Adjustable tablet arm with one-handed release mechanism

An adjustable supporting arm, the arm comprising:

• a proximal arm member that is connectable to a support mount or base, the proximal arm member having a longitudinal axis and a stowage slot located therein, the stowage slot being defined by a plurality of channel walls that are collectively circumferentially continuous therearound along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis, and
• a distal arm member that is connected to the proximal arm member by a joint, the distal arm member having a longitudinal axis, wherein the joint has a locked position in which the longitudinal axis of the distal arm member is not adjustable relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal arm member, and an unlocked position in which the longitudinal axis of the distal arm member can be rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal arm member, the joint comprising a push button in engagement with a compression spring, wherein the joint is convertible from its locked position to its unlocked position by applying a force to the push button such that it compresses the compression spring;
• wherein in a first phase of adjustability, the distal arm member may be telescopically extended from or retracted into the stowage slot such that the longitudinal axis of the distal arm member remains substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the proximal arm member and an effective length of the distal arm member, as measured between the joint and a distal end of the distal arm member, is adjustable;
• wherein in a second phase of adjustability, after the distal arm member has been fully extended out of the concealed portion of the stowage slot and the joint has been converted to its unlocked position, the distal arm member may be rotated about the joint so that the longitudinal axis of the distal arm member is not substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the proximal arm member;
• and
• wherein in a third phase of adjustability, while the distal arm member is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is not oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the proximal arm member, the effective length of the distal arm member can be reduced without sliding any part of the distal arm member into the stowage slot.

An arm for supporting an electronic device, the arm comprising:

• a proximal arm member that is connectable to a support mount;
• a distal arm member connected to the proximal arm member by a first joint, wherein a length of the distal arm member as measured from the first joint to a distal end of the distal arm member is adjustable, the distal arm member being at least partially stowable within the proximal arm member in some configurations of the arm;
• an attachment assembly comprising a release plate and an attachment disc comprised of a ferrous metal, the attachment assembly being connected to the distal arm member by a second joint, the attachment disc being located within a recess located in a front side of the release plate;
• a magnet assembly that is attachable to a rear side of the electronic device, the magnet assembly comprising a magnet, the magnet assembly being sized and shaped to fit within the recess;
• wherein when the magnet assembly is attached to the rear side of the electronic device and placed within the recess, a magnetic force between the attachment disc and the magnet is developed that is sufficient to hold the magnet assembly and attached electronic device to the arm;
• wherein a portion of the release plate angles away from the rear side of the electronic device such that a gap is formed between a front side of the portion of the release plate and the rear side of the electronic device, and the magnet assembly and attached electronic device are removable from the arm by, with one hand, contacting during the same period of time both a front side of the electronic device opposing the rear side thereof and a rear side of the second portion of the release plate opposing the front side thereof, and moving at least a portion of the rear side of the electronic device into the gap such that the strength of the magnetic force between the attachment disc and the magnet is reduced to a point where the electronic device is removable from the arm with the one hand.