Tablet with interconnection features

• US 9,809,049 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2014
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comsero, LLC
• Original Assignee: Comsero, LLC
• Inventors: Franco, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Hull, James
• Application Number:
  US14/444,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20150099259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 434413, 434421
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/001 Supporting means bracelets with means for attaching a writing instrument or a memo pad A44C5/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/002 with a fixed base
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/12 for pens caps co-operating with retractable nibs B43K5/165
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/02 Clips
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/022 attached to a pen cap
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/003 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/00 Repeatedly-usable boards or tablets for writing or drawing drawing-boards B43L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/008 with magnetic action
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/04 Blackboards wall mounting or suspension arrangements for blackboards or the like A47B97/001; easels or stands for blackboards A47B97/04
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/045 with magnetic action
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/12 having translucent writing surfaces producing visual impressions by co-operation with backing members B43L1/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/123 Flexible writing surface or backing
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 19/0068 Hand-held holders
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 19/04 Fibrous erasers
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 21/00 Blackboard or slate cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 21/04 Wiper holders
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/04 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/20 for adjustably mounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

The present invention provides tablets with interconnection features and a system of multiple tablet assemblies removably interconnected to one another. The tablets may be removably mounted to a vertical surface or positioned on a horizontal surface. Features of the present invention allow a user to remove or move one tablet from the system without disrupting or moving the other tablets.

Claims

1. A tablet assembly comprising:

a tablet comprising;

a tray comprising a smooth upper surface;

a rear surface opposite the upper surface;

a first tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface; and

a second tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface, wherein the first tray side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the second tray side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface; and

a frame including a first frame side wall, a first magnet in the first frame side wall, a second frame side wall, and a second magnet in the second frame side wall, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the first tray side wall interconnects to an upper portion of the first frame side wall, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the second tray side wall interconnects to an upper portion of the second frame side wall;

wherein the inner surface of the first tray side wall comprises a first protuberance to interconnect the first tray side wall to the first frame side wall;

wherein the inner surface of the second tray side wall comprises a second protuberance to interconnect the second tray side wall to the second frame side wall;

wherein the upper portion of the first frame side wall comprises a first aperture and the upper portion of the second frame side wall comprises a second aperture; and

wherein the first aperture of the first frame side wall receives the first protuberance of the first tray side wall to interconnect the first tray side wall to the upper portion of the first frame side wall and the second aperture of the second frame sidewall receives the second protuberance of the second tray side wall to interconnect the second tray side wall to the upper portion of the second frame side wall; and

a mounting assembly comprising;

a mounting bracket comprising;

a rear surface;

a substantially flat upper surface substantially parallel to the rear surface;

a first leg with a substantially flat upper surface and terminating in an end having a protuberance extending from the end parallel to the upper surface of the first leg;

a second leg with a substantially flat upper surface and terminating in an end having an indention in the end parallel to the upper surface of the second leg;

a first lip extending perpendicular to the substantially flat upper surface of the first leg; and

a second lip extending perpendicular to the substantially flat upper surface of the second leg;

a first rivet positioned proximate the end of the first leg of the mounting bracket; and

a second rivet positioned proximate the end of the second leg of the mounting bracket;

wherein the first magnet of the tablet interconnects to the first rivet of the mounting assembly and the second magnet of the tablet interconnects to the second rivet of the mounting assembly simultaneously; and

wherein the mounting bracket is sized such that when the tablet interconnects to the mounting bracket, the protuberance of the first leg extends beyond the first or second tray side wall while the indentation of the second leg is oriented inwardly from the first or second tray side wall.

2. The tablet assembly of claim 1, wherein the first lip of the mounting bracket is positioned between the first rivet and the end of the first leg of the mounting bracket and the second lip of the mounting bracket is positioned between the second rivet and the end of the second leg of the mounting bracket.

3. The tablet assembly of claim 2, wherein the frame of the tablet further comprises a first curved magnet holder to hold the first magnet and a second curved magnet holder to hold the second magnet, and wherein an upwardly extending surface of the first lip of the mounting bracket is curved when viewed in top plan view to receive the first curved magnet holder and an upwardly extending surface of the second lip of the mounting bracket is curved when viewed in top plan view to receive the second curved magnet holder.

4. The tablet assembly of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the first frame side wall curves inward toward a center of the frame and a lower portion of the second frame side wall curves inward toward the center of the frame.

5. The tablet assembly of claim 4, wherein the frame further comprises a first magnet holder extending outwardly from the lower portion of the first frame side wall, and a second magnet holder extending outwardly from the lower portion of the second frame side wall, and wherein the first magnet is positioned within the first magnet holder and the second magnet is positioned within the second magnet holder.

6. The tablet assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tray side wall is interconnected to the second tray side wall and is substantially perpendicular to the second tray side wall, wherein the tray further comprises:

a third tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface of the tray, wherein the third tray side wall is interconnected to the second tray side wall and is substantially parallel to the first tray side wall; and

a fourth tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface of the tray, wherein the fourth tray side wall is interconnected to the third tray side wall and the first tray side wall, and wherein the fourth tray side wall is substantially parallel to the second tray side wall.

