Abstract:
A mounting mechanism for mounting an electronic device, such as an electronic display device, to various surfaces, including ferrous surfaces. The mounting mechanism may include friction pads for attachment to the electronic display device. In one implementation a plurality of magnets are embedded within the friction pads. Alternatively, the magnets may be directly attached to the electronic display device and covered by the friction pads. When the mounting mechanism is used to mount the electronic device to a ferrous surface, the magnets and the friction pad respectively provide magnetic and frictional forces so as to enable secure mounting of the electronic display device to the ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism may also include a frame disposed to be affixed to a non-ferrous surface. The frame defines a ferrous surface to which the electronic display device may then be mounted using various configurations of magnets and friction pads.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/827,700, entitled “Low Profile Magnetic Mount for Electronic Display Devices,” filed May 27, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments described herein relate generally to the field of electronic display device mounts, and more specifically, to a mounting system that can be used to easily mount and unmount electronic display devices to various surfaces. 
     There are many known mounting systems for various electronic display devices. These electronic display devices include, but are not limited to tablet computers, smartphones, televisions, and LCD displays. As technology progresses, these devices are becoming thinner and lighter. Along with this, the importance for low profile mounting mechanisms have become more valuable. Current mounting mechanisms can be cumbersome, bulky, and can add considerable weight to the electronic display device. Often, the mounting mechanism that attaches to the desired mounting surface is bulky and aesthetically unpleasing. 
     Thus, a need exists to provide a mounting mechanism for mounting electronic display devices to amounting surface without adding significant bulk to the electronic display device or the mounting surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure generally relates to a mounting mechanism for mounting an electronic device, such as an electronic display device, to various surfaces, including ferrous surfaces. The mounting mechanism may include friction pads for attachment to the electronic display device. In one implementation a plurality of magnets are embedded within the friction pads. Alternatively, the magnets may be directly attached to the electronic display device and covered by the friction pads. When the mounting mechanism is used to mount the electronic device to a ferrous surface, the magnets and the friction pad respectively provide magnetic and frictional forces so as to enable secure mounting of the electronic display device to the ferrous surface. 
     The electronic device may also be mounted to a non-ferrous surface. In this case the mounting mechanism includes a frame, such as a metal frame, which is affixed to the non-ferrous surface using conventional techniques. The metal frame defines a ferrous surface to which the electronic display device may then be mounted using various configurations of magnets and friction pads described hereinafter. 
     It is a feature of the disclosed mounting device that a user may easily dismount the electronic display device from a surface to which it had been mounted. Moreover, the mounting mechanism advantageously does not add significant thickness or weight to the electronic display device or the mounting surface. 
     In one particular aspect the disclosure relates to a mounting mechanism for mounting an electronic device to a ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism may include a plurality of magnets attached to a surface of the electronic device. The mounting mechanism may further include a high friction pad structure having an inner surface for attachment to the surface of the electronic device. The high friction pad structure may cover the plurality of magnets and have an outer surface which contacts the ferrous surface when the electronic device is mounted to the ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism may further include a frame element for attachment to a non-ferrous surface, the frame element defining the ferrous surface. 
     In another aspect the disclosure relates to a mounting mechanism which includes a high friction pad structure having an inner surface for attachment to a surface of an electronic device. The mounting mechanism may further include a plurality of magnets embedded within the high friction pad structure wherein the high friction pad structure includes an outer surface which contacts the ferrous surface when the electronic device is mounted to the ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism may further include a frame element attached to a non-ferrous surface, the frame element defining the ferrous surface. 
     The disclosure also pertains to an electronic device configured to be mounted to a ferrous surface. The electronic device includes a housing having a substantially planar surface characterized by high friction properties. The electronic device further includes a plurality of magnets embedded within the housing. The substantially planar surface contacts the ferrous surface when the electronic device is mounted to the ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism may further include a frame element for attachment to a non-ferrous surface, the frame element defining the ferrous surface. 
     In yet a further aspect the disclosure relates to a mounting mechanism for securing an electronic device to a ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism includes a plurality of magnets embedded within the electronic device. The mounting mechanism may further include a high friction pad structure having an inner surface for attachment to one or more surfaces of the electronic device wherein an outer surface of the high friction pad structure contacts the ferrous surface when the electronic device is mounted to the ferrous surface. In addition, the mounting mechanism may further include a frame element attached to a non-ferrous surface, the frame element defining the ferrous surface. 
     The disclosure further pertains to a mounting mechanism for mounting an electronic device to a ferrous surface. The mounting mechanism includes a case structure having a high friction surface and a plurality of magnets embedded within the case structure. When the electronic device is mounted to the ferrous surface, the case structure at least partially encloses the electronic device and the high friction surface contacts the ferrous surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional profile view of a portion of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional profile view of a portion of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIG. 2A  shown mounted to a ferrous surface. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the electronic display device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  shown mounted to a ferrous surface. 
