Support device

A support device includes a support element, a plurality of legs rotatably connected to the support element which can be rotated to be changed from an unfolded state and a folded state, and a main body sleeves the support element. When the legs are rotated to be in the unfolded state, the legs cooperate with the support element to support an electronic device, and when the legs are rotated to be in the folded state, the main body sleeves on the support element receiving the legs.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to support devices and, particularly, to a support device for supporting portable electronic devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Hand-held electronic devices, such as PDAs, often use docking stations for support. However, some docking stations cannot be folded and are an inconvenience when being carried and take a large amount of space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an embodiment of an electronic device assembly100is illustrated. The assembly100includes an electronic device10and a support device20for supporting the electronic device10. The electronic device10may be a panel computer. The support device20can be in an unfolded state and a folded state. When in use, the support device20is unfolded to support the electronic device10. When not in use, the support device20is folded.

Referring also toFIGS. 2-3, the support device20includes a support element21, three legs (hereinafter, two first legs230and one second leg232), a connecting element25, and a main body27. The connecting element25is secured to the main body27. One end of each of the first and second leg230,232is rotatably connected to the support element21. The other end of the second leg232is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting element25. The main body27and the legs230,232are capable of being sleeved by the support element21and the connecting element25.

The support element21is substantially parallelepiped shaped, and may be made of plastic. The support element21includes a bottom portion211and a top portion212. A protrusion218protrudes from the joint of the top and bottom portions211,212to form a step. The bottom portion211includes a bottom surface213. Three connecting protrusions214are arranged on the bottom surface213and each corresponds to one of the first and second legs230,232. The top portion212defines a first support surface215, which can contact the back surface of the electronic device10to support the electronic device10when the support device20is unfolded. In this embodiment, the first support surface215has an inclined surface. The support element21further includes a shell216, which can sleeve on the top portion212. The shape of the shell216matches that of the top portion212to allow the top potion212to be fitted into the shell216. In an alternative embodiment, the shell216may be integrally formed with the top portion212.

An end of each of the first and second legs230,232is rotatably coupled to an end of the support element21, and frictional forces are present between the support element21and each first and second legs230,232to hinder the smooth and free rotation of the first and second legs230,232. The length of the first and second legs230,232is the same. Two support blocks236are respectively rotatably connected to the other end of the first legs230opposite to the support element21, to prevent the electronic device10from falling off the support device20. The support blocks236can be rotated to be parallel to a support surface, such as a table, and cooperate with the support element21to support the electronic device10. In the embodiment, a portion of an end of the first leg230opposite to the first element21is cut off to define a cutout234, for receiving the support blocks236. The cutouts234are fitted with the support blocks236.

The main body27is substantially parallelepiped shaped, and the length is greater than that of the support element21. The main body27defines a longitudinal receiving space274with an opening2741. The receiving space274is used for receiving the connecting element25, the first and second legs230,232and the bottom portion211of the first element21. The total size of the cross-section of the first and second legs230,232is less than the size of the opening2741. The depth of the receiving space274is greater than the total height of the bottom portion211and one of the first and second legs230,232. The shape of the opening2741is the same as that of the cross-section of the bottom portion211, and the size of the opening2741is equal to that of the cross-section of the bottom portion211. Thus the first and second legs230,232, and the bottom portion211can be pushed into the receiving space274, and the top portion212cannot be pushed into the receiving space274because of the step formed by the protrusion218. The main body27further defines a second support surface276on a top end of the support device27opposite to the opening2741. The second support surface276can support the electronic device10when unfolded. In this embodiment, the second support surface276is also an inclined surface.

The connecting element25is telescopic. The connecting element25includes a fixing portion250secured to the main body27and a sliding portion252slidably arranged over the fixing portion250. The fixing portion250is received in the receiving space274. The sliding portion252is capable of sliding relative to the fixing portion250to extend out of the opening2741.

In assembly, the fixing portion250is secured to the main body27, the sliding portion252is slidably arranged over the fixing portion250. An end of the second leg232is rotatably connected to the sliding portion252by the round hole254, and the other end of the second leg232is rotatably coupled to one of the connecting protrusions214.

An end of each first leg230is rotatably coupled to one of the other two connecting protrusions214.

Referring toFIG. 5, after assembly, the first and second legs230,232are folded to be parallel to the support element21and the connecting element25. The sliding portion252, the first and second legs230,232, and the bottom portion211are pushed into the received space274with the bottom portion211of the main body210received the receiving space274, and the support device20is in the folded state.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 2, to use the support device20to support the electronic device10. First, the bottom portion211, the first and second legs230,232, and the sliding portion252are pulled out of the receiving space274. Second, the second leg232is rotated relative to the sliding portion252to drive the support element21adjacent to the main body27. Third, the first and second legs230,232are respectively rotated around the connecting portions214to be unfolded as a tripod. Then, the support blocks236are rotated parallel to the support surface. At this time, the support device20can support the electronic device10with the bottom portion laid on the support blocks236and the back portion supported by the support element21. Furthermore, the main body27can also be rotated to support the top portion of the back of the electronic device10, such that the electronic device10can be steadily supported.

When in not use, the support blocks236are rotated to be received in the cutout234, and the first and second legs230,232are rotated to be folded parallel to the support element21. The second leg232is then rotatably aligned with the connecting element25. At this time, the support element21can be pushed toward the main body27to cause the bottom portion211, the legs230,232,234, and the sliding portion252to be received in the receiving space274, and the support device20is in the folded state.