Tablet and monitor support systems

• US 9,207,722 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Ergun, Mustafa A., Lindblad, Shaun C., Tischer, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROJAS, BERNARD
• Application Number:
  US13/650,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20130279106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.21, 361/679.26, 361/679.27, 361/679.29
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/043 adjustable, foldable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

Support systems and related methods for supporting tablets and monitors. A stand that includes a monitor support portion configured to support a monitor and a tablet support portion configured to support a tablet.

Claims

1. A tablet and monitor stand comprising:

a vertical riser;

a monitor support portion having;

a front portion and a rear portion, the monitor support portion front portion configured to support a monitor, the monitor support portion rear portion configured to attach to the vertical riser; and

a top portion having a top edge, the top edge having a length, the top portion defining a recessed region that extends along at least a portion of the length of the top edge, the recessed region defining a tablet support portion that is configured to receive and releasably support an edge of a tablet,

wherein the tablet support portion is positioned behind the supported monitor,

wherein the tablet support portion supports the tablet at least partially above the supported monitor, and

wherein the tablet support portion supports the tablet behind a rear portion of the supported monitor.

2. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein the monitor support portion and tablet support portion are positioned such that a perimeter of a supported monitor overlaps with a perimeter of a supported tablet in front plan view.

3. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein the monitor support portion and tablet support portion are positioned such that a perimeter of a supported monitor does not overlap with a perimeter of a supported tablet in front plan view.

4. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein the monitor support portion front portion includes a support arrangement.

5. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 further comprising an electrical connection that has a first connector and a second connector, the first connector configured to connect with a port on a supported tablet, the second connector configured to connect to a supported monitor, such that a connected tablet and a connected monitor are configured to be in electronic communication.

6. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 5 wherein the tablet support portion further comprises a docking station that releasably supports the tablet, the docking station having the first connector, the docking station configured to align the tablet, as the tablet is positioned in the docking station, such that the port in the tablet aligns with, and connects to, the first connector.

7. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 further comprising a base configured to rest on a horizontal surface, wherein the base supports the vertical riser.

8. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein a screen of a supported monitor is parallel to and facing the same direction as a screen of a supported tablet.

9. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein a screen of a supported monitor is parallel to and facing the opposite direction as a screen of a supported tablet.

10. The tablet and monitor stand of claim 1 wherein the tablet support portion is integral with the monitor support portion or the monitor.