Locking base for tablet stand

• US 10,085,551 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2018
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Network Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Engineered Network Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Floersch, Peter J., Nistler, Stephen A., Mclaughlin, Aaron Z., Smith, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liu, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morris, Taylor L
• Application Number:
  US15/962,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20180235362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 160 Days
• Field of Search: 248 741, 248 744, 248154, 2481761, 2481811, 2481812, 2481861, 2481862, 2483162, 248420, 248425, 403 90, 403261, 403297, 403309, 403344, 403361, 403367, 403371, 4033741, 403385
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/008 Tables or desks having means for applying electronic or electric devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0088 Appliance support having rotary joint or articulated connection
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/04 supported from table, floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction

Abstract

A lockable electronic tablet stand is described that allows rotation and fixes the tablet stand in a locked relation. The stand includes a base that allows the tablet stand to rotate about the base while cords extend through a center of the base.

Claims

1. An articulating electronic device stand for supporting an electronic device, said device stand comprising:

a base having a plate portion for mounting to a support structure and including an upper surface and a generally opposed lower surface and an aperture extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, and a column extending upwardly from the plate portion and circumaxially about the aperture to define a channel through the base along an axis, said column including an annular bevel extending frustoconically outwardly therefrom to define a bevel surface forming an obtuse angle with respect to an outer surface of the column;

an intermediate plate rotatably mounted about said column; and

a radially adjustable collar positioned about said column, said collar having a chamfer that is coordinatable with said annular bevel of said column to reposition said collar with respect to said column, wherein radial contraction of said collar about said column during contact between said chamfer and the bevel surface forces said collar axially downward toward the intermediate plate, the collar thus being capable of applying a first force to the intermediate plate and inducing a reaction force applied from the upper surface of the plate portion of the base to the intermediate plate, wherein the first force and the reaction force resist rotation of the intermediate plate with respect to the base.

2. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1, including a key disposed on one of said collar and said column, and a keyway configured to receive said key to prevent relative rotation between said collar and said column.

3. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1, including a first spacer ring between said collar and said intermediate plate.

4. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 3, including a second spacer ring between said plate portion of said base and said intermediate plate.

5. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 4 wherein the first force is applied against said first spacer ring to press upon the intermediate plate.

6. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 5 wherein the reaction force is applied against said second spacer ring to press upon the intermediate plate.

7. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1 wherein said intermediate plate is rotatable about the axis.

8. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1 including a tablet stand attached to said intermediate plate, said tablet stand being configured to removably engage with the electronic device.

9. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1, including a tensioning member coupled to said collar for adjusting an inner diameter of the collar.

10. An articulating electronic device stand as in claim 1, including an arcuate slot having first and second ends in said plate portion of said base, and a tab on said intermediate plate, wherein said tab is receivable in the arcuate slot to arrest relative rotation between said intermediate plate and said base when said tab contacts one of said first and second ends of the slot.