Accessory device for portable terminal

Abstract

To provide an accessory for a portable terminal which includes a body and an elastic tube surrounding the body and is configured to be fixed in a contraction position and a stand-up position by a force applied.SOLUTION: An accessory 100 for a portable terminal comprises: a body 40 including a plurality of legs; an elastic tube 50 positioned to surround the body; a first plate 60 coupled to a central portion of the body; and a second plate 30 coupled to end portions of the legs distal to the central portion. The body of the accessory device for a portable terminal is positioned in a contraction position or stand-up position by deforming the elastic tube in a transverse axis direction by a force applied in a longitudinal axis direction of the body in a state where the elastic tube is placed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1a

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a mobile terminal accessory device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal accessory that includes a body and an elastic tube surrounding the body, and is configured to be fixed in a contracted position and an erect position by an applied force. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of communication technology and device-related technology, various smart devices such as smartphones have become widespread and their usability is rapidly increasing. Mobile terminals such as smartphones are becoming smaller, slimmer, and lighter in terms of functionality as well as portability.

[0003] Along with this trend toward slimmer and lighter mobile terminals, there is also a demand for slimmer and lighter accessory devices (hereinafter, accessories) used with mobile terminals. In addition, while mobile terminals are becoming slimmer and lighter, the screen size is getting larger and larger, and with this change in the size of mobile terminal screens, the need to attach and use accessory devices is also increasing.

[0004] As an accessory for a mobile device, there is a stand accessory for holding the mobile device at an appropriate angle when viewing media content on the mobile device. Such a stand accessory needs to be designed in a size and shape that can hold the mobile device stably and at an appropriate angle so that a user of the mobile device can easily view media content, and at the same time, does not interfere with carrying or charging (e.g., wireless charging) the mobile device.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a technology relating to such a functional smart ring for a mobile terminal stand.

[0006] The information above is for ease of understanding only and may include material that does not form part of the prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0484282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An embodiment provides an accessory for a mobile terminal configured to include a body having a plurality of legs and an elastic tube arranged to surround the body, and configured to be positioned in a contracted position or an upright position by deforming the elastic tube in a horizontal axis direction by a force applied in a vertical axis direction of the body with the elastic tube disposed on the body.

[0009] To provide an accessory for a mobile terminal, in which when a first pushing force of a certain level or more is applied in the longitudinal direction of a body, the elastic force of an elastic tube causes the body to be fixed and positioned in a contracted position even if the body does not fully contract due to the force, and when a second force of a certain level or more is applied in the opposite direction to the first force, the elastic force of the elastic tube causes the body to be fixed and positioned in an upright position even if the body does not fully stand due to the force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one aspect, an accessory for a mobile terminal is provided, comprising a body including a plurality of legs, an elastic tube arranged to surround the body, a first plate connected to a central portion of the body, and a second plate connected to an end portion of the leg distal to the central portion, the body being arranged in a contracted position or an upright position by deforming the elastic tube in a horizontal axis direction by a force applied in a vertical axis direction of the body with the elastic tube arranged, the body being fixed in the contracted position by a first force pushing the body in the vertical axis direction of the body, and being fixed in the upright position by a second force in a direction opposite to the first force in the vertical axis direction of the body.

[0011] When the first force is applied to push the body in the longitudinal direction of the body, the elastic tube contracts through a maximum lateral expansion state to a first contracted state to fix the body in the contracted position, and when the second force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the body, the elastic tube contracts through a maximum lateral expansion position to a second contracted state to fix the body in the upright position, and the elastic tube may be expanded more in the first contracted state than in the second contracted state.

[0012] Each of the legs may include a joint portion, and for each of the legs, a first length from the central portion to the joint portion and a second length from the joint portion to an end portion of each of the legs may be different, and each of the legs may be bent at the joint portion by the first force, thereby deforming the elastic tube in the horizontal direction to position the body in the contracted position, and each of the legs may be extended at the joint portion by the second force, thereby deforming the elastic tube in the horizontal direction to position the body in the upright position.

[0013] In the retracted position, a gap may exist between the first plate and the second plate, and the second force applied through the gap may cause the body to change from the retracted position to the upright position.

[0014] The second plate may include an accommodation space that accommodates the body and at least a portion of the elastic tube in the contracted position.

