Device case and mounting apparatus

• US 8,800,763 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Daymen Us, Inc. (Daymen US Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hale, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): LLEWELLYN, MOLLIE J
• Application Number:
  US13/186,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20120018324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320
• US Class Current: 206/320
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/085 comprising polyolefins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/03 3 layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• 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: H05K 5/0226 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor

Abstract

A multi-function case and support for an electronic device, such as a tablet computer. The case may be adapted to support the tablet in a variety of configurations, such as similar to a laptop computer configuration, and as a raised support. The case may also protect the electronic device from rough contact and other wear. In the raised support configuration, the case and support may be adapted to allow for rotation of the tablet from a landscape to a portrait attitude.

Claims

1. A multi-configuration case and support assembly adapted to support a tablet computer, said assembly comprising:

a front cover, said front cover adapted to cover the front of a device while in a closed configuration;

a back cover;

wherein said back cover is adapted to cover the back of a device while in the closed configuration, said back cover comprising;

an inner back cover portion; and

an outer back cover portion, wherein said inner back cover portion and said outer back cover portion fit together in a single plane when in the closed configuration, said inner back cover portion coupled to said outer back cover portion with a frictional hinge, said inner back cover portion adapted to hinge away from said outer back cover portion thereby leaving a through hole space in said back cover;

a first flexible hinge between said front cover and said back cover;

a device receiver, and

a rotary hinge, said rotary hinge coupling said device receiver to said inner back cover portion.

2. The multi-configuration case and support assembly of claim 1 wherein said front cover comprises:

an inner front cover portion; and

an outer front cover portion, wherein said inner front cover portion and said outer front cover portion fit together in a single plane when in a closed configuration; and

a second flexible hinge between said inner front cover portion and said outer front cover portion and wherein said inner front cover portion is adapted to fold away from said outer front cover portion at said second flexible hinge and lock into said outer back cover portion in a deployed configuration.

3. The multi-configuration case and support assembly of claim 2 wherein said outer back cover portion and said front cover are constructed from a single sheet of a composite sandwich material, said composite sandwich material comprising metal skins over a polypropylene core, and wherein said metal skins are removed from said polypropylene core in the areas of said first flexible hinge and said second flexible hinge.

4. A multi-configuration case and support assembly adapted to support a tablet computer, said assembly comprising:

a front cover, said front cover adapted to cover the front of a device while in a closed configuration, wherein said front cover comprising;

an inner front cover portion; and

an outer front cover portion, wherein said inner front cover portion and said outer front cover portion fit together in a single plane when in the closed configuration;

a back cover;

wherein said back cover is adapted to cover the back of a device while in the closed configuration, said back cover comprising;

an inner back cover portion; and

an outer back cover portion, wherein said inner back cover portion and said outer back cover portion fit together in a single plane when in the closed configuration, said inner back cover portion coupled to said outer back cover portion with a frictional hinge,

a first flexible hinge between said front cover and said back cover;

a second flexible hinge between said inner front cover portion and said outer front cover portion, wherein said inner front cover portion is adapted to fold away from said outer front cover portion at said second flexible hinge and lock into said outer back cover portion in a deployed configuration;

a device receiver, and

a rotary hinge, said rotary hinge coupling said device receiver to said inner back cover portion.

5. The multi-configuration case and support assembly of claim 4 wherein said back cover and said front cover are constructed from a single sheet of a composite sandwich material, said composite sandwich material comprising metal skins over a polypropylene core, and wherein said metal skins are removed from said polypropylene core in the areas of said first flexible hinge and said second flexible hinge.