WO2011141085A1

WO2011141085A1 - Device for retaining objects

Info

Publication number: WO2011141085A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/001318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamer Gürsoy
Original assignee: Guersoy Tamer
Priority date: 2010-04-16
Filing date: 2011-03-17
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: DE202010005122U1; EP2558766A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for retaining an object (1), in particular a tablet PC or e-book reader, wherein the device has a retainer (9) for fixing the object (1) on the front side of the device and a retaining strap (4) for inserting a hand is arranged on the rear side of the device, wherein a swivel joint is located between the retaining strap (4) and the retainer (9) and the device has an apparatus for locking the retaining strap (4) relative to the retainer (9) in at least two different rotational positions and wherein means are provided that release the lock as soon as the hand located in the retaining strap (4) is lifted from the rear side of the device and restore the lock as soon as the hand is placed on the rear side of the device. The device according to the invention enables the lock to be released and restored especially easily and quickly, wherein the use of a further hand is not necessary.

Description

Device for holding objects

The invention relates to a device for holding objects, in particular tablet PCs or eBooks.

For some applications, tablet PCs are becoming increasingly popular. Tablet PCs, for example, are suitable as portable Internet access and thus represent an alternative to conventional netbooks. The division of tablet PCs has gained additional importance through the iPad from the Apple company.

Even so-called eBooks as electronic reading devices for literature have meanwhile acquired a certain importance, even if they could not replace the conventional book so far.

When using such electronic devices, in particular a tablet PC or an eBook, the user has the problem that holding the device in the long run is quite exhausting. When a tablet PC is placed on a surface, unlike conventional laptops or netbooks, the user can not view the screen from the front but at most vertically from above, which requires a forward leaning posture that quickly leads to fatigue. If, however, the tablet PC is held so that the user can see the screen leaning back, he must always hold the tablet PC by the edge. This is tiring on the one hand in the long run, on the other hand, the operation of the tablet PC is difficult with the other hand, since the computer is one-sided. The tablet PC is thus prone to pressure on the image screen surface on the side not stabilized by the other hand to dodge. In addition, there is a risk that the user falls from the hand of the device and it is damaged or even destroyed. This danger is particularly great when the device is used while standing or walking. A device for holding a tablet PC, for example the iPad, is known from German Utility Model DE 20 2010 005 122. In this case, the device is held by a holder placed on its back, in which retaining strips extend to the corners of the device, wherein in the center of the holder, a handle, in particular a retaining loop for insertion of the hand, is rotatably arranged. Holder and strap are thus connected to each other via a hinge. The twistability of the strap ensures that the electronic device can be held in any position, for example, as needed horizontally or vertically. This is particularly important in tablet PCs in which the display on the screen between horizontal and vertical changes.

The strap can be fixed relative to the bracket in certain positions. In the fixed position, the retaining loop is secured against rotation. For example, as long as the viewer wants to use his tablet PC in horizontal orientation, the hand strap is held in the appropriate position. Only when the tablet PC is to be used in a vertical orientation, a solution of the lock and a rotation by 90 ° takes place.

An advantage would be such a lock that can be solved in the simplest possible and intuitive for the user. In particular, a release and restore the locking by hand, with which the device is held, would be desirable.

This object is achieved by a device for holding an object, in particular a tablet PC or eBook, wherein the device has a holder for fixing the object on the front of the device and arranged on the back of the device, a retaining loop for inserting a hand is, being between the retaining strap and the bracket is a hinge and the device has a device for locking the retaining strap relative to the holder in at least two different rotational positions and further comprises means for releasing the locking effect as soon as the hand located in the retaining strap from the back the device is lifted, and cause a restoration of the locking, as soon as the hand is placed on the back of the device.

With the help of the invention, it is possible for the user to solve the lock and restore by the sticking hand in the hand strap is easily lifted or replaced from the back of the device. An additional operation, such as a locking device with the hand not stuck in the hand strap, is thus not required. However, the second hand can be used to turn the held object around its axis of rotation and bring it to the desired position after releasing the lock. The twisting in the desired position but can also be done with the exposed fingers of the stick in the hand strap. The release of the lock by merely lifting the hand from the back of the held object is particularly simple and intuitive for the user and avoids, for example, an annoying search for a lock button or other devices that are responsible for the preparation and solution of the lock and, depending on Turn position that may be difficult for users to reach. The lifting of the hand stuck in the hand strap from the back of the device can be done, for example, by slightly curving the fingers, so that by applying a force with the help of the fingertips on the back of the device holding strap and bracket are separated. It should be made clear that even a slight lifting of the hand can be sufficient, for example by a few millimeters.

