Combination support stand and carrying handle for portable electronic devices

A combination support stand and carrying handle apparatus for use with an associated tablet device having a generally rectangular conformation with opposite front and back substantially planar surfaces. The apparatus includes a mounting member, a handle member, and a support stand for holding the associated tablet device on surfaces at selected angles for convenience of use of the tablet device. The carrying handle is grippable by the hand of an associated user. The support stand apparatus and carrying handle apparatus may be provided individually without the other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to accessories for portable tablet devices and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the embodiments herein will find application for use with any portable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

By their very nature, tablet devices such as iPads, Kindle Fires, Nooks, Galaxies, and the like, are portable. Users therefore often carry the tablet devices from place to place. It is important, however, that the users not drop the tablet devices as they are somewhat fragile. The smooth outer casings and interface screens of the tablet devices make them hard to carry without first placing them into a carrying bag or the like.

Users desire to interface with the portable tablet devices from place to place and often times during travel between destinations. It is important, therefore, to be able to quickly deploy the electronic device from its carrying environment and place it into an operable condition such as onto a desktop, work surface, or the like.

OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An accessory for a portable electronic device is provided. In accordance with an example embodiment described herein, the accessory is a rack handle system for a portable handheld electronic device. In particular, the accessory of the example embodiment is a combination support stand and carrying handle apparatus for use with an associated tablet device having a generally rectangular conformation with opposite front and back substantially planar surfaces.

In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mounting member, a handle member, and a support stand. The mounting member comprises a first end disposed on the substantially planar rear surface of the associated tablet device and a second end opposite the first end and spaced apart from the substantially planer rear surface of the associated tablet device by a predetermined distance D. The handle member of the combination support stand carrying handle apparatus is operatively coupled with the second end of the mounting member and extends in a direction substantially parallel with the substantially planar rear surface of the associated tablet device and is spaced apart from the substantially planar rear surface of the associated tablet device by the predetermined distance D. In addition, the support stand of the apparatus of the example embodiment comprises a free first end configured to engage an associated work surface for supporting the associates tablet device relative to the associated work surface, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is pivotably coupled with at least one of the mounting members or the handle member. In that way, the support stand is pivotable in selected positions relative to at least one of the mounting member and the handle member for supporting the associated tablet device in selected positions relative to the associated work surface.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the example embodiment have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the claims herein. Thus, the claims may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawing Figures, wherein the showings are for illustrating an example embodiment only and not for purposes of limiting the claims herein,FIGS. 1 and 2show side perspective and elevational views, respectively, of a combination support stand and carrying handle apparatus10in accordance with the example embodiment. The apparatus10is shown together with an associated tablet device A having a generally rectangular conformation with opposite front B and back C substantially planar surfaces. It is to be appreciated that the associated tablet device A forms no part of the example embodiment but is shown in the drawings herein only for purposes of helping to facilitate the description of the apparatus10of the example embodiment.

In general, the apparatus10comprises a mounting member20, a handle member30, and a support stand40. The mounting member20comprises a first end22disposed on the substantially planar rear surface C of the associated tablet device A, and a second end24opposite the first end22and spaced apart from the substantially planar rear surface C of the associated tablet device A by a predetermined distance D. While the preferred embodiment described herein comprises an apparatus with combined handle member30and support stand40portions, it is to be appreciated that other embodiments include the handle member30and the support stand40being provided separately without the other in apparatus for use with the associated tablet device A for carrying and supporting the tablet, respectively. An example embodiment is a handle member. A further example embodiment is a support stand.

The handle member30of the apparatus10of the example embodiment is operatively coupled with the second end24of the mounting member20substantially as illustrated. The handle member30extends in direction substantially parallel with the substantially planar rear surface C of the associated tablet device A and is spaced apart from the substantially planar rear surface C of the associated tablet device A by the predetermined distance D.

With continued referenceFIGS. 1 and 2, the support stand40of the apparatus10of the example embodiment comprises a free first end42configured to engage an associated work surface E for supporting the associated tablet device A relative to the associated work surface E, and a second end44opposite the first end42for coupling the support stand40with the handle member30. In accordance with the example embodiment illustrated, the second end44of the support stand40is pivotably coupled with at least the mounting member20and/or the handle member30, wherein the support stand40is pivotably movable into selected positions relative to the mounting member20and/or the handle member30for supporting the associated tablet device A in selected positions relative to the associated work surface E. In the example embodiment, the support stand40is pivotably connected with the handle member30. However, it is to be appreciated that the support end40may be pivotably connected with the mounting member20, the handle member30or combinations of the mounting member and/or the handle member.

In addition to the above, it is to be appreciated that the support stand is pivotable in selected positions relative to the handle member for supporting the associated tablet device A in various selected positions including, for example, the first position50illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. More particularly, in the illustrated first position50, the associated tablet device A is held at a predetermined angle of inclination52relative to the associated work surface E of about19degrees. It has been found that an angle of inclination52of about19degrees in the first position50illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2is convenient for users of the associated tablet device A when typing or entering and/or retrieving information to or from the tablet device. At this angle of inclination, less stress is placed on the user's wrists and hands than would be incurred in a flat orientation.

