Support assembly for engaging a small electronic device

Abstract

A support assembly for engaging a small electronic device. The support assembly comprises a stand having a base and a pivot leg assembly. The base receives a soft resilient pad, such as a foam pad. The pad has multiple raised areas. When the support stand is placed on a support surface such that the base is at an angle to the support surface, the small electronic device can be placed on the pad without sliding. In other words, the pad provides a non-slip surface to hold the small electronic device in place.

1 . A support assembly for holding a small electronic device having an edge on a horizontal support surface, the support assembly comprising:
 a soft, resilient, non-skid pad having a perimeter and an upper and lower surface, the pad having multiple upstanding lands or raised areas, the lands or raised areas comprising the upper surface of the pad, and all about the same height above the lower surface pad; and   a stand comprising a base with a plane with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter, and a pivoting leg assembly, the base for fixedly receiving the lower surface of the pad, the pivoting leg assembly adapted to engage the base and a horizontal support surface when in an open position and for folding flat against or adjacent the base in a closed position;
 wherein the pad is capable of holding the small electronic device on the base when the plane is at an angle between 35° and 45°, and when an edge of the small electronic device contacts the horizontal support surface and the base of the stand does not contact the horizontal support surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly has a thickness of less than about ¾ inch with the base in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a length in the range of about 3″ to 6″ and a width in the range of about 1.5″ to 3.0″ 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support assembly has a thickness of less than about ¾ inch with the base in the closed position and wherein a length in the range of about 3″ to 6″ and a width in the range of about 1.5″ to 3.0″. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the durometer of the upper surface is in the range of about 10 Shore 000 to 80 Shore A. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the soft, resilient pad has a total area in the range of about 4.5 to 18.0 square inches and the raised areas comprising the upper surface comprises between about 25% and 75% of the total area. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the pad forms a regular grid. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the pad forms an irregular pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stand is configured to support a small electronic device in a steep or shallow angle on the horizontal support surface. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the pivoting leg assembly includes a pivot leg and a pivot and sliding arm. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is foam. 
     
     
         12 . A support assembly for holding a small electronic device having an edge on a horizontal support surface, the support assembly comprising:
 a resilient, soft pad having a upper surface comprised of multiple raised portions, the resilient soft pad having and a lower surface and a perimeter; and   a stand comprising a tabular base with a plane and a support leg assembly, the base for fixedly receiving the lower surface of the resilient, soft pad;
 wherein the support leg assembly includes a pivot leg having a near end removed end, the near end pivotable with respect to the base between a closed position, wherein the pivot leg is parallel to the base, and an open position wherein the pivot leg is at an angle with respect to the base; 
 wherein the support leg assembly also includes a pivot and sliding arm, laying parallel to the leg and base in a closed position and angular to the base and leg in an open position; and 
 wherein the pad is capable of holding the small electronic device on the base when the plane is at an angle between 35° and 45°, and when an edge of the small electronic device contacts the horizontal support surface and the base of the stand does not contact the horizontal support surface. 
   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot leg is an open position makes an angle of between 15° and 40° with the plane of the base when in the open position. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot and sliding arm makes an angle of between about 20° to 60° with the plane of the base when in the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot leg is an open position makes an angle of between 15° to 40° with the plane of the base when in the open position and wherein the pivot and sliding arm makes an angle of between about 20° to 60° with the plane of the base when in the open position. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the soft, resilient pad has a total area in the range of about 4.5 to 18.0 square inches and the raised areas comprising the upper surface comprises between about 25% and 75% of the total area. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the durometer of the upper surface is in the range of about 10 Shore 000 to 80 Shore A. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the stand is configured to support a small electronic device in a steep or shallow angle on the horizontal support surface. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot leg is an open position that makes an angle of between 15° and 40° with the plane of the base when in the open position. 
     
     
         20 . A support assembly for holding a small electronic device having an edge on a horizontal support surface, the support assembly comprising:
 a resilient, soft pad having multiple raised portions comprising the resilient, soft pad having an upper surface comprising the multiple raised portions and a lower surface and a perimeter; and   a stand comprising a base with a plane and a support leg assembly, the base for fixedly receiving the lower surface of the soft pad;
 wherein the support leg assembly includes a pivot leg having a near end removed end, the near end pivotable with respect to the base between a closed position, wherein the pivot leg is parallel to the base, and an open position wherein the pivot leg is at an angle with respect to the base; and 
 wherein the support leg assembly also includes a pivot and sliding arm, laying parallel to the leg and base in a closed position and angular to the base and leg in an open position; 
 wherein the pivot leg is an open position makes an angle of between about 15° and 40° with the plane of the base when in the open position; 
 wherein the support assembly has a thickness of less than about ¾ inch with the base in the closed position; 
 wherein the durometer of the upper surface is in the range of about 10 Shore 000 to 80 Shore A; 
 wherein the soft, resilient pad has a total area in the range of about 4.5 to 18.0 square inches and the raised areas comprising the upper surface comprises between about 25% and 75% of the total area; and 
 wherein the pad is capable of holding the small electronic device on the base when the plane is at an angle between 35° and 45°, and when an edge of the small electronic device contacts the horizontal support surface and the base of the stand does not contact the horizontal support surface.