Abstract:
A stand for supporting a display device. The stand includes a fixing plate, a hinge structure and a supporting structure. The fixing plate is connected to the display device. The hinge structure is connected to the fixing plate and has a hinge body. The supporting structure is connected to the hinge structure and has a first supporting element and a second supporting element. The first supporting element is rotatably connected to the second supporting element. The distance between the bottoms of the first and second supporting elements changes when either of the first and second supporting elements rotates.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a stand, and in particular to a stand that provides stable support in a portable mode and is easily converted to a desk top mode.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Generally speaking, there are many types of conventional stands to support electronic devices such as an LCD TV or LCD monitor.  
         [0005]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional fixed-type stand  1  can provide stable support for a display  12 . Nevertheless, a fixed-type stand  1  occupies a large space, and may be inconvenient to store or transport. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a conventional simplified-type stand  2  does not include a base structure. Thus, the simplified-type stand  2  occupies less space than the fixed-type stand  1  but does not provide stable support.  
         [0006]     Hence, there is a need to provide a stand to overcome the aforementioned problems. The stand provides portability and adequate support.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a stand to support a display device. The stand comprises a fixing plate, a hinge structure and a supporting structure. The fixing plate is connected to the display device. The hinge structure is connected to the fixing plate and has a hinge body. The supporting structure is connected to the hinge structure and has a first supporting element and a second supporting element. The first supporting element is rotatably connected to the second supporting element. The distance between the bottoms of the first and second supporting elements changes when either of the first and second supporting elements rotates.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, the hinge structure further comprises a first hinge, a second hinge, a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. The first hinge is connected to the first fixing portion and hinge body. The second hinge is connected to the second fixing portion and hinge body. The first and second fixing portions are fixed to the fixing plate.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a base having a receiving portion. The first and second supporting elements are received in the receiving portion when the base is connected to the first and second supporting elements.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a lock structure disposed in the receiving portion of the base to position the first and second supporting elements in the receiving portion, and release the first and second supporting elements from the receiving portion.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, the lock structure further comprises a button element and an engaging element. The button element is slidably disposed on the engaging element. The first and second supporting elements engage the engaging element and disengage from the engaging element by means of the button element.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, the first supporting element and second supporting element further comprise a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, respectively, to engage the engaging element.  
         [0013]     Accordingly, the first supporting element and second supporting element further comprise a first toothed portion and a second toothed portion, respectively. The first toothed portion engages the second toothed portion such that the first supporting element rotates with respect to the second supporting element.  
         [0014]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a first cushion and a second cushion disposed on the bottoms of the first and second supporting elements, respectively.  
         [0015]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a first cover covering the hinge body, first toothed portion, second toothed portion and fixing plate.  
         [0016]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a second cover covering the hinge body.  
         [0017]     Accordingly, the hinge body further comprises a first fixed pin and a second fixed pin. The first and second supporting elements pivot to the first and second fixed pins, respectively.  
         [0018]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises at least one first buffer disposed in the receiving portion of the base to protect the supporting structure.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the first buffer is made of rubber.  
         [0020]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises a bottom plate disposed under the base. The lock structure is disposed in the receiving portion of the base and on the bottom plate.  
         [0021]     Accordingly, the stand further comprises at least one second buffer disposed under the bottom plate.  
         [0022]     Preferably, the second buffer is made of rubber.  
         [0023]     Another object of the invention is to provide a display device. The display device comprises a main body and a stand. The stand is connected to the main body and has a first supporting element and a second supporting element. The bottoms of the first supporting element, second supporting element and main body form a plane and the main body is supported thereon when the first supporting element is separated from the second supporting element by a predetermined distance.  
         [0024]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a hinge body disposed on the main body. The stand is connected to the main body by means of the hinge body. The hinge body rotates in a direction away from the main body to change the angle between the stand and main body.  
         [0025]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a base having a receiving portion. The first and second supporting elements are accommodated in the receiving portion when the base is connected to the stand.  
         [0026]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a lock structure disposed in the receiving portion of the base to position the first and second supporting elements in the receiving portion and release the first and second supporting elements from the receiving portion.  
         [0027]     Accordingly, the lock structure further comprises a button element and an engaging element. The button element slides and is disposed on the engaging element. The first and second supporting elements engage the engaging element and disengage from the engaging element by means of the button element.  
         [0028]     Accordingly, the first supporting element and second supporting element further comprise a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, respectively, to engage the engaging element.  
