US20140265752A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20140265752A1
Application number: US13/801,580
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Caine; John Russell STUMP; Patrick Jason MacMurray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-13
Filing date: 2013-03-13
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

An adjustable floor stand positioning a small electronic device for viewing or operating by a person reclining in a bed comprises a compact profile in a housing resembling a briefcase or travel bag. A counter-weighted folding and articulating arm extends its reach to adjustably position the electronic device for optimal use by the reposing person. Innovative means for manipulating the arm made the adjustment and positioning simple and effortless, while the housing disguises the equipment as a household item.

Description

This is a U.S. Non-Provisional application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to adjustable tables for use while sitting or reclining, and more particularly to an adjustable holder for a portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A person lounging in a chair, or reclining in a bed, often needs an adjustable table to serve as a desk for work, reading or even dining purposes. Such devices are well known. One such device is the ubiquitous hospital table, which has a floor support positioned beneath a hospital bed and a table surface cantilevering there from to reach over the bed's occupant.

Reading devices, which have articulating arms to reach over a bed or chair from a floor stand also are common. Two such devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,929,026 to Busby and U.S. Pat. No. 2,104,072 to Carr. In each instance, a book holder is placed at the end of a multi-sectioned arm, wherein the several sections of the arm have adjustment features to place the holder at a height, at an overhang distance, and in a posture relative to a desired viewing position. The holder may hold the book open or illuminate the book with a light.

In a more modern application, laptop computers are desirably used in reclining or lounging positions where other work surfaces may not be available; or, where sitting at a desk may have become tiresome; or, where a mouse is needed for the pointing device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,982 to Jackson and U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536 to Sevier describe two such laptop-supporting devices. In both cases, a stand mounted on friction feet or casters is slid underneath a chair or bed for a close approach, and upright poles with extension arms to place the computer at a position for viewing and handling by the reclining person. The devices bear similarity to the hospital table cousin, however, and are an unsightly welcome in a bedroom, or other room of ambience pretention. They also require a clearance beneath the hosting furniture to accommodate the stand and would be inappropriate for use with a water bed, or a bed with a cabinet base, as an example.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,265 to Dobson, a universal-table stand is weighted to avoid the counterbalancing extension of a footed stand; therefore, the space it occupies is more compact. Nevertheless, the reaching arms and dangling appliances still give an ungainly appearance and make the device difficult to store and hide, not to mention the lost convenience of having it handy.

In a still more modern application, electronic tablets and e-readers find use in a bed or a lounge chair scenario. While such devices are designed to be hand-held, it is a fact that a tabletop-like-display posture is preferred, as evidenced by covers which convert to a table stand. Additionally, manipulations on the screen by touch are required, leaving only one hand for holding purposes; this, in turn, limits long-term application sessions. Furthermore, the modern tablet device is finding its way into uses where a display is needed while hands are busy elsewhere, such as in a surgery suite or beside a dentist's chair, for example. Other emerging uses include merchandising applications, where the device may be used in interactive ways, such as registering a sale or signing a credit card charge.

Thus, a variety of applications, including handling a tablet device from a bed or chair position, will require the support of an appropriately articulating floor stand. What is missing in the present state-of-art, however, is a stand which takes up limited space while complementing its surroundings and which can be deployed by simply positioning the device where needed while avoiding the use of tightening knobs or locking levers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the case of a tablet or e-reader, however, or any device, such as a notebook, that bridges the gap between a smart phone and a laptop, the size is small enough to hide it away in a discrete configuration. It would be desirable to have the articulating stand fold itself into an appliance of common use and public display in a household or office, such as a small travel bag, or a briefcase, or even a casing resembling (or actually being a shelled-out version of) a desktop tower unit. Such a configuration may also be convenient for portability purposes. The discrete housing would look natural, and perhaps even decorative, in certain embodiments, next to a bed or chair, and could remain permanently in place for convenient access.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a stand for an electronic tablet which is adjustable for use by a person in repose on a bed or in a chair to achieve a preferred position for viewing or working. It is a further object for the stand to be collapsible and to fit into a housing which takes the appearance of another commonly seen household item. It is a further object for the housing to be compact in size while being sufficiently weighted to counterbalance an extended reach of the arm with the tablet at its extremity. It is a further object for the arm to be easily adjustable and settable without locking levers and knobs. It is a further object for the tablet at the end of the arm to have roll, pitch and yaw adjustment capability. It is a further object for the stand to have electrification for recharging the tablet. It is a further object for the housing to be portable or otherwise easily moveable.

