Abstract:
A stand for a camera device, the stand comprising an attachment element which is detachably fastened to the camera device and at least one support element which is displaceably connected to the attachment element. The support element is displaceable between at least two positions, a “storage” position where the at least one support element essentially lies up against an outer surface of the camera device and an “active” position where the at least one support element is displaced away from the outer surface of the camera device in order to provide a support for supporting the camera device in a steady orientation on a surface. The attachment element and the supporting element are furthermore arranged such that the attachment element remains fastened to the camera device during the displacement of the supporting element between its storage position and its active position. In this way, a stand is provided which may be very easy and convenient for the user to use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to stands that may be used to support a camera device. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Many different types of stands are presently available to support camera devices, such as digital and analog cameras and video and still picture cameras. In response to the release of mobile telephones with built in cameras, stands have also been adapted for use with mobile telephones. Accordingly, the term “camera device” as used herein includes any device which has picture or video taking capabilities. 
   An exemplary stand for use with a mobile telephone is disclosed in U.S. 2005/0164541 A1. The stand disclosed by U.S. 2005/0164541 A1 is however a rather bulky stand which is attached to the phone via a quick connect coupling. This requires the user to constantly carry around the bulky stand. Furthermore, when the user wishes to use the stand, the stand must first be attached to the phone. 
   Another example is disclosed by TW252039 Y. The stand disclosed by TW252039 Y is formed as a part of the back side of the housing of a mobile phone. In this way, the stand is always connected to the phone and therefore always available for use. However, the stand adds extra weight and volume to the phone which will be undesirable for those users who do not need a camera stand. 
   Still a further example is disclosed by U.S. 2002/0017545 A1. U.S. 2002/0017545 A1 discloses a carrying case for an electronic device. The carrying case can furthermore be transformed into a stand for holding the electronic device in a fixed position. In one embodiment, the case is used for carrying a camera. The case comprises a flexible metal portion which can be folded out to form a camera stand. The camera can then be taken out of the case and mounted onto the constructed camera stand. However, when converting the case to a camera stand, it is necessary to remove the camera from the case and then afterwards mount the camera on the stand with a fastening screw. This operation consumes time and the user can also risk loosing the screw which connects the camera to the stand. In addition, the case is rather bulky and heavy. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is therefore a first aspect of some embodiments of the current invention to provide a stand which can be attached directly to a camera device and which may be convenient and easy for the user to use. 
   This aspect may be provided for by the current invention in part in that the attachment element and the supporting element are arranged such that the attachment element remains fastened to the camera device during the displacement of the supporting element between its storage position and its active position. In this way, the user can easily transform the stand from its active position to its storage position and vice versa, without being required to attach or detach the camera device from the stand. 
   The at least one support element can be formed such that in the “storage” position of the at least one support element, the at least one support element at least partially covers the camera device. In this way, the camera device can be protected from damage since the at least one support element forms a sort of cover for the camera device. 
   Furthermore, the at least one support element could be formed as a thin sheet-like element. In this way, when the at least one support element is folded into the camera device in the storage position, the at least one support element does not significantly increase the volume of the camera device. This allows the user of the device to easily carry around the stand with the camera device fastened thereto. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that by thin sheet-like element is meant an object which has a thickness which is significantly less than the thickness of the camera device. Furthermore it should be mentioned that most of the currently available camera devices are rectangular, however in the future camera devices could be curved in which case the thin sheet like element could also be curved such that it adapts to the contours of the camera device. 
   In one embodiment, the stand could comprise at least two support elements which in their “storage” position completely cover the camera device. In a further embodiment, the stand could further comprise sealing means arranged between the at least one supporting element and/or the attachment element when the at least one supporting element is in the storage position. In this way the stand forms a waterproof housing around the camera device. The stand also protects the camera device very well in this embodiment since the camera device is completely enclosed within the stand. In this situation, the stand also forms a sort of protective case for the camera device. The stand could therefore be called a protective case which is also a stand. 
   The stand could further comprise an adjustment mechanism to adjust the orientation of the camera device in the “active” position of the at least one support element. In this way, the orientation of the camera device can easily be adjusted in order to put the camera in a certain desired orientation. This is especially useful when the underlying surface on which the stand is placed is uneven. 
   In order to provide a more stable support, the at least one support element could be formed such that at least three support points are provided between the support element and the underlying surface when the at least one support element is in its active position. 
   In another embodiment, the at least one support element could be rotatably attached to the attachment element via at least one hinge and the axis of the at least one hinge could be arranged parallel with or tangent to at least one of the sides of the camera device. In this way, the mechanism of the stand is simple and robust. It also provides a mechanism which in a simple way allows the support elements to be folded up against a surface of the camera device. 
