This disclosure generally relates to cases for portable electronic devices.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure are described, including various embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the figures, in which:
In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of the various embodiments disclosed herein. The embodiments disclosed herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In addition, in some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more alternative embodiments.
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of universal cases for securing, protecting, and/or supporting portable electronic devices (PEDs). According to various embodiments, a universal case may be configured to secure PEDs having various dimensions. For example, a single universal case may be configured to secure a tablet device with a 10-inch diagonal display or a tablet device with an 8-inch diagonal display. Similarly, a single case may be configured to secure tablet devices and/or other PEDs with varying thicknesses and/or aspect ratios. A universal case may include a pivotally coupled rear or first panel and a second or front panel that may be selectively opened or closed. The universal case may be secured in a closed position by a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may have the ability to define a maximum distance between the rear panel and the front panel in order to accommodate PEDs with varying thicknesses. The maximum distance may be the greatest distance between the front and rear panel that is possible without adjusting the fastening mechanism or altering the configuration of the case (e.g., by damaging, destroying, or removing one or more elements of the case).
According to various embodiments, a universal case may use a flap as a fastening mechanism. The universal case may include a front panel and rear panel pivotally coupled along one edge. A user may open the universal case by grasping the front and rear panels along an open edge (i.e., the edge of the front and rear panels opposite a pivotally coupled edge). The flap may be pivotally coupled to the opening edge of the front panel by a flexible member such as a flexible strip.
Further, the flap may be able to secure the universal case closed by engaging with the rear panel via magnets, clasps, buttons, snaps, or the like in a plurality of positions. When the flap is in a first closed position the flexible member may at least partially overlap the rear panel, and when the flap is in a second closed position the flexible strip may be offset from the rear panel (e.g., the flexible strip does not overlap the rear panel). In other embodiments, the flexible strip may overlap the rear panel in both first and second closed positions. When the flap is in the first closed position the flexible member may include more overlap than when the flap is in the second closed position. In an embodiment, the distance between the rear panel and the front panel is greater when the flap is in the second position than when the flap is in the first position. This is because the maximum distance may be mechanically limited to the amount of the flexible member that is not overlapping. The flexible member may be the only feature on the universal case's opening edge that limits or allows adjustment of the distance between the rear panel and front panel.
For example, the flap and/or the rear panel may include multiple magnetic strips or one wide magnet to allow the flap to engage with the rear panel in a plurality of positions. A first magnetic portion may be embedded on the inside of or attached to the surface of the rear panel adjacent the open edge. The first magnetic portion may be comprised of multiple magnetic strips or one wide magnet. The second magnetic portion may be embedded on the inside of, attached to the surface of, or rotatably coupled to the flap. One of the magnetic portions may use a ferrous metal instead of a permanent magnet. The second magnetic portion may also be composed of magnetic strips or one wide magnet. The first magnetic portion may be longer than the second magnetic portion. The first magnetic portion has a length extending from the open edge that is greater than the length of the second magnetic portion extending from the flexible member.
The second magnetic portion can engage the first magnetic portion along different portions of the first magnetic portion's length (or to different magnetic strips) to provide the various flap positions and case thicknesses previously discussed. The plurality of positions may range from the open edge to the opposite end of the first magnetic portion. The positions of multiple magnets and/or the size of a single magnets may be selected based on an expected thickness of PEDs to be used with the universal case. A user may slide the second magnetic portion along the length of the first magnetic portion to secure a closed position.
The front panel and rear panel may cover and provide protection for an enclosed PED. The PED may have a display or front side, and a rear or back side comprising a side opposite the display. The rear panel may cover and protect the PED's rear side. A PED may be secured to the rear panel via a support structure such as elastics, magnets, adhesives, frictional engagement, mechanical obstruction, or the like. The front panel may selectively cover and protect a PED's display side.
Additionally, various embodiments may use the rear panel to support a PED in an inclined position. The PED may be supported in a portrait and/or landscape position. Some embodiments may include an attached stand for support. Other embodiments may include a folding rear panel for support. Such a folding rear panel may be comprised of an upper section coupled to the support structure and a lower section pivotally coupled to the upper section. The lower section may be configured to pivot away from the support structure, such that the lower section supports the support structure in an inclined position.