[0015] The mobile terminal accessory may include a mounting surface that is attached to a mobile terminal, and further include a lower plate that is coupled to the second plate on a surface opposite to the mounting surface, wherein one of the second plate and the lower plate may include at least one protrusion, and the remaining one of the second plate and the lower plate may include at least one hole or groove into which the protrusion is inserted, and the second plate and the lower plate may be coupled together by inserting the protrusion into the hole or groove and rotating the second plate or the lower plate around the vertical axis.

[0016] The central portion may include a hole, the first plate may include a hole for connection to the central portion, and the first plate and the body may be connected by a ring member that is disposed through the hole in the central portion and the hole in the first plate.

[0017] The second plate may include holes for coupling with terminal portions of the legs, and each of the legs may include a foot portion for fastening to a periphery of a hole in the second plate at the terminal portion.

[0018] The elastic tube may have a circumferential length of at least a part of a first portion surrounding each of the legs corresponding to the first length shorter than a circumferential length of a second portion surrounding each of the legs corresponding to the second length.

[0019] The circumference of the first portion may increase from surrounding the central portion to a third portion surrounding the articulation portion, the third portion being thicker than the remainder of the elastic tube. Effect of the Invention

[0020] To provide a mobile terminal accessory including a structure for fixing and positioning the body in a contracted position by the elastic force of an elastic tube even if the body is not fully contracted by a pushing force, and for fixing and positioning the body in an upright position by the elastic force of an elastic tube even if the body is not fully erected by a pulling force, thereby allowing a user of a mobile terminal to which the mobile terminal accessory is attached to change the mobile terminal accessory from the contracted position to the fixed position with one hand.

[0021] By configuring the lower plate, including the attachment surface of the mobile terminal accessory for the mobile terminal, to be detachable from the mobile terminal accessory, it is possible to realize a mobile terminal accessory that does not interfere with carrying or wireless charging of the mobile terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of a mobile device accessory according to one embodiment. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a mobile device accessory in an upright position according to one embodiment. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of a mobile device accessory in a retracted position according to one embodiment. [Figure 1d] FIG. 1d is a side view of a mobile device accessory in a retracted position according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a first plate corresponding to the top plate of a mobile terminal accessory in one example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates a body of a mobile terminal accessory in one example. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an elastic tube of a mobile device accessory in one example. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5a illustrates an example of a second plate that corresponds to a cover plate of a mobile terminal accessory. [Figure 5b]FIG. 5b illustrates an example of a second plate that corresponds to a cover plate of a mobile terminal accessory. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an example of a bottom plate of a mobile device accessory that includes a mounting surface for a mobile device. [Figure 7a] FIG. 7a illustrates how a mobile accessory transitions between an upright position and a retracted position in one example. [Figure 7b] FIG. 7b is a schematic cross-sectional view of a body of a mobile device accessory in transition between an erect position and a retracted position in one example. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a method of joining the body and second plate of a mobile terminal accessory in one example. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a method of joining the body and first plate of a mobile terminal accessory in one example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the described embodiments can be modified in various forms, and therefore the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the various embodiments are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those having average knowledge in the art. The shapes and sizes of elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0024] When referring to an element being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it should be understood that the element may be directly coupled or connected to the other element, but there may also be other elements in between. Conversely, when referring to an element being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

[0025] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0027] In addition, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0028] Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described with reference to each drawing should not be limited to the applicable embodiment only, but may be implemented to be included in other embodiments within the scope that maintains the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it is of course possible that multiple embodiments may be implemented as one integrated embodiment even if separate description is omitted.

[0029] In addition, in the description with reference to the attached drawings, the same or related reference numerals are given to the same components regardless of the drawing numerals, and duplicated description thereof will be omitted. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] Figure 1a is an exploded oblique view of a mobile terminal accessory in one embodiment, Figure 1b is an oblique view of a mobile terminal accessory in an upright position in one embodiment, Figure 1c is an oblique view of a mobile terminal accessory in a retracted position in one embodiment, and Figure 1d is a side view of a mobile terminal accessory in a retracted position in one embodiment.

[0031] The mobile device accessory 100 according to the embodiment may be a device that is attached or mounted to a mobile device via one surface. As an example, the mobile device accessory 100 may have a lower plate 10 attached to a mobile device (not shown). For convenience of explanation, the lower plate 10 is shown on the upper side in FIG. 1a, and the side on which the mounting surface that is attached or mounted to the mobile device is located is defined as the "lower side". However, depending on the embodiment, the mounting surface that is attached or mounted to the mobile device may be provided on the side of the first plate 60 that corresponds to the upper plate.

