WO2019236089A1

WO2019236089A1 - Electronic devices including support plates

Info

Publication number: WO2019236089A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/036462
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiang Ma; Chan Woo Park; Jose LO; Baosheng ZHANG; Chi-Hao Chang; Kuan-Ting Wu
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2019-12-12

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a peripheral portion, a support plate, and a hinge structure pivotally connecting the peripheral portion, the support plate and a bar to which a display portion is detachably mountable. Via the hinge structure, the support plate is automatically pivotally movable from a position at a non-obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion to a position in which the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the peripheral portion.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICES INCLUDING SUPPORT PLATES

Background

[0001] Portable electronic devices have revolutionized the way we handle information and communicate. Some portable electronic devices, such as a tablet computer, are removably connectable to peripherals, such as a keyboard.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] FIG. 1 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in two different example configurations.

[0003] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration.

[0004] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration.

[0005] FIG. 4 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration.

[0006] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration.

[0007] FIG. 6 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example closed configuration.

[0008] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial isometric view schematically representing the example electronic device of FIG. 6 in the example closed configuration.

[0009] FIG. 8 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration in which a display portion is detached from a base portion.

[0010] FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically representing an example electronic device.

[0011] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram schematically representing an example method of manufacturing. [0012] FIG. 1 1 is a flow diagram schematically representing an example method of manufacturing.

Detailed Description

[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense. It is to be understood that features of the various examples described herein may be combined, in part or whole, with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0014] In some examples, an electronic device comprises a peripheral portion, a support plate, and a bar to which a display portion is detachably mountable (e.g. removably connectable), with a hinge structure pivotally connecting the peripheral portion, the support plate and the bar. In some such examples, the hinge structure is to cause the support plate being automatically pivotally movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the support plate extends at a non-obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion when the bar is in a third position at an acute angle relative to the peripheral portion. In the second position, the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the peripheral portion when the bar is in a fourth position at a non-acute angle relative to the peripheral portion.

[0015] In some such examples, via the hinge structure, the support plate is to automatically pivotally move from the first position into the second position in response to the bar being pivotally moved from the third position to the fourth position and the support plate is to automatically pivotally move from the second position into the first position when the bar is pivotally moved from the fourth position to the third position. It will be understood that this pivotal movement refers to movement relative to a pivot axis as the various elements (e.g. the bar, the support plate, etc.) are rotationally positioned along an orientation generally transverse to the pivot axis.

[0016] It will be understood that pivotal movement of the bar (relative to the peripheral portion) is caused by a user directly manipulating the bar or the user manipulating a display portion when detachably mounted to the bar. However, the support plate is not moved by direct manipulation by the user, but rather is automatically moved via the hinge structure in response to the user manipulating the rotational position of the bar and/or the detachably mounted display portion.

[0017] Via this arrangement, a user may rotate a display portion (detachably mounted to the bar) to a rotational position at an obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion without the electronic device tipping over because the support plate in its extended, releasably locked second position counteracts the weight of the display portion. Accordingly, among other things, this arrangement enables design and construction of the peripheral portion to have significantly less weight than it otherwise might have included if the peripheral portion were used as a primary counterbalance to the display portion. Accordingly, via these example arrangements, the electronic device may have an overall lower weight with the peripheral portion having a weight substantially less than a weight of the display portion.

[0018] The examples, and additional examples are further described below in association with at least FIGS. 1 -1 1.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device 20 in two different example configurations 22, 24. In some examples, the electronic device 20 may comprise a peripheral portion 30, a support plate 40, and a bar 70, with a hinge structure 50 pivotally connecting the peripheral portion 30, the support plate 40, and the bar 70. In some examples, the peripheral portion 30, support plate 40, hinge structure 50 (including bar 70) may collectively sometimes be referred to as, and comprise, a base 76. In some examples, the base 76 is manipulable between at least the two different example configurations 22, 24 as further described below. [0020] It will be understood from at least FIGS. 1 and 8 that in some examples, a display portion 60 is detachably mountable to the bar 70 of base 76 with FIG. 1 showing display portion 60 in its detachably mounted configuration and FIG. 8 representing display portion 60 in its detached configuration. In some examples, such detachable mounting sometimes may be referred to as docking. It will be understood that the base 76 also may sometimes be referred to as an electronic device even when display portion 60 is not detachably mounted to the bar 70 of base 76.

