Electronic device with adjustable kickstand

• US 8,706,227 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Berg, Richard O., Herman, Gerald M., Marchesin, Danilo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/711,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20130100597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 607/32, 162/84, 163/40, 235/383
• US Class Current: 607/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/00 Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof

Abstract

A programmer for an implantable medical device includes an adjustable kickstand. In one example, the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the programmer in an upright position when the kickstand is fully-collapsed to support the programmer in a reclined position when the kickstand is fully-extended. Further, the programmer housing may include a fan grate that allows airflow from a cooling fan to pass through the programmer housing. The fan grate is positioned behind the kickstand when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position. The kickstand includes an aperture adjacent the fan grate when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position, the aperture allowing airflow from the cooling fan to pass through the fan grate when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

an electronic display;

a housing that surrounds the display, the housing forming a base below the display; and

an adjustable kickstand on a side of the housing that opposes the display,

wherein the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the electronic device in a upright position when the kickstand is fully-collapsed, and

wherein the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the electronic device in a reclined position when the kickstand is fully-extended.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a friction hinge that connects the kickstand to the housing.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the friction hinge provides infinite adjustability between the upright and reclined positions.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the display comprises a touchscreen, and wherein friction hinge provide sufficient opening resistance at every position between the upright position and the reclined position to allow a user to provide user inputs to the electronic device by pressing on the touch screen without causing the kickstand to extend further when the electronic device is supported by base and the kickstand on a flat surface.

5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the friction hinge provides a greater opening resistance than closing resistance.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the opening resistance is at least 50 percent greater than the closing resistance of the friction hinge.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the electronic device is supported by on a flat surface in the upright position with the kickstand fully-collapsed, the display is at an angle of about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees the flat surface.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the electronic device is supported by the kickstand and the base on a flat surface in the reclined position with the kickstand fully-extended, the display is at an angle of less than about 45 degrees to the flat surface.

9. The electronic device of claim 1,

wherein when the electronic device is supported by the kickstand and the base on a flat surface in the upright position with the kickstand fully-collapsed, the display is at an angle of about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees the flat surface,

wherein when the electronic device is supported by the kickstand and the base on the flat surface in the reclined position with the kickstand fully-extended, the display is at an angle of less than about 45 degrees to the flat surface, and

wherein the kickstand provides infinite adjustability between the upright and reclined positions.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a convex outer surface that provides an about consistent contact surface area to support the electronic device at any angle between the upright position and the reclined position.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the base includes at least two feet formed from a molded elastomer, wherein the feet combine to form the convex outer surface of the base.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a metal mounting plate, the electronic device further comprising:

a hinge connecting the kickstand to the housing,

hinge mounting screws that secure the hinge to the metal mounting plate, wherein the hinge is in direct contact with the metal mounting plate when secured to the metal mounting plate by the hinge mounting screws.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the kickstand includes a metal insert that extends substantially the entire length of the kickstand, wherein the metal insert forms a Kensington security slot.

14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes one or more interfaces selected from a group consisting of:

a computer expansion card slot;

a docking station connector;

a barcode reader;

a video interface;

a computer networking port;

a peripheral device interface;

an audio jack; and

a power supply jack.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touchscreen display configured to receive input from the user.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a telemetry module within the housing, the telemetry module configured to facilitate wireless communication between the electronic device and an external computing device.

17. A housing for an electronic device comprising:

a recess configured to surround a display of the electronic device;

wherein the housing forms a base below the recess; and

an adjustable kickstand on a side of the housing that opposes the recess,

wherein the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the electronic device in a upright position when the kickstand is fully-collapsed, and

wherein the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the electronic device in a reclined position when the kickstand is fully-extended.

18. The housing of claim 17, further comprising a friction hinge that connects the kickstand to the housing,

wherein the friction hinge provides infinite adjustability between the upright and reclined positions.

19. The housing of claim 17, wherein the base includes a convex outer surface that provides an about consistent contact surface area to support the electronic device at any angle between the upright position and the reclined position.