Tablet Bed Stand

Abstract

An adjustable floor stand positioning a small electronic device for viewing or operating by a person reclining in a bed comprises a compact profile in a housing resembling a briefcase or travel bag. A counter-weighted folding and articulating arm extends its reach to adjustably position the electronic device for optimal use by the reposing person. Innovative means for manipulating the arm made the adjustment and positioning simple and effortless, while the housing disguises the equipment as a household item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device having a display, comprising:
 a housing based on a floor surface adjacent to a person in repose in a bed or on a chair, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;   a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing, said arm capable of folding into the interior space;   a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm, said holder adjustable for a preferred viewing angle; and   a means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person, said means for manipulating including a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts;   whereas, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating, said position exercising some or all of the six degrees of freedom, and the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 1 , wherein the housing masquerades as a common household object. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 2 , wherein the housing outwardly appears to be a briefcase or small travel bag. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a cover, said cover including a rubberized panel with a slit therein through which to withdraw the folding articulating arm. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 1 , wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least one section of the folding, articulating arm with telescoping tubes, said telescoping tubes providing extension capability. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one section is hingeably attached to the housing in the interior space and comprises at least one boss moveably received in an arcuate channel in the housing, said arcuate channel defining a range of vertical angle positioning for said at least one section. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 6 , wherein the means for manipulating comprises at least two sections, said at least two sections hingeably attached to each other to fold within the interior space and to unfold there from to boom the holder over the person. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 7 , wherein at least one hingeable attachment is a yoke-and-pin joint. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is electrified to provide a recharging port for the small electronic device with a display. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is attached to the folding, articulating arm by at least one ball joint, the at least one ball joint providing at least pitch and yaw adjustments for the holder. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 10 , wherein the small electronic device with a display is attached to the holder by spring clips. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 5 , wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least one eccentric joint slideable within a casing tube of the folding, articulating arm connected to the housing, said eccentric joint settable to bind in one direction and releasable in the reverse direction, the binding anchoring a plurality of telescoping tubes attached thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 12 , wherein the eccentric joint comprises a two-part plug with the parts interfacing in a slip plane inclined to a common axis, said interfacing parts rotatable in said plane about said axis to offset one from another laterally and to bind thereby against the wall of the casing tube. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 13 , wherein the eccentric joint is set by rotating one of the plug parts against the other. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 13 , wherein the eccentric joint is set by applying tension to one of the parts against the other. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 9 , wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 10 , wherein the means for stabilizing further comprises close-tolerance friction-fitting at all joints and sliding interfaces so that structural interpositions therein are frictionally maintained and capable of being released by application of moderate directional force applied by hand. 
     
     
         18 . An adjustable floor stand for a small electronic device, comprising:
 a housing based on a floor surface in proximity to a person operating the small electronic device, said housing having an interior space and a weighted base;   a folding, articulating arm movably attached within the housing, said arm capable of folding into the interior space;   a holder for the small electronic device movably attached to the folding, articulating arm, said holder adjustable for a preferred viewing angle; and   a means for manipulating the folding, articulating arm to position the holder at a preferred location in front of the person, said means for manipulating including a means for stabilizing any position achieved by the manipulation acts;   whereas, the weighted base is sufficient to support the folding, articulating arm, including the holder with the small electronic device attached thereto, in a reach to any cantilevered and extended position achievable by the means for manipulating, said position exercising some or all of the six degrees of freedom, and the means for stabilizing secures the folding, articulating arm in the position reached.   
     
     
         19 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 18 , wherein the housing masquerades as an object commonly found in its location of use. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable floor stand of  claim 19 , wherein the housing appears to be a computer casing.