Tablet mounting systems, stands, and methods

• US 9,163,779 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Funk, Joe, Lindblad, Shaun C.
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US13/651,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20130092811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 248/309.1, 248/346.01, 248/346.03, 248/176.1, 361/679.01, 361/679.03
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Embodiments of a tablet mounting system include a detachable tablet stand and a tablet mount. The tablet stand is configured to releasably retain a tablet and to rest on a horizontal surface such that a plane defined by the tablet stand forms an angle with the horizontal surface. The formed angle is equal to or greater than zero, and less than or equal to ninety degrees. The tablet mount is configured to attach to a support member. The tablet mount is configured to releasably retain the tablet stand and the tablet retained within the tablet stand. The tablet stand can be configured to releasably retain a tablet by compression against a length of the tablet or by compression against a thickness of the tablet. The tablet mount can include a docking station that has a connector configured to connect with a port on a tablet.

Claims

1. A tablet mounting system comprising:

a detachable tablet stand configured to rest on a horizontal surface and releasably retain a tablet, the tablet stand having;

a body portion having a first surface configured to receive and support a back surface of a tablet,

a stand portion configured to attach to the body portion, the stand portion having an open position in which the stand portion is pivoted away from the body portion to support the tablet in an inclined position, and a closed position in which the stand portion is pivoted toward the body portion to support the tablet in a generally horizontal position; and

a tablet mount configured to releasably retain the tablet stand and the tablet retained within the tablet stand within at least a portion of a perimeter of the tablet mount, the tablet mount further configured to rest on the horizontal surface while supporting the retained tablet stand and tablet,

the tablet mount including a docking station having a connector configured to connect with a port on the tablet.

2. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tablet stand is configured to releasably retain the tablet by compression against a length of the tablet.

3. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tablet stand is configured to releasably retain the tablet by compression against a thickness of the tablet.

4. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, wherein the docking station is configured to align the tablet such that the port in the tablet aligns with and connects to the connector as the tablet is positioned in the docking station.

5. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tablet mount comprises a support body and a first edge portion coupled to and extending from the support body, the first edge portion configured to receive and support a first edge of the retained tablet.

6. The tablet mounting system of claim 5, wherein the tablet mount further comprises a latching mechanism coupled to the support body opposite from the first edge portion, the latching mechanism configured to engage a second edge of the retained tablet opposite the first edge so as to releasably retain the tablet within the tablet mount.

7. The tablet mounting system of claim 6, wherein the tablet mount further comprises a second edge portion and a third edge portion coupled to and extending from the support body, the second edge portion configured to engage a third edge of the retained tablet and the third edge portion configured to engage a fourth edge of the retained tablet, whereby the first edge portion, the second edge portion, the third edge portion, and the latching mechanism releasably retain the tablet within the tablet mount during rotation of the tablet mount between a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.

8. The tablet mounting system of claim 6, wherein the tablet mount comprises at least one ejection member extending from the first edge portion of the tablet mount, the ejection member configured to engage the first edge of the retained tablet and biased to urge the first edge of the retained tablet away from the first edge portion of the tablet mount.

9. The tablet mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to engage with a surface, a support member coupled to the base, and wherein the tablet mount is attached to the support member to position the tablet mount and the retained tablet relative to the surface.

11. The tablet mounting system of claim 1 wherein the stand portion includes a hinge, and the stand portion is configured to attach to the body portion using the hinge.

10. A tablet mounting system comprising:

a detachable tablet stand having a first surface configured to receive and support a back surface of a tablet, the tablet stand configured to releasably retain the tablet, the tablet stand further configured to rest on a horizontal surface such that a plane generally parallel with the first surface of the tablet stand forms an angle with the horizontal surface, the formed angle being equal to or greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees; and

a tablet mount configured to releasably retain the tablet stand and the tablet retained within the tablet stand, the tablet mount including;

a support body defining a recessed portion for receiving and storing the tablet stand in a folded configuration;

a first edge portion coupled to and extending from the support body, the first edge portion configured to receive and support a first edge of the retained tablet;

a latching mechanism coupled to the support body opposite from the first edge portion, the latching mechanism configured to engage a second edge of the retained tablet opposite the first edge so as to releasably retain the tablet within the tablet mount; and

at least one ejection member extending from the first edge portion of the tablet mount, the ejection member configured to engage the first edge of the retained tablet and biased to urge the first edge of the retained tablet away from the first edge portion of the tablet mount.