Foldable case for use with an electronic device

• US 9,760,118 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rohrbach, Matthew D., Diep, Vinh
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
• Application Number:
  US14/167,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20140183068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 206320, 206 452, 206 4524, 206748, 383109, 383116, 383117, 4555751, 4555758
• 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 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/02 Briefcases or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/00 Collapsible or extensible purses, luggage, bags or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

This is directed to a case for securing and protecting an electronic device. The case can include a cover connected to a pouch by a hinge such that the cover can be overlaid over a device interface (e.g., a device display). The case can be constructed by layering and combining several types of materials, including for example materials having resistant outer surfaces, materials limiting the deformation of the case, materials providing a soft surface to be placed in contact with the device, and rigid materials for defining a structure of the case. In some embodiments, the case can include a tab that allows a user to fold open the cover of the case to form a triangular prism. The prism can be placed on any of its surfaces such that the device can be oriented towards a user at particular angles (e.g., a typing-specific orientation and a media playback orientation).

Claims

1. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a pouch portion configured to cover a surface of the portable electronic device and expose at least a portion of the portable electronic device, the pouch portion having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the pouch portion includes an external layer comprising polyurethane, a polyester knit layer adjacent the external layer, and a rigid layer bonded to the polyester knit layer by an adhesive and comprising fiberglass or polycarbonate; and

a flexible flap coupled to the pouch portion and including a hinge portion pivotally coupled to a cover portion, wherein the hinge portion and the cover portion cooperate to present the portable electronic device in a closed configuration, a typing configuration, and a viewing configuration, wherein;

when the flexible flap is in the closed configuration, the cover portion covers at least a portion of an opening of the pouch portion,

when the flexible flap is in the typing configuration, the hinge portion cooperates with the cover portion to support the portable electronic device at a typing angle with respect to a support surface, wherein the first edge of the pouch portion is closer to the support surface than the second edge of the pouch portion; and

when the flexible flap is in the viewing configuration, the hinge portion cooperates with the cover portion to support the portable electronic device at a viewing angle with respect to the support surface, wherein the second edge of the pouch portion is closer to the support surface than the first edge of the pouch portion.

2. The protective case as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover and hinge portions comprise hard elements.

3. The protective case as recited in claim 1, wherein the pouch portion fully covers at least the back side of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is secured within the protective case.

4. The protective case as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover portion contacts a back surface of the pouch portion when the flexible flap is in the typing configuration or the viewing configuration.

5. The protective case as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible flap includes a microfiber material configured to contact the display of the portable electronic device.

6. The protective case as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover portion includes a fastening mechanism for retaining the cover portion over the pouch portion.

7. The protective case as recited in claim 6, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a mechanical snap, a magnetic snap, or a hook and fastener material.

8. The protective case as recited in claim 6, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a magnet.

9. A case for an electronic device, the case comprising:

a pouch portion configured to cover a surface of the electronic device and expose at least a portion of the electronic device through an opening of the pouch portion, the pouch portion including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the pouch portion includes an external layer comprising polyurethane, a polyester knit layer adjacent the external layer, and a rigid layer bonded to the polyester knit layer by an adhesive and comprising fiberglass or polycarbonate; and

a flap coupled to the pouch portion and having a hinge portion pivotally coupled to a cover portion, the flap operative to transition between a closed configuration and a presentation configuration, wherein the cover portion covers at least a portion of the opening of the pouch portion when the flap is in the closed configuration, and cover portion is coupled with a back surface of the pouch portion when the flap is in the presentation configuration, wherein the hinge portion cooperates with the cover portion to support the electronic device at a typing angle or a viewing angle when the flap is in the presentation configuration, wherein;

when the case supports the electronic device at the typing angle, the first edge of the pouch portion is closer to a support surface than the second edge of the pouch portion, and

when the case supports the electronic device at the viewing angle, the second edge of the pouch portion is closer to the support surface than the first edge of the pouch portion.

10. The case as recited in claim 9, wherein the pouch portion includes at least one interface opening.

11. The case as recited in claim 9, wherein the pouch portion further includes a microfiber layer.

12. The case as recited in claim 11, wherein the microfiber layer corresponds to an internal layer of the pouch portion.

13. The case as recited in claim 9, wherein a length of the cover portion is greater than a length of the hinge portion.

14. The case as recited in claim 9, wherein the polyester knit layer and the external layer are adhesively bonded together.

15. The case as recited in claim 9, wherein a rigid element of the cover portion is separated from a rigid element of the hinge portion by a flexible portion.

16. A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a pouch configured to surround a surface of the portable electronic device and expose at least a portion of the portable electronic device, the pouch including a first edge and opposing second edge wherein the pouch includes an external layer comprising polyurethane, a polyester knit layer adjacent the external layer, and a rigid layer bonded to the polyester knit layer by an adhesive and comprising fiberglass or polycarbonate; and

a flap coupled to the pouch and having a hinge portion and a cover portion, wherein the flap is configured to transition among a closed configuration, a viewing configuration, and a typing configuration, wherein;

when the flap is in the closed configuration, the cover portion covers at least a portion of an opening of the pouch,

when the flap is in the viewing configuration, the hinge portion cooperates with the cover portion to support the pouch at a viewing angle with respect to the hinge portion, and

when the flap is in the typing configuration, the hinge portion cooperates with the cover portion to support the pouch at a typing angle with respect to the cover portion.

17. The case as recited in claim 16, wherein a portion of the flap coupled to the pouch has a width shorter than a width of the portable electronic device.

18. The case as recited in claim 16, wherein the viewing angle is greater than the typing angle.

19. The case as recited in claim 16, wherein the cover portion includes a fastening mechanism for retaining the cover portion over the opening when the case is in the closed configuration.

20. The case as recited in claim 19, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a magnet.