TABLET COMPUTER CASE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20140246354A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAGG Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ZAGG Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Osborne, David W., Probst, Brian H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,055,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/756
• 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 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• 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 1/1669 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 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer

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, and a hinge rotatably attaching the two panels.

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 perimeter edge substantially matching a perimeter edge of the first panel; and

a hinge rotatably attaching the first panel and the second panel, said hinge engaging a bottom edge of the first panel and connecting the first panel to a back edge of the second panel, said hinge further being configured to allow the first panel to swing over a range of about 360°

relative to the second panel and having 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 360°

range.

2. 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.

3. The tablet computer case of claim 2, 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.

4. The tablet computer case of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of side edges which engage the edges of the tablet computer.

5. The tablet computer case of claim 4, wherein the plurality of side edges engage at least three edges of the tablet computer.

6. The tablet computer case of claim 5, wherein the tablet computer slidably engages the first panel through an open edge between two of the three edges, and wherein an edge opposite the open edge substantially contacts an edge of the tablet computer when the tablet computer is fully engaged with the first panel.

7. The tablet computer case of claim 6, further comprising a separate panel piece configured to attach to the first panel and fit around an exposed edge of the tablet computer.

8. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the positions include a closed position where the viewing screen of the tablet computer and the second panel come together and the second panel rests adjacent to the view screen.

9. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the positions include a tablet position where the viewing screen of the tablet computer and the second panel move apart and the second panel rests adjacent to a back side of the first panel.

10. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the positions include a display position wherein a back side of the first panel and the second panel form an angle of 90°

of less and the viewing screen of the tablet computer faces away from the second panel.

11. The tablet computer case of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic closure to aid in holding the case in a closed configuration, said magnetic closure comprising a magnet located on the second panel and a corresponding magnetic member on the first panel.

12. The tablet computer case of claim 11, wherein the magnetic member is one of a magnet or a metal strip.

13. The tablet computer case of claim 1, 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 a tension of the first rotational axis is less than a tension of the second rotational axis.

14. The tablet computer case of claim 13, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is from 10% to 400% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

15. The tablet computer case of claim 13, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is about 10% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

16. The tablet computer case of claim 13, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is about 20% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

17. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the second panel has an opening therein.

18. The tablet computer case of claim 17, wherein the opening is in a central location of the second panel.

19. The tablet computer case of claim 18, wherein the opening is in a peripheral location of the second panel.

20. The table computer case of claim 1, wherein the second panel a frame with an open center and a perimeter shape substantially matching that of a perimeter of the first panel.