These objects, and others to become hereinafter apparent, are embodied in an adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device having a display comprising a housing based on a floor surface adjacent to a person in repose in a bed or on a chair. The housing has an interior space and a weighted base. The adjustable floor stand is further comprised of a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing. The arm is capable of folding into the interior space. The adjustable floor stand is further comprised of a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm. The holder is adjustable for a preferred viewing angle. Lastly, the adjustable floor stand is comprised of a means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person. The means for manipulating includes a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts. Functionally, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating. The reach may exercise some or all of the six degrees of freedom. Finally, the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing masquerades as a common household object, such as a briefcase or a small travel bag. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the means for manipulating comprises at least two sections of the folding, articulating arm hingeably attached to each other to fold within the interior space and to unfold there from to boom the holder over the person. At least one of the sections is comprised of telescoping tubes to provide extension capability. In another aspect of the means for manipulating, at least one section of the folding, articulating arm is hingeably attached to the housing in the interior space. The hinged section comprises at least one boss moveably received in an arcuate channel in the housing. The arcuate channel defines a range of vertical angle positioning for the hinged section. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the means for stabilizing comprises at least one eccentric joint slideable within a tube of the folding, articulating arm connected to the housing. The eccentric joint is settable to bind in one direction and releasable in the reverse direction.

The binding anchors a plurality of telescoping tubes attached thereto. In another aspect of the means for stabilizing, close-tolerance friction fit ups at all joints and sliding interfaces frictionally maintain structural interpositions until released through application of moderate directional forces applied by hand.

As this is not intended to be an exhaustive recitation, other embodiments may be learned from practicing the invention or may otherwise become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood through the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cartoon sketch of a reclining person withdrawing the folding, articulating arm of the present invention from its housing;

FIG. 2 is a cartoon sketch of theFIG. 1 person with the arm fully extended to place the tablet in a preferred position for operational use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of the present invention with the arm stowed away inside;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the lines5-5 ofFIG. 4 and showing the collapsed configuration inside;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus as partially articulated with the cover of the housing removed;

FIG. 7 is the perspective view of the apparatus as fully articulated with the cover removed;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along the lines9-9 ofFIG. 8 showing interior views of the rotational embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 10 is a detail view ofFIG. 9 showing one of the eccentric plugs with the collar to actuate rotation;

FIG. 11 is another detail view ofFIG. 9 showing an additional eccentric plug connected to the innermost telescoping tube, which applies the rotational torque;

FIG. 12 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 13 is a section view taken along the lines13-13 ofFIG. 12 showing ball and yoke-and-pin joints;

FIG. 14 is a detail view ofFIG. 13 showing a yoke-and-pin joint;

FIG. 15 is another detail view ofFIG. 13 showing a pair of ball joints;

FIG. 16 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 17 is a section view taken along the lines17-17 ofFIG. 16 showing interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 18 is a detail view ofFIG. 17 showing the eccentric plug from an orthogonally different view;

FIG. 19 is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 20 is a section view taken along the lines20-20 ofFIG. 19 showing more interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 21 is a detail view ofFIG. 19 showing a top view of the tablet held in the holder;

FIG. 22 is a detail view ofFIG. 20 showing two eccentric plugs with the tension mechanism threading through one and connected to apply tension to the other;

FIG. 23 is a partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along the lines24-24 ofFIG. 23 showing the vertical angle constrained by the arcuate channel in addition to an interior view of the rotational embodiment of the arm;

FIG. 25 is a detail view ofFIG. 24 showing an eccentric plug of the rotational embodiment in an extended position;

FIG. 26 is another partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed;

FIG. 27 is a section view taken along the lines27-27 ofFIG. 26 showing the vertical angle articulation and interior view of the tension embodiment of the arm; and

FIG. 28 is a detail view ofFIG. 27 showing a view of the yoke-and-pin hinge at the base of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The major components of an adjustable floor stand1 are best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Theadjustable floor stand1 is comprised of ahousing10, a folding, articulatingarm20 and a means for manipulating30 (FIGS. 9-10). The means for manipulating30 includes, among other things, a means for stabilizing40. Aholder21 holds a smallelectronic device3. In the preferred embodiment, the smallelectronic device3 is a small electronic device with adisplay2.