[0021] In some examples, the peripheral portion 30 is generally rigid or generally stiff and may be a generally rectangular shape. In some examples, the peripheral portion 30 may comprises other shapes, such as a trapezoidal shape, etc.

[0022] The hinge structure 50 pivotally connects the peripheral portion 30, support plate 40, and bar 70, such that these elements are pivotally movable (e.g. rotatable) relative to each other. It will be understood that pivotal movement of at least bar 70 is positively controlled via hinge structure 50 and not freely pivotal. In other words, upon a user pushing or pulling the bar 70 (and detachably mounted display portion 60) to a different rotational position relative to peripheral portion 30, the bar 70 will remain in its newly obtained position until the user affirmatively causes a change in such position.

[0023] In some examples, the hinge structure 50 comprises a single pivot axis 56 centrally located relative to the bar 70, the support plate 40, and the peripheral portion 30. As further shown in at least FIG. 1 , throughout its range of pivotal movement about pivot axis 56, the bar 70 remains interposed between the support plate 40 and the peripheral portion 30.

[0024] In some examples, the hinge structure 50 comprises the sole hinge structure of the electronic device 20 and pivot axis 56 comprises the sole pivot axis of the electronic device 20.

[0025] In some such examples, via the hinge structure 50 the support plate 40 is automatically pivotally movable between a first position and a second position. As shown by the example configuration 22 in FIG. 1 , in the first position the support plate 40 extends at a non-obtuse angle Q relative to the peripheral portion 30 when the bar 70 is in a third position at an acute angle f relative to the peripheral portion 30. It will be understood that, in some examples the term third position refers to the bar 70 having any one of a plurality of different acute angles from 1 to 89 degrees relative to a first surface 36 of the peripheral portion 30. Similarly, it will be understood that, in some examples, the term first position refers to the support plate 40 having any angle, relative to the first surface 36 of the peripheral portion 30, from 1 to 90 degrees, which may be consequently referred to as a non-obtuse angle.

[0026] In this first example configuration 22, the weight of display portion 60 (when detachably mounted on bar 70) is located wholly or primarily over the peripheral portion 30 such that the whole arrangement (electronic device 20) remains generally weight-balanced.

[0027] As shown by the example configuration 24 in FIG. 1 , in the second position the support plate 40 extends at a 180 degree angle relative to the peripheral portion 30 when the bar 70 is in a fourth position at at least a 90 degree angle relative the peripheral portion 30. It will be understood that in the second position, the support plate 40 remains in its releasably locked 180 degree position, as long as the bar 70 remains in the fourth position. In this position, the support plate 40 may be referred to as extending in generally the same plane as the peripheral portion 30. In some such examples, extending in the same plane corresponds to the support plate 40 being at a 180 degree angle relative to the peripheral portion, while extending in generally the same plane may comprise extending within a range of angles, such at but not limited to, 179 to 181 degrees relative to the peripheral portion.

[0028] In some examples, the support plate 40 may extend in its releasably lockable position at an angle (relative to the peripheral portion 30) of about 190 to about 210 degrees to elevate the peripheral portion 30 for better ergonomics and to resist tipping.

[0029] In some examples, the fourth position of the bar 70 corresponds to the bar extending at any angle from 90 degrees to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the peripheral portion 30. [0030] With this in mind, via the hinge structure 50, the support plate 40 is to automatically pivotally move from the first position into the second position in response to the bar 70 being pivotally moved from the third position to the fourth position and the support plate 40 is to automatically pivotally move from the second position into the first position in response to the bar being pivotally moved from the fourth position to the third position. In some examples, when the bar 70 is in the third position and consequently the support plate 40 is in the first position, the electronic device 20 may be referred to as being in the first configuration 22. In some examples, the example first configuration 22 may sometimes be referred to as a partially open configuration.