The invention can be realized in different ways. For example, the means for locking the retaining strap have locking tabs which engage in locking position provided in recesses, wherein the exercise of a directed away from the holder force by lifting the hand from the back of the Device moves the locking tabs away from the recesses. In the locking lugs are ultimately in the locking position in the recesses engaging projections that can be moved to release the lock out of the recesses out. In other words, the locking tabs fixed in the recesses ensure that rotation is prevented. However, if the locking tabs are pulled out of the recesses, a rotation of the retaining strap relative to the holder or vice versa is possible. Basically locking lugs and the corresponding recesses can be arranged both on the holder and in the region of the retaining loop, wherein in the latter case, the locking lugs and recesses are typically arranged on non-rotatably connected to the retaining strap, fixed components. The locking lugs are parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary joint, while the openings of the recesses are in the opposite direction. The locking tabs can point both outwards and inwards.

The recesses for receiving the locking lugs may have an angular distance of 90 °. This causes a lock in different rotational positions is possible, which are offset at 90 ° to each other. But it is also possible a finer setting when the recesses are arranged at shorter intervals. At very small angular distances a fixation in almost any rotational position is possible.

A directed away from the holder force can be generated in different ways, on the one hand by the hand, but also by a helical compression spring which is arranged between the bracket and retaining strap. Such a helical compression spring slightly pushes the holder and the retaining loop away from each other, but is compressed by the pressure exerted by the hand in the retaining loop. As soon as the pressure exerted by the hand subsides, the helical compression spring slightly pushes the holder and the retaining loop apart so that the locking tabs move out of the recesses and the lock is released.

To achieve such an embodiment, the means for locking the retaining strap have a locking sleeve, which with a Shaft of the rotary joint rotatably and longitudinally displaceably connected, wherein the locking lugs are located at one end of the locking sleeve and within the locking sleeve, the helical compression spring is located, which is supported at one end against the locking sleeve and at the other end against the shaft of the rotary joint located abutment. In this embodiment, the hinge has a shaft extending from the holder to the retaining strap, to which a locking sleeve is attached in such a way that, while it rotates with the shaft, it is longitudinally displaceable along the shaft. As long as the locking lug of the locking sleeve engages in the recesses provided for this purpose, a rotation of the shaft is not possible. However, when the pressure applied to the locking sleeve decreases, the helical compression spring causes the locking sleeve to slide along the shaft of the rotary joint, with the locking tabs moving out of the recesses. The lock is thus released. As soon as the pressure exerted by the hand in the retaining loop is present again, the helical compression spring is compressed again and the locking lugs move into the recesses, the locking is thus restored.

Instead of arranging between the bracket and a retaining strap a helical compression spring, which strives to push strap and bracket apart, wherein the hand in the hand strap, placed on the back of the device hand causes the helical compression spring is compressed, the reverse principle is conceivable, ie the arrangement of an elastic element between the retaining strap and the holder, wherein the elastic element exerts a pulling the retaining strap and the holder pulling force. Such an elastic element may for example be a helical tension spring. In this case, the locking position is the normal state which is automatically established by the elastic member without any external force. However, by lifting the hand from the back of the device, a force is exerted which stretches the elastic element, thereby simultaneously causing the detent to disengage. For example, there may be a connection between locking lugs and recesses mounted in the region of the retaining loop via the rotary joint, ie when the elastic is stretched Elements, the locking tabs are released from their lock, however, when released, the elastic element ensures that the locking tabs are pulled back into the recesses and the lock is restored. In order to achieve that holder and retaining strap can not only be rotated against each other, but also a different inclination can be adjusted, the hinge can also be designed as a ball joint. A ball joint makes it possible to hold the strap in a certain position while adjusting the angle to the object to be held. When using a tablet PC, for example, an adjustment of the angle can be helpful to rule out reflections from sunlight or to achieve optimal positioning depending on posture and body size.

The strap suitably has an adjustment so that it can be adapted to the size of the user's hand. Another possibility is to provide in the retaining loop recesses for the individual fingers (with the exception of the thumb), so that the device is held in place by inserting four fingers instead of the hand as a whole.

The holder itself can be designed in different ways. One possibility is to provide a support center that comes to lie on the back of the object to be held, with at least two extending from the support center to the corners of the object to be held and at the corners fixable retaining strips go out. In this way, the device is securely connected to the object, but can be removed at any time if necessary. Preferably, there are four retaining strips that form a cross and emanate from the support center, ie set all four corners of the object to be held. If the bracket is equipped with only two retaining strips, they must fix opposite corners of the object to be held. Two or more retaining strips can also be made as one piece, in particular the two retaining strips which extend from one corner to the middle and from there to the opposite corner. Since the individual retaining strips usually have the same length, is located The mounting center with the retaining loop automatically in the middle of the back.

