Abstract:
A universal tablet cradle assembly for supporting and storing a tablet or electronic device. The universal tablet cradle mounts under a cabinet or shelf and allows for storage and hands-free viewing of any size tablet. The universal tablet cradle also allows for adjustment of the viewing position of the tablet within the cradle, allowing the tablet to be moved forward and backward, and rotated. The viewing angle of the tablet also is adjustable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/859,672 filed Jul. 29, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This description relates generally to a an assembly or fixture for supporting and storing an item, and more specifically relates to a fixture or assembly for supporting and storing a tablet computer or equivalent personal electronics device, under a cabinet or similar item of furniture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many people have electronic tablet devices from multiple manufacturers that they use in their places of residence or buildings. There are typically limited options for people to store or hold their tablet devices under cabinets or shelves, such as those found in the kitchen or any other room of a building. Stands may typically be included in covers or cases for such devices. However such stands typically have limited ranges of adjustment, and typically require a somewhat flat surface upon which to set them. 
     Also, there are limited cradles available that have universal fit for multiple devices of differing sizes and from different manufacturers. A tablet cradle that allows for its use without requiring a unique case or attachment method for each specific tablet device is advantageous. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The present example provides for a tablet cradle that mounts under a cabinet, shelf, or other substantially flat surface and allows for storage and hands-free viewing of any size tablet, or equivalent consumer electronics device. The universal tablet cradle allows for adjustment of the viewing position of the tablet held by the cradle, allowing the tablet to be moved forward and backward, and rotated. The viewing angle, or tilt, of the tablet is also adjustable. 
     Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of the universal tablet cradle in the open position with a tablet device disposed in the cradle. 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial view of the universal tablet cradle in the open position without a tablet device in place. 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of the universal tablet cradle in the closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view showing the components of an example of a universal tablet cradle. 
         FIG. 5  shows a modified square shaft. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples. 
     The examples below describe a universal tablet cradle for hands-free use of almost any tablet or similar electronic device. Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein as being implemented with a tablet device, the system described is provided as an example and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in a variety of different types of hand-held electronic devices, such as cellular phones, tablets with keyboards, smart phones, e-readers, and the like. 
     A tablet cradle that mounts under a cabinet, shelf or similar structure can be used for easy hands-free viewing and use of the tablet, as well as provide for storage of the cradle, or the tablet disposed in the cradle, in a concealed manner. It is also typically necessary for a user to be able to adjust the position of a tablet within the cradle forward, backwards, and rotationally, as well as adjust the viewing angle easily. 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of the universal tablet cradle in the open position with a tablet device disposed on it for convenient viewing and use. The tablet position may be changes as convenient by rotation  120 , angle of view  122  (about pivot axis  124 ). The tablet  102  may also be brought forward or backwards  126  for easier viewing. A universal tablet cradle  100  is shown mounted to the bottom of an exemplary shelf  104  supported by one or more legs, one of which is shown  103 . Alternatively, the universal tablet cradle may be mounted to the underside of a cabinet or the like. 
     The universal tablet cradle is coupled to the shelf  104  through mounting bracket  108  with conventional fasteners or their equivalent, such that the cradle is mounted underneath the substantially flat shelf surface  104 . 
     The tablet  102  may rest in the cradle  106 . There is typically enough clearance to allow for a tablet having an installed case to rest in the cradle. The cradle  106  is a substantially flat piece of material with a 45 to 90 degree bend  110  near a first edge. The bend  110  in the cradle  106  provides a lip  112  upon which the tablet rests, and otherwise keeps it in place in the cradle. At a second edge substantially parallel to the first edge the cradle may be pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket  108 . 
     Through the coupling mechanism of the cradle  106  to the mounting bracket  108  the cradle  106  can be positioned to provide the user with an optimal view of the tablet  102 , as well as to operate the touch screen if the tablet is so provided. The cradle with the tablet can be positioned at any angle  122  relative the bottom of the shelf or cabinet to which it is mounted, be positioned forward or backwards  126 , as well as rotate  120  to suit the needs of any multitude of users and environmental conditions. 
