Planar electronic display mount with adjustable keyboard tray

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus for an in-vehicle and fleet computing mobile digital computer, said mounting apparatus comprising:
 a) 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,   b) 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   c) a tablet computer docking station easel disposed at an upper end of said mounting bar;   d) 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.   
     
     
         2 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a mounting boss for connection to a dash mounted swing arm. 
     
     
         3 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting bar includes an arcuate portion and a generally straight portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting bar includes right and left channels, and said retractable keyboard clamp assembly includes right and left sides, a first pin disposed through one of said right or left sides and having an end extending from said side so as to be slidably inserted into one of said right or left channels, a second pin threadly disposed through the other of said right or left side and having an interior end extending from said side and slidably disposed in the other of said right or left channels and an adjustment knob disposed on an exterior end of said second pin, and clamps for capturing and retaining a keyboard. 
     
     
         5 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a docking connector for coupling with a docking station receptacle in a tablet computer or other connected device. 
     
     
         6 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein docking station mounting easel includes an upper clamping member and a lower clamping member having a shelf portion, and wherein said docking connector is disposed generally in the middle of said lower clamping member. 
     
     
         7 . The ruggedized mobile data terminal mounting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein wires connecting said docking connector to in-vehicle peripheral devices, systems, and computers are routed over and/or through the mounting bar. 
     
     
         8 . A planar display enclosure comprising:
 a) 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,   b) a transparent cover plate adapted for sealed engagement with the rim of the receptacle,   c) a partially removable portal in the surrounding upright wall, which is responsive to an externally engaged actuator means coupled to partially open the portal.   
     
     
         9 . A planar display docking system comprising:
 a) a planar display enclosure having;
 i) 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, 
 ii) a transparent cover plate adapted for sealed engagement with the rim of the receptacle, 
 iii) a partially removable portal in the surrounding upright wall, 
   b) an easel shaped docking station having adapter to receive and support the planar display enclosure, the docking station having;
 i) 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, 
 ii) 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, 
   c) 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.