Tablet mounting systems and methods

• US 8,833,716 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Funk, Joe, Lindblad, Shaun C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US13/650,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20130277520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 248/309.1, 248/316.1, 248/313, 248/292.12, 248/346.06, 248/918, 248/316.4, 248/924, 379/426, 379/446, 379/454, 379/455, 361/679.01, 361/807
• US Class Current: 248/316.4
• 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 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/06 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/97 Holders with separate means to prevent loosening of the coupling or unauthorised removal of apparatus held
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49817 with other than ancillary treating or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]

Abstract

A tablet mounting system for mounting a tablet. A tablet mounting system with an interface for attaching the mounted tablet to a support object. A tablet mounting system with edge retaining members to retain the tablet.

Claims

1. A tablet mounting system comprising:

a tablet support body having a first surface configured to receive and support a tablet;

an interface for attaching the tablet support body to an apparatus that is adapted to position the tablet support body relative to a support surface; and

at least a first edge retaining member, a second edge retaining member, a third edge retaining member, and a fourth edge retaining member,

the first edge retaining member extending from the tablet support body and being configured to retain a first edge of the supported tablet,

the second edge retaining member extending from the tablet support body and being configured to retain a second edge of the supported tablet opposite the first edge,

the third edge retaining member extending from the tablet support body and being configured to retain a third edge of the supported tablet adjacent the first edge, and

the fourth edge retaining member extending from the tablet support body and being configured to retain a fourth edge of the supported tablet opposite the third edge,

each of the first edge retaining member, the second edge retaining member, the third edge retaining member, and the fourth edge retaining member being movable relative to the tablet support body so as to releasably retain the supported tablet adjacent the tablet support body,

wherein movement of one of the first and the second edge retaining members causes synchronous movement of the other of the first and the second edge retaining members relative to the tablet support body to releasably retain the supported tablet.

2. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first edge retaining member comprises a first arm extending away from the tablet support body and wherein the second edge retaining member comprises a second arm extending away from the tablet support body in an opposite direction from the first arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm engage opposing edges of the supported tablet and wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm is adjustable relative to the tablet support body so as to releasably retain the supported tablet.

3. A tablet mounting system comprising:

a tablet support body having an interface for coupling to a support apparatus, the tablet support body comprising a peripheral edge and a first surface configured to receive and support a tablet; and

a clamping mechanism configured to releasably retain the supported tablet adjacent the tablet support body, the clamping mechanism comprising;

a first engagement arm, a second engagement arm, a third engagement arm, and a fourth engagement arm, each of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement arms extending from the tablet support body proximate the peripheral edge, each of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement arms configured to engage edges of the supported tablet, and each of the first second, third, and fourth engagement arms being movable relative to the tablet support body so as to releasably retain the supported tablet adjacent the tablet support body,

wherein movement of one of the first and the second engagement arms causes synchronous movement of the other of the first and the second engagement arms relative to the tablet support body to releasably retain the supported tablet.

4. The tablet mounting system of claim 3, further comprising a gear mechanism coupling the first and the second engagement arms, wherein the movement of one of the first and the second engagement arms causes the movement of the other of the first and the second engagement arms relative to the tablet support body to releasably retain the supported tablet.

5. The tablet mounting system of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock movement of the first engagement arm when the locking mechanism is engaged and to permit movement of the first engagement arm when the locking mechanism is disengaged.

6. The tablet mounting system of claim 5, wherein the first engagement arm comprises a row of teeth and the locking mechanism comprises a locking bracket comprising teeth configured to engage the row of teeth on the first engagement arm.

7. The tablet mounting system of claim 6, wherein the locking bracket is spring loaded so as to be normally engaged with the first engagement arm.

8. The tablet mounting system of claim 5, further comprising a bias spring coupled to the first engagement arm that urges the first engagement arm out away from an edge of the supported tablet when the locking mechanism is disengaged.

9. The tablet mounting system of claim 8, further comprising a dampening gear coupled to the first engagement arm and configured to provide resistance to the movement of the first engagement arm relative to the tablet support body.

10. The tablet mounting system of claim 3, further comprising one or more spacers attached to the first surface of the tablet support body.

11. The tablet mounting system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and the second engagement arms comprises an aperture for receiving a tablet connector there through for connecting the tablet connector to a port in the supported tablet.

12. A tablet mounting system comprising:

a tablet support body having a first surface configured to receive and support a tablet;

an interface for attaching the tablet support body to an apparatus that is adapted to position the tablet support body; and

a clamping mechanism configured to releasably retain the supported tablet adjacent the tablet support body, the clamping mechanism comprising;

first and second edge retaining members extending from the tablet support body generally along a first directional line in relation to the tablet support body, the first and the second edge retaining members being configured to retain, respectively, opposing first and second edges of the supported tablet, and

third and fourth edge retaining members extending from the tablet support body generally along a second directional line substantially perpendicular to the first directional line, the third and the fourth edge retaining members being configured to retain, respectively, opposing third and fourth edges of the supported tablet,

each of the first, second, third, and fourth edge retaining members being movable relative to the tablet support body so as to releasably retain the supported tablet adjacent the tablet support body,

Wherein movement of one of the first and the second edge retaining members causes synchronous movement of the other of the first and the second edge retaining members relative to the tablet support body to releasably retain the supported tablet.

13. The tablet mounting system of claim 12, wherein the first and second edge retaining members comprise first and the second engagement arms, respectively.

14. The tablet mounting system of claim 12, wherein the first edge retaining member comprises a spring-biased first engagement arm movable relative to the tablet support body, and further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock movement of the first engagement arm when the locking mechanism is engaged and to permit movement of the first engagement arm when the locking mechanism is disengaged.