Abstract:
A support device for supporting an electronic device, includes a pull box, two elastic threads retractably mounted in the pull box, a housing assembly comprising two first support housings, each of the first support housings is detachably mounted on the pull box by one of the elastic threads. A string retained on the pull box for hanging the pull box and the housing assembly. After the first support housings are detached from the pull box, the first support housings are mounted on the electronic device for support.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The exemplary disclosure relates to support devices, particularly to support devices used in electronic devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Some portable electronic products will come with a bracket on the back of the casing. Thus, when the bracket is propped up, the portable electronic product can sit on the desk or other supporting planes to make it more comfortable for the users to view. Folding the bracket flush with the back of the unit makes them more convenient to carry. 
         [0005]    However, typical brackets of the existing portable electronic products has a complicated structure as a result, it is difficult to manufacture and use them. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Many aspects of the exemplary support device and electronic device using the support device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present support device and electronic device. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a support device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is another view of the support device of  FIG. 1  viewed from another aspect. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view of the support device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is another partially exploded view of the support device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a first support housing of the support device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a pull box of the support device of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the pull box of the support device of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the support device of  FIG. 2  after a string is retracted. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the support device supporting an electronic device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is another view of the support device supporting an electronic device of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    An embodiment of a support device  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The support device  100  includes a string  10 , a housing assembly  20 , a pull box  30  and four elastic threads  40 . In an assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the pull box  30  is mounted in the housing assembly  20  and the elastic threads  40  are retracted in the pull box  30  to form a pendant hung by the string  10 . In a detached configuration shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the housing assembly  20  is detached from the pull box  30  with the elastic threads  40  pulled out of the pull box  30  to support an electronic device  200 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , the housing assembly  20  includes two first support housings  22  and two second support housings  24 . Each first support housing  22  includes a first securing element  220  and a support element  224  jointed on corresponding first securing element  220 . Each first securing element  220  includes a first bottom board  221  and a first flange  222  located on corresponding first bottom board  221 . Each first flange  222  includes a first sidewall  2222  perpendicularly protruding from one edge of corresponding first bottom board  221 , and a first extending portion  2224  protruding from a distal end of corresponding first sidewall  2222  above corresponding first bottom board  221  to form a first securing groove  230  between the first extending portion  2224 , the first sidewall  2222  and the first bottom board  221 . Each first sidewall  2222  may further define a notch  226  for the string  10  to pass through. Each first bottom board  221  further defines a first retaining hole  228  in another edge opposite to corresponding first sidewall  2222 , in which one of the elastic threads  40  is retained. Each first bottom board  221  further defines a first receptacle  229  for accommodating a corresponding first support element  224 . Each first securing element  220  has a rubber layer  223  formed in an inner surface, to prevent the electronic device  200  from being damaged when the electronic device  200  is secured in the first securing grooves  230 . 
         [0020]    Each support element  224  includes a rotation element  2242  hinged to corresponding first bottom board  221  by a shaft  232  and located in corresponding first receptacle  229 , and a lengthening portion  2244  hinged to corresponding rotation element  2242  by a joint  231 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each second support housing  24  has a structure similar to one of the first support housings  22 . Each second support housing  24  includes a second securing element  240 , but has no support element joined on the second securing element  240 . Each second securing element  240  includes a second bottom board  241  and a second flange  242  located on corresponding second bottom board  241 . Each second flange  242  includes a second sidewall  2422  protruding from one edge of corresponding second bottom board  241 . In addition, a second extending portion  2424  protrudes from a distal end of corresponding second sidewall  2422  above the corresponding second bottom board  241  to form a second securing groove  250  between the second extending portion  2424 , the second sidewall  2422  and the second bottom board  241 . Each second bottom board  241  further defines a second retaining hole  248  in another edge opposite to corresponding second sidewall  2422 , in which one of the elastic threads  40  is retained. Each second bottom board  241  further defines a second receptacle  249  for accommodating corresponding lengthening portion  2244 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pull box  30  includes a main body  33  and a raised portion  34  protruding one side of the main body  33 . The raised portion  34  is smaller than the main body  33 . The pull box  30  further defines a chamber  32  in the raised portion  34  and a pull device  31  located in the chamber  32 . The main body  33  further defines an opening  332  in another side of the main body  33  opposite to the raised portion  34 . One end of each elastic thread  40  passes through the opening  332  to connect with the pull device  31 , and the end of each elastic thread  40  is retained in one of the first retaining holes  228  and the second retaining holes  248 . The pull device  31  provides a force to pull the elastic threads  40  into the pull box  30 . The pull box  30  further includes a button  342  mounted on the raised portion  34 , the button  342  is used to open or close the pull box  30 , for example, once the button  342  is pressed, the string  10  is retracted into the pull box  30 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4  and  8 , in assembly, the elastic threads  40  are pulled out of the pull box  30 , and then are respectively retained in the first retaining holes  228  and the second retaining holes  248 , and then the first support housings  22  and the second support housings  24  are retained on the main body  33  of the pull box  30  by the elastic force of the elastic threads  40 . A center portion of the string  10  is retained on the pull box  30 , two ends of the string  10  pass through the notches  226  so the string  10  is exposed from the housing assembly  20 . Thus, the housing assembly  20  is mounted on the pull box  30  and the elastic threads  40  are retracted in the pull box  30  to form a pendant hung by the string  10 . 
         [0024]    In this exemplary embodiment, to prevent the string  10  being totally retracted in the pull box  30 , a stopping plate  26  ( FIG. 4 ) which is larger than the notches  226  is retained near two ends of the string  10 . 
         [0025]    In use, referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first support housings  22  and the second support housings  24  are respectively mounted on four corners of the electronic device  200 , i.e., each corner of the electronic device  200  is secured in one of the first securing grooves  230  and the second securing grooves  250 . At this time, the pull box  30  is located at/near a center of the electronic device  200 , and the first support housings  22  and the second support housing  24  are steadily mounted on four corners of the electronic device  200  by the elastic force of the elastic threads  40 . Then, a user can adjust the shafts  232  and the joints  231  to adjust the angle of the support elements  224  relative to the first securing elements  221  until the electronic device  200  has a comfortable viewing angle, such as shown in  FIG. 10   
         [0026]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structures and functions of various embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.