WO2011135028A2

WO2011135028A2 - Positioning devices

Info

Publication number: WO2011135028A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/056742
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Low Johnston
Original assignee: James Low Johnston
Priority date: 2010-04-28
Filing date: 2011-04-28
Publication date: 2011-11-03
Also published as: EP2563183A2; WO2011135028A3; GB2479903A; GB201007084D0

Abstract

Positioning devices are disclosed, for locating a first object (18) in a desired position and orientation with respect to a second object (for example, a users hand) (28). The first object may be, for example, a tablet computer, but may be any object having respective opposing faces (22, 24) possessing vertices that co-ordinate with each other to define at least two distally disposed corners (20). A positioning device (10) as described comprises a substantially planar member composed of an elastically deformable material and having a central portion (12) adapted to lie against a first one (22) of the opposing faces of the first object, and at least two engagement elements (14), joined to opposing sides of the central portion, each of the engagement elements being adapted to pass around a respective corner of the first object so that a portion (26) of such engagement element lies against the other of the opposing faces (24) of the first object. In use, with each of the engagement elements (14) in position around a respective corner (20) of the first object (18), the positioning device is stably attached to the first object (18), and the second object (such as a users hand) (28) may be held between the central portion (12) of the positioning device and the first one (22) of the opposing faces of the first object (18). The invention is of particular utility in stabilising hand-held devices, such as laptop, notebook, netbook or tablet computers, personal digital assistants, mobile telecommunications devices (e.g. mobile phones), data recording device and the like.

Description

POSITIONING DEVICES

This invention relates to positioning devices, and in particular to devices for locating one object (such as a hand-held device) in a desired position and orientation compared to a second object (such as the user's hand).

Many hand-held devices require, during at least some modes of use, to be held with one hand only, for example while a particular task is performed using the user's other hand. For instance, a computer of the tablet, laptop, notebook or netbook variety may be supported by one hand (e.g. in circumstances where a suitable supporting surface, such as a desktop, is not available), and the user's other hand employed to manipulate a keyboard or operate touch-screen functions. The same applies to other electronic hand-held devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and data recording devices (for example those used for recording meter readings, for stock control, for courier delivery docketing, etc). Equally, a range of other objects, such as clipboards, books, meters and tools, are often routinely held in one hand.

Holding an object in one hand can cause problems of instability, particularly when the object is larger than the user's hand (as may well be the case, for example, with a tablet computer or the like). There is therefore a need for means to assist in stabilising such objects, when held in one hand, so as to enable the user to position such an object securely in a desired position and orientation.

The present invention addresses this problem and provides a positioning device for locating a first object in a desired position and orientation with respect to a second object, the first object having respective opposing faces and at least two distally disposed corners, the positioning device comprising a substantially planar member composed of an elastically deformable material and having: a central portion adapted to lie against a first one of said opposing faces; and at least two engagement elements, joined to opposing sides of said central portion, each of said engagement elements being adapted to pass around a respective corner of said first object so that a portion of such engagement element lies against the other of said opposing faces of said first object; whereby, when each of said engagement elements is in position around a respective corner of said first object, said positioning device is stably attached to said first object, and whereby said second object may be held between said central portion of said positioning device and the first one of said opposing faces of said first object.

In many embodiments, the corners may be formed by pairs of vertices on the respective opposing faces, which are co-ordinated in position in relation to each other. For example, the first object may have substantially prismatic form, with the opposing faces being in substantially parallel planes and the corners extending as substantially perpendicular edges between vertices positioned at peripheral portions of the opposing faces. In specific examples which are of particular practical utility, the first object may be essentially cuboid in form, with the depth of the perpendicular edges being substantially less than the length and width of the opposing faces (as is the case, for example, with a tablet computer, a clipboard, etc).

Although the invention was initially conceived and is particularly suitable for use with hand held objects, its use is not confined to such a mode of operation. Devices according to the invention may equally be used with objects held in two hands, as well as those supported on objects other than the human hand (for example, brackets, plinths, etc.). For the sake of simplicity, the following description will refer principally to devices for use with hand-held objects, and in particular, the example of a tablet computer will be used. It will be appreciated, however, that this is simply for the purpose of illustration and it should be borne in mind that the invention is of much more general applicability.