[0031] Via this arrangement, a user may rotate a display portion 60 (detachably mounted to the bar) to any one of many different rotational positions at an obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion 30 without the electronic device 20 tipping over because the support plate 40 in its extended, releasably locked second position counteracts the weight of the display portion 60. Accordingly, among other things, this arrangement enables design and construction of the peripheral portion 30 to have significantly less weight than it otherwise might have if used as the primary counterbalance to the display portion 60. Accordingly, via these example arrangements, the electronic device 20 may have an overall lower weight with the peripheral portion 30 having a weight substantially less than a weight of the display portion 60.

[0032] In the example configuration 22 of FIG. 1 , as a user pivotally moves the bar 70 (and display portion 60 when detachably mounted to the bar 70) away from the peripheral portion 30 into a more open position such as the example configuration 24 in FIG. 1 , the hinge structure 50 causes the support plate 40 to gradually pivot away from the peripheral portion 30. With continued upward pivotal movement of the bar 70, the bar 70 will eventually reach a position perpendicular to peripheral portion 30 corresponding to the example configuration 24 in FIG. 1. As soon as the bar 70 reaches this generally perpendicular position, the hinge structure 50 causes the support plate 40 to automatically and promptly pivotally move (as represented by directional arrow F) into its releasably locked, second position in which the support plate 40 is 180 degrees relative to the peripheral portion 30 as shown per example configuration 24 in FIG. 1.

[0033] When in its second position, the support plate 40 does not pivotally rotate or extend beyond the 180 degree angle relative to the peripheral portion 30. In some such examples, the support plate 40 does not extend underneath the peripheral portion 30. In some such examples, the support plate 40 does not extend underneath the hinge structure 50 and its pivot axis 56. Rather, in its releasably lockable second position, the support plate extends laterally relative to the hinge structure 50 and laterally relative to the peripheral portion 30 in a direction opposite from which the peripheral portion 30 extends from the hinge structure 50.

[0034] In one aspect, the support plate 40 does not form part of, and does not extend from, the display portion 60.

[0035] In its second position as shown via example configuration 24 in FIG. 1 , the support plate 40 extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane (A in FIGS. 2-3) as the peripheral portion 30 when the bar 70 is in a fourth position at least perpendicular relative to the peripheral portion 30. In one aspect, in its second position, the support plate 40 extends in a direction directly opposite the peripheral portion 30.

[0036] In this example configuration 24, the support plate 40 may establish contact against a support surface (e.g. table, desk, user’s thigh, etc.) on which the electronic device 20 may rest. In some such examples, the entire surface area or substantially the entire surface area of the support plate 40 is in contact against a support surface (e.g. table, desk, user’s thigh, etc.). This arrangement provides a robust, stable support for the example electronic device 20 and detachably mounted display portion 60, and stands in sharp contrast to those supports employing a single contact point or single contact edge to prevent tipping of the electronic device 20.

[0037] In its releasably locked, second position, the support plate 40 may counter-act gravitational forces exerted on display portion 60 that occur for any rotation of display portion 60 beyond perpendicular, such as an obtuse angle between 90 degrees and a predetermined number of degrees up to 180 degrees, relative to peripheral portion 30 which is illustrated in the example configuration 26 in FIGS. 4-5. In particular, in its releasably locked second position, the support plate 40 may prevent the electronic device 20 from tipping over backwards when the weight of the display portion 60 is no longer located over the peripheral portion 30, such as occurs in the example configuration 22 in FIG. 1.

