Magnetic stand for tablet device

• US 9,839,147 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2015
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rohrbach, Matthew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Norris, Jeremy C
• Application Number:
  US14/882,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20160174363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• 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 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0216 Reduction of cross-talk, noise or electromagnetic interference grounding H05K1/0215
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0298 Multilayer circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0707 Shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/002 with localised screening

Abstract

A magnetic stand for a tablet device is disclosed. The magnetic stand is configured to rigidly hold a portion of the tablet device in place and to shield the magnetic field from adversely affecting nearby devices susceptible to strong magnetic fields. The shielding portion of the magnetic stand allows for significant increases in magnetic field strength when compared to similarly configured, unshielded products.

Claims

1. A mount for securing a portable electronic device having a device magnetic element internally within the portable electronic device, the mount comprising:

a body having a supporting surface, the body having a recess that receives a portion of the portable electronic device along the supporting surface; and

a mounting magnetic element covered by the supporting surface and carried in the body at a location corresponding to the recess such that when the portion of the portable electronic device is received in the recess, the device magnetic element and the mounting magnetic element complete a magnetic circuit that retains the portion of the portable electronic device within the recess and against the supporting surface.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a hall-effect sensor configured to activate the portable electronic device when installed in the recess and de-activate the portable electronic device when removed from the recess.

3. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a mounting connector configured to allow the body to be mounted to the supporting surface.

4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is an interior portion of a vehicle.

5. The mount of claim 4, wherein the body is coupled to the supporting surface and is configured such that the portable electronic device is suspended when inserted in the recess.

6. The mount of claim 4, wherein the recess is configured to mechanically retain the portable electronic device using a friction force.

7. The mount of claim 4, wherein the recess further comprises a magnetic shunt that redirects a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the mounting magnetic element towards the device magnetic element to increase a magnetic interaction between the device magnetic element and the mounting magnetic element.

8. The mount of claim 4, wherein the portable electronic device automatically connects to electronic components built into the vehicle when retained in the recess.

9. A mount for securing a portable electronic device having a device magnetic element to a vehicle, the device magnetic element generating an external magnetic field, the portable electronic device having hall-effect sensors, the mount comprising:

a mounting tray coupled to the vehicle, the mounting tray having a recessed mounting region characterized as having a shape that complements and engages a portion of the portable electronic device; and

a mounting magnetic element arranged in the mounting tray region such that when the portable electronic device is inserted in the recessed mounting region, the device magnetic element and second magnetic element complete a magnetic circuit that retains the portable electronic device in the recessed mounting region and the hall-effect sensors detect the external magnetic field, causing an activation of the portable electronic device.

10. The mount of claim 9, further comprising a magnetic shunt in the mounting tray that redirects a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the mounting magnetic element towards an interior of the recessed mounting region to increase a magnetic interaction between the device magnetic element and the mounting magnetic element.

11. The mount of claim 9, wherein the recessed mounting region is configured to capture an edge of the portable electronic device.

12. The mount of claim 9, wherein the mounting tray holds the portable electronic device in an upright position.

13. The mount of claim 9, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a sensor configured to activate the portable electronic device when installed in the mount and de-activate the portable electronic device when removed from the mount.

14. A mounting apparatus for detachably receiving an electronic device configured to communicate with electrical components in an automobile, the electronic device having device magnetic element, the mounting apparatus comprising:

a tray comprising a cupped portion having a complimentary shape with respect to a portion of the electronic device;

a tray magnetic element coupled to the tray; and

a magnetic shunt, wherein the tray magnetic element is positioned with respect to the magnetic shunt such that the magnetic shunt redirects a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the tray magnetic element towards the cupped portion, wherein the electronic device being installed in the cupped portion causes i) a magnetic interaction with the device magnetic element and tray magnetic element, and ii) an automatic connection between the electronic device and the electronic components.

15. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tray is configured to engage with an edge of the portable electronic device.

16. The mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises a sensor for activating the electronic device when installed in the tray and when the tray is folded out from the automobile and deactivating the electronic device when the tray is folded into the automobile.

17. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tray is coupled to a ceiling of the automobile and the electronic device is suspended down from the ceiling when the electronic device is installed in the tray.

18. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tray being received in the electronic device allows for a wireless communication component in the automobile for transmitting and receiving data with the electronic device.

19. The mounting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the wireless communication components allows for an automatic interaction between the automobile and the electronic device.

20. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic components allow for vehicle data from the automobile to be displayed on a display of the electronic device.