         [0029]     Accordingly, the first supporting element and second supporting element further comprise a first toothed portion and a second toothed portion, respectively. The first toothed portion engages the second toothed portion such that the first supporting element rotates with respect to the second supporting element.  
         [0030]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a first cushion and a second cushion disposed on the bottoms of the first and second supporting elements, respectively.  
         [0031]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a first cover covering the hinge body, first toothed portion and second toothed portion.  
         [0032]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a second cover covering the hinge body.  
         [0033]     Accordingly, the hinge body further comprises a first fixed pin and a second fixed pin. The first and second supporting elements pivot to the first and second fixed pins, respectively.  
         [0034]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises at least one first buffer disposed in the receiving portion of the base to protect the stand.  
         [0035]     Preferably, the first buffer is made of rubber.  
         [0036]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises a bottom plate disposed under the base. The lock structure is disposed in the receiving portion of the base and on the bottom plate.  
         [0037]     Accordingly, the display device further comprises at least one second buffer disposed under the bottom plate.  
         [0038]     Preferably, the second buffer is made of rubber.  
         [0039]     Accordingly, the main body further comprises a sliding groove. The first and second supporting elements are disposed in the sliding groove and slide therein. The stand is in a received condition when the first and second supporting elements meet. The stand is in a supporting condition when the first and second supporting elements are separated.  
         [0040]     A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0041]     The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional fixed-type stand;  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a conventional simplified-type stand;  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the stand of the first embodiment of the invention in a received condition;  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the stand of the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded condition;  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the supporting structure of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention separated from the base;  
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a perspective exploded view showing the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the hinge structure of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a plane view showing the hinge structure and supporting structure of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective exploded view showing the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a plane view showing the button element of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a plane view showing the engaging element of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the first supporting element of the stand of the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0054]      FIG. 13  showing the supporting structure of the first embodiment of the invention engaged in a lock structure;  
         [0055]      FIG. 14  showing the supporting structure of the first embodiment of the invention separated from the lock structure;  
         [0056]      FIG. 15  is a side view according to  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 16A  is a schematic view showing the stand of the second embodiment of the invention in a received condition; and  
         [0058]      FIG. 16B  is a schematic view showing the stand of the second embodiment of the invention in a supporting condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     First Embodiment  
       [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the stand  100  supports a display device  10  having a curved bottom. The display device  10  may be an LCD TV or an LCD monitor.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the stand  100  comprises a handle  110 , a fixing plate  120 , a hinge structure  130  and a supporting structure  140 . The fixing plate  120  is connected to the handle  110  by bolts  121 . The hinge structure  130  is rotatably connected to the fixing plate  120 . The supporting structure  140  is rotatably connected to the hinge structure  130 .  
         [0061]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the hinge structure  130  has a first hinge  131 , a second hinge  132 , a first fixing portion  133 , a second fixing portion  134  and a hinge body  135 . The first hinge  131  is connected to the first fixing portion  133  and hinge body  135 . The second hinge  132  is connected to the second fixing portion  134  and hinge body  135 . The first fixing portion  133  and second fixing portion  134  are fixed to the fixing plate  120  by bolts  136 . When the first fixing portion  133  and second fixing portion  134  of the hinge structure  130  are fixed to the fixing plate  120 , the hinge body  135  can rotate with respect to the first fixing portion  133  and second fixing portion  134 .  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the supporting structure  140  has a first supporting element  141  and a second supporting element  142 . The first supporting element  141  is rotatably connected to the second supporting element  142 . Specifically, a first toothed portion  143  and a second toothed portion  144  are formed on the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142 , respectively. The first toothed portion  143  engages with the second toothed portion  144  such that the first supporting element  141  rotates with respect to the second supporting element  142 .  
         [0063]     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the hinge body  135  of the hinge structure  130  has a first fixed pin  137  and a second fixed pin  138 . The first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  pivot to the first fixed pin  137  and second fixed pin  138 , respectively. Thus, when the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  rotate relatively, the first supporting element  141  rotates at the first fixed pin  137  and the second supporting element  142  rotates at the second fixed pin  138 .  
         [0064]     As shown in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 9 , the stand  100  can be connected to a base  150  to support the display device  10 . The base  150  has a receiving portion  151 . When the first and second supporting elements  141 ,  142  of the supporting structure  140  meet, the first and second supporting elements  141 ,  142  can be received in the receiving portion.  151  and the stand  100  supports the display device  10 .  
