FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to a holder or case for an electronic device such as a tablet computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable or handheld electronic devices, such as eReader devices, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, tablet computers and the like, have internal circuitry, delicate components, and screens that are prone to damage. Thus, there are holders, covers or cases for such devices that protect such devices from the environment. Further, it is often desirable to stand these electronic devices at various orientations and angles to use the electronic devices various functions, such as watching video programming, viewing still images, typing on a touch-screen keypad/keyboard that appears on the device screen, and video-chatting with another user at a remote location, such as through FaceTime® or Skype®. In order to protect their device and serve all viewing preferences, users often purchase protective holders or cases with viewing stands. However, many conventional cases available for mobile phones, PDAs, portable video/music players, and table computers, have rather limited functionality. Although they generally succeed in protecting the portable electronic device, they can detract from its portability, usability and/or aesthetic appearance, and fall short of the needs of the user in many other ways. Thus, there is a need for a case for electronic devices which can conveniently hold the electronic device in various desirable viewing configurations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments hereof relate to an electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device. The case includes at least one panel, a frame configured to hold an electronic device, and a tilting subassembly disposed between the panel and the frame. The frame is hingedly coupled to the panel adjacent a first edge of the panel. The tilting subassembly includes a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the panel. A first end of the lift component is coupled to the panel and a second end of the lift component is coupled to the tether component. The tilting subassembly is operable to selectively alternate between a first configuration in which the lift component lies substantially flat upon the panel and a second configuration in which the lift component bows into an arch when the tether component is selectively pulled such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the panel.
Embodiments hereof relate to an electronic device case including at least one panel and a tilting subassembly. The tilting subassembly includes a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the panel. A first end of the lift component is coupled to the panel and a second end of the lift component is coupled to a first end of the tether component. The lift component is substantially planar and lies flat upon the panel when the tilting subassembly is in a first configuration such that an electronic device positioned on the tilting subassembly also lies substantially flat upon the panel and wherein the lift component bows into an arch when the tilting subassembly is in a second configuration such that an electronic device positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the panel.
Embodiments hereof relate to an electronic device case including a first panel, a second panel, a spine, a frame configured to hold an electronic device, and a substantially planar tilting subassembly disposed between the second panel and the frame. The first panel includes a first panel outer surface and a first panel inner surface, the second panel includes a second panel outer surface and a second panel inner surface, and the spine connects the first panel to the second panel. The frame is hingedly coupled to the second panel inner surface adjacent a first edge of the second panel. The tilting subassembly includes a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the second panel. A first end of the lift component is coupled to the second panel inner surface and a second end of the lift component is coupled to a first end of the tether component. Pulling of the tether component selectively transforms the tilting subassembly from a first configuration in which the lift component lies substantially flat upon the second panel into a second configuration in which the lift component bows into an arch such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the second panel. A fastener is coupled to a second end of the tether component, wherein the fastener is operable to selectively couple to an edge of the second panel to secure the tilting subassembly in the second configuration such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to the second panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device according to an embodiment hereof, wherein the case includes a tilting subassembly therein and the case is shown closed.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the case of FIG. 1, wherein the case is shown laid open with the inside surfaces of the case visible.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 2, wherein the tilting subassembly is stretched out for illustrative purposes only and a frame of the case is removed for sake of illustration only.
FIGS. 4-6 are detailed views of the hinge connection between the frame and a back panel of the case.
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the inner surface of the back panel of the case of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the back surface of the frame of the case of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are top, end, and perspective views, respectively, of the case of FIG. 2 and an electronic device positioned therein, wherein the tilting subassembly of the case is in its first or flat configuration.
FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15 are top, end, and two perspective views, respectively, of the case of FIG. 2 and an electronic device positioned therein, wherein the tilting subassembly of the case is in its second or arched configuration.
