WO2018140035A1

WO2018140035A1 - Support pads for portable devices

Info

Publication number: WO2018140035A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/015341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei-Ming Wu
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2017-01-27
Filing date: 2017-01-27
Publication date: 2018-08-02

Abstract

An example support pad includes an elongated member to be affixed to a base portion of the portable device. The elongated member may include a first end portion and a second end portion. The elongated member may further include a groove that separates the first end portion from the second end portion. The groove fits on the base portion to enable the second end portion to bend with respect to the first end portion. Further, the second end portion may include an engaging member to detachably engage the second end portion with the base portion of the portable device.

Description

SUPPORT PADS FOR PORTABLE DEVICES

BACKGROUND

[00013 Portable devices, such as notebooks, tablets, and laptops, include a body for accommodating various components of the portable devices. The body of a portable device is generally assembled by means of fasteners. The fasteners may be disposed ai various locations on the body, including a base portion of the body. The base portion may come in contact with a surface on which the portable device rests, In certain cases, a head portion of the fastener, such as a screw, may remain exposed from the base portion. This may affect the stability of the portable device when placed on the surface. As a result, the portable device may fail down and cause damage. In order to stabilize the portable device, support pads are mounted on the base portion. The support pads, apart from stabilizing the portable device, provide aesthetic appeal to the portable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a support pad coupled to a portable device, according to an example of the present subject matter.

[0004J FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of β support pad, according to an example of the present subject matter.

[OO0S] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a closed configuration of a support pad, according to an example of the present subject matter. [0006] FIG. 38 illustrates an open configuration of a support pad, according to another example of the present subject matter.

[00073 FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a support pad, according to another example of the present subject matter.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a support pad, according to an example of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

10009] Generally, support pads are disposed on a base portion of a body of a portable device to stabilize the portable device when placed on a surface, in addition, the support pads serve the purpose of concealing any exposed portions of the fasteners. The support pads are affixed to the base portion by applying an adhesive. However, in order to service the portable device or to repair or replace a component, the body of the portable device has to be disassembled. This may involve continually removing the support pads from the base portion. For example, the support pads have to be completely detached from the base portion to access the fasteners. Such recurring detachment of the support pads may reduce adhesive capability of the adhesive and may render the support pad non-usable over a period of time. Moreover, frequently removing the support pads may result in the support pads being misplaced.

[0010] The present subject matter discloses a support pad and a portable device implementing the support pad. The support pad of the present subject matter is partially adhered to the portable device, thereby providing access to the fasteners without compromising on the adhesive capability of the support pad. In addition, as the support pad is not completely detached from the base portion of the portable device, the support pad is less prone to be misplaced.

[0011] In an example implementation, the support pad may include an elongated member for being affixed to the base portion of the portable device. The elongated member may include a first end portion and a second end portion. Further, the support pad may include an adhesive layer disposed over the first end portion to fixedly attach the elongated member to the base portion. The second end portion may include an engaging member to detachab!y engage the second end portion with the base portion. As the second end portion is not fixedly attached to the base portion, the second end portion facilitates in lifting the support pad during any repair work,

|0012] Further, the elongated member may include a groove that separates the first end portion from the second end portion. The groove enables bending the second end portion with respect to the first end portion. During any maintenance activity, the support pad may be lifted from the second end portion to expose the fasteners attached to the body of the portable device. As the second end portion of the support pad is detachable, the support pad provides ease in accessing the fasteners. Furthermore, as the elongated member is partially detached, the support pad may not get misplaced during the maintenance activity. In addition, due to the partial detachment of the elongated member from the base portion, the adhesiveness of the elongated member is not compromised.

[00133 The various systems and methods are further described in conjunction with the following figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Further, various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. The manner in which the systems depicting various implementation of a support pad are explained in detail with respect to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a support pad 100 coupled to a portable device 150, according to an example of the present subject matter. In an example, the portable device 150 may include, but is not limited to, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a tablet, a notebook, and a mobile phone. Further, the portable device 150 may include a body 152 for enclosing various components of the portable device 150. Examples of the components may include a processing unit, a memory, a printed circuit board, and the like.