       FIG. 2  is a universal tablet cradle  100  in the open position without a tablet device. The universal tablet cradle may be coupled to the bottom of a shelf  104  or cabinet via the mounting bracket  108 , utilizing conventional fastening techniques. The mounting bracket  108  may have holes that allow fixturing or mounting to the cabinet or shelf with mechanical fasteners including but not limited to screws  202 , bolts, tapes, or adhesives. The mounting bracket may be constructed from injection molding, thermoforming, roto-molding, machined plastics, ferrous or non-ferrous metals, stamped steel parts, extrusions and raw plastics or ferrous or non-ferrous metals that are welded or adhered to one another. 
     A pair of similarly constructed tracks including a first track  206  and a second track  207  couple the cradle  106  to the mounting bracket  108 . The mounting bracket is generally square or rectangular, with the mounting tracks mounted substantially parallel to each other and substantially along an edge of the mounting bracket. The tracks  206  and  207  are coupled to the mounting bracket  108  using conventional mechanical methods, such as bolts, screws, tapes, adhesives, or the like. The tracks  206  and  207  accept a slide mechanisms  208  coupled to the cradle  106 . The slide mechanism generally in operation allows the cradle  106  to have linear, angular, and rotational motions while inside the track and remaining coupled to it. The tracks may be constructed from one or more pieces that may be made by stamped metal forming, extrusions with ferrous and non-ferrous metals, machined raw ferrous and non-ferrous or plastic stock, injection molding, thermoforming, roto-molding or raw stock that is plastic or ferrous or non-ferrous that is adhered or welded together. 
     In an alternative example a single center track may be provided. Such a track may allow the cradle to rotate ( 120  of  FIG. 1 ), This allows greater flexibility in positioning the tablet. 
     The cradle  106  consists of a substantially square or rectangular substantially flat piece of material with a 45 to 90 degree bend  110  forming a lip at its first edge. This lip  112  also forms a shelf to allow a tablet to stay securely positioned on the cradle  106 , through a typically magnetic latch, or latches  210 . The cradle  106  may be provided with a finger pull  204 . The finger pull  204  may be an aperture in the cradle  106  to allow a user to conveniently position the cradle  106 . Alternatively a knob or other extension on the back of the cradle may be provided to allow the user to grip and reposition the cradle. The cradle can be constructed using several methods, such as from ferrous or non-ferrous metals, as well as plastics via injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, or machining of raw plastic or ferrous or non-ferrous metal stock. 
     The construction and configuration of the cradle  106  allows tablets of different dimensions to be used with the universal tablet cradle. There is no need for a unique case or accessory to stand up or position the tablet. 
     Friction may advantageously be used to keep the cradle in place. On the top edge of the cradle  106  is a friction stopper  212  that may increase the friction between the top of the cradle  106  and the mounting bracket  108 . This increase in friction between the top of the cradle and the mounting bracket aids in securing the tablet device from moving or bouncing when the cradle  106  is lowered to is viewing angle and the tablet is resting in the cradle  106 . The friction stopper also tends to keep the cradle in place during times when keyboard entry is used to enter information on the tablet (not shown). 
     The angle between the cradle and the mounting bracket  108 , when the cradle  106  is lowered may be determined by the distance from the edge  270  to the pivot point about which the slide mechanism rotates when the cradle is lowered. The greater the distance from the edge  270  is made, the less resulting angle for the cradle when deployed. The edge of the cradle with the friction stopper  212  contacts the mounting bracket  108  as the cradle  106  is lowered, and maintains the angle of the cradle relative to the mounting bracket. Exemplary distances  270  may include 0.2625 inches to 0.7375 inches, or the like. 
     Rollers or ball bearing slide mechanisms  208  may be coupled to the cradle  106  to allow linear, angular, and rotational movement inside the tracks  206  and  207 . The slide mechanism also allows the cradle  106  to pivot to open and closed positions in the mounting bracket  108 . The mechanism that can allow the linear/rotational motion can be ball bearing rollers, cam followers, ball bearing slides, or plain bearings. The slide mechanism  208  are coupled to the cradle via a mechanical fastener including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, pins, or shafts with mechanical retaining clips. 