FIG. 16 is an end view of a case for selectively tilting an electronic device according to another embodiment hereof, wherein the tilting subassembly is stretched out for illustrative purposes only and includes a plurality of fasteners for securing the tilting subassembly in a plurality of arched configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although the description of the invention is in the context of tilting electronic devices, the invention may also be used to tilt other devices as it is deemed useful. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Embodiments hereof relate to an electronic device holder or case 100 for protecting and selectively tilting an electronic device. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-2, case 100 includes a first or front panel 102A connected to a second or back panel 102B via a spine 103 in the manner of a book, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 illustrates case 100 closed, with front panel 102A overlaying back panel 102B, while FIG. 2 illustrates case 100 open and laid flat out for illustrative purposes. Front panel 102A includes an inner surface 122A, an outer surface 124A, an inner edge 126A attached to spine 103, an outer edge 128A, a top edge 130A, and a bottom edge 132A. Similarly, back panel 102B includes an inner surface 122B, an outer surface (obscured from view in FIGS. 1-2), an inner edge 126B attached to spine 103, an outer edge 128B, a top edge 130B, and a bottom edge 132B. Those skilled in the art would recognize that although the terms “top” and “bottom” are used, they are only used for convenience to differentiate different edges, and that case 100 may be oriented in any direction. A frame 120 for removably holding an electronic device is hingedly coupled to inner surface 122B of back panel 102B, as will be explained in more detail below. Case 100 further includes a tilting mechanism or subassembly 104 coupled to inner surface 122B of back panel 1202B for selectively lifting or tilting a portion of frame 120 and an electronic device received therein, as will be described in more detail herein. Frame 120 is shown in phantom in FIG. 2 in order to view tilting subassembly 104.
Case 100 may be formed from a relatively hard or rigid material that operates to protect the electronic device from breakage or damage. More particularly, front panel 102A, back panel 102B, and spine 103 may be formed from any relatively hard or stiff protective material including but not limited to cardboard, bamboo, fiberboard, wood, wood fiber, metal, polymer, synthetic textiles, nylon, polyurethane, wool, polyester, and other suitable materials as would be known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the outer or exterior surfaces of front and back panels 102A, 102B may include a covering for aesthetic purposes. The covering may be canvas, cloth, synthetic leather, leather, or tarpaulin. Further, in one embodiment, inner or interior surface 122A of front panel 102A may include an inner lining of a soft, non-scratch microfiber material and/or a thin padding of approximately 2-3 mm thickness between the lining and the hard protective material of front panel 102A to protect the electronic device when electronic device case 100 is closed.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, frame 120 is made from a plastic material such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate materials, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, and other similar materials known to those skilled in the art. Frame 120 includes a flat inner surface 134 that curls or curves at its edges 136 towards inner surface 122A of front panel 102A when case 100 is in the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1 to form a holder for the electronic device. With the curved edges 136, frame 120 forms a snap fit connection. An electronic device (not shown in FIGS. 1-2) is inserted into frame 120 and is held by or within curved edges 136 of frame 120. In the embodiment shown, curved edges 136 of frame 120 is generally continuous, and may include strategically located openings and/or gaps through curved edges 136 for access to edges of an electronic device received therein. For example and not by way of limitation, openings through frame 120 may be provided for various features or elements of the electronic device, such as a camera, speakers, microphones, and other similar items typically found on an electronic device. Similarly, gaps in curved edges 136 of frame 120 may provide access to power ports, USB ports, power switches, headphone ports, volume controls, and other similar items generally found along edges of electronic devices. Frame 120 and case 100 are generally sized to hold particular sizes of electronic devices. For example and not by way of limitation, case 100 and corresponding frame 120 may be sized to receive an eBook reader such as the Kindle™, or tablet computers, such as the iPad™ or iPad™ mini from Apple Inc. or other similar devices. Case 100 and frame 120 may also be sized to hold other electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an MP3 player, or other handheld portable electronic devices.
