APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Technical field

The object of the present invention is an apparatus suitable for supporting an electronic device equipped with a screen, such as a tablet or e-book reader for example.

Background art

There are prior-art book stands for facilitating reading. They comprise a pedestal over which a support is located comprising a surface facing upwards on which a book can be positioned. The inclination of the surface with respect to a horizontal plane facilitates reading for a user who is standing or seated in front of the book stand.

There are also prior-art shockproof tablet cases that enable a cover for the tablet screen to be folded so as to define a stand that can be positioned in back of the tablet. In this configuration, if the tablet is resting on a table, the screen is not perfectly horizontal, but facing upwards towards the reader so as to facilitate viewing.

One drawback of such solutions is related to the fact that they do not facilitate use of the tablet or e-book reader when the user is lying down in bed or on a couch. In fact, in this case in order to adjust the screen to his/her line of sight, the user typically supports the tablet with one hand and tilts it to the desired position. In this manner, in addition to hand fatigue, freedom of use of the tablet is also undermined, given that one hand is already occupied.

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to offer an apparatus for supporting a device equipped with a screen which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to make available an apparatus for supporting a device equipped with a screen which is capable of allowing for comfortable use of the tablet even when the user is lying down on a bed or couch.

A further object of the present invention is to offer an apparatus for supporting a device equipped with a screen, the components of which have been optimized with the object of setting not only ease of use, but also sturdiness and portability as priorities.

The defined technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by an apparatus for supporting a device equipped with a screen, comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a device equipped with a screen, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

-Figures 1 and 2 show two perspective views of an apparatus according to the present invention, in an operative configuration;

-Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention, in a space-saving configuration;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention and as an alternative to the apparatus in Figure 2;

-Figure 5 is an example illustrating one possible way of using the apparatus according to the present invention;

-Figure 6 shows a detail of the apparatus appearing in Figures 1-4.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the accompanying figures, the reference number 1 indicates an apparatus suitable for supporting an electronic device (outlined by the long dash dot line in Figure 4) equipped with a screen such as a tablet or e- book reader for example.

The apparatus 1 comprises:

-rest means 2 (which enable positioning of the apparatus 1 in an upright position on an underlying support);

-a first surface 311 on which the electronic device (tablets, e-book readers, and also cellular phones, etc.) can be positioned.

The apparatus 1 functions as a pedestal for the electronic device.

The apparatus 1 also comprises means 4 for retaining the electronic device on said first surface 311.

Conveniently, in an operative configuration of the apparatus 1 , when the rest means 2 is resting on an imaginary horizontal plane of infinite extension, said first surface 311 faces said plane (as shown for example in Figure 2 or 4).The first surface 311 is stably oriented towards the plane, that is, it maintains the orientation without elements external to the apparatus supporting it. In this manner, when the apparatus 1 is placed on a user's chest or stomach, the screen on the electronic device faces the user's face (see Figure 5 for example).

The apparatus 1 can comprise:

-a first panel 31 ;

-a second panel 32.

The second panel 32 is removably connected to the first panel 31.

The first surface 311 on which the electronic device can be positioned is afforded in said first panel 31. In the operative configuration, the second panel 32 gives stability to the first panel 31 , enabling support of the latter. The first surface 311 comprises a first part 314 that is wider and a second part 315 that is narrower. In the operative configuration, the second part 315 is higher than the first part 314.Advantageously, when a tablet is positioned with the long side arranged horizontally, it overlaps the first part 314 (without overlapping the second part 315 or in any case, overlapping the second part 315 only minimally - less than 20%).When the tablet is oriented between the top and bottom, it overlaps the first and the second part 314, 315 (Figure 4 shows an electronic device marked by a long dash dot line).

Advantageously, the first panel 31 is planar. The second panel 32 is also planar. At least in the operative configuration, the angle formed between the first panel 31 and the second panel 32 can be at least equal to a value comprised between 120° and 150°.

The first panel 31 comprises a honeycomb structure (preferably of a plastic material) having a plurality of channels 313 arranged side by side that extend internally within the thickness of the first panel 31 The channels 313 extend parallel to each other. They extend longitudinally along the width of the first panel 313. In particular, they substantially extend parallel to a direction defined by a junction/contact zone between the first and the second panel 31 , 32.

Advantageously, the second panel 32 also comprises a honeycomb structure (preferably of a plastic material) having a plurality of channels 320 arranged side by side that extend internally within the thickness of the second panel 32.

In addition to enabling the apparatus 1 to remain "standing" on its own, the second panel 32 is also a hand or wrist support.

Advantageously, the second panel 32 comprises two opposite recesses to facilitate wrist or arm insertion.

The apparatus 1 also comprises connection means 5 for connecting the first and the second panel 31 , 32. In a preferred embodiment, the connection means 5 comprises a cord 50, typically a string. The cord 50 comprises a first section 51 that is inserted in one of said channels 313 in the first panel 31 and a second section 52 that is inserted in one of said channels 320 in the second panel 32.

Depending on the channel in the first panel 31 and/or in the second panel 32 in which the cord 50 is inserted, the form of the apparatus 1 can be changed in the operative configuration. This allows for maximum flexibility in that the apparatus 1 can be adjusted for better adaptation to various physiques or more simply, to the various preferences of a user. Advantageously, the first and/or the second panel 31 , 32 can be cut using scissors. This feature also makes it possible to offer maximum adaptability to the various preferences of a user.

