Patent Application
20130081969
The present invention generally relates to covers for electronic devices, and more particularly to an apparatus for securing an electronic device to a cover.
With the advent of “electronic paper” and new liquid crystal display (LCD) technology that allows easy reading of electronic documents in varying light conditions with limited power, electronic book or tablet devices such as the Barnes & Noble Nook®, have hit the mainstream. The technology has quickly evolved to very thin, portable devices that have long battery life and built in communication such as cellular or wireless. Many people are beginning to use these devices like they would ordinary books, magazines, or newspapers, carrying them in briefcases or beach bags like they would an ordinary paper periodical or book.
There are many types of book or device covers that offer different levels of flexibility or levels of convenience in providing functionality as a cover for the device as well as acting as a stand or easel for hands free viewing of the device. One issue facing designers of such covers or stands is how to secure the electronic device to cover or stand. Some prior art apparatuses have included protrusions formed in the cover that mate with apertures in the electronic device. Other apparatuses provide pockets formed on a surface of the cover in which the electronic device can be received. Some have provided flexible elastic straps that fit over portions of the electronic device, for example the corners of the device.
None of these conventional apparatuses provide a simple mechanism for mounting and un-mounting the electronic device to the cover while at the same time providing a secure coupling of the device to the cover.
The present invention is an apparatus for securing an electronic device to a cover.
The apparatus is in the form of a clip that uses a 3-point system to provide a secure hold on a device without requiring any holes in the device. The clip also provides an improved user experience in attaching and detaching an electronic device from the clip.
The three contact points radiate from a main body in a triangular fashion in plan view. Two of the contact points are formed as cups that couple with two respective corners of the electronic device. The third contact point is an elastically deformable clip that engages a side of the electronic device.
For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawing in which:
In addition to the main member 60 and connecting members 70 and 80, it is preferable that web members 90 and ribs 95 are formed in body 20 to provide additional support and rigidity to apparatus 10.
The distance between the far end 35 of contact point 30 and the far end 45 of contact point 45 is such that when a user inserts electronic device 100 into securing apparatus 10 (as further described below) there is a pressure fit between the two contact points 30, 40.
As seen in this Figure, the profile of elastic clip 50 is straight, in order to engage along its entire length with the side of the electronic device 100. This is compared to the curved profile of the corner contact points 30, 40 as illustrated in
Elastic clip 50 is provided with the lip 120 that fits over an edge of electronic device 100, when electronic device 100 is attached to securing apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, lip 120 fits over an edge of a protrusion (e.g., a piping) formed on a side surface of electronic device 100. Alternatively, lip 120 can be fit over the top of the case of electronic device 100, engaging the top surface of the device 100. The profile of area 100 is shaped to conform to the profile of the device 100. Although depicted as being curved, it is appreciated that the profile 110 can be altered to better conform to the profile of the edge of device 100. Sharp corners on profile 100 are not preferred to avoid any physical interference when attaching and detaching device 100 to securing apparatus 10.
Elastic clip 50 has a protrusion 125 that enables a user to move the clip 50 in a lateral direction A when attaching and detaching electronic device 100 to securing apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, clip 50 has sufficient elasticity such that the user does not have to use protrusion 125 to move clip 50 in the lateral direction A when attaching electronic device 100 to securing apparatus 10. The user simply has to apply a downward pressure to electronic device 100 in direction C to snap the device 100 into clip 50. The rounded end of lip 120 allows the edge of the device 100 to apply the lateral force in direction A, pushing back the clip 50 and allowing the device 100 to be secured in clip 50. Preferably, clip 50 is made of a material of a sufficient thickness, that once the user has applied the downward pressure in direction C, clip 50 will move in lateral direction B due to the elastic “memory” of the material. This “memory” of the material should be sufficient to provide lateral movement in direction B for thousands of cycles of attaching and detaching device 100.
Similar to lip 120 in clip 50, corner contact points 30, 40 have a lip 130 that fits over an edge of electronic device 100, when electronic device 100 is attached to securing apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, lip 130 fits over an edge of a protrusion (e.g., a piping) formed on a side surface of electronic device 100. Alternatively, lip 130 can be fit over the top of the case of electronic device 100, engaging the top surface of the device 100.
Unlike clip 50, corner engagement sections 30, 40 do not have any protrusions for use by the operator. In operation, the user fits the two corners of electronic device 100 into the corner sections 30, 40 and then applies the downward pressure to the edge of device 100 near clip 50 in order to attach the device 100 to securing apparatus 10 as described above. In a preferred embodiment, corner contact points 30, 40 do not have the same lateral elasticity as clip 50.
Once engaged in securing apparatus 10, the electronic device 100 remains secured in apparatus 10 by a pressure fit. Unlike many conventional securing devices, securing apparatus 10 does not require any apertures in electronic device 100 into which protrusion of the securing device are mated. This is a significant functional and cost savings advantage of the present invention over conventional devices. The securing apparatus 10 can be used with any electronic device of similar form factor, without any special manufacturing required to conform the electronic device to the securing apparatus (or vice versa).
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and other uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the gist and scope of the disclosure.
