1. Technical Field
The present patent document relates generally to protective case and peripherals for tablet computers and more particularly to a folding case for a tablet computer that includes a double-hinge feature, an optional kickstand, and has a custom control interface.
2. Background of the Related Art
Protective laptop-style cases for tablet computers are known in the art. However, these prior art cases suffer from a number of known limitations. Many of these cases do not provide an ability to prop the tablet computer up for easy viewing and manipulation of the tablet computer's touchscreen. Traditional, laptop-style cases do not have enough support to permit manipulation of the touch screen without deflecting the case further open, thus necessitating the use of two hands, one to support the case and the other to manipulate the touch screen.
Prior art cases also suffer from the limitation of not being able to lay fully open too. Because these prior art laptop-style cases cannot fully open to lay flat, the touchscreen winds up being angled away from the user, because the hinge is directly connected to the lower portion of the case. As a result, ergonomics are compromised and viewing angle for the user may become a problem.
Also these prior art cases may include keyboards, which are optimal for entering text, but do not have the preferred controls for specific applications.
Therefore, there is a perceived need in the industry for a protective laptop-style case for a tablet computer that provides added support to the touchscreen of the tablet computer and allows the tablet computer to lie fully flat, and also provides control interface optimized for other tasks than solely entering text.
The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a case for a tablet computer that uniquely includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected via double hinge and an optional kickstand. The double hinge permits the case to lay flat or close flush together. The kickstand, if included, permits the case to be propped up partially open. Alternatively, the hinge may be figured to have enough friction to prevent the case from falling fully open.
The case also includes custom controls for specific applications, such as playing electronic drums, a piano keyboard, video game controls, audio mixing controls, DJ controller controls, and the like, which provide the user with a very intuitive user interface for specific applications.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Referring now to
The upper portion 12 and lower portion 16 of the case 10 preferably constructed from a rigid material to protect the tablet computer 14 from damage. The upper portion 12 includes a cap portion 22 and a body portion 24. The cap portion 22 is shown located on a right side of the body portion 24, but may also be located on a left side or a top of the body portion 24. The cap portion 22 is removable from the body portion 24. The body potion 24 is generally hollow and includes a rim 26 defining an opening to access a touch screen interface of the tablet computer 14. Removing the cap portion 22 permits a tablet computer 14 to be slid into the body portion 24. The rim 26 on the body portion 24 retains the tablet computer 14 inside the body portion 24, yet provides access to the touch screen of the tablet computer 14. The cap portion 22 is reattached to the body portion 24 to prevent the tablet computer 14 from sliding out of the body portion 24.
The upper portion 22 may include additional apertures, cutouts and relief structures 28 formed in the body portion 24 and/or cap portion 22 to permit access to connectors and buttons on the tablet computer 14.
The lower portion 24 preferably includes an interface peripheral 18, such as an alphanumeric keyboard or music instrument interface. As shown in the
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In the fully open position, the double hinge 20 may be locked open. In particular, the first end 38 and second end 40 of the strap portion 36 may include a locking mechanism, such as, detents that engage spring-biased locking pins on the upper portion 12 and lower portion 16, respectively, to selectively lock the case 10 in a fully open position. The detents and spring-biased locking pins may be reversed. Additional detents may be provided to provide multiple locking positions. Other locking mechanisms may be used.
In addition to the large drum pads 30 shown in
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The upper portion 612 and lower portion 616 of the case 600 preferably constructed from a rigid material to protect the tablet computer 14 from damage. The upper portion 612 includes a cap portion 622 and a body portion 624. The cap portion 622 is shown located on a top of the body portion 624, but may also be located on a left side or a right side of the body portion 624. The cap portion 622 is removable from the body portion 624. The body potion 624 is generally hollow and includes a rim 626 defining an opening to access a touch screen interface of the tablet computer 14. Removing the cap portion 622 permits a tablet computer 14 to be slid into the body portion 624. The rim 626 on the body portion 624 retains the tablet computer 14 inside the body portion 626, yet provides access to the touch screen of the tablet computer 14. The cap portion 622 is reattached to the body portion 624 to prevent the tablet computer 14 from sliding out of the body portion 624.
The upper portion 624 may include additional apertures, cutouts and relief structures 628 formed in the body portion 624 and/or cap portion 622 to permit access to connectors and buttons on the tablet computer 14.
The lower portion 616 preferably includes an interface peripheral 618, such as simulated drum pads 630 as shown or any one of the interfaces 118, 218, 318, 418, 518 shown in the
The additional function controls may include, full level, first level, undo erase, note repeat, main, record, overdub, stop, play, play start, timing correct, track up, track down, mute track, and solo track controls as are known in the art.
The upper portion 612 is connected to the lower portion 616 via a double hinge 620 that is pivotally connected to both the upper portion 612 and the lower portion 616. The double hinge 620 includes a strap portion 636 with a first end 638 hinged to the upper portion 612 and a second end 640 hinged to the lower portion 616. The strap portion 636 permits the upper portion 612 and the lower portion 616 to fold out and lay flat or to mate flush together, like the first embodiment 10. The hinges includes sufficient friction and/or torque to hold the upper portion 612 in position relative to the lower portion 616 of the case.
In the fully open position, the double hinge 620 may be locked open. In particular, the first end 638 and second end 640 of the strap 636 may include a locking mechanism, such as, detents that engage spring-biased locking pins on the upper portion 612 and lower portion 616, respectively, to selectively lock the case 600 in a fully open position. The detents and spring-biased locking pins may be reversed. Additional detents may be provided to provide multiple locking positions. Other locking mechanisms may be used.
Therefore, it can be seen that the case for a tablet computer of the present invention provides a solution to the problem of providing a protective case for a tablet computer that includes multiple positions.
It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention except insofar as limited by the appended claims.
This patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/548,265, Oct. 18, 201, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/565,286, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61548265 | Oct 2011 | US | |
61595288 | Feb 2012 | US |