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:
[0001]    This is a U.S. Non-Provisional application. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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 
       [0003]    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&#39;s occupant. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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&#39;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. 
         [0008]    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 
       [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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 
         [0015]    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: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a cartoon sketch of a reclining person withdrawing the folding, articulating arm of the present invention from its housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cartoon sketch of the  FIG. 1  person with the arm fully extended to place the tablet in a preferred position for operational use; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the housing of the present invention with the arm stowed away inside; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the housing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a section view taken along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  and showing the collapsed configuration inside; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the apparatus as partially articulated with the cover of the housing removed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is the perspective view of the apparatus as fully articulated with the cover removed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a section view taken along the lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  showing interior views of the rotational embodiment of the arm; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a detail view of  FIG. 9  showing one of the eccentric plugs with the collar to actuate rotation; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is another detail view of  FIG. 9  showing an additional eccentric plug connected to the innermost telescoping tube, which applies the rotational torque; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a section view taken along the lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  showing ball and yoke-and-pin joints; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a detail view of  FIG. 13  showing a yoke-and-pin joint; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is another detail view of  FIG. 13  showing a pair of ball joints; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a section view taken along the lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16  showing interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a detail view of  FIG. 17  showing the eccentric plug from an orthogonally different view; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is another top view of the collapsed configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a section view taken along the lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19  showing more interior views of the tension embodiment of the arm; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a detail view of  FIG. 19  showing a top view of the tablet held in the holder; 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is a detail view of  FIG. 20  showing two eccentric plugs with the tension mechanism threading through one and connected to apply tension to the other; 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  is a partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is a section view taken along the lines  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23  showing the vertical angle constrained by the arcuate channel in addition to an interior view of the rotational embodiment of the arm; 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is a detail view of  FIG. 24  showing an eccentric plug of the rotational embodiment in an extended position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  is another partial top view of the fully extended configuration with the cover removed; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  is a section view taken along the lines  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26  showing the vertical angle articulation and interior view of the tension embodiment of the arm; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  is a detail view of  FIG. 27  showing a view of the yoke-and-pin hinge at the base of the housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0044]    The major components of an adjustable floor stand  1  are best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The adjustable floor stand  1  is comprised of a housing  10 , a folding, articulating arm  20  and a means for manipulating  30  ( FIGS. 9-10 ). The means for manipulating  30  includes, among other things, a means for stabilizing  40 . A holder  21  holds a small electronic device  3 . In the preferred embodiment, the small electronic device  3  is a small electronic device with a display  2 . 
         [0045]    The adjustable floor stand  1  is designed to be placed adjacent to a reposing person  4  in a bed  5  or a lounging chair  6  (not shown). The folding, articulating arm  20  cantilevers and extends, by the means for manipulating  30 , the holder  21 , with the small electronic device  3  thereon, to a preferred location  31 , whereat an adjustment can be made to a preferred viewing angle  22  ( FIG. 2 ). In the preferred embodiment, the housing  10  masquerades as a common household item, such as a briefcase  13  or a computer case  17 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the housing  10  is compact in size and is comprised of an interior space  11  and a weighted base  12 . The weighted base  12  is sufficiently heavy to counterbalance a full range of articulated reach ( FIG. 2 ). The interior space  11  has sufficient capacity to receive the folded conformation of the folding, articulating arm  20  ( FIG. 5 ). The housing  10  further comprises a cover  14 . The cover  14  may be a simple lid, hinged or otherwise. In the preferred embodiment the cover  14  has a rubberized panel with a slit  15  in it to give way for withdrawing the folding, articulating arm  20 . 
         [0047]    The folding, articulating arm  20  is rendered manipulable by the means for manipulating  30 . Referring to  FIGS. 7-11 , the folding, articulating arm  20  is comprised of at least one, and preferably two or more, arm sections  32 . The sections  32  are hingeably connected to fold and take up a compact folded conformation. One section  32 , a distal section  38 , is hingeably attached in the interior space  11  to the housing  10 . The means for manipulating  30  the distal section  38  comprises at least one arcuate channel  16  embossed into a sidewall of the housing  10 . The arcuate channel  16  slidingly receives a boss  34  extending laterally from the section  38  ( FIG. 17 ). The attitude of the hinged distal section  38  constrained by the arcuate channel  16  defines a vertical angle  35  of deployment ( FIG. 24 ). In the preferred embodiment, there are bilateral bosses  34  in oppositely-facing arcuate channels  16 . The distal section  38  can be attached by any known hinge technology; but, in the preferred embodiment, the hinge is a yoke-and-pin joint  36 . 
         [0048]    The means for manipulating  30  further comprises a plurality of telescoping tubes  33 , which facilitate the extension of the folding, articulating arm  20 . One subset of the telescoping tubes  33  is casing tubes  42 , which essentially jacket an interior  26  of the folding, articulating arm  20 , wherein other telescoping tubes  33  provide a spinal structure. An electric wire  27  (not shown) can thread the interior  26  to electrify a recharging port on the holder  21 , or otherwise provide lighting. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-15 , the folding, articulating arm  20  is hingeably connected to the holder  21  at the end of a proximal section  39 . The holder  21  receives the small electronic device  3  and retains it thereon by spring clips  25  ( FIG. 7 ). The holder  21  is hingeably connected by at least one ball joint  24 . In the preferred embodiment, two such ball joints  24  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. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-11  and  16 - 22 , the means for stabilizing  40  comprises at least one eccentric joint  41  slideably engaged in one of the casing tubes  42 . The eccentric joint  41  is comprised of a two-part plug  44  divided by a slip plane  45  ( FIG. 11 ). The slip plane  45  is inclined to a common axis  46  running through the two-part plug  44  parallel to a longitudinal axis of the folding, articulating arm  20 . In one embodiment of the eccentric joint  41 , one of the parts of the two-part plug  44  is rotated about the common axis  46  in the slip plane  45  to cause the two parts to shift laterally and set against the wall of the host casing tube  42 . 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 a binding direction  43  and the telescoping tubes  33  connected to the eccentric joint  41  are thereby anchored. The anchor forms a base for extension of the folding, articulating arm  20 . The rotational embodiment of the eccentric joint  41  can be set by twisting collar  47  and rotating the innermost telescoping tube  33  interconnecting the collar  47  and the operable part of the two-part plug  44 . The tension embodiment, on the other hand, can be set by pulling up on an interconnecting cable  48  ( FIG. 22 ). The interconnecting cable  48  may thread through telescoping tubes  33 . The set in both cases is maintained by friction and released by countermotions of the setting thereof. In the case of the interconnecting cable  48 , the release may rely upon frictional engagement of the telescoping tubes  33 . A plurality of eccentric joints  41  may be used to stage cascading telescoping tubes  33 . 
         [0051]    The means for stabilizing  40  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, articulating arm  20  and the holder  21 , after setting one or more of the eccentric joints  41 , will simply remaining in any position put thereto until repositioned. 
         [0052]    The housing  10  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 the bed  5 , 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, the telescoping tubes  33 , the casing tubes  42 , and any sections  32  of the folding, articulating arm  20  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 joint  41  may be machined metal, wood or hard-durometer rubber. The yoke-and-pin joint  36  is preferably comprised of injection molded parts from resin. The weight in the weighted base  12  may be sand, ball bearings, a plug casting or any dense fill material. The weighted base  12  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. 
         [0053]    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, articulating arm  20  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.