Stand for supporting a computing device

Abstract

A stand for supporting a computing device is provided. The stand may support the computing device at a height such that a screen of the computing device is at or near eye-level of a user. The stand may include a frame member and a gripping mechanism attached to an end portion of the frame member. The gripping mechanism may secure the computing device to the stand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stand for supporting a computing device, the stand comprising:
 an elongate frame member; and   a gripping mechanism coupled to an end portion of the elongate frame member, the gripping mechanism including a rotatable member configured to move in an arcuate path relative to the end portion of the elongate frame member.   
     
     
         2 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to restrain lateral and vertical movement of the computing device relative to the stand. 
     
     
         3 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member is configured to create three contact points with the computing device to secure the computing device in the gripping mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism further includes a grip surface coupled to the rotatable member and configured to engage the computing device. 
     
     
         5 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a rotating clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member has a substantially curved profile. 
     
     
         7 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member is biased towards an end of the arcuate path. 
     
     
         8 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism further includes an elastic member coupled to the rotatable member and configured to rotationally bias the rotatable member towards an end of the arcuate path. 
     
     
         9 . The stand of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic member is coupled to the end portion of the elongate frame member. 
     
     
         10 . The stand of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic member includes a first end coupled to the rotatable member and a second end coupled to the end portion of the elongate frame member. 
     
     
         11 . The stand of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic member is configured to extend along an outer surface of the rotatable member when the rotatable member is rotated away from the end of the arcuate path. 
     
     
         12 . The stand of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic member comprises an elastic band. 
     
     
         13 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism further includes a track defining the arcuate path of the rotatable member and coupled to the end portion of the elongate frame member. 
     
     
         14 . The stand of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the track has a curved profile that defines the arcuate path of the rotatable member. 
     
     
         15 . The stand of  claim 13 , wherein the rotatable member is coupled to the track. 
     
     
         16 . The stand of  claim 13 , wherein the rotatable member is slideable along a length of the track. 
     
     
         17 . The stand of  claim 13 , wherein the rotatable member is restrained from moving laterally relative to the track. 
     
     
         18 . The stand of  claim 13 , wherein the gripping mechanism further includes an elastic member coupled to the rotatable member and to the end portion of the elongate frame member, and configured to rotationally bias the rotatable member towards an end of the arcuate path. 
     
     
         19 . The stand of  claim 18 , wherein the elastic member is oriented tangentially to the track. 
     
     
         20 . The stand of  claim 18 , wherein rotation of the rotatable member away from the end of the arcuate path is configured to create a tension force that acts tangentially to the track and expands the elastic member.