Tablet computer holder and stand

Abstract

A removable handle assembly for a hand held tablet computer or other handheld electronic device, the assembly including a device mounted assembly and a handle mounted to the device mounted assembly. The handle is rotatable permitting a user to hold the device within one hand and rotate the device to access the screen from any desired angle. The handle assembly may be used to position the device at a desired viewing angle when placed on a surface. The handle assembly may be received within a handle engaging device to permit the device to be mounted to a wall or other structure. The handle may be ergonomically shaped and angled for benefit of the user and rotatable to permit the selection of a desired viewing angle. The handle allows for other external mounting configurations and applications, and improves the utility usage of the tablet, or similar electronic device, itself.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handle assembly for a handheld electronic device, the handheld electronic device including a screen and a back side opposite the screen, the handle assembly comprising:
 a device mounted assembly attached to a removable cover on the back side of the handheld electronic device, the device mounted assembly including a fixed portion and a rotating mounting plate;   a handle mounted to the mounting plate; and,   wherein the handheld electronic device may be rotated as needed about the handle to permit a user to access the screen from any angle, and the handle configured to permit a user to hold the handheld electronic device with one hand while accessing the screen with the other hand;   further comprising the handle ergonomically shaped and angled, with the handle selectively rotatable by a user to position the tablet device on a surface at a desired viewing angle.   
     
     
         2 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the handle including a retractable extension within the handle, the retractable extension selectively extendable by a user to position the tablet device on a surface at a desired viewing angle. 
     
     
         3 . The handle assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the handle is removably attached to the device mounted assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The handle assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising the handle removably mounted to the device mounted assembly via a pair of tabs engaging a pair of openings, wherein each of the tabs includes a web and a head, and each of the openings including a first portion sized to receive the head of one of the two tabs and a second portion sized to receive the web of one of the two tabs but not allowing the head of the tab to be removed from the opening, wherein each of the at least two tabs has a unique head shape and the first portion of at least one of the openings is sized to only receive one of the tab heads. 
     
     
         5 . The handle assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising the mounting plate including a recess, the recess including at least one opening, with any openings located about a periphery of the recess, the handle with a base configured to be removably received within the recess of the mounting plate, the handle further comprising at least one tab, with any tabs positioned about the base to releasably engage one of the openings on the periphery of the recess; and, the handle further comprising a release mechanism that may be used to move the tabs between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         6 . The handle assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising the handle is removably attached to the device mounted assembly via magnets within the handle and ferromagnetic material within the device mounted assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The handle assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising the handle is removably attached to the device mounted assembly via a threaded connection. 
     
     
         8 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 3 , further comprising a protective case sized to receive the tablet device and the device mounted assembly, the protective case including a pocket to receive the handle when removed from the mounting plate. 
     
     
         9 . The handle assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising status lights on an exterior of the protective case to indicate status of various operations of the tablet device. 
     
     
         10 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the protective case permitting the handle to be mounted to the mounting plate while the tablet device is within the protective case. 
     
     
         11 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle engaging portion into which the handle may be removably positioned, the handle engaging portion mounted to one of a wall fixture, a wheel chair, a hospital bed and an equipment stand. 
     
     
         12 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising an articulating arm to position the tablet device in a desired viewing position when the handle is positioned within the handle engaging portion. 
     
     
         13 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising the handle including a connector electrically linked with the handheld device and the handle engaging portion including a mating connector, so that placing the handle into the handle engaging portion creates an electrical connection between the handle engaging portion and the handheld device, wherein the electrical connection between the handle engaging portion and the handheld device enables at least one of charging the handheld device and allowing data transfer to and from the handheld device. 
     
     
         14 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , the handle further comprising a cavity within which is mounted an assembly selected from one of a biometric security device with a sensor mounted on an exterior of the handle, a data transfer assembly, a wireless charging assembly, an circuitry to illuminate indicator lamps mounted on an exterior of the handle to show status of various operations of the tablet device, a lighting assembly that is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the exterior of the handle, and a backup battery assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the device mounted assembly being part of a cover that mounts to the back side of the handheld device. 
     
     
         16 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the device mounted assembly being integrated into the back side of the handheld device. 
     
     
         17 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the device mounted assembly being attached magnetically to the back side of the handheld device. 
     
     
         18 . The handle assembly for a handheld electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising the device mounted assembly including a battery and indicator lights electrically connected to the handheld electronic device.