Patent Application
20140071607
The present disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devices and, more specifically, to case accessories for portable electronic devices.
The proliferation of portable electronic devices (PEDs), including notebook and tablet computers (e.g., the Apple® iPad™), portable digital assistants (PDAs), and smartphones, has placed more computing power into the hands of users than the computing power of early computers that occupied an entire room. This portable computing power has enhanced both personal and business mobile productivity.
However, there are a number of potential disadvantages with such compact devices. For example, PEDs may be susceptible to damage due to their portable nature and because they are often carried or used in locations where extreme temperatures, dust or other particles, vibration, or physical impact is likely. Another disadvantage, due to their compact style, is reduced efficiency for users to enter text or other information into such compact devices. Yet another disadvantage is that users' arms or wrists may tire after long use and the PEDs may be difficult to prop up for viewing or to position at a desired angle.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an accessory case for a PED configured to protect the PED from damage. In some embodiments, the accessory case is configured to substantially enclose the PED and slidably support a keyboard. In various embodiments, the case may be configured to selectively substantially enclose and protect the PED in a closed position and support the PED upright and/or elevated (i.e., propped up) in an open position. In some embodiments, a viewing angle of the PED in an elevated position may be adjusted by sliding a keyboard or other slide member relative to the case.
Embodiments may be best understood by reference to the drawings. In certain instances, like features may be designated with like reference numerals. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail.
In one embodiment, the base 108 is configured to retain the keyboard 104 on the base 108. In one embodiment, the base 108 slidably engages the keyboard 104. For example, the base 108 may include guide rails 114 for slidably receiving the keyboard 104. In the depicted embodiment, the guide rails 114 protrude from the base 108 and are configured to engage an edge or a bottom of the keyboard 104. For example, the keyboard 104 may include grooves, slots, or other structures (not shown) corresponding to the guide rails 114 and configured to receive the guide rails 114. The guide rails 114 depicted in
The guide rails 114 may include a cross-sectional shape to allow grooves, slots, or other corresponding features of the keyboard 104 to slide over the guide rails 114 or between the guide rails 114, but limit movement in other directions, such as laterally or vertically in a direction perpendicular to the length of the guide rails 114.
The interface between the guide rails 114 and keyboard 104 may be low friction and allow for easy sliding of the keyboard relative to the base 108. A small amount of friction may be present between the guide rails 114 and keyboard 104, which may help the keyboard 104 remain in a desired position. For example, a sufficient amount of friction may be present to allow the keyboard to support the PED 106 and/or retention panel 112 in an elevated position. In one embodiment, the keyboard 104 is selectively removable or mountable on the guide rails 114, which may allow a user to position the keyboard 104 with the base or separately from the case 102 as needed for typing. For example, the keyboard 104 or other slide member may be removable from the rails by sliding the keyboard 104 or other slide member off an end of the rails.
According to one embodiment, the base 108 is configured to rest on a surface and support the retention panel 112 and/or PED 106 in an elevated position. For example, the base 108 may rest on a table, desk or other surface and support the PED 106 at a vertical angle for viewing. See
The keyboard 104 may be configured to communicate with the PED 106. The keyboard 104 may communicate with the PED 106 in a wireless or wired manner. For example, the keyboard 104 may be configured to communicate with the PED 106 using the Bluetooth communications standard or 802.11 (WiFi) communication standard. Any other communication standard or method of communication with the PED 106 may be used without limitation including via wired or physical connections. In one embodiment, a user may be able to type on the keyboard 104 to enter text, data, or other input into the PED 106. Data entry using a keyboard 104 may be quicker and/or more desirable to some users. For example, a user may find it more efficient to use the keyboard 104 while entering text, editing a document, or the like. Similarly, the keyboard 104 may be used for navigation within software of the PED 106.
The keyboard 104 includes a PED receiving surface 116. The PED receiving surface 116 may provide a surface on which to rest an edge of the PED 106 and/or retention panel 112. The PED receiving surface 116 may be high friction or may include physical structure that limits an edge of a PED 106 or retention panel 112 from sliding relative to the PED receiving surface 116. For example, the PED receiving surface 116 may include ridges, rubber, or other structure or feature that limits movement of an edge of the PED 106 in a direction parallel to the guide rails 114. In the depicted embodiment, the PED receiving surface 116 is within a groove on top of the keyboard 104. The walls of the groove may keep a PED 106 or retention panel 112 in place.