Theadjustable floor stand1 is designed to be placed adjacent to a reposingperson4 in abed5 or a lounging chair6 (not shown). The folding, articulatingarm20 cantilevers and extends, by the means for manipulating30, theholder21, with the smallelectronic device3 thereon, to apreferred location31, whereat an adjustment can be made to a preferred viewing angle22 (FIG. 2). In the preferred embodiment, thehousing10 masquerades as a common household item, such as abriefcase13 or acomputer case17.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, thehousing10 is compact in size and is comprised of aninterior space11 and aweighted base12. Theweighted base12 is sufficiently heavy to counterbalance a full range of articulated reach (FIG. 2). Theinterior space11 has sufficient capacity to receive the folded conformation of the folding, articulating arm20 (FIG. 5). Thehousing10 further comprises acover14. Thecover14 may be a simple lid, hinged or otherwise. In the preferred embodiment thecover14 has a rubberized panel with aslit15 in it to give way for withdrawing the folding, articulatingarm20.

The folding, articulatingarm20 is rendered manipulable by the means for manipulating30. Referring toFIGS. 7-11, the folding, articulatingarm20 is comprised of at least one, and preferably two or more,arm sections32. Thesections32 are hingeably connected to fold and take up a compact folded conformation. Onesection32, adistal section38, is hingeably attached in theinterior space11 to thehousing10. The means for manipulating30 thedistal section38 comprises at least onearcuate channel16 embossed into a sidewall of thehousing10. Thearcuate channel16 slidingly receives aboss34 extending laterally from the section38 (FIG. 17). The attitude of the hingeddistal section38 constrained by thearcuate channel16 defines avertical angle35 of deployment (FIG. 24). In the preferred embodiment, there arebilateral bosses34 in oppositely-facingarcuate channels16. Thedistal section38 can be attached by any known hinge technology; but, in the preferred embodiment, the hinge is a yoke-and-pin joint36.

The means for manipulating30 further comprises a plurality oftelescoping tubes33, which facilitate the extension of the folding, articulatingarm20. One subset of thetelescoping tubes33 is casingtubes42, which essentially jacket an interior26 of the folding, articulatingarm20, whereinother telescoping tubes33 provide a spinal structure. An electric wire27 (not shown) can thread the interior26 to electrify a recharging port on theholder21, or otherwise provide lighting.

Referring toFIGS. 12-15, the folding, articulatingarm20 is hingeably connected to theholder21 at the end of aproximal section39. Theholder21 receives the smallelectronic device3 and retains it thereon by spring clips25 (FIG. 7). Theholder21 is hingeably connected by at least one ball joint24. In the preferred embodiment, two such ball joints24 give roll, tilt and yaw adjustment capability. One or more of the ball joints may be slotted to restrict movement in a preferred orthogonal direction.

Referring toFIGS. 8-11 and16-22, the means for stabilizing40 comprises at least one eccentric joint41 slideably engaged in one of thecasing tubes42. The eccentric joint41 is comprised of a two-part plug44 divided by a slip plane45 (FIG. 11). Theslip plane45 is inclined to acommon axis46 running through the two-part plug44 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the folding, articulatingarm20. In one embodiment of the eccentric joint41, one of the parts of the two-part plug44 is rotated about thecommon axis46 in theslip plane45 to cause the two parts to shift laterally and set against the wall of thehost casing tube42. In another embodiment, the same lateral shift can be achieved by applying tension in the axial direction to one of the parts against the other. When set, sliding movement is stopped in abinding direction43 and thetelescoping tubes33 connected to the eccentric joint41 are thereby anchored. The anchor forms a base for extension of the folding, articulatingarm20. The rotational embodiment of the eccentric joint41 can be set by twistingcollar47 and rotating theinnermost telescoping tube33 interconnecting thecollar47 and the operable part of the two-part plug44. The tension embodiment, on the other hand, can be set by pulling up on an interconnecting cable48 (FIG. 22). The interconnectingcable48 may thread throughtelescoping tubes33. The set in both cases is maintained by friction and released by countermotions of the setting thereof. In the case of the interconnectingcable48, the release may rely upon frictional engagement of thetelescoping tubes33. A plurality ofeccentric joints41 may be used to stage cascadingtelescoping tubes33.