[0032] The mobile terminal may be, for example, an electronic device including a smartphone, a navigation device, a portable media player (PMP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) player, an MPEG audio layer-3 (MP3) player, an electronic dictionary, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc. Alternatively, the mobile terminal is not limited to a device and may include all electronic devices that a user can carry around.

[0033] The mobile device accessory 100 may be a device that is attached or mounted to a mobile device to enhance the usability of the mobile device. For example, the mobile device accessory 100 may be a device that is attached or mounted to the rear surface of a mobile device to support the mobile device at a certain angle. The mobile device accessory 100 may be deployed from a contracted position shown in FIG. 1c to an upright position shown in FIG. 1b to provide a function of supporting the mobile device at the certain angle. The certain angle may be an angle suitable for a user to view media content through a mobile device screen. The mobile device accessory 100 may also provide a grip that allows a user to hold the mobile device in the upright position shown in FIG. 1b.

[0034] In this way, the mobile terminal accessory 100 may be a device that aims to provide a comfortable grip for a user holding a mobile terminal and to increase the convenience of the user watching media content through the mobile terminal.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal accessory 100 may include a body 40 including multiple legs, an elastic tube 50 arranged to surround the body 40, a first plate 60 coupled to a central portion of the body 40, and a second plate 30 coupled to an end portion of the leg distal to the central portion of the body 40.

[0036] The second plate 30 may have a lower plate 10 attached thereon, the lower plate 10 including a mounting surface for a mobile terminal (not shown). The upper surface of the lower plate 10 shown in the figure may be the mounting surface for the mobile terminal. The mounting surface may include, for example, an adhesive layer or be coated with an adhesive, and the lower plate 10 may be mounted or attached to the mobile terminal through such a mounting surface. The lower plate 10 may be directly mounted or attached to the mobile terminal, or may be mounted or attached to a case mounted on the mobile terminal. Depending on the embodiment, the lower plate 10 may not be present, and the second plate 30 may be configured to have a mounting surface for a mobile terminal.

[0037] A cover portion 20 may be further attached to the second plate 30 for fixing the connection with the body 40 .

[0038] As shown in the figure, the body 40 may include a plurality of legs, which may be bent and have distal end portions coupled to the second plate 30. Meanwhile, a central portion of the body 40 may be coupled to a first plate 60, which corresponds to an upper plate. An accessory part may be further attached to the first plate 60 to enhance the grip on the mobile terminal or maintain an appropriate support angle of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal accessory 100 is attached or mounted on the mobile terminal. The surface of the first plate 60 to which such an accessory part is attached may include an adhesive layer or be coated with adhesive. Meanwhile, depending on the embodiment, the first plate may be configured to have an attachment surface for the mobile terminal.

[0039] When the mobile terminal accessory 100 is assembled, the body 40 may be surrounded by the elastic tube 50. The elastic tube 50 may be referred to as an elastic body. The body 40 may be coupled to the first plate 60 and the second plate 30 while being surrounded by the elastic tube 50.

[0040] The mobile terminal accessory 100 may be placed in a retracted position or an upright position by a force applied from the longitudinal axis direction AA' of the body 40 shown in the figure. In other words, the body 40 may be placed in a retracted position or an upright position by a force applied from the longitudinal axis direction AA'.

[0041] 1b and 1c show the mobile terminal accessory 100 in an assembled state, in an upright position and a retracted position, respectively.

[0042] As shown in the figure, the body 40 may be placed in a contracted position or an upright position by, with the elastic tube 50 in position, deforming the elastic tube 50 in a transverse direction by a force applied along the longitudinal axis AA' of the body 40.

[0043] 1b and 1c, the body 40 may be fixed in the contracted position (changed from the upright position to the contracted position) by a first force F1 that presses the body 40 in the longitudinal axis direction AA' of the body 40. Alternatively, the body 40 may be fixed in the upright position (changed from the contracted position to the upright position) by a second force F2 in the opposite direction to the first force F1 in the longitudinal axis direction AA' of the body 40.

[0044] The first force F1 may be, for example, a force that pushes against the upper or lower surface of the mobile terminal accessory 100 to contract the body 40, and the second force F2 may be a force that pulls against the upper or lower surface of the mobile terminal accessory 100 to stand the body 40 up.

[0045] In the embodiment, the structural features of the legs of the body 40 and the elastic force of the elastic tube 50 allow the body 40 to be fixed and positioned at the contracted position by the elastic force of the elastic tube 50 without the body 40 being fully contracted by a pushing force such as the first force F1, and the body 40 to be fixed and positioned at the upright position by the elastic force of the elastic tube 50 without the body 40 being fully erected by a pulling force such as the second force F2. This allows a user of a mobile terminal wearing the mobile terminal accessory 100 of the embodiment to easily change the mobile terminal accessory from the contracted position to the fixed position (i.e., from the position in Fig. 1c to the position in Fig. 1b) with one hand.

