A SUPPORT FOR A DEVICE INCLUDING A DISPLAY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support for supporting and charging an electrical device such as a tablet, e-reader or similar device. The support 1 has a body 2 having opposed first and second faces 3, 4, the first face 4 of the body 2 configured to provide a stable base suitable for resting on a surface, a slot 5 formed in the second face 3, the slot 5 is adapted to receive and grip one edge of a tablet device. The body 2 is adapted to snugly fit the palm of a user's hand and includes a plurality of indents 6 for receiving a user's fingers. The slot 5 and first face 4 configured so that when the first face 4 is located on a surface the support 1 will provide a stable multidirectional support for a tablet located in the slot 5 and extending outwards from the body 2. The support permits devices to be more easily held for long periods of time.

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. A support for a device including a display, the support comprises: a body having a first face defining a substantially flat base for resting on a surface, a second face having an elongate slot formed in the body for receiving the device so that when the first face is located on a surface and the device is supported in the slot, the device extends from the body; the slot is a suitable for maintaining an edge of the device, the support is flexible so as to enable the body to be flexed by a user to open the slot to a wider state to receive the device and then released to a relaxed state so that the slot engages with the device; and a plurality of indents are formed on the body of the support which are shaped to receive a user's fingers.

32. A support according to claim 31 wherein the body is substantially oval in plan view.

33. A support according to claim 31 wherein ends of the indents are spaced apart one from another around a periphery of the base of the body.

34. A support according to claim 31 wherein the second face of the body is rounded.

35. A support according to claim 31 wherein at least an inner surface of the slot includes a non-slip material.

36. A support according to claim 31 wherein a slot profile is adapted to correspond to a profile of the device.

37. A support according to claim 31 wherein the body comprises a semi-rigid polymer over-moulded with a soft material.

38. A support according to claim 31 wherein at least part of the body is hollow.

39. A support according to claim 31 wherein the grip mechanism includes a spring means that applies pressure to at least one side of the slot.

40. A support according to claim 39 wherein the spring means is a leaf spring embedded within the body.

41. A support according to claim 31 wherein the grip mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable member.

42. A support according to claim 31 wherein the body includes a weight.

43. A support according to claim 31 wherein the slot is shaped to avoid or provide accommodation for features on the device.

44. A support according to claim 31 includes a charging port.

45. A support according to claim 44 includes a transformer for providing a charging current.

46. A support according to claim 31 including at least one electrical port to enable electrical connection to another device.

47. A support according to claim 31 is adapted to receive at least one battery.

48. A support according to claim 31 including at least one docking station for receiving a device.

49. A support according to claim 48 wherein the docking station is adapted to be connected to a power source.

50. A support according to claim 31 including a memory means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0067] FIG. 1 shows asp overview preferred embodiment of a support;

[0068] FIG. 2 shows top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0071] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 6 shows a side view the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 8 shows are overview of second embodiment of a support;

[0075] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the support of FIG. 8, showing the rounded upper face of the main body, and showing the slot formed having a one substantially planar side and a second concave side.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows a cutaway view of the support shown FIG. 8; and

[0077] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the support shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0078] A preferred embodiment of support now be described with reference to the figures.

[0079] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the support 1. The support 1 has a substantially ellipsoid body 2, having an oval footprint. The body 2 has an elongate slot 5 that extends across its long axis.

[0080] The slot for receiving a device such as a tablet or similar electronic device with a display.

[0081] The body 2 has an upper face 3 that includes the slot 5 for receiving the device (not shown) and a lower face 4 that is located on a surface when the device is not held.

[0082] On one edge of the body 2 are a plurality of indentations 6 which are adapted to receive the fingers of a user to enable them to easily grip the support 1. The first embodiment has 4 indents 6, one for each finger.

[0083] The indents 6 are semi-circular. The ends 6A of the indents 6 are flattened so as to be suitable for resting against a surface when the support is arranged in a second configuration in which the device is supported at a shallow angle relative to the surface on which it is resting. For example so that a keypad on a tablet can be easily used.

[0084] The body 2 is flexible so that it may be flexed in order to open the slot 5 to a wider state which enables the device to be readily inserted into the slot 5.

[0085] The lower face 4 of the support 1 has a textured surface 4A (see FIG. 3). The textured surface 4A enables helps prevent the support from slipping when position on a surface.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the support 1. The slot 5 is dimensioned to receive a tablet (not shown) so as to exactly match the profile of the tablet to ensure the slot is securely engaged with the slot in use.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the support 1. The support is formed from two parts, the upper face 3 and the lower face 4. There is a cavity define between the two parts when joined, therefore the support is hollow.

[0088] Within the cavity are provided to weights 10. The weights ensure the support is stable when supporting a device.

[0089] The weights 10 are arranged either side of the slot so as to not encumber the slot and so as to permit the slot to be flexed open to a wider state without being restricted or prevented by the weight(s).

[0090] FIG. 8 showing the second embodiment shows a perspective view from one side and above of the second embodiment of the support. The support has a body with opposed upper and lower faces (3, 4), the lower face 4 of the body configured to provide a stable base suitable for resting on a surface, a slot 5 formed in the upper face 3, the slot 5 configured to receive and grip one edge of a device (not shown).

