SUPPORT MECHANISM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING SAME

• US 20130342976A1
• Filed: 12/27/2012
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: CHUNG, Huan-Chang
• Application Number:
  US13/728,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20130342976A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor

Abstract

A support mechanism includes a housing, a securing portion and a stylus. The housing defines a groove. The securing portion includes a plurality of arcuate portions and a slot defined among the plurality of arcuate portions, the slot communicating with the groove. The stylus includes a stylus tip, a stylus body and a spherical portion, the stylus tip positioned at a first end of the stylus body, and the spherical portion positioned at a second end of the stylus body, the stylus tip and the stylus body received in the groove, and the spherical portion received in the slot. When the spherical portion is rotated in the slot to a support position, the stylus is able to support the housing.

Claims

1. A support mechanism, comprising:

a housing defining a groove;

a securing portion comprising a plurality of arcuate portions and a slot defined among the plurality of arcuate portions, the slot communicating with the groove; and

a stylus comprising a stylus tip, a stylus body, and a spherical portion;

the stylus tip positioned at a first end of the stylus body, and the spherical portion positioned at a second end of the stylus body;

the stylus tip and the stylus body received in the groove;

and the spherical portion received in the slot;

wherein when the spherical portion is rotated in the slot to a support position, the stylus is able to support the housing.

2. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein each arcuate portion has an inside surface, the inside surfaces constitute a partial spherical surface engaging with the spherical portion.

3. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein there are three arcuate portions, and a cutout is defined between each two arcuate portions.

4. The support mechanism of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the spherical portion is slightly larger than that of the partial spherical surface.

5. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing defining a groove;

a securing portion defining a slot communicating with the groove; and

a stylus comprising a stylus tip, a stylus body and a spherical portion, the stylus tip positioned at a first end of the stylus body, and the spherical portion positioned at a second end of the stylus body;

wherein when in a first state, the stylus tip and the stylus body are received in the groove, and the spherical portion are received in the slot; and

when in a second state, the spherical portion is rotated in the slot to a support position allowing the stylus to support the housing.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein a plurality of arcuate portions surround the slot, each of the plurality of arcuate portions has an inside surface, the inside surfaces constitute a partial spherical surface engaging with the spherical portion.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein a diameter of the spherical portion is slightly larger than that of the partial spherical surface.