[0001] The present invention relates to systems for supporting mobile devices, specifically for mobile device support stands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support stand configured to support a mobile device, comprising:

a back member; and

a pivot member;

wherein the pivot member is connected to the back member;

wherein the support stand is configured to couple with the mobile device about a pivot point using the pivot member.

[0003] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a mobile device, the method comprising:

coupling the mobile device to a support stand of the first aspect about a pivot point using the pivot member of the support stand.

[0004] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a support stand of the first aspect; and headphones.

[0005] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support stand configured to support a mobile device, comprising:

a back member; and a

pivot member;

wherein the pivot member is connected to the back member;

wherein the support stand is configured to couple with a mobile device about a pivot point using the pivot member; and

wherein the mobile device is configured to rest against the back member.

[0006] The support stand may further comprise:

a support member; wherein the support member is connected to the back member opposite of the pivot member; and

wherein the support member is configured to rest against a surface.

[0007] The support stand may further comprise:

a cable management member;

wherein the cable management member is connected to the back member opposite of the support member; and

wherein the cable management member and the support member are configured to enable the management of a cable.

[0008] Further features of the invention, including optional, suitable, and preferred features, will be apparent from the description that follows and the appended claims.

[0009] Features, including optional, suitable, and preferred features in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be features, including optional, suitable and preferred features in relation to any other aspect of the invention, except where the particular context renders this undesirable or impossible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PR A WINGS

[0010] FIG. 1A is a conceptual rendering of a support stand for a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 B is a conceptual rendering of a back view of a support stand for a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 C is a conceptual rendering of an overhead view of a support stand for a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a photograph of a support stand for a mobile device with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2B is a photograph of an overhead view of a support stand for a mobile device supporting the mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2C is a photograph of the back of a support stand for a mobile device supporting the mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 2D is a photograph of the front of a support stand for a mobile device supporting the mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0017] FIG. 2E is a photograph of an overhead view of the back of a support stand for a mobile device supporting the mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 3A is a photograph of a left view of a support stand with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 3B is a photograph of a right view of a support stand with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3C is a photograph of a side view of a support stand with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 3D is a photograph of a bottom view of a support stand with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 3E is a photograph of a top view of a support stand with an integrated cable management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Turning now to the drawings, mobile device support stands with a pivot in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Support stands in accordance with embodiments of the invention include a pivot member connected to a back member. In several embodiments, the support stand is configured to couple to a mobile device via the pivot member. In a number of embodiments, the mobile device couples with the pivot member via a headphone jack in the mobile device. Other coupling points on a mobile device can be utilized in accordance with the requirements of many embodiments of the invention. The mobile device supported by the support stand is configured to pivot about the pivot member and rest against the back member. In a first position, the mobile device and the support stand can lie flat on a surface. The support stand can pivot to a second position in which a surface of the mobile device rests against the back member and a surface can support the support stand and the mobile device in such a way that the mobile device rests at an angle relative to the surface. The angle of the mobile device varies as the mobile device pivots about the pivot member, controlling the angle at which the mobile device rests against the back member. In a variety of embodiments, the support stand includes a support member connected to the back member. The support member is configured to provide additional support for the back member as it rests against a surface. In many embodiments, the support stand includes a cable management member connected to the back member and/or the pivot member opposite the support member. The cable management member is configured to work with the support member to provide a cable management system. In several embodiments, the cable management member and the support member are configured to enable the cable of a pair of headphones to be wrapped around the support stand. Other configurations and other cables can be utilized in accordance with the requirements of a variety of embodiments of the invention.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 1A, a support stand with a pivot in accordance with an embodiment of the illustration is illustrated. The support stand 100 includes a support member 1 10 connected to a back member 150. The back member 150 is connected to a pivot member 140. The pivot member 140 is connected to a cable management member 120. The pivot member 140 is coupled to a mobile device 105 via a pivot point 130. In several embodiments, the mobile device 105 is coupled to the pivot point 130 via a headphone jack present in the mobile device 105. In a variety of embodiments, the pivot member 140 includes a slot to enable a cable to be inserted into the pivot member 140. In many embodiments, the pivot point 130 is connected to the cable inserted into the pivot member 140. In a number of embodiments, the pivot point 130 is integrated into the pivot member 140. In several embodiments, the pivot point 130 is a headphone jack integrated into pivot member 140. In a variety of embodiments, pivot member 140 includes a pass-through connector enabling a connection between an external audio device and the integrated headphone jack. In many embodiments, the back member 150 is shaped to enable the back member 150 to support the mobile device against a surface. In a number of embodiments, the back member 150 includes a stand member connected to the back member 150; the stand member flips out and provides additional support to the back member 150 and/or pivot member 140. In several embodiments, the back member utilizes support member 1 10 to support back member 150 against a surface. In a variety of embodiments, support member 1 10 and/or cable management member 120 is fixed to back member 150. In many embodiments, support member 100 and/or cable management member 120 are movably connected to back member 150 and/or pivot member 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member is curved so that the back member 150 rests behind the mobile device in a first position and pivots around the pivot member 140 to a second position where the support member and the mobile device can rest on a surface with the mobile device at an angle to the surface. In this way, a user can interact with aspects of the mobile device including (but not limited to) a touch screen while the mobile device rests on the surface. In many embodiments, the support member is dimensioned so that its length is less than the length of edge of the mobile device that receives the pivot point. Although a specific support stand is illustrated in and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-C, a variety of support stands not specifically described above, including those with cable management and/or support members not shaped as illustrated, can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 2E, a support stand with a pivot in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. The support stand 200 includes a support member 210 connected to a back member 250. The back member is connected to a pivot member 240 couple to a mobile device 205 via a pivot point 230. In a number of embodiments, the mobile device 205 is coupled to the pivot point 230 via a headphone jack present in the mobile device 205. A cable 260 is connected to the pivot point 230 and passes through pivot member 240. Pivot member 240 is connected to a cable management member 220. Turning now to FIG. 2C, the mobile device 205 pivots about the pivot point 230 and rests against the back member 250. The angle of contact between mobile device 205 and back member 250 can be modified by pivoting mobile device 205 about pivot point 230, enabling a variety of viewing angles for mobile device 205. The cable management member 220 and support member 210 are configured to enable cable 260 to be managed by wrapping the cable around the cable management member 220 and the su ppo rt m em be r 21 0. Turning now to F I G . 2A, the cab le management feature of the cable management member 220 and support member 210 is illustrated. Although a specific support stand is shown in and described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-E, a variety of support stands not specifically described above, including those with support members and/or cable management members configured in different positions, can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 3A, a support stand with a pivot member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. The support stand 300 includes a support member 310 connected to a back member 350. The back member 350 is connected to a pivot member 340; the pivot member 340 is connected to a cable management member 360. The pivot member includes a pivot point 330. The cable management member 320 and the support member 310 are configured to provide cable management functionality. In the illustrated embodiment, headphones 360 are being managed using the cable management functionality. Headphones 360 include a male headphone jack 365. The pivot member 340 is configured to hold headphones 360 in a manner that allows the male headphone jack 365 to act as pivot point 330. In several embodiments, the pivot member 340 is configured to allow the cable of the headphones 360 to pass through the pivot member 340. In a variety of embodiments, the pivot point 330 is integrated into the pivot member 340. In several embodiments, the pivot member 340 provides a female headphone jack configured to couple with male headphone jack 365. A specific support stand is illustrated in and described with respect to FIGS. 3A-E; however, a variety of support stands not specifically described above, those with pivot members configured differently than those specifically illustrated or described, can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described in certain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.