Abstract:
A rotatable stand with adjustable tightness includes a turntable, a base, at least one adjustable connecting element, and a resilient element. The turntable has a spindle, which passes through and rotates in an opening of the base. The adjustable connecting element is connected to the turntable, such that the resilient element squeezes the base between the turntable and the resilient element so as to provide a proper squeezing strength and to make it convenient for a user to alter the orientation between the rotatable stand and the base,

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a rotatable stand with adjustable tightness, and more particularly to an electronic device having a rotatable stand with adjustable tightness 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In order to allow a user to set for a preferred orientation, a lot of communication or home electronic devices, such as computers, televisions, image phones, are designed to have a rotatable base. One of the examples is provided in the Taiwan patent application No.450499, entitled “Rotary stand that can stably loads the home electronic equipment” An exploded perspective view thereof is shown in  FIG. 1 . The assembled structure of the display panel  10  and the panel base  12  can be lodged into the rotatable stand  20  through the mergence of front male members  1210 , the rear male members  1212 , and the hollows  2010  and  2012 , so as to be rotatable through the rotatable stand  20 . 
         [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional magnified view of a portion of the rotatable stand  20 , composed of an upper base  210  and a lower base  220 . A lock pin  212  and an opening  222  are respectively formed on the upper base  210  and the lower base  220 . When the upper base  210  is merged with the lower base  220 , the lock pin  212  goes through the opening  222  with the lock arms extended such that the upper base  210  and the lower base  220  can be joined tightly and the assembled structure of the display panel  10  and the panel base  12  can rotate stably on the rotatable stand  20 . 
         [0006]    The degree of tightness (related to the degree of difficulty to rotate) of the conventional rotatable stand  20  is not allowed to be adjusted. Tightness over or under a feasible range usually causes a bad user experience In other words, the tightness of the rotatable stand of a conventional electronic device is not allowed to be changed after manufacturing phase After long-time use, it tends to spin too easily due to the departure from the factory setting tightness range, so as to impact the rotation friendiness. In view of foregoing drawback, the present invention set forth a rotatable stand with adjustable tightness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable stand, and more particularly to a rotatable stand with suitable adjustability on tightness and flexibility for a manufacturer to alter the orientation thereof. 
         [0008]    According to the object, the present invention provides a rotatable stand with adjustable tightness, including a turntable, a base, at least one adjustable connecting element, and a resilient element. The turntable has a spindle which passes through and rotates in an opening of the base. The adjustable connecting element is connected to the turntable, such that the resilient element squeezes the base between the turntable and the resilient element so as to provide a proper squeezing strength and to make it convenient for a user to alter the orientation between the rotatable stand and the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a display panel with a rotatable stand according to the prior art. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional magnified view of a portion of the rotatable stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an IP phone (Internet Protocol phone) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the major rotatable structure of the IP phone shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an IP phone (Internet Protocol phone) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, including a turntable  40 , a base ( 41 , 45 ), a display panel  30 , and a telephone handset  32 . The turntable  40  is configured on and rotatable with respect to the base ( 41 , 45 ). The display panel  30  is mounted on and pivotally connected to the turntable  40  such that the angle of elevation or depression of the display panel  30  with respect to the turntable  40  is adjustable and that the display panel  30  and the turntable  40  are collectively allowed to be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise with respect to the base ( 41 ,  45 ) (as indicated by the arrow sign in  FIG. 3 ). A user can find out an appropriate view angle to the display panel  30  by rotating the turntable  40 . The telephone handset  32  is connected to another end of the base ( 41 ,  45 ). 
         [0016]    In this embodiment, the base ( 41 ,  45 ) is composed of the upper base  41  and the lower base  45 . The lower base  45 , however, may be omitted such that only the upper base  41  constitutes the whole base. The telephone buttons  31  are located on the turntable  40 . Although it is illustrated by an IP phone in the embodiment, the present invention is applicable to communication or home electronic devices such as computers, televisions, image phones, and any other rotatable appliances. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the major rotatable structure of the IP phone shown in FIG- 3 , comprising a turntable  40 , an upper base  41 , a resilient element  43 , at least one adjustable connecting element  44 , and a spacing pad  42 . 
         [0018]    A spindle  4010  is formed on the rear side of the turntable  40  in the form of a hollow cylinder in this embodiment. At least one screw hole  4020  is formed in the spindle  4010  so as to be screwed with the adjustable connecting element  44 . The position of the screw hole  4020  is not limit to the inner side of the spindle  4010 . 
         [0019]    An opening  4112  is formed through the base  41  and the internal diameter thereof is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the spindle  4010  such that the spindle  4010  can pass through the opening  4112  and rotate without moving transversely. In this embodiment, a pair of symmetric arc-shaped notches  4114  are formed inside the upper base  41  to limit the rotating angle of the turntable  40 . 
         [0020]    The resilient element  43  is located under the opening  4112  so as to provide a squeezing strength (or a normal force) to secure the base  41  between the turntable  40  and the resilient element  43 . In this embodiment, the resilient element  43  is a resilient pad which includes a plate portion  4320  and a plurality of supporting legs  4310  extended from the plate portion  4320 . Each of the supporting legs  4310  forms an angle with the plate portion  4320 . 
         [0021]    Responsible for both connectivity and adjustability in this embodiment, the adjustable connecting element  44  is, but not limit to, a screw. The number of the at least one adjustable connecting element  44  is corresponding to the number of through holes  4330  through the plate portion  4320 . 
         [0022]    The spacing pad  42  is located between the upper base  41  and the resilient element  43 .In this embodiment, the spacing pad  42 , such as w washer, has an opening with inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the circle defined by the supporting legs  4310 . The area of the opening of the spacing pad  42 , however, can accommodate the through holes  4330 . 
         [0023]    To assemble or implement this embodiment, one or more adjustable connecting elements  44  (e.g., screws) are connected into the screw holes  4020  in the spindle  4010  through the through holes  4330  on the surface of the plate portion  4320  of the resilient element  43 . In this regard, the adjustable connecting element  44  makes the supporting legs  4310  deformed to produce the squeezing strength. The extent of screwing the adjustable connecting element  44  into the screw hole  4020  and the screw thread length determine the extent of the deformation of the supporting legs  4310  as well as the squeezing strength. 
         [0024]    The squeezing strength provides the friction between the turntable  40  and the upper base  41  so as to control the degree of tightness or the degree of difficulty to rotate the turntable  40  in accordance with the state of the resilient element  43  and to provide users a friendly experience on using the turntable  40 . The spacing pad  42  between the upper base  41  and the resilient element  43  makes the squeezing strength produced by the supporting legs  4310  uniformly distributed over the upper base  41 . The arc-shaped notches  4114  located inside the upper base  41  can limit the maximum rotation angle reachable by the turntable  40 . With such a rotation angle limitation, the interconnecting lines therein are protecting from damage due to improper usage. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the present embodiment. Only major structure is depicted for illustration purpose. The upper base  41  has a cone-like shape. The turntable  40  may rotate with respect to the upper base  41  clockwise or counter-clockwise (as illustrated by the arrow sign in  FIG. 5 ). FIG, 5  shows the interrelationship after assembling among the resilient element  43 , the spacing pad  42  and the spindle  4010 .  FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The upper base  41  has a circle-like shape. Likewise, the figure shows the interrelationship after assembling among the resilient element  43 , the spacing pad  42  and the spindle  4010 . 
         [0026]    It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.