Modular kickstand mechanism

A kickstand assembly, comprising:

• an electronic communications device being moveable from a landscape mode to a portrait mode and vice versa, said electronic communications device comprising
• an electronic visual display for displaying images, said electronic visual display comprising a user interface;
• a housing having a front comprising a generally rectangular frame with a front surface and having a back with a back surface, said frame positioned about and securing said electronic visual display, and said back defining an elongated cavity providing a kickstand-receiving compartment;
• a magnetic kickstand mechanism having an electronic kickstand comprising an elongated arm with an inner end pivotally connected to said housing, an outer end positioned opposite said inner end, an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface providing an underside, said outer end of said elongated arm being movable from a closed storage position disposed within said kickstand-receiving compartment to an open position disposed outwardly of said kickstand-receiving compartment for supporting said electronic communications device in one of said modes, and said magnetic kickstand mechanism having a magnet secured to said underside of said elongated arm in proximity to said outer end of said kickstand;
• and
• a hall-effect sensor positioned within an interior of said electronic communications device and cooperating with said magnet for detecting the position of said kickstand.

A kickstand assembly, comprising:

• an electronic communications device being moveable from a landscape orientation mode to a portrait orientation mode and vice versa, said electronic communications device comprising
• an electronic visual display for displaying images, said electronic visual display comprising a user interface;
• an impact-resistant housing having substantially parallel longitudinal sides, substantially parallel lateral sides extending between and connected to said substantially parallel longitudinal sides, a front comprising a generally rectangular frame with a front surface and having a back with a back surface, said frame positioned peripherally about and securing said electronic visual display, said back defining an elongated cavity providing an elongated kickstand-receiving compartment with an undercut kickstand-receiving pocket portion positioned substantially parallel and in proximity to one of said lateral sides;
• a modular electronic magnetic kickstand mechanism having an elongated electronic kickstand comprising an elongated kickstand-arm with a cantilevered inner end pivotally and integrally connected to said housing, said elongated kickstand-arm having an outer contact end positioned generally opposite said inner end and having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface providing an underside, said outer contact end of said electronic kickstand comprising said elongated kickstand-arm being pivotable from a closed storage position disposed within said kickstand-receiving compartment to an open position disposed outwardly of said kickstand-receiving compartment for supporting said electronic communications device in said landscape orientation mode and/or in said portrait orientation mode, said outer contact end providing an abutment tip for abutting engaging a substantially horizontal planar surface or a table, nightstand or other support surface, said outwardly facing surface of said elongated kickstand-arm positioned substantially flush to and in substantial coplanar alignment with said back surface of said housing when said outer end of said kickstand is moved to said closed storage position, and said modular electronic magnetic kickstand mechanism including an inwardly facing magnet securely connected to said inwardly facing surface providing said underside of said elongated kickstand-arm in proximity to said outer end of said kickstand, said inwardly facing magnet being hidden from view and inaccessible to a user in the closed stored position of said electronic kickstand, and said inwardly facing magnet being visible and accessible to the user in the open position;
• and
• at least one hall-effect sensor comprising a hall-effect switch positioned within an interior of said electronic communications device and cooperating with said magnet for detecting the position of said kickstand when said kickstand is in said closed storage position and when said kickstand in said open position.