PROTECTIVE CASE WITH GRIP AND STAND

Abstract

A protective case system includes a protective case having a shell configured for receiving and removably retaining an electronic device. The protective case system also includes an accessory panel pivotably attached to the protective case, wherein the accessory panel is configured to pivot between a first position in which the accessory panel is positioned against a back surface of the protective case and a second position in which the accessory panel is configured to serve as a stand for the protective case. The protective case system also includes a device grip attached to the accessory panel.

Description

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices, are used for a growing variety of purposes, as well as in a growing variety of situations. Examples of portable electronic devices include smartphones, tablet computers, gaming devices, audio players, video players, cameras, portable computers, two-way radios, GPS receivers, and/or other portable electrical or electronic devices. These types of devices are susceptible to damage from a variety or forces or elements such as dropping, impact, and scratching. Improved gripping and stand apparatuses are needed to satisfy changing use models, while also protecting the devices. At the same time, grips and device stands may interfere with use of other accessories with the devices, such as wireless charging devices.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a protective case system for use with an electronic device is provided. The protective case system includes a protective case comprising a shell configured for receiving and removably retaining the electronic device, a device grip, and a pivoting accessory panel attached to the protective case, wherein the device grip is attached to the pivoting accessory panel.

Other embodiments, including various combinations of the features disclosed herein, are also envisioned. Many combinations of the features are possible, including combinations that do not include all of the described features and/or include other features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a back perspective view of a protective case with an accessory panel that includes a configurable device grip and also functions as a stand;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the protective case;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative view of the protective case;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative configuration of the protective case;

FIG. 5 illustrates the protective case in a first stand configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates the protective case in a second stand configuration;

FIG. 7 illustrates the protective case in a third stand configuration;

FIG. 8 illustrates the protective case with the accessory panel detached;

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate view of the configuration of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a close up view of the attachment interface of the protective case and the accessory panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electronic devices are increasingly used with protective cases and/or with covers that protect the electronic devices from a variety or forces or elements such as dropping, impact, and scratching. As people carry electronic devices with them more frequently, they have become more interested in using them for a wider variety of tasks and in a wider variety of situations. Electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices, are now being used more than ever and the longer devices are held by the user the greater the chance they may be dropped or otherwise damaged. In addition, people are using their electronic devices in a greater variety of situations. In some cases, these challenges are coupled with an increasing need for holders, grips, or stands to make it easier to use these devices in a variety of situations. There may also be a desire to hold the device in a particular preferred configuration or location when the user wants the device to be visible and/or in a particular orientation but may not necessarily be holding it.

At the same time, electronic devices are also being used with an increasing number of accessories. In some examples, the accessories may be temporarily attached to the electronic device or placed near the back of electronic device. Specifically, wireless chargers or wireless charging devices are sometimes used to recharge portable electronic devices. The nature of inductive wireless charging is such that the charger must be within a specified distance of the electronic device for charging to occur. Other types of accessories may also be used with portable electronic devices or temporarily attached to the back of the portable electronic devices. One set of examples are MAGSAFE ACCESSORIES and MAGSAFE wireless chargers provided by APPLE and/or compatible with APPLE devices. Sometimes these devices must be placed within a specified distance of the primary housing of the electronic device in order to operate properly. Protective cases must be relatively thin in order for the accessory to still work when the electronic device is in the protective case. Grip devices provide an additional challenge in that they often result in incremental thickness in addition to the protective case. Convenient solutions are needed for temporarily storing a grip device and/or temporarily moving it out of the way when these types of accessories will be used.

While most of the electronic device cases and/or covers discussed herein are described as “protective” cases, the apparatuses and techniques disclosed herein do not necessarily require that the case is protective and could apply to any type of electronic device case, cover, sleeve, and/or shell. In other examples, the case may be water-resistant or water proof for protecting the electronic device from water or other liquids. In yet other examples, the case may have other characteristics, such as, but not limited to, chemical resistance and/or antimicrobial characteristics.

FIG. 1 illustrates a back perspective view of a protective case 100 with a device grip 190 and an accessory panel 170 that may be used as a stand. Protective case 100 is configured for receiving and holding an electronic device. Protective case 100 includes a front opening which permits or allows insertion of the electronic device and access to at least some portion of the installed electronic device (see FIG. 2). In one example, the front opening permits access to an interactive interface of the electronic device such as a touchscreen, a touch screen interface, a resistive touchscreen, a display, and/or a capacitive touchscreen. The front opening may contain a lip or edge that removably retains the electronic device in the protective case such that it does not easily or readily come out of the protective case but can still be intentionally removed by a user when desired. The front opening may also include a lip, ledge, protrusion, raised edge, rim, elevated rim, elevated protective rim, or other raised feature around at least a portion of the front opening to reduce chances that the interactive interface of the installed electronic device comes into contact with another object or surface, particularly when protective case 100 is laid face down on a flat surface, such as a table. Protective case 100 may include multiple layers and/or materials, including an internal cushion layer or liner.