The means for stabilizing40 further comprises designed close-tolerance fitting of all interfacing components of joints and tubes. The tolerance should be close enough that friction holds the interface until moderate directional force is applied by hand. In the preferred embodiment, the folding, articulatingarm20 and theholder21, after setting one or more of theeccentric joints41, will simply remaining in any position put thereto until repositioned.

Thehousing10 may be comprised of a simple box of plastic, metal, wood, or fabric construction. In the preferred embodiment, the box may be made to look like a brief case or a travel case, or may actually be specimens of the same. In another embodiment, the box may have one or more panels decorated or covered to coordinate with thebed5, or another feature of the space, and look like a complimentary piece of furniture. In another embodiment, the box may be made to look like a computer casing, or may actually be a shelled-out version of a desktop computer. In one embodiment, thetelescoping tubes33, thecasing tubes42, and anysections32 of the folding, articulatingarm20 may be fabricated from extruded metal tubing. In the preferred embodiment, the tubing would be carbon fiber tubing. Carbon fiber is preferred for its light weight and thermal dimensional stability. The eccentric joint41 may be machined metal, wood or hard-durometer rubber. The yoke-and-pin joint36 is preferably comprised of injection molded parts from resin. The weight in theweighted base12 may be sand, ball bearings, a plug casting or any dense fill material. Theweighted base12 may also be filled with loose pocket change. In short, the novel concept comprehends many disguises and creative uses in addition to the principal function.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, the folding, articulatingarm20 may comprise one or more scissor sections. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device having a display, comprising:

a housing based on a floor surface adjacent to a person in repose in a bed or on a chair, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;

a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing, said arm capable of folding into the interior space;

a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm, said holder adjustable for a preferred viewing angle; and

a means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person, said means for manipulating including a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts;

whereas, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating, said position exercising some or all of the six degrees of freedom, and the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.

2. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 1, wherein the housing masquerades as a common household object.

3. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 2, wherein the housing outwardly appears to be a briefcase or small travel bag.

4. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a cover, said cover including a rubberized panel with a slit therein through which to withdraw the folding articulating arm.

5. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least one section of the folding, articulating arm with telescoping tubes, said telescoping tubes providing extension capability.

6. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one section is hingeably attached to the housing in the interior space and comprises at least one boss moveably received in an arcuate channel in the housing, said arcuate channel defining a range of vertical angle positioning for said at least one section.

7. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 6, wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least two sections, said at least two sections hingeably attached to each other to fold within the interior space and to unfold there from to boom the holder over the person.

8. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 7, wherein at least one hingeable attachment is a yoke-and-pin joint.

9. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 1, wherein the holder is electrified to provide a recharging port for the small electronic device with a display.

10. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 1, wherein the holder is attached to the folding, articulating arm by at least one ball joint, the at least one ball joint providing at least pitch and yaw adjustments for the holder.

11. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 10, wherein the small electronic device with a display is attached to the holder by spring clips.

12. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 5, wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one eccentric joint slideable within a casing tube of the folding, articulating arm connected to the housing, said eccentric joint settable to bind in one direction and releasable in the reverse direction, the binding anchoring a plurality of telescoping tubes attached thereto.

13. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 12, wherein the eccentric joint comprises a two-part plug with the parts interfacing in a slip plane inclined to a common axis, said interfacing parts rotatable in said plane about said axis to offset one from another laterally and to bind thereby against the wall of the casing tube.

14. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 13, wherein the eccentric joint is set by rotating one of the plug parts against the other.

15. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 13, wherein the eccentric joint is set by applying tension to one of the parts against the other.

16. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 9, wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand.

17. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 10, wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand.

18. An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device, comprising:

a housing based on a floor surface in proximity to a person operating the small electronic device, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;

19. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 18, wherein the housing masquerades as an object commonly found in its location of use.

20. The adjustable floor stand ofclaim 19, wherein the housing appears to be a computer casing.