Portable electronics case with support stand

• US 10,326,487 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
• Inventors: Mody, Saumil Chetan, Philip, Nitin Koshy, Van Gelderen, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Junpeng
• Application Number:
  US15/671,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20180041237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks

Abstract

A case for an electronic device, the case including a back panel, one or more sidewalls, and a support stand selectively extendable from the back panel for supporting the electronic devices in vertical and/or horizontal orientations. The support stand can be selectively extendable between a storage position and a plurality of use positions. The support stand can include positioning mechanism comprising a translating engagement feature and a rotating engagement feature.

Claims

1. A case for an electronic device comprising:

a back panel comprising at least a first receiving feature and a second receiving feature,

one or more sidewalls, and

a support stand selectively extendable from the back panel, wherein the support stand comprises an engagement feature;

wherein the support stand is configured to be releasably held in at least a first use position and a second use position, and wherein each use position defines an angle between the support stand and the back panel;

wherein the engagement feature engages the first receiving feature in the first use position and the engagement feature engages the second receiving feature in the second use position; and

wherein the support stand is configured to support the electronic device in both a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the support stand is pivotally attached to the back panel.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein the back panel comprises a recess configured to receive the support stand in a storage position.

4. The case of claim 3, wherein the support stand comprises a retaining feature configured to releasably hold the support stand in the recess in the storage position.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature includes a rib protruding from an end of the support stand.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second receiving features are channels in the back panel of the case.

7. The case of claim 2, wherein the back panel further comprises a stop surface configured to prevent the support stand from pivoting beyond a maximum angle relative to the back panel.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein in at least one use position, the support stand is configured to support the electronic device in both a horizontal and vertical position.

9. A support stand for an electronic device, the support stand comprising:

a base;

an arm pivotally attached to the base; and

a positioning mechanism comprising;

at least one rotating engagement feature; and

at least one translating engagement feature configured to releasable engage the rotating engagement feature;

wherein the arm is configured to be releasably held in a storage position and repositionable from the storage position to at least one use position; and

wherein the support stand is configured to support the electronic device case in both a horizontal position and a vertical position.

10. The support stand of claim 9, wherein the base is configured for direct attachment to the electronic device.

11. The support stand of claim 9, wherein the base is configured for attachment to a case configured for receiving the electronic device.

12. The support stand of claim 9, further comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured to bias the at least one translating engagement feature in engagement with the at least one rotating engagement feature.

13. The support stand of claim 9, further comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured to engage with the at least one rotating feature.

14. The support stand of claim 9, wherein the at least one rotating engagement feature comprises rotating cam comprising a cylindrical body and at least two teeth.

15. The support stand of claim 14, wherein the rotating cam is attached to the arm.

16. The support stand of claim 9, wherein the at least one translating engagement feature comprises a translating cam with a cylindrical body and at least two teeth.

17. The support stand of claim 9, wherein the at least one rotating engagement feature comprises a rotating cam comprising a cylindrical body and at least two teeth and wherein the at least one translating engagement feature comprises a translating cam with a cylindrical body and at least two teeth, and wherein the teeth of the rotating cam are configured to engage the teeth of the translating cam.

18. A support stand for an electronic device case, the support stand comprising:

an arm pivotally attached to a base, wherein the base is attached to an electronic device case;

a rotating cam comprising at least a first and second flat surface, wherein the rotating cam is attached to the arm in a fixed position; and

a leaf spring configured to engage the at least first and second flat surfaces of the rotating cam;

wherein the support stand is configured to support the electronic device case in both a horizontal position and a vertical position.

19. The support stand of claim 18, wherein the first flat surface corresponds to a storage position of the support stand and wherein the second flat surface corresponds to a use position of the support stand.

20. The support stand of claim 18, wherein the leaf spring is attached within a recess in the base.