Support structure for tablet display apparatus

A support structure for tablet display apparatus includes a support member and a connection assembly. The support member has a first end section and a second end section opposite to the first end section. The first end section is connected with the connection assembly via an angle adjustment seat, whereby the connection assembly can be rotated or tilted relative to the angle adjustment seat and located. The connection assembly is formed with a receiving space for receiving a tablet display apparatus. The second end section of the support member is pivotally connected with a base seat. Accordingly, the tablet display apparatus can be rotated and tilted by different angles and supported in an inclined position in adaptation to different situations and requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a support structure for tablet display apparatus, and more particularly to a support structure for tablet display apparatus, by means of which a user can tilt and rotate the tablet display apparatus by different angles to adjust the angular position of the tablet display apparatus in adaptation to different viewing situations.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are various conventional support structures and protection jacket structures for tablet computers. For example, a prior art discloses a support structure for tablet computer. The support structure is mainly composed of a fixing board body and a support member pivotally connected with the fixing board body. The fixing board body includes a front cover and a rear cover connected with the front cover. The rear cover has multiple locating members extending from the rear cover to the front cover. The rear cover is connected with multiple holding boards. Each holding board is formed with a guide slot for the locating member to slide along. The locating member provides a restriction effect for the guide slot so as to limit the holding board to move within a certain range.

In addition, an extensible member is disposed at the guide slot for the holding board to abut against and hold the tablet computer. Accordingly, by means of the extensible members, the holding boards can securely hold different sizes of tablet computers. However, the above structure can only hold and support the tablet computer in a fixed angular viewing position. Therefore, the application of the support structure cannot be diversified to meet various use requirements.

Another prior art discloses a support box structure for tablet computer. The support box structure includes a box body with a shutter box cover. The box body has a receiving cavity in which a Bluetooth wireless transmission keyboard can be snugly inserted. The box cover has an interlayer. A base shaft of the interlayer is pivotally connected with a support board. A rear shaft of the support board is pivotally connected with a support leg. When the box cover is stretched and horizontally rested, the support leg supports the support board to extend by an inclination for placing the tablet computer thereon. Accordingly, the tablet computer can be placed on a desktop and conveniently used in adaptation to the operation mode of a user who is familiar with solid keyboard. By means of such structure, the tablet computer can be supported by different inclination angles. However, the keyboard cannot be tilted to facilitate the operation. Moreover, it is still uneasy to operation the tablet computer to provide transverse display effect. As a result, the use of the tablet computer is still limited.

Still another prior art discloses a protection jacket for tablet computer. The protection jacket includes an upper cover and a base seat. A second turn section is formed between the upper cover and the base seat, whereby the upper cover and the base seat can be folded onto each other. A first turn section is formed near the middle of the base seat, whereby the base seat can be folded by a certain angle. Several magnets are disposed in the upper cover at intervals. According to the above arrangement, the tablet computer can be affixed to the base seat. The iron core inbuilt and concealed in the periphery of the tablet computer and the magnets of the upper cover can attract each other. In addition, the first and second turn sections can be folded so that the iron core can be attracted by different magnets in different positions, whereby the viewing angle of the tablet computer can be adjusted. Moreover, the protection jacket serves to protect the tablet computer from being scraped. By means of the above structure, the tablet computer can be supported by different inclination angles. However, the protection jacket cannot be connected with a keyboard.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a support structure for tablet display apparatus to overcome the shortcomings existing in the conventional support structures and protection jacket structures for tablet computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a support structure for tablet display apparatus. By means of the support structure, a user can tilt and rotate the tablet display apparatus by different angles and support/locate the screen of the tablet display apparatus in different angular positions to diversify the application of the tablet display apparatus.

