Display stand for a tablet computer

• US 9,163,433 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Sedon, Nicholas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US14/059,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20140118930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.57, 70/58
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/0042 for flat articles, e.g. panels, tiles A47F7/0014, A47F7/14, A47F7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display stand for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft. The display stand may include a sleeve configured to at least partially receive a tablet computer therein and a base configured to releasably engage the sleeve. The base may be configured to engage the sleeve in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base and to disengage the sleeve in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base.

Claims

1. A display stand for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the display stand comprising:

a sleeve configured to at least partially receive a tablet computer therein; and

a base configured to removably support the sleeve and the tablet computer thereon in a display orientation, the base comprising a lock configured to releasably engage the sleeve, the base configured to engage the sleeve in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base and to disengage the sleeve in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base, the tablet computer configured to be selectively positioned on the base in the locked configuration in one of a plurality of display orientations,

wherein the lock is an electronic lock configured to communicate with an electronic key for unlocking the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base.

2. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a first portion and a second portion that are configured to engage one another to secure the tablet computer therein.

3. The display stand of claim 2, wherein the tablet computer comprises opposing sides extending between opposing ends, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprises peripheral sides and a peripheral end configured to overlie and enclose the opposing sides and one of the opposing ends.

4. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a locking lug configured to releasably engage the base.

5. The display stand of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a recess configured to at least partially receive the locking lug therein.

6. The display stand of claim 4, wherein the base comprises at least one locking stud configured to releasably engage the locking lug.

7. The display stand of claim 6, wherein the locking lug comprises a groove configured to be releasably engaged by the at least one locking stud.

8. The display stand of claim 6, wherein the at least one locking stud is configured to be mechanically biased into engagement with the locking lug.

9. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the electronic lock is configured to receive electrical power from the electronic key for operating the electronic lock.

10. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the electronic lock comprises a security code, and wherein the electronic lock is configured to unlock in response to receiving a matching security code from the electronic key.

11. The display stand of claim 1, further comprising an alarm unit disposed within the base, wherein the alarm unit is configured to activate an alarm in the event that the sleeve and the tablet computer are removed from the base in an unauthorized manner.

12. The display stand of claim 11, wherein the alarm unit is configured to communicate with the electronic key for arming or disarming thereof.

13. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the base comprises means for charging the tablet computer or transferring power to the tablet computer.

16. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a switch configured to detect removal of the sleeve from the base.

17. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the plurality of display orientations comprises a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.

18. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to rotate relative to the base about an axis.

19. The display stand of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of display orientations of the tablet computer is disposed perpendicular to the axis.

14. A display stand for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the display stand comprising:

a sleeve configured to at least partially receive a tablet computer therein;

a base configured to releasably engage the sleeve; and

a lock configured to lock the sleeve and the tablet computer to the base so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base; and

an electronic key configured to transfer power to the lock to unlock the lock so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base.

15. A method for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the method comprising:

positioning a tablet computer within a sleeve;

locking the sleeve and the tablet computer to the base so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base; and

selectively positioning the tablet computer on the base in one of a plurality of display orientations while locked to the base

unlocking the lock with an electronic key so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base.

20. A display stand for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the display stand comprising:

a sleeve configured to at least partially receive a tablet computer therein; and

a base configured to removably support the sleeve and the tablet computer thereon in a display orientation, the base comprising a lock configured to releasably engage the sleeve, the base configured to engage the sleeve in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base and to disengage the sleeve in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base,

wherein the lock is an electronic lock configured to communicate with an electronic key for unlocking the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base.

21. The display stand of claim 20, further comprising an alarm unit disposed within the base, wherein the alarm unit is configured to activate an alarm in the event that the sleeve and the tablet computer are removed from the base in an unauthorized manner.

22. The display stand of claim 20, wherein the tablet computer is configured to be selectively positioned on the base in the locked configuration in one of a plurality of display orientations.

23. The display stand of claim 22, wherein the plurality of display orientations comprises a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.

24. The display stand of claim 20, wherein the electronic lock comprises a security code, and wherein the electronic lock is configured to unlock in response to receiving a matching security code from the electronic key.