Abstract:
A device supports a separate keyboard and flat panel electronic display, such as a tablet touch screen computer, on a common arched member, each adapted to independently translate along the arch to optionally dispose the keyboard accessible for use, or at the top of the arch in which the keyboard and display are vertical and disposed behind a device mounting bracket.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority to the International (PCT) Patent application of the same title having International application no. PCT/US2013/o45050 that was filed with the USPTO as the RO on 11 Jun. 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. The present application also claims the benefit of priority to the U.S. provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/658,018 for a “RUGGEDIZED MOBILE DIGITAL COMPUTER MOUNT HAVING INTEGRATED TABLET COMPUTER MOBILE DOCKING STATION AND RETRACTABLE KEYBOARD SLIDE” that was filed on Jun. 11, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to keyboard and electronic display mounting systems, including mobile data terminals for use in in-vehicle computing and fleet computing, and more particularly to ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus, and still more particularly to a ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting device for a mobile digital computer having an integrated tablet computer docking station easel and retractable keyboard clamp and slide. 
         [0003]    Background Discussion: Ruggedized laptop and mobile digital computer systems are well known. The use of mobile digital computers in civilian agency vehicles, notably police, fire, and ambulance, requires systems that are secure, easy to deploy, extremely durable, and capable of operation in extremely harsh environments. Frequently, ruggedized systems are designed under military construction specifications (e.g., MIL-STD 810E) having performance standards based on use in environments considerably more harsh that those encountered in civilian environments. 
         [0004]    Many mounting systems for ruggedized laptops and other mobile digital computers have been devised. However, tablet computers having touch screen interfaces for user input are increasingly used for in-vehicle and fleet computing purposes, and touch screen input using touch screen keyboards or keypads is mechanically inferior to input on a standard discrete physical qwerty keyboard or keypad. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a mobile docking station easel for displaying a tablet computer with touch screen functionality along with a retractable keyboard slide assembly for input using a standalone keyboard operatively connected to the tablet when it is mounted on the docking station. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus for an in-vehicle and fleet computing mobile digital computer, said mounting apparatus comprising a mounting bar having at least an arcuate portion; the arcuate portion having a lower portion that is substantially horizontal and an upper portion that is substantially vertical, a retractable keyboard clamp assembly slideably mounted on said mounting bar and having a fully retracted position and a fully deployed position and an indeterminate number of positions therebetween; and a tablet computer docking station easel disposed at an upper end of said mounting bar; wherein when said keyboard clamp assembly is in the fully retracted position, a keyboard mounted on said keyboard clamp assembly is positioned behind said tablet computer docking station in a generally vertical orientation, and when said keyboard clamp assembly is in the fully deployed position, a keyboard mounted on said keyboard clamp assembly is positioned under said tablet computer docking station in a generally horizontal orientation for easy user input. 
         [0006]    A second aspect of the invention is planar display enclosure comprising a generally planar plate shaped receptacle having a cavity defined between an inner bottom surface and connected surrounding upright walls, and an outer bottom surface disposed opposite the inner bottom surface, wherein the upper surface of the upright walls provide a rim surrounding the cavity, and a transparent cover plate adapted for sealed engagement with the rim of the receptacle, a partially removable portal in the surrounding upright wall, which is responsive to an externally engaged actuator means coupled to partially open the portal. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the invention is a planar display docking system comprising a planar display enclosure having; a generally planar plate shaped receptacle having a cavity defined between an inner bottom surface and connected surrounding upright walls, and an outer bottom surface disposed opposite the inner bottom surface, wherein the upper surface of the upright walls provide a rim surrounding the cavity, a transparent cover plate adapted for sealed engagement with the rim of the receptacle, a partially removable portal in the surrounding upright wall, an easel shaped docking station having adapter to receive and support the planar display enclosure, the docking station having; an upright support face having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, a front ledge connected to extend orthogonally from the front surface of the upright support face, a multi-pin connector disposed on the front ledge and oriented with at least one of pins and sockets extending upward in the direction of the upright support face, the front surface of the upright support face having at least one of rails and channels that slidingly engage a complimentary structure on the outer bottom surface of the receptacle, in which the insertion of at least one rail in a channel urges an actuator means to dispose at least a portion of the partially removable portal away from the upright wall of the receptacle before the corresponding portion of the upright wall contacts the multi-pin connector. 
