GB2523793A

GB2523793A - Mobile device stand

Info

Publication number: GB2523793A
Application number: GB1403894.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Abrahams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-05
Filing date: 2014-03-05
Publication date: 2015-09-09
Also published as: WO2015132565A1; GB201616910D0; GB201403894D0; GB2539347A

Abstract

A (mobile device) stand, comprising a holding portion 10 for holding (a mobile device), a first support arm 12 extending from a base portion 16, wherein a socket is provided at the distal end of the first support arm, said socket being configured to receive a spherical bearing (Fig 4 112) provided on said holding portion 10 such that said socket and bearing together form a ball joint to permit pivoting about at least two axes of said holding portion relative to said support arm 12, the device further comprising means for releasing said bearing from said socket so as to remove said holding portion from said first support arm. Aspects of the invention include releasable locking means for selectively locking and releasing the bearing from within the socket, the releasable locking means comprises an extendable pin at the distal end of said first support arm which is selectively extendable into said socket to contact the bearing in order to lock the bearing within the socket. Embodiments include a mobile device stand wherein said holding portion 10 and said base portion 16 are selectively removable from said first and second support arms 12, 14, respectively.

Description

MOBILE DEVICE STAND

This invention relates to a mobile device stand and, more particularly, to an adjustable support and stand for enabling a mobile tablet computing or communications device, such as a notepad, tablet computer or mobile phone to be held and supported for use at a desired height and/or orientation.

Conventional designs and constructions for supporting tablet computing devices all have drawbacks, especially that they are not very versatile in function. While they may be able to support a tablet computer in one orientation or for one purpose at one location, such as orienting the tablet computer in a comfortable position on a desk for typing or word processing, they are limited in the functions they provide and the locations in which they can be comfortably used.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a stand or support for a planar or tablet computing device which is multi-functional and portable.

In addition, it would be desirable to provide a stand or support which allows for numerous different orientations of a planar or tablet computing device.

These and other advantages of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) that follow.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device stand, comprising a holding portion for holding a mobile device, a support arm extending at its proximal end from a base portion, wherein a socket is provided at the distal end of the support arm, said socket being configured to receive a spherical bearing provided on said holding portion such that said socket and bearing together form a ball joint to permit pivoting about at least two axes of said holding portion relative to said support arm, the device further comprising means for releasing said bearing from said socket so as to remove said holding portion from said support arm.

The stand preferably further comprises releasable locking means for selectively locking and releasing said bearing from within said socket. Said releasable locking means may comprise an extendable pin at the distal end of said first support arm which is selectively extendable into said socket to contact said bearing in order to lock said bearing within said socket. Said extendable pin may comprise a screw threaded pin which is selectively extended into and retracted from the socket by a screwing action.

The holding portion beneficially comprises one or more lower supports for supporting the lower edge of a mobile device, wherein said one or more lower supports are beneficially longitudinally adjustable.

The holding portion beneficially comprises one or more upper supports for supporting the device at its upper edge, wherein said one or more upper supports are beneficially longitudinally adjustable.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, said bearing and the inner surface of the socket cooperate in a friction fit, which can be overcome by manual force being applied by a user but is sufficient to counteract the weight of the mobile device and holding portion, when in use.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bearing comprises one or more protruding portions and the inner wall of the socket comprises one or more grooves, wherein said grooves define a plurality of respective predetermined orientations of said bearing and, therefore, said holding portion when said protruding portion is received therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said base portion comprises a base and a second support arm extending therefrom, wherein said second support arm is connected to said first support arm by means of a pivotal joint. In this case, the stand beneficially further comprises locking means for selectively releasing said pivotal joint to allow pivotal movement of said first support arm relative to said second support arm and for locking said pivotal joint when a desired position of said first support arm is established.

The base is preferably removable from said second support arm. In this case, a push button release mechanism may be provided for selectively removing said base from said second support arm.

The stand beneficially further comprises one or more elongate legs extending substantially transversely from said base. In a preferred embodiment, the stand may comprise two elongate legs extending substantially transversely from said base, said legs being pivotally mounted on the base at their proximal ends, to allow pivoting of said legs from a first configuration where they are substantially adjacent to and parallel with each other, to a second substantially V-shaped configuration.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device stand, comprising a holding portion for holding a mobile device, a first support arm extending at its proximal end from said holding portion, a second support arm, connected to said first support arm and extending at its proximal end from a base portion, wherein said holding portion and said base portion are selectively removable from said first and second support arms respectively.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following exemplary embodiment which is described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a mobile device stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the mobile device stand of Figure 1 showing the holding portion in an alternative orientation; Figure 3 is a side and rear perspective view of the mobile device stand of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the ball joint of the mobile computing device of Figure 1 Figure 5 is a schematic perspective cutaway view of the base portion of the mobile device stand of Figure 1 Figure 6 is a plan view of the mobile device stand of Figure 1 showing the extendable legs in an extended configuration; and Figure 7 is a bottom view of the mobile device stand of Figure 1, again showing the extendable legs in the extended configuration.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a mobile device stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention consists of a modular arrangement comprising, generally, a holder portion 10, an upper arm 12, a lower arm 14 and a base portion 16.

