Integrated magnetic tablet stand
View Patent ↗Novel stands for tablet computers and other electronic devices. A stand for a tablet may comprise a body having one or more attachment mechanisms at one location and a crossbar at a second location. The crossbar may comprise a portion of a first material disposed to magnetically interact with a portion of a second material that is provided by the tablet. The magnetic interaction may cause the crossbar to serve as one or more detents that movably affixes the stand in a desired position relative to the tablet.
1. A stand for a tablet computing system, the stand comprising:
a body portion comprising one or more attachment mechanisms at a first location and a first crossbar at a second location, the first crossbar comprising a first portion of a first material that, when located in close proximity to the tablet computing system, interacts magnetically with a first portion of a second material comprised within the tablet computing system to serve as a detent that movably affixes the stand in a desired position relative to the tablet computing system,
wherein the second location is a first end portion of the stand, and wherein the body portion of the stand further comprises a second crossbar at a second end portion of the stand opposite the first end portion of the stand, the second crossbar comprising a second portion of the first material that, when located in close proximity to the tablet computing system, interacts magnetically with a second portion of the second material comprised within the tablet computing system to serve as a second detent that movably affixes the stand in a second desired position relative to the tablet computing system.
2. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the first location is a first end portion of the stand and the second location is a second end portion of the stand.
3. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises a magnet, and wherein the first material is a material magnetically attracted to the magnet.
4. The stand of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms comprises a hinge.
5. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms engages at least one portion of the back side of the tablet computing system.
6. The stand of claim 1 , further comprising two legs, each leg having a first portion connected to each end of the first crossbar and a second portion comprising one of the one or more attachment mechanisms.
7. A tablet computing system, comprising:
a stand comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion comprising a first crossbar comprising a first portion of a first material, the second end portion comprising a second crossbar comprising a second portion of the first material; and
a rear housing comprising a first portion of a second material and a second portion of the second material, the first portion of the second material, when in close proximity to the first crossbar, interacts magnetically with the first portion of the first material to serve as a first detent to movably affix the stand in a first position relative the rear housing, the second portion of the second material, when in close proximity to the second crossbar, interacts magnetically with the second portion of the first material to serve as a second detent to movably affix the stand in a second position relative the rear housing.
8. The tablet computing system of claim 7 , the rear housing having affixed thereto or incorporated therein second material at least along a portion of a perimeter of the rear housing.
9. A method of positioning a tablet computing system comprising a stand and a rear housing, the stand comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion comprising a first crossbar comprising a first portion of a first material, the second end portion comprising a second crossbar comprising a second portion of the first material, and the rear housing comprising a first portion of a second material and a second portion of the second material, the first portion of the second material, when in close proximity to the first crossbar, interacts magnetically with the first portion of the first material to serve as a first detent to movably affix the stand in a first position, the second portion of the second material, when in close proximity to the second crossbar, interacts magnetically with the second portion of the first material to serve as a second detent to movably affix the stand in a second position, the method comprising:
moving the stand until the first portion of the second material interacts materially with the first portion of the first material, movably affixing the stand at the first detent; and
placing the tablet computing system on a flat surface, so that the stand serves as a support to maintain the tablet in a generally upright position.