2016-12-17 16:13 GMT+01:00 <chadvellacott@sasktel.net>

    The "ThinkPad"-series had (or has) convertibles ("X41 Tablet", "X60 Tablet, Helix) [1].
   (By the way, the X60-convertible is listed as supported by "libreboot" [2].)
   This line of computers seems to have been distinctively-sturdy.  And the X60-convertible was said to have "signature ~ bulletproof build quality" and be "more ~ sturdy than any ultralight convertible we have used." [3].
   So maybe how they JOINed the key-board to the screen, was more sturdy than other often-problematic "implementations".  (But I have neither seen nor read HOW Lenovo connected the two parts.)
   As far as I see, there are two separate concerns- (1) the data-connection (USB here, I guess Luke wrote) (the concern of the original post), and (2) how the screen and the key-board are held (joined) together (a 2nd thing discussed in this context, like the arms mentioned above).

The X41 and X60 do not have detachable screens. The screens are on a hinge. The hinge is propriety hardware produced in 'small' volumes. Tailor made for these laptops. 

The Helix is detachable probably uses a tailor made connector produced in 'small' volumes. 

By small I mean a big volume enough for production of the laptops/convertables/tablets and some stock as replacement parts or batch filling.

The EOMA products are based on "ominous parts". Parts not made for specific products but used in many. Luke recently found that one selected part did not meet that criteria and had to change the PCB to fit a more ominously available part. 

This makes it the "EOMA" products sustainable and relatively cheap.

The are a few options as far as I see.

1. Magnetic connectors, like the now dropped apple mag-safe(tm) connector.
    It might work as there are "Chinese" knockoffs for micro-usb. But power only.
2. "Pogo pins" with, neodymium, magnets to snap them to the right place. Doable but needs testing and probably a few iterations for reliability if even possible. 
3. Dell, Lenovo or HP docking station connectors. Probably widely available as long as Dell, Lenovo or HP sticks with their format.
4. A 14/15 inch EOMA-68 tablet with a keyboard/battery "dock" connected via USB cable to the "tablet"

But the current connectors used by the "big" manufacturers are product specific and quite expensive for low volume production and not sustainable.

 

   [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_X_Series
if you press ctrl f and look for "conver"
   [2] https://libreboot.org/docs/hcl/index.html#supported_laptops_x86intel
   [3] http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x60-tablet