Feet for multi-position computing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9685984-B1
Application number	US-201615080984-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 25, 2016
Priority date	Mar 25, 2016
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

Feet for a multi-position computing device are described. In one or more implementations, a multi-position computing device is configured to include a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base including at least an upright position and a laid-down position. An arrangement of feet on the underside of the base is designed to facilitate dynamic movement of the device into the multiple positions. The arrangement of feet includes sliding feet that engage for sliding of the base across a surface when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism for transitions between positions. The arrangement of feet also includes tacky feet that engage and resist sliding of the base across the surface in the absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computing device comprising:
a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base, the multiple positions including at least an upright position and a laid-down position;
an arrangement of feet disposed on an underside of the base, the arrangement of feet including:
one or more sliding feet configured to engage and facilitate sliding of the base across a surface upon which the computing device rests when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism to transition between the upright position and the laid-down position; and
one or more tacky feet configured to engage and resist sliding of the base across the surface when pressure is applied to the display device in the laid-down position.

2. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the sliding feet have a coefficient of friction lower than a coefficient of friction for the tacky feet.

3. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the pressure applied to the hinge mechanism is transferred to the sliding feet by lever action of one or more arms included in the hinge mechanism to drive the sliding feet into the surface upon which the computing device rests.

4. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured as a tablet computing device that is detachable from the base and includes a processing system and memory configured to execute an operating system when detached from the base.

5. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the base is weighted to counterweight the display device and prevent tipping during transitions between the multiple positions.

6. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the base includes a stop mechanism configured to control a distance through which the base travels across the surface during transitions between the multiple positions.

7. A computing device as described in claim 6 , wherein the stop mechanism comprises a roller configured to travel a set distance disposed on the underside of the base.

8. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the base is configured as a chassis including electronic componentry to provide at least some processing and memory resources for the computing device.

9. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the sliding feet comprises roller bearings.

10. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the tacky feet comprise rubber feet.

11. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the sliding feet and tacky feet are formed from different thermoplastic materials having different coefficients of friction.

12. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein each foot of the arrangement of feet is further configured to act as a pivot, such that the base is base rotatable around each foot.

13. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the base is rectangular and the arrangement of feet includes sliding feet placed in corners along a side of base and tacky feet placed in corners along an opposing side of the base.

14. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein the display device and base are physically and communicatively coupled one to another via the hinge mechanism.

15. A computing device as described in claim 1 , wherein:
the upright position comprises a position in which the display device is raised to an upright angle above the base for vertical interaction; and
the laid-down position comprises a position in which the display device is lowered to a flat angle over the base for horizontal interaction.

16. A system comprising:
a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base;
an arrangement of feet disposed on an underside of the base, the arrangement of feet configured to:
facilitate sliding of the base across a surface upon which the base rests when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism to transition between the multiple positions; and
resist sliding of the base across the surface in an absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism.

17. A system as described in claim 16 , wherein the arrangement of feet includes:
portions of sliding material engaged when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism during transitions between the multiple positions to enable sliding of the base forward and back across the surface;
portions of tacky material engaged to keep the base from sliding in the absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism.

18. A system as described in claim 17 , wherein at least one foot of the arrangement of feet includes both sliding material and tacky material, the tacky material in contact with the surface in the absence of applied pressure, the at least one foot deformable under applied pressure to drive the sliding material into contact with the surface thereby enabling the sliding of the base.

19. An apparatus comprising:
a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base, the multiple positions including at least an upright position and a laid-down position;
one or more sliding feet arranged on an underside of the base along a rear edge of the base opposite from a front side of the apparatus, the sliding feet configured to engage and facilitate sliding of the base across a surface upon which the apparatus rests when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism to transition between the upright position and the laid-down position;
one or more tacky feet arranged on the underside of the base along a front edge of the base on the front side of apparatus, the tacky feet configured to engage and resist sliding of the base across the surface in an absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism; and
a stop mechanism configured to limit a distance the base is able to travel across the surface during transitions between the multiple positions.

20. The apparatus as described in claim 19 , wherein the sliding feet and tacky feet are formed from different thermoplastic materials having different coefficients of friction.

21. An apparatus comprising:
a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base, the multiple positions including at least an upright position and a laid-down position;
an arrangement of feet disposed on an underside of the base, the arrangement of feet including a foot that includes:
a slidable portion configured to engage and facilitate sliding of the base across an adjacent surface upon which the apparatus rests when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism to transition between the upright position and the laid-down position; and
a tacky portion configured to engage and resist sliding of the base across the adjacent surface when pressure is applied to the display device in the laid-down position.

22. An apparatus as described in claim 21 , wherein the slidable portion and the tacky portion are formed from different respective materials of the foot.

23. An apparatus as described in claim 21 , wherein:
in an absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism, a majority of contact between the foot and the adjacent surface occurs with the tacky portion; and
when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism, a majority

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Majumdar Shalini
• Eggert Spencer
• Harding Michael
• Escolin Timothy G
• Ishihara James Alec

Classifications

• H04B1/3877 Primary

  Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters · CPC title

• A47B91/00

  Feet for furniture in general (castors B60B33/00) · CPC title

• H05K5/0234

  Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor · CPC title

• F16M11/20

  Undercarriages with or without wheels · CPC title

• F16M2200/08

  Foot or support base · CPC title