   In still a further embodiment, the stand could comprises at least two support elements where one of said at least two support elements covers at least a portion of the “front” of the camera device and the other of said at least two support elements covers at least a portion of the “back” of the camera device when the at least two support elements are in the storage position. This embodiment ensures that both the front and the back of the camera device are protected. This is important since the majority of the fragile components of the camera device, for example the camera lens and the display, are typically located on the back and the front respectively of the camera device. 
   Since the main interface components of the camera device, for example screen, keypad, lens, etc are located on the front and the back of the camera device, in a preferred embodiment of the stand, the attachment element could be attached to the camera device by clamping onto two opposing “sides”. The term “sides” refers to the sides of the camera device which are not the front or the back. 
   In order to protect the camera device even more while still allowing access to the buttons of the device, at least one of the at least one support elements could comprise a flexible section, such as a flexible transparent membrane, which allows the buttons of the camera device to be activated through the flexible section. 
   In more advanced embodiments of the stand, the stand could further comprise at least one other accessory, for example a lens, a screen, a flash, etc. A power source for powering the at least one other accessory could also be incorporated into the stand. The stand could also comprise a connection element for connecting the stand to other objects. For example, in some examples the stand could be provided with a clip for connecting the stand to the handle bars of a bicycle. In another example, the stand could comprise a threaded nut which is connectable to an ordinary tripod. 
   The stand could, in an embodiment, be attached to an interface socket of the camera device. For example, in the case where the camera device is a mobile phone, the stand could be fasted to the serial port which is typically located on the bottom of the phone. In the case where there is no serial port available, the socket for the power connection could be used instead. Using an interface socket for connecting the stand to the camera device will provide a very positive connection between the camera device and the stand, without it being necessary to have complex fastening means. The stand could furthermore be provided with its own interface socket which is electrically connected to the interface socket of the camera device. In this way, an accessory for the camera device can be connected to the camera device via the interface socket on the stand. 
   As mentioned previously, according to an embodiment, the camera device could be a mobile telephone with a built-in camera. In another embodiment, the camera device could be a normal camera. 
   In the case that the camera device is a normal camera, the attachment element could attach to the tripod attachment nut in the housing of the camera. A tripod attachment nut is standard on most camera devices and is of a standard size. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached figures. It should be mentioned that the figures show example embodiments only and should therefore not be used to limit the scope of the current invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a stand according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a stand according to the invention in a storage position. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in an active position. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a stand according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  in a storage position. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  in an active position. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a stand according to the invention in a storage position. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in a transition position between the storage position and an active position. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in an active position. 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in a second storage position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment  1  of a stand according to the invention. The first embodiment  1  is designed for a mobile telephone equipped with a camera. However a very similar stand could be used for an ordinary camera of similar dimensions with only small modifications to the stand  1 . The stand  1  comprises a housing  2  which surrounds the mobile phone (not shown). The housing  2  is formed from two halves  2   a ,  2   b  which are snapped together around the mobile phone. The housing  2  has a front  3 , a back  4 , a left side  5 , a right side  6 , a top side  7  and a bottom side  8 . The left side and the front have openings  9   a , 9   b , 9   c  covered by a flexible transparent membrane (not shown). The flexible transparent membrane allows the buttons of the mobile phone to be operated by the user through the membrane while still providing protection to the mobile phone. The housing  2  can therefore be made waterproof. 
   The stand  1  further comprises four support elements  10 . The support elements  10  are formed as thin sheet-like elements rotatably connected to the housing  2  via a hinge  11 . The axis  12  of the hinge  11  is arranged near the edge of the housing  2  between the front  3  and the right side  6 . The hinge  11  and the axis  12  are also arranged parallel to the right side  6 . In this way, the support elements  10  can be rotated into a “storage” position where they lie up against the front side  3  of the mobile phone. Due to the thin sheet-like nature of the support elements  10 , the support elements  10  do not protrude very much past the housing  2  when they are in their storage position. In this way, the volume of the stand when connected to the phone is not significantly greater than the phone alone. The stand when connected to the phone can therefore easily be carried in a pocket for example. 
   It should be mentioned that the housing  2  serves as a sort of attachment element whereby the support elements  10  of the stand are connected to the mobile phone. The housing  2  can be detached from the mobile phone by splitting the housing  2  into its two halves  2   a , 2   b  and removing the phone. 
     FIG. 1  shows the stand  1  in its “active” position. In this position, the four support elements  10  are folded out, away from the mobile phone. In the active position, the stand provides a stable support for holding the mobile phone in a steady orientation on a surface. When the mobile phone is held in a steady orientation, it is possible to take pictures via a self timer or to take pictures at night when a slow shutter speed is required. The support elements  10  are also independently adjustable which allows the orientation of the phone to be accurately adjusted. Note that there is a certain amount of friction in the hinge  11 . In this way, the support elements  10  can hold their position in the active position and therefore support the mobile phone securely. The amount of friction is chosen such that the user can easily displace the support elements  10 , while the support elements  10  will maintain their position under the load of the mobile phone. 