To achieve the above and other objects, the support structure for tablet display apparatus of the present invention includes a support member and a connection assembly. The support member has a first end section and a second end section opposite to the first end section. The connection assembly is connected to the first end section of the support member. The connection assembly has a receiving space for receiving a tablet display apparatus with a screen.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the second end section of the support member is pivotally connected with a base seat via a second pivot member.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the base seat is formed with a pivot dent for receiving the second end section of the support member. The outer periphery of the second end section is formed with an abutment section for abutting against a bottom face of the pivot dent in pivotal rotation of the support member.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, an angle adjustment seat is disposed between the support member and the connection assembly. The angle adjustment seat is pivotally connected to the first end section of the support member via at least one first pivot member. The angle adjustment seat is formed with a receiving section with an opening. At least one engagement locating member is disposed in the receiving section. The engagement locating member is constantly outward elastically pushed by a preset elastic member. The connection assembly is relatively rotatably connected to one side of the angle adjustment seat, which side is formed with the receiving section. The connection assembly has a hollow section corresponding to the receiving section. An inner periphery of the hollow section is formed with multiple locating recesses for the engagement locating member to elastically engage in. The connection assembly is formed with a receiving space for receiving the tablet display apparatus.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the connection assembly includes a fixing seat. The receiving space is formed on the fixing seat.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the connection assembly further includes a retainer member. The hollow section is formed on the fixing seat. The fixing seat is connected to the angle adjustment seat by means of the retainer member.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the connection assembly further includes a connection member. The hollow section is formed on the connection member. The connection member is connected to the angle adjustment seat by means of a retainer member. The fixing seat is detachably connected to the connection member.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, a first edge of the connection member is formed with at least one first locating section and a second edge of the connection member opposite to the first edge is formed with at least one second locating section. The fixing seat is formed with at least one first located section and at least one second located section corresponding to the first and second locating sections respectively.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, the first and second locating sections are hook section and hook structure respectively, while the first and second located sections are located guide slot and engagement guide slot respectively.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, a bottom side of the receiving section is formed with at least one passage in communication with a backside of the receiving section. The first pivot member is disposed in the receiving section. The first pivot member has a pivot end with pivotally locating function. The pivot end passes through the passage to connect with the first end section of the support member.

In the above support structure for tablet display apparatus, at least one guide way is disposed on a periphery of the receiving section for guiding the engagement locating member to move along the guide way. A locating section is disposed between the passage and the guideway for fixing one end of the elastic member. The other end of the elastic member serves to push the engagement locating member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 2. The support structure for tablet display apparatus of the present invention includes a support member1and a connection assembly2. The support member1has a first end section11and a second end section12opposite to the first end section11. Two sides of the first end section11are respectively formed with two shaft holes111. Two sides of the second end section12are respectively formed with two shaft holes121. The outer periphery of the second end section12is formed with an abutment section122. The connection assembly2can be directly or indirectly connected to the first end section11of the support member1. (In this embodiment, the connection assembly2is pivotally connected to the first end section11of the support member1via an angle adjustment seat4. However, in practice, the connection assembly2can be alternatively directly pivotally connected to the first end section11of the support member1). The second end section12of the support member1can be connected with a base seat3as necessary to form a first embodiment of the present invention.

The connection assembly2is composed of a fixing seat21and a retainer member22. One side of the fixing seat21is formed with a receiving space211for receiving a tablet display apparatus5(such as a tablet computer or a cellular phone). The periphery of the receiving space211is formed with a protruding holding section213for locating the tablet display apparatus5. A center of the fixing seat21(the receiving space211) is formed with a hollow section212. An inner periphery of the hollow section212is formed with multiple locating recesses214arranged at predetermined angular intervals. The retainer member22has an area larger than that of the hollow section212and is connected to the hollow section212of the fixing seat21.

A center of the angle adjustment seat4is formed with a receiving section41with an opening corresponding to the hollow section212of the fixing seat21. The retainer member22can be mated with one side of the hollow section212, which side is distal from the angle adjustment seat4, to cover the hollow section212. Accordingly, the fixing seat21can be assembled with the angle adjustment seat4and rotated relative to the angle adjustment seat4. A bottom side of the receiving section41is formed with transversely extending passage411in communication with a backside of the receiving section41. Two guide ways412are disposed on two lateral sides of the passage411. A locating section413is disposed between the passage411and each guide way412. Multiple first pivot members42are disposed on the lateral sides of the passage411. Each first pivot member42has a pivot end421with pivotally locating function. The pivot end421passes through the passage411to connect with the shaft hole111of the support member1. Accordingly, the angle adjustment seat4can be pivotally rotated and tilted around the first end section11of the support member1. Multiple elastic members43, (which can be coiled springs), are respectively arranged between the locating sections413and the guide ways412. Each elastic member43has a first end affixed to the locating section413and a second end extending into the guideway412for constantly elastically urging an engagement locating member44, (which can be a roller), to move outward and engage in the locating recess214. Accordingly, the fixing seat21of the connection assembly2is rotatably located on the angle adjustment seat4.

The base seat3has a pivot dent32for receiving the second end section12of the support member1. Two second pivot members31with pivotally locating function are respectively disposed on two inner opposite sides of the pivot dent32. The second pivot members31are connectable in the shaft holes121of the support member1. When the support member1is pivotally rotated, the abutment section122of the support member1serves to abut against a bottom face of the pivot dent32so as to restrict the pivotally rotational angle of the support member1relative to the base seat3.