[0046] In this regard, FIG. 1d shows a side view of the example of FIG. 1c.

[0047] FIG. 1d is a side view of a mobile device accessory in a retracted position according to one embodiment.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1d, a gap G1 may exist between the first plate 60 and the second plate 30 when the body 40 is in the retracted position.

[0049] Such a gap G1 may be an area for the user of the mobile terminal to apply the second force F2 as described above. For example, the user may apply the second force F2 by pushing or pulling the first plate 60 by pushing a finger or a nail into the gap G1. The second force F2 applied through such a gap G1 changes the body 40 from the contracted position shown in the figure to the standing position described with reference to FIG. 1b. The transition of the body 40 from the contracted position to the standing position by such second force F2 can be performed by the user with one hand. Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a mobile terminal accessory 100 that can transition from the contracted position to the standing position by a one-touch operation by the user.

[0050] Of course, in some embodiments, the mobile terminal accessory 100 may be configured not to include such a gap G1.

[0051] The detailed structure of each component of the mobile terminal accessory 100 and the method of combining the components will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first plate corresponding to the top plate of a mobile terminal accessory in one example.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the first plate 60 may include a hole 62. The hole 62 may be located in a central region of the first plate 60. For example, as shown in the figure, the first plate 60 may be circular, and the hole 62 may also be circular. However, depending on the embodiment, the shapes of the first plate 60 and the hole 62 may be formed to be different.

[0054] The hole 62 may be configured for connection to a central portion of the body 40 .

[0055] In this regard, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a body of a mobile terminal accessory in one example.

[0056] The body 40 may be made of a material such as plastic. For example, the body 40 may be made of a PP (Polypropylene) material.

[0057] The body 40 may include multiple legs 45 as shown in the figure. For example, the legs 45 may be eight as shown in the figure, or the number of legs may vary depending on the implementation of the mobile terminal accessory 100. The legs 45 may be radially arranged with respect to the central portion 42.

[0058] The central portion 42 may include a hole. The hole of the central portion 42 may be configured for coupling with the first plate 60. The central portion 42 may protrude in a direction in which the first plate 60 is located when assembled. Meanwhile, the first plate 60 may be provided with an uneven portion 64 corresponding to the protruding central portion 42. The protruding central portion 42 may be located within the uneven portion 64 when assembled.

[0059] The shape of the protruding central portion 42 may be circular or polygonal, and the number of sides of the polygon may vary depending on the number of legs 45. For example, in the example shown in the figures, the protruding central portion 42 may be octagonal, since there are eight legs 45. Accordingly, the indentations 64 may also be a corresponding polygonal shape, for example an octagon.

[0060] In this regard, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method of joining the body and the first plate of the mobile terminal accessory in one example.

[0061] 9, the body 40 and the first plate 60 may be joined by positioning the protruding central portion 42 of the body 40 in the uneven portion 64 of the first plate 60. At this time, the hole of the central portion 42 of the first plate 60 and the body 40 may be aligned with the hole 62 of the first plate 60.

[0062] As an example, the first plate 60 and the body 40 may be joined by a ring member 90 disposed in the hole in the central portion 42 and the hole 62 in the first plate 60. The ring member 90 may be comprised of at least one metal ring.

[0063] The body 40 and the first plate 60 may be connected to each other in various ways other than the connection method using a ring member 90 (eyelet) as shown in Fig. 9. As an example, the body 40 and the first plate 60 may have a male-female structure at a connection portion thereof, and such male-female structures may be engaged with each other to be connected to each other.

[0064] For example, the first plate 60 and the body 40 may be joined by disposing and joining ring members on both sides of the aligned holes in the central portion 42 and holes 62 (i.e., on each side of both faces of the first plate 60).

[0065] 3, a more detailed description will be given of each of the legs 45. In the following, for ease of explanation, the same reference numerals as those of the leg 45 will be used for each leg.

[0066] Each leg 45 may include at least one joint. For example, as shown in the figure, each leg 45 may include a first joint J1 that connects to the central portion 42, a second joint J2, and a third joint J3. Each leg 45 may also include a first leg portion L1 between the first joint J1 and the second joint J2, and a second leg portion L2 between the second joint J2 and the third joint J3. The third joint J3 may be included, or a portion from the third joint J3 to the end of each leg 45 may constitute an end portion 47.

