Protective case system with stand

• US 10,485,312 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2017
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Weinerth, Gideon R
• Application Number:
  US15/686,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20180055166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 40745-753, 248460, 2484411, 248461, 248462, 248464, 248465, 248451, 248448, 248454, 248455, 24834601, 248 34, 248 606, 24834603, 206320, 206701, 206 4524, 206775, 244191, 705 16, 705 17, 705 21, 4555758, 455557, 4555751, 4555501, 36167941, 36167902, 3616793, 36167943, 36167956, 3122231, 3122232, 3122234
• 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 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• 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 2200/0525 Personal portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A protective case system includes a protective case and a stand. The protective case at least partially encases an electronic device and has an outer shell that includes a first mounting feature. The stand has a second mounting feature and a third mounting feature. The first mounting feature of the protective case is complementary to and removably attachable to the second mounting feature of the stand for holding the protective case and the electronic device in a non-horizontal viewing position. The third mounting feature of the stand is configured to removably attach to a mounting feature of an accessory device. The third mounting feature of the stand having the same mechanical configuration or interface as the first mounting feature of the protective case and being complementary to the mounting feature of the accessory device.

Claims

1. A stand for supporting an accessory device and a protective case for an electronic device installed in the protective case, the stand comprising:

a first portion for supporting the stand; and

a second portion configured to releasably attach to the accessory device and to the protective case, the second portion having a first side including a first attachment mechanism for slidably attaching to an attachment mechanism of the accessory device and a second side opposite the first side and including a second attachment mechanism for slidably attaching to an attachment mechanism of the protective case, wherein the first attachment mechanism includes one of a female attachment interface and a male attachment interface and the second attachment mechanism includes the other of the female attachment interface and the male attachment interface, and wherein one of the first portion and the second portion of the stand includes a docking location configured to store a removable accessory plate of the protective case.

2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism includes the female attachment interface and the second attachment mechanism includes the male attachment interface.

3. The stand of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism is the same as the attachment mechanism of the protective case and the second attachment mechanism is the same as the attachment mechanism of the accessory device.

4. The stand of claim 1, wherein the installed electronic device is in a forward facing and tilted back position when the protective case is attached to the second attachment mechanism.

5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the accessory device is in a forward facing and tilted back position when the accessory device is attached to the first attachment mechanism.

6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are removably attached by one or more attachment features.

7. The stand of claim 6, wherein the stand is configurable between a first configuration wherein the installed electronic device is in a forward facing and tilted back position when the protective case is attached to the second attachment mechanism and a second configuration wherein the accessory device is in a forward facing and tilted back position when the accessory is attached to the first attachment mechanism.

8. The stand of claim 7, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration are distinguished by a reversal of the orientation of the second member.