[0015] in an example, the body 152 may include a base portion 154 that comes in contact with a surface on which the portable device 150 is placed. For instance, the surface may be a table, an office desk, and the like. In an example, the body 152 of the portable device 150 may be assembled using fasteners, such as a fastener 156. Examples of the fastener 156 may include, but are not limited to, a screw, a nut and bolt, and a pin and rivet. The fastener 156 may be mounted at different locations on the body 152, including the base portion 154,

|001δ] In order to prevent the portable device 150 from slipping away, when placed on the surface, the support pad 100 may be affixed to the base portion 154 of the portable device 150. The support pad 100 may include an elongated member 102. In an example, the elongated member 102 may include a first end portion 104-1 and a second end portion 104-2. Further, the elongated member 102 may inciude a groove 106 to separate the first end portion 104-1 from the second end portion 104-2. In an example implementation, the support pad 100 may include an adhesive layer 108 disposed on the first end portion 104-1. The adhesive layer 108 may fixedly attach the elongated member 102 to the portable device 150. The adhesive layer 108 may include a pressure sensitive adhesive, a structural adhesive, and the like.

[0017] !n an example implementation, the support pad 100 may be attached to the base portion 154 such that the support pad 100 covers the fastener 158 coupled to the base portion 154. White disposing the support pad 100 on the base portion 154, the first end portion 104-1 may fee fixed to the base portion 154 of the portable device 150. In an example, the first end portion 104-1 may be fixedly attached to the base portion 154 by using the adhesive layer 108,

|0018] Further, the elongated member 102 may.be aligned with the base portion 154 to mount the second end portion 104-2 of the elongated member 102 on the fastener 156. The second end portion 104-2 thereby protects the fastener 156 and provides aesthetic appeal to the portable device 150, In use, the second end portion 104-2 may be lifted upwards tilt the groove 106 to expose the fastener 156 for accessing the components of the portable device 150.

[0019] Now referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the support pad 100 is illustrated, according to an example of the present subject matter. In an example, the support pad 100 may be made of a resilient material. Examples of the resilient materia! may include, but are not limited to, a rubber material, a plastic material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The elongated member 102 of the support pad 100 may be affixed to a portable device, such as the portable device 150. As described with respect to FIG. 1 , the elongated member 102 may include the first end portion 104-1 and the second end portion 104-2, separated by the groove 106. In an example, the groove 106 may create a depression in the elongated member 102 to reduce a thickness of the elongated member 102 at a region of the groove 108, In an example, the groove 106 enables bending the second end portion 104-2 with respect to the first end portion 104-1. Further, the adhesive layer 108 may fixedly attach the elongated member 102 to the portable device 150.

[00213 In an example implementation, the second end portion 104-2 may include an engaging member 200. The engaging member 200 may detachabSy engage the second end portion 104-2 with the portable device, such as the portable device 150. While mounting the support pad 100 on the portable device 150, the second end portion 104-2 is placed so as to cover the fastener 156 thereunder, in an example, the engaging member 200 may be defined as a cavity in the second end portion 104-2 of the elongated member 102. For example, the engaging member 200 is contoured to conform to a shape of the fastener 156, such as a screw.

[0022] In an example implementation, the groove 106 allows a relative movement of the first end portion 104-1 and the second end portion 104-2 about an axis. of the groove 106. For example, the groove 108 allows bending the second end-portion 104-2 towards or away from the first end portion 104- 1. Accordingly, the groove 106 is arranged on the portable device to enable detachment of the second end portion 104-2 without disturbing the attachment of the first end portion 104-1 .

