Tablet PC cover with stowable input device
First Claim
1. A tablet PC cover comprising:
- a molded body shaped to snugly fit and conform to a body of the tablet PC, exposing a touch-enabled display and any onboard controls of the tablet PC exposed for standard access, and having a rear face opposite to the tablet PC, wherein the rear face has a central portion and a border portion surrounding the central portion and corresponding to edges of the tablet PC;
fitted in the molded body, at least one embedded plug compatible and aligned precisely with at least one external connection jack on a surface of the tablet PC, the jack configured to enable input to or output from the tablet PC, wherein the embedded plug is at least connected to a wiring route, also embedded in the molded body;
at least one input device and a corresponding cutout in the rear face of the molded body, the input device stowable in the cutout and connected to the molded body by a connecting cable, providing input and output capabilities, the connecting cable originating at a connecting hub internally connected to the at least one embedded plug, wherein the cutout is formed in the central portion of the rear face of the molded body;
at least one cable trough in which the connecting cable is nested, secured by the elasticity of the molded body material, in which are formed a first trough break and a second trough break, the cable trough originating at the connecting hub and the first and second trough breaks respectively situated substantially midway along a long side of the molded body and substantially midway along an adjacent short side of the molded body; and
at least one support element received in a dedicated space defined in the rear face of the molded body, wherein the support element comprises a hinge, a pivot and a leg, the hinge connected to the molded body and spaced apart from the pivot so as to allow the pivot and leg to rotate away from the rear face of the molded body in a first plane, and the leg rotatable on the pivot in a second plane different than the first plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cover for a tablet PC provides protection to the body while allowing free access to a touch screen and other controls. The cover has an integrally connected keyboard or other input device which can be simply deployed for use, allowing conventional keyboard- or other-based input to the PC. When not in use the input device can be stowed at the rear of the cover, complementing device protection thereto. The cover further provides support elements allowing the PC to be situated for use on a horizontal surface, with the actual angle of situation adjustable to meet individual needs. When not needed or for transport, the support elements collapse and are received within the cover. In addition, the cover allows the PC to be situated, with the input device deployed or otherwise, in either a landscape or portrait orientation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A tablet PC cover comprising:
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a molded body shaped to snugly fit and conform to a body of the tablet PC, exposing a touch-enabled display and any onboard controls of the tablet PC exposed for standard access, and having a rear face opposite to the tablet PC, wherein the rear face has a central portion and a border portion surrounding the central portion and corresponding to edges of the tablet PC; fitted in the molded body, at least one embedded plug compatible and aligned precisely with at least one external connection jack on a surface of the tablet PC, the jack configured to enable input to or output from the tablet PC, wherein the embedded plug is at least connected to a wiring route, also embedded in the molded body; at least one input device and a corresponding cutout in the rear face of the molded body, the input device stowable in the cutout and connected to the molded body by a connecting cable, providing input and output capabilities, the connecting cable originating at a connecting hub internally connected to the at least one embedded plug, wherein the cutout is formed in the central portion of the rear face of the molded body; at least one cable trough in which the connecting cable is nested, secured by the elasticity of the molded body material, in which are formed a first trough break and a second trough break, the cable trough originating at the connecting hub and the first and second trough breaks respectively situated substantially midway along a long side of the molded body and substantially midway along an adjacent short side of the molded body; and at least one support element received in a dedicated space defined in the rear face of the molded body, wherein the support element comprises a hinge, a pivot and a leg, the hinge connected to the molded body and spaced apart from the pivot so as to allow the pivot and leg to rotate away from the rear face of the molded body in a first plane, and the leg rotatable on the pivot in a second plane different than the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification