Device kickstand

• US 9,116,550 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Siddiqui, Kabir, Groene, Ralf, Aagaard, Karsten, Reed, Anthony Christian, Cummings, Stephan Alexander, Jensen, Darryl I., Gault, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Nkeisha
• Application Number:
  US13/656,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 248/454, 248/455, 248/456, 248/463, 248/206.5, 248/458, 248/444, 248/447, 248/688, 361/679.12, 361/679.09, 361/679.06, 361/679.08, 403/92, 403/93, 403/94, 403/95, 403/96, 403/97, 163/34, 163/35, 163/21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• 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 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A device kickstand is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a kickstand configured to be rotatably attached to a rear portion of a computing device; and

at least one hinge that attaches a portion of the kickstand to the rear portion of the computing device to enable rotation of the kickstand relative to the computing device, the hinge including a moveable component attached to the kickstand and that is moveable during movement of the kickstand relative to the rear portion of the computing device, the hinge having a center of rotation that is external to the moveable component, and the hinge configured such that the center of rotation coincides with a seam between abutting edges of the kickstand and the computing device, and a width of the seam is substantially constant when the kickstand is moved relative to the rear portion of the computing device.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge includes one or more stop positions that enable the kickstand to be opened to one or more preset positions to support the computing device.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand includes a magnetic stabilizer that stabilizes at least one edge of the kickstand against the computing device.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand includes one or more surface contacts that are configured to reduce the transmission of vibrations between the kickstand and a surface on which the computing device is positioned.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand includes one or more dampers that are configured to reduce vibration of the kickstand.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand is removably attached to the at least one hinge such that the kickstand is detachable from the rear portion of the computing device.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a width of the kickstand is narrower than a width of a front surface of the computing device, such that when the computing device is placed on an adjacent surface in a portrait orientation, the computing device leans back away from the front surface and rests on the adjacent surface via at least a portion of the kickstand.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the computing device is configured to be physically attached to an input device that can be placed in multiple orientations with respect to the computing device, and wherein the kickstand is configured to support the computing device in a typing orientation such that input can be provided to the computing device via the input device.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a different hinge attached to the kickstand and the computing device, and configured to stabilize an edge of the kickstand during movement of the kickstand.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the center of rotation is external to the hinge.

11. An attachment assembly comprising:

a first hinge configured to operably attach a kickstand to a computing device, the first hinge including one or more stop positions such that the kickstand can be opened to one or more preset positions, the first hinge being configured such that the kickstand conforms to a surface contour of the computing device when the kickstand is in a closed position; and

a second hinge directly attached to the kickstand and the computing device, and configured to stabilize an edge of the kickstand by applying pressure from a spring to a sliding mechanism such that the sliding mechanism maintains pressure on a portion of the kickstand during movement of the kickstand on the first hinge.

12. An attachment assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the first hinge includes a center of rotation that is external to the hinge such that a seam between abutting edges of the kickstand and the computing device is maintained during movement of the kickstand.

13. An attachment assembly as described in claim 12, wherein the center of rotation substantially coincides with a center axis of the seam.

14. An attachment assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the computing device is configured to be physically attached to an input device that can be placed in multiple orientations with respect to the computing device, and wherein at least one of the stop positions corresponds to a preset position for the kickstand that enables the kickstand to support the computing device in a typing orientation such that input can be provided to the computing device via the input device.

15. An attachment assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the sliding mechanism engages with a hinge key fastened to the portion of the kickstand such that the sliding mechanism maintains pressure on the hinge key during movement of the kickstand on the first hinge.

16. A computing device comprising:

a housing;

one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware to perform one or more operations; and

a kickstand operably attached to a rear surface of the housing and configured to be opened to multiple open positions to support multiple orientations of the computing device, the kickstand being attached to the rear surface of the housing via at least one hinge with an external center of rotation, and the hinge configured such that the center of rotation to coincides with a seam between abutting edges of the kickstand and the rear surface of the housing, and a width of the seam is substantially constant when the kickstand is moved between the multiple open positions.

17. A computing device as described in claim 16, wherein the kickstand is attached to the rear surface of the housing via at least one other hinge that exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand to stabilize the edge of the kickstand during rotation of the kickstand.

18. A computing device as described in claim 16, further comprising a magnetic stabilizer mechanism that stabilizes an edge of the kickstand against the rear surface of the computing device when the kickstand is in a closed position.

19. A computing device as described in claim 16, wherein the kickstand is configured to contour to multiple external edges of the rear surface of the computing device when in a closed position.

20. A computing device as described in claim 16, wherein the hinge includes a moveable component attached to the kickstand, and the center of rotation is external to the moveable component.