Case for portable electronic device

• US 20070235492A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin Corporation (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sirichai, Saharut, Quinteros, Ernesto
• Granted Patent: US 7,673,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/675
• 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: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers

Abstract

Cases for portable electronic devices, including cases that provide support as well as protection. Cases may be configured to contain a video-capable electronic device (601) and may both protect the device and allow it to maintain a hands-free viewing position. Embodiments include a first panel (110) having an upper portion (111) and a lower portion (112) separated from each other by a hinge line (113), a second panel (120) spaced apart from and coupled to the upper portion of the first panel by a first sidewall (160) and a second sidewall (170), and a third panel (130) spaced apart from and coupled to the lower portion of the first panel by a third sidewall (180) and a fourth sidewall (190). The first panel is capable of being folded along the hinge line into a flexed position.

Claims

1. A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a first panel having an upper portion and a lower portion separated from each other by a hinge line;

a second panel spaced apart from and coupled to the upper portion of the first panel by a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and

a third panel spaced apart from and coupled to the lower portion of the first panel by a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall,

wherein;

the first panel is capable of being folded along the hinge line into a flexed position;

the first panel, the second panel, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall form a first compartment capable of receiving at least a portion of the portable electronic device; and

the first panel, the third panel, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall form a second compartment capable of receiving at least a portion of the portable electronic device.

2. The case of claim 1 further comprising:

a strap extending from the lower portion of the first panel and having a first attachment feature coupled thereto; and

a second attachment feature coupled to the first panel,

wherein;

the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature are capable of being coupled to each other so as to maintain the first panel in the flexed position.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein:

the first attachment feature comprises a first snap; and

the second attachment feature comprises an attachment region containing at least a second snap capable of mating with the first snap.

4. The case of claim 3 wherein:

the attachment region also contains a third snap capable of mating with the first snap.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein:

the hinge line divides the first panel into two portions that are substantially equal to each other in size.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein:

the second panel comprises a first viewing window.

7. The case of claim 6 wherein:

the third panel comprises a second viewing window.

8. The case of claim 1 wherein:

the first compartment comprises a lower end that is open and an upper end that is at least partially enclosed.

9. The case of claim 8 wherein:

the second compartment comprises a lower end that is open and an upper end that is open.

10. The case of claim 1 further comprising:

a clasp coupled to the third panel.

11. A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a first panel comprising;

a first layer;

a second layer adjacent to the first layer; and

a hinge line;

a second panel spaced apart from and coupled to the first panel by a first sidewall and a second sidewall and comprising;

a third layer; and

a fourth layer adjacent to the third layer; and

a third panel spaced apart from and coupled to the first panel by a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall,

wherein;

the first panel is capable of being folded along the hinge line into a flexed position.

12. The case of claim 11 wherein:

the first panel further comprises;

a fifth layer adjacent to the second layer;

a sixth layer adjacent to the fifth layer; and

a seventh layer adjacent to the sixth layer.

13. The case of claim 12 wherein:

the first layer, the fourth layer, and the fifth layer are continuous across the hinge line; and

the second layer and the third layer separate at the hinge line.

14. The case of claim 12 wherein:

the first layer comprises leather;

the second layer comprises cardboard;

the fifth layer comprises acrylonatrile butadiene styrene;

the sixth layer comprises a foam spacer; and

the seventh layer comprises suede.

15. The case of claim 12 wherein:

the second panel further comprises;

an eighth layer adjacent to the fourth layer; and

a ninth layer adjacent to the eighth layer.

16. The case of claim 15 wherein:

the third layer comprises leather;

the fourth layer comprises polyvinyl chloride;

the eighth layer comprises acrylonatrile butadiene styrene;

the ninth layer comprises suede.

17. A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a first panel comprising a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, a fourth layer, a fifth layer, and a hinge line;

a second panel spaced apart from and coupled to the first panel by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the second panel comprising a sixth layer, a seventh layer, an eighth layer, and a ninth layer;

a third panel spaced apart from and coupled to the first panel by a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall;

a strap extending from the first panel and having a first snap coupled thereto; and

an attachment region containing a second snap coupled to the first panel,

wherein;

the first panel is capable of being folded along the hinge line into a flexed position;

the first snap and the second snap are capable of being coupled to each other so as to maintain the first panel in the flexed position;

the attachment region is coupled to the first panel via stitching that extends through the attachment region, the first layer, and the second layer.

18. The case of claim 17 wherein:

the hinge line divides the first panel into an upper portion and a lower portion; and

the upper portion and the lower portion are substantially equal to each other in size.

19. The case of claim 18 wherein:

the first layer, the fourth layer, and the fifth layer are continuous across the hinge line; and

the second layer and the third layer separate at the hinge line.

20. The case of claim 19 further comprising:

a clasp coupled to the third panel.