[00233 Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B to describe a closed configuration 300 and an open configuration 350 of a support pad, such as the support pad 100, respectively, according to different examples of the present subject matter, As described earlier, the support pad 100 is mounted on the portabie device 150 by fixedly attaching the first end portion 104-1 to the base portion 154. in an example, the first end portion 104-1 may be fixed to the base portion 154 by the adhesive layer 108. The adhesive layer 108 may include a pressure sensitive adhesive, a structural adhesive, and the tike,

[0024] Before attaching the first end portion 104-1, the elongated member 102 of the support pad 100 is aligned with the base portion 154 of the body 152. For example, the elongated member 102 is aligned to place the groove 106 over a protruding element 302 of the base portion 154. In an example, the groove 108 may create a depression in the elongated member 102. The depression facilitates in imparting a hinge movement to the first end portion 104-1 with respect to the second end portion 104-2. Further, the groove 108 separates the first end portion 104-1 from the second end portion 104-2. Accordingly, the groove 106 ensures that connection between the first end portion 104-1 and the base portion 154 is not affected by the bending of the second end portion 104-2,

[0025] Once the first end portion 104-1 and the groove 106 are secured to the base portion 154, the second end portion 104-2 is engaged with the base portion 154, In an example, the engaging member 200 of the second end portion 104-2 is detachabiy engaged with the base portion 154 to cover the fastener 156 coupled to the base portion 154 of the portabie device 150, in an example, the engaging member 200 is contoured to cover the fastener 156 coupled to the base portion 154 of the portabie device 150. The second end portion 104-2 enables the support pad 100 to attain the closed configuration 300 and the open configuration 350.

[0026] In the closed configuration 300, the second end portion 104-2 of the eiongated member 102 is attached to the base portion 154 of the portable device 150, in an example, ihe engaging member 200 may be contoured to cover a head portion of the fastener 156, Thus, the engaging member 200 may be connected to the base portion 154. The second end portion 104-2 thereby protects the fastener 156 by concealing the fastener 156 underneath the engaging member 200,

[0027] When any maintenance activity, such as repair or replacement of a component, is to be performed, the fastener 156 covered under the support pad 100 is to be removed. In this case, the support pad 100 acquires the open configuration 350. In the open configuration 350, the second end portion 104- 2 of the support pad 100 is lifted upwards to expose the head portion, such as the head portion 352 of the fastener 156. Upon completion of the maintenance activity, the second end portion 104-2 of the support pad 100 may be reattached to the base portion 154, The second end portion 104-2 therefore faciiitates in accessing the fastener 156 without completely detaching the support pad 100 from the base portion 154.

£0028] in an example implementation, when the second end portion 104- 2 Is Sifted upwards, the groove 106 facilitates bending of the second end portion 104-2 towards the first end portion 104-1. As the support pad 100 is made of a resilient material, the bending of the second end portion 104-2 may not affect the strength of the support pad 100. Further, the groove 106 may fit onto the protruding member 302 to enable re!easably connecting the second end portion 104-2 with the base portion 154. in addition, the groove 106 prevents detachment of the first end portion 104-1 from the base portion 154 thereby maintaining adhesiveness of the first end portion 104-1.

[0029] F!G. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a support pad, such as the support pad 100, according to another example of the present subject matter. In the present example, the portable device 150 may not include a fastener that may penetrate in the body 152 of the portable device 150 through a hole, in an example, the body 152 of the portable device 150 may be assembled together without a mechanical fastener. For instance, the body 152 may include interlocking components that may be pushed together to be attached to each other.

[0030] in such scenario, the support pad 100 of the present implementation facilitates In providing a tight connection of the body 152 of the portable device 150, in absence of any mechanical fasteners. The support pad 100 may snuggiy fit with a corresponding portion of the base portion 154. Accordingly, the engaging member 200 facilitates in firmly attaching the support pad 100 with the base portion 154,

10031] FIGS. 4 illustrate a support pad 400 disposed on a portable device 450, according to an example of the present subject matter. In an example, the support pad 400 may be made of a resilient material. Examples of the resilient material may include, but are not Iimited to, a rubber materiai, a plastic material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic potyurethane material, or a combination thereot Further, the portable device 450 may include, but Is not Iimited to, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a personal computer, a tablet, and a notebook, The portable device 450 may include a body 452. Further, the body 452 may include a base portion 454 that comes In contact on which the portable device 450 rests.

|0032] Further, the support pad 400 may include an elongated member, 402 such as the elongated member 102, having a first end portion 404-1 and a second end portion 404-2. The first end portion 404-1 may include an adhesive layer 406, such as the adhesive layer 108, disposed thereon. The adhesive layer 408 may fixedly attach the elongated member 402 to the base portion 454 of the portable device 450. In an example, the adhesive layer 406 may foe a pressyre sensitive tape, such as a double sided tape.

