Multipurpose mobile stand

A multifunctional stand that can be used as 

• A normal phone stand
• A pad stand (including pen holder)
• A wall charger
• A travel companion (seat-pocket hang-on)
• A hiking/trekking partner (tent-pole mode)
• As a webcam holder for PC/Laptop screens
• A ‘Bunkbed’ mode
• A stand for taking vertical night sky photos

April '24 Update

I've made a few improvements to the model and updated the .stl's. They are listed below. Note that I've retained some old model pictures in my walkthrough (I'll update them later), but updated the texts where appropriate. 

1. I've made the support legs much stronger. They will still break if bent too much, but should now work as intended.
2. I've added holes/removed material to lighten the model and use less filament to print.
3. I've removed some unused/unsupported features (holes) from the bottom.stl
4. I've changed this to a bigger hole, to allow for a strap or something similar for better support when used with a tent pole (see updated paragraph)

Overview

Here's a quick overview. How to use the parts in different modes will be explained in more detail below.

1. Multipurposue bottom part (bottom.stl)
2. Main phone/pad stand (main.stl)
3. Support to keep phone more steady (support.stl)
4. (removed)  
5. Attachment point for a screw 
6. Indent, for alternative hanging mode. 
   Also added an indent for when fastening to a tent pole.
7. Same as 6
8. If your phone or pad has a pen, this is the place for it ;-)
9. Hole to put the charging cable through
10. Same as 9
11. There is a small indent on each side to keep the rubber band in place
12. Storage space for the ‘Bottom’ part
13. Same as 5

The different use modes:

As a normal stand 

This is the normal mode. You can choose any angle between 1 and 5, but note that only 1 and 2 will support a pad. Although you can try, angles steeper than 2 will probably tip the stand and pad over.

When in position 1, the hole (6) punches all the way through so you can attach a cable for charging.

If your phone or pad has an accompanying pen, you can put it in the hole (7). It is tilted away from the screen on purpose because it is more logical to pick it up (more towards you as the user), and so that it is not too close to, and obscures the screen. If you want the pen out of the way, just use the gap (8). See photos in the above carousel for examples of this. 

Upright position

Combine the stand as shown in this picture to use the phone in an almost upright position

For taking vertical night sky photos

Though only a small feature, you can set the stand to a ‘flat’ position, put the phone backside up, and provide a stable way to take vetical (night sky) photos. However, since the screen is down and mostly obscured, you might need to set it on a timer, have access to a floating button, s-pen acting as a remote shutter (Samsung Galaxy Note/Ultra series), or other means to trigger the shutter.

As a wall charger

If you use a small screw on the wall, you can easily and securely hang the stand up on the wall (1). Make sure you use the uppermost angle/setting (2) so the phone or stand tilts towards the wall. 

Then, attach the charging cable through the hole in the bottom (3), and if needed, use the ‘hook’  (4) to wrap up the cable as needed.

..or just hanging around

Alternatively, you can use the same screw to hang up the stand in compact mode (see below) using either indent on it.

Compact mode - for when traveling

The parts are made for each other! Just put them together as the image shows and you should be good to go. The stand is big, and this is the best I could do to both make it more transportable and fit snuggly together.

Flight mode (or wherever a seat pocket / hang-on option is available)

Aaah, finally a solution for watching a movie independent of whether the seat tray is up or down.  Just turn and combine the parts as shown and hang them on the front seat's pocket edge. But be sure to use the upper notch (2) to ensure a secure angle.

To make it even more secure, I recommend using the ‘Support.stl’ part in this scenario, including using a rubber band over it and one of the lower-most notches (also see image below).

… also for inward slanted seats

Sometimes seats like this (and thus the pocket) are slanted inward (1). This is easily fixed. Take out the ‘support’ part and use it in the two holes on the lower end of the main part (2). Push the stand out until it has the desired inward tilt  (4) and use a rubber band to tie/lock the support in place (3).

Out hiking/trekking?

I've added an indent to the ‘bottom.stl’ (1) that should be about the right size to set it - and keep it steady - on a trekking pole or a tent pole. Use a strap or something similar through the hole in the main.stl (2) and secure it around the tent pole.

Also, as you might have spotted from the second example below since the stand is slightly tilted, you might want to use the ‘support.stl’ in this scenario (3) to keep the phone from falling out.

And on request - Bunkbed underside mode (aka: cabin mode)

I got an odd challenge - “Provide a ‘cabin-mode': the ability to hang it up / slide it in on a bed plank (1), so that the user could watch a movie while laying in the lower bunk bed, and using the planks from the above bed as support.”

Though I haven't tried this, the image shows how this can be done. Note that one should add a screw (2) to make the contraption more secure.  Also (again) make sure to use the right notch (3).

Here you should also use the ‘Support’ part, though I highly recommend the optional ‘Support_v2’, which has the PLA rods removed and I've made holes for you to find and use metal rods instead. I take no responsibility for you getting knocked out cold when the PLA rods break and the phone makes a crashlanding on your face.

Also, while not required, it is recommended to have a rubberband to keep the parts firmly together when in compact mode. Also, some of its functionality - such as the ‘when seat slanted’ - requires one to keep the supports locked.

All that being said, have fun, leave a like and comment (such as requests for improvements or even more functionality to cram into the design), and if you use it (in a creative way) let us all see it via a picture below. 

As a webcam mount

This stand can also be used as a webcam mount on both PC screens and (more tilted) laptop screens. Set up as shown in these pictures, and use this guide if you don't know how to enable using your phone - with far better optics than your PC camera - on your PC.

Tip tip anti-slip

Since you (should) have a rubber band at hand, use it as illustrated below to add some anti-slip to the setup :-) 

A note about printing the .stl's

I've worked hard to find a balance and solution so you can print everything in one go. It should take about 9 hours (depending on your printer and setup of course), and thus offers a nice little overnight print. 

I suggest 20% infill, and the main.stl and bottom.stl only need a couple of small supports, as shown in the upper inset in the image above. 

Do NOT use (automatic) support, as this will fill inside parts of the model you'll not be able to remove the support from afterward! I've tested and retested this model so you should not need it.

Some final thoughts

This has been the most enjoyable 3D model project I've done so far, and one that even my coworkers got in on (hence the request for a ‘bunkbed mode). 

I’ll keep adding to and updating the model from time to time, so keep an eye on this page, and please let me know if you have any requests or tips on improving it.

Enjoy :-)