GB2512884A

GB2512884A - A portable electronic device stand and a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand

Info

Publication number: GB2512884A
Application number: GB1306468.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Richards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-10
Filing date: 2013-04-10
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: GB201306468D0

Abstract

A stand 10 for supporting a portable electronic device, such as a tablet computer or a smart-phone with a substantially planar rectangular form, comprises a housing 12 and a leg 14. The stand is suitable for use on a table-top etc. so that the device and its screen can be supported at a preferred viewing angle relative to the table-top. The leg 14 is attached at one end to the substantially planar housing so that it can pivot between a closed configuration parallel to the housing and an open configuration at an (elevation) angle from the housing. When closed the leg is preferably recessed in the housing 24 and may be held by a catch 60, the leg may also have means 70 biasing the leg away when catch is released. The leg 14 (including pivot assembly 36) is also able to rotate with respect to the housing 12, so that the leg can point in different (azimuth) directions when open and preferably between 90 degrees, (preferably limited by groove 28, figs 2, 6b, 6c) so the housing can be placed in a portrait or landscape configuration relative to a table-top When rotating, the leg is controlled such that the pivot (elevation) angle varies between the portrait or landscape configuration (see figs 8,10 and 12, 14). The angle is controlled automatically by part 44 of the leg at the pivot moving in a groove 34 that has varying depth (see fig 6c). The stand may attach to the device or may comprise part of the devices own housing.

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 portable 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 is desirable to have means to support such a portable electronic device, rather than continuously holding it, and various stands have been developed.

A known "Smartphone" (a type of mobile phone) device stand marketed by MacallyiM and sold under the model name KickStand"" 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.

Tt has become common for the display on a screen of a portable electronic device such as a "Smartphone" (a type of mobile phone) to turn through 90 degrees in response to movement of the device, thereby allowing viewing in both portrait and landscape configurations.

Another known "Smartphone" (a type of mobile phone) device stand by KhomoTM 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 rotating 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 conflguration, 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, and/or an improved, or at least an alternative, method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand.

According to a first aspect of the invention comprises a portable electronic device stand for viewing a screen of a portable electronic device supported by the stand on a support surface; the portable electronic device stand comprising: a housing and a leg, the leg being pivotable with respect to the housing from a closed configuration, to open configurations in which the leg lies at an angle transverse to a main plane of the housing, the leg also being rotatable/pivotable 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 configurations; and wherein the stand comprises angle varying means designed to automatically vary said angle of the leg with respect to the housing as the leg is rotated/pivoted.

This portable electronic device stand is advantageous because a user can use the device hands free' in either a vertical (portrait) position, or horizontal (landscape) position; and such use is aided by the angle varying means designed to automatically vary the angle of a support leg with respect to the housing as the leg is rotated/pivoted from portrait to landscape position. This advantageously allows the angle of the leg to be automatically set so that in either the landscape or portrait position the does not fall over easily (through being too upright) or sit back to far (so as to make it difficult to read a display on a screen forming part of the device).

The above described portable electronic device stand may be an integral part of the casing of a portable electronic device.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a portable electronic device stand in accordance with Claim 15.

The portable electronic device stand in accordance with Claim 15 is advantageous because a user can use the device hands free' in either a vertical (portrait) position, or horizontal (landscape) position.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand, comprising the steps of: providing a housing and a leg; arranging the leg such that it is rotatable and pivotable with respect to the housing; and providing angle varying means designed to automatically vary the angle of the leg with respect to the housing as the leg is rotated/pivoted.

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.

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 in 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 Ito 14 illustrate the features of a portable electronic device stand in accordance with the invention and how the stand is made and assembled, in particular: Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of an outer surface of a portable electronic device stand; Figure 2 is a perspective front view of an inner surface of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the inner surface of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1; Figure 5 isa side view of the outer surface of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1; Figure 6a is an exploded perspective view of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1, showing ftirther details of the stand operation mechanism; Figure 6b is an exploded perspective view of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1, from the opposite direction of the view in Figure óa; Figure 6c is an enlarged view of part of the portable electronic device stand of Figure óa; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1, showing leg operation, for use of the portable electronic device stand in a "portrait" configuration; Figure 8 is another perspective view from the rear, showing the portable electronic device stand in use in a "portrait" configuration; Figure 9 is a rear view of the portable electronic device stand; Figure 10 is a side view of the portable electronic device stand, showing the angle of inclination of the leg in a "portrait" configuration; Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the portable electronic device stand of Figure 1, showing leg operation, for use of the portable electronic device stand in a "landscape" configuration.

Figure 12 is another perspective view from the rear, showing the portable electronic device stand in use in a "landscape" configuration; Figure 13 is a rear view of the portable electronic device stand; and Figure 14 is a side view of the portable electronic device stand, showing the angle of inclination of the leg in a "landscape" configuration.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a portable electronic device stand (10), for use with a portable electronic device such as a "Smartphone" (a type of mobile phone) comprises a housing 12 and a leg 14, The housing 12 can be a rear casing of a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, or a frame/cover for (clip on) attachment to a rear casing of such a device, or a protective mobile phone, case, sleeve, skin, or another type of add-on or accessory product, for example made of silicon, leather, plastic, 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 walls, 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 direction from the peripheral edges of the base wall 14. Tn the embodiment shown, the size of the base wall 14 corresponds to the area of the portable electronic device in plan view.