The subject combination support stand and carrying handle10in accordance with the example embodiment is shownFIGS. 3 and 4holding the associated tablet device A in a second position50′ whereat the associated tablet device A is held at an angle of inclination52′ relative to the associated work surface of about 109 degrees (19 degrees from vertical). It has been found that the second position at the second angle of inclination is highly desirable for watching videos, viewing photos, or live-streaming data on the associated tablet device A.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-4and with additional reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, it is to be appreciated that the subject combination support stand and carrying handle is useful for not only supporting the associated tablet device A relative to the associated work surface E, but also for carrying the tablet device coupled with the apparatus by means of the handle member30such as shown for example inFIG. 5or by the support stand40such as shown inFIG. 6. In the example embodiment, the predetermined distance D as provided by the distance between the first and second ends22,24of the mounting member20is selected to easily accommodate the thumb and fingers of the associated user when carrying the apparatus10by the handle member30such as shown inFIG. 5. In addition, as noted above, the support stand40is pivotably connected with the handle member30and is moveable relative thereto into selected positions such as in a fully extended position illustrated, for example, inFIG. 6whereby the associated user may carry the tablet device connected with the subject apparatus as a “lunch box” modality.

In addition to the above, for safety reasons and to help prevent accidents from occurring such as, for example, caused by accidentally dropping the tablet device, the subject apparatus10further includes a safety wrist strap60having a coupling end62fastened with the handle member30and a loop end64configured to receive the hand and wrist of the associated user such as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6for example. In an embodiment the coupling end62forms a lasso wherein the safety wrist straps may be selectively removed from the handle member as necessary or desired.

FIGS. 7aand7bshow the subject apparatus10with the support stand removed therefrom for ease of illustration and discussion, andFIG. 8shows the apparatus10of the example embodiment with the support stand40attached and in an extended conformation. With reference now to those figures and with additional reference toFIGS. 9a,9b,10a, and10b, the mounting member20of the example embodiment comprises a plurality of block members100including a first pair of block members102adjacent to the support stand40and a second pair of block members104on the side of the apparatus opposite from the support stand40. The block members100are coupled with elongated attachment bars120having a general configuration such as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7a,7b. In the example embodiment, the first pair102of block members100are coupled with a first attachment bar112and, similarly, the second pair104of block members100coupled with a second attachment bar114. In the example embodiment, each of the attachment bars112,114are coupled with the rear surface C of the associated tablet device A using adhesive strips122,124(FIG. 4), respectively. It is to be appreciated that although adhesive strips are used in the example embodiment, other means of attaching the attachment bars112,114to the rear surface C of the associated tablet device A any other attachment means or techniques now known or hereinafter developed may be used.

As best shown inFIGS. 1,3, and7a, the handle member30comprises at least one grippable member200extending between the plurality of block members100wherein the grippable member200has an elongate generally cylindrical shape configured to be gripped by a hand of an associated user of the associated tablet device such as shown, for example, inFIGS. 5 and 6. In the example embodiment, the grippable member200includes a pair of first and second C-shaped grip members202,204(FIGS. 7aand7b) extending essentially around the outer peripheral edges of the rear surface C of the associated tablet device. The first grip member202defines opposite first and second ends210,212having a generally bent configuration for selective attachment with the first and second attachment bars112,114, respectively. Similarly, the second grip member204defines opposite first and second ends220,222, having a generally curved configuration and being selectively connected with the first and second attachment bars112,114.

In the example embodiment illustrated, the grippable members200carry anti-friction members230(FIG. 7) in the form of a plurality of rubber o-rings232-238which are preferably disposed at the four corners of the rear surface C of the associated tablet device A. The anti-friction members230help stabilize the apparatus10relative to the associated work surface E during use of the associated tablet device A.

Further in the example embodiment, the first free end42(FIG. 4) of the support stand40comprises at least two leg members240,242(FIG. 8) for supporting the associated tablet device in the selected positions relative to the associated work surface. The leg members240,242are mutually coupled by a timing bar244for joint movement of the leg members between the selected positions relative to the handle member. In the example embodiment, the timing bar244has an elongate generally cylindrical shape configured to be gripped by the hand of an associated user such as shown, for example, inFIG. 6.

The free ends250,252(FIG. 8) of the leg members240,242each carry an anti-friction member260,262to assist in holding the subject apparatus10stationary relative to the associated work surface E when the apparatus is disposed in the first position50such as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 2. In the example embodiment, the anti-friction members are mushroom-shaped members formed of a suitable low friction material such as rubber for example.

FIGS. 10aand10billustrate a detent mechanism300used in the example embodiment for holding the support stand40in plural selected positions. In the embodiment, each of the leg members240,242carries a ball member310biased into engagement with plural detents312formed at selected locations in the handle member30, wherein the ball members are urged into engagement with the detents by a biasing means316such as a spring318for example.

The example embodiment herein has been described with reference to preferred structures, shapes, and conformations. However, it is to be appreciated that the claims herein are not limited to those precise structures or their specific descriptions. Rather, the claims are to be given their broadest possible interpretation as appropriate.

In addition, while a certain embodiment has been described, this embodiment has been presented by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiment described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the embodiment described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.