Protective case 100 also includes camera aperture 150 in a back surface of protective case 100. Camera aperture 150 provides optical access and/or an optical path to/from a camera and/or a flash of the installed electronic device. In other words, camera aperture 150 permits use of the camera and/or flash even though the electronic device is installed in protective case 100 and much of the back of the electronic device is covered by protective case 100. Camera aperture 150 may be covered with a clear, mostly clear, transparent, or mostly transparent membrane, lens, or film that protects the camera and/or the flash but also still permits optical access and/or an optical path to/from the camera and/or flash. In some examples, the membrane or film may serve a lensing function and/or provide an optical effect, such as magnification.

Protective case 100 provides protection for an installed electronic device against external forces by reducing or eliminating transfer of those forces to the installed electronic device, as well as providing a relatively soft contact surface for the installed electronic device. The relatively soft contact surface can resist scratching, scraping, marring, and/or rub marks. While providing protection, protective case 100 enables a user to still have the ability to use the electronic device while it is installed in protective case 100.

Protective case 100 also includes one or more button pads 160 on one or more sides of protective case 100. In some cases, button pads 160 may be formed in or from the material that makes up an inner surface of protective case 100. Button pads 160 correspond to respective buttons or control features of an installed electronic device. Button pads 160 enable actuation or operation of the respective buttons or control features of the installed electronic device from outside of protective case 100 without necessarily having direct access to the buttons or control features. Protective case 100 may also include another aperture, hole, or opening for directly accessing a button, switch, port, or control feature of the installed electronic device. Button pads and apertures may have many other shapes or configurations. Protective case 100 may have more or fewer button pads or apertures than illustrated, or no button pads or apertures at all.

Protective case 100 may also permit access to other features of an installed electronic device. For example, protective case 100 may permit access to an audio feature of the electronic device, such as a speaker, microphone, and/or headphone jack of the electronic device. In some configurations, protective case 100 may include an aperture with a water impermeable membrane that allows sound to pass through the membrane while keeping water from passing through the associated aperture.

As illustrated In FIG. 1, protective case 100 also includes accessory panel 170 which is pivotably attached to the main body of protective case 100. A device grip 190 is attached to accessory panel 170. Device grip 190 may be used with electronic devices and protective cases or covers as described herein. Device grip 190 is one example of a device grip, or holder. The particular device grip illustrated in FIG. 1 is a POPSOCKET sold by POPSOCKETS of Boulder, Colorado. Device grip 190 is used in the examples herein only for explanation purposes. The improvements discussed herein are not limited to the particular device grip 190 illustrated in FIG. 1 and may be applicable to many different types of device grips, holders, and/or stands. Accommodating different grips, holders, and/or stands may include changing shapes, sizes, dimensions, geometries, quantities, and/or positions of case features described herein to accommodate other grips, holders, or stands. In some examples, device grip 190 may also be called a grip device, a ring holder, a finger loop, a strap, or a holder.

Device grip 190 may include a grip end, an expanding portion, and a foot. The foot may be attached to an object, permanently or removably, to allow device grip 190 to assist in the holding the object and/or make it less likely the object is dropped. The expanding portion may have an accordion or tapered accordion structure to allow it to be expanded or adjusted into various positions. For example, device grip 190 may have an extended or use position in which the expanding portion is partially or fully extended. Device grip 190 may also have a non-extended, stowed, or compressed position in which a height of device grip 190 is reduced or minimized in order to reduce its interference with other objects or activities when it is not in use. The techniques and improvements herein may be practiced with a wide variety of other device grips and/or other device grip designs. Device grip 190 of FIG. 1 is used herein only for purposes of explanation and the improvements disclosed herein are not to be limited to any specific design or type of grip or holder.

It may be desirable to place a wireless charging device adjacent to a back surface of protective case 100 to recharge a battery of the installed electronic device. Wireless chargers typically must be within a specified distance of the surface of the primary housing of the electronic device to work properly or efficiently. In some examples, device grip 190, even in the stowed position, may be too thick in conjunction with protective case 100 such that it keeps a charger or other accessory from working or from working well. In these situations, it may be desirable to temporarily remove or move device grip 190 out of the way. As discussed in more detail with respect to subsequent figures, pivoting accessory panel 170 allows device grip 190 to conveniently be moved out of the way without disconnecting or detaching it from the assembly. Accessory panel 170 may be temporarily held in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 by one or more magnetic and/or metallic elements. The magnetic and/or metallic elements may be in any combination of the electronic device, protective case 100, and/or accessory panel 170. In this way, accessory panel 170 and device grip 190 can be pivoted when a sufficient force is applied.

