Accessory devices for portable electronic devices

• US 10,705,574 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2019
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Robinson, Kevin M., Stryker, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US16/290,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20200097050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include one or more bodies, or segments, that are rotationally coupled to each other. One segment may include a keyboard used to provide an input or command to the electronic device. The accessory device may include an additional segment with a hinge assembly and a panel coupled to the hinge assembly. The panel is designed to receive and couple with the electronic device. The hinge assembly is designed to move the panel into different positions. For instance, the hinge assembly and the panel can be stored with a segment of the accessory device when not in use. The hinge assembly can subsequently deploy, and place the panel in a position to receive the electronic device such that the electronic device is positioned for use with the keyboard.

Claims

1. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:

a segment comprising an opening that leads to an internal volume;

a panel capable of receiving the portable electronic device; and

a hinge assembly carried by the segment and coupled with the panel, the hinge assembly comprising;

a first hinge component secured to the segment by a fastener, the first hinge component configured to rotate about a pivot point defined by the fastener, and

a second hinge component configured to rotate about the pivot point,

wherein;

a first configuration comprises the first hinge component and the second hinge component positioned in the internal volume and covered by the panel, and

a second configuration comprises the second hinge component positioned at least partially out of the internal volume.

2. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein:

the first configuration comprises the first hinge component and the second hinge component located in the internal volume, and

the second configuration comprises the first hinge component remaining in the internal volume and the second hinge component positioned at least partially out of the internal volume.

3. The accessory device of claim 2, wherein the first hinge component remains parallel with respect to the segment in the first configuration and the second configuration.

4. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises:

a platform coupled with the second hinge component;

a third hinge component configured to rotate about a second pivot point; and

a fourth hinge component coupled with the third hinge component and the platform, the fourth hinge component configured to rotate about the second pivot point.

5. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises magnets configured to magnetically couple with magnets in the portable electronic device.

6. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the segment comprises a surface that surrounds the opening, and wherein the first configuration comprises the panel being co-planar with respect to the surface.

19. The accessory device of claim 2, wherein the second configuration further comprises the first hinge component and the fastener remaining fully within the internal volume.

20. The accessory device of claim 2, wherein the panel includes a size and shape capable of fully covering the opening.

7. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:

a first segment comprising a keyboard capable of communicating with the portable electronic device;

a second segment coupled with the first segment;

a panel that defines a receiving surface for the portable electronic device; and

a hinge assembly secured with the second segment and the panel, the hinge assembly comprising;

a first hinge component, and

a second hinge component coupled to the first hinge component, the first hinge component and the second hinge component configured to rotate about a pivot point, wherein a rotation about the pivot point comprises i) the first hinge component rotating along a surface that is parallel to the second segment, and ii) the second hinge component rotating away from the surface and positioning the panel to receive the portable electronic device at the receiving surface.

8. The accessory device of claim 7, wherein during the rotation the first hinge component rotates simultaneously with the second hinge component.

9. The accessory device of claim 7, wherein:

the second segment defines an internal volume,

the second hinge component is co-planar with respect to the first hinge component prior to the rotation, and

the second hinge component is at least partially out of the internal volume subsequent to the rotation.

10. The accessory device of claim 9, wherein the first hinge component remains in the internal volume subsequent to the rotation.

11. The accessory device of claim 7, wherein when the panel receives the portable electronic device such that the portable electronic device lacks contact with the second segment and the first segment.

12. The accessory device of claim 11, wherein when the panel and the hinge assembly position the portable electronic device over the keyboard.

13. The accessory device of claim 7, wherein the panel comprises magnets capable of magnetically coupling with the hinge assembly when the panel covers the hinge assembly.

14. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:

a segment comprising an opening that leads to an internal volume;

a panel comprising magnets capable of coupling with portable electronic device magnets of the portable electronic device; and

a hinge assembly that rotationally couples the panel with the segment, the hinge assembly comprising;

a first hinge component, and

a second hinge component rotationally coupled to the first hinge component, wherein the magnets magnetically couple with the second hinge component when the panel is in the opening,

wherein;

in a stored configuration, the panel is positioned in the opening and the hinge assembly is positioned in the segment and covered by the panel and,

in a deployed configuration, the hinge assembly is at least partially out of the segment and positions the panel such that the panel is capable of receiving the portable electronic device.

15. The accessory device of claim 14, wherein the segment comprises a surface that surrounds the opening, and wherein the panel is co-planar with respect to the surface when the panel is positioned in the opening.

16. The accessory device of claim 14, wherein the first hinge component and the second hinge component are configured to rotate about a pivot point.

17. The accessory device of claim 14, further comprising:

a fastener positioned in an opening of the first hinge component; and

a friction element positioned between the fastener and the first hinge component, wherein the fastener is rotationally driven to adjust an amount of friction provided to the first hinge component.

18. The accessory device of claim 14, wherein movement of the first hinge component and the second hinge components comprises the first hinge component being parallel to the segment and the second hinge component being non-parallel to the segment.