Secure detachable stylus latching mechanism for electronic display and input devices

Abstract

An external sheath attachable to an electronic display and input device or to a holder of an electronic display and input device, including: an open ended chamber which receives an end of an electronic stylus and has a sidewall, an open end at one end of the sidewall and a second end at an opposite end of the sidewall, and a slot in the sidewall of the chamber, wherein the slot includes a first slot section, a second slot section offset from the first slot section and a bridge slot joining a distal end of the first slot with a distal end of the second slot, wherein the first slot section includes an open end aligned with the open end of the chamber and the slot in the sidewall is configured to receive a locking post on a side of the electronic stylus.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An external sheath attached to an electronic display and input device or a to a holder of an electronic display and input device, the external sheath comprising:
 an open ended chamber configured to receive at least a portion of an electronic stylus, wherein the chamber includes a sidewall, an open end at one end of the sidewall and a second end at an opposite end of the sidewall, and   a slot in the sidewall of the chamber, wherein the slot includes a first slot section, a second slot section offset from the first slot section and a bridge slot joining a distal end of the first slot with a distal end of the second slot,   wherein the first slot section includes an open end aligned with the open end of the chamber and a distal section,   wherein the second slot section includes a closed end in the sidewall of the chamber, and   wherein the slot in the sidewall is configured to receive a locking post on a side of the electronic stylus.   
     
     
         2 . The external sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a resilient member within the chamber and positioned proximate to the second end, wherein the resilient member is configured to deform when an end of the electronic stylus is pushed into the chamber and against the resilient member,
 wherein the locking post on a side of the electronic stylus slides through the first slot section, across the bridge slot section and is retained in the second slot section through the pressure from the resilient member situated proximate to the second end of the chamber. 
 
     
     
         3 . The external sheath of  claim 1  wherein the slot has a J-shape, wherein the first slot section represents a long section of the J-shape, and the bridge slot section and the second slot section together represent a hook portion the J-shape. 
     
     
         4 . The external sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener configured to attach the external sheath to the electronic display and input device or to a holder of an electronic display and input device. 
     
     
         5 . The external sheath of  claim 5  wherein the fastener attaches the external sheath along and parallel to an edge of the electronic display and input device or to a holder of an electronic display and input device. 
     
     
         6 . A holder for an electronic stylus comprising:
 a holder housing including a sidewall extending around a receptacle configured to receive an end portion of an electronic stylus, wherein the holder housing includes an open end of the receptacle and a second end, opposite to the first end;   a fastener configured to attach the holder housing to an electronic display and input device or a holder of an electronic display and input device;   a resilient member within the holder housing and positioned proximate to the second end, wherein the resilient member is configured to deform at least a certain distance when an end of the electronic stylus is pushed into the holder and against the resilient member;   a slot in the sidewall including:
 a first slot section having an open end at the open end of the holder housing and a distal section, 
 a second slot section offset from the first slot section and having a closed end in the sidewall for the holder housing, 
 a bridge slot connecting the distal section of the first slot and an entrance to the second slot, 
 wherein the slot in the sidewall is configured to receive a locking post on a side of the electronic stylus, wherein the locking post slides through the first slot section, across the bridge slot section and is retained in the second slot section. 
   
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein the slot has a J-shape wherein the first slot section represents a long section of the J-shape, and the bridge slot section and the second slot section together represent a hook portion of the J-shape. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein the fastener attaches the holder housing along and parallel to an edge of an electronic display and input device or a holder of an electronic display and input device