At the outer ends of the retaining strips can have pockets for receiving the corners of the object to be held. In this case, the corners are inserted into the pockets or the pockets are slipped over the corners of the object. For this purpose, it is helpful if the retaining strips, at least at the outer ends, have a certain elasticity.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least some of the retaining strips can be adjusted in length. In this way it is achieved that the device can be used for objects of different sizes, for example for a larger tablet PC, but also for a smaller eBook. In addition, the length adjustability is helpful also in the determination of the holding device on the back of the object by the object is first fixed to the ends of two retaining strips on one side, then to bring the two remaining retaining strips to the correct length for fixing the object , For example, if the ends of the retaining strips cover the corners of the front of the object, this can be inserted on one side in the retaining strips before the length of the other two retaining strips is shortened so far that these corners are closely enclosed by the ends of the retaining strips. The length adjustability can be brought about by means of measures familiar to the person skilled in the art, for example by providing a slot in the displaceable part of the retaining strip, through which a screw extends up to the remaining retaining strip. By loosening the screw, the displaceable part of the retaining strip is loosened so that the length of the retaining strip can then be increased or decreased, while tightening the screw, the displaceable part of the retaining strip is fixed to the rest of the retaining strip. Of course, other embodiments are conceivable to bring about the length adjustability of the retaining strips, for example the provision of a toothing at the ends of the retaining strips, so that teeth of the displaceable part of the retaining strips can engage in the toothing at different positions. It is also conceivable to provide a Velcro closure, which is about extends a portion of the retaining strip so that the releasable end of the retaining strip can be secured at different positions.

It is also possible to form the retaining strips in the longitudinal direction at least partially elastic. In this case, it may be possible to dispense with a length adjustability. By elastic formation of the retaining strips, the ends of the retaining strips can be slipped over the corners of the object if necessary, whereby the holding device is securely fixed to the back of the object.

Alternatively, bendable wire elements can be provided at the outer ends of the retaining strips, which receive the corners of the object to be held. The wire element is similar to a Federsplint or spring plug formed. It forms a loop, d. H. The wire element at the end of the retaining strip runs away from the center, forms a bow and leads back to the center. When the wire end is slightly bent, a corner of the object to be held can be inserted into the archwire, with the elasticity of the wire ensuring that the object is securely held.

The retaining strips may be formed overall as a flat, wide strip or have only two lateral bands. Such bands are typically stretchable, for example, they may be about 5-7 mm thick rubber bands. These are sufficiently elastic to be slipped over the corners of the object. If the holding strips are wider strips, it makes sense to leave a small gap at the outer ends of the holding strips between the longitudinal sides, which allows the ends to be slipped over the corners of the object. It is also possible to provide tabs on the outer ends of the retaining strips into which the corners of the object can be inserted.

In principle, it is advantageous if the retaining strips are flexible, for example made of rubber or a similar material. In this way, the entire holding device can be folded when not in use or be rolled up, so that the holding device requires very little space and can be stored, for example, in a shell.

Moreover, it is useful if the retaining strips are rotatable about the axis of rotation of the retaining strap extending through the support center, i. the axis of rotation of the retaining loop should coincide with the axis of rotation of the retaining strip. The twistability of the retaining strips has the particular advantage that a better adaptability to different objects to be held is achieved. For example, in the case of a square object, the angle between the four retaining strips can be 90 °, but if the object is rather elongated, the angles between the retaining strips are increased on the one hand and reduced in size on the other hand.

In order to further protect the object, the sides of the holding strips facing the object can have spacers made of a preferably soft material. It is thus the side of the retaining strips facing away from the retaining loop. In this way, additional means are introduced between the retaining strips and the object, for example, one or more silicone discs, which protects the back of the object from scratching and the like. Of course, the retaining strips may be provided along their entire length with a soft material to protect the back of the device, but it is sufficient, as a rule, if there are on each retaining strip 1 to 3 spacers. In particular, these should also be provided at the ends of the retaining strips so that they come to lie in the vicinity of the corners. In addition to silicone, for example, rubber or other soft material can be used.

