Patent Abstract:
A supporting mechanism for an electronic device includes a connecting bracket configured to connect to the electronic device and a supporting bracket connected to the connecting bracket. The connecting bracket includes an operating member. The supporting bracket is configured to support the electronic device. The supporting bracket includes an adjustable component having a pressing portion positioned thereon. The adjustable component is capable of elongating or shortening via pressing the pressing portion by the operating member of the connecting bracket, and being unmovable via removing the operating member from the pressing portion to change a length of the supporting bracket.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to supporting mechanisms and, more particularly, to a supporting mechanism for an electronic device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    An electronic device such as a display is generally connected to a base via a typical supporting mechanism capable of adjusting an angle of the display. A typical supporting mechanism usually includes a locating member that requires many screws to selectively position the display. The locating member has a complex structure, which increases the cost of the supporting mechanism, and makes it difficult and time consuming to adjust the angle of the display. 
         [0005]    What is needed, therefore, is a supporting mechanism for an electronic device capable of allowing convenient adjustment of the electronic device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an embodiment of a supporting mechanism for an electronic device, the supporting mechanism includes a first connecting member, a mounting member, a second connecting member, and a supporting bracket; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, isometric view of the mounting member and the second connecting member of  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the supporting bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an assembled, isometric view of the supporting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an assembled, isometric view of the supporting mechanism and a display shown in one state; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an assembled, isometric view of the supporting mechanism and the display shown in another state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a supporting mechanism for an electronic device includes a connecting bracket  10 , and a supporting bracket  20  connected to the connecting bracket  10  at an angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device is a display  70  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connecting bracket  10  includes a first connecting member  11 , an operating member  12 , a mounting member  13 , and a second connecting member  14 . The first connecting member  11  includes a side plate  113 , and two bent pieces  111  extending substantially perpendicularly from the side plate  113 . A pivot hole  1111  is defined in each bent piece  111 . A mounting piece  112  extends substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the side plate  13 . A rectangular mounting slot  1121  is defined in the mounting piece  112 . Two pairs of assembly holes  114 ,  115  are defined in the first connecting member  11 . The operating member  12  includes two opposite tabs  121  and an operating portion  122 . A pivot hole  1211  is defined in each tab  121 . The mounting member  13  includes a first bent portion  131 , a second bent portion  132  connected to the first bent portion  131 , a first fixing piece  133  extending from an edge of the first bent portion  131 , and a second fixing piece  134  extending from an edge of the second bent portion  132 . A screw hole  1311  is defined in the first bent portion  131 , and two grooves  1312  are defined in the bent portion  131  adjacent to the screw hole  1311  for receiving the two tabs  121 . A first opening  1321  is defined in the second bent portion  132  for the operating portion  122  extending through and moving therein. Two fixing holes  1331  are defined in the first fixing piece  133  corresponding to the assembly holes  114  of the first connecting member  11 . Two fixing holes  1341  are defined in the second fixing piece  134  corresponding to the assembly holes  115  of the first connecting member  11 . The second connecting member  14  includes a bottom wall  141 , and a bent sidewall  142  extending substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the bottom wall  141 . A receiving space (not labeled) is formed in the second connecting member  14  adjacent to the sidewall  142  for receiving the first connecting member  11 . A positioning block  1411  protrudes from the bottom wall  141  for engaging in the mounting slot  1121  of the first connecting member  11 . A receiving hole  1421  is defined in the sidewall  142  for securing the supporting bracket  20 . A second opening  1422  is defined in the sidewall  142  corresponding to the first opening  1321  of the second bent portion  132 . 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the supporting bracket  20  includes a first enclosure  21  secured on the second connecting member  14 , an adjustable component  22 , a second enclosure  23 , and a supporting member  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable component  22  is a gas spring. The gas spring uses a compressed gas contained in a cylinder, and is variably compressed by a piston, to exert a force. 