[0033] The elongated member 402 may include a groove 408, such as the groove 106 that separates the first end portion 404-1 from the second end portion 404-2. in an example, the groove 408 may create a depression in the elongated member 402. The depression facilitates In imparting a hinge movement to the first end portion 104-1 with respect to the second end portion 104-2. The groove 408 may thereby allow relative movement of the first end portion 404-1 and the second end portion 404-2 about an axis of the groove 408. The elongated member 402 of the present embodiment is similar to the eiongated member 102 of FfG. 1, Therefore, details pertaining to different eiements of the elongated member 402 are not provided here for the sake of brevity.

[0034] In the present Implementation, the second end portion 404-2 of the support pad 400 may include a fastener 410 to engage with the base portion 454 to assemble the portable device 450. The fasiener 410 may extend outwards from the second end portion 404-2 to connect with the base portion 454 of the portable device 450. The fastener 410 may be integrated with the second end portion 404-2 of the support pad 400.

|003S] While mounting the support pad 400 on the portable device 450, the fastener 410 may be aligned with a hoie 456 defined in the portable device 450. In an example, the fastener 410 may snap fit info the hole 456 to assemble the portable device 450. In an example implementation, the support pad 400 may provide stability to the portable device 450 as well as facilitate in assembling the body 452 of the portable device 450. |0036] Although implementations of a support pad for a portable device, have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed and explained in the context of a few example Implementations for the support pad for the portable device.

Claims

e claim:

1. A support pad for a portable device, the support pad comprising;

an elongated member to be affixed to a base portion of the portabie device, the elongated member comprising:

a first end portion to be fixed to the base portion;

a second end portion; and

a groove separating the first end portion from the second end portion, and shaped to fit on the base portion to enable the second end portion to bend with respect to the first end portion, wherein the second end portion comprises an engaging member to detachab!y engage with the base portion of the portable device.

2. The support: pad as claimed in claim 1 comprising an adhesive layer disposed over the first end portion to fixedly attach the elongated member to the base portion of the portabie device.

3. The support pad as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support pad is made of a resilient material

4. The support pad as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resilient material is a rubber material, a plastic material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic poiyurethane material, or a combination thereof.

5. The support pad as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member is contoured to cover a fastener coupled to the base portion of the portable device.

8. The support pad as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member is a fastener,

7. A portable device comprising: a base portion;

a support pad disposed on the base portion, the support pad comprising:

an elongated member affixed on the base portion of the portable device, the elongated member comprising:

a first end portion and a second end portion;

a groove formed in the elongated member to create a depression in the elongated member, the groove separates the first end portion from the second end portion; and

an adhesive layer disposed over the first end portion to fixedly attach the elongated member to the base portion of the portable device.

8. The portable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end portion comprises an engaging member to detachab!y engage with the base portion of the portable device.

9. The portable device as claimed in claim 8, wheresn the engaging member Is a fastener.

10. The portable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the engaging member is contoured to cover a fastener coupled to the base portion of the portable device,

11. The portable device as claimed in claim 7_t wherein the support pad is made of a resilient material.

12. A support pad for a portable device, the support pad comprising:

an elongated member comprising: a first end portion having an adhesive layer disposed thereon, to fixedly attach the elongated member to a base portion of the portable device;

a second end portion; and

a groove separating the first end portion from the second end portion, the groove allows relative movement of the first end portion and the second end portion about an axis of the groove, wherein the second end portion comprises a fastener to engage with the base portion to assemble the portable device.

13. The support pad as claimed in claim 12, wherein the groove creates a depression in the elongated member.

14. The support pad as claimed in claim 12, wherein adhesive iayer is a pressure sensitive tape.

15. The support pad as claimed in ciaim 12, wherein the elongated member is made of a resilient material.