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,
wherein the detent is a first detent, wherein the desired position is a first desired position substantially upright relative to a surface on which the tablet computing system is placed, and wherein the second desired position is substantially prone relative to the surface on which the tablet computing system is placed.
2. The stand of claim 1 , wherein the stand is rotatable about an axis defined by the one or more attachment mechanisms to place the stand in the first position, secured by the first detent, and the second position, secured by the second detent.
3. 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 first crossbar is parallel with a plane defined by a surface of the tablet computing system;
wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge provides a limited angle of rotation.
4. The stand of claim 3 , wherein the first material comprises a magnet, and wherein the second material is a material magnetically attracted to the magnet.
5. The stand of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms comprises a second portion of the first material configured to interact with a second portion of the second material incorporated in or attached to the tablet computing system.
6. The stand of claim 3 , further comprising two legs, each leg having a first portion connected to each end of the crossbar and a second portion comprising one of the one or more attachment mechanisms, wherein each leg comprises non-magnetic material.
7. The stand of claim 3 , further comprising two legs, each leg having a first portion connected to each end of the crossbar and a second portion comprising one of the one or more attachment mechanisms, wherein at least one leg is connected to the crossbar with a flexible joint.
8. The stand of claim 7 , wherein the flexible joint comprises flexible rubber.
9. The stand of claim 3 , wherein the first crossbar comprises non-magnetic material.
10. The stand of claim 9 , wherein the first crossbar comprises at least one pocket for receiving the first material.
11. The stand of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the first crossbar is over moulded with an over moulding.
12. The stand of claim 11 , wherein the over moulding comprises an elastomer material.
13. The stand of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of at least one leg comprises the over moulding, and wherein the over moulding provides a flexible joint connecting one end of the leg and one end of the first crossbar.
14. 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,
wherein the first position is an open position in which the stand serves as a support to position the tablet in a generally upright position on a flat surface, and wherein the second position is a closed position in which the tablet can lie flat on a surface with the rear housing being parallel to the surface.