Tablet computer stand
A computer stand for use with a tablet computer comprises a frame with a viewing aperture. The tablet computer is secured to the back of the frame with a pair of brackets, each of which consists of a structural angle having a cutout in one flange that is equal in depth to the thickness of the tablet computer. The other flange of the structural angle has a cutout that is bounded by a pair of horns that engage the rounded corners of the tablet computer. The first cutout traps the tablet computer against the back of the frame while the second cutout prevents the tablet computer from moving sideways. Because the brackets are structural channel members, the brackets add rigidity to the frame, which otherwise would be unacceptably flexible or would require additional structural reinforcement.
1. Apparatus for mounting a tablet computer, the tablet computer having a view screen and a housing with a thickness dimension, the view screen having a substantially rectangular shape with a long and a short side, the housing having a substantially rectangular shape with radiused corners, the apparatus comprising:
a unitary frame comprising a flat panel having a viewing aperture formed therein, the viewing aperture having a size and shape substantially equivalent to the view screen of the tablet computer;
a pair of retaining brackets removably attached to the unitary frame along two opposite sides of the viewing aperture, each of the retaining bracket comprising an elongate plate bent along bending axis to form a structural angle having a first flange, a second flange and a length dimension, the second flange having a mounting surface aligned with the bending axis, the first flange having a first cutout intersecting the bending axis, the first cutout having a length dimension and a height dimension, the height dimension, measured from the mounting surface, being substantially equal to the thickness dimension of the tablet computer housing over a major portion of the length dimension, the second flange having a second cutout intersecting the first cutout, the second cutout forming a pair of horns disposed in a juxtaposed spaced-apart configuration, each of the horns having an upper surface and an inside surface opposite the upper surface, the inside surface having an inside radius substantially equivalent to the radius corners of the housing; and
means for removably mounting the retaining brackets to the frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the retaining bracket is formed by making an elongate C-shaped cutout in a flat plate to form the first and second cutouts, then bending the plate along the bending axis.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
the elongate C-shaped cutout is formed by laser-cutting.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the unitary frame comprises a base portion extending from a lower edge of the flat panel, the base portion including at least one slotted opening for feeding a cable to the tablet computer.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flange of the retaining bracket comprises an extended portion, the extended portion including a pair of apertures for mounting to a wall plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flange of the retaining bracket includes a stepped portion sized and shaped to accommodate a plug-in card reader.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the inside surface of each of the horns has a center of curvature located so that a circle tangent to the inside surface is tangent to a line that is tangent to the upper surface of each of the horns, whereby the tablet computer is held to the frame with a side of the tablet computer flush with a side of the frame.