[0067] At the joints of each leg 45, the leg portion may be bent. For example, each leg 45 may be bent inward (i.e., toward the opposite side of the protruding portion of the central portion 42) by the first joint J1, and each leg 45 may be bent inward by the second joint J2. Meanwhile, each leg 45 may be bent outwardly and inwardly (i.e., toward the protruding portion of the central portion 42) by the third joint J3. The joints of each leg 45 may be bent in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned direction, but may be more appropriately configured to be bent in the above-mentioned direction.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 3, a first length from the central portion 42 of each leg 45 to the joint portion J2 and a second length from the joint portion J2 to the terminal portion 47 of each leg 45 may be different from each other. For example, the first length may be longer than the second length as shown in the figure, or the second length may be longer than the first length, unlike that shown in the figure. In the example shown in the figure, the length of the first leg portion L1 is longer than the length of the second leg portion L2.

[0069] Due to such a structure in which the first leg portion L1 and the second leg portion L2 are different in length (for example, a structure in which the length of the first leg portion L1 is longer than the length of the second leg portion L2), and a structure in which the body 40 is surrounded by the elastic tube 50, in an embodiment, the elastic force of the elastic tube 50 allows the body 40 to be fixed and positioned in a contracted position without the body 40 being fully contracted by a pushing force such as the first force (F1), and the body 40 can be fixed and positioned in an upright position without the body 40 being fully upright by a pulling force such as the second force (F2).

[0070] In other words, in an assembled state of the mobile terminal accessory 100 in which the body 40 is surrounded by the elastic tube 50, each leg 45 may bend the joint J2 by ​​the first force F1 to deform the elastic tube 50 in the horizontal axis direction, so that the body 40 is disposed in the contracted position. Meanwhile, each leg 45 may bend the joint J2 by ​​the second force F2 to deform the elastic tube 50 in the horizontal axis direction, so that the body 40 is disposed in the upright position. The horizontal axis direction may mean a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis direction AA'. The transition of the body 40 between the contracted position and the upright position by the first force F1 and the second force F2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0071] The elastic tube 50 disposed to surround the body 40 will be described in more detail below.

[0072] In this regard, Fig. 4 shows an example of an elastic tube of a mobile terminal accessory. Fig. 4 shows a side view of elastic tube 50.

[0073] The elastic tube 50 may be made of a resilient material. For example, the elastic tube 50 may be made of a silicone material or a rubber material. Or, the elastic tube 50 may be made of any other material that is resilient.

[0074] The elastic tube 50 may be placed over the body 40 with the legs 45 of the body 40 bent at the joints J1, J2, and J3. A hole may be provided in the elastic tube 50 in an area corresponding to the hole in the central portion 42. The upper portion of the elastic tube 50 may also protrude in correspondence with the protruding central portion 42. The lower side of the elastic tube 50 (i.e., the second plate 30 side) may be open.

[0075] The side of the elastic tube 50 may be bell shaped as shown in the figure. The elastic tube 50 may be shaped to correspond to the body 40 to facilitate coupling therewith.

[0076] For example, the elastic tube 50 may be shorter around at least a portion of a first portion 52 surrounding each leg 45 corresponding to a first length (the length of the first leg portion L1) than around a second portion 54 surrounding each leg 45 corresponding to a second length (the length of the first leg portion L2).

[0077] As an example, the circumference of the first portion 52 of the elastic tube 50 may increase from the portion surrounding the central portion 42 to the third portion 56 surrounding the joint J2. In other words, the circumference of the first portion 52 in contact with the third portion 56 may be the longest among the circumferences of the first portion 52. Meanwhile, the third portion 56 may be thicker than the remaining portion of the elastic tube 50. The third portion 56 is a portion that expands laterally by receiving a force from the joint J2, and therefore may be configured to be thicker than the remaining portion of the elastic tube 50. The circumference corresponding to the third portion 56 may also be larger than the remaining portion of the elastic tube 50. The circumference corresponding to the second portion 54 may be constant.

[0078] Next, the method of joining the end portion 47 of the leg 45 of the body 40 to the second plate 30 will be described in more detail.

[0079] 3, each leg 45 may include a terminal portion 47. Such terminal portion 47 may be coupled to the second plate 30. More specifically, the terminal portion 47 may include a foot portion 48, such foot portion 48 may be coupled to the second plate 30.

[0080] In this regard, Figures 5a and 5b are diagrams showing a second plate corresponding to a cover plate of a mobile terminal accessory in one example.