The connection means 5 can also comprise a locking element 55, which, in turn, comprises:

- a retaining body 550 through which a first and a second edge 53, 54 of the cord 50 passes; the first edge 53, the first section 51, the second section 52 and the second edge 54 following in succession along the extension of the cord 50; advantageously, the body 550 is slidable along the cord 50 folded in half upon itself.

- a piston that press-locks the body 550 to the first and the second edge 53, 54 of the cord 50.

As an alternative to the locking element 55, the cord 50 could simply be knotted so as to prevent the cable 50 from slipping out of the first and the second panel 31 , 32.

In a preferred solution, the means 4 for retaining the electronic device on said first surface 311 comprises one or more elastics 40. The elastic or elastics advantageously entirely encircle a part of the first panel 31.

The first panel 31 comprises a second surface 312 that is opposite the first surface 311. The electronic device equipped with a screen can be positioned on the second surface 312. The means 4 for retaining the electronic device on the first surface 311 also permits retention of the electronic device on the second surface 312. In fact, as they entirely encircle a part of the first panel 31 , the elastic or elastics 40 can retain the electronic device equipped with a screen against the first panel 31 (whether the electronic device overlaps the first surface 311 or it overlaps the second surface 312).A lower support 7 can possibly be present, on which the electronic device is to be rested when it overlaps the second surface 312.

The rest means 2 can comprise a flat base 6 on which the first and the second panel 31 , 32 rest. As illustrated by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, the flat base 6 comprises a protrusion designed to separate two shaped portions 71 , 72 that offer the user who is lying down more freedom of leg movement (assuming that the base 6 resting on the user's chest is projecting towards the user's legs). In one particular solution, the flat base 6 may also not be present (see Figure 4) and in this case, the rest means 2 is incorporated in the first and the second panel 31 , 32. The base 6 is removably connectable to the first and the second panel 31 , 32.

If the flat base 6 is present, the apparatus 1 advantageously comprises:

- connection means 61 for removably connecting the first panel 31 to the base 6; and/or

- connection means 62 for removably connecting the second panel 32 to the base 6.

In a particular embodiment, the connection means 61 for removably connecting the first panel 31 to the base 6 comprises a cord comprising a first section that is inserted in one of said channels in the first panel 31 and a second section that is inserted in one of said channels in the base 6. The means 61 can conveniently comprise a locking element, which, in turn, comprises:

- a retaining body through which a first and a second edge of the cord passes; the first edge, the first section, the second section and the second edge following in succession along the extension of the cord;

- a piston that press-locks the body to the first and the second edge of the cord.

The description provided with reference to the connection means 61 can be repeated for the second connection means 62, with the specification that in this case, the cord connects the second panel 62 (and not the first panel 61 ) to the base 6.

In an alternative solution, the connection means 61 or 62 could comprise a strap connection (typically comprising Velcro elements).

The apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a retainer 60 associated with the base 6.ln the operative configuration of the apparatus 1 , the retainer 60 is designed to frontally abut a keyboard of a laptop resting on the second surface 312. In this manner, by adjusting the inclination of the laptop screen (by means of the hinge thereof), the user can view the screen with the proper inclination even when lying down. The retainer 60 facilitates retention of the keyboard, preventing it from slipping forward sliding along the second surface 312.The retainer 60 is conveniently associated with the base 6 by means of a string that passes through the retainer 60 and the base 6.Therefore, the position of the retainer 60 is adjustable along the base 6. Furthermore, it is completely removable. In the case in which the retainer 60 is used, the lower support 7 (illustrated for example in Figure 1) is normally removed.

The apparatus 1 is advantageously free of metallic elements (this prevents unnecessary signalling by metal detectors, for example in airports or at courthouse entrances or in other security sensitive areas). In particular, the first panel 31 , the second panel 32 and the possible base 6 are entirely made of a plastic material, preferably polycarbonate.

For easier transport, the apparatus 1 can take on a space-saving configuration, in which the first and the second panel 31 , 32 overlap (see Figure 3). In this case, the first and the second panel 31 , 32 advantageously extend substantially parallel to each other.

The invention has numerous advantages.

First of all, it allows for use of tablets and e-book readers in complete comfort even when lying down. Moreover, it facilitates screen viewing also for a person next to the user.

A further advantage consists in the fact that it can be easily transported, owing to the possibility of it taking on an operative configuration and a space-saving configuration.

A further advantage consists in its low weight and its sturdiness, in addition to the fact that the elements (for example the cord 50 and the elastics 40), which enable assembly of the various parts, are readily available and replaceable in any part of the world.

An additional important advantage is related to its ergonometric design and to the possibility of adapting the configuration of the apparatus according to the preferences and physique of the user (for example when a user is lying down with the apparatus on his/her chest, adjusting the configuration of the supporting apparatus 1 , according to his/her physique, is useful for the purpose of orienting the tablet or e-book reader screen more precisely with respect to his/her line of sight).

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterizing the invention. Moreover, all details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. All the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be of any type, according to needs.