In one mode of usage of devices according to the invention, the second object (e.g. the user's hand) is sandwiched between the first object (i.e. the object to be positioned and orientated) and the central portion of the positioning device. For convenience, the positioning device may be sized in relation to the object to be held, so that the central portion is held in tension and thereby serves to bias the positioning device towards the second object and the first object. The elastically deformable material may, for example, be natural or synthetic rubber, latex rubber or a suitable elastomeric material. By way of example, one suitable material for use in devices of the invention is Supatex^® latex sheet, available from Four D Rubber Co Limited of Heanor, Derbyshire (UK). Preferably, the thickness of material is in the range 0.65 to 1.0 mm. For use with hand-held objects, it is convenient that the object should rest against and be supported by the palm and/or fingers of the user's hand. In such cases, the central portion of the positioning device engages the back of the user's hand and engagement elements on opposing sides of the central portion engage respective corners on opposing sides of the hand-held object. The engagement elements may first be engaged with respective corners on the object to be held and the elastically deformable material may then be stretched outwardly to permit insertion of the user's hand between the central portion and the hand-held object. The return force serves to grip the user's hand between the positioning device and the hand held object, thus retaining the hand-held object in position relative to the user's hand.

The substantially planar member of the positioning device may conveniently be formed as an integral shaped sheet of elastically deformable material. This may be formed, for example, by cutting or pressing a single shaped article from a larger sheet of elastically deformable material or by moulding or casting an elastically deformable material into the desired shape of the integral shaped sheet. By way of example, latex rubber material may be used, either cut from a sheet or cast into the desired shape, the material having sufficient resilience to afford stability during use but also having sufficient flexibility so as not to constrict the user's hands or to cause the user discomfort.

In many embodiments of positioning device according to the invention, the central portion comprises a web of elastically deformable material, and each of the engagement elements comprises a closed ring of the same material. The closed rings define apertures through which respective corners of the first object protrude. The positioning device may be provided with a number of engagement elements which corresponds directly to the number of corners on the object to be held. For example, a substantially flat rectangular article (such as a tablet computer) may conveniently be held using a positioning device provided with four engagement elements. However, it is not essential that the number of engagement elements correspond exactly to the number of corners on the object to be held. It is, for example, possible for the engagement elements to engage only some of a number of available corners. It is also possible that a single engagement element may engage two or more corners, as will be described in more detail below.

In circumstances in which the object to be held possesses a face or aspect which is designed to be viewed by the user (for example the screen of a tablet computer, a meter, etc.), the width of the elastically deformable material forming each of the engagement elements may be constructed to be sufficiently small that the engagement elements do not obscure a substantial portion of the visible surface of the object. Additionally, when the object to be held has a folding mechanism (as will be the case, for example, with a lap-top or notebook computer), the thickness of the elastically deformable material forming each of the engagement elements may be arranged to be sufficiently small that the engagement elements do not interfere with the folding mechanism or prevent the object from being fully folded.

For ease and comfort of use, positioning devices adapted for hand-held objects may be provided with a fabric lining on the inner surface of the central portion, i.e. the surface which comes into contact with the hand of the use. The central portion may additionally or alternatively be provided with ventilation apertures, for the user's comfort.

In an alternative mode of usage, a positioning device according to the invention, attached to an object in such a manner that the central portion of the positioning device lies against the base of the object, may be used to position the object on a flat support surface, such as a desk-top. For such a mode of usage, the nature of the surface of the central portion of the positioning device which is outwardly facing may be such as to enhance the co-efficient of friction between the object and the surface upon which it is placed. This friction-enhancing effect may either result from the nature of the material from which the positioning device is composed or it may be provided by friction-enhancing features on the surface of the central portion, such as raised and / or indented portions.

It is envisaged that some positioning devices according to the invention will be provided commercially as peripherals for electronic hand-held devices such as tablet computers, and that others will be issued corporately to employees (for example those using hand-held devices for stock control, delivery docketing, etc). In such cases, the devices may readily be branded, for example by incorporating a trade mark or logo. For instance, a logo may be printed onto or adhered to the outer surface of the positioning device, or incorporated during the manufacturing procedure. Individual devices may also be personalised, for example by affixing names or logos. Specific provision may be made for personalisation, for example by providing a blank (e.g. white) portion of the device, upon which personal information may be printed, written or etched.