[0091] The body is configured to snugly fit the palm of a user's hand, the slot 5 and lower face 4 configured so that when the lower face 4 is located on a surface the support will provide a stable multidirectional support for a device located in the slot 5 and extending outwards from the body 2.

[0092] The body has a plurality of finger indents 6 formed on a side of the body that receives the fingers of a user and help them to grip the body in use.

[0093] The support 1 has a body 2 that is generally oval in plan view, and which has opposed upper and lower faces 3, 4. The main body 2 is sized to fit snugly with the hand of an average user, so that it will sit comfortably in their palm and they can wrap their fingers around and over the top of the main body 2. The lower face 4 is flat, and is configured to provide a stable base when the main body 2 is resting on a surface.

[0094] The upper face 3 is rounded. This helps the body 2 to sit naturally within the palm of a user's hand, with their fingers curled around the body.

[0095] A slot 5 is formed in the upper surface, across the longest dimension or longest axis of the body 2, bisecting the body 2. The slot 5 divides the body 2 into a front side and a rear side. The slot 5 is configured to receive and grip one edge of a device in use in a manner that will be described in detail below.

[0096] Four finger indents 6 are formed in the rear side of the main body. These are sized and shaped so that the fingers of a user holding the tablet support tool 1 in the palm of their hand will curl around and into the indents 6, which assist a user with gripping the tablet support tool 1.

[0097] As best, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the slot 5 comprises a first substantially planar side 7 and an outwardly curved or concave second side 8. Most tablets or similar devices have a flat front, the edges of the rear curved upwards to meet the flat front. This shape of slot 5 helps the slot 5 to conform and mould against a tablet in position in the slot 5.

[0098] The body 2 is formed so as to be hollow. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a leaf spring 9 is located in the body 2. The leaf spring 9 is positioned to apply pressure to the edges of the slot 5 and to move these towards one another, and to provide reaction force to move the edges towards one another if they are moved away from one another. A user can flex the body 2 slightly to widen the slot 5 to position a device in the slot 5, and once in position the leaf spring 9 will help to close the slot 5 around the edge of a tablet in the slot 5.

[0099] The body 2 of the support is preferably formed from a semi-rigid polymer that provides a shape for the body 2 and which assists the body 2 to maintain its shape. The semi-rigid polymer is over-moulded with a soft rubber material coating. This assists a user with grip and helps to soften the surface so that this is more comfortable for a user.

[0100] The coating covers the inner surface of the slot 5 and helps to provide a non-slip material which assists with preventing a tablet in the slot 5 from slipping out or moving out of position. The slot 5 could also be coated with a non-slip coating separately to the body coating. The non-slip material in this embodiment is silicone rubber type material, which is an inexpensive and easily sourced material that has excellent non-slip properties. The non-slip material in this embodiment is also textured within the slot 5 to assist in providing non-slip properties.

[0101] The non-slip material in the slot could also be smooth, for example being shiny.

[0102] Other parts of the outer face of the body may be textured in addition to or as an alternative to the slot and lower face.

[0103] In use, a user can use the tablet support tool 1 in a number of ways, as outlined below:

[0104] Firstly, they can place a device such as an e-reader in the slot 5 and then hold the body 2 in the palm of their hand with their fingers curled into the indents 6 around the rear of the tablet. This assists a user with holding the device comfortably as they do not have to exert a strong pinch grip that can fatigue their fingers and cause discomfort in order to hold the device. They can hold the body from underneath, or to one side.

[0105] Secondly, they can use the flat lower surface 4 as a base, placing a tablet in the slot 5 so that it extends upwards from the body and then placing the tablet support tool 1 on a table or similar. The body 2 is sized and shaped, and the slot 5 is positioned, so that the tablet support tool 1 will provide a robust and stable multidirectional support for the tablet (it will not easily overbalance).

[0106] Thirdly, the support 1 can be deliberately overbalanced so that one end or edge of the tablet is in the slot 5, and the opposed edge is resting on a surface. The tablet will be angled upwards at a shallow angle. The outer ends between the indents 6 are spaced apart and shaped to provide a stable base for the body when resting on the indented side in use as described. That is, the indents are configured so that the tablet is prevented from rocking from side to side in use.

[0107] In alternative forms, the body can be formed from aluminium or a similar solid or shell material, with only the interior of the slot 5 coated. The front and rear of the body each side of the slot could be formed separately and held together by a hinge or similar, the slot closed by a spring similar to that described above.

[0108] Where the word ‘tablet’ is used in this specification, this should not be taken as limiting the meaning to electronic devices classified as tablets only—the word as used in this specification should be taken to mean a tablet or any similar electronic device such as an e-reader, or any mobile computing device that has a display, circuitry and battery in a single unit. Examples of tablets include but are not limited to: iPads®, etc. Examples of e-reader that would also fall under the definition of ‘tablet’ as used in this specification include but are not limited to: Kindles®, etc.

[0109] Further embodiments of the support may be configured for different devices, providing lacunae or slots accommodating of device features, such as buttons or ports, and for example deviating so as to provide the user or the device extra space.

[0110] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.