[0081] The second plate 30 may be called a cover plate of the mobile terminal accessory.

[0082] The second plate 30 may include holes 32 for coupling with the end portions 47 of the legs 45. A foot 48 included in the end portion 47 of each leg 45 may be secured to the periphery of the hole 32 in the second plate 30.

[0083] In this regard, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of joining the body and the second plate of the mobile terminal accessory in one example.

[0084] Fig. 8 shows a state where the end portions 47 (i.e., foot portions 48) of the legs 45 are coupled to the second plate 30 of Fig. 5a. As shown in the figure, each of the foot portions 48 may be hung on the surface of the second plate 30. Meanwhile, the surface of the second plate 30 may be provided with an uneven portion 35 so that such foot portions 48 can be arranged thereon.

[0085] 3 and 8, each of the end portions 47 may further include a coupling hole or a coupling groove 49. A coupling protrusion 33 may be provided on the outer periphery of the hole 32 corresponding to each of the coupling holes or coupling grooves 49. By inserting the coupling protrusion 33 into each of the coupling holes or coupling grooves 49, the coupling between the foot portion 48 and the second plate 30 becomes stronger.

[0086] The shape of the hole 32 may be circular or polygonal, and the number of sides of the polygon may vary depending on the number of legs 45 (i.e., the number of foot portions 48). For example, in the illustrated example, there are eight foot portions 48, so the shape of the hole 32 may be octagonal. Similarly, there may be eight coupling holes or grooves 49 and coupling protrusions 33.

[0087] A cover part 20 may be further attached to the uneven part 35. The cover part 20 strengthens the connection between the foot part 48 and the second plate 30. A protrusion having a shape corresponding to the hole 32 may be provided on the rear surface (not shown) of the cover part 20 in FIG. 1a to be connected to the hole, thereby strengthening the fixation between the foot part 48 and the second plate 30.

[0088] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b showing the back side of the second plate 30 in Fig. 8, the second plate 30 may include an accommodation space 38 for accommodating at least a part of the body 40 and the elastic tube 50 in the contracted position. In order to provide such accommodation space 38, the second plate 30 may have an appropriate thickness. The depth of the accommodation space 38 may determine the size of the gap (G1) described with reference to Fig. 1d.

[0089] Meanwhile, unlike the one shown in the drawings, the second plate 30 may not include the accommodation space 38. In this case, there may be no accommodation wall corresponding to the accommodation space 38 around the ring corresponding to the second plate 30, and the side surfaces corresponding to at least a part of the body 40 and the elastic tube 50 may be exposed as they are.

[0090] Also, as shown in Figs. 5a and 5b (although omitted in Fig. 8), the second plate 30 may further include a structure for coupling with the lower plate 10 described above.

[0091] In this regard, FIG. 6 illustrates an example bottom plate of a mobile device accessory that includes a mounting surface for a mobile device.

[0092] The lower plate 10 may be configured to include an attachment surface that is attached to a mobile terminal, and a surface opposite to the attachment surface to be coupled with the second plate 30. Such a lower plate 10 may be configured so that the remaining parts of the mobile terminal accessory 100 are detachable from the mobile terminal. In other words, when the remaining parts of the mobile terminal accessory 100 are detached, only the lower plate 10 remains attached to the mobile terminal. The thickness of the lower plate 10 may be thin. For example, the lower plate 10 may be thick enough not to interfere with charging (wireless charging) of the mobile terminal, and may be made of a material that does not interfere with charging (wireless charging) of the mobile terminal.

[0093] For the purpose of bonding, any one of the second plate 30 and the lower plate 10 may include at least one protrusion. In this case, the remaining one of the second plate 30 and the lower plate 10 may include at least one hole or groove into which the protrusion is inserted. The second plate 30 and the lower plate 10 may be bonded to each other by inserting the protrusion into the hole or groove and rotating the second plate 30 or the lower plate 10 around the longitudinal axis AA'.

[0094] In Figures 5 and 6, the second plate 30 is shown provided with holes or slots 34 and the lower plate 10 is shown provided with protrusions 14.

[0095] However, as described above, it is also possible for the second plate 30 to be provided with a protrusion and for the lower plate 10 to be provided with a hole or groove, and in some embodiments, the second plate 30 and the lower plate 10 may each have a structure including both a protrusion and a hole or groove.