         [0008]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is an upper front left perspective view showing the mounting system of the present invention, showing the keyboard and keyboard slide in a fully retracted position 
           [0010]    FIG. IB is the same view showing the system with the keyboard deployed fully forward; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a partially exploded upper front left perspective view showing the keyboard slide removed from the arcuate mounting bar; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a side view in elevation showing the keyboard in a fully retracted position, this view corresponding to FIG. IA; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  shows the keyboard deployed fully forward, this view corresponding with  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a front view in elevation corresponding to  FIGS. 1A and 2A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a front view in elevation corresponding to  FIGS. 1B and 2B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view corresponding to  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A, and  3 A; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a top plan view corresponding to  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B, and  3 B. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective exterior view of an alternative embodiment of the device supporting an enclosed tablet computer with an external keyboard 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective exterior view of an alternative embodiment of the device supporting an enclosed tablet computer with an external keyboard in which the enclosed tablet is disposed in a landscape format. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a rear elevation view of the tablet computer enclosed in the protective case supported on the pivoting mount, whereas  FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional elevation view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded rear perspective view of the lower rear portion of the protective case. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of the pivoting mount, whereas  FIGS. 10B and 10C  are front and side elevations views thereof respectively; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11A  is a rear perspective view of the pivoting mount, whereas  FIG. 11B  is a rear elevations views thereof; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A through 11B , wherein like numbers refer to identical elements in the various views, the present invention is a ruggedized mobile data computer mounting system having an integrated table computer easel and retractable keyboard slide. 
         [0025]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, generally denominated  10  herein, includes an arcuate mounting bar  12 , having left and right side channels  14   a,    14   b  extending from a bottom end  16  of the mounting bar to an upper portion  18  of the mounting bar. At the upper end  20  of the mounting bar, a tablet computer docking easel  22  is attached, the docking easel including an upper clamping member  24  affixed to the mounting bar for holding the upper edge  26  of a tablet computer  28 , and a lower clamping member  32 , including a shelf portion  34 , and a retaining lip  36  for engaging and capturing the lower edge  38  of the tablet computer. 
         [0026]    Incorporated in generally the middle of the shelf portion of the lower clamping member are a docking connector for coupling with the docking station receptacle in the tablet computer. These are well known and not shown in the views. Electronics for the docking station are disposed in the shelf and back support portions of the docking station easel, and wires for connecting the mobile data computer to in-vehicle peripheral devices, systems, and computers are routed over and/or through the mounting bar. 
         [0027]    The mounting bar further includes a mounting boss  40  having a plurality of holes for coupling to a dash mount swing arm. Thus, ergonomics can be closely tailored to user needs. 
         [0028]    The retractable keyboard slide assembly includes a right side  42  having a first sliding pin  44  fixed in the right side and an end portion  46  slidably inserted into the right side channel  14   b  of mounting bar  12 . A left side  48  of the slide assembly includes a second sliding pin  50  threadably inserted through the left side and an interior end portion  52  slidably extending from the left side and slidably disposed in the left side channel  14   a  of the mounting bar  12 . An adjustment knob  54  coupled to an exterior end of the second pin enables a user to selectively loosen the slide assembly for any translation within the channels to any position along the length of the channels and thereafter to be fixed in the selected position, as is shown in the various views. 
         [0029]    The slide assembly next includes a proximal clamping member  56  for engaging and capturing an upper edge  58  of a keyboard  60 , and a distal clamping member  62  for engaging and clamping a lower edge  62  of the keyboard. 
         [0030]    In this way, a mobile data computer can be provided with a fully retractable keyboard tray integrated with a table computer docking station for in-vehicle and fleet computing in a space-saving and ergonomically sound manner. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in  FIG. 5-11 , the tablet shaped electronic display is contained in a ruggedized housing or protective case  100  that mounts on the easel portion  200  of the device. The housing  100  is adapted to accommodate the external access to the docking station receptacle of the electronic display or tablet computer, via a portal  130  that is optionally is partially removable, meaning that it swings, tilts or slides to at least partially open to allow access to the enclosed electronic device. 
         [0032]    The protective case  100  has generally planar plate shaped receptacle  110  having a cavity  101  defined between an inner bottom surface  111   a  and connected surrounding upright walls  112 , and an outer bottom surface  111   b  disposed opposite the inner bottom surface  111   a,  wherein the upper surface of the upright walls  112  provide a rim  113  surrounding the cavity  101  at the top thereof. 
         [0033]    A transparent cover plate  120  is adapted for sealed engagement with the rim  113  of the receptacle. A partially removable portal  130  in the surrounding upright wall  112  opens in response to an externally engaged actuator means. Gasket  134  is preferably disposed between the partially removable portal  130  and the outer bottom surface  111   b  or wall  112  of the receptacle  110 . 