Referring additionally to Figure 2 of the drawings, the holder portion 10 comprises a bracket 100 in which is held a generally U-shaped support 102 having a pair of inverted hook-shaped upper holding members 104. The support 102 is longitudinally slidably mounted within channels in the bracket 100, so that the height of the upper holding members 104 is adjustable relative to the bracket and the base portion 16, Means are provided for securing the support 102 relative to the bracket 100 when the holding members 104 have been adjusted to the desired longitudinal position. As can be seen in Figure 1, the bend in the U-shaped support 102 is rearwardly deviated from the longitudinal axis of the support 102 to provide a convenient grasping portion 102a to enable the user to conveniently move the support 102 up and down within the channels in the bracket 100.

The holder portion 10 further comprises a pair of hooked lower holding members 106, which are similarly slidably mounted within channels in the bracket 100 and, therefore, adjustable relative thereto, and means are once again provided for enabling the lower holding members 106 to be releasably fixed relative to the bracket when the desired longitudinal position thereof has been established by a user.

In use, the upper and lower holding members 104, 106 provide an adjustable support for a mobile device such as a tablet or e-reader. The lower edge of such a device is supported within the hooked portions of the lower holding members 106, which can be pivoted about their longitudinal axis within the channels in the bracket 100, i.e. inwardly and outwardly relative to the bracket and each other so as to adjust the latitudinal space between them and, therefore, the width of the device able to be supported thereby. As stated above, both the upper and lower holding members 104: 106 can be longitudinally adjusted relative to the bracket 100 and each other so as to adjust the longitudinal distance between them and, therefore, the height of the device able to be supported thereby. Once the holding members 104, 106 have been adjusted to the desired positions relative to the bracket 100 to securely hold a particular mobile device, they can be releasably secured relative to the bracket so as to hold the mobile device securely in place.

The holder portion 10 is pivotally mounted to the upper arm 12 by means of a joint 108. In the embodiment shown, the joint 108 is a novel ball joint arrangement which allows the orientation of the holder portion 10 to be adjusted about substantially 360 degrees according to user preference.

Referring additionally to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, a control arm extends from a rear surface of the bracket 100, the control arm 110 having a spherical bearing 112 at its distal end. The bearing 112 is received within a socket 114 defined by a casing 116 provided at the distal end of the upper arm 12. The bearing 112 may be held within the socket 114 by means of a sufficiently firm friction fit which allows substantially infinite adjustment of the joint by a user using reasonably force to overcome the friction fit, but is sufficiently firm to resist the weight of the holding portion and mobile device once the desired orientation has been established to prevent inadvertent movement thereof.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bearing 112 may be provided with a bump (not shown) which is received within one of a series of grooves provided in the inner wall of the socket 114 to provide additional friction between the bearing and socket in a selected orientation to counteract the weight of the holder portion and mobile device and prevent the assembly from dropping due to gravity. In this case, the bearing 112 can be manually adjusted by a user into one of a number of discrete orientations (defined by the positioning of the grooves in the inner wall of the socket) and the holder portion and mobile device are then held stably in the desired position once released.

Referring specifically to Figure 4 of the drawings, the distal end of the upper arm 12 is provided with an axial screw-threaded connector 120 which extends from the distal end of the upper arm 12 through the ball joint housing 116 and contacts the bearing 112 when the holder portion 10 is fixed to the upper arm 12. If it is required to remove the holder portion from the upper arm, the connector 120 can be screwed rearwardly, away from the bearing 112, to enable it to be released from the jaws 116a defining the socket 114. In use] when the holder portion 10 is required to be mounted to the upper arm 12, the bearing 112 is inserted into the socket 114 and the connector 120 screwed forward to contact the bearing 112 and force it into a friction fit with the inner walls of the socket jaws 116a. This functionality allows the provision of interchangeable accessories that can be selectively fixed to and removed from the upper arm 12, as required.

The upper arm 12 is pivotally connected at its proximal end to the lower arm 14 by means of a hinged joint 122, which permits pivotal adjustment of the upper arm 12 relative to the lower arm 14 about the latitudinal axis. In one exemplary embodiment, the joint 122 may be a frictional joint, which can be adjusted by the user using a reasonable amount of force, but which is sufficiently stiff to support the weight of the holder portion, a mobile device and the upper arm, without dropping, when the desired position thereof has been established.

However, in a preferred embodiment, means are provided for fixably releasing the joint to allow selective adjustment of the upper arm 12 and then allows the arm 12 to be fixed in the desired position.

