Supporting device for placing an electronic device

A supporting device is provided, which is disposed on a furniture component for placing an electronic device. The supporting device includes a connecting member and a support board. The connecting member is connected to the furniture component, while the support board for placing an electronic device is pivotally connected to the connecting member. The support board is located at a position of palms where a user's hands naturally drop down, and is able to be rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user, so as to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength. Thus, the user's arm muscles are relaxed. Although the user controls the electronic device with the hands for a long time, the hands do not hurt.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 094217453 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Oct. 7, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/543,155 filed on Oct. 5, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a supporting device for placing an electronic device, and more particularly, to a supporting device disposed on a furniture component for placing an electronic device that allows a user to operate the electronic device when the user's hands naturally drop down with a horizontal tilt.

2. Related Art

Nowadays, people are rich, and enjoy the high-quality life. However, diseases do not become diminished as the progress of the times; instead, people are suffering from more diseases. Besides diseases caused by bacteria or virus, a new term “disease of civilization” has been put forward in recent years, which is caused by the change of life styles and habits. Especially, as computers are used at anytime and anywhere, when the user uses the computer for a long time with a wrong posture, the muscles and joints are contracted and compressed for a long time. As time passes by, pathological changes occur for these muscles and joints, and sometimes even deformation of the joints may occur. For example, when operating a computer, the mouse is an indispensable device, which is always placed on a table. As shown in FIG. 1, a hand 100 of the user must be put on a table 150, with a palm 110 holding a mouse 130 to operate the mouse 130. However, this motion of the hand makes the scapula to move upwards, extend outwards, and hang at a high position, the shoulder joint to flex and extend outwards, the forearm to hang forwards, the wrist to extend, and the finger joints to extend outwards and flex. Therefore, this motion makes the muscles of the neck, shoulder, upper back, and arms to be contracted. If the motion is kept for a long time, the aforementioned muscles become tired and rigid, and thus causing arthritis and inflammation of the muscles. Moreover, as the mouse 130 is place on the table 150 parallel to the horizontal, the user has to put forth his strength to twist his palm 110 to be horizontal, such that the muscles and bones of the forearm are twisted and compressed. That is, muscles and bones of the forearm are also injured after using the mouse 130 for a long time.

Hence, if the mouse is used on a desk, a table, a computer table, or a keyboard shelf, the hand in operation makes the scapula to move upwards, extend forwards, and rotate upwards, the shoulder joint to flex and extend outwards, the elbow joint to flex, the forearm to rotate forwards, the wrist joint to extend, the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers to extend, the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers to flex, the fingers to extend outwards, the metacarpophalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb to flex, and the thumb to adduct, so as to complete the entire motion. That is, to complete the motion, the brain must give a command and the nerves must transmit signals, so as to simultaneously control the major or other minor muscles participating in the motion to contract, such as trapezius, levator scapula (to make the scapula to move upwards), serratus anterior (to make the scapula to extend outwards and rotate upwards), deltoid, coracobrachialis, supraspinatus (to make the shoulder joint to flex), biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis (to make the elbow joint to flex), pronator teres, pronator quadratus (to make the forearm to rotate forwards), the extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis (to make the wrist joint to extend), extensor digitorum, extensor digitorum longus, intrinsic extensor digiti minimi (to make the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers to extend), dorsal interossei (in the hand), abductor digiti minimi (makes the finger to extend outwards),flexor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis longus (to make the metacarpophalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb to flex), and adductor pollicis (to make the thumb to adduct), and to control the antagonists to relax.

An ordinary person often operates the computer continuously for scores of minutes or even several hours. As time elapses, the aforementioned muscle groups are overused, and become tired and rigid, which lead to the problems of neck rigidity, upper back pain, interscapular pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, and wrist joint pain, forearm pain, radial styloiditis (De Quervain's disease), and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the user has to maintain the same posture and repeat the operation continuously as required by the environment and type of the work, and thus, the symptoms of sores and pains cannot be eliminated even after various treatments. Currently, many auxiliary tools for mice are available on market, such as various mouse pads, which are disposed with high supporting cushions close to a position where the wrist joint is placed. The cushions even have different shapes, such that when the user operates the mouse, the angle for the wrist joint to extend naturally is enlarged. Thus, the problems of wrist joint pain, radial styloiditis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are avoided. However, this kind of mouse pad is also placed on a table parallel to the horizontal, and the scapula, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and a part of the finger joints have to exert forces, and the forearm has to be twisted to keep the palm to hold the mouse on the mouse pad, thus, the muscles participating in the motions are still continuously kept in the contracted state. From the anatomical point of view, the distal and local muscles cannot be truly relaxed, if the proximal muscles are not relaxed. Therefore, this mouse pad structure cannot fully relax the entire skeletons, joints, and muscular system of the user's upper body, which does not really solve the problems.