         [0015]    The first enclosure  21  includes two opposite resilient hooks  211 , and an accommodating space  212  formed in the first enclosure  21  for accommodating the adjustable component  22 . The adjustable component  22  includes a substantially cylindrical body  222  containing a compressed gas therein and a shaft  221  connected to one side of the substantially cylindrical body  222 . A screw portion  223  is formed on the other side of the substantially cylindrical body  222 . A threaded portion  2212  is formed on one side of the shaft  221  corresponding to the screw hole  1311  of the mounting member  13 . A pressing portion  2211  is positioned on one end of the shaft  221 . When the pressing portion  2211  is pressed, the shaft  221  will move relative to the substantially cylindrical body  222  and compress the gas in the substantially cylindrical body  222  to change a length of the adjustable component  22 . When the pressing portion  2211  is released, the shaft  221  will unmovable relative to the substantially cylindrical body  222 . The second enclosure  23  includes a stopper portion  231 , and a first receiving portion  232  and a second receiving portion  233  are respectively formed at two sides of the stopper portion  231 . The first receiving portion  232  is capable of receiving the adjustable component  22  and the first enclosure  21 , and the second receiving portion  233  is capable of receiving the supporting member  24 . A through hole  2311  is defined in the stopper portion  231  corresponding to the screw portion  223  of the adjustable component  22 . The screw portion  223  engages in a nut  25  through the through hole  2311  to secure the adjustable component  22  in the second enclosure  23 . The supporting member  24  includes an inserting portion  241  and a supporting portion  242 . A notch  2411  is defined in the inserting portion  241  for receiving the nut  25 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the screw portion  223  of the adjustable component  22  passes through the first receiving portion  232  and the through hole  2311  of the second enclosure  23 . The nut  25  is placed in the second receiving portion  233  and screwed on the screw portion  223 , thereby securing the adjustable component  22  in the second enclosure  23 . The inserting portion  241  of the supporting member  24  is inserted in the second receiving portion  233 , and the nut  25  is located in the notch  2411  of the inserting portion  241 . The first enclosure  21  is placed around the adjustable component  22 , and sandwiched between the adjustable component  22  and the second enclosure  23 . Thus, assembly of the supporting bracket  20  is completed. 
         [0017]    The pivot holes  1211  of the tab  121  of the operating member  12  are aligned with the corresponding pivot holes  1111  of the first connecting member  11 . A screw pole  15  passes through the pivot holes  1211 ,  1111 , and a nut  16  engages with the screw pole  15  to pivotally secure the operating member  12  on the first connecting member  11 . The mounting member  13  is pushed toward the operating portion  122  of the operating member  12 , and the operating portion  122  passes through the first opening  1321  of the mounting member  13 . The fixing holes  1331  of the first fixing piece  133  and the fixing holes  1341  of the second fixing piece  134  are correspondingly aligned with the two pairs of assembly holes  114 ,  115 , and the screws  30 ,  40  are correspondingly screwed into the assembly holes  114 ,  115  and the fixing holes  1311 ,  1341 , thereby securing the mounting member  13  on the first connecting member  11 . The first connecting member  11  is pushed toward the receiving space of the second connecting member  14 . The operating portion  122  passes through the second opening  1422  of the second connecting member  14 , and the positioning block  1411  engages in the mounting slot  1121  of the first connecting member  11 . Thus, assembly of the connecting bracket  10  is completed. 
         [0018]    The supporting bracket  20  is pushed toward the second connecting member  14  and rotated to align the threaded portion  2212  thereof with and engage in the screw hole  1311  of the mounting member  13 . When the two resilient hooks  211  abut on two opposite edges of the receiving hole  1421 , the two resilient hooks  211  will deform elastically, and return back to their initial states until the two resilient hooks  211  are correspondingly secured on the two edges of the receiving hole  1421 . Thus, assembly of the supporting mechanism is completed (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in use, the supporting mechanism is installed on the display  70 , and the supporting portion  242  of the supporting bracket  20  abuts a supporting surface  80 , such that the display  70  is supported on the supporting surface  80  by the supporting mechanism. 
         [0020]    To adjust an angle of the display  70 , the operating portion  122  of the connecting bracket  10  is pressed to press the pressing portion  2211  of the adjustable component  22  to adjust the length of the adjustable component  22 . When the pressing portion  2211  is pressed by the operating portion  122 , the gas in the cylindrical body  222  of the adjustable component  22  will be compressed, and the adjustable component  22  will be elongated or shortened to change a length of the supporting bracket  20  depending on the adjustment of the angle between the display  70  and the supporting surface  80 . When the desired angle is obtained, the operating portion  122  is released from the pressing portion  2211 , the adjustable component  22  will be unmovable to maintain the display  90  at the desired angle. 
         [0021]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, 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 embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5