The invention is hereinafter described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan of an embodiment of positioning device according to the invention, shown against an object to which the device is to be attached (with solid lines indicating a relaxed configuration and ghosted lines a stretched configuration of the device);

Fig. 2 shows the reverse side (i.e. the visible face) of the device of the hand- held object illustrated in Fig. 1, with the positioning device attached;

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of positioning device according to the invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of positioning device according to the invention; Fig. 5 illustrates a still further alternative embodiment of positioning device according to the invention; and

Fig. 6 illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment of positioning device according to the invention.

In all of Figs. 3 to 6, the positioning devices are shown attached to a generally rectangular object, the majority of the device (lying behind the object) being shown in ghosted lines.

Referring to Fig. 1, positioning device 10 comprises central portion 12 disposed between four engagement elements 14. Each engagement element 14 consists of a closed ring of elastically deformable material (such as latex rubber), defining an aperture 16. Central portion 12 is also composed of the same elastically deformable material, and in the illustrated embodiment the whole positioning device is constructed as a single integral shaped sheet of such material. Positioning device 10 is shown against a substantially rectangular object 18 (such as a tablet computer).

The solid outline of positioning device 10 in Fig. 1 illustrates the shape of the device in a relaxed condition. In order to attach the device to object 18, each of the engagement elements 14 is stretched outwardly (as shown in ghosted lines) and each corner 20 of object 18 is inserted through a respective aperture 16. Upon release, each engagement element tends to retract, thus gripping corners 20 and holding central portion 12 in tension, against base 22 of object 18.

Referring to Fig. 2 (which shows the opposite side of object 18 from Fig. 1), face 24 comprises, for example, the screen of a tablet computer. When attached to object 18, positioning device 10 appears as shown (largely ghosted) in Fig. 2, with distal portions 26 of engagement elements 14 passing round corners 20 and resting against face 24. Object 18 is thus held in position relative to positioning device 10. The width of distal portions 26 is relatively narrow, so that only a small portion of face 24 is hidden behind them. The thickness of distal portions 26 is also relatively small, so that, when used on a folding device (such as a lap-top or notebook computer), distal portions 26 do not stand sufficiently proud that they may interfere with the full closing of the folding device.

Fig. 2 also illustrates (partially ghosted) the position of a hand 28 of a user of positioning device 10, when supporting object 18. The user's fingers 30 are inserted between central portion 12 of positioning device 10 and base 22 of object 18, and the tension in positioning device 10 causes central portion 12 to be biased towards base 22, when deformed away therefrom by the user's hand. Central portion 12 thus grips user's fingers 30, effectively sandwiching them between positioning device 10 and base 22 of object 18 and thereby serving to fix object 18 in position relative to the user's hand 28. It will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 is merely exemplary. It would also be possible, for example, for the user to insert all or part of the palm of his or her hand between central portion 12 and base 22, depending on the shape and dimensions of object 18 and positioning device 10.

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative shape of positioning device 32, which is similar to positioning device 10 of Figs. 1 and 2 but which has a substantially broader central portion 34, provided with ventilation apertures 35. Such a configuration may be preferred where it is desired to maximise the area of contact with the user's hand (or with an alternative supporting "second object"). A broad central portion 34 also affords greater scope for branding or personalisation of the positioning device, by application of textual and/ or pictorial matter. Fig^s- 3 to 5 show some of the many possible alternative embodiments of positioning device according to the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the engagement elements of positioning device 36 are formed as two distal portions of a single loop of elastically deformable material having a single aperture 38 which is able to accommodate opposite corners 40 of object 42. In this embodiment, central portion 44 is composed of two separate limbs.

