Phone camera tablet bipod support system

{
  "publication_number": "US9644783B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Phone camera tablet bipod support system",
  "abstract": "The present invention is directed to a compact and pocketable camera support that attaches to an outer separate case or directly to the camera, tablet or phone body. This system uses one or more legs and/or other support features that fold away from the base of the invention and support the device whether it is a camera, phone or laptop/tablet computing device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A collapsible stand assembly for supporting a portable computing electronic device at a desired orientation, comprising a first member connected to the device via a rotatable coupling, the first member moveable from a first collapsed position where the first member is substantially parallel to an external surface of the device to a second deployed position where at least a portion of the first member is spaced apart from the external surface of the device; a first leg rotatably connected to the first member, the first leg moveable from a first leg collapsed position where the first leg is at least partially positioned within a first recess formed in the first member to a first leg deployed condition where a portion of the first leg is rotated to a position that is spaced apart from the first member; and a second leg rotatably connected to the first leg, the second leg moveable from a second leg collapsed position where the second leg is substantially coplanar with the first leg to a second leg deployed position where a portion of the second leg is rotated to a position that is spaced apart from the first leg, wherein the first member further includes at least a portion of a releasable securing mechanism for securing the first leg in the first leg collapsed position and the second leg is sandwiched between the first leg and the first member when the first leg is in the first leg collapsed position.",
    "2. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first recess extends completely through the first member.",
    "3. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is connected to the device by a sliding connection.",
    "4. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 3, wherein the sliding connection and the rotatable coupling are a single coupling.",
    "5. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is directly connected to an exterior surface of the device.",
    "6. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is connected to a removable case on the device.",
    "7. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first leg is directly in contact with an external surface of the device when the first leg is in the first leg collapsed position.",
    "8. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second leg is directly in contact with an external surface of the device when the second leg is in the second leg collapsed position.",
    "9. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one member of the group consisting of the first member, the first leg and the second leg includes a suction cup attachment.",
    "10. A collapsible stand assembly for supporting a portable computing electronic device at a desired orientation, comprising a first member connected to the device via a rotatable coupling and a sliding coupling, the first member moveable from a first collapsed position where the first member is substantially parallel to an external surface of the device to a second deployed position where least a portion of the first member is spaced apart from the external surface of the device; a first leg rotatably connected to the first member, the first leg moveable from a first leg collapsed position where the first leg is at least partially positioned within a recess formed in the first member to a first leg deployed condition where a portion of the first leg is rotated to a position that is spaced apart from the first member; and a second leg rotatably connected to the first leg, the second leg moveable from a second leg collapsed position where the second leg is substantially coplanar with the first leg to a second leg deployed position where a portion of the second leg is rotated to a position that is spaced apart from the first leg, wherein the second leg is sandwiched between the first leg and the first member when the first leg is in the first leg collapsed position.",
    "11. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein the recess formed in the first member faces away from the external surface of the device when the first leg is in the first leg collapsed position.",
    "12. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein the rotatable coupling and the sliding coupling are a single coupling.",
    "13. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein the first member is directly connected to an exterior surface of the device.",
    "14. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein the first member is connected to a removable case on the device.",
    "15. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the first leg is directly in contact with an external surface of the device when the first leg is in the first leg collapsed position.",
    "16. The collapsible stand assembly of claim 10, wherein a suction cup assembly is attached to at least one member of the group consisting of the first member, the first leg and the second leg."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to an improved stand or support assembly to assist with the stabilization, rotation and/or positioning of a portable electronic device for a variety of reasons, including more convenient viewing, and/or photography/videography. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a variety of collapsible support structures that can be permanently attached to personal electronic devices (PED) and/or cases therefor to be positioned and/or stabilized on planar or non-planar surfaces, but when in a collapsed condition do not appreciably interfere with the use and/or transport of the PED.\n\nA variety of stands, tripods or other similar fixtures have been developed to hold personal electronic devices (PEDs) or other portable electronic devices, including cameras, phones or tablet devices, but these pre-existing designs are often cumbersome to assemble, inconvenient in size (i.e., too large to carry in a user's pocket), are not “solid” or durable, or the design does not provide sufficient stability when employed on planar and/or non-planar surfaces. Usually, such stands contain one or more pieces that must be assembled, and the assembled stand is then attached and/or detached to the device each time the device is used, and a separate carrying case for the stand is often required. For many reasons, currently available stands and other support devices are often left at home, or are stored in a compartment or location where the stand may not be easily and conveniently accessible to a user.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16M 11/10",
    "F16M 11/105",
    "F16M 11/38",
    "F16M 13/00",
    "F16M 13/005"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16M 13/00",
    "F16M 11/10",
    "F16M 11/38"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "James A Rinner"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-07-19",
  "publication_date": "2017-05-09",
  "grant_date": "2017-05-09",
  "priority_date": "2013-03-16",
  "application_number": "US-201313946475-A",
  "family_id": "51523359",
  "cited_by_count": 16,
  "citations": [
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    "US20150041622A1"
  ]
}