While many of the examples herein discuss repositioning of device grip 190 for purposes of wireless charging, the improvements herein are also equally applicable to temporary movement and/or removal of device grip 190 for other reasons. FIG. 1 illustrates a use position in which grip 190 is directly behind protective case 190 and is in an extended position to assist a user in holding protective case 100 and an installed electronic device.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a lanyard 155 which may be used to carry, hang, or secure protective case 100 and the installed electronic device. Lanyard 155 may be constructed from one or more flexible cords or cables. Lanyard 155 may be adjustable in length and may be removable and/or replaceable. Lanyard 155 is illustrated as being threaded through openings in the hinge portions of the assembly, however lanyard 155 may be attached to protective case 100 or to the assembly in other manners, and may also be removable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of protective case 100 without an electronic device installed. FIG. 2 illustrates an inside surface 120 of protective case 100 which is configured to receive the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in protective case 100. Inside surface 120 may be or may include one or more cushioning members. In FIG. 2, accessory panel 170 and device grip 190 are not visible because they are on the opposite side of protective case 100 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative back view of protective case 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates the view of FIG. 3 but with accessory panel 170 in a rotated, pivoted, or deployed position. FIG. 4 also illustrates that accessory panel 170 optionally includes a card storage location on a bottom side of accessory panel 170 and optionally includes a card retention device 177. Card retention device 177 may be a spring loaded clip to hold one or more of a credit card, a driver's license, a business card, or cash. Protective case 100 includes hinge arms 103 which engage hinge arms 173 of accessory panel 170. Accessory panel 170 is pivotally attached to protective case 100 through hinge arms 173 and hinge arms 103 the operation of which are discussed in further detail with respect to subsequent figures. More or fewer hinge arms are possible. Other hinging, pivoting, or attachment mechanisms are possible, including a friction hinge or a living hinge.

The configuration of FIG. 4 may be convenient or necessary when an accessory, such as a wireless charging device, is used with an electronic device that is installed in protective case 100. This configuration is beneficial as compared to completely removing or disconnecting device grip 190 and/or accessory panel 170 from protective case 100 because it reduces the chances that a user will lose, misplace, and/or forget device grip 190 if it were disconnected from the assembly. This configuration may also be beneficial for use with stands, desks stands, magnetic stands, mounts, magnetic mounts, wireless charging mounts, and/or wireless charging stands.

FIG. 5 illustrates protective case 100 in a first stand configuration. Accessory panel 170 has been rotated slightly less than 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 1 to the illustrated position in which protective case 100 and an installed electronic device will sit on a substantially horizontal surface in a portrait viewing position. The assembly will maintain this position on the substantially horizontal surface without having to be held by a user. Accessory panel 170 may tend to stay in this position through friction or stiction at hinge arms 103 and 173 or through other methods discussed in more detail with respect to subsequent figures.

FIG. 6 illustrates protective case 100 in a second stand configuration. In FIG. 6, accessory panel 170 is in a stowed position and device grip 190 is in an extended or use position. This configuration allows protective case 100 and an installed electronic device to sit on a substantially horizontal surface in a landscape viewing position. The assembly will maintain this position on the substantially horizontal surface without having to be held by a user.

FIG. 7 illustrates protective case 100 in a third stand configuration. In FIG. 7, accessory panel 170 is in a partially extended or pivoted position and device grip 190 is in a stowed position. Somewhat similar to FIG. 6, this configuration enables protective case 100 and an installed electronic device to sit on a substantially horizontal surface in a landscape viewing position. The assembly will maintain this position on the substantially horizontal surface without having to be held by a user. In this example, accessory panel 170 can be pivoted further one direction or another to change the viewing angle.

FIG. 8 illustrates protective case 100 with accessory panel 170 detached. This configuration may be used for temporarily moving accessory panel 170 and device grip 190 out of the way for charging or other purposes. This configuration may be used as an alternate approach to that of FIG. 4, or may simply be used if replacement of accessory panel 170 is necessary. FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate view of the configuration of FIG. 8 from an opposite side with no electronic device installed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a close up view of the hinge elements of a configuration similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 in which accessory panel 170 is detached from protective case 100. FIG. 10 illustrates that each of hinge arms 173 of accessory panel 170 includes a conical hub 176. FIG. 10 also illustrates that each of hinge arms 103 of protective case 100 includes a conical receiver 108.

