Stand assemblies for portable terminals

STAND ASSEMBLIES FOR PORTABLE TERMINALS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0051099 filed June 9, 2009. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to portable terminals, such as handheld wireless communications terminals (e.g., cellular phones, etc.). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to stand assemblies for portable terminals which are operable for supporting at least part of a portable terminal at an angle of inclination on a support surface (e.g., desktop, tabletop, etc.).

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Portable terminals (e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), global positioning systems (GPSs), media devices, LCD displays, monitors, pagers, etc.) have become increasingly popular. With increasing popularity, the number of users and their particular preferences and tastes in regard to functionality and operation of the devices have also increased, such as different user preferences as to how the devices can be used, held, positioned, etc. during, for example, operation, etc. Portable terminals may include various display capabilities, such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Portable Media Players (PMP), video telecommunication, etc.

[0005] By way of example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an electronic device 100 having a conventional stand 200. As shown in FIG. 1 , the stand 200 supports the electronic device 100 at an angle for viewing the LCD on the front of the electronic device 100 when the stand 200 is sloped towards the horizontal plane in a predetermined angle.

SUMMARY

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0007] Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of a stand assembly for supporting a portable terminal on a support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, a stand assembly generally includes a housing configured to be coupled to a body of a portable terminal and a leg having a first end portion rotatably coupled to the housing. A first biasing device is operable for applying a biasing force to urge the leg to rotate from a first position to a second position. The stand assembly also includes a sliding cam and a rotating cam. The rotating cam is operable for pushing and sliding the sliding cam during the rotation of the leg from the first position to the second position. A second biasing device is operable for applying a biasing force to urge the sliding cam toward the rotating cam. A locking button is operable for maintaining the leg in the first position.

[0008] Also disclosed herein are methods relating to stand assemblies for portable terminals. In an exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes pressing a locking button to disengage a leg from the locking button, whereby the leg is automatically rotated from a first position to a second position by a first biasing device. A second biasing device pushes a sliding cam toward a rotating cam of the leg which reduces the rotating speed of the leg as the leg is automatically rotated from the first position to the second position.

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device having a conventional stand that is shown supporting the electronic device at an angle for viewing the LCD on the front of the electronic device;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a back view of an example of a bar-type portable terminal that includes a kickstand or stand assembly shown in a first, unfolded, or stowed position according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable terminal and stand assembly shown in FIG. 2 where the support, leg, stand, or kickstand of the stand assembly is shown in a second, folded, or deployed position and supporting the portable terminal on a support surface at an angle of inclination; [0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stand assembly shown in FIG. 3;

[0015] FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate various stages of the stand assembly shown in FIG. 4 while the stand assembly is being assembled according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the stand assembly shown in FIG. 9, and illustrating the exemplary manner by which the leg of the stand assembly may be semi-automatically unfolded or deployed according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] In the background section above, the inventors hereof disclose an electronic device 100 having a conventional stand 200. As shown in FIG. 1 , the stand 200 may be used for supporting the electronic device at an angle for viewing the LCD on the front of the electronic device 100. The inventors hereof have recognized that it would be advantageous if the stand were capable of being semi- automatically moved between a first, unfolded, or stowed position and a second, folded, or deployed position. In addition to the semi-automatic unfolding or deployment of the stand, the inventors hereof recognized that it would be advantages if the stand was capable of moving smoothly while dampen or reducing its rotation speed as it was being unfolded or deployed.

[0019] Accordingly, the inventors hereof have disclosed various exemplary embodiments of a kickstand or stand assembly (e.g., stand assembly 8 (FIGS. 2 through 4), etc.) for a portable terminal (e.g., electronic device 100 (FIG. 1), portable terminal 6 (FIGS. 2 and 3, etc.). The stand assembly includes a stand, support, leg, or kickstand (e.g., leg 10 in FIGS. 2 through 4), etc.), which may be semi- automatically moved from a first, folded, or stowed position (e.g., FIG. 2, etc.) to a second, unfolded, or deployed position (e.g., FIG. 3, etc.). In the first position, the stand, support, leg, or kickstand of the stand assembly may be parallel to or from an angle of zero degrees with the body of the portable terminal. The stand assembly may also be configured to fit within a recessed portion of the body of the portable terminal so that the stand, support, leg, or kickstand of the stand assembly when in the first position doesn't protrude outwardly beyond the back surface of the portable terminal. For example, the back or outer surface of the stand, support, leg, or kickstand may be aligned or flush with the back surface of the portable terminal when the stand assembly is in the first position. When in the second position, however, the stand may form an acute angle (e.g., 60 degrees, etc.) with the body of the portable terminal. In some exemplary embodiments, the stand assembly may be configured such that the stand, support, leg, or kickstand moves smoothly while its rotational speed is reduced or dampened as it is being unfolded or deployed.

