Patent Description:
Universal platforms are often used in electronic products such as photographic lenses, sensors, lighting devices, or smart phones, and are suitable for adjusting the placement angle of the electronic products. An existing universal platform includes a bottom base and a rotating base, and an end of the rotating base adopts a ball head. The rotating base is installed in the bottom base. The rotating base can carry electronic products and rotate relative to the bottom base through the ball head so as to adjust to the required direction and angle.

The sizes of the bottom base and the ball head are matched to each other so as to maintain the free rotation of the ball head in the state where the ball head is clamped and locate the ball head at an appropriate position or angle. However, the environmental temperature variations or the aging of the universal platforms may cause loosening between the bottom base and the ball head, thereby causing the ball head to be unable to be maintained at a specific position or angle. The problem is especially serious for the universal platforms made of plastic materials. The existing solution is to increase the clamping force of the bottom base on the ball head. Hopefully, after the clamping force of the bottom base declines due to the aging of the material, the clamping force can still be maintained within an acceptable range. However, the requirement on the size accuracy of the bottom base is extremely high and precise manufacturing is required to achieve the required size accuracy of the bottom base, which will increase the labor cost and decrease the yield. In addition, if a locking method such as a screw is used to increase the clamping force of the bottom base on the ball head, the excess driving force on the screw during the locking process can easily damage the thread of the screw, the needle of the head of the screw, the locking part of the bottom base, etc. If the clamping force between the bottom base and the ball head is insufficient, the ball head cannot be positioned at an appropriate position or angle and cannot operate normally. In other cases, a filling element may be disposed between the ball head and the bottom base to increase the clamping force between the bottom base and the ball head, but after a prolonged period of use and aging, the loosening between the bottom base and the ball head is still inevitable, thereby causing the ball head to be unable to be maintained at a specific position or angle.

<CIT> relates to a rotating assembly adapted to be assembled on a foot stand. <CIT> relates to a holder for sustaining a handheld electronic device. <CIT>relates to a mount for an electronic display device.

The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention. The disclosure provides a universal platform, which is adapted to electronic equipment. Through an elastic force provided by an elastic member, a fixed base is pressed against a rotating base to stabilize the position and the deflection angle of the rotating base in the fixed base.

A universal platform of the disclosure includes a bottom base, an upper cover, a fixed base, a rotating base, at least one locking member, and at least one elastic member. The upper cover is disposed on the bottom base and has a through hole. The fixed base is disposed between the upper cover and the bottom base, and having a concave aligned to the through hole to form a receiving space. The rotating base is disposed in the receiving space and partially protrudes outside of the through hole. The at least one locking member is connected to the upper cover through the fixed base. The at least one elastic member is disposed between the fixed base and the at least one locking member.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the above-mentioned rotating base has a ball head. The ball head fits in the receiving space and interferes with at least one of the upper cover and the fixed base and the ball head is adapted to rotate in the receiving space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned upper cover has a plurality of positioning posts, and the fixed base has a plurality of positioning holes for respectively accommodating the plurality of positioning posts so that an end of each positioning post protrudes through each of the positioning holes.

An embodiment of the invention further comprising a plurality of spacers respectively sleeved on the ends of the plurality of positioning posts.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the above-mentioned at least one locking member includes a plurality of locking members respectively penetrating and connected to the plurality of positioning posts, and a gap is formed between each of the locking members and each of the corresponding spacers.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the above-mentioned at least one elastic member includes a plurality of elastic members respectively is located in each corresponding gap and pushes against each of the spacers and each of the locking members respectively.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the positioning posts has a thread formed on an inner wall surface of each of the positioning posts, and each of the locking members is engaged with each of the corresponding threads so that a head of each of the locking members is spaced from each of the corresponding positioning posts.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the above-mentioned plurality of locking members are respectively screwed to the threads of the plurality of positioning posts with one or more preset torque values.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the locking members and each of the corresponding positioning posts are snap-fitted.

Based on the above, the universal platform of the disclosure is adapted to be connected to the electronic equipment. Through the elastic force provided by the elastic member, the fixed base can press the rotating base to stabilize the position and deflection angle of the rotating base in the fixed base. Even if the clamping force of the fixed base declines under the environmental temperature difference and long-term extrusion, the elastic member may compensate for the clamping force lost by the fixed base after the material of the fixed base ages so as to prevent the rotating base from loosening from the fixed base.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the disclosure clearer and easier to understand, the following embodiments are given and described in details with accompanying drawings as follows.

The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and description to refer to the same or like parts.

<FIG> is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a universal platform according to the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic exploded diagram of components of the universal platform of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic exploded diagram of components of the universal platform of <FIG> in another direction. <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the universal platform of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged diagram of some components of the universal platform of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the universal platform of the disclosure may be used in electronic products such as photographic lenses, sensors, lighting devices, or smart phones, and the universal platform is adapted to be fixed on desktops, walls, or other similar flat surfaces. The position and the deflection angle of the aforementioned electronic products may be adjusted by utilizing the universal platform to meet the user's work needs.