Referring additionally to Figure 5 of the drawings, the lower arm 14 is removably mounted to the base portion 16 by means of a further pivotal joint 124. A push button release mechanism 126 is provided which, when pressed, allows the proximal end of the lower arm 14 to be removed from the base portion 16, thereby once again allowing the provision of interchangeable base accessories which can be selectively attached to, and removed from, the lower arm 14. The push button mechanism 126, comprises a push button 126a within which is received a locking pin 126b, which is slidably located within a locking channel 126c. During normal use of the stand, when the proximal end of the lower arm 14 is fixed to the base portion 16, the push button mechanism is in a locked configuration, with the top of the push button 126a protruding from an upper surface of the base portion 16. When a user wishes to remove the lower arm 14 from the base portion 16, the user depresses the push button 126a, thereby causing the locking pin 126b to slide downwardly within the locking channel 126c, thereby unlocking the proximal end of the lower arm 14 and allowing itto be removed. A spring (not shown) is provided within a recess 126d adjacent the locking channel 126c which resists the downward movement of the locking pin 12Gb, thereby upwardly spring biasing the push button mechanism 126 to the locked configuration. If the proximal end of the lower arm 14 is required to be once again fixed to the base portion 16, the push button 126a must again be depressed before insertion of the arm 14 into an opening 16a in the base portion 16, and it is locked in place by simply releasing the push button 126a such that it returns to the locked configuration.

In the embodiments shown, the base portion accessory provided is an extendable leg arrangement, as will be described hereinafter, but in an alternative embodiment, the base accessory could comprise a clamp or stand, according to how the user wishes to fix the assembly for use within their environment.

The pivotal nature of the joints between the upper and lower arms and the between the lower arm and the base portion enables the device to be folded" into a relatively small structure, for storage and/or transport. Alternatively, the upper and lower arms may be separated for storage and transport, as required.

Referring additionally to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, the base portion 16 is provide with an extendable leg arrangement comprising a pair of legs 128 which are pivotally mounted at their proximal ends to the lower surface of the base portion 16, and transversely thereto, so as to create a substantially V-shaped structure. The legs 128 are laterally pivotal at their proximal ends, which form an apex of the general V shape, which is substantially symmetrical with general reference to the vertical axis of the stand, so as to enable them to be pushed together when not in use, and extended (i.e. their ends pulled apart) by the same angel into the abovementioned V shape for use. The extendable leg arrangement, in use, is designed to be positioned under a heavy weight, for example1 the mattress of a user's bed, such that the heavy weight counteracts the weight of the stand and mobile device, and provides support for them if, for example, the user wishes to use the device and stand whilst lying in bed.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mobile device stand, comprising a holding portion for holding a mobile device, a first support arm extending at its proximal end from a base portion, wherein a socket is provided at the distal end of the first support arm, said socket being configured to receive a spherical bearing provided on said holding portion such that said socket and bearing together form a ball joint to permit pivoting about at least two axes of said holding portion relative to said support arm, the device further comprising means for releasing said bearing from said socket so as to remove said holding portion from said first support arm.
2. A stand according to claim 1, further comprising releasable locking means for selectively locking and releasing said bearing from within said socket.
3. A stand according to claim 2, wherein said releasable locking means comprises an extendable pin at the distal end of said first support arm which is selectively extendable into said socket to contact said bearing in order to lock said bearing within said socket.
4. A stand according to claim 3, wherein said extendable pin comprises a screw threaded pin which is selectively extended into and retracted from the socket by a screwing action.
5. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein said holding portion comprises one or more lower supports for supporting the lower edge of a mobile device.
6. A stand according to claim 5. wherein said one or more lower supports are longitudinally adjustable.
7. A stand according to any preceding claim wherein said holding portion comprises one or more upper supports for supporting the device at its upper edge.
8. A stand according to claim 7, wherein said one or more upper supports are longitudinally adjustable.
9. A stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said bearing and the inner surface of the socket cooperate in a friction fit, which can be overcome by manual force being applied by a user but is sufficient to counteract the weight of the mobile device and holding portion, when in use.
10. A stand according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said bearing comprises one or more protruding portions and the inner wall of the socket comprises one or more grooves, wherein said grooves define a plurality of respective predetermined orientations of said bearing and, therefore, said holding portion when said protruding portion is received therein.
11.A stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said base portion comprises a base and a second support arm extending therefrom, wherein said second support arm is connected to said first support arm by means of a pivotal joint.
12.A stand according to claim 11, further comprising locking means for selectively releasing said pivotal joint to allow pivotal movement of said first support arm relative to said second support arm and for locking said pivotal joint when a desired position of said first support arm is established.
13.A stand according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said base is removable from said second support arm.
14.A stand according to claim 13, comprising a push button release mechanism for selectively removing said base from said second support arm.
15.A stand according to any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising one or more elongate legs extending substantially transversely from said base.
16.A stand according to claim 15, comprising two elongate legs extending substantially transversely from said base, said legs being pivotally mounted on the base at their proximal ends, to allow pivoting of said legs from a first configuration where they are substantially adjacent to and parallel with each other, to a second substantially V-shaped configuration.
17.A mobile device stand, comprising a holding portion for holding a mobile device, a first support arm extending at its proximal end from said holding portion, a second support arm, connected to said first support arm and extending at its proximal end from a base portion, wherein said holding portion and said base portion are selectively removable from said first and second support arms respectively.