         FIG. 3B  is a profile view of the electronic display device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  shown mounted to a ferrous surface. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a ferrous element attached to a non-ferrous surface. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the electronic display device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to a non-ferrous surface using the ferrous element of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a profile view of the electronic display device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  mounted to a non-ferrous surface using the ferrous element of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating example dimensions of the electronic display device with the mounting mechanism attached thereto. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the electronic display device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , illustrating example dimensions of the electronic display device. 
         FIG. 5C  is a top view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating example dimensions of the electronic display device with the mounting mechanism coupled thereto. 
         FIG. 6A  is a profile view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism, according to an embodiment including embedded magnets and frictional surface. 
         FIG. 6B  is a back view of the embodiment of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a profile view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism, according to another embodiment including embedded magnets and added friction pads. 
         FIG. 7B  is a back view of the embodiment of the electronic display device with a mounting mechanism of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism according to yet another embodiment, showing the electronic display device separated from a case with embedded magnets. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIG. 8B  showing the electronic display device with a case with embedded magnets. 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism, according to yet another embodiment, with friction pads and magnets aligned to the sides of the electronic display device. 
         FIG. 9B  is an exploded perspective view of the electronic display device and the mounting mechanism of  FIG. 9B . 
         FIG. 10A  is a front transparent view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , shown mounted to a non-ferrous surface in a portrait orientation using a ferrous element. 
         FIG. 10B  is a front transparent view of the electronic display device with mounting mechanism of  FIG. 10A , shown mounted to a non-ferrous surface in a landscape orientation using a ferrous element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Devices and methods for a mounting mechanism for an electronic display device to mount the electronic display device to various surfaces are described herein. In some embodiments, an electronic display device includes a mounting mechanism that can include friction pads and magnets attached to a back side of the electronic display device. The friction pads and magnets can be used to mount the electronic display device to a surface. In some embodiments, the magnets are embedded within the friction pads. In some embodiments, the electronic display device includes a friction material and the magnets are embedded within the material of the electronic display device. The mounting mechanism can also permit a user to easily dismount the electronic display device from the mounting surface. A mounting mechanism as described herein can be added to an electronic display device without adding significant thickness or weight to the electronic display device or the mounting surface. 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of an electronic display device with a mounting mechanism according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of the mounting mechanism coupled to the electronic display device. An electronic display device  100  includes a mounting mechanism  120  coupled to a back side of the electronic display device  100 . The mounting mechanism  120  can be used to mount the electronic display device  100  to a surface. The electronic display device  100  can be, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a television, or an LCD display. In some embodiments, the electronic display device  100  can be an Apple iPad 2. The mounting mechanism  120  includes a pair of high friction pads  122 , and multiple magnets  124  (as shown in  FIG. 1A ). The magnets  124  can be made from, for example, rare earth materials. The high friction pads  122  can be formed with, for example, a high friction material. For example, the high friction pads  122  can be made from an elastomeric material, such as, for example, silicone rubber. The magnets  124  can be positioned in such a way that they do not add significant thickness to the electronic display device  100  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). In some embodiments, the magnets  124  can be coupled to the electronic display device  100  with, for example, a double-sided tape. Other attachment methods such as adhesives, mechanical latches, hinges, or elastic grip can alternatively be used. 
     High friction material of the pads  122  in combination with the magnets  124  allows the electronic display device  100  to be mounted magnetically to ferrous surfaces and ferrous objects. When mounted to a ferrous surface as shown in  FIG. 3A , each high friction pad  122  can be squeezed between the electronic display device  100  and the ferrous surface by the magnetic force of the magnets  124  to the ferrous surface. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate another embodiment of an electronic display device  200  with a mounting mechanism  220  that includes friction pads  222  and magnets  224  that can be formed the same as or similar to friction pads  122  and magnets  124 , respectively. In this embodiment, the magnets  224  are embedded in the friction pads  222  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  FIG. 2B  shows a cross sectional view illustrating the contact between a ferrous surface  230 , the pads  222 , and the electronic display device  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the electronic display device  100  can be attached to a surface  130  and the force of friction from the pads  124  can maintain the electronic display device  100  attached to the surface  130 . This force of friction can be proportional to the normal force and friction coefficient of the materials. The normal force is the magnetic pull force between the magnets  124  and the ferrous surface  130 . This normal force, in addition to the high friction coefficient of the pads  122  produces an overall force of friction high enough to hold the electronic display device  100  in place, mounted to the ferrous surface  130 . Electronic display device  200  can be mounted to a surface (e.g., surface  230  in  FIG. 2B ) in a similar manner as described for electronic display device  100 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view and  FIG. 4C  shows a side view of the electronic display device  100  mounted to a non-ferrous surface  440 . In this embodiment, a ferrous metal frame  442  (also referred to as “ferrous element”) can be attached to the surface  440 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . In some embodiments, the metal frame  442  can be formed with a steel, such as, for example, a Stainless Steel—Grade 430, and the metal frame  442  can be adhered to the wall surface  440  with, for example, a double-sided tape (not shown). Other methods of attaching the metal frame  442  to a surface can be used such as adhesives, screws, or Velcro.  FIG. 4C  shows a profile view of the electronic display device  100  attached to surface  440  with the mounting mechanism  120  mounted to the ferrous metal frame  442 , which is attached to the wall surface  440 . In this embodiment, the pads  122  of mounting mechanism  120  can be squeezed between the electronic display device  100  and the metal frame  442  creating a friction force sufficient to keep the electronic display device  100  mounted to the non-ferrous surface  440 . 