Each of conical hubs 176 includes a plurality of splines or protrusions. Each of conical receivers 108 include a plurality of splines or recesses that correspond, mate, and/or engage with the splines of conical hubs 176, respectively. When the splines are engaged, accessory panel 170 cannot be rotated with respect to protective case 100 unless a large enough force is applied to bend hinge arms 173 inward to disengage the splines. Since conical hubs 176 and conical receivers 108 are conically shaped, hinge arms 173 must be flexed, squeezed, or forced together a specified distance before the splines are sufficiently disengaged for pivoting or rotation to occur. The hubs and receivers illustrated in FIG. 10 could also be reversed and, in an alternate implementation, be included on the opposite of protective case 100 and accessory panel 170.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 creates discrete detents or steps to which arm 130 can be moved or rotated. The assembly may also be described as having a ratcheting behavior. Other spline layouts and hinge configurations are possible. The other improvements disclosed herein may be practiced and implemented with another type of hinge, a friction hinge, a living hinge, and/or another mechanical interface which permits pivoting or rotation.

Various components described herein may be manufactured, provided, or sold in the form of a system or a kit. The system or kit may include any combination of: a protective case or cover having any combination of the features described, a compatible device grip, and/or any of the other components disclosed herein. The system or kit need not include every component or feature described herein.

The elements, components, and steps described herein are meant to exemplify some types of possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned examples limit the scope of the invention, as they are only exemplary embodiments.

The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “in the embodiments shown,” “in other embodiments,” “in some examples,” “in other examples,” “in some cases,” “in some situations,” “in one configuration,” “in another configuration,” and the like generally mean that the particular technique, feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and/or may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or to different embodiments.

The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Other modifications and variations may be possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments described in the foregoing disclosure were chosen to explain the principles of the concept and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. It is intended that the claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A protective case system for use with an electronic device, the protective case system comprising: a protective case comprising a shell configured for receiving and removably retaining the electronic device;an accessory panel pivotably attached to the protective case, wherein the accessory panel is configured to pivot between a first position in which the accessory panel is positioned against a back surface of the protective case and a second position in which the accessory panel is configured to serve as a stand for the protective case and the installed electronic device for supporting the protective case and the installed electronic device in a viewing orientation on a substantially horizontal surface; anda device grip attached to the accessory panel.

2. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the device grip is removably attached to the accessory panel.

3. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the device grip is extendable between a stowed position and an extended position.

4. The protective case system of claim 1 further comprising a lanyard attached to the protective case.

5. The protective case system of claim 4 wherein a length of the lanyard is adjustable.

6. The protective case system of claim 4 wherein the lanyard is removably attached to the protective case.

7. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the accessory panel includes a recessed storage location configured for storing one or more of a credit card, a driver's license, and cash.

8. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the accessory panel is pivotably attached to the protective case with two hinge elements.

9. The protective case system of claim 8 wherein each of the two hinge elements includes a receiver and a hub, and wherein each receiver is configured to receive one of the hubs.

10. The protective case system of claim 9 wherein each of the receivers and each of the hubs has a conical shape.

11. The protective case system of claim 10 wherein each of the hubs includes a plurality of splines each configured to engage one of a plurality of recesses on the receivers.

12. The protective case system of claim 10 wherein each of the receivers includes a plurality of splines each configured to engage one of a plurality of recesses on the hubs.

13. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the second position is a portrait viewing orientation, wherein the accessory panel is further configured to also pivot to a third position, and wherein the third position is a landscape viewing orientation.

14. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the accessory panel is temporarily held in the first position magnetically.

15. A protective case for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising: a shell adapted for receiving and removably retaining the portable electronic device, wherein the shell covers a back and at least a portion of sides of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is removably installed in the shell;an accessory panel pivotably attached to the shell, wherein the accessory panel is adapted to pivot between at least a first position and a second position, wherein the accessory panel rests against a back surface of the shell when in the first position, wherein the accessory panel functions as a stand for the shell and the installed portable electronic device to support the protective case and the installed portable electronic device in a viewing orientation when in the second position; anda device grip removably attached to the accessory panel, wherein the device grip is adapted to assist a user in holding the shell and the installed portable electronic device.

16. The protective case of claim 15 further comprising a lanyard removably attached to the shell, wherein the lanyard is adjustable in length.

17. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the accessory panel includes a storage location adapted for storing one or more of a credit card, a driver's license, and cash.

18. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the accessory panel is pivotably attached to the shell.

19. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the second position is a portrait viewing orientation, wherein the accessory panel is further adapted to further pivot to a third position, and wherein the third position is a landscape viewing orientation.

20. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the accessory panel is temporarily held in the first position by a magnet.