Tablet computer case and associated methods

• US 8,467,178 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2011
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Zachary M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US13/283,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20120106061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.08, 361/679.09, 36167921-67939, 36167955-67959, 361/679.4, 36167941-67945, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 455/575.8, 369/282, 369/291, 369/253, 369/44.16, 369/75.5
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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;

at least one side edge which engages an edge of the tablet computer, and a fascia that extends along a portion of a visual output side of the tablet computer and that is integral with the at least one side edge;

a second panel having a keyboard side on which a keyboard is located and further comprising at least one spacer attached to the keyboard side of the second panel;

wherein the second panel weighs less than a weight of the first panel with the tablet computer engaged therein;

a hinge rotatably attaching the first panel and the second panel, said hinge being configured to allow the first panel to swing over a range of about 360°

relative to 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 a tension of the first rotational axis is greater than a tension of the second rotational axis; and

the bottom edge of the first panel can rest in substantially a same plane as an underside of the second panel and a portion of the hinge 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 the tension of the first rotational axis is from 10% to 400% greater than the tension of the second rotational axis.

3. The tablet computer case of claim 2, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is at least 10% greater than the tension of the second rotational axis.

4. The tablet computer case of claim 2, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is at least 20% greater than the tension of the second rotational axis.

5. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the tensions are configured so that upon opening the tablet computer case from a closed position to a laptop position in which the first panel is rotated about 90°

from the second panel, an angle between the first panel and the hinge changes less than an angle between the second panel and the hinge.

6. The tablet computer case of claim 5, wherein the angle between the first panel and the hinge remains substantially unchanged.

7. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is sufficient to hold the first panel at an oblique angle relative to the second panel when the second panel lays on a surface.

8. 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.

9. The tablet computer case of claim 8, wherein the angle is from about 90°

to about 175°

.

10. 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.

11. The tablet computer case of claim 10, wherein the foot raises the second panel so that the keyboard rests at an angle relative to the underlying surface.

12. The tablet computer case of claim 11, 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.

13. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the tensions of the hinge are sufficient 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.

14. The tablet computer case of claim 1, comprising at least two spacers attached to the keyboard side of the second panel.

15. The tablet computer case of claim 1, comprising at least four spacers attached to the keyboard side of the second panel.

16. The tablet computer case of claim 1, 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.

17. The tablet computer case of claim 1, wherein the spacer is configured to separate the keyboard surface from the first panel in a closed position.

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

inch.

19. 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.

20. The tablet computer case of claim 19, 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, wherein the communication connector is a wireless connector.

23. 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.