Universal Tablet Holder

Abstract

A tablet holder includes a holding frame and fasteners at corner regions of the holding frame by which a variety of tablets of differing size can be secured to the holding frame. The fasteners include straps for passing over the corner regions of the tablet. A number of selectable anchor points are provided at the holding frame corner regions from which the straps can extend, each being selectable depending on the dimensions of the tablet.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a holder for personal computing devices such as the various Apple iPad® and Samsung Galaxy® tablets or other devices such as mobile telephones. The disclosure more particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a holder by which such devices (and those of other brands) of different sizes can be held and supported in various display configurations ranging from portrait to landscape.

[0002] Various tablet holders are known, but each is limited by certain Features--some more useful than others. For example some support the tablet in a single fixed position which may not be suitable for some users, and others are specifically dimensioned for particular tablet models, or various models of the same standardised size.

SUMMARY

[0003] There is disclosed herein a tablet holder including:

[0004] a holding frame;

[0005] fasteners at corner regions of the holding frame by which a variety of tablets of differing size can be secured to the holding frame,

[0006] characterised in that the fasteners include:

[0007] straps for passing over said corner regions of the tablet; and

[0008] a plurality of selectable anchor points at the holding frame corner regions from which the straps can extend, each being selectable depending on the dimensions of the tablet.

[0009] Preferably the straps each include a T-piece at an end thereof and the anchor points comprise apertures through which the T-piece can pass.

[0010] Preferably each strap includes a T-piece at both of its ends.

[0011] Preferably each strap is elastic.

[0012] Preferably the apertures are in arrays.

[0013] Preferably the holding frame includes sound reflectors to reflect sound emanating from speakers in the tablet, the reflectors being sufficiently large to reflect said sound from tablets of various size.

[0014] Preferably the holding frame is pivotally attached to a backing board.

[0015] The tablet holder will advantageously provide convenient means for holding tablets of various size and shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a tablet secured to a tablet holder in a booklet;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of the underside of a tablet holding frame; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of the top side of a tablet holding frame.

DEFINITION

[0020] As used herein the term "tablet" is intended to encompass any hand-held computing device with a display panel and/or touch screen, touch pad or keyboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically a tablet holder 10 typically formed of moulded plastics material. The tablet holder includes a backing board 11 which might be part of a desk stand (not shown) or form part of the cover of a tablet-holding booklet as illustrated in FIG. 1 for example.

[0022] The holding frame 12 includes a circular array of resilient claws 24. Radially outboard of the claws 24 is an arc of indentations 23. Extending also from the holding frame 12 is a pair of swivel stoppers 18. These parts enable the holding frame 12 to pivot within a range of 90° with respect to the backing board 11 so that a mounted tablet can be oriented between portrait and landscape orientations.

[0023] At each corner region the holding frame includes anchor points including parallel arrays of apertures 30. These could be individual apertures along the bottom of parallel (or non-parallel) troughs 33. Alternatively a single elongate and narrow aperture might comprise a plurality of discrete widenings.

[0024] Elastic straps 31 have at each end a T-piece 32. As an alternative to T-pieces, the straps might simply have knotted ends or beads for example. Each T-piece is dimensioned to pass lengthwise through any selected one of the apertures (or widenings) 30. Once through, the T-piece is allowed to revert to its transverse orientation whereat it is too wide to pull back through the chosen aperture or widening 30. The diameter of each T-piece is typically chosen to coincide with the internal curvature of the trough 33 from which the apertures 30 extend. The T-pieces can therefore sit in the trough and elastic tension of the strap 31 will maintain the location of the T-pieces partly within the trough 33.

[0025] The strap 31 passes over a respective corner region of the tablet 20. Which particular apertures are chosen depends on the size of the tablet 20. For example different apertures 30 could suit a variety of seven inch tablets, or a variety of ten inch tablets.

[0026] The holding frame 12 includes large sound reflectors 34 which would reside under and around the perimeter of a mounted tablet 20. Such speakers in popular tablets are generally side-firing or rear-firing and do not provide good sound quality to the area directly in front of the screen. The sound reflectors 34 have a concave surface formed integrally with the holding frame 12 and are shaped somewhat like ears to reflect the sound from the speakers forward to the viewing area.

[0027] Small stands 17 extend from two edges of the holding frame. These enable the holding frame to be set upon a desk top for example in either landscape or portrait orientation.

Claims

1. A tablet holder including: a holding frame; fasteners at corner regions of the holding frame by which a variety of tablets of differing size can be secured to the holding frame, characterised in that the fasteners include: straps for passing over said corner regions of the tablet; and a plurality of selectable anchor points at the holding frame corner regions from which the straps can extend, each being selectable depending on the dimensions of the tablet.

2. The tablet holder of claim 1 further characterised in that the straps each include a T-piece at an end thereof and the anchor points comprise apertures through which the T-piece can pass.

3. The tablet holder of claim 2 further characterised in that each strap includes a T-piece at both of its ends.

4. The tablet holder of claim 1 further characterised in that each strap is elastic.

5. The tablet holder of claim 2 wherein the apertures are in arrays.

6. The tablet holder of claim 1, further characterised in that the holding frame includes sound reflectors to reflect sound emanating from speakers in the tablet, the reflectors being sufficiently large to reflect said sound from tablets of various size.

7. The tablet holder of claim 1, further characterised by a backing board to which the holding frame is pivotally attached.

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