operatively connected to the rear portion 202. Reconfiguration of the flexible support device 201 from the storage configuration may be achieved by first holding the outer sides 501, 502 of the rear portion 202. Then, the sides 501, 502 may be pulled towards each other, in the directions shown by arrows C, to bring them together to the outside face 503 of the rear portion 202.

Alternatively, whilst holding the outer sides 501, 502, a force may be applied to the outside face 503 of the rear portion 202, near the centre thereof, in the direction of arrow 0, to effect the coming together of the outer sides 501, 502.

Both these actions cause the rear portion 202 to present a curve.

The described curving of the rear portion 202 causes the inside face 207 of the rear' portion 202 to move forwards in the direction of arrow E. At the same time, the free end 205 of the first side portion 203 and the free end 206 of the second side portion 204 are caused to open, away from the inside face 207 of the rear portion 202 in the direction of arrows F and G respectively.

Figure 5B shows the rear portion 202 having a concave curvature and the support device 201 opened to receive a portable electronic processing device.

Figure 6 Figure 6 shows a second view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1. It 4040-P163-GB-2 can be seen that in plan view, in the supporting configuration of the support device 101, the rear portion 102 presents a concave curvature that is more apparent than any concave curvature of the first and second side portions 103, 104. It can also be seen that due to the incline of the electronic processing device 107, the first and second points of support 109, 110 provided by the rear portion 102 are provided by the lower corners 601 and 602 of the rear portion 102 respectively.

Due to the first and second side portions 103, 104 being normally biased towards the rear portion 102, in the supporting configuration of the support device 101, the first and second side portions 103, 104 grip the electronic processing device 107 towards the inside face 603 of the rear portion. Thus, in the shown supporting configuration, the electronic processing device 107 is in contact with each of the first and second portions 103, 104 and the rear portion 102 of the support device 101, in addition to the support surface 108.

On removal of the electronic processing device 107 from the support device 101, the support device 101 will return to a substantially flat storage configuration as described above.

Figure 7 A support device 701 is shown in Figure 7, having a rear portion 702 and first and second side portions 703, 704 extending from the rear portion 702. According to the construction of the support device 701, the rear portion 702 and first and second side portions 703, 704 are manufactured as a single part. The support device may include a first clamp 705 configured to clamp the first side portion 703 with the rear portion 702 and a second clamp 706 configured to clamp the second side portion 706 with the rear portion 702. The 4040-P163-GB-2

B

clamps 705, 706 may take the form of end caps, each locatable around a side portion and the rear portion as shown at 707 and 708.

Figure 8 Figure 8 shows a flexible support device 801, in a supporting configuration, supporting a portable electronic processing device 802. The flexible support device 801 has a rear portion 803 and first and second side portions 804 and 805. Each of the first and second side portions 804 and 805 has a plurality of ridges 806.

Since the first and second side portions 804, 805 are normally biased towards the rear portion 803, the ridges 806 function to grip the electronic processing device 802, to prevent the supported electronic processing device from "popping out" of the support device 801. This may occur if any part of the supporting arrangement experiences a knock.

In addition, the ridges 806 serve to maintain the electronic processing device 802 within the support device at a particular orientation. By providing each of the first and second side portions with a plurality of ridges, an orientation for the supported electronic processing device may be chosen by the user. Thus, the angle of orientation of the electronic processing device relative to the support surface, represented at 807 may be chosen by tilting the electronic processing device to a desired incline and finding the most appropriate ridges along the length of the side portions to support the electronic processing device at the desired gradient. This feature is useful, for example to tilt the screen of the electronic processing device in order to facilitate viewing of the screen.

The ridges may be vertical, such as substantially vertical ridge 808, when the support device is laid on one long side. Thus, the ridges of a side 4040-P 163-GB-2 portion may extend substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the side portion extends relative to the rear portion of the support device. Ridges extending at different angles to each other may be provided, and ridges may form a series of ridges extending at incrementally increasing or decreasing angles. It is to be appreciated that the type and number of ridges provided on a side portion may also vary between applications.

It is also to be appreciated that the dimensions of the rear portion and the side portions of a support device as described may vary according to the dimensions of a particular portable electronic processing device to be supported. In addition, the degree of bias force may also vary between applications. It is envisaged that in many applications, the side portions of a support device will be duplicate parts and the structure of the support device as a whole will be substantially symmetrical.

The support device of the present invention provides a portable support for a portable electronic processing device that is convenient to use.

Claims

4040-P 1 63-GB-2 Claims 1. A support device for a portable electronic

processing device, the support device comprising: a rear portion, and first and second side portions each operatively connected to the rear portion and having a free end; the support device configurable between a storage configuration in which the first and second side portions are normally biased towards the rear portion, and a supporting configuration in which the free ends of the first and second side portions are opened away from the rear portion, and the support device is configured to receive the electronic processing device between the first and second side portions and the rear portion such that the first and second side portions grip the electronic processing device towards the rear portion; whereby the rear portion provides first and second points of support, and the supported electronic processing device provides a third point of support.

2. A support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear portion has an inside face, and in the storage configuration the rear portion is substantially flat and the first and second side portions are substantially flat and extend inwardly along the inside face of the rear portion.

3. A support device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are each fabricated from a resilient material.

4040-P 163-08-2 4. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in plan view of the support device in the supporting configuration, the rear portion presents a concave curvature when the support device is in the supporting configuration.

5. A support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein in plan view of the support device in the supporting configuration, the first and second side portions present a curvature when the support device is in the supporting configuration.

6. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are fabricated from polypropylene.

7. A support device as claimed any preceding claim, wherein in the storage configuration of the support device, a gap is present between the free ends of the first and second side portions.

8. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second side portions each have an inside face having ridges to facilitate gripping of an electronic processing device received by the support device.

9. A support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inside face of the first and second side portions has ridges that extend across the width of the rear portion.

4040-P163-GB-2 10. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are manufactured as a single part.

11. A support device as claimed in any of claims I to 9, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are manufactured as separate parts.

12. A support device as claimed in claim II, wherein the rear portion presents first and second slots configured to receive the first and second side portions respectively.

13. A support device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support device further comprises a first clamp configured to clamp the first side portion with the rear portion, and a second clamp configured to clamp the second side portion with the rear portion.

14. A support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are configured such that the first and second side portions clip into the rear portion with an interference fit.

15. A support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rear portion and the first and second side portions are configured such that the first and second side portions clip into the rear portion with a positive mechanical fit.

4040-P163-GB-2 16. A support device as claimed in any of claim 12, wherein the first and second side portions and each mechanically joined to said rear portion by a screw.

17. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the rear portion and first and second side portions has a substantially generally rectangular shape.

18. A support device as claimed in claim 17, wherein, when supporting an electronic processing device, first and second corners of the rear portion provide said first and second points of support.

19. A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in plan view of the support device in the storage configuration, the first and second side portions do not extend beyond the edges of the rear portion 20. A support device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.