Referring to <FIG>, a universal platform <NUM> of the disclosure includes a bottom base <NUM>, an upper cover <NUM>, a fixed base <NUM>, a rotating base <NUM>, at least one spacer <NUM>, at least one locking member <NUM>, and at least one elastic member <NUM>.

The bottom base <NUM> has a substantially square appearance and has a bottom surface <NUM>, a plurality of locking holes <NUM>, and an opening hole <NUM>. The plurality of locking holes <NUM> are respectively formed through the bottom surface <NUM> and located at four corners of the bottom base <NUM>. The opening hole <NUM> is formed through the bottom surface <NUM> and is respectively spaced from the plurality of locking holes <NUM>.

In addition, the opening hole <NUM> is used to place the magnetic piece and may be attracted to and attached on the magnetic material, or the opening hole <NUM> is engaged with a protrusion of a corresponding shape so as to position the bottom base <NUM> on the desktop, wall, or other similar on flat surface.

The upper cover <NUM> is disposed on the bottom base <NUM> and has a plurality of locking posts <NUM>, a through hole <NUM>, and a plurality of positioning posts <NUM>. The plurality of locking posts <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> are aligned to the plurality of locking holes <NUM> of the bottom base <NUM>, and plurality of screws <NUM> respectively penetrates through the plurality of locking holes <NUM> to be screwed to the plurality of locking posts <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> is situated substantially at the center of the upper cover <NUM>. The plurality of positioning posts <NUM> locate at the bottom surface of the upper cover <NUM>, surround the through hole <NUM> and extend toward the bottom base <NUM>.

The fixed base <NUM> is disposed between the upper cover <NUM> and the bottom base <NUM>, so the fixed base <NUM> is located in an inner space IS formed by the upper cover <NUM> and the bottom base <NUM>. The fixed base <NUM> has a concave <NUM> aligned to the through hole <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> to form a receiving space between the upper cover <NUM> and the fixed base <NUM>. The receiving space is labeled in the figures for clarity, but the position of the receiving space can be easily perceived, e.g., the space occupied by the ball head <NUM> in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the rotating base <NUM> is disposed in the receiving space and partially protrudes outside of the through hole <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. The rotating base <NUM> has a ball head <NUM> and a plug <NUM>. The ball head <NUM> fits in the receiving space and interferes with at least one of the upper cover <NUM> and the fixed base <NUM> and the ball head <NUM> is adapted to rotate in the receiving space. The plug <NUM> is connected the ball head <NUM>. In detail, the concave <NUM> has an arc-shaped appearance and matches the shape of the ball head <NUM>. Part of the ball head <NUM> is pressed by the concave <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>. Another part of the ball head <NUM> and the plug <NUM> protrude out of the through hole <NUM>.

Furthermore, the plug <NUM> is used to connect the electronic product, so that the electronic product may be integrated with the rotating base <NUM> to drive the ball head <NUM> to rotate in receiving space through operating the plug <NUM> so as to adjust the position and deflection angle of the electronic product on the universal platform <NUM>.

The at least one locking member <NUM> is connected to the upper cover <NUM> through the at least one spacer <NUM> and the fixed base <NUM>. The at least one elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the at least one spacer <NUM> and a head of the at least one locking member <NUM>. In the embodiment, the at least one elastic member <NUM> is an elastic sheet, a spring washer, a compression spring, or rubber, and the at least one elastic member <NUM> provides an elastic force F to the at least one spacer <NUM> and the fixed base <NUM>, so that the fixed base <NUM> clamps part of the ball head <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of positioning posts <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> have internal hollow structures. The fixed base <NUM> has a plurality of positioning holes <NUM> for respectively accommodating the plurality of positioning posts <NUM>, so that an end of each positioning post <NUM> protrudes from each positioning hole <NUM>. The fixed base <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> are aligned by engaging the plurality of positioning holes <NUM> with the plurality of positioning posts <NUM>.

Furthermore, the at least one spacer <NUM> includes a plurality of spacers respectively sleeved on the ends of the plurality of positioning posts <NUM> and contacting the fixed base <NUM>. The at least one locking member <NUM> includes a plurality of locking members penetrating and connected to the plurality of positioning posts <NUM> respectively, and a gap GP is formed between each of the locking members <NUM> and each corresponding spacer <NUM>. The at least one elastic member <NUM> includes a plurality of elastic members respectively located in each corresponding gap GP and pushes against each of the spacers <NUM> and each of the locking members <NUM> respectively. The spacer <NUM> may make the force of the elastic member <NUM> more even, and the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> may be transmitted to the fixed base <NUM> through the spacer <NUM> to avoid damage to the fixed base <NUM>. In the embodiment, each of the locking members <NUM> and each of the positioning posts <NUM> are snap-fitted.