   Furthermore, as should be obvious from  FIG. 1 , the stand can be moved between its active position and its storage position without needing to remove the mobile phone from the housing  2 . The user just folds up or folds down the support elements  10 . Therefore, the stand  1  is very easy and convenient to use. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  show a second embodiment  20  of a stand according to the current invention. As with the previous embodiment, this embodiment is also used for a mobile phone  21  with a built in camera. The mobile phone  21  has a front  22 , a back  23 , a top  24 , a bottom  25 , a left side  26  and a right side  27 . The stand  20  comprises an attachment element  28  which comprises a first portion  28   a  and a second portion  28   b . The first and second portion  28   a , 28   b  are both L-shaped brackets. The L-shape brackets have a long part  29   a , 29   b  and a base part  30   a , 30   b . The L-shaped brackets are slideably connected to each other along the long parts of the L  29   a , 29   b . The base parts  30   a , 30   b  are in contact with the bottom  25  and the top  24  of the mobile phone. By pressing the two base parts  30   a ,  30   b  of the attachment element  28  together, the attachment element  28  clamps onto the top and bottom sides of the mobile phone thereby holding the mobile phone  21  and the attachment element  28  securely together. 
   The base parts  30   a ,  30   b  of the attachment element  28  can advantageously be provided with friction enhanced surfaces such as rubber which more securely hold onto the mobile phone  21 . Due to the slideable interface between the two portions  28   a , 28   b  of the attachment element  28 , the attachment element can be attached to mobile phones of different dimensions. This makes the device more generic. 
   For stands which will be used with mobile phones equipped with an interface socket on the bottom  25  of the phone, the attachment element  28  can be equipped with a connection plug (not shown) arranged on the base part  30   a  of the first portion  28   a  of the attachment element  28 . In this way, the connection socket of the mobile phone can first be connected with the connection plug of the attachment element  28 . The attachment element  28  can then be squeezed shut. In this way, the mobile phone is securely held in place both by the positive connection between the connection plug of the attachment element and the connection socket of the mobile phone. 
   The stand  20  further comprises two support elements  31   a , 31   b . The support elements  31  are rotatably connected to the attachment element  28  via a hinge  32 . The axis  33  of the hinge  32  is arranged along and parallel to the left side  26  of the mobile phone  21 . The support elements  31  are again formed as thin sheet like elements. 
   In their storage position ( FIG. 2 ), the support elements  31   a , 31   b  are rotated in towards the mobile phone  21  and lie up against the back  23  and the front  22  of the mobile phone respectively. In this embodiment, the support elements  31  are sized to completely cover the front  22  and back  23  of the mobile phone  21  in the storage position of the support elements  31 . In this way, the mobile phone is well protected in the storage position of the support elements  31 . Furthermore, due to the thin sheet-like form of the support elements  31 , the stand does not occupy very much space when the support elements  31  are in their storage position. This makes the stand when connected to the mobile phone easy to carry. 
   In their active position ( FIG. 3 ), the support elements  31   a ,  31   b  are rotated away from the mobile phone  21  until they form an angle of approximately 135 degrees to respectively the back  23  and the front  22  of the mobile phone  21 . In this position, the support elements  31   a , 31   b  hold the mobile phone  21  in a steady orientation on an underlying surface. As with the previous embodiment  1 , there is a slight amount of friction in the hinge  32  in order to hold the support elements  31  in position. 
   As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first support element  31   a  has a single support point  34   a  and the second support element  31   b  has two support points  34   b , 34   c . Due to the three support points  34   a , 34   b , 34   c , the stand  20  can attain a steady orientation, even on uneven surfaces and even though there are only two support elements  31   a , 31   b.    
     FIGS. 4-6  show a third embodiment  40  of a stand for a mobile phone  41 . The mobile phone  41  has a front  42 , a back  43 , a top side  44 , a bottom side  45 , a left side  46  and a right side  47 . The stand  40  comprises a frame  48  which completely surrounds the sides  44 , 45 , 46 , 47  of the phone  41 . The frame  48  however permits free access to the front  42  and the back  43  of the phone  41 . In this way, the keyboard  49  and the display  50  of the mobile phone  41  can be freely accessed. On one side of the frame  48  is an opening  51  covered with a flexible membrane (not shown). The opening  51  is arranged over the shutter button  52  of the mobile phone  41 . The flexible membrane allows the shutter button  52  to be operated through the opening  51 . 