7. The tablet assembly of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the mounting bracket comprises a plurality of ribs extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the mounting bracket, and wherein the ribs terminate in substantially flat bottom surfaces for mounting the mounting bracket substantially flat on a wall.

8. The tablet assembly of claim 7, wherein ribs proximate a center of the mounting bracket are shorter than ribs proximate the ends of the first and second legs.

9. The tablet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a substantially flat insert positioned between the rear surface of the tray and an upper surface of the frame.

10. A tablet assembly comprising:

a tablet comprising;

a tray comprising;

an upper surface;

a substantially flat rear surface opposite the upper surface;

a first tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface, wherein the first tray side wall is substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and has an inner surface with a first protuberance extending outwardly from the inner surface toward a center of the tray; and

a second tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface, wherein the second tray side wall is substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and has an inner surface with a second protuberance extending outwardly from the inner surface toward the center of the tray; and

a frame comprising;

a first frame side wall;

a first magnet in the first frame side wall;

a first aperture in an outer surface of the first frame side wall and positioned above the first magnet;

a second frame side wall;

a second magnet in the second frame side wall; and

a second aperture in an outer surface of the second frame side wall and positioned above the second magnet,

wherein the first aperture of the first frame side wall receives the first protuberance on the inner surface of the first tray side wall to interconnect the first tray side wall to the first frame side wall, and wherein the second aperture of the second frame side wall receives the second protuberance on the inner surface of the second tray side wall to interconnect the second tray side wall to the second frame side wall; and

a mounting assembly comprising;

a mounting bracket having a rear surface, an upper surface substantially parallel to the rear surface, a first leg with an upper surface and terminating in an end having a protuberance extending from the end, and a second leg with an upper surface and terminating in an end having an indention in the end;

a first rivet positioned proximate the end of the first leg of the mounting bracket; and

a second rivet positioned proximate the end of the second leg of the mounting bracket; and

wherein the first magnet of the tablet interconnects to the first rivet of the mounting assembly,

wherein the second magnet of the tablet interconnects to the second rivet of the mounting assembly,

wherein the rivets are spaced apart on the mounting bracket such that the magnets of the tablet interconnect to the rivets simultaneously, and

wherein the mounting assembly is sized such that when the tablet interconnects to the mounting assembly, the protuberance of the first leg extends beyond the first or second tray side wall while the indentation of the second leg is oriented inwardly from the first or second tray side wall.

11. The tablet assembly of claim 10, wherein a bottom surface of the first magnet of the tablet interconnects to an upper surface of the first rivet of the mounting assembly and a bottom surface of the second magnet of the tablet interconnects to an upper surface of the second rivet of the mounting assembly.

12. The tablet assembly of claim 10, further comprising a first lip extending upwardly from the upper surface of the first leg of the mounting bracket and positioned between the first rivet and the end of the first leg;

and a second lip extending upwardly from the upper surface of the second leg of the mounting bracket and positioned between the second rivet and the end of the second leg.

13. The tablet assembly of claim 12, wherein the first frame side wall of the tablet further comprises a first curved magnet holder to hold the first magnet, wherein the second frame side wall of the tablet further comprises a second curved magnet holder to hold the second magnet, and wherein an upwardly extending surface of the first lip of the mounting bracket is curved when viewed in top plan view to receive the first curved magnet holder and an upwardly extending surface of the second lip of the mounting bracket is curved when viewed in top plan view to receive the second curved magnet holder.

14. The tablet assembly of claim 10, wherein the first tray side wall is interconnected to the second tray side wall and is substantially perpendicular to the second tray side wall, wherein the tray further comprises:

a third tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface of the tray, wherein the third tray side wall is interconnected to the second tray side wall and is substantially parallel to the first tray side wall; and

a fourth tray side wall extending rearwardly from the upper surface and the rear surface of the tray, wherein the fourth tray side wall is interconnected to the third tray side wall and the first tray side wall, and wherein the fourth tray side wall is substantially parallel to the second tray side wall.

15. The tablet assembly of claim 10, wherein a lower portion of the first frame side wall curves inward toward a center of the frame and a lower portion of the second frame side wall curves inward toward the center of the frame, and wherein the first tray side wall is positioned above the lower portion of the first frame side wall and the second tray side wall is positioned above the lower portion of the second frame side wall.

16. The tablet assembly of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a first magnet holder extending outwardly from a portion of the first frame side wall and a second magnet holder extending outwardly from a portion of the second frame side wall, and wherein the first magnet is positioned within the first magnet holder and the second magnet is positioned within the second magnet holder.

17. The tablet assembly of claim 10, wherein the rear surface of the mounting bracket comprises a plurality of ribs extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the mounting bracket, and wherein the ribs terminate in substantially flat bottom surfaces for mounting the mounting bracket substantially flat on a wall.