The upper section and lower section may be part of the rear panel. The upper section and lower section may be made out of the same material as the front panel. The upper section and lower section may be coupled by a hinge, flexible material, or the like. The upper section may include the portion along the opening edge and may be coupled along its entirety to the support structure. The lower section may be rotatably coupled to both the upper section and the front panel. The lower section can swing away from or toward the support structure via its coupling with the upper section. Similarly, the support structure may swing away from or toward the lower section. A folding point may be created where the lower section and front panel are coupled. The folding point may rest on a support surface and maintain the support structure in an inclined position. In an embodiment, the support structure's degree of incline is defined by how far the lower section is rotated away from the support structure. The farther away the lower section swings, the more parallel with the support surface the support structure becomes. The lower section and support structure may be able to move between a first position in which the support structure is nearly vertical, and a second position in which the support structure is nearly horizontal.
A PED may be secured to the support structure. The support structure may be substantially rigid so the weight of a secured PED will not deform the support structure and cause the case to fall out of an inclined position. The support structure's width and length may be selected based on expected widths and lengths of PEDs to be used with the case. When in an inclined position, the support structure's edge opposite the universal case's opening may rest on a support surface and maintain the PED in an inclined position.
A “portable electronic device” (PED) as used throughout the specification may include any of a wide variety of electronic devices. Specifically contemplated and illustrated are tablet-style electronic devices, including, but not limited to, electronic readers, tablet computers, tablet PCs, mini tablets, phablets, cellular phones (including smart phones), interactive displays, video displays, touch screens, touch computers, etc.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Additionally, any of a wide variety of materials and manufacturing methods may be used to produce the various components of the presently described case for portable electronic devices. For example, a universal case and/or the stand may utilize various plastics, rubbers, nylons, glasses, fabrics, leathers, and/or other suitable materials.
As illustrated, the second magnetic portion 110 can engage the first magnetic portion 108 in any of a plurality of positions to close the universal case 100. The second magnetic portion 110 may engage the first magnetic portion 108 anywhere along the first magnetic portion's 108 length. The flap 112 that includes the second magnetic portion 110 may be coupled to a flexible member 114. The flexible member 114 may be non-magnetic. As illustrated, the length of the first magnetic portion 108 extending from an open edge is greater than the length of the second magnetic portion 110 extending from the flexible member 114. The difference in lengths allows for variable positioning of the second magnetic portion 110 relative to the first magnetic portion 108. When the second magnetic portion 110 is in a first closed position, as illustrated in
The flap's 112 position determines the distance between the front panel 202 and a rear panel 102. When the flap 112 is in a first position, as illustrated in
The front panel 202 and the rear panel 102 are joined together at a closed end 204, which may include a folding point, flexible material, hinge, U-shaped member, or the like. In one embodiment, the closed end 204 may be expandable to accommodate PEDs of various thickness.
The support structure 502 may use securing mechanisms 504 such as frictional holder, elastics, magnets, adhesives, or mechanical obstruction to couple with a PED. Certain securing mechanisms 504 may couple PEDs having various thicknesses to the support structure 502. If, as illustrated, adhesive strips are used, protective covers may be placed on the adhesive strips to ensure the adhesive strips retain their stickiness. Easy pull tabs 508 may be placed on the protective covers for easy removal.
The lower section 104 is configured to pivot away from the support structure 502, such that the lower section 104 supports the support structure 502, and any secured PED, in an inclined position. A folding point 506, created where the lower section 104 and front panel 202 are coupled, may rest on a support surface and maintain the support structure 502 in an inclined position. The support structure's 502 edge may rest on the front panel 202. The front panel 202 may include features to keep the support structure 502 from slipping while in an inclined position such as a high friction surface, grooves (e.g., grooves configured to engage with the support structure 502), or the like.
The support structure's 502 degree of incline is defined by how far the lower section 104 is rotated away from the support structure 502. In some embodiments, the lower section 104 may rotate between a first position in which the lower section 104 supports the support structure 502 in an inclined position and a second position in which the lower section 104 lies flush against the support structure 502. The display side may be in contact with the front panel 202 in the second position. When the lower section 104 is in the second position, the universal case 100 may be compact for easy storage.
The above description provides numerous specific details for a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the specific details may be omitted, or other methods, components, or materials may be used. In some cases, operations are not shown or described in detail. Additionally, features or elements described in conjunction with any one embodiment may be adapted for use with and/or combined with the features of any other embodiment.
This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/059,310 filed on Oct. 3, 2014 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62059310 | Oct 2014 | US |