[0020] In an example embodiment, a kickstand or stand assembly includes a housing that may be coupled to a body (e.g., first or main body, etc.) of a portable terminal. A leg, kickstand, support, or stand has a first end portion rotatably or pivotably coupled to the housing for supporting the portable terminal when the leg is in a second, unfolded, or deployed position. A first biasing device (e.g., spring, etc.) is operable for applying a biasing force to rotate the leg relative to the housing from a first, folded, or stowed position to the second, unfolded, or deployed position. The leg includes a rotating axis hole. A rotating cam may be formed about the rotating axis hole of the leg, such that a sliding cam is pushed and slid by the rotating cam during the rotation of the leg to the second, unfolded, or deployed position. A second biasing device (e.g., spring, etc.) is operable for biasing or pushing the sliding cam toward the rotating cam, which, in turn, dampens or reduces the rotating force and the unfolding or rotating speed of the leg. A locking button may be operable for maintaining the leg in the first, folded, or stowed state, against the biasing force of the first spring. When a user pushes the locking button, the leg may then be rotated from first, folded, or stowed position into the second, unfolded, or deployed position.

[0021] Also disclosed herein are methods relating to a kickstand or stand assembly, which may be used in a portable terminal. In an exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes pressing a locking button to disengage a leg from the locking button, whereby the leg is automatically rotated from a first position to a second position by a first biasing device. A second biasing device pushes a sliding cam toward a rotating cam of the leg which reduces the rotating speed of the leg as the leg is automatically rotated from the first position to the second position. The method may also include placing the portable terminal on a support surface with the leg in the second position, whereby the leg supports the portable terminal on the support surface at an angle of inclination. [0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, there is shown an example embodiment of a kickstand or stand assembly 8 embodying one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The stand assembly 8 may be used with any of a wide range of portable terminals (e.g., electronic device 100 (FIG. 1 ), portable terminal 6 (FIGS. 2 and 3), etc.), cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other electronic devices, non-electronic devices, devices having other or additional purposes not related to communications, etc.

[0023] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the stand assembly 8 may be used with the portable terminal 6. The portable terminal 6 has a display (e.g., LCD device, etc.) mounted on or coupled to a first or front surface of a body 1 of the portable terminal 6. The stand assembly 8 is mounted on or coupled to a second or back surface of the body 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the stand assembly 8 may be used to support the portable terminal 6 on a support surface (e.g., desktop, tabletop, etc.) at an angle of inclination to thereby allow a user to conveniently view the display (e.g., watch a movie, etc.).

[0024] In a first position (FIG. 2), the stand, support, leg, or kickstand 10 of the stand assembly 8 may be parallel to or form an angle of zero degrees with the body 1 of the portable terminal 6. The stand assembly 8 may also be configured to fit within a recessed portion of the body of the portable terminal so that the stand 10 doesn't protrude outwardly beyond the back surface of the portable terminal 6 when the stand assembly 8 is in the first position. For example, the back surface of the stand 10 may be aligned or flush with the back surface of the portable terminal 6 when the stand assembly 8 is in the first position. When the stand 10 is unfolded or deployed into the second position, the stand 10 may form an acute angle (e.g., 60 degrees, etc.) with the body 1 of the portable terminal 6 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the stand assembly 8. As shown, the stand assembly 8 includes a kickstand-type leg 10, a rotating cam 12, a first biasing device 14, a sliding cam 20, a second biasing device 22, a locking button 40, a third biasing device 42, and a housing 50. The housing 50 is coupled or fixed to the body 1 of the portable terminal 6. The leg 10 includes a first end portion rotatably coupled to the housing 50 for supporting the portable terminal 6.