   The frame  48  also has a second opening  53  which is aligned with the connection socket (not shown) in the bottom  45  of the phone  41 . A plug  54  can be pressed through the second opening  53  in the frame  48  and into the connection socket in the bottom  45  of the phone. The phone  41  can therefore be held securely in the frame. The frame  48  and the plug  54  can be considered to be a type of attachment element for connecting the support elements to the mobile phone. 
   The side of the frame which is in contact with the top  44  of the phone could furthermore be provided with a surface which has a high friction in order to even better hold the mobile phone in place in the frame  48 . The side of the frame could also be equipped with a spring biased part which is compressed when the phone is inserted into the frame. In this way, the phone is biased towards the side of the frame  38  which is in contact with the bottom  45  of the phone  41 . 
   The stand  40  also comprises two support elements  55   a , 55   b . The support elements  55  are connected to the frame  48  via two hinges  56 , 57 . The axis of the first hinge  56  is arranged along and parallel to the edge of the mobile phone between the front  42  and the left side  45  of the mobile phone. The axis of the second hinge  57  is arranged along and parallel to the edge of the mobile phone between the back  43  and the left side  45  of the mobile phone. As with the previous embodiments, the hinges  56 , 57  have a bit of friction which ensure that the support elements  55  maintain the position to which they are rotated by the user. 
   The support elements  55  are formed as thin sheet like elements which when in the storage position ( FIG. 5 ) are rotated in towards the mobile phone  41  and lie up against the front  42  and the back  43  of the mobile phone  41 . Due to the thin nature of the support elements  55 , the entire stand in the storage position of the support elements  55  does not take up significantly more space than the mobile phone itself. In this way, the stand is easy to transport. 
   When the support elements  55  are rotated away from the mobile phone they assume their “active” position ( FIG. 6 ). In this way, the stand  40  provides a steady support for the mobile phone and holds it in a steady orientation. 
   The edges of the frame  48  could also be equipped with sealing means (not shown), for example an o-ring gasket. A clip (not shown) could furthermore be arranged to securely clamp the support elements  55  towards each other and onto the attachment element in their storage position. In this way, the stand  40  could easily be made waterproof in the storage position of the support elements  55 . 
     FIGS. 7-10  show a fourth embodiment  60  of a stand according to the current invention for a mobile telephone  61 . The mobile phone  61  is identical to the mobile phone  41  of the previous embodiment  40  so it won&#39;t be described again. As with the previous embodiment  40 , the stand  60  comprises a frame  62  which is arranged around the sides of the mobile phone  61 . The frame  62  is connected to the mobile phone  61  in the same way as the frame  42  of the previous embodiment  40  was connected to the mobile phone  41  of the previous embodiment so it won&#39;t be described again. 
   The stand  60  also comprises a support element  63 . The support element is formed as a thin sheet-like element which is formed such that it has a cross section which is approximately “C” shaped. Tracks  64   a , 64   b  are arranged along both edges of the support element  63 . Pegs (not shown) arranged on tabs  65   a , 65   b  on the frame  62  connect with the tracks  64   a , 64   b  on both sides of the support element  63 . The interface between the pegs and the tracks is of the form which allows the support element  63  to both slide along the tracks  64   a , 64   b  and rotate about the pegs. In this way, the support element  63  can easily be moved between different positions. 
     FIG. 7  shows the support element  63  in a “storage” position. In this position, the support element  63  lies up against the front of the mobile phone and protects the front of the mobile phone from damage. In  FIG. 8 , the support element  63  is in a transition position. In order to get into this position from the storage position of  FIG. 7 , the user has rotated the support element  63  away from the front of the mobile phone. 
   In  FIG. 9  the support element  63  has been put into an “active” position. The From the position shown in  FIG. 8 , the user has first displaced the support element towards the right, then rotated the support element clockwise and the displaced the support element to the right again. In this “active” position, the support element  63  can be arranged on an underlying surface and thereby used to hold the mobile phone in a steady orientation on said underlying surface. In  FIG. 10 , the support element  63  has again been displaced along the track  64  and rotated about the pegs such that it now lies up against the back of the mobile phone. In this way, the keypad and display of the mobile phone are freely accessible. 
   It should be mentioned that the above four embodiments have all shown stands which are used together with mobile telephones. However, it should be obvious to person skilled in the art that similar stands could also be used for other forms of camera devices. 
   It should furthermore be noted that the above embodiments have shown four different examples of stands for camera devices. However, it should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that many other embodiments are also possible. For example, the four embodiments have all shown a case which is opened by rotating the support elements away from the front and/or back of the mobile phone. However, other embodiments where the support elements are rotated away from the sides of the mobile phone could also be imagined. For example the support elements could be rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the front and/or rear of the phone. In another example, the embodiments described above have all been used with mobile phones which have a rectangular form. However, the teaching of the invention can also be used together with camera devices which are not of rectangular form.