A carrying board under a table for placing the keyboard and the mouse is also available on market in this field, which can be drawn out from the table. When a user sits in front of the table to operate the computer, the carrying board is drawn out to above the legs. Thus, the height of the palms and elbows is lowered, and the contracted state of the aforementioned muscles is relieved. However, the height of the carrying board is not low enough to allow the palms or arms to naturally drop down, so the elbow, wrist, and a part of the finger joints have to exert forces, which makes the muscles of these parts continuously maintain in the contracted state. And the forearm is still twisted because the carrying board is parallel to the horizontal. After a long use of the keyboard and mouse, diseases of the elbow, wrist, and a part of the finger joints occur. Therefore, the carrying board also does not really solve the problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a supporting device for placing an electronic device. The supporting device allows a user to control the electronic device with the hand at a position where the hand naturally drop down and the palm having a horizontal tilt, such that the user's arm has a natural dropping motion and the forearm has a natural motion without being twisted. The muscles and joints of the user are kept in a relaxed state. Thus, the ergonomic requirements are met, and the user's hands can operate the electronic device for a long time without making the hand hurt.

Therefore, to achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a supporting device disposed on a furniture component for placing an electronic device, wherein the supporting device includes a connecting member and a support board. The connecting member is connected to the furniture component, while the support board, for placing the electronic device, is pivotally connected to the connecting member. The support board is located at a position where a user's palm naturally drop down and is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength.

Therefore, as for a user who has to operate an electronic device with the same posture for a long time, the present invention guides the user to naturally drop down the shoulders and keep the elbows higher than the wrists when operating the electronic device. The user's palm naturally tilts because the support board has a horizontal tilt, such that the user's forearm is relaxed without being twisted. When a user operates an electronic device placed on the support board, whether in a sitting posture or a standing posture, if the arms are kept at a normal physiological position, i.e., the shoulders and elbows naturally drop down, the wrists are lower than the elbow joints, and the forearm is relaxed, the user only needs to flex the thumb and adduct the thumb, and flex the finger tips to operate the electronic device. Thus, the motions for the scapulas, shoulders, elbows, wrists, forearm, and a part of the finger joints to exert forces are omitted, so that the muscles that are originally participated in the motions when the hands are raised are no longer continuously kept in the contracted state as the hands naturally drop down. Thus, the risks of neck rigidity, pain of the upper back, pains of the shoulder, elbow, wrist joints, and forearm, De Quervain's disease, and even carpal tunnel syndrome are relatively avoided.

However, it is known that a lot of money is spent on the treatment of musculoskeletal pains all over the world, and if certain surgeries and long-time recovery are taken into consideration, the cost will be even unimaginable. Therefore, the present invention allows a user who has to maintain the same posture for a long time to change the method of operating the electronic device in an ergonomic manner, so as to relieve the diseases of joints and muscles caused by wrong postures. Thus, the present invention helps users to maintain the health and eliminate the sores and pains, and helps employers to enhance the employees' working efficiency and thereby creating more benefits. As for the features and examples of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be illustrated below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, which thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing how a mouse is used conventionally.

