GB2361635A

GB2361635A - Adjustable set top box support

Info

Publication number: GB2361635A
Application number: GB0009988A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger David Britton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-26
Filing date: 2000-04-26
Publication date: 2001-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-26
Also published as: GB2361635B; GB0009988D0

Abstract

A set-top box support comprises a platform 101, with slot 102 and a single leg 103 pivotable through 360{ about pin 104. One surface of the leg in contact with the slot has fins (109) cut into it, with the corresponding surface of the slot having fins (107) proud of the surface. The two sets of fins comprise a ratchet mechanism which serves to lock the leg at a required angle. The leg may be extendable and the board may be contoured or contain a cut away portion (indicated by broken line) without affecting its utility.

Description

2361635 ADJUSTABLE SET TOP BOX SUPPORT The present invention relates to a

support or platform fitted with an adjustable stabiliser.

There is a type of consumer electronic equipment popularly known as a "set top" box. It can take the form of peripheral hardware to target equipment like a television set, a video recorder or a computer, receiving and/or generating signals and processing them for the target equipment.

Some examples of so-called set top boxes are digital broadcast decoders, satellite broadcast receivers, computer games consoles, external modems, zip drives, scanners, JO cdrom drives and video recorders themselves. They are all notable in that there is no provision for them to fufill the role indicated by their popular name. They will not stand on top of the set which they serve, because the platform offered by the set tops is both too small and the wrong shape.

1 It is an object of the present invention to provide a platform which will rest stably on the top of a television set or other signal processing device, in the manner of a three legged stool and provide support for set top boxes, and, typically, video recorders.

According to the present invention there is provided a platform dimensioned and shaped to suit the size of any set top box, whereon there is included a leg with a means to lock the leg in positions angular to the platform. Preferably the leg is so positioned, dimensioned and provided with adjustment that it provides three point, and thus stable, support for the platform on any size target equipment, having any depth and width and any slope on its structure.

In a preferred arrangement the leg is mounted rotatably in a slot in the platform large enough to allow 360 degree rotation of the leg in a plane at right angles to the plane of the platform, and retained in any selected position by a one way ratchet created by opposing radial obstructions integral with the leg and platform respectively, and moulded into their opposing surfaces. The opposing obstructions are so formed that they will slide over each other in one direction as the leg is rotated, but not in the other. In alternative construction arrangements, bolts, set screws, etc., can serve to lock the leg in place.

2 In use the platform rests on the top of the target equipment with its front edge on and in line with the front edge of the target equipment, acting as two of the three points of contact with the target equipment. The third point of contact, conferring stability upon the platform, is provided by the variable angle leg bearing on the casing of the target equipment. Its angle relative to the platform is adjusted to level the platform for it to receive and support the set top box.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

J0 Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of a preferred mechanism for locking the leg at a chosen angle to the platform.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a platform 10 1 embodying the invention consists of a suitably shaped flat plate which need not be continuous but have a cut-out centre, (representative cut-out shown by broken lines), provided with a slot or opening 102 on one side. Within the slot 102 lies a support leg 103 pivoted on a pin 104 and having a means 105 which will be described later, for locking it relative to the platform.

Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated the preferred means 105 of locking the leg 103 to the platform 10 1. On one or more internal faces 106 of the opening 102 is formed a plurality of small angled flaps or wedges 107 two of which are shown by way of example, the apex of each being in line with diametrically opposed radii of a hole 108 passing through the faces. The flaps or wedges are asymmetric in shape and taper towards the top and as a result they are flexible towards the top.

3 The leg 103 has a hole 109 near one end. Radially disposed around the hole on one or more sides of the leg are depressions 110 which mirror the shape of the flaps or wedges previously described.

When the leg 103 is placed between the faces 106 of the slot 102 the flaps or wedges 107 clip into the depressions I 10 and the pin 104 is a firrn fit in the hole 109 or in the hole 108, to retain the leg. By this means the leg is constrained to be rotatable in one direction only. If the leg is required to be free in the opposite direction the platform may be inverted without changing its ffinction. 10 In alternative embodiments the pin 104 may be substituted by a bolt and nut or a projection of the leg or the faces not illustrated, the wedge and depression system of unidiTectional locking may be substituted by a friction or interference washer not illustrated and the leg may be fitted with a means of making it extendible.

In all embodiments it is envisaged that suitable pressure pads will be fitted to the platform where it contacts the equipment with which it is intended to work.

4

Claims

1. A Set-top Box Support comprising a platform having a slot therein to receive a protruding leg, and, within the slot, the means to enable the leg to pivot through 3600 in the slot, and the means also therein, to lock the leg at any angle relative to, and at right angles to, the platform, to create a three-legged stable configuration for the platform when at rest on a supporting surface, either one way up or the other.

2. A set-top box support according to Claim 1, wherein a platform includes a slot to receive and restrain therein, a leg.

3. A set-top box support according to Claim 2 wherein the leg is constrained within the slot to pivot through 360' relative to the platform, and at right angles to it.

4. A set-top box support according to Claim 3 wherein the locking means preferred is provided by opposing radial wedges, or serrations, integral with the leg and platform, formed as Mirror images of each other, to slide over each other in one direction, but not in the other.

5. A set-top box support according to Claim 4 wherein the plane of the platform, when in use, may be adjusted relative to the surface on which it is standing by rotating the leg in the slot.

6. A set-top box support according to Claim 5 wherein the function of the platform is the same whichever way up it is standing.

7. A set-top box support according to Claim 6 wherein the platform may have any peripheral shape, or have an internal cut-out without impairing its function.

8. A set-top box support according to Claim 7 wherein the ratchet-like leg locking method may be substituted by a nut and bolt, a screw or a pin with a compression spring.

9. A set-top box support according to Claim 8 wherein the leg may be extendible.

10. A set-top box support according to Claim 9 wherein the leg may be provided with a friction washer at the point of contact with the platform.

11. A set-top box support according to Claim 10 wherein the platform and leg are fitted with anti-chafing pads.

12. A set-top box support device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.