Please now refer toFIGS. 3 to 7. In use of the first embodiment of the present invention, the base seat3is rested on a preset plane face (such as a table face). The support member1is pivotally rotated relative to the base seat3(with the abutment section122abutting against the bottom face of the pivot dent32to restrict the pivotally rotational angle of the support member1) and the fixing seat21of the connection assembly2is rotated relative to the angle adjustment seat4(or the support member1). Accordingly, the tablet display apparatus5fixed on the fixing seat21can be upright positioned or tilted by a certain angle.

When not used, the support member1can be pivotally rotated to make the screen side of the tablet display apparatus5attach to and overlap the base seat3so as to minimize the occupied room for easy storage or carriage.

Alternatively, the angle adjustment seat4with the tablet display apparatus5can be totally reversely pivotally rotated around the first end section11of the support member1. Then the support member1can be attached to the base seat3. In this case, the tablet display apparatus5is horizontally rested on the plane face with the screen facing upward in a ready state (as shown inFIG. 7).

The engagement locating members44of the angle adjustment seat4are engaged in the locating recesses214formed on the periphery of the hollow section212of the fixing seat21as in an initial position (as shown inFIG. 3). Under such circumstance, the fixing seat21with the tablet display apparatus5is positioned in a transverse position (as shown inFIG. 4).

When it is necessary to rotate the screen of the tablet display apparatus5, the fixing seat21with the tablet display apparatus5is rotated to disengage the engagement locating members44from the original locating recesses214. At this time, the elastic members43are twisted and the engagement locating members44slide or roll along the inner periphery of the hollow section212to the other locating recesses214(as shown inFIG. 5) until the engagement locating members44are engaged and located in the other locating recesses214. Accordingly, the electronic apparatus5can be rotated by different angles and located in different angular positions (such as a vertical position as shown inFIG. 6) in adaptation to different use situations and requirements.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 to 10, which show a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is derived from the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, the present invention includes a connection assembly6and components of a base seat3, an angle adjustment seat4and a support member1, which are identical to those of the first embodiment. The connection assembly6includes a fixing seat63, a retainer member62and a connection member61. A center of the connection member61is formed with a hollow section611corresponding to the receiving section41. An inner periphery of the hollow section611is formed with multiple locating recesses612arranged at predetermined angular intervals. The engagement locating members44can be engaged and located in the locating recesses612. A first edge of the connection member61is formed with multiple first locating sections613extending in the same direction. (The first locating sections613can be hook sections). A second edge of the connection member61opposite to the first edge is formed with multiple second locating sections614extending in the same direction. The second locating sections614have hook structures. The second edge is further formed with a raised shift section615for shifting the second locating sections614.

The retainer member62has an area larger than that of the hollow section611and is connected to one side of the connection member61, which side is distal from the angle adjustment seat4. The retainer member62covers the hollow section611to prevent the first pivot members42, the elastic members43and the engagement locating members44from outward loosening and detaching from the angle adjustment seat4. Also, the retainer member62serves to connect the connection member61onto the angle adjustment seat4, permitting the connection member61to be rotated relative to the angle adjustment seat4.

One side of the fixing seat63is formed with a receiving space631for receiving a tablet display apparatus5(such as a tablet computer or a cellular phone). The periphery of the receiving space631is formed with a protruding holding section632for locating the tablet display apparatus5. A first edge of the fixing seat63is formed with multiple first located sections633opposite to the receiving space631, (which can be located guide slots). A second edge of the fixing seat63is formed with multiple second located sections634opposite to the receiving space631, (which can be engagement guide slots). The first and second located sections633,634correspond to the first and second locating sections613,614of the connection member61respectively.

When assembled, the first locating sections613(hook sections) of the connection member61extend into the first located sections633(located guide slots) of the fixing seat63, while the second locating sections614(hook structures) on the other edge of the connection member61are cooperatively inserted into the second located sections634(engagement guide slots). Under such circumstance, the connection member61is connected with the fixing seat63(as shown inFIG. 10). A user can apply a force to the raised shift section615to disengage the second locating sections614(hook structures) from the second located sections634(engagement guide slots) so as to separate the fixing seat63from the connection member61(as shown inFIG. 9). Accordingly, the connection assembly6is easy to assemble and disassemble.

In the second embodiment, only the connection assembly6is different from that of the first embodiment in structure, while the angle adjustment seat4, the base seat3and the support member1are identical to those components of the first embodiment in structure and connection manner and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter.

In conclusion, the support structure for tablet display apparatus of the present invention is connectable with a keyboard and enables a user to adjustably tilt and rotate the screen of the tablet computer by different angles.