The embodiment of Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. 3, save that engagement elements comprise loops having distinct apertures 48, separated by central portion 50. This embodiment is somewhat more stable, but also somewhat less flexible, than the embodiment of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a further alternative embodiment, having three engagement elements, each comprising a distinct loop. A three-looped device may be particularly suitable use with a triangular object (or any object having at least three corners) but it may also be used, as in the illustrated embodiment, with a four-cornered object. In this case, positioning device 52 has one large engagement loop 54 and two smaller engagement loops 56. Large engagement loop 54 engages two adjacent corners 58 of object 60, while each of smaller loops 56 engages a single corner 62.

As will readily be imagined, many further alternative arrangements and configurations are feasible, within the scope of the invention, depending of the size and shape of the objects concerned.

Claims

1. A positioning device for locating a first object in a desired position and orientation with respect to a second object, the first object having respective opposing faces possessing vertices that co-ordinate with each other to define at least two distally disposed corners of said first object, the positioning device comprising a substantially planar member composed of an elastically deformable material and having:

a central portion adapted to lie against a first one of said opposing faces; and

at least two engagement elements, joined to opposing sides of said central portion, each of said engagement elements being adapted to pass around a respective corner of said first object so that a portion of such engagement element lies against the other of said opposing faces of said first object;

whereby, when each of said engagement elements is in position around a respective corner of said first object, said positioning device is stably attached to said first object, and whereby said second object may be held between said central portion of said positioning device and the first one of said opposing faces of said first object.

2. A positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said elastically deformable material is composed of natural or synthetic rubber, latex rubber, or a suitable elastomeric material.

3. A positioning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first object is a hand-held device and said second object is a hand of a user of the handheld device.

4. A positioning device according to claim 3, wherein said hand-held device is an electronic device such as a laptop, notebook, netbook or tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telecommunications device, a data recording device or the like.

5. A positioning device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said desired position is with a base portion of the hand-held device resting against and being supported by the palm and/ or fingers of the user's hand.

6. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, sized in relation to said first object so that, in use, with said engagement elements engaging respective corners of said first object, said central portion is held in tension.

7. A positioning device according to claim 6, as appendant to claim 3 or to any claim dependent therefrom, wherein, in use, the elastically deformable material of the positioning device may be stretched to permit insertion of the user's hand between said central portion and said hand-held device, the return force serving to grip the user's hand between the positioning device and the hand-held device, thus retaining the hand-held device in position relative to the user's hand.

8. A positioning device according to claim 7, wherein the material from which the device is composed is of sufficient resilience to afford stability to the hand- held object and of sufficient flexibility so as not to constrict or cause discomfort to the user's hand.

9. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein said substantially planar member is formed as an integral shaped sheet of elastically deformable material.

10. A positioning device according to claim 9, wherein said integral shaped sheet is formed by cutting or pressing a single shaped article from a larger sheet of elastically deformable material or by moulding or casting an elastically deformable material into the desired shape of said integral shaped sheet.

11. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein said central portion comprises a web of said elastically deformable material and each of said engagement elements comprises a closed ring of such material, defining within said closed ring an aperture through which, in use, a respective corner of said first object protrudes.

12. A positioning device according to claim 3 or to any claim appendant thereto, wherein said central portion is faced on its surface which, in use, comes contact with the hand of the user, with a fabric adapted to promote the comfort of the user.

13. A positioning device according to claim 3 or to any claim appendant thereto, wherein said central portion is provided with ventilation apertures, to promote the comfort of the user.

14. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of said elastically deformable material forming each of said engagement elements is sufficiently small that said engagement elements do not obscure a substantial portion of the visible surface of the first object, when in use.

15. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, for use with an object having a folding mechanism, wherein the thickness of said elastically deformable material forming each of said engagement elements is sufficiently small that said engagement elements do not prevent said first object being fully folded.

16. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, having three or more engagement elements.

17. A positioning device according to claim 16, having four engagement elements, adapted for use with a four-cornered first object.

18. A positioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the nature of the surface of at least said central portion which is outwardly facing when said device is applied to a first object, is such as to enhance the coefficient of friction between said first object and a surface upon which said object is placed.

19. A positioning device according to claim 18, wherein the elastically deformable material provides a friction-enhancing effect.

20. A positioning device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the outwardly facing surface of the central portion is provided with friction-enhancing features such as raised and/ or indented portions.

21. A positioning device substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.