Multiple position stand
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsStephen R. McClure, Joshua D. Banko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support mechanism for supporting an object on a surface is disclosed. The support mechanism includes a joint connected to the object; and a stand connected to the joint. The joint may selectively rotate to allow the stand to support the object on the surface in: a first position comprising a landscape orientation at a first angle between the object and the surface, a second position comprising a landscape orientation at a second angle between the object and the surface, a third position comprising a portrait orientation at a third angle between the object and the surface, and a fourth position comprising a portrait orientation at a fourth angle between the object and the surface.
Claims38
A support mechanism for supporting an object on a surface, comprising:
- a joint comprising:
- a socket connected to an object,
- a ball, and
- a linking member connected to the ball;
- a cam track formed in the object, wherein the joint is operatively connected to the cam track;
- and
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the object on a surface, wherein the joint selectively rotates to allow the stand to support the object on the surface in:
- a first position comprising a landscape orientation at a first angle between the object and the surface,
- a second position comprising a landscape orientation at a second angle between the object and the surface,
- a third position comprising a portrait orientation at a third angle between the object and the surface, and
- a fourth position comprising a portrait orientation at a fourth angle between the object and the surface.
A display apparatus, comprising:
- a device having a visual display and a housing;
- a cam track formed in the housing;
- a joint operatively connected to the cam track, wherein the joint comprises a ball and socket joint;
- and
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the device, wherein the joint rotates the stand between a first support orientation at a first viewing angle of the visual display and in a second support orientation at a second viewing angle of the visual display.
A computer having a housing and a visual display with a variable viewing angle defined by the position of the display relative to a vertical plane, the computer comprising:
- a socket operatively connected to the computer;
- a ball operatively connected to the socket;
- a stand connected to the ball for supporting the computer on a surface, wherein the ball and the socket rotate the stand between a landscape orientation at a first viewing angle, a landscape orientation at a second viewing angle, a portrait orientation at a third viewing angle, and a portrait orientation at a fourth viewing angle
- a track formed in the computer housing, wherein the ball is operatively connected to the track;
- a linking member having a first end coupled to the ball;
- and
- a cam coupled to a second end of the linking member and movably disposed in the track.
A support unit for supporting an object on a surface, comprising:
- a housing connected to an object;
- a joint disposed at least partially within the housing wherein the joint comprises a socket disposed in the housing and adapted to rotate in the housing, and a ball operatively connected to the socket;
- a linking member connecting the joint to the housing;
- and
- a stand operatively connected to the joint for supporting the object on a surface, wherein the stand is adapted to support the object in:
- a portrait support orientation at a first support angle greater than about 45 degrees between the object and the surface,
- a portrait support orientation at a second support angle less than about 45 degrees between the object and the surface,
- a landscape support orientation at a third support angle greater than about 45 degrees between the object and the surface, and
- a landscape support orientation at a fourth support angle less than about 45 degrees between the object and the surface.
A support mechanism for supporting an object on a surface, comprising:
- a joint comprising:
- a socket connected to an object,
- a ball, and
- a linking member connected to the ball;
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the object on a surface, wherein the joint selectively rotates to allow the stand to support the object on the surface in:
- a first position comprising a landscape orientation at a first angle between the object and the surface,
- a second position comprising a landscape orientation at a second angle between the object and the surface,
- a third position comprising a portrait orientation at a third angle between the object and the surface, and
- a fourth position comprising a portrait orientation at a fourth angle between the object and the surface;
- a cam track formed in the object;
- and
- a cam coupled to the linking member and disposed in the track and movable between the first position, the second position, the third position, and the fourth position.
A support mechanism for supporting an object on a surface, comprising:
- a joint comprising:
- a socket connected to an object,
- a ball, and
- a linking member connected to the ball;
- and
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the object on a surface, wherein the joint selectively rotates to allow the stand to support the object on the surface in:
- a first position comprising a landscape orientation at a first angle between the object and the surface,
- a second position comprising a landscape orientation at a second angle between the object and the surface,
- a third position comprising a portrait orientation at a third angle between the object and the surface, and
- a fourth position comprising a portrait orientation at a fourth angle between the object and the surface,
- wherein the socket rotates within a housing of the object.
A support unit for a display apparatus having a visual display, comprising:
- a housing for connecting to the apparatus;
- an elliptical cam track formed in the housing;
- a joint operatively connected to the cam track;
- and
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the apparatus, wherein the joint rotates the stand between a first support orientation at a first viewing angle of the visual display and in a second support orientation at a second viewing angle of the visual display.
A support unit for a display apparatus having a visual display, comprising:
- a housing for connecting to the apparatus;
- a cam track formed in the housing;
- a joint operatively connected to the cam track, wherein the joint comprises a socket, and a ball operatively connected to the socket;
- and
- a stand connected to the joint for supporting the apparatus, wherein the joint rotates the stand between a first support orientation at a first viewing angle of the visual display and in a second support orientation at a second viewing angle of the visual display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.