Collapsible shell cover for computing device

• US 9,451,822 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Gu, Jiawei
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US14/516,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20150293606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/044 only foldable
• 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 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• 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

Abstract

A collapsible shell cover for a computing device having a holder portion, an input device portion, and kickstand portion is described that is configured to support a computing device at a viewing angle in an open configuration and to form a shell cover for the computing device in a collapsed configuration. The holder may receive the computing device between edge members having support lips for support. The input device and kickstand are rotatably secured to the holder at opposing ends of the edge members. In the open configuration, the holder is positioned at the viewing angle, the kickstand is rotated for support at a rear of the holder, and the input device is rotated to extend outward from a front of the holder. In the collapsed configuration, the holder, input device, and kickstand portion are aligned in a common plane to form the shell cover for the computing device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a holder portion configured to receive a computing device having a slate form factor between edge members to support the computing device;

an input device portion and kickstand portion rotatably secured to the holder portion, the kickstand portion configured as a partial tray having raised edges on three sides surrounding an interior planar surface, the input device portion and kickstand portion configured to rotate relative to the holder position such that the apparatus is configured to assume;

an open configuration in which the holder portion is positioned at viewing angle for viewing of a display device of the computing device when received into the holder portion, the kickstand portion is rotated to a support position at a rear of the holder portion that opposes a front of the holder portion configured to receive the computing device such that the kickstand portion is arranged to support the holder portion and computing device at the viewing angle, and the input device portion is rotated to an input position that extends outward from the front of the holder portion configured to receive the computing device such that input device portion is arranged to lay flat in front of the display device when placed on a surface; and

a collapsed configuration in which the holder portion, input device portion, and kickstand portion are aligned in a common plane to form a shell cover for protection of the computing device that corresponds to a shape of the computing device.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the holder portion is configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to the computing device when inserted into the apparatus.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the holder portion is configured as a frame with a pair of the edge members connected by a cross beam on one side and open on an opposing side.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the input device portion is configured to fill open space between the pair of the edge members in the collapsed configuration to form a portion of the shell cover in combination with the holder portion.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand portion is configured to support the holder portion and computing device at multiple different support positions in which the viewing angle is in a range of about ninety to one-hundred and eighty degrees.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a combination of the kickstand portion and the holder portion forms a perimeter of raised edges for the shell cover in the collapsed configuration.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the input device portion is removably attached to the holder portion to enable wireless use of the input device portion when removed.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand portion and holder portion include beveled edges configured to couple when the kickstand portion is rotated to a support position in the open configuration to form a support angle between the kickstand portion and the holder portion.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein the beveled edges are coupled together in the open configuration using a magnetic closure device.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the input device portion and kickstand portion are rotatably secured at opposing ends of the edge members of the holder portion.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the input device portion comprises a keyboard.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein input functionality associated with the input device portion is deactivated in the collapsed configuration and activated to enable input interaction in the open configuration.

13. A collapsible shell cover for a computing device comprising a holder portion, and an input device portion and kickstand portion both rotatably secured to the holder portion, the kickstand portion configured as a partial tray having raised edges on three sides surrounding an interior planar surface, such that the collapsible shell cover is manipulable to assume:

a collapsed configuration in which a combination of the holder portion and input device portion and kickstand portion are aligned in a common plane to form a shell cover for protection of the computing device configured to receive the computing device in a cavity on an interior of the shell cover; and

an open configuration in which the kickstand portion is rotated to support the holder portion and the computing device inserted into the holder portion at a viewing angle and the input device portion is rotated to an input position that extends outward from a front of the holder portion to facilitate input via the input device portion, the holder portion having a frame including edge members having lip portions configured to receive the computing device and support the computing device along side edges of the computing device and a cross beam member configured to connect the edge members and support the computing device along a bottom edge.

14. A collapsible shell cover as described in claim 13, wherein the input device portion includes a keyboard or a track pad.

15. A collapsible shell cover as described in claim 13, wherein the shell cover formed by the holder portion, input device portion, and kickstand portion in the collapsed configuration is configured to have a tray shape with a perimeter of raised edges surrounding a planar surface that corresponds to a shape of the computing device.

16. A collapsible shell cover as described in claim 13, wherein the holder portion is configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to the computing device when inserted into the holder portion.

17. A system comprising:

a computing device having a slate form factor; and

a collapsible shell cover to receive the computing device including a holder portion, and an input device portion and kickstand portion both rotatably secured to the holder portion, the kickstand portion configured as a partial tray having raised edges on three sides surrounding an interior planar surface, such that the collapsible shell cover is manipulable to assume multiple configurations including;

a collapsed configuration in which a combination of the holder portion and input device portion and kickstand portion each form partial portions of a shell cover for protection of the computing device that corresponds to a shape of the computing device so as to receive the computing device in a cavity on an interior of the shell cover; and

an open configuration in which the kickstand portion is rotated to support the holder portion and the computing device inserted into the holder portion at a viewing angle and the input device portion is rotated to an input position that extends outward from a front of the holder portion to facilitate input via the input device portion, the holder portion having a frame including edge members configured to enable slidable insertion of the computing device into the holder portion and a cross beam member configured to connect the edge members and support the computing device along a bottom edge.

18. A system as described in claim 17, wherein the partial portions each comprise approximately half of the shell cover, which when arranged in the collapsed configuration form a tray shape having the cavity on an interior of the shell cover surrounded by raised edges around a perimeter of the shell cover.

19. A system as described in claim 17, wherein the input device portion is configured as a keyboard having a plurality of mechanical keys, the plurality of mechanical keys configured to retract into a body of the keyboard in the collapsed configuration to form a flat surface for an exterior of the shell cover and to pop-out of the body of the keyboard to enable input interaction in the open configuration.

20. A system as described in claim 17, wherein the collapsed configuration is configured such that the combination of the holder portion and input device portion is formed by rotation of the input device portion to fill interior space between the edge members.