Interchangeable panels
Certain implementations of a system for mounting an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, can include an enclosure housing to receive an electronic device, and multiple panels, each panel configured to be removably and interchangeably connected to the enclosure housing to modify a configuration of the enclosure housing based on the electronic device. The system of removable and interchangeable panels can be implemented as part of the design of the enclosure for the electronic devices to allow the enclosure to be flexibly configured with a variety of different accessory devices which may extend the capabilities of the electronic device in desirable ways.
1. A system for mounting an electronic device, the system comprising:
an enclosure housing to receive an electronic device; and a plurality of panels, each panel configured to be removably and interchangeably connected to the enclosure housing to modify a configuration of the enclosure housing based on the electronic device, wherein each panel includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein each panel includes a dovetail geometry on the first end to mate with the enclosure housing, wherein the dovetail geometry comprises a plurality of tabs configured to interleave with a corresponding plurality of tabs on the enclosure housing, wherein the plurality of tabs of the dovetail geometry and the corresponding plurality of tabs on the enclosure housing are configured to support each other along an edge of the enclosure housing within a wall thickness of the enclosure housing,
wherein the enclosure housing defines an interior region away from outer edges of the enclosure housing, wherein the interior region includes the edge of the enclosure housing, and wherein each panel is configured to attach to the interior region of the enclosure housing, and
wherein each panel comprises at least one opening to receive a screw to affix each panel to the enclosure housing, wherein the dovetail geometry on the first end of each panel is configured to mate with a corresponding dovetail geometry on the interior edge of the enclosure housing, and wherein each panel is configured to be affixed to the interior region of the enclosure housing by a screw received through the at least one opening in each panel.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels includes a card swipe accessory panel.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels includes a blank accessory panel.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels includes a blank center panel.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels includes a panel that exposes a rear camera.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each panel includes the dovetail geometry along an inner edge of the panel.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein each panel includes outboard edges configured to be lifted into place and affixed to the enclosure housing.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising screws to affix the outboard edges to the enclosure housing.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels are symmetric and configured to be mounted on either a right side or a left side of the enclosure housing or either a top side or a bottom side of the enclosure housing.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of each panel comprises at least one opening to receive a screw to affix each panel to the enclosure housing.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the edge of the enclosure housing is an interior edge, and wherein each panel is configured to connect to the interior edge of the enclosure housing.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the interior edge of the enclosure housing comprises a plurality of tabs, and wherein the plurality of tabs of each dovetail geometry is configured to interleave with the plurality of tabs on the interior edge of the enclosure housing.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second end of each panel comprises at least one opening to receive a screw to affix each panel to the enclosure housing.