[0038] Via this arrangement, the peripheral portion 30 may be designed and constructed to have a significantly reduced weight since such weight will play a less significant role in counter-balancing the weight of the display portion 60 due to the counter-balancing effect provided by the example support plate 40. Accordingly, in some examples, the overall weight of the electronic device 20 (when the display portion 60 is detachably mounted to the bar 70) can be made as low as practical such that the peripheral portion 30 may have a weight substantially less than a weight of the display portion 60 in some examples. In some such examples, substantially less comprises at least 25% less, at least 50% less, at least 75% less, etc. In some examples, substantially less comprises at least 2x less, at least 3x less, at least 4x less, etc. In some examples, substantially less comprises at least one order of magnitude less.

[0039] As later described in association with FIG. 9, a variety of different components may be incorporated into the display portion 60 and/or the peripheral portion 30, as least some of which were previously noted.

[0040] In some examples, the support plate 40 has a surface area substantially less than a surface area of the peripheral portion 30. In some such examples regarding surface area, substantially less comprises comprises 25% less, 50% less, 75% less. In some such examples regarding surface area, substantially less comprises at least 2x less, at least 3x less, at least 4x less. In some such examples regarding surface area, substantially less comprises at least one order of magnitude less.

[0041] In some examples, a user may desire to return the electronic device 20 from the example configuration 24 to the example configuration 22 shown in FIG. 1 or even to a fully closed example configuration 27 as shown in FIGS. 6-7. In such examples, a user may pivotally move bar 70 from the fourth position (e.g. example configurations 24, 26) to the first position, such as example configurations 22, 27. In response, the hinge structure 50 causes, the support plate 40 to be automatically pivotally moved from the second position, such as example configurations 24, 26 into the first position, which may correspond to example configurations 22, 27.

[0042] Accordingly, it will be understood that, other than the user-caused pivotal movement of the bar 70 for positioning the display portion 60 and associated action of the hinge structure 50, electronic device 20 comprises no user- manipulable actuator to cause release or activation of pivotal movement of the support plate 40 into its respective first or second positions.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial isometric view further schematically representing the example electronic device 20 of FIG. 1 in the example configuration 22 of FIG. 1 , while FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the same example configuration 24.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, in some examples the hinge structure 50 comprises a first hinge portion 52 to enable bar 70 to pivotally move relative to a third hinge portion 53 and a second hinge portion 54 to enable support plate 40 to pivotally move relative to the third hinge portion 53. The first hinge portion 52 and second hinge portions 54 are connected via a linkage within hinge structure 50 such that movement of the first hinge portion 52 actuates the second hinge portion 54 to automatically move the support plate 40 between its first and second positions in the manner previously described.

[0045] Both of the movable hinge portions 52, 54 pivotally move about a pivot axis 56 of hinge structure 50. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, in some examples, the pivot axis 56 extends along a longitudinal axis C and in plane elevated slightly above the plane A through which the support plate 40 and the peripheral portion 30 extend. The pivot axis 56 extends in a direction (along longitudinal axis C) transverse to a direction through which the support plate 40 rotates relative to the peripheral portion 30 and relative to the bar 70.

[0046] In some examples, an inner edge 33A of the peripheral portion 30 does not extend past the hinge structure 50. In some examples, the pivot axis 56 is positioned below the bar 70, and therefore below the bottom edge 68B of display portion 60 in its detachably mounted position.

[0047] In some examples, the third hinge portion 53 may form part of peripheral portion 30, or vice versa. However, in some examples, peripheral portion 30 may be detachably mountable relative to hinge structure 50 generally or relative to the third hinge portion 53 specifically.

[0048] In some examples, bar 70 and support plate 40 are constrained to pivot about pivot axis 56 without translating toward or away from the peripheral portion 30 and without translating vertically up or down. Stated differently, the movement of the bar 70 and support plate 40 into different positions corresponds to different rotational positions of those elements about pivot axis 56 of the hinge structure 50.

[0049] FIG. 4 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example configuration 26, while FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial isometric view of example electronic device 20 in the example configuration 26. As previously noted, these FIGS schematically represent the automatic deployment of support plate 40 to counteract the weight of display portion 60 (when detachably mounted to the bar 70) and in a rotational position at an obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion 30. It will be understood that the rotational position of the display portion 60, and hence bar 70, may be adjusted through a variety of obtuse angles relative to the peripheral portion 30 in accordance with different viewing conditions, user preferences, etc.