In one embodiment, the base 108 may slidably engage a slide member in place of the keyboard 104. For example, the slide member may include a panel or other member configured to engage the guide rails 114 of the base 108. In one embodiment, the slide member includes a PED receiving surface 116 such as the PED receiving surface 116 of
The support panel 110 may serve as a support to retention panel 112 to support the retention panel 112 and/or the PED 106 in an elevated position. The support panel 110 may include joints that allow pivoting of the support panel 110 relative to the base 108 and/or retention panel 112. For example, the case may be bendable at joints 118, which may allow for the retention panel 112 to pivot from a flat position (as shown in
In one embodiment, a support, base, and retention mechanisms are in panel form (as depicted with the case 102 of
In one embodiment, the support panel 110, or other support member may pivot with respect to the base between a collapsed position and an extended position. In one embodiment, with the support panel 110 in a collapsed position, the PED 106 is substantially enclosed by the case 102 as depicted in
In one embodiment, the support panel 110 includes a support surface for supporting the PED 106 in an elevated position. For example, the support surface may contact, connect to, or otherwise engage the PED 106 to hold the PED 106 in a position at least partially transverse to a horizontal base 108 and/or keyboard 104. In one embodiment, the support surface includes a securing mechanism to secure the PED 106 to the support panel 110 or other support member. For example, the securing mechanism may engage one or more edges or a connector interface of the PED 106 to secure the PED to or within the case 102. In one embodiment, the securing mechanism includes the retention panel 112.
The support panel 110 may be formed of a variety of materials which provide structure and/or a pleasing texture and appearance. For example, the support panel 110 may include rigid materials, such as plastic, rubber, metal, or other material. The support panel 110 may also include a material covering rigid materials, such as fabric, plastic, rubber, metal, leather, faux leather, vinyl, nylon, and/or any of a wide variety of decorative or useful materials utilized in cases, bags, luggage, and the like.
The retention panel 112 may be configured to retain the PED 106 on or in the case 102. For example, the depicted retention panel 112 includes a shape matching the edges of the PED 106 to hold the PED 106 within the retention panel 112. The PED 106 may be snapped in or otherwise positioned with the retention panel 112 and the retention panel may retain the PED 106 in place. The retention panel 112 is given by way of example only. Any other type of retention panel or mechanism may be used. For example the retention panel 112 may be replaced with a sleeve with a see-through or open side so that the screen of the PED 106 is visible. As another example, a connector configured to connect to a connector or one or more edges of the PED 106 may be used in place of the retention panel 112 without limitation. As yet another example, glue, snap-on connectors, or any other connector may be used to permanently or removably secure the PED 106.
The retention panel 112 may be formed of a variety of materials. For example, the retention panel 112 may include fabric, plastic, rubber, metal, leather, faux leather, vinyl, nylon, and/or any of a wide variety of decorative or useful materials utilized in cases, bags, luggage, and the like.
The PED 106 may be any portable electronic device including, for example, a notebook computer, an electronic book reader (e.g., the Amazon® Kindle™), a smartphone (e.g., the Apple® iPhone™, the Motorola® Droid®, and the BlackBerry® Storm™), and/or a tablet computer (e.g., the Apple® iPad™, the HP® Slate, and the Samsung® Galaxy™ Tablet). As will be understood by one skilled in the art, various dimensions and/or proportions of the case 102 and/or keyboard 104 may be modified to fit a specific PED. For example, a case 102 for one type of PED may have different dimensions and/or proportions as compared to a case 102 for another type of PED.
The PED 106 is shown elevated at a viewing angle 202. A user may type on the keyboard 104 while the keyboard 104, base 108, and support panel 110 support the PED 106 at an angle convenient for viewing. According to one embodiment, the viewing angle 202 may be changed by sliding the keyboard 104 in the directions indicated by arrow 204 relative to the base 108 and/or guide rails 114. For example, to increase the viewing angle 202 the keyboard 104 may be slid outwardly from the case 102 and the PED 106 will tilt to a more horizontal position or angle. Thus, in one embodiment, an angle of the PED 106 may be changed by sliding the keyboard 104 or a slide member relative to the base 108.
In one embodiment, the base 108 includes a surface that provides friction between the PED 106 and/or retention panel 112 so that the PED 106 is maintained in a stable position. For example, an internal surface of the base 108 may be formed of rubber, suede leather, faux suede, or a rigid material with a structure that provides resistance to sliding of the PED 106 or retention panel 112. Resting the PED 106 on the base 108 rather than the keyboard 104 may allow a user the freedom to move the keyboard 104 without altering the viewing angle 202 of the PED 106. For example, it may be desirable to a user to slide the keyboard farther away from the PED 106 without changing the viewing angle 202 of the PED 106. In the case where a slide member is used, the keyboard 104 may be removed from the slide member while still allowing an edge of the PED 106 to remain on the PED receiving surface 116.
This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplary embodiments, including the best mode. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, various operational steps, as well as components for carrying out operational steps, may be implemented in alternate ways depending upon the particular application or in consideration of any number of cost functions associated with the operation of the system, e.g., one or more of the steps may be deleted, modified, or combined with other steps.
While the principles of this disclosure have been shown in various embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials, and components, which are particularly adapted for a specific environment and operating requirements, may be used without departing from the principles and scope of this disclosure. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
The foregoing specification has been described with reference to various embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, a required, or an essential feature or element. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, a method, an article, or an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, or apparatus. Also, as used herein, the terms “coupled,” “coupling,” and any other variation thereof are intended to cover a physical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, a communicative connection, a functional connection, and/or any other connection.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/698,158, filed Sep. 7, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61698158 | Sep 2012 | US |