As previously stated, tilting subassembly 104 coupled to back panel 1202B is operable to selectively tilt a portion of frame 120 and an electronic device received therein in order to provide a more convenient viewing configuration or angle. Thus, in order for frame 120 to tilt, frame 120 is hingedly connected to inner surface 122B of back panel 102B adjacent inner edge 126B of back panel 102B. FIGS. 4-6 show details of one embodiment of such a hinge connection 170, with frame 120 separated from back panel 102BA for convenience. In the embodiment shown, a back surface 121 of frame 120 includes recesses 172 and knuckles 174 for connecting to corresponding parts coupled to inner surface 122B of back panel 102B. In particular, in the embodiment shown, hinge connection 170 further includes a plate or wing 176 coupled to inner surface 122B of back panel 102B with knuckles 177 extending therefrom and holding a pin 178. The exposed portions of pin 178 between knuckles 177 are snap-fit into knuckles 174 of frame 120 and knuckles 177 are disposed within recesses 172 of frame 120 to complete the hinge connection 170. Although a specific hinge connection 170 is described herein, those skilled in the art would recognize that other types of hinge connections may also be used. With hinge connection 170 between frame 120 and back panel 102B, frame 120 and back panel 102B may be rotated relative to each around the location of hinge connection 170, thereby permitting outer edges 179, 128B of frame 120 and back panel 102B, respectively, to move apart from each other and towards each other.
FIGS. 7-8 also show another feature of case 100 of the present application. In particular, adjacent outer edge 128B of back panel 102B, a protrusion 150 extends from inner surface 122B. Protrusion 150 is situated and configured to snap-fit fit into a recess 152 formed on back surface 121 of frame 120. Thus, when frame 120 is closed against back panel 102B, protrusion 150 snap-fits into recess 152 such that frame 120 does not move relative to back panel 102B unless the user pulls frame 120/back panel 102B with sufficient force to dislodge the snap-fit connection. This connection prevents frame 120 and back panel 102B from moving relative to each other when it is not desired by the user. Those skilled in the art would recognize other removable connections may be utilized to selectively couple the free edge portions of frame 120/back panel 102B to each other. For example, and not by way of limitation, a hook and loop connection, magnetic connection, or other similar removable connections may be utilized.
Tilting subassembly 104 includes a bendable lift component 106 and a tether component 112 that is slidingly disposed between the lift component and back panel 102B. As will be explained in more detail herein, lift component 106 lies substantially flat against or upon back panel 102B and tether 112 is pulled to selectively curve or bow lift component 106 into an arch, thereby lifting or tilting one edge of frame 120 and an electronic device received therein. With additional reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates an end view of case 100 with frame 120 removed and tilting subassembly 104 stretched out or unfolded from back panel 102B for illustrative purposes only, lift component 106 of tilting subassembly 104 has a shape of the letter Y or wishbone with a stem or base 108 and two arms 110A, 110B having a space or gap 109 therebetween. Although described separately, stem 108 and arms 110A, 110B are integrally formed as a single unitary element or component having first ends 111A, 111B formed from arms 110A, 110B, respectively, and a second end 107. Second end 107 of lift component 106 is not coupled to back panel 102B. Rather, only first ends 111A, 111B of lift component 106 are coupled to back panel 102B via adhesive, weld, solder, or other appropriate mechanical bond. Lift component 106 is formed from a material that is substantially rigid to support an electronic device while also being sufficiently flexible to bend or bow such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate materials, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), carbon fiber, fiberglass, and other similar materials known to those skilled in the art.
Tether 112 of tilting subassembly 104 has a shape of an elongated ribbon or strip. A first end 114 of tether 112 is coupled to second end 107 of lift component 106, and a second end 116 of tether 112 may include one or more fasteners 118 used to secure or lock tilting subassembly 104 into place as will be described in more detail herein. As shown in FIG. 1, tether component 112 is slidingly disposed or positioned between lift component 106 and back panel 102B, and extends underneath stem 108 of lift component 106 and underneath space 109 between arms 110A, 110B of lift component 106. Tether 112 is formed from a soft, fabric material such as nylon or polyester webbing in a 15-20 mm width.