[0050] In addition, as further shown in FIGS. 4-5, in some examples the peripheral portion 30 comprises a keyboard 32 and/or touchpad 34. However, keyboard 32 and/or touchpad 34 may be replaced by other input elements and/or supplemented by other input elements. In some examples, the peripheral portion 30 may comprise at least some or all of the elements comprising the peripheral portion 230 as later described in association with FIG. 9.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, in some examples the display portion 60 may comprise a display 62. In some examples, the display portion 60 may comprise at least some or all of the elements comprising the display portion 260 as later described in association with FIG. 9.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral portion 30 comprises a thickness T1 and the support plate 40 comprises a thickness T2, as will be further described and illustrated in association with at least FIG. 7.

[0053] As further shown in FIGS. 4-5, the bar 70 comprises a first edge 73 and opposite second edge 77, as well as comprising a first surface 71 and opposite second surface 75. In some examples, the display portion 60 comprises a first edge 68B and opposite second edge 68A. The first edge 68B may sometimes be referred to as a bottom edge.

[0054] FIG. 6 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device in one example closed configuration 27, while FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial isometric view in the same closed configuration 27. As shown in FIG. 6, in one example first position, via the hinge structure 50. The bar 70 (and display portion 60 when detachably mounted) is pivotable by a user into a clamshell configuration 27 relative to the peripheral portion 30. In examples in which the display portion 60 has already been detachably mounted to bar 70, then pivotal movement of the display portion 60 into this example configuration 27 results in display portion 60 covering the peripheral portion 30, as shown in FIG. 6. In some such examples, a first surface 65 of display portion 60 is in contact with, or close proximity to, a first surface 36 of peripheral portion 30. In some instances, this configuration 27 may sometimes be referred to as a fully closed position and/or a clamshell configuration.

[0055] As further shown in FIGS. 6-7, via operation of hinge structure 50, the support plate 40 has become automatically pivotally moved into a fully closed position in response to pivotal movement of the bar 70 toward and against the peripheral portion 30. In this fully closed position, a first surface 41 of the support plate 40 is in contact with or in close proximity to a second surface 75 of the bar 70. In addition, in some such examples, an outer edge 42 of the support plate 40 is in contact with or in close proximity to a first edge 68B of display portion 60 (when detachably mounted to bar 70). In some instances, first edge 68B sometimes may be referred to as an inner edge of display portion 60, which is opposite second edge 68A (e.g. outer edge 68A).

[0056] In this example closed configuration 27, the second surface 43 of support plate 40 may sometimes be referred to as being flush with the second surface 65 of the display portion 60. In one aspect, this arrangement may be achieved via the relative thicknesses of the respective bar 70 and display portion 60 by which the second surface 73 of bar 70 and edge 68B of display portion 60 effectively form a recess into which the support plate 40 may be removably received.

[0057] As further shown in FIG. 7, the display portion 60 has a thickness T4 while the peripheral portion 60 has a thickness T1 , as previously noted in association with FIG. 5. Meanwhile, bar 70 has a thickness T3, and support plate 40 has a thickness T2. In some examples, the thickness T2 of support plate 40 is substantially less than the thickness T1 of the peripheral portion 30 and/or the thickness T4 of the display portion 60. In some such examples, in this context the term“substantially less” corresponds to at least 25% less, 50% less, etc. or at least 2x less, 3x less, etc.

[0058] As further shown in FIG. 6, in some examples the peripheral portion 30 has a length L1 while display portion 60 has a length L2. Meanwhile, bar 70 has a length L3, while support plate 40 has a length L4. Together, the length L4 of the support plate 40 and the length L2 of the display portion 60 together generally correspond to a length L1 of the peripheral portion 30. Similarly, the length L3 of the bar 70 and the length L2 of the display portion 60 together generally correspond to a length L1 of the peripheral portion 30. It will be noted that in at least FIGS. 6-7, the second hinge portion 54 at least partially obscures the full length L3 of the bar 70.

