Seatback holder for tablet computers

• US 8,851,565 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Hontz, Jeffrey W., Pozzi, Alexander Nicholas, Johnson, Glenn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US13/439,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20120248833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.04, 297/188.06
• US Class Current: 297/188.06
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders

Abstract

A seatback holder for a tablet computer including a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.

Claims

1. A seatback holder for tablet computers, comprising:

a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket, the bracket configured to engage a ledge and a top of the seatback pocket and compress to urge against the ledge and the top of the seatback pocket to retain the seatback holder in the seatback pocket, the bracket having a first portion shaped to seat on the ledge and a release bar compressible in a direction toward the first portion such that the bracket compresses vertically when engaged within the seatback pocket and expands vertically when removed from the seatback pocket; and

a frame pivotably connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and present the tablet computer for viewing and use, the frame configured to pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.

2. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the release bar and the first portion together form a V-spring.

3. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the release bar is pivotally attached to the first portion.

4. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is padded.

5. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the frame is an open-faced sleeve into which the tablet computer is slid into from vertically above.

6. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the frame covers portions of a frame of the tablet computer.

7. The seatback holder according to claim 1, wherein the frame defines one or more openings therethrough aligned with underlying buttons or ports of the tablet computer.

8. A tablet computer holder assembly, comprising:

a holder including a bracket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket, the frame configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and present the tablet computer for viewing and use and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback; and

a pocket insert for installation within a seatback pocket, the pocket insert retaining the bracket therein in a compressed state to prevent the holder from being removed therefrom;

the bracket having a first portion shaped to seat on a ledge of the pocket insert and a release bar compressible in a direction toward the first portion such that the bracket compresses vertically when engaged within the pocket insert and expands vertically when removed from the pocket insert.

9. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 8, wherein the release bar defines a projection extending vertically upward therefrom and the pocket insert defines a complimentary recess in the underside of the top surface thereof within which the projection engages when the bracket is attached to the pocket insert.

10. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 9, wherein the release bar is compressible in the direction of the first portion to clear the projection from the complimentary recess to remove the holder from the pocket insert.

11. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 8, wherein the release bar is pivotally attached to the first portion.

12. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first portion is padded.

13. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame is an open-faced sleeve into which the tablet computer is slid into from vertically above.

14. The tablet computer holder assembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame defines one or more openings therethrough aligned with underlying buttons or ports of the tablet computer.