Instead of a holder with outgoing from a maintenance center holding strips that fix the corners of the object to be held, alternative embodiments are conceivable. Possible is z. B. the use of a protective cover into which the object to be held can be inserted. Such a protective cover is well known, for example for mobile phones and made of an elastic material, so that plugging into the protective cover or slipping over the protective cover over the object easily is possible. Often a part of the object to be held, such as the screen, is left free.

Another possibility is to form the holder as a housing into which the object to be held is inserted. The housing should have openings at the points where the held object has controls or connections.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining strap is designed to be removable. Subsequently, the held object can be mounted together with the device according to the invention on a stand device. For example, if the object is a tablet PC, the stand device may hold the tablet PC permanently. At the same time, docking to the docking station allows ports to be created that allow the sharing and synchronization of data between the tablet PC and another computer. At the same time, the battery can be charged.

Accordingly, the invention also relates to a combination of a device according to the invention and a stationary device, to which the device, including the object held by it, can be connected. Such a combination is particularly advantageous when a tablet PC is used as a mobile, for example within a hospital by a doctor who uses the tablet PC to temporarily record patient data, and once the tour is over, the tablet PC to the stand device connects so that data can be reconciled. The stand device can, for. B. have a hub. The coupling of the stand device at the point at which the retaining strap is mounted in mobile use, also has the advantage that even with respect to the stand device is a rotatability, in particular to the desired orientation of the screen. In particular, in the case of a tablet PC, the stand device expediently interacts with the tablet PC in such a way that the screen plane is parallel to the vertical spatial axis or at an angle, so that the user can view the screen from the front. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can have receptacles for one or more replacement batteries. In this way, the service life of an electronic device can be significantly extended. When recording, it may be z. B. act on pockets, tabs or loops. The battery in the device can be replaced after exhaustion for a replacement battery; Alternatively, it is also possible that the replacement batteries can be connected in the intended for them recordings in the holding device to the device and thus serve as an external power source.

Although the device according to the invention is preferably used for holding electronic devices such as tablet PCs, it is also suitable for holding other, flat objects, for example clip-on boards or drawing blocks. Depending on the size of the object must be made in this case, an adjustment of the size of the device.

In addition to the device described above, the invention also relates to a device according to claim 15, wherein the device does not necessarily have to have the further, belonging to the subject of claim 1 features, in particular the features described for releasing and restoring the lock. In addition, however, all statements made here also apply to the invention according to the embodiment of claim 15, d. H. All the features described for the embodiment according to claim 1 can also be realized in the embodiment according to claim 15.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

Show it:

Figure 1: The inventive device in

Holding a tablet PC;

Figure 2: a device for locking the

Handles against the holder of a first embodiment and Figure 3: a device for locking the

Holding strap relative to the holder according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows the device according to the invention in use. At the back of the object 1 to be held is the device according to the invention, wherein the support center 3 is arranged in the middle. From this support center 3 go out to all four corners of the object 1 holding strips 2, wherein the ends of the holding strips 2, the corners of the object 1 slightly overlap. Although it is mentioned here of four retaining strips 2, it is apparent from the drawing that the opposing retaining strips 2 are made of one piece.

In the middle of the back is also the retaining loop 4, in which the user can insert his hand. The retaining loop 4 is rotatable about the back center, as indicated by the circular arrow 17. In this way, the user can use the object 1 in both vertical and horizontal orientation.

In addition, the retaining strips 2 on the rear side of the object 1 facing side over spacers 5, which are made of a relatively soft material such as silicone. These spacers 5 cause the retaining strips 2 do not rest directly on the back of the object, but a certain distance is created, causing the back from scratching u. Ä. Is protected. In the present embodiment, in each case in the middle of a holding strip 2, a spacer body 5, two smaller spacers 5 are also attached to the ends of the retaining strips 2. Two of the four retaining strips 2 are variable in length. For this reason, the holding strips 2 an adjustable end 6. In this area, the actual holding strip 2 and the adjustable end 6 overlap, wherein the fixing takes place via an attached in a slot 7 screw. If this screw is loosened, then the adjustable end 6 can be moved in the direction of arrow 8 to adjust the total length of the retaining strip 2 together with the adjustable end 6. Afterwards, the screw is hole 7 tightened again. In this way, the holding device is suitable for objects 1 of different sizes.