In another embodiment, the fixed base <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> have enough contact area to evenly transmit the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> to the fixed base <NUM>. At this time, the spacer <NUM> may not be used, but the locking member <NUM> is directly connected to the positioning post <NUM>, so that the elastic member <NUM> directly abuts against the fixed base <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the plurality of elastic members <NUM> are respectively compressed by the fixed base <NUM> and the plurality of locking members <NUM> to accumulate the elastic force, and elastic forces F of the plurality of elastic members <NUM> are transmitted to the fixed base <NUM> from different positions through the plurality of locking members <NUM>, so that the fixed base <NUM> presses against and clamps the ball head <NUM> of the rotating base <NUM>.

In addition, when the clamping force of the fixed base <NUM> declines under the environmental temperature difference and long-term extrusion, the plurality of elastic members <NUM> may compensate for the clamping force of the fixed base <NUM> so as to prevent the ball head <NUM> of the rotating base <NUM> from becoming loose in the fixed base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the positioning posts <NUM> has a thread <NUM> formed on an inner wall surface IW of each of the positioning posts <NUM>. Each of the locking members <NUM> is engaged with each of the corresponding threads <NUM> so that a head <NUM> of each of the locking members <NUM> is spaced from each of the corresponding positioning posts <NUM>. By changing the position of the thread <NUM> in the inner wall surface IW, the distance between the head <NUM> of each of the locking members <NUM> and each of the positioning posts <NUM> may be adjusted so as to adjust the degree to which the head <NUM> of each of the locking members <NUM> compresses each of the elastic members <NUM>. That is, the lesser the distance between the head <NUM> of each of the locking members <NUM> and each of the positioning posts <NUM>, the greater the deformation amount of each elastic member <NUM>. Otherwise, the larger the distance between the head <NUM> of each of the locking members <NUM> and each positioning post <NUM>, the lesser the deformation amount of each elastic member <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the plurality of locking members <NUM> are respectively screwed to the threads <NUM> of the corresponding plurality of positioning posts <NUM> with one or more preset torque values. The preset torque values may be determined according to the clamping force requirements of the fixed base <NUM> to clamp the ball head <NUM> and/or the material properties of the fixed base <NUM>, the ball head <NUM>, the positioning post <NUM>, and the locking member <NUM>. For example, the plurality of locking members <NUM> are screwed to the threads <NUM> of the corresponding plurality of positioning posts <NUM> using an appropriate torque value between <NUM>-<NUM> kgf-cm (e.g., 3kgf-m). Since the spacer <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> are interposed between the locking member <NUM> and the positioning post <NUM> to provide a reaction force, by setting an appropriate torque value, it is possible to effectively prevent the locking member <NUM> from being excessively locked into the positioning post <NUM> to cause damage to the thread <NUM> or the locking member <NUM> during the process of screwing the locking member <NUM> to the positioning post <NUM>. Moreover, the reaction force of the spacer <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> may still achieve an effective locking effect between the locking member <NUM> and the positioning post <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the upper cover <NUM>, the fixed base <NUM> and the rotating base <NUM> are made of plastic. The elastic member <NUM> may compensate for the clamping force lost due to the temperature variation or the aging of the universal platform so as to maintain the proper function of the rotating base <NUM>.

The universal platform of the disclosure is adapted to connect the electronic equipment. Through the elastic force provided by the elastic member, the fixed base may press the rotating base to stabilize the position and deflection angle of the rotating base in the fixed base. When the clamping force of the fixed base declines under the environmental temperature difference and long-term extrusion, the elastic member may compensate for the clamping force lost by the fixed base after the material of the fixed base ages so as to prevent the rotating base from loosening from the fixed base.

In short, the disclosure combines a locking member, an elastic member, and a spacer between the fixed base and the upper cover and the fixed base is pushed to tighten the ball head of the rotating base through the elastic member.

Furthermore, the universal platform of the disclosure may achieve the purpose of compensating the clamping force by using the existing standard elastic members and locking members. The elastic force applied to the fixed base is consistent, so that the universal platform has a consistent angle adjustment sensation.

Claim 1:
A universal platform, wherein the universal platform comprising:
a bottom base (<NUM>);
an upper cover (<NUM>), disposed on the bottom base (<NUM>), and having a through hole (<NUM>) and a plurality of positioning posts (<NUM>);
a fixed base (<NUM>), disposed between the upper cover (<NUM>) and the bottom base (<NUM>), and having a concave aligned to the through hole (<NUM>) to form a receiving space, wherein the fixed base (<NUM>) has a plurality of positioning holes (<NUM>) for respectively accommodating the plurality of positioning posts (<NUM>) so that an end of each positioning posts (<NUM>) protrudes through each of the positioning holes (<NUM>);
a rotating base (<NUM>), disposed in the receiving space, and partially protruding outside of the through hole (<NUM>);
at least one locking member (<NUM>), connected to the upper cover (<NUM>) through the fixed base (<NUM>); and
at least one elastic member (<NUM>), disposed between the fixed base (<NUM>) and the at least one locking member (<NUM>);
wherein the universal platform is characterized by further comprising:
a plurality of spacers (<NUM>) respectively sleeved on the ends of the plurality of positioning posts (<NUM>).