[0059] FIG. 8 is an isometric view schematically representing an example electronic device 20 in one example configuration 28 in which a display portion 60 is detached from the bar 70 of the base 76.

[0060] In some examples, the display portion 60 comprises a first connector 90A while display portion 60 comprises a second connector 90B. The respective connectors 90A, 90B enable detachable mounting of display portion 60 relative to bar 70, which includes establishing both a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. It will be understood that the elements depicting second connector 90B are merely a schematic representation and that the first and second connectors 90A, 90B can take many different forms. In some examples, the first and second connectors 90A, 90B may comprise pogo pin- type connectors and/or other suitable electro-mechanical connectors. In some examples, the respective first and second connectors 90A, 90B comprise magnetic elements and/or magnetically attractable elements.

[0061] Once connected, the bar 70 and the detachably mountable display portion 60 extend in generally the same rotatable plane E, even upon rotation of bar 70 into different positions via operation of the hinge structure 50.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically representing an example electronic device 200. In some examples, electronic device 200 may comprise at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the electronic device 20 as previously described in association with at least FIGS. 1 -8. In some examples, the electronic device 200 may comprise an implementation of at least some of the features and attributes of the electronic device 20 previously described in association with at least FIGS. 1 -8.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, in some examples electronic device 200 may comprise a peripheral portion 230 and bar 270 to which display portion 260 is detachably mountable. Peripheral portion 230 comprises a frame 233 which supports at least one input element. In some examples, the input element may comprise a keyboard 232 (e.g. keyboard 32 in FIGS. 4, 8). In some examples, the input element may comprise a cursor control element 231 , which in some examples may comprise a touchpad 234. In some examples, via a hinge structure (e.g. 50 in FIGS. 1 -8), a bar 270 may extend from the peripheral portion 230 and include connector 290B (e.g. connector 90B in FIG. 8) for removable connection with a connector 290A (e.g. connector 90A in FIG. 8) of a display portion 260. In some examples, the combination of at least the bar 270 with the peripheral portion 230 may sometimes be referred to a base.

[0064] In some examples, the peripheral portion 30 may comprise a power element 236. In some such examples, the power element 236 may supplement a power element 286 of the display portion 260, which is described below. In some examples, the peripheral portion 230 may comprise audio-visual (A-V) circuitry 238, such as but not limited to a graphics card.

[0065] As further shown in FIG. 9, in some examples the display portion 260 comprises a frame 265. As supported by frame 265, display portion 260 may comprise a display 262 (e.g. 62 in FIGS. 4, 8), which may comprise a touchscreen 266 in some examples. In some examples, the display portion 260 may comprise a tablet 280, which may comprise a tablet computer 282 in some examples. In some examples, display portion 260 may comprise a control portion 284 while in some examples, display portion 260 may comprise a power element 286 (e.g. battery, rechargeable battery, power adapter, etc.).

[0066] In some examples, the display portion 260 may comprise a combination of display 262, control portion 284, power element 286, which in some examples may further comprise elements of a tablet 280 and/or tablet computer 282.

[0067] In some examples, the display portion 260 comprises a graphical user interface, which may comprise a touchscreen GUI as part of display 262 and/or touchscreen 266.

[0068] In some examples, the control portion 284 may comprise a processor for executing machine readable instructions and a memory for storing the instructions. The instructions may relate to operation of the display portion 260, the peripheral portion 230, and/or tasks to be performed via the display portion 260.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram schematically representing an example method of manufacturing. In some examples, method 400 may be performed via at least some of the devices, peripheral portions, support plates, hinge structures, display portions, etc. as previously described in association with at least FIGS. 1 -9. In some examples, method 400 may be performed via at least some devices, peripheral portions, support plates, hinge structures, display portions, etc. other than those previously described in association with at least FIGS. 1 -9.