In Figure 2, an embodiment is shown for locking, in which the lock is made without exerting a force, but the lock can be solved by applying an external force. The retaining loop 4 is connected via a rotary joint with the bracket 9. The rotary joint is formed here in a shank-shaped manner, wherein the shaft 10 has a fixed connection to the retaining loop 4, but can be rotated relative to the holder 9. Securely connected to the shaft 10 of the rotary joint is a locking sleeve 11, at the bracket end two locking lugs 12 are located. These engage in locking position in recesses provided for this purpose 13 within the holder 9. If a force is exerted on the retaining loop 4, which moves away from each other according to arrow 15 bracket 9 and retaining loop 4, the locking tabs 12 are pulled out of the recesses 13, then a rotation of the bracket 9 relative to the retaining loop 4 is possible. The rotatability is represented by the arrow 17. As soon as the force exerted on the retaining strap 4 subsides, a helical tension spring 16 arranged between the shaft 10 of the rotary joint and the holder 9 pulls the shaft again in the direction of the holder 9, so that the locking lugs 12 engage again. Thus, a rotation of the bracket 9 relative to the retaining strap 4 is easily possible, the helical tension spring 16 should be suspended rotatably even within the bracket 9.

In Figure 3, an alternative embodiment is shown, in which also the rotary joint has a shaft 10 which is rotatably mounted on the holder 9. The rotation takes place in accordance with the arrow 17. The shaft 10 is surrounded by a locking sleeve 11 which is rotatably connected to the shaft 10 and the strap 4. However, the locking sleeve 11 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the shaft 10. When the retaining strap 4 is pressed in the direction of the holder 9, move according to the arrow 15, the locking tabs 12 on the bracket-side end of the locking sleeve 11 in the holder 9 provided recesses 13, so that the lock is set. In addition, within the locking sleeve 11 a Helical compression spring 14 is arranged, which is supported at one end against the locking sleeve 11 and at the other end against abutment 18. These abutments 18 are fixedly connected to the shaft 10. As soon as the pressure exerted on the retaining loop 4 decreases, the helical compression spring 14 causes a longitudinal displacement of the locking sleeve 11 relative to the shaft 10, wherein the holder 9 and the retaining loop 4 are slightly removed from each other. In this case, the locking tabs 12 move out of the recesses 13 and the lock is released. As soon as pressure is again exerted on the retaining loop 4, the locking sleeve 11 slides in the opposite direction along the shaft 10 and the helical compression spring 4 is compressed, so that the locking tabs 12 move into the recess 13 again. The lock is now restored.

Claims

claims

1. A device for holding an object (1), in particular a tablet PC or eBook, wherein the device has a holder (9) for fixing the object (1) on the front of the device and on the back of the device a retaining loop ( 4) is arranged for insertion of a hand, wherein between the retaining loop (4) and the holder (9) is a hinge and the device via a device for locking the retaining loop (4) relative to the holder (9) in at least two different rotational positions characterized by means for providing a detent release as soon as the hand in the handstrap (4) is lifted off the back of the device and causing the detent to be restored once the hand is placed on the back of the device.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for locking the retaining strap (4) has locking lugs (12) which engage in locking position provided in recesses (13), wherein the exercise of one of the holder (9) directed away Force by lifting the hand from the back of the device, the locking tabs (12) away from the recesses (13).

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the of the holder (9) directed away force by a helical compression spring (14) is constructed.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for locking the retaining loop (4) has a locking sleeve (11) which is non-rotatably and longitudinally displaceably connected to a shaft (10) of the rotary joint, wherein the locking lugs (12) are located at one end of the locking sleeve (11) and within the locking sleeve (11) the helical compression spring (14) is arranged at one end against the locking sleeve (11) and at the other end against the shaft (10) of the rotary joint located abutment ( 18) is supported.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that between the retaining loop (4) and the holder (9) an elastic element (16) is arranged, which a the retaining loop (4) and the holder (9) merging Traction exerts.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotary joint is a ball joint.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holder (9) at least two of a support center (3) outgoing, to the corners of the object to be held (1) extending and fixable at the corners retaining strips (2 ) having.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the

Holder (9) has four cross-shaped from the support center (3) outgoing retaining strip (2).

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the retaining strips (2) at the outer ends of insertion pockets for receiving the corners of the object to be held (1).

10. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the retaining strips (2) at the outer ends aufbiegbare wire elements for receiving the corners of the object to be held (1).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holder (9) has a protective cover, in which the object to be held (1) can be inserted.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holder (9) comprises a housing into which the object to be held (1) can be inserted.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the holding strap (4) is designed to be removable.

14. Combination of a device according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a standing device to which the device including the object held by it (1) can be connected.

15. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, in particular a tablet PC or eBook, with a centrally placed on the back of the electronic device support center (3), from which out cruciform at the corners of the electronic device fixable retaining strips (2) to the outside extend, wherein the handle center (3), a handle (4) is rotatably arranged.