As best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, both lift component 106 and tether component 112 of tilting subassembly 104 are substantially flat or planar components. Lift component 106 has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.00 mm, while tether component 112 has a thickness in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Due to the flat profile thereof, tilting subassembly 104 adds minimal thickness or bulk to case 100. Since tilting subassembly 104 and back panel 102B are flat components or have flat surfaces, tether component 112 and lift component 106 lay substantially flush against back panel 102B with tether component 112 disposed between the lift component and the back panel. As utilized herein, “substantially flush” includes components that are lying flat, level, or in plane with and abutting against or in contact with each other as well as components that are flat, level, or in plane tangential to each other but slightly spaced apart therefrom, i.e., less than 0.1 millimeters therefrom. The components may be slightly spaced apart from each other and thus not precisely flat or planar due to the particular configuration of case 100 as well as the weight of an electronic device that is held within case 100. More particularly, arms 110A, 110B of lift component 106 may abut against and be in plane with back panel 102B since ends 111A, 111B thereof are coupled to the back panel 102B while stem 108 of lift component 106 may be slightly spaced apart from back panel 102B since tether component 112 extends directly underneath the stem. Further, although shown with constant thicknesses in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes only, different portions of tether component 112 and/or lift component 106 may be flattened under the weight of frame 120 and/or an electronic device received therein.
To achieve the flat profile discussed above, i.e., to change from the stretched out configuration of FIG. 3 to the flat or first configuration of FIG. 2, tether component 112 is essentially folded back under lift component 106 such that second end 116 of tether component 112 is disposed adjacent to first ends 111A, 111B of the lift component, which are coupled to back panel 102B. With tether component 112 and lift component 106 adjacent to and/or abutting against each other, the components are folded together towards inner surface 122B of back panel 102B until the components lay flat or substantially flush against back panel 102B as described above.
Tilting subassembly 104 is operable to selectively alternate between a first configuration in which lift component 106 lies substantially flat upon back panel 102B as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-2 and a second configuration in which lift component 106 bends into an arch when tether component 112 is selectively pulled. FIGS. 9-15 illustrate case 100 in use with an electronic device 140, with FIGS. 9-11 illustrating tilting subassembly 104 in the first or flat configuration and FIGS. 12-15 illustrating tilting subassembly 104 in the second or arched configuration. In FIGS. 9-15, front panel 102A and spine 103 have been removed for sake of clarity and thus only back panel 102B, frame 120, and tilting assembly 104 are shown.
In FIGS. 9-11, electronic device 140 is disposed into frame 120 of case 100. When tilting subassembly 104 is in the first configuration in which it lies substantially flat or flush against back panel 102B as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-2, electronic device 140 received within frame 120 also lies substantially flat or flush upon tilting subassembly 104 and back panel 102B. In this embodiment, a first or outer edge 142 of electronic device 140 is intended to be lifted or tilted when lift component 106 of tilting subassembly 104 is selectively curved or bowed into an arch.
When it is desired to tilt electronic device 140, second end 116 of tether component 112 is pulled in a direction away from case 100 to transform or change tilting subassembly 104 into the second or arched configuration. Second end 116 of tether component 112 may thus be considered a pull tab. Pulling tether component 112 causes second end 107 of lift component 106, which is not attached to back panel 102B, to move towards first ends 111A, 111B of lift component 106, which are attached to back panel 102B. With first ends 111A, 111B of lift component 106 fixed or stationary, pulling tether component 112 and second end 107 of lift component 106 causes the lift component to bend, curve, or bow into an arch as the opposing ends of lift component 106 are moved closer together. Lift component 106 bends or bows with its concavity directed towards back panel 102B. When lift component 106 bows into an arch, frame 120, as well as electronic device 140 received therein, are tilted with respect to back panel 102B. Outer edge 142 of electronic device 140 is lifted or forced away from inner surface 122B of back panel 102B by bowed lift component 106. In an embodiment hereof, frame 120 and electronic device 140 received therein are tilted at an angle Θ between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to back panel 102B as best shown on FIG. 13. Tilting electronic device 140 positions the device at a slant or angle, similar to an easel or stand, for better typing or viewing. For example, when case 100 is utilized for securing an eReader device or tablet computer, the user may use case 100 as a reading stand that does not require the user to hold the electronic device while the user watches/reads the contents displayed thereon. Such a configuration is also convenient for typing on a touch-screen keyboard or viewing the screen of electronic device 140, which may display videos, photographs, documents, or other images. Advantageously, from a user perspective, tilting is accomplished via the simple step of pulling second end 116 of tether component 112.