FIG. 2 is a combined view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a stereogram view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a combined view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is an unfolded stereogram of a support board of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a folded schematic view of a support board of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a support board of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a combined schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a combined side view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8C is a folded schematic view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a supporting device for placing an electronic device, which is disposed on a furniture component. The supporting device includes a connecting member and a support board. The connecting member is connected to the furniture component (e.g., a desk or a chair), and the support board is pivotally connected to the connecting member. The support board is located at a position where a user's hands naturally drop down and is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt. Thus, when the user operates the electronic device on the support board, the arms naturally drop down and the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength, such that the user's forearm is relaxed without being twisted. That is, the user operates the electronic device in a posture that satisfies the ergonomic principle. Therefore, the problems of pains of wrist joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints, or forearm, and sores and pains of the muscles caused by contracted and twisted arm muscles due to the arms being placed on the table for a long time are avoided. Therefore, the correct posture for operating the electronic device is to maintain the arms to naturally drop down and the palms naturally tilt, which enables the muscles of the upper body and the arm muscles to not exert forces, such that shoulder joints, elbow joints, scapulas, wrist joints, and forearms are kept relaxed. For example, when the user uses a mouse, the clicking operations can be achieved only through muscles of fingers, and the use of other muscles of the arms is substantially reduced. As computers are extensively used nowadays, and a mouse is often used when operating the computer, the mouse is taken as an example to illustrate the present invention in this embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2, and 3, the support supporting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided. The connecting member 701 includes a telescopic bar 710 and a sliding member 720. One end of the telescopic bar 710 is connected to the furniture component, which is a table 390 in this embodiment, and the other end of the telescopic bar 710 is stationed on the ground. The length of telescopic bar 710 in this embodiment can be adjusted, which is convenient for the storage or meeting the height of different tables. The sliding member 720 is a sleeve slid over the telescopic bar 710, such that the sliding member 720 is movably disposed on the telescopic bar 710, for being moved to a position where the user's hands naturally drop down.

The support board 400 is pivotally connected to the sliding member 720, and is able to be rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt. The support board 400 is used for placing a mouse 930, such that the mouse 930 is operated on the support board 400.

Furthermore, the connecting member 701 further includes a clamping body 730 and a bolt 740. The clamping body 730 is connected to one end of the telescopic bar 710 for clamping the table 390. The bolt 740 is screwed to one side of the clamping body 730, wherein the bolt 740 is fastened against the table 390, such that the clamping body 730 is fixed to the table 390, so as to connect the end of the telescopic bar 710 to the table 390.

Since the sliding member 720 is movably disposed on the telescopic bar 710 and the support board 400 is pivotally connected to the sliding member 720, the support board 400 can be move together with the sliding member 720 being slid along the telescopic bar 710. That is, the height of the support board 400 can be adjusted. Since the positions reached when different users' hands drop down are different in height, the height of the support board 400 is adjusted to cater to different users.

When the user holds the mouse 930 with a palm 910, the mouse 930 is placed on the support board 400 for being operated, and at this time, the arm 900 and the palm 910 are maintained to be naturally dropped down. Meanwhile, the support board 400 pivotally connected to the carrying frame 310 is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm 910 naturally tilts to hold the mouse 930 without the user putting forth his strength.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, a supporting device of a second embodiment of the present invention is provided, which includes a connecting member 301 and a support board 400. The connecting member 301 includes a fixing board 300 and a carrying frame 310. The fixing board 300 is fixed on the table 390, and the carrying frame 310 has a hollow area 311, wherein the support board 400 is pivotally connected to the carrying frame 310 and located at the hollow area 311. The support board 400 is used for placing a mouse 930, such that the mouse 930 is operated on the support board 400. Furthermore, the carrying frame 310 with the support board 400 in this embodiment can be folded, which is convenient for the storage, as shown in FIG. 5B. A connecting link 330 is used to connect the fixing board 300 with the carrying frame 310. One end of the connecting link 330 is pivoted on one side of the fixing board 300, and the other end of the connecting link 330 is pivoted on one side of the carrying frame 310, such that the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310 with the support board 400 can be folded together for storage, or can be unfolded relative to each other for being used.

Moreover, to maintain the open state when the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310 are unfolded relative to each other, a first supporting rod 350 and a second supporting rod 360 are used. One end of the first supporting rod 350 is movably snapped on the fixing board 310, and the other end is pivoted on the connecting link 330, so that the connecting link 330 and the fixing board 300 are supported at a certain angle. One end of the second supporting rod 360 is movably snapped to the carrying frame 310, and the other end is pivoted on the connecting link 330, so that the connecting link 330 and the carrying frame 310 are also supported at a certain angle. Therefore, the fixing board 300, the carrying frame 310, and the support board 400 are maintained at an open state through the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360, so that when the user holds the mouse 930 with a palm 910, the mouse 930 is placed on the support board 400 for being operated, and at this time, the arm 900 and the palm 910 are maintained to be naturally dropped down. Meanwhile, the support board 400 pivotally connected to the carrying frame 310 is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm 910 naturally tilts to hold the mouse 930 without the user putting forth his strength.

