Patent Abstract:
A support for a computer peripheral device has a base, a post having a first end extending through the base and a second end that couples a computer peripheral device, and a pair of base supports. Each base support has an extension which is received within the base and which engages the first end of the post. When the post is rotated, the base supports are separated from each other to define a clamping space therebetween.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a support for a computer peripheral device, and in particular, to a support for a computer peripheral device that can be positioned to stand by itself on a working surface or to clamp an object.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Computer peripheral devices are commonly used in many applications, such as for web cams, microphones, speakers, and security monitoring, among others. However, because a user&#39;s desk space is usually crowded and limited, it is important to provide supports for these peripherals that will help to conserve precious desk space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0005]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a steady clamping force for a computer peripheral device support.  
         [0006]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a computer peripheral device that is capable of either standing on a working surface or clamping on an object.  
         [0007]     In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a support for a computer peripheral device. The support has a base, a post having a first end extending through the base and a second end that couples a computer peripheral device, and a pair of base supports. Each base support has an extension which is received within the base and which engages the first end of the post. When the post is rotated, the base supports are separated from each other to define a clamping space therebetween. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a support according to the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of a bottom plate of the support of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the support of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  is another cross-sectional view of the support of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1  shown in use with a web cam in a standing position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5B  is a simplified top plan view of the support when in the position shown in  FIG. 5A .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1  shown in use with a web cam in a clamping position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6B  is a simplified top plan view of the support when in the position shown in  FIG. 6A .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 1  shown coupled to a web cam and clamped to a computer display. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0019]     FIGS.  1  to  4 B illustrate a support according to present invention, which includes a guiding base  11 , a supporting post  12 , and a pair of base supports  13  and  14 . The base supports  13  and  14  can be moved towards, or away from, each other using the guide mechanisms described below.  
         [0020]     The base  11  has an opening  111 . One end of the post  12  extends through the opening  111  and is coupled to a threaded ball joint  122 , while the other end of the post  12  carries a gear wheel  121  that is retained inside the base  11 . The base  11  has a bottom plate  15  which has wings  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154  positioned in spaced-apart manner on the upper surface of the bottom plate  15 . In particular, the wings  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154  can be spaced apart from each other by about 45 degrees from each other, with each wing  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154  extending above and parallel to the plane of the bottom plate  15 . Referring also to  FIG. 3 , ribs  157   a ,  157   b  can be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom plate  15 .  
         [0021]     Recesses  156   a  and  156   b  are provided on the bottom plate  15  adjacent the wings  151  and  152 , respectively. A passage  155   a  is defined between the wings  151  and  154 , and another passage  155   b  is defined between the wings  152  and  153 .  
         [0022]     Now referring to  FIGS. 1, 4A ,  5 B and  6 B, each base support  13  and  14  has an extension  135  and  136 , respectively, that extends through a corresponding passage  155   a  and  155   b , respectively, to engage the gear wheel  121  via a plurality of teeth  1351  and  1361  provided on the extensions  135  and  136 , respectively. Thus, the extensions  135  and  136  are adapted to always move in directions opposite to each other. For example, if the base supports  13  and  14  are moved towards each other (e.g., see  FIGS. 5A and 5B ), the extensions  135  and  136  will be moved towards the gear wheel  121 , while if the base supports  13  and  14  are moved away from each other (e.g., see  FIGS. 6A and 6B ), the extensions  135  and  136  will be moved away from the gear wheel  121 . The base supports  13  and  14  can be moved together or apart by rotating the post  12 , which will in turn rotate the gear wheel  121 .  
         [0023]     Each base support  13  and  14  further has a groove  1322  and  1323 , respectively, for receiving a corresponding rib  157   a  and  157   b  from the base plate  15 , with the ribs  157   a  and  157   b  adapted for reciprocal movement along the respective groove  1322  and  1323  as the extensions  135  and  136  move about the gear wheel  121 . In addition, each extension  135  and  136  has a hook  1352  and  1362 , respectively (see  FIGS. 5B and 6B ), that is received inside the corresponding recess  156   a  and  156   b , respectively, for movement inside a moving space  134  which is defined by the space between the top surface  139  of the base supports  13 ,  14  and the recessed surfaces  132  and  133  of the base supports  13  and  14 , respectively, as the extensions  135  and  136  move about the gear wheel  121 .  
         [0024]     Pads  1321  can be provided on the recessed surfaces  132 ,  133  for increasing the friction between the bottom plate  15  and the recessed surfaces  132 ,  133 . In addition, pads  1311  can be oriented vertically on the inner surface of the base supports  13  and  14  to protect an object that is to be clamped between the base supports  13  and  14 . These pads  1321  and  1311  can be provided in the form of a rubber-like material, or any similar material that can function to increase friction to grip an object while also being able to protect the surface of this object.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 5A-7  illustrate the various ways in which the support of the present invention can be used. Referring first to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the post  12  can be coupled to a web cam  20  via the ball joint  122  such that the web cam  20  can be positioned at an angled position. The base supports  13  and  14  can be moved together to form a closed standing position, in which the wings  151 ,  152 ,  153  and  154  are positioned on the top of the base supports  13  and  14 . The extensions  135  and  136  are engaged with the gear wheel  121  at each side of the gear wheel  121 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the base supports  13  and  14  can be separated to form a clamping position, where a clamping space is defined between the two base supports  13  and  14 . In this clamping position, the wings  151  and  152  are still positioned on the top of the base supports  13  and  14 , while the wings  153  and  154  are separated from the top of the base supports  13  and  14 . The extensions  135  and  136  still engage the gear wheel  121  at each side of the gear wheel  121 .  
         [0027]     The rotation of the post  12  can force the gear wheel  121  to separate the base supports  13  and  14  from each other to obtain a desired width therebetween, in which the increased friction between the pads  1321  and the bottom plate  15  will reinforce the clamping effect and the friction caused by legs  13  and  14 . As the post  12  rotates and the extensions  135  and  136  travel along the gearwheel  121 , the hooks  1352  and  1362  will move along the respective recesses  156   a  and  156   b , and the ribs  157   a  and  157   b  will move along the respective grooves  1322  and  1323 . As a result of the guided movements of the extensions  135 ,  136 , the hooks  1352 ,  1362  and the ribs  157   a ,  157   b , the base supports  13  and  14  will remain fully attached to the bottom plate  15  yet be capable of experiencing relative movement along the bottom plate  15 . In other words, the bottom plate  15  forms a platform upon which the base supports  13  and  14  can be moved with respect to each other.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the post  12  can be rotated to force the gear wheel  121  to separate the base supports  13  and  14  to a desired width that is somewhat larger than the thickness of an LED display  30 . Then, the user can rotate the post  12  in the opposite direction to reduce the desired width so as to tightly clamp the web cam  20  (from  FIG. 6A ) on to the LED display  30  through the protection of the pads  1311 . The user can further adjust the ball joint  122  to set the web cam  20  to a desired angle position.  
         [0029]     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0