IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,298,803
Granted Patent B2
US 12,298,803 · App. 18/186,031 · Granted May 13, 2025

Kickstand for opening foldable computing device

Inventors: Daniel Clark Park (Woodinville, WA); Michael Gordon Oldani (Redmond, WA)
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
G06F1/1607A45C11/00F16M11/2021F16M11/2085F16M13/005G06F1/1616A45C2011/002A45C2011/003A45C2200/15
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,298,803
App. No.
18/186,031
Granted
May 13, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Examples of kickstand assemblies for foldable computing devices are provided. In one example, in a foldable computing device comprising a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame, a method of using a kickstand assembly to release the first frame and the second frame from a closed orientation comprises sliding an upper kickstand plate of the kickstand assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first frame. The method includes, at least on condition of sliding the upper kickstand plate in the lateral direction, biasing the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from the closed orientation.

Claims (22)

1. A kickstand assembly for a foldable computing device comprising a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame, the second frame comprising a frame opening magnet, the kickstand assembly comprising:

a backplate comprising a backplate deploy magnet;

an upper kickstand plate slidably connected to the backplate;

a lower kickstand plate rotatably coupled to the upper kickstand plate and comprising:

a closing magnet that attracts the backplate deploy magnet; and

a kickstand opening magnet laterally spaced from the closing magnet, the kickstand opening magnet repelling the backplate deploy magnet to cause the lower kickstand plate to rotate about the upper kickstand plate when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate; and

a device opening magnet that repels the frame opening magnet in the second frame to bias the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from a closed orientation when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate.

2. The kickstand assembly of claim 1 , wherein the device opening magnet is in the upper kickstand plate.

3. The kickstand assembly of claim 1 , wherein the device opening magnet is in the lower kickstand plate.

4. The kickstand assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame opening magnet is a first frame opening magnet, the second frame comprises a second frame opening magnet, the device opening magnet is a first device opening magnet in the upper kickstand plate, and the lower kickstand plate comprises a second device opening magnet that repels the second frame opening magnet in the second frame to bias the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from the closed orientation when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate.

5. The kickstand assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second frame comprises a frame holding magnet and the upper kickstand plate comprises a plate holding magnet, wherein the plate holding magnet attracts the frame holding magnet to retain the first frame and the second frame in an open orientation.

6. The kickstand assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower kickstand plate is rotatably coupled to the upper kickstand plate at a kickstand hinge that comprises a biaser that biases the lower kickstand plate away from the backplate.

7. A kickstand assembly for a foldable computing device comprising a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame, the second frame comprising a frame holding magnet, the kickstand assembly comprising:

a backplate comprising a backplate deploy magnet;

an upper kickstand plate slidably connected to the backplate, the upper kickstand plate comprising a plate holding magnet;

a lower kickstand plate rotatably coupled to the upper kickstand plate and comprising:

a closing magnet that attracts the backplate deploy magnet; and

a kickstand opening magnet laterally spaced from the closing magnet, the kickstand opening magnet repelling the backplate deploy magnet to cause the lower kickstand plate to rotate about the upper kickstand plate when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate;

wherein the plate holding magnet attracts the frame holding magnet to retain the first frame and the second frame in an open orientation.

8. The kickstand assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second frame comprises a frame opening magnet, and the kickstand assembly further comprising a device opening magnet that repels the frame opening magnet in the second frame to bias the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from a closed orientation when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate.

9. The kickstand assembly of claim 8 , wherein the frame opening magnet is a first frame opening magnet, the second frame comprises a second frame opening magnet FIG. 24 , the device opening magnet is a first device opening magnet in the upper kickstand plate, and the lower kickstand plate comprises a second device opening magnet that repels the second frame opening magnet in the second frame to bias the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from the closed orientation when the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate.

10. The kickstand assembly of claim 7 , wherein the lower kickstand plate is rotatably coupled to the upper kickstand plate at a kickstand hinge that comprises a biaser that biases the lower kickstand plate away from the backplate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2023
From: PARK, DANIEL CLARK; OLDANI, MICHAEL GORDON
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 063023/0184 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 18069180 · Dec 20, 2022
Related Publication 20240201734A1 · Jun 20, 2024
References Cited (29)
US 10606314B1 · Takano · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20110031287A1 · Le Gette et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20180052498A1 · Nakagaki · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190107245A1 · Torres · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190278324A1 · Yoon · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20190335258A1 · Vaturi · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20210112673A1 · Justin · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210311523A1 · Bai · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220197352A1 · Nishi · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220413550A1 · Huang · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230044946A1 · Watamura · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230119798A1 · Atom · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230195176A1 · Perelli · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20240004426A1 · Yamada · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20240201747A1 · Gordon et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
CN 215734398U · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 217445401U · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CN 115552353A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
JP 2020198605A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
KR 20210094923A · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021171017A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance mailed on Apr. 22, 2024, in U.S. Appl. No. 18/069,180, 09 pages. [cited by applicant]
“DailyObjects Finger Grip/Mobile Stand for Smartphones—Red Skate Slider Phone Holder”, Retrieved From: https://www.amazon.in/DailyObjects-Finger-Mobile-Stand-Smartphones/dp/B09P86SPVH, Nov. 10, 2022, 5 Pages. [cited by applicant]
“Galaxy Z Fold4 Camera Protection Camshield Pro Case”, Retrieved From: https://www.shopbasic.in/products/galaxy-z-fold4-camera-protection-camshield-pro-case, Nov. 10, 2022, 8 Pages. [cited by applicant]
“Galaxy Z Fold4 Luxury Colored Strap Glass Flip Case”, Retreived From: https://icasecart.com/products/galaxy-z-fold4-luxury-colored-strap-glass-flip-case, Nov. 10, 2022, pp. 1-8. [cited by applicant]
“Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 GKK Integrated Magnetic Armor Flip Phone Case With Pen Box(Grey)”, Retrieved From: https://in.buy2fix.store/products/for-samsung-galaxy-z-fold4-gkk-integrated-magnetic-armor-flip-phone-case-with-… [cited by applicant]
“Tizum Z117—Universal Foldable Handheld Mobile Holder Kickstand, Horizontal or Vertical Phone Stand Hand, Finger Grip, Magnetic Suction Folding Bracket Leather Finish (Set of 3)”, Jan. 24, 2023, Retrieved From: https://… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT Application No. PCT/US2023/035757 mailed on Jan. 26, 2024, 13 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion received for PCT Application No. PCT/US2023/036323 mailed on Jan. 26, 2024, 14 pages. [cited by applicant]