[0070] In some examples, as shown at 402 in FIG. 10, method 400 of manufacturing comprises arranging a support plate, a bar, and a keyboard portion to be pivotally connected via a hinge structure with the bar interposed between the support plate and the keyboard portion. At 404, method 400 may comprise arranging the bar to removably connect a tablet computer. At 406, method may comprise arranging the hinge structure to cause, in response to pivotal movement of the bar from a first position at an acute angle relative to the keyboard portion to a second position at least perpendicular to the keyboard portion, the support plate to be automatically pivotally moved from a third position at a non-obtuse angle relative to the keyboard portion to a fourth position in which the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the keyboard portion.

[0071] As shown at 410 in FIG. 1 1 , in some examples method 400 may additionally comprise arranging the hinge structure to cause, in response to movement of the bar from the second position to the first position, release of the support plate from the fourth position and for pivotal movement toward the third position.

[0072] Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a peripheral portion;

a support plate; and

a hinge structure pivotally connecting the peripheral portion, the support plate and a bar to which a display portion is removably connectable, the hinge structure to cause the support plate to be automatically pivotally movable between:

a first position at a non-obtuse angle relative to the peripheral portion when the bar is in a third position at an acute angle relative to the peripheral portion; and

a second position in which the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the peripheral portion when the bar is in a fourth position at a non-acute angle relative to the peripheral portion.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure is to cause:

the support plate to automatically move from the first position into the second position in response to the bar being moved from the third position to the fourth position; and

the support plate to automatically move from the second position into the first position in response to the bar being moved from the fourth position to the third position.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure comprises a single pivot axis centrally located relative to the bar, the support plate, and the peripheral portion.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure is to permit the support plate, in the first position, to contact the display portion when the display portion is in a clamshell configuration relative to the peripheral portion.

5. The device of claim 1 , comprising the display portion.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral portion comprises a keyboard portion.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bar is interposed between the support plate and the peripheral portion, and the bar comprises an electromechanical connector.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral portion has a weight substantially less than a weight of the display portion.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure comprises:

a first hinge portion from which the bar extends; and

a second hinge portion from which the support plate extends,

wherein both the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are pivotally movable relative to a third hinge portion from which the peripheral portion extends.

10. A base for an electronic device comprising:

a keyboard portion;

a support plate;

a hinge structure including a bar to which a tablet computer is detachably mountable, the hinge structure pivotally connecting the keyboard portion, support plate, and the bar,

wherein the base is manipulable between:

a first configuration in which the support plate is at a non-obtuse angle relative to the keyboard portion; and a second configuration in which the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the keyboard portion,

wherein, in response to the bar being pivotally moved from an acute angle relative to the keyboard portion to a non-acute angle relative the keyboard portion, the hinge structure is to cause automatic pivotal movement of the support plate from the first configuration to the second configuration.

1 1. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the hinge structure is to cause, in response to movement of the bar from the non-acute angle to the acute angle relative to the keyboard portion, automatic pivotal movement of the support plate from the second configuration into the first configuration.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the peripheral portion has a weight substantially less than a weight of the display portion.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the bar is interposed between the support plate and the peripheral portion, and the bar comprises an electromechanical connector to detachably mount the tablet computer.

14. A method of manufacturing comprises:

arranging a support plate, a bar, and a keyboard portion to be pivotally connected via a hinge structure with the bar interposed between the support plate and the keyboard portion;

arranging the bar to removably connect a tablet computer; and

arranging the hinge structure to cause, in response to pivotal movement of the bar from a first position at an acute angle relative to the keyboard portion to a second position at least perpendicular to the keyboard portion, the support plate to be automatically pivotally moved from a third position at a non-obtuse angle relative to the keyboard portion to a fourth position in which the support plate extends in, and is releasably locked in, generally the same plane as the keyboard portion.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

arranging the hinge structure to cause, in response to movement of the bar from the second position to the first position, release of the support plate from the fourth position and for pivotal movement toward the third position.