Supporting device for a mobile apparatus

Abstract

A supporting device is adapted for supporting a mobile apparatus thereon. The mobile apparatus is supported at an inline on the supporting device. The supporting device includes a base and a first supporting element. The base has two first lateral surfaces spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and two second lateral surfaces spaced apart from each other in a second direction. The first supporting element is connected to the base and has a supporting surface. The first supporting element is convertible from a storage state toward a supporting state, where one of the first lateral surfaces and the supporting surface cooperate with each other to support a connecting section of the mobile apparatus thereon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A supporting device adapted for supporting a mobile apparatus thereon, the mobile apparatus to be supported at an inline on said supporting device and having a connecting section that is to be connected to said supporting device, said supporting device comprising:
 a base having two first lateral surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and two second lateral surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and   a first supporting element connected to said base and having a supporting surface, said first supporting element being convertible from a storage state toward a supporting state, where one of said first lateral surfaces and said supporting surface cooperate with each other to support the connecting section of the mobile apparatus thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one of said first lateral surfaces of said base and said supporting surface of said first supporting element are coplanar with each other when said supporting element is at the supporting state. 
     
     
         3 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base is formed as a rectangular prism and has a first length in the first direction, a second length in the second direction and a third length in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the third length being shorter than the first and second lengths. 
     
     
         4 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein:
 said first supporting element is connected to an edge of the one of said first lateral surfaces; and   said supporting device further comprises a second supporting element connected to an edge of the other one of said first lateral surfaces that is aligned with said edge of said one of said first lateral surfaces in the first direction, and having a bottom surface that is coplanar with the other one of said first lateral surfaces.   
     
     
         5 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the second length of said base is not equal to the first length of said base. 
     
     
         6 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first supporting element has a supporting portion formed with said supporting surfaces, and a stop portion extending from said second supporting portion for preventing the mobile apparatus from slipping off of said base when said first supporting element is at the supporting state. 
     
     
         7 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said base further has an accommodating space formed in the one of said first lateral surfaces;   said first supporting element is pivotally mounted to said base and is flippable between the supporting state and the storage state, said first supporting element being retained in said accommodating space and being flush with the one of said first lateral surfaces when said first supporting element is at the storage state.   
     
     
         8 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein:
 said first supporting element further has an engaging slot; and   said base further has an engaging member that engages removably said engaging slot for maintaining said first supporting element within said accommodating space when said first supporting element is at the storage state.   
     
     
         9 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a hollow main body that has said first and second lateral surfaces and that is formed with an opening, and a cover member that covers removably said opening. 
     
     
         10 . The supporting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base further has an engaging hole; and   said first supporting element has a supporting portion formed with said supporting surface, and a connecting portion extending from said supporting portion and inserted removably into said engaging hole.