When the support board 400 is not used, the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360 slide relative to the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310 respectively, such that the fixing board 300, the carrying frame 310, and the support board 400 are folded relative to each other, as shown in FIG. 5B.

To enable the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360 to be movably snapped to the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310 respectively, a trough 370 is arranged on one side of each of the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310, and a plurality of notches 371 is further arranged on the peripheral edge of each of the troughs 370, such that one end of the first supporting rod 350 slides in the trough 370 of the fixing board 300, and it is snapped to one of the plurality of notches 371 at a certain position, so as to adjust the angle between the fixing board 300 and the connecting link 330. Similarly, one end of the second supporting rod 360 also slides in the trough 370 of the carrying frame 310, and it is snapped to one of the plurality of notches 371 at a certain position, so as to adjust the angle between the carrying frame 310 and the connecting link 330. Therefore, by adjusting the angle between the fixing board 300 and the connecting link 330 and adjusting the angle between the carrying frame 310 and the connecting link 330, the height between the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310/support board 400 can be adjusted. Since the positions reached when different users' hands drop down are different in height, the height between the fixing board 300 and the carrying frame 310/support board 400 is adjusted, so as to cater to different users.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a supporting device of a third embodiment of the present invention is provided, which includes a connecting member 501 and a support board 400. The connecting member 501 includes a clamping body 500, a bolt 510, connecting rod 530, and a carrying body 550. The clamping body 500 is used for clamping the furniture component. The furniture component can be a plate 570 of the table. The bolt 510 is screwed to one side of the clamping body 500, wherein the bolt 510 is fastened against the plate 570, such that the clamping body 500 is fixed to the plate 570. One end of the connecting rod 530 is connected to one side of the clamping body 500 where the bolt 510 is fastened, and the other end of the connecting rod 530 is connected to the carrying body 550.

The carrying body 550 is located at the position where the user's palm 910 naturally drops down, and the support board 400 is pivotally connected to the carrying body 550 for placing the mouse 930. The support board 400 is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt. When the user holds the mouse 930 with the palm 910, the mouse 930 is placed on the support board 400 for being operated. Thus, the arm 900 and the palm 910 are kept to naturally drop down, and the palm 910 naturally tilts to hold the mouse 930 without putting forth the user's strength, which meets the ergonomic requirements, so as to avoid the hand from being hurt when using the mouse 930 for a long time.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, a supporting device of a fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided, which includes a connecting member 801 and a support board 400.

The connecting member 801 includes a fixing member 800, a carrying frame 310, and a connecting link 330. The fixing member 800 is used for clamping the furniture component. In this embodiment, the furniture component is a table 390. The carrying frame 310 has a hollow area 311, wherein the support board 400 is pivotally connected to the carrying frame 310 and located at the hollow area 311. The support board 400 is used to place the mouse 930, such that the mouse 930 is operated on the support board 400. The carrying frame 310 with the support board 400 can be folded, which is convenient for the storage, as shown in FIG. 8C. Therefore, the connecting link 330 is required for connecting the fixing member 800 with the carrying frame 310. One end of the connecting link 330 is pivoted on one side of the fixing member 800, and the other end is pivoted on one side of the carrying frame 310, such that the fixing member 800, carrying frame 310, and the support board are folded relative to each other for storage, or they are unfolded relative to each other for being used. In addition, to maintain the open state of the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310 when they are unfolded relative to each other, a first supporting rod 350 and a second supporting rod 360 are used. One end of the first supporting rod 350 is movably snapped to the fixing member 800, and the other end is pivoted on the connecting link 330, such that the connecting link 330 and the fixing member 800 are supported at a certain angle. One end of the second supporting rod 360 is movably snapped to the carrying frame 310, and the other end is pivoted on the connecting link 330, such that the connecting link 330 and the carrying frame 310 are also supported at a certain angle. Therefore, the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310 maintain an open state through the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360. When the user holds the mouse 930 with the palm 910, the mouse 930 is placed on the support board 400 for being operated, and the arm 900 and the palm 910 are kept to naturally drop down. Meanwhile, the support board 400 pivotally connected to the carrying frame 310 is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm 910 naturally tilts to hold the mouse 930 without the user putting forth his strength.

