Tablet Computer Case and Associated Methods

• US 20120106060A1
• Filed: 10/27/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAGG Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cruxcase, LLC
• Inventors: Probst, Brian Hullinger, Osborne, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,467,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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 1/166 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: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

Tablet computer cases and associated methods are disclosed and described. In one embodiment, a tablet computer case may include a first panel configured to releasably engage and hold a tablet computer of a predetermined size and shape, a second panel having a keyboard a hinge rotatably attaching the two panels, and a communication connector that allows the keyboard to communicate with the tablet computer.

Claims

1. A tablet computer case comprising:

a first panel configured to releasably engage and hold a tablet computer of a predetermined size and shape;

a second panel having a keyboard side on which a keyboard is located;

a hinge rotatably attaching the first panel and the second panel; and

a communication connector that allows the keyboard to communicate with the tablet computer;

wherein the hinge comprises a first rotational axis adjacent to a bottom edge of the first panel and a second rotational axis adjacent to a back edge of the second panel, and wherein the hinge is configured so that the bottom edge of the first panel can rest in substantially a same plane as an underside of the second panel when the first panel is at an angle of at least about 90°

with respect to the second panel.

2. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein a weight of the first panel is substantially supported through the bottom edge of the first panel when the second panel rests on a surface and the bottom edge of the first panel is also in contact with the surface.

3. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the angle is from about 90°

to about 175°

.

4. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the second rotational axis is configured to rotate more readily than the first rotational axis.

5. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a foot for at least partially supporting the tablet computer case above an underlying surface.

6. The tablet computer case of claim 5, wherein the foot raises the second panel so that the keyboard rests at an angle relative to the underlying surface.

7. The tablet computer case of claim 6, wherein the bottom edge of the tablet panel rests in a same plane as the bottom of the foot and both the foot and the bottom edge of the tablet panel rest on the underlying surface, such that the underlying surface directly supports the weight of the first panel.

8. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the hinge is situated at the center of the back edge of the second panel.

9. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein a plurality of hinges is distributed along the center of the back edge of the second panel.

10. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the first panel to swing over a range of about 360°

relative to the second panel.

11. The tablet computer case of claim 10, wherein the hinge has a sufficient tension to hold the first panel and the second panel at substantially all positions of the first panel relative to the second panel within the range.

12. The tablet computer case of claim 11, wherein the positions include a closed position wherein the first and second panels are brought together with the keyboard and tablet computer viewing screen facing one another when a tablet computer is inserted in the first panel.

13. The tablet computer case of claim 11, wherein the positions include a laptop position in which the first panel is substantially upright and the keyboard side is facing upwardly.

14. The tablet computer case of claim 11, wherein the positions include a display position in which the first panel is substantially upright and the keyboard side is facing downwardly.

15. The tablet computer case of claim 11, wherein the positions include a tablet position where the viewing screen of the tablet computer and the keyboard face in substantially opposite directions from one another.

16. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the communication connector is a wireless connector.

17. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the second panel weighs less than a weight of the first panel with the tablet computer engaged therein.

18. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the first panel has a back member that engages a back of the tablet computer, at least one side edge which engages an edge of the tablet computer, and a front with a viewing window for viewing a screen of the tablet computer.

19. The tablet computer case of claim 18, wherein the front further comprises a fascia that extends along a portion of a viewing screen of the tablet computer and that is integral with the at least one side edge.

20. The tablet computer case of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of side edges which engage the edges of the tablet computer.

21. The tablet computer case of claim 20, wherein the plurality of side edges engage at least three edges of the tablet computer.

22. The tablet computer case of claim 1, further comprising at least one spacer attached to the keyboard side of the second panel.

23. The tablet computer case of claim 22, comprising at least two spacers attached to the keyboard side of the second panel.

24. The tablet computer case of claim 22, comprising at least four spacers attached to the keyboard side of the second panel.

25. The tablet computer case of claim 22, wherein the spacer is configured to stably support the tablet computer case on a surface in a position where the keyboard side is facing down toward the surface.

26. The tablet computer case of claim 22, wherein the spacer is configured to separate the keyboard surface from the first panel in a closed position.

27. The tablet computer case of claim 22, wherein the spacer has a thickness of from about 1/16 inch to about ½

inch.

28. A method of adding a keyboard to a tablet computer, comprising:

configuring a first panel to hold the tablet computer;

attaching the first panel by way of a hinge to a second panel having a keyboard, so that a first rotational axis of the hinge is adjacent to a bottom edge of the first panel, and a second rotational axis of the hinge is adjacent to a back edge of the second panel; and

configuring the hinge so that the bottom edge of the first panel can rest in a substantially same plane as an underside of the second panel when the first panel is at an obtuse angle with respect to the second panel.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein a weight of the first panel is substantially supported through the bottom edge of the first panel when the second panel rests on a surface and the bottom edge of the first panel is also in contact with the surface.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the obtuse angle is from about 90°

to about 175°

.