In-wall dock for a tablet computer

• US 8,369,082 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Madonna, Robert P., Lacey, Kathleen M., Corsini, Peter H., Noonan, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jinhee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US12/850,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20120033375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 3616794-67945, 36167955-67958, 348/837
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 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 2200/02 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

In one embodiment, an in-wall dock for a tablet computer includes a rotatable receiving tray to which a tablet computer is secured. A housing of the in-wall dock is at least partially disposed within a wall cavity of a wall. The receiving tray is rotatably mounted to the housing. The receiving tray is configured to rotate from a first orientation disposed at an acute angle to a front face of the housing to permit engagement of the tablet computer with the receiving tray, to a second orientation that is substantially parallel to the front face of the housing and that prevents removal of the tablet computer from the receiving tray. A lock down mechanism retains the receiving tray in the second orientation. A removable bezel covers at least a portion of a front face of the housing and a front face of the tablet computer.

Claims

1. An in-wall dock for a tablet computer, comprising:

a housing configured to be at least partially disposed within a wall cavity of a wall of a structure, the housing including a front face that, when the housing is disposed within the wall cavity, is arranged substantially parallel with a wall surface of the wall;

an attachment mechanism configured to engage the wall surface to prevent movement of the housing with respect to the wall when disposed within the wall cavity;

a receiving tray rotatably mounted to the housing, the receiving tray configured to rotate from a first orientation disposed at an acute angle to the front face of the housing that permits engagement of the tablet computer with the receiving tray, to a second orientation that is substantially parallel to the front face of the housing and prevents removal of the tablet computer from the receiving tray;

a lock down mechanism configured to, when engaged, retain the receiving tray in the second orientation, the lock down mechanism requiring use of a separate tool or key to be disengaged; and

a removable bezel configured to secure over the housing, and, when so secured, to cover at least a portion of a front face of the housing and at least a portion of a front face of the tablet computer.

2. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the lock down mechanism comprises:

a fastener that extends through a portion of the receiving tray into a projection of the housing.

3. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more retaining mechanisms configured to retain the tablet computer to the receiving tray and substantially prevent movement of the tablet computer with respect to the receiving tray in directions normal to a major axis of the tablet computer.

4. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 3, wherein the one or more retaining mechanisms comprise:

one or more retaining flanges.

5. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second inner sidewalls of the housing configured to engage opposing ends of the tablet computer and substantially prevent movement of the tablet computer in directions parallel to a major axis of the tablet computer.

6. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the bezel, when secured, also covers at least a portion of the wall surface of the wall.

7. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a magnet closure configured to removably attach the bezel to the housing.

8. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic removal detection system configured to detect removal of the tablet computer from the in-wall dock.

9. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 8, wherein the electronic removal detection system comprises a contact closure that is opened when the tablet computer is removed from the in-wall dock, thereby breaking an electric circuit.

10. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a male 30-pin dock connection plug configured to engage a female 30-pin connector on the tablet computer.

11. An in-wall dock for a tablet computer, comprising:

a housing configured to be at least partially disposed within a wall cavity of a wall, the housing including a front face that, when the housing is disposed within the wall cavity, is arranged substantially parallel with a wall surface of the wall;

an attachment mechanism configured to engage the wall surface to prevent movement of the housing with respect to the wall when disposed within the wall cavity;

a receiving tray mounted to the housing, the receiving tray configured to engage the tablet computer;

a lock down mechanism coupled to the receiving tray and configured to, when engaged, and in conjunction with the receiving tray, retain the tablet computer and substantially prevent the tablet computer'"'"'s removal from the in-wall dock, the lock down mechanism requiring use of a separate tool or key to be disengaged; and

a bezel configured to cover at least a portion of a front face of the tablet computer.

12. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 11 wherein the receiving tray is rotatably mounted to the housing, and is configured to rotate from a first orientation disposed at an acute angle to the front face of the housing that permits engagement of the tablet computer with the receiving tray, to a second orientation that is substantially parallel to the front face of the housing.

13. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 11, wherein the lock down mechanism comprises:

a fastener that extends through a portion of the receiving tray into a projection of the housing.

14. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 11, further comprising:

a magnet closure configured to removably attach the bezel to the housing.

15. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 11, further comprising:

an electronic removal detection system configured to detect removal of the tablet computer from the in-wall dock.

16. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 11, further comprising:

a male 30-pin dock connection plug configured to engage a female 30-pin connector on the tablet computer.

17. An in-wall dock for a tablet computer, comprising:

means for housing configured to be at least partially disposed within a wall cavity of a wall;

means for attaching configured to prevent movement of the housing with respect to the wall when disposed within the wall cavity;

means for receiving the tablet computer, the means for receiving the tablet computer configured to rotate from a first orientation that permits engagement of the tablet computer with the means for receiving, to a second orientation that prevents removal of the tablet computer from the means for receiving; and

means for covering configured to secure over the means for housing, and, when so secured, to cover at least a portion of a front face of the means for housing and at least a portion of a front face of the tablet computer.

18. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 17, further comprising:

means for electronically detecting removal of the tablet computer from the in-wall dock.

19. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 17, further comprising:

a male 30-pin dock connection plug configured to engage a female 30-pin connector on the tablet computer.

20. The in-wall dock for a tablet computer of claim 17, further comprising

means for locking down configured to, when engaged, retain the tablet computer and substantially prevent the tablet computer'"'"'s removal from the in-wall dock, the means for locking down requiring use of a tool or key to be disengaged.