Display stand for a tablet computer

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display stand for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft. The display stand may include a sleeve configured to at least partially receive a tablet computer therein and a base configured to releasably engage the sleeve. The base may be configured to engage the sleeve in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base and to disengage the sleeve in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the system comprising:
 a sleeve configured to be coupled to a tablet computer, wherein the sleeve comprises a sleeve locking member; and   a base comprising an electronic lock configured to releasably engage the sleeve in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base and to disengage the sleeve in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base, wherein the base comprises a base locking member configured to engage the sleeve locking member, the base locking member comprising a plurality of locking studs biased towards the locked configuration and each configured to engage the sleeve locking member when the sleeve is positioned on the base.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve locking member has a curved outer surface and at least one circumferentially extending opening defined about the curved outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve locking member comprises a locking lug configured to releasably engage the base. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the base comprises a recess configured to at least partially receive the locking lug therein. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the locking lug comprises a groove configured to be releasably engaged by the plurality of locking studs. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tablet computer is configured to be selectively positioned on the base in the locked configuration in one of a plurality of display orientations. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of display orientations comprises a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve locking member is configured to overcome the bias of the plurality of locking studs as the sleeve locking member is positioned on the base, and wherein the plurality of locking studs are configured to be biased to the locked configuration when the sleeve is fully positioned on the base. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic key configured to cooperate with the electronic lock for unlocking the sleeve and the tablet computer from the base. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic lock comprises a security code, and wherein the electronic lock is configured to unlock in response to receiving a matching security code from the electronic key. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic key is configured to cooperate with the electronic lock for moving the base locking member against the bias of an elastic member to the unlocked configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises means for charging the tablet computer or transferring power to the tablet computer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to charge the tablet computer via contact charging. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured to overlie and enclose opposing sides and opposing ends of the tablet computer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locking studs are biased towards the locked configuration with at least one elastic member. 
     
     
         16 . A method for securing a tablet computer from unauthorized removal or theft, the method comprising:
 coupling a tablet computer to a sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises a sleeve locking member;   positioning the sleeve on a base such that the tablet computer is locked to the base with an electronic lock so as to prevent removal of the tablet computer from the base, wherein the base comprises a base locking member configured to engage the sleeve locking member, the base locking member comprising a plurality of locking studs biased towards the locked configuration and each configured to engage the sleeve locking member when the sleeve is positioned on the base; and   unlocking the electronic lock so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising charging the tablet computer with the base via contact charging or inductive charging. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selectively positioning the sleeve and the tablet computer in one of a plurality of predetermined display orientations while locked to the base. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein unlocking comprises unlocking the lock with an electronic key so as to allow the sleeve and the tablet computer to be removed from the base. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning comprises positioning the sleeve on the base such that the sleeve locking member overcomes a bias of an elastic member as the sleeve is positioned on the base.