[0026] The first biasing device 14 (e.g., deploy spring, etc.) is operable for applying a biasing force to rotate the leg 10. The rotating cam 12 is integrally formed around a rotating axis hole 11 of the leg 10. The sliding cam 20 is pushed and slid by the rotating cam 12 during the rotation of the leg 10 from the folded position (FIG. 2) to the unfolded position (FIG. 3).

[0027] The second biasing device 22 (e.g., a pair of coil springs, etc.) is operable for pushing or biasing the sliding cam 20 toward the rotating cam 12. In turn, this helps reduce or dampen the rotating force and the unfolding speed of the leg 10.

[0028] The locking button 40 is operable for maintaining the leg 10 in the first, folded, or stowed position shown in FIG. 2. As disclosed herein, the leg 10 is rotated from the folded position (FIG. 2) to the unfolded position (FIG. 3) when a user pushes the locking button 40.

[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the housing 50 includes an opening 51 (e.g., thru hole or via hole in the illustrated embodiment, etc.) configured to receive a rotating shaft 60. The rotating shaft 60 is inserted into the via hole 51 and the rotating axis hole 11 , for rotatably coupling the leg 10 to the housing 50.

[0030] The leg 10 also includes a second end portion having a locking segment 13. The locking segment 13 includes a concave groove formed in the second end portion of the leg 10. The third biasing device 42 (e.g., a coil spring, etc.) is operable for pushing or biasing the locking button 40 toward the locking segment 13. The third biasing device 42 is mounted on the housing 50.

[0031] The locking button 40 includes a locking projection 41 , which extends or projects toward the locking segment 13. The third biasing device 42 causes the locking projection 41 to engage (e.g., be inserted, etc.) into the concave groove of the locking segment 13. The engagement of the locking projection 41 into the locking segment 13 maintains the leg 10 in the folded state. When a user pushes the locking button 40, however, the locking projection 41 disengages and comes out from the concave groove of the locking segment 13, which thus unlocks them and allows the leg 10 to be rotated from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0032] When the leg 10 rotates, the rotating cam 12 pushes a pushing segment 21 of the sliding cam 20. Thus, the slide cam 20 is slid by the rotating cam 12. A sliding cam cover 30 covers the sliding cam 20 on the housing 50 to help the sliding cam 20 slide on a plane.

[0033] The first biasing device 14 comprises a deploy spring having a coil portion and two end portions shown in FIG. 4. The deploy spring 14 is relaxed when the end portions of the deploy spring 14 are at 90 degrees relative to the other. One end position of the first spring 14 is positioned within the housing 50, while the other end portion is coupled to the leg 10, for example, by a first retaining tape 70. Alternatively, other biasing devices may be used and/or other suitable means may be used for attaching the end of the spring to the leg 10.

[0034] The housing 50 is coupled or fixed to the portable terminal 6 by a second retaining tape 80. Alternatively, other suitable means may be used for attaching the housing 50 to the portable terminal 6.

[0035] When the leg 10 is rotated and unfolded from the body 1 of the portable terminal 6, the portable terminal 6 can then be supported by leg 10 on a support surface, such as a desktop, tabletop, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, the leg 10 may support the portable terminal 6 at a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the support surface.

[0036] With reference now to FIGS. 5 through 9, an exemplary method of assembling the stand assembly 8 will now be described for purposes of illustration only. Alternative methods may also be employed for manufacturing, making, or assembling a kickstand or stand assembly (e.g., stand assembly 8, etc.) in other embodiments.

[0037] In a first method step, process, or operation (as represented by an arrow in FIG. 5), the third spring 42 is coupled or fixed within the housing 50. Next, the locking button 40 is coupled to or mounted on the housing 50 (also represented by an arrow in FIG. 5).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, a silicon-based grease 52 (or other suitable lubricant, etc.) may be disposed within or coated on the part of the housing 50 along with the sliding cam 20 will move or slide in the housing 50. Additionally, or alternatively, a silicon-based grease 52 (or other suitable lubricant, etc.) may be disposed or coated on the sliding cam 20 instead. In either case, the grease 52 preferably helps make the sliding movement of the sliding cam 20 within or along the housing 50 more smooth.