The degree of angle Θ may vary according to application and depends upon the location or position of the lift component relative to the hinged edge as well as the distance or amount that tether component 112 is pulled. In general, placing tilting subassembly 104 closer to hinge connection 170 results in a higher or larger degree of tilt angle or inclination as compared to placing it closer to the edge opposite hinge connection 170. Thus, the location of tilting subassembly 104 may vary according to application. In addition, in general, greater distance or amount of travel by tether component 112 results in a higher or larger degree of tilt angle or inclination.
As best shown in the perspective view of FIG. 15, fastener 118 at second end 116 of tether component 112 may be coupled to or around an edge of back panel 102B in order to secure or lock tilting subassembly 104 in the second configuration. In an embodiment, fastener 118 is a hook or latch that is operable to frictionally engage or grasp an edge of back panel 102B. The weight of electronic device 140 keeps tether 112 and fastener 118 in tension to further prevent tilting subassembly 104 from returning to its first or flat configuration. Although fastener 118 is a hook or latch, different types of fasteners may be used to secure or lock tilting subassembly 104 in the second configuration, such as but not limited to hidden locking mechanisms that click into locked or unlocked positions, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, snaps, or other types of fasteners. In some instances, when the fastener requires two mating components, a first mating component of the fastener may be located on the outer surface of back panel 102B and a second mating component of the fastener may be located on the tether, similar to fastener 118. The tether would be required to loop around to back panel 102B such that the two mating components may be joined.
When it is no longer desired to have electronic device 140 tilted, fastener 118 is released or removed from the edge of back panel 102B and tilting subassembly 104 is permitted to return to its natural, flat configuration. Pulling and releasing tether component 112 may be repeated as desired to alternate tilting subassembly between the first, flat configuration and the second, arched configuration.
In another embodiment hereof, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fasteners may be coupled to the tether component in order to provide multiple tilting angle options. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 16, a case 1600 having a tilting mechanism or subassembly 1604 is shown with tilting subassembly 1604 stretched out or unfolded from the back panel for illustrative purposes only. Similar to tilting subassembly 104 described herein, tilting subassembly 1604 includes a bendable lift component 1606 and a tether component 1612. Two longitudinally spaced apart fasteners, a first fastener 1618A and a second fastener 1618B, are coupled to a second end 1616 of tether component 1612. First fastener 1618A allows a user to secure or lock tilting subassembly 1604 in the second configuration with an electronic device positioned thereon tilted at a first angle, while second fastener 1618B allows a user to secure or lock tilting subassembly 1604 in the second configuration with an electronic device positioned thereon tilted at a second angle. For example, first fastener 1618A may allow a user to secure tilting subassembly 1604 with the electronic device tilted at a 20 degree angle, while second fastener 1618B may allow a user to secure tilting subassembly 1604 with the electronic device tilted at a 30 degree angle. Although shown with two fasteners, additional fasteners may be included on the tether component to provide a user with additional tilting angle options at various increments.
While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, case 100 includes two panels 102A, 102B but those skilled in the art would recognize that the case may include other accessory case or holder configurations. Essentially, only a single panel, i.e., back panel 102B, is required, while front panel 102A and spine 103 are optional components that provide case 100 with a book-like configuration. In addition, the hinge connection 170 between frame 120 and back panel 102B is not required to be located adjacent to inside edge 126B of back panel 102B. For example, it may be desirable to locate the hinge connection adjacent to bottom edge 132B of back panel 102B such that top edges of the frame and electronic edge, that is the edges adjacent to top edge 130B of back panel 102B, are selectively lifted or tilted via operation of the tilting subassembly. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Patent Application
20150129438