Where the housing is a frame that attaches to a rear casing of a portable electronic device 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 housing 12 comprises a recessed section 24. The recessed section 24 is moulded. The depth of the recessed section 24 is aboutl.Smm.

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 hilly to the centre of the base wall 16 of the housing 12 is discussed below.

Referring to Figure 6O, 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 portable electronic device 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 concentrically surrounds 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 wall 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 óc, 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 progrcssively 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 &oove, Alternatively, the groove 34 comprising items 34a, 34b and 34c may be replaced by two or more equivalent protruding items; for example by a ramp that extends outwardly/upwardly from the planar base wall 16 and an adjoining raised/protruding (second) flat portion. In this case appropriate modifications would also be made to the leg 14.

Referring to Figure 6a and 6b, a leg carrier 36 in the form of a disc like 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 corresponding bore extends through the leg (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 leg 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 parallel 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 14. The tip 44 and the groove 34 are designed to cooperate to form a leg angle controlling means. A rotation controlling element 46 also depends from the underside of the disc like 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 element 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 halfway 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 wall 62 that extends outwardly 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 within the recessed section 24. V/hen 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 thc 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 plane 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 portable electronic device, 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 easing.

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

Referring to Figure 4, the leg 14 protrudes from the external surface of the base wall 16 of the housing 12 by a distance P. In 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 smaller, 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 14protrudes may increase accordingly, but, in percentage terms, the leg will protrude by no more than about 100 % of the width of the housing, and 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 waIl 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 wall 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 portable electronic device 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 portable electronic device stand 10 (and the portable electronic device 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 point of substantially equal height on non flat surfaces.

Referring to Figure 10, the applicant has found an angle of inclination between the portable electronic device and the leg Of about 55 degrees js optimum. A range of angles is 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 ofthe stand, a user can unclip the housing 12 from the portable electronic device, rotate the entire housing through 180 degrees and re-clip the housing to the portable electronic device, with the heavier end of the portable electronic device 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 portable electronic device, 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 10. 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 slot 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 that the leg ôan 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 portable electronic device to which the stand 10 is fitted in both the portrait and landscape configurations.

In order to further optimise the viewing and stability of the portable electronic device to which the stand 10 is fined 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 arrangement would permit the centre of the disc like part 36 to be further above the centre of mass of the portable electronic device.

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 12 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 14 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 14 from a stowed position to an open position andlor 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 TargusTM Versavu TM 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 TargusTM VersavuTM device the angle of inclination is only 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 portable electronic 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 portable electronic device, there is no requirement for any third party accessory / case attachment.

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 iPodTM, a digital camera or digital video recorder, an electronic 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 iPadTM, or the like. Alternatively, the case 12 and associated leg 14 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 casing 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 electronic device and the case.

The applicant also envisages 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, in 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 materials, including UPVC, plastic, metal, wood, or glass.

The rotating leg/stand can also be used as part of a protective case / sleeve / skin, add-on product, should the device not already be fitted with a standlleg 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

CLAIMS1. A portable electronic device stand for viewing a screen of a portable electronic device supported by the stand on a support surface; the portable electronic device stand comprising: a housing and a leg, the leg being pivotable with respect to the housing from a closed configuration; to open configurations in which the leg lies at an acute angle transverse to a main plane of the housing, the leg also being rotatable/pivotable 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 configurations; and wherein the stand comprises angle varying means designed to automatically vary said acute angle of the leg with respect to the housing as the leg is rotated/pivoted.
2. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim I or 2, wherein angle varying means comprises a ramp portion which cooperates with a part of the leg.
3. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 2, wherein the stand has a flat section adjacent to one or both ends of said ramp portion.
4. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the ramp portion is within a groove.
5. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 4, wherein said groove comprises a first flat portion and a deeper second flat portion with the ramp portion located between said first and second flat portions.
6. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises rotational movement limiting means designed to limit rotational movement of the leg with respect to the housing.
7. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 6, 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.
8. A portable electronic device stand according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the rotational movement limiting means comprises an arcuate slot.
9. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises a manually operable catch for retaining the leg.
10. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable electronic device stand comprises biasing to force the leg open.
11. 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 greatestdimensions of the housing.
12. 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.
13. A portable electronic device stand substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompany drawings.
14. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein 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.
15, A portable electronic device stand for supporting a portable electronic device, the portable electronic 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 electronic 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 configurations.
16. A portable electronic device stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the stand further comprises a frame which is integral therewith; said frame being configured to readily allow attachment of the stand to the casing of a portable electronic device,
17. A portable electronic device stand according to any of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the portable electronic device stand is integral with the casing of a portable electronic device,
18. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand, the method comprising the steps of, providing a housing and a leg; arranging the leg such that it is rotatable and pivotable with respect to the housing; and providing angle varying means designed to automatically vary the angle of the leg with respect to the housing as the leg is rotatedlpivoted.
19. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device stand according to any of Claims 1 to 17 or substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompany drawings.