[0039] With further reference to FIG. 6, the housing 50 includes (e.g., has integrally formed thereon, attached thereto, etc.) a supporting segment 53 configured to support or contact the end portions of the coil springs 22. The sliding cam 20 includes (e.g., has integrally formed thereon, attached thereto etc.) supporting segment (e.g., posts or pins, etc.) configured to support two coil springs 22. As represented by the arrow in FIG. 6, the sliding cam 20 is disposed or mounted within the housing 50 such that the sliding cam 20 is biased or pushed by the coil springs 22. Each coil spring 22 has one end portion in contact with the sliding cam 20 and another end portion in contact with the supporting segment 53 of the housing 50.

[0040] As represented by the arrow in FIG. 7, the sliding cam cover 30 is positioned to cover the portion of the housing 50 in which the sliding cam 20 is disposed or mounted. Next, one end portion of the first spring 14 is coupled or fixed to the leg 10 as shown in FIG. 8. The other end portion of the first spring 14 is positioned so as to contact the sliding cam cover 30 as shown by FIGS. 8 and 9. In operation, the first spring 14 is operable for generating or applying a biasing force for biasing, pushing, or urging the leg 10 so as to cause the leg 10 to rotate and unfold from the sliding cam cover 30 as represented by the arrow in FIG. 8.

[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates the rotating shaft 60 being inserted through the via hole 51 of the housing 50 and through the rotating axis hole 11 of the leg 10. The rotating shaft 60 may also be inserted through the opening defined by the coils of the first spring 14. In this exemplary manner, the rotating shaft 60 rotatably couples the leg 10 to the housing 50, and also couples the first spring 14 to leg 10 and housing 50.

[0042] The assembled kickstand or stand assembly 8 may be coupled or fixed to a portable terminal. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the assembled kickstand or stand assembly 8 is coupled or fixed to the body 1 of the portable terminal 6 (FIGS. 2 and 3) by a second retaining tape 80 (FIG. 4). Alternatively, other suitable means may be used for attaching the stand assembly 8 to the portable terminal 6.

[0043] During the unfolding operation of the leg 10, the sliding cam 20 slides relatively smoothly due to the grease 52 (FIG. 6) disposed between (e.g., coated on, etc.) the moving portion of the sliding cam 20 and housing 50. Further, the rotating cam 12 of the leg 10 pushes the pushing segment 21 of the siding cam 20. If the leg 10 is unfolded more, then a resisting force of the second biasing device 22 (e.g., pair of coil springs, etc.) will become greater. Thus, the unfolding speed of the leg 10 can be reduced such that a smoother unfolding operation of the leg 10 can be accomplished.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 10, a moment M1 is generated by the first biasing device 14 (e.g., deploy spring, etc.), which moment M1 is the largest at an initial state of an unfolding operation. The moment M1 may be reduced during the unfolding operation of the leg 10. Accordingly, the magnitude of the pushing force F1 that the rotating cam 12 pushes the pushing segment 21 with is highest at the initial state of the unfolding operation of the leg 10. The force F1 may be reduced during the unfolding operation of the leg 10. The magnitude of the force F2 of the second biasing device 22 for pushing the sliding cam 20 in an opposite direction to the force F1 is the lowest at the initial state of the unfolding operation of the leg 10. But the force F2 may be increased during the unfolding operation of the leg 10. A moment M2 is generated by the force F2 of the second biasing device 22, which moment M2 is in the opposite direction as the moment M1. The moment M2 is smallest at the initial state of the unfolding operation of the leg 10. But the moment M2 may be increased during the unfolding operation of the leg 10.

[0045] The overall rotating moment of the leg 10 at the rotating shaft 60 is determined by adding the moments M1 and M2. Consequently, there is a reduction or dampening of the rotational speed of the leg 10 as the leg 10 rotates from the initial, unfolded, or stowed position (FIG. 2) to the folded, deployed position (FIG. 3). The reduction or dampening of the rotational speed enables a relatively smooth unfolding operation.

[0046] Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclose herein that include a kickstand or stand assembly for supporting a portable terminal sloped towards the horizontal plane in a predetermined angle, where the kickstand, stand, leg, or support of the stand assembly may be unfolded relatively smoothly and semi- automatically.

[0047] Numerical dimensions and values are provided herein for illustrative purposes only. The particular dimensions and values provided are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0050] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0051] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0052] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0053] The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter. The disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges.

[0054] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.