Plush Animal Tablet Support with Auxiliary Incline Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for tablet computers, often designed to resemble pillows or toys, fail to securely hold the device, leading to dislodgment when physically moved, as they are not engineered to provide significant strength or engagement with the tablet.
Innovation Solution
A plush animal structure with a torso, legs, and arms forming a receptacle, featuring an auxiliary support surface between the legs and high-friction hand paws, securely holds the tablet at an inclined angle, utilizing dual filling materials for stability and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the support is made to resemble a pillow or plush toy for decorative purposes, then the aesthetic appeal and secondary utility are improved, but the engagement strength and security of holding the tablet computer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plush animal structure is divided into distinct functional segments: the receptacle area formed by torso/legs/arms for holding the tablet, the auxiliary support surface between the legs for inclined positioning, and high-friction hand paws for securing the device. Each segment serves a specific function while maintaining the overall decorative appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the plush animal structure have different properties optimized for their specific functions. The hand paws have high-friction surfaces for gripping, the auxiliary support surface provides inclined support, and the receptacle area provides containment. This local differentiation allows the support to maintain both aesthetic appeal and functional effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If the support structure is made soft and plush for comfort and decoration, then the aesthetic appeal and comfort are improved, but the ability to securely retain the tablet computer when moved deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plush structure incorporates localized high-friction hand paws in specific positions within the receptacle area. These high-friction surfaces are strategically placed to grip the tablet computer, providing secure retention while the rest of the structure remains soft and plush for comfort and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into retention-critical areas (hand paws with high friction) and comfort areas (soft plush surfaces). This segmentation allows the support to provide both comfort during use and secure retention during movement without compromising either function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support is designed to be movable and portable, then the ease of transport and flexibility are improved, but the stability and resistance to dislodgment of the tablet computer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates localized high-friction hand paws and an auxiliary support surface in strategic positions. These localized features provide stable tablet retention even when the overall plush structure is moved or repositioned, allowing the support to be both portable and stable.
Solution Approach 2:
The plush animal structure is designed to be flexible and movable as a whole, while containing dynamic retention mechanisms (high-friction hand paws, inclined support surface) that adapt to movement. The structure can be repositioned easily but maintains tablet security through its dynamically adaptive retention features.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for supporting a tablet computer or similar electronic device. The assembly utilizes a plush animal structure as a support stand. The plush animal structure has a torso, legs that extend from the torso to form a lap area, and arms that extend from the torso. The torso, legs and arms define a receptacle area sized to receive and retain the tablet computer. An auxiliary object extends between the legs of the plush animal structure in the lap area. The auxiliary object forms a support surface between the legs in the lap area against which the tablet computer abuts when the tablet computer is in said receptacle area. The support surface is slightly forward of the arms. Consequently, when in the receptacle area, the tablet computer is inclined at a slight angle as it abuts against the support surface.