[0096] 5 and 6, the protrusion 14 may be inserted into the hole or groove 34, and the second plate 30 coupled to the lower plate 10 may be rotated in a state where the lower plate 10 is fixedly attached to the mobile terminal, thereby coupling the second plate 30 to the lower plate 10. In other words, the second plate 30 and the lower plate 10 may be rotatably coupled.

[0097] The lower plate 10 may further include a handle 12. The handle 12 may include a hole, and the hole of the handle 12 may be coupled with a stopper 36 when the lower plate 10 and the second plate 30 are rotationally coupled. The stopper 36 provided on the second plate 30 may be configured to stop the rotation of the handle 12. The stopper 36 allows the lower plate 10 to rotate only within a certain range. By coupling the hole of the handle 12 with the stopper 36, it is possible to prevent the second plate 30 from rotating in a reverse direction when the lower plate 10 and the second plate 30 are rotationally coupled. The handle 12 is configured to protrude in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 14, so that the mounting surface of the lower plate 10 with respect to the mobile terminal is maintained in a flat state. The protruding height of the handle 12 and the protruding height of the protruding portion 14 may be the same.

[0098] The second plate 30 may have a lowered portion corresponding to the handle 12. Due to the presence of such a lowered portion, the second plate 20 rotates only in the area corresponding to this lowered portion, and is coupled with the lower plate 10.

[0099] The technical features described above with reference to Figs. 1a to 1d are similarly applicable to Figs. 2 to 6, 8, and 9, and therefore will not be described again.

[0100] As described with reference to Figures 2-6, 8 and 9, components 10-60 are combined to produce the assembled mobile terminal accessory 100 described with reference to Figures 1b-1c.

[0101] FIG. 7a illustrates an example of a mobile accessory in a standing position. 13 is a diagram showing a method of transition between a contracted position and a contracted position.

[0102] 7b is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mobile device accessory body 40 in one example, showing the transition between the upright and retracted positions, with the elastic tube 50 omitted in order to show the internal movement of the body 40 as it transitions between the upright and retracted positions.

[0103] As described above, the mobile terminal accessory 100 of the embodiment may be positioned and fixed in an upright position by a second pulling force F2 applied by a single touch by the user, causing the elastic tube 50 surrounding the body 40 to contract, thereby causing the body 40 to stand up.

[0104] For example, when a first force F1 is applied to the body 40 in the longitudinal axis direction AA' of the body 40, the elastic tube 50 contracts from the maximum horizontal expansion state to the first contracted state, and fixes the body 40 in the contracted position. On the other hand, when a second force F2 (a pulling force in the opposite direction to the first force F1) is applied to the longitudinal axis direction AA' of the body 40, the elastic tube 50 contracts from the maximum horizontal expansion position to the second contracted state, and fixes the body in the upright position. Here, the elastic tube 50 may be more expanded in the first contracted state than in the second contracted state (i.e., W3>W1: W2>W3>W1).

[0105] Explaining in more detail with reference to FIG. 7a, (a) of FIG. 7a shows that the body 40 is fixed in the standing position. At this time, the elastic tube 50 may be in the second contracted state. At this time, when the first pushing force F1 is applied, the leg 45 is bent and the elastic tube 50 gradually expands laterally to reach the maximum expansion state. (b) of FIG. 7a shows that the elastic tube 50 is in the maximum expansion state. At this time, when the application of the first force F1 is stopped, the elastic tube 50 returns to the second contracted state again and the body 40 returns to the standing position. However, when the first force F1 is further applied at this time, the elastic tube 50 contracts to the first contracted state and the body 40 transitions to the contracted position. At this time, the user does not need to push the first or second plate (60 or 30) all the way to transition the body 40 to the contracted position.

[0106] This is accomplished by configuring the length of the first portion L1 of each leg 45 to be longer than the length of the second portion L2, as shown in Figure 7b. As shown, when the body 40 transitions from an upright position to a retracted position due to the application of a first force F1, the elastic tube 50 deforms from a second retracted state -> a maximum expanded state -> a first retracted state.

[0107] Meanwhile, FIG. 7a (c) shows that the body 40 is fixed in the contracted position. At this time, the elastic tube 50 may be in a first contracted state. At this time, when a second pulling force F2 is applied, the leg 45 is stretched and the elastic tube 50 gradually expands laterally to reach a maximum expansion state. FIG. 7a (b) shows that the elastic tube 50 is in a maximum expansion state. Here, when the application of the second force F2 is stopped, the elastic tube 50 returns to the first contracted state again and the body 40 returns to the contracted position. However, when the second force F2 is further applied here, the elastic tube 50 contracts to a second contracted state and the body 40 transitions to an upright position. At this time, the user does not need to pull the first or second plate (60 or 30) all the way to transition the body 40 to the upright position.