         [0034]    The cover plate  120  of the receptacle has a bezel  121  with one of more contact switches  123  to engage complimentary switches on the display  28 . Further, transparent material between the inner perimeter of the bezel  121  to form the front of the cover plate  120 . In the case of capacitive touch screen display, this material is an at least semi-conductive transparent material is preferably Invisishield™ brand screen protectors available from ZAGG, Inc. 3855 So. 500 W. Suite B Salt Lake City, Utah 84115-4279. Further, a supportive device cushion  119  is disposed the bottom of the cavity  101 . Hence, display  28  is held between cushion  119  and bezel  121 . Further, a gasket  124  is disposed between the cover plate  120  and the rim  113  to seal the cavity  101 . The case  100  is optionally sealed closed by the insertion of nuts through a plurality of bolt receiving through  126  holes disposed about perimeter of the bezel of the transparent cover plate. The bolts then engage the threaded bores  116  disposed in a complimentary arrangement about the perimeter of the rim  113  of the receptacle. However, other closure means such as clamps and latches may be deployed. 
         [0035]    A more preferred embodiment of the invention is a protective case  100  holding the tablet or planar display  28  which is adopted to be received in a mounting easel  200 . In contrast to the other embodiment, rather the engaging the display or display protective case in top and bottom clamping members, the easel  200  includes one or more vertical rails or tracks that engage a complementary member on the display or a protective case for the display. More particularly, easel shaped mount  200  illustrated in  FIG. 10A-10C  with a front ledge  211  connected to extend orthogonally from an upright support face  210 . The front ledge includes a multi-pin connector  220 . The upright support has at least one of rails and channels that slidingly engage the complimentary structure on the outer bottom surface of the receptacle. The insertion of at least one rail and channel urges an actuator means to open a pivoting partially portal to open a bottom edge of the receptacle. 
         [0036]    The easel  200  also provides a means for locking the receptacle or case  100  to the docking station. In one embodiment the locking means is an adjustable arm  260  connected in hinged engagement to the rear portion  210   b  of the upright support face  210 . Arm  260  also includes an engaging lateral portion  261  which extends through a slot  262  in the supporting face of the easel into a notch or cavity  161  in the rear face  111   b  of the case  100 . 
         [0037]    The outer bottom surface of the receptacle  111   b  has a pair of linear outer channel  116   a  and  116   b  extending upward from the lower edge  111   c,  with the partially removable portal  130  in hinged engagement between them having the opening face adjacent the lower edge. A central channel  115  is disposed above the hinged connection of the portal  130 . The partially removable portal  130  in the surrounding upright wall  113  of the receptacle is connected by hinges  137 . 
         [0038]    An actuator is engaged when rails one of the rails enter one or more of the channels. A preferred actuator is provided in part by one or more linear channels on the outer bottom surface of the receptacle. The upright support  210  has outer rails  216   a  and  216   b  configured to slidingly engage the outer channels  116   a  and  116   b.  The outer channels  116   a  and  116   b  have fan shaped openings  116   a ′ and  116   b ′ at the lower edge of the receptacle  100 , which aid to guide the display or tablet device housed in receptacle  110  downward such that the docking connector thereof is properly oriented to engage multi-pin connector  210 . After the case  100  engages rails  216   a  and  216   b,  the portal  130  is urged open by the upper edge  215   a  of a central rail contacting the portion  130   a  of the door or portal  130  above hinge  137 . After door  130  swings open, the central rail  215  engages the central channel  115 . When the receptacle or case  100  is removed from support  200 , the portal  130  swings closed in response to the torsion spring  136  coupled to the hinge axle  218 . The hinge axle  118  is held in place by a pair of L-shaped brackets  270  that attach to the bottom edge of the case  100 . 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in  FIG. 5-11 , the easel  200  clamping the display or tablet protective case  100  is connected to the arched mounted via a mounting member  300  that is adjustable to rotate by at least  90  degrees, and hence rotate the display between a portrait and landscape orientation. A preferred embodiment of the pivoting means provided by a pair of spaced apart columns  241  and  242  extending outward from the rear  210   b  of the upright support face  210  which extend through a pair of orthogonally disposed curved tracks  341  and  342  formed in a fixed support plate. The top of the columns  241  and  242  that extend through the tracks are capped by retaining disks  245 . The pair of tracks are offset so that as the receptacle  100  and docking station  200  are rotated the columns  241  and  242  are urged to progress from a latched position at one end of the tracks  341  and  342  respectively to another latched position at the opposite end. The tracks  341  and  342  have a curvilinear shape that connects to offset linear section at opposing ends. The linear opposing ends of the tracks are orthogonally disposed in the plane of mount  300 . Alternative pivoting means include a simple rotary connector with rotation limit stop to prevent the display from rotating at least beyond a full circle, and thus twist and hardwire connections to the multi-pin docking fixture. 
         [0040]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.