Foldable mobile electronic device stand

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9689523-B2
Application number	US-201314068097-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 31, 2013
Priority date	Feb 15, 2013
Publication date	Jun 27, 2017
Grant date	Jun 27, 2017

Abstract

A mobile electronic device stand has at least two interconnected elements, each element being elongated in form along a longitudinal axis. The interconnection includes at least a pair of adjacent interfacing end surfaces connected so as to be rotatable about an axis between the end surfaces from an iconic elongated configuration of the stand to a folded configuration of the stand. In the folded configuration of the stand, the elements are fixable in a setting position to resist rotation with respect to a support surface when the stand is functionally attached to a mobile electronic device and disposed in a manner to support the mobile electronic device in a selected orientation with respect to the support surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A stand for a mobile electronic device comprising:
at least two interconnected elements joined by an interconnection, each element being elongated in form along a longitudinal axis to form an iconic elongated configuration with a linear shape;
wherein the interconnection includes at least a pair of adjacent interfacing end surfaces connected so as to be rotatable from the iconic elongated configuration of the stand to a folded configuration of the stand in which the elements are fixable in a setting position to resist rotation with respect to a support surface when the stand is functionally attached to the mobile electronic device and disposed in a manner to support the mobile electronic device in an selected orientation with respect to the support surface;
wherein the end surfaces are adjacent each other and lie in a first plane which is non-orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal axis of the two interconnected elements and a second plane parallel to the support surface;
a support element connected to one of the interconnected elements, for supporting the mobile electronic device in the folded configuration, the support element comprising
an interface proximate an end of a first of the interconnected elements which supports an edge of a mobile electronic device and
a second of the interconnected elements having a part that engages a back surface of the mobile electronic device in the folded configuration at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees for viewing the screen of the mobile electronic device, such that the stand reacts against a support surface in order to hold the mobile electronic device.

2. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the interconnection is a friction connection which resists rotation up until a certain torque input is attained, and then, when this certain torque input is exceeded, the interconnection permits relative rotation of the elements with respect to one another.

3. The stand of claim 2 , wherein the interconnected elements each include a lip, with the lips being continuous in the unfolded position to support the mobile electronic device in the unfolded configuration.

4. The stand of claim 3 , wherein the stand may be configured to support a mobile electronic device at an angle between zero and 90 degrees.

5. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the elongated elements have external surfaces which, in the elongated configuration, smoothly and continuously interface with each other so create a continuum, thereby giving the interconnected elements an appearance of a single monolithic element.

6. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the first plane is located between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from the orthogonal second plane.

7. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the first plane is located 45 degrees from the second plane.

8. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises a magnet along an elongated edge of at least one of the interconnected elements so as to attract a corresponding ferromagnetic edge of the mobile electronic device.

9. The stand of claim 8 , wherein, when the stand is in its elongated configuration, it attaches along a single edge of a mobile electronic device so as to improve a grip between the user and the mobile electronic device without increasing the width or length envelope of the combination.

10. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the interconnection is formed so as to retain the elements together against inadvertent axial disassembly.

11. The stand of claim 10 , wherein at least one pair of adjacent interfacing end surfaces are biased against each other.

12. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the elements are provided with a surface resembling brushed metal.

13. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the elements are provided with a dust and/or finger print resistant surface.

14. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the surface hardness of the elements is less than that of the mobile electronic device against which the stand interfaces.

15. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the elements are profiled to a bulbous form in order to provide a user with an improved grip.

16. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the elongated configuration elevates and supports one edge of a mobile electronic device, for improved viewing as compared to laying flatly on a horizontal surface.

17. The stand of claim 1 , wherein an element has a securing device for securing the stand on a support structure in the folded configuration.

18. The stand of claim 17 , wherein the securing device is located on at least one element.

19. The stand of claim 18 , wherein the securing device is a portion of the “VELCRO” strip which interfaces with a corresponding strip on a mobile electronic device.

20. The stand of claim 18 , wherein the securing device is a magnetic strip, which interfaces with a ferromagnetic surface of a mobile electronic device.

21. The stand of claim 1 , wherein three elements are interconnected.

22. A stand for a mobile electronic device comprising:
at least three rotatable, interconnected elements, the interconnected elements capable of being configured into a folded position and an unfolded position, the folded position being capable of supporting the mobile electronic device through multiple angles of inclination of the mobile electronic device with respect to a surface on which a bottom portion of the stand rests, and the unfolded position supporting a single angle of inclination of the mobile electronic device with respect to the surface on which the bottom portion of the stand rests, wherein the interconnected elements each include a lip, with the lips being continuous in the unfolded position to support the mobile electronic device; and
a securing device connected to at least one of the three interconnected elements, for supporting the mobile electronic device at an angle, the securing device comprising
an interface proximate an end of a first of the interconnected elements which supports an edge of a mobile electronic device and
a second of the interconnected elements having a part that engages a back surface of the mobile electronic device at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees for viewing the screen of the mobile electronic device, such that the stand reacts against a support surface in order to hold the mobile electronic device.

23. The stand of claim 22 further comprising two pivot assemblies, each of said pivot assemblies rotatably connecting two respective interconnected elements, and providing for a mechanical stop after a predetermined angle of rotation.

24. The stand of claim 23 in which the mechanical stop comprises releasably interlocking mating members.

25. The stand of claim 1 , wherein a flat base surface is formed on the stand, such base surface being adapted to rest against a support surface, and wherein one interface is disposed along a substantially flat surface along a plane inclined toward the center of the stand, along an approximately 45 degree plane to the base surface, and which plane and base surface intersect along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stand and another interface is oriented orthogonal to the base surface but rotated 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the stand.

Assignees

• Logitech Europe Sa
• Logitech Europe Sa

Inventors

• Chardon Jean-Michel
• Zimmermann Remy
• Lu Yao
• Tang Liang

Classifications

• F16M11/22

  with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs (F16M11/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47B23/043

  adjustable, foldable · CPC title

• A47B23/042

  Book-rests or note-book holders resting on tables (releasably mounted A47B23/02) · CPC title

• F16M11/10 Primary

  around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G03B17/561

  Support related camera accessories · CPC title