     In alternative examples of the invention a mechanical pivoting device or hinge (not shown) may be attached to the rollers or ball bearing slide mechanisms  208  that typically allows the angle of the cradle  106  to be adjusted in reference to the mounting bracket  108 . This hinge can incorporate a locking mechanism that may allow specific angle increments to be selected, or a hinge mechanism that allows infinite angle increments to be selected by the user. The hinge may be disposed on one or both sides of the cradle where the slide mechanisms  208  are present. 
     Mechanical or magnetic latches  210  are coupled to the shelf  104  at the bottom of the cradle  106 , which hold the universal tablet cradle in the closed position when engaged with magnets  260  disposed in the mounting bracket  108 . Typically the latch may be made of a ferromagnetic material and may fit over the lip to which it is attached by conventional methods. As the latch is viewed from the side  271 , an additional tablet retaining ridge  272  may be provided on the latch  210  that tends to keep the tablet in place while in use. 
       FIG. 3  is a universal tablet cradle  100  in the closed position. When the cradle  106  pivots between the open and closed position, a mechanical latch or magnetic closure  210  may hold the cradle  106  in the closed position against the mounting bracket  108 . The universal tablet cradle can be closed to remove it from view either with the tablet in place for storage, or without the tablet in place 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the components of a universal tablet cradle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that while this diagram represents one way to construct a universal tablet cradle, there are many methods and materials that may be utilized. 
     The first and second tracks are constructed using a side piece  412 , a bottom piece  416 , and an end piece  414 , which can be coupled by welding or adhering together to form the track. The track side  412  and the track bottom are substantially rectangularly elongated and may be coupled by welding or adhering together along one long edge of both the track side and track bottom. The track end may be substantially square and may be coupled to the coupled track side and track bottom at one end by welding or otherwise adhering together. 
     The mounting bracket  108  may be provided with a plurality of apertures  418  through which a plurality of mounting screws  202  may be placed to couple the mounting bracket  108  to the underside of a cabinet or the like. The mounting bracket may be provided with magnet recesses  420  into which the magnets  402  may be placed. The first and second tracks may be coupled to the mounting bracket  108  by welding or otherwise adhering the remaining long edge of the joined track pieces in a substantially parallel orientation at opposite edges of the mounting bracket. 
     The square shaft  406 , the cam roller  408 , and the retaining screw  410  are components of the slide mechanisms that attach to opposite sides of the cradle  106 . The square shaft  406  may be attached to the top edge of the cradle at the sides of the cradle using mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets, tape, adhesives, or the like. The square shaft may be provided with a threaded hole  422  into which the retaining screw  410  may be inserted to couple the cam roller  408  to the square shaft. 
     The friction stopper  212  may be coupled to the cradle  106  along the top edge of the cradle substantially in the center. The friction stopper may be retained on the cradle by friction between the friction stopper and cradle, or by mechanical means such as tape or adhesives or the like. 
     The latches  210  may be coupled to the cradle along the lip  112  in a location that will match the location of the magnets  402 . The latches may be coupled to the cradle with a friction fit, or by mechanical means such as screws, rivets, tapes, or adhesives, or the like. 
     The cradle with latches, sliding mechanisms, and friction stopper may be coupled to the mounting bracket with tracks and magnets by inserting the sliding mechanisms into the tracks at the open end of the coupled mounting bracket and tracks. 
       FIG. 5  shows a modified square shaft. Use of the modified square shaft  506  may allow thicker tablets, or tablets with cases to be stored in the cradle which accordingly have their other dimensions adjusted. The “L” shape causes the cradle ( 106  of  FIG. 1 ) to be spaced farther from the mounting bracket ( 101  of  FIG. 1 ). The extra clearance provide by this modified shaft may also allow a charger to be coupled to a tablet being stored. Especially with the grooves that may be cut out in the cradle. The width of the unthreaded portion of retaining screw  410  is wider than the width of cam roller  408  to enable the cam roller  408  to slide on screw  410  and allow the cradle  106  to rotate as shown at  120 . 
     What has been described above includes several examples for illustration that are not intended to limit the ways that those of ordinary skill in the art can achieve the spirit and purpose of the universal tablet cradle. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that further combination and permutations are possible. Accordingly, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the description herein.