When the supporting device is not used, the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360 slide relative to the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310 respectively, such that the fixing member 800, the carrying frame 310, and the support board 400 are folded relative to each other, as shown in FIG. 8C.

To fix the fixing member 800 on the table 390, the fixing member 800 includes a first rod 810, a second rod 830, and a clamping piece 850. One end of the first rod 810 is pivoted on the connecting link 330, and the second rod 830 extends from the end of the first rod 810 pivoted on the connecting link 330. The clamping piece 850 is fixed to the second rod 830, which is integrated into a horseshoe-shaped part, so as to form the clamping piece 850 with a clamping force. Therefore, the clamping piece 850 has an elastic force for clamping the table 390. To enhance the rigidity of the first rod 810 and the second rod 830, at least one reinforcing rod 870 is connected between the first rod 810 and the second rod 830. Two ends of the reinforcing rod 870 are connected to the first rod 810 and the second rod 830 respectively, so as to maintain the positions of the first rod 810 and the second rod 830, thereby preventing the deformation of the first rod 810 and the second rod 830 when being applied with an external force.

To enable the first supporting rod 350 and the second supporting rod 360 to be movably snapped to the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310 respectively, the trough 370 is arranged on one side of each of the first rod 810 of the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310, and a plurality of notches 371 is arranged on the peripheral edge of each of the troughs 370, such that one end of the first supporting rod 350 slides in the trough 370 of the fixing board 300, and it is snapped to one of the plurality of notches 371 at a certain position, so as to adjust the angle between the first rod 810 of the fixing member 800 and the connecting link 330. Similarly, one end of the second supporting rod 360 also slides in the trough 370 of the carrying frame 310, and it is snapped to one of the plurality of notches 371 at a certain position, so as to adjust the angle between the carrying frame 310 and the connecting link 330. Therefore, by adjusting the angle between the first rod 810 of the fixing member 800 and the connecting link 330 and adjusting the angle between the carrying frame 310 and the connecting link 330, the height between the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310 can be adjusted. Since the positions reached where different users' hands drop down are different in height, the height between the fixing member 800 and the carrying frame 310/support board 400 is adjusted, so as to cater to different users.

Therefore, in the aforementioned embodiments, when operating the mouse, the user's hands are kept in a natural state, i.e., the state that both hands naturally drop down when the user is standing, and the mouse is operated when both hands naturally drop down. The palm naturally tilts to hold the mouse without the user putting forth his strength. When the mouse is not moved, the clicking operations are achieved only through finger muscles, and the other parts are kept in the relaxed state. When the mouse is moved, only the muscles of the hands are slightly used, which will soon get relaxed again when the mouse is not moved. Thus, the hands will not be tired or hurt even if operating the mouse for a long time.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A supporting device, disposed on a furniture component for placing an electronic device, comprising:

a connecting member, connected to the furniture component; and
a support board, for placing the electronic device, pivotally connected to the connecting member, wherein the support board is located at a position where a user's palms naturally drop down and is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength.

2. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises:

a telescopic bar, with one end connected to the furniture component and the other end stationed on the ground; and
a sliding member, movably disposed on the telescopic bar, for being moved to a position where the user's hands naturally drop down;
wherein the support board is pivotally connected to the sliding member for placing the electronic device, and is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength.

3. The supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting member further comprises:

a clamping body, connected to one end of the telescopic bar for clamping the furniture component; and
a bolt, screwed to one side of the clamping body, wherein the bolt is fastened against the furniture component, such that the clamping body is fixed to the furniture componen, so as to connect the end of the telescopic bar to the furniture component.