     The mounting mechanisms described herein can provide a method of attaching an electronic display device to a surface while providing a low profile. In other words, when adhered to the surface, the mounting mechanism does not add significant thickness to the electronic display device.  FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of the electronic display device  100  with the mounting mechanism  120  attached to the backside of the electronic display device  100  and shown within a dashed-line bounding box B 1  to illustrate the dimensions of the electronic display device  100  with the mounting mechanism  120  attached thereto. The dimensions of the bounding box B 1  are represented by the maximum length L, width W, and thickness T2. The thickness T2 is the total thickness of the electronic display device  100  and the mounting mechanism  120  attached thereto as shown in  FIG. 5C .  FIG. 5B  shows a dashed-line bounding box B 2 , with the thickness of only the electronic display device  100  as T1. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5C , the thickness T2 of the combined electronic display device  100  and the mounting mechanism  120  is no greater than 10% thicker than the thickness T1 ( FIG. 5B ) of the electronic display device  100  alone. The width W of the electronic display device  100  remains unchanged. As shown for example, in  FIG. 4C , in embodiments in which the metal frame  442  is used, the stack up thickness of the electronic display device  100 , the mounting mechanism  120  and the metal frame  442  does not increase the overall thickness of the electronic display device  100  by more than 15% of the thickness of the electronic display device alone. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , an electronic display device includes a mounting mechanism  620  that includes multiple magnets  624  that are embedded into the electronic display device  600 . The back surface of the electronic display device  600  can have, for example, high friction properties. The combination of the high friction surface of the electronic display device  600  and the embedded magnets  624  can allow the electronic display device  600  to mount magnetically to ferrous surfaces and ferrous objects. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , an electronic display device  700  with a mounting mechanism  720  includes multiple magnets  724  that are embedded into the electronic display device  700 . Pads  722  composed of high friction material are attached externally to the electronic display device  700  such that the combination of the magnets  724  and the pads  722  allows the electronic display device  700  to be mounted magnetically to ferrous surfaces and ferrous objects. In this embodiment, the friction pads  722  add a thickness to the electronic display device  700  that is no more than 10% greater than the thickness of the electronic display device  700  alone. 
     In yet another embodiment, an electronic display device  800  includes a mounting mechanism that can be in the form of a case that can enclose the electronic display device  800 .  FIG. 8A  shows a layered perspective view of the electronic display device  800  and a case  845 . The case  845  can be made of, for example, a high friction material. Embedded into the walls of the case  845  are multiple magnets  824 . The combination of the high friction material of the case  845  and the embedded magnets  824  allows the electronic display device  800  to be mounted magnetically to ferrous surfaces and ferrous objects.  FIG. 8B  shows a perspective view of the electronic display device  800  with the mounting mechanism  820  (in the form of case  845 ) coupled thereto. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate yet another embodiment of an electronic display device  900  with a mounting mechanism  920 . The mounting mechanism  920  includes high friction pads  922  with multiple magnets  924  that align to the sides of the electronic display device  900 .  FIG. 9B  shows an exploded perspective view and  FIG. 9A  illustrates the mounting mechanism  920  coupled to the electronic display device  900 . The high friction pads  922  can be attached to the sides of the electronic display device  900  as shown in  FIG. 9A . Magnets  924  can be positioned between the electronic display device  900  and the friction pads  922 . The high friction pads  922  extend to the back side of the electronic display device  900  to ensure contact of the pads  922  with the surface to which the electronic display device  900  is mounted. The combination of the high friction pads  922  that extend to the back of the electronic display device  900  and the magnets  924  allows the electronic display device  900  to be mounted magnetically to ferrous surfaces and ferrous objects. 
     In each of the embodiments described above, the electronic display device  100 ,  200 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  can be mounted to a surface in various orientations, such as, in a landscape view, a portrait view or at any angle therebetween. For example,  FIG. 10A  shows a transparent back view of the electronic display device  100  mounted in portrait view to the non-ferrous surface  440  with the ferrous metal frame  442  and mounting mechanism  120 .  FIG. 10B  shows a transparent back view of the electronic display device  100  mounted in landscape view to the non-ferrous surface  440  with the ferrous metal frame  442  and the mounting mechanism  120 . 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where methods described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events may be modified. Additionally, certain of the events may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. 
     Where schematics and/or embodiments described above indicate certain components arranged in certain orientations or positions, the arrangement of components may be modified. While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The embodiments described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components, and/or features of the different embodiments described.