[0108] This is accomplished by having a length of the first portion L1 of each leg 45 that is longer than the length of the second portion L2, as shown in Figure 7b. As shown, when the body 40 transitions from a retracted position to an upright position due to the application of a second force F2, the elastic tube 50 deforms from a first retracted state -> a fully expanded state -> a second retracted state.

[0109] Thus, in the embodiment, the user can transition the body 40 from the retracted position to the upright position in a one-touch manner by simply pulling the first or second plate (60 or 30) (e.g., through the gap G1) to apply the second force F2.

[0110] As shown in the figure, the length W3 of the elastic tube 50 expanded laterally from the first contracted state, the length W2 of the elastic tube 50 expanded laterally from the maximum expanded state, and the length W1 of the elastic tube 50 expanded laterally from the second contracted state may have a relationship of W2>W3>W1.

[0111] Also, unlike the example shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the length of the first portion L1 of each leg 45 may be shorter than the second portion L2. Even in this case, the transition of the body 40 from the retracted position to the standing position by the one-touch method can be achieved in the same way, as described above. In other words, the transition of the body 40 from the retracted position to the standing position by the one-touch method of the embodiment can be achieved in the same way by simply configuring the length of the first portion L1 of each leg 45 to be different from the length of the second portion L2, rather than being the same as the length of the first portion L1.

[0112] The technical features described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, 8, and 9 are similarly applicable to FIGS. 7a and 7b, and therefore will not be described again.

[0113] Although the embodiments have been described based on the limited embodiments and drawings as above, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a manner different from that described, or may be counterbalanced or replaced by other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0114] Therefore, different embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims provided they are equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10: Lower plate 30: 2nd board 50: Elastic tube 60: 1st board 100: Mobile device accessories

Claims

1. A mobile terminal accessory that is attached to a mobile terminal, A body with multiple legs, an elastic tube disposed to surround the body; a first plate coupled to a central portion of the body; and a second plate joining the end portion of the leg distal to the central portion; Including, the body is placed in a contracted position or an upright position by deforming the elastic tube in a horizontal axis direction by a force applied in a vertical axis direction of the body with the elastic tube disposed therein; The body is a first force pressing the body in a longitudinal direction of the body to secure the body in a contracted position; the body is fixed in an upright position by a second force in a direction opposite to the first force in the longitudinal axis direction of the body; each leg of the legs includes a joint; For each of the legs, a first length from the central portion to the joint portion and a second length from the joint portion to the terminal portion of each of the legs are different from each other; each leg bends at the joint due to the first force, thereby deforming the elastic tube in a lateral direction and positioning the body in the contracted position; The mobile terminal accessory, wherein each leg is extended by the joint portion due to the second force, thereby deforming the elastic tube in the horizontal axis direction and positioning the body in the upright position.

2. When the first force is applied to the body in the longitudinal direction of the body, the elastic tube contracts through a maximum lateral expansion state to a first contracted state, thereby fixing the body in the contracted position; When the second force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the body, the elastic tube contracts through a maximum lateral expansion position to a second contracted state to fix the body in the upright position; The mobile terminal accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic tube expands more in the first contracted state than in the second contracted state.

3. 2. The mobile terminal accessory of claim 1, wherein in the retracted position, a gap exists between the first plate and the second plate, and the second force applied through the gap causes the body to change from the retracted position to the upright position.

4. The mobile terminal accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the second plate includes an accommodation space that accommodates the body and at least a portion of the elastic tube in the contracted position.

5. the central portion includes a hole; the first plate includes a hole for connection to the central portion; The mobile terminal accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the body are joined by a ring member disposed through the hole in the central portion and the hole in the first plate.

6. the second plate includes holes for coupling with the end portions of the legs; The mobile terminal accessory according to claim 1 , wherein each of the legs includes a foot portion at the end portion for being fixed to an outer periphery of a hole in the second plate.

7. 2. The mobile terminal accessory of claim 1, wherein the circumference of at least a portion of a first portion surrounding each leg corresponding to the first length of the elastic tube is shorter than the circumference of a second portion surrounding each leg corresponding to the second length.

8. The circumference of the first portion increases from a portion surrounding the central portion to a third portion surrounding the articulation portion, The mobile terminal accessory of claim 8 , wherein the third portion is thicker than the remaining portion of the elastic tube.

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