4. The supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sliding member is a sleeve slide over the telescopic bar.

5. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises:

a fixing board, fixed to the furniture component;
a carrying frame, having a hollow area, wherein the support board is pivotally connected to the carrying frame and located at the hollow area;
a connecting link, with one end being pivoted on one side of the fixing board, and with the other end being pivoted on one side of the carrying frame:
a first supporting rod, with one end being movably snapped to the fixing board, and with the other end being pivoted on the connecting link, so as to support the connecting link and the fixing board; and
a second supporting rod, with one end being movably snapped to the carrying frame, and with the other end being pivoted on the connecting link, so as to support the connecting link and the carrying frame, wherein the fixing board and the carrying frame are in an open state, and the user holds the electronic device with the hand at a position where the hand naturally drops down, and the electronic device is placed on the support board pivotally connected to the carrying frame; when the first supporting rod and the second supporting rod slide relative to the fixing board and the carrying frame respectively, the fixing board and the carrying frame are closed with respect to each other.

6. The supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a trough is arranged on one side of the fixing board, and one or more notches are arranged on a peripheral edge of the trough, such that one end of the first supporting rod slides in the trough, and is selectively snapped in the notches, so as to enable the first supporting rod to be slidably snapped to the fixing board.

7. The supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a trough is arranged on one side of the carrying frame, and one or more notches are arranged on a peripheral edge of the trough, such that one end of the second supporting rod slides in the trough, and is selectively snapped in the notches, so as to enable the second supporting rod to be slidably snapped to the carrying frame.

8. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the furniture component is a plate and the support board comprises:

a clamping body, clamping the plate;
a bolt, screwed to one side of the clamping body, wherein the bolt is fastened against the plate, such that the clamping body is fixed to the plate;
a connecting rod, with one end being connected to the side of the clamping body; and
a carrying body, with a side being connected to the other end of the connecting rod, wherein the carrying body is located at a position where the user's palms naturally drop down;
wherein the support board is pivotally connected to the carrying body for placing the electronic device, and is rotated according to a rotational axis toward the front of the user to have a horizontal tilt, such that the user's palm naturally tilts to hold the electronic device without the user putting forth his strength.

9. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises:

a fixing member, clamping the furniture component;
a carrying frame, having a hollow area, wherein the support board is pivotally connected to the carrying frame and located at the hollow area;
a connecting link, with one end being pivoted on one side of the fixing member, and with the other end being pivoted on one side of the carrying frame;
a first supporting rod, with one end being movably snapped to the fixing member, and with the other end being pivoted on the connecting link, so as to support the connecting link and the fixing member; and
a second supporting rod, with one end being movably snapped to the carrying frame, and with the other end being pivoted on the connecting link, so as to support the connecting rod and the carrying frame, wherein the fixing member and the carrying frame are in an open state, such that the user holds the electronic device with the hand at a position where the hand naturally drops down, and the electronic device is placed on the support board pivotally connected to the carrying frame; when the first supporting rod and the second supporting rod slide relative to the fixing member and the carrying frame respectively, the fixing member and the carrying board are folded relative to each other.

10. The supporting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fixing member comprises:

a first rod, with an end being pivoted on the connecting link;
a second rod, extending from the end of the first rod; and
a clamping piece, fixed to the second rod, for clamping the furniture component.

11. The supporting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping piece is integrated into a horseshoe-shaped part, so as to form the clamping piece with a clamping force.

12. The supporting device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a reinforcing rod connected between the first rod and the second rod, for preventing the deformation of the first rod and the second rod when being applied with a force.

13. The supporting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a trough is arranged on one side of the first rod, and one or more notches are arranged on a peripheral edge of the trough, such that one end of the first supporting rod slides in the trough, and is selectively snapped in the notches, so as to enable the first supporting rod to be movably snapped to the first rod.

14. The supporting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a trough is arranged on one side of the carrying frame, and one or more notches are arranged on a peripheral edge of the trough, such that one end of the second supporting rod slides in the trough, and is selectively snapped in the notches, so as to enable the second supporting rod to be movably snapped to the carrying frame.

Patent History
Publication number: 20070169674
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 30, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Inventor: Chau-Lung Chen (Taipei)
Application Number: 11/729,781
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 108/93.000; 297/162.000
International Classification: A47B 57/00 (20060101); A47B 83/02 (20060101);