         [0065]     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , a lock structure  160  is disposed in the receiving portion  151  of the base  150 . The lock structure  160  is composed of a button element  161  and an engaging element  162 . The button element  161  is slidably disposed on the engaging element  162 .  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 12 , the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  have a first engaging portion  145  and a second engaging portion  146 , respectively. When the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  meet and are received in the receiving portion  151 , the first engaging portion  145  and second engaging portion  146  engage a first protrusion  163  and a second protrusion  164  of the engaging element  162 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 .  
         [0067]     Accordingly, the button element  161  can be pressed in the direction shown by arrow A in  FIG. 5  to disengage the supporting structure  140 , or the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  from the engaging element  162 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 14 , a first retardant portion  165  and a second retardant portion  166  of the button element  161  are moved toward the inside of the receiving portion  151  to compress a third retardant portion  167  and a fourth retardant portion  168  of the engaging element  162 . The first protrusion  163  and second protrusion  164  of the engaging element  162  are deflected inward, such that the first engaging portion  145  of the first supporting element  141  and the second engaging portion  146  of the second supporting element  142  disengage from the first protrusion  163  and second protrusion  164  of the engaging element  162 , respectively. At this time, the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  are completely separated from the receiving portion  151  of the base  150 .  
         [0068]     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the stand  100  has a first cover  170  and a second cover  180 . The first cover  170  covers the hinge body  135 , first toothed portion  143 , second toothed portion  144  and fixing plate  120 . The second cover  180  covers the hinge body  135 .  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a plurality of first buffers  152  made of rubber are disposed in the receiving portion  151  of the base  150 . When the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  are received in the receiving portion  151 , the first buffers  152  can prevent the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  from directly impacting the inner wall of the receiving portion  151 .  
         [0070]     In addition, a bottom plate  190  is disposed under the base  150 . The lock structure  160  is disposed in the receiving portion  151  of the base  150  and on the bottom plate  190 . Meanwhile, the lock structure  160  is embraced by an annular rubber element  200 . A plurality of second buffers  191  made of rubber are disposed under the bottom plate  190 . The second buffers  191  can provide the stand  100  with excellent shock absorption.  
         [0071]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a first cushion  147  and a second cushion  148  are respectively disposed on the bottoms of the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  to protect the bottoms thereof.  
         [0072]     Accordingly, when the stand  100  is received in the receiving portion  151  of the base  150 , the display device  10  is supported by the stand  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The button element  161  can be pressed in the direction shown by arrow A in  FIG. 5  to disengage the supporting structure  140  or the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  from the engaging element  162 . After the supporting structure  140  is removed from the base  150 , the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  can be separated by a predetermined distance. Then, the hinge structure  130  can be turned to separate the first supporting element  141  and second supporting element  142  from the display device  10  by a predetermined angle θ, as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 15 . At this time, the bottoms of the first supporting element  141 , second supporting element  142  and display device  10  form a virtual plane P and the display device  10  is supported thereon. In addition, the display device  10  can be transported by means of the handle  110 .  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0073]     Referring to  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B , the stand  100 ′ comprises a first supporting element  141 ′ and a second supporting element  142 ′. A sliding groove  300  is formed on the back of the display device  10 ′. The first supporting element  141 ′ and second supporting element  142 ′ are disposed in the sliding groove  300  and slide therein. Similarly, the first supporting element  141 ′ and second supporting element  142 ′ are separated from the back of the display device  10 ′ by a predetermined angle θ (not shown in  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B ).  
         [0074]     Accordingly, when the first supporting element  141 ′ and second supporting element  142 ′ meet, the stand  100 ′ is in a received condition, as shown in  FIG. 16A . On the other hand, when the first supporting element  141 ′ and second supporting element  142 ′ are separated by a predetermined distance, the stand  100 ′ is in a supporting condition, as shown in  FIG. 16B . At this time, the bottoms of the first supporting element  141 ′, second supporting element  142 ′ and display device  10 ′ form a virtual plane (not shown) and the display device  10 ′ is supported thereon.  
         [0075]     In conclusion, the stands  100 ,  100 ′ of the invention have the following advantages.  
         [0076]     (1) The stands  100 ,  100 ′ are easily assembled.  
         [0077]     (2) When the stands  100 ,  100 ′ are transported, the space occupied thereby or size of the package is reduced. Thus, the cost in transporting the stands  100 ,  100 ′ is reduced.  
         [0078]     (3) The stands  100 ,  100 ′ can be placed anywhere and provide stable support.  
         [0079]     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.