Cover for an electronic device

• US 9,773,598 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2017
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lauder, Andrew D., Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Coster, Daniel J., Stringer, Christopher J., Ow, Florence W., Ai, Jiang, Ive, Jonathan P., Kibiti, Elvis M., Ternus, John P., Lubner, Sean D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MUSLEH, MOHAMAD A
• Application Number:
  US15/408,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20170125144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 335219, 335285, 335302-306, 335205-207, 439 38, 439218, 439217, 439 39, 24303, 361807, 36167901, 361600, 206 452, 206 4523, 206 4524, 206305, 206320, 206764, 206765, 345111
• 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: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0205 Magnetic circuits with PM in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/04 Means for releasing the attractive force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

Abstract

A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An accessory device, comprising:

a first portion carrying a first magnetic element, the first portion being rotatable about a first axis of rotation,

a second portion carrying a second magnetic element, the second portion being rotatable about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being displaced from and generally parallel to the first axis of rotation, and

a third portion between the first and second portions, the third portion being rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation being between and generally parallel to the first and second axes of rotation, wherein the first and second magnetic elements form a magnetic circuit that maintains the accessory device in a three dimensional structure.

2. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein second portion is attachable to a portable computing device.

3. The accessory device as recited in claim 2, wherein the second portion further comprises a body having a size and shape suitable for capturing and retaining the portable computing device.

4. The accessory device as recited in claim 3, wherein a single piece flap is pivotally coupled to the body.

5. The accessory device as recited in claim 4, wherein the single piece flap is rotatable in a first direction towards a front side of the portable computing device or in a second direction opposite the first direction and towards a back side of the portable computing device.

6. The accessory device as recited in claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional structure acts as a support for the portable computing device.

7. The accessory device as recited in claim 6, wherein the portable computing device carries a display configured to present visual content.

8. The accessory device as recited in claim 7, wherein the three dimensional structure supports the portable computing device at an inclined angle to a horizontal support surface.

9. The accessory device as recited in claim 8, wherein the visual content is presented at the inclined angle.

10. An accessory device, comprising:

a single piece flap comprising an outer protective layer, an inner protective layer, and a bulk region located therebetween, the single piece flap having portions that independently bend with respect to each other, the portions comprising;

a first portion comprising a first magnetic element, the first portion being rotatable about a first axis of rotation,

a second portion comprising a second magnetic element, the second portion being rotatable about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being displaced from and generally parallel to the first axis of rotation, and

a third portion between the first and second portions, the third portion being rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation being between and generally parallel to the first and second axes of rotation, wherein the single piece flap is foldable such that when the outer protective layer of the first and second portions contact each other, the first and second magnetic elements form a magnetic circuit that maintains the single piece flap in a three dimensional structure.

11. The accessory device as recited in claim 10, wherein outer protective layer is formed of leather.

12. The accessory device as recited in claim 10, wherein inner protective layer is formed of a microfiber material.

13. The accessory device as recited in claim 10, wherein second portion is attachable to a portable computing device.

14. The accessory device as recited in claim 13, wherein the portable computing device carries a display configured to present visual content.

15. The accessory device as recited in claim 14, wherein the three dimensional structure supports the portable computing device in a manner that allows viewing of the visual content provided by the display at an inclined angle with respect to a horizontal support surface.

16. An accessory device capable of being removably secured to a housing of a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:

a single piece flap capable of being pivotally coupled to the housing, the housing having a back surface and a front surface opposite the back surface, the housing carrying a display assembly that occupies substantially all of the front surface, the single piece flap having foldable portions that fold independently of each other about respective axes of rotation that are generally parallel to and displaced from each other, wherein a first portion carries a first magnetic element and a second portion carries a second magnetic element, wherein the first and second portions do not share a common boundary, and wherein in a support configuration, the first and second portions are positioned such that the first and second magnetic elements form a magnetic circuit that maintains the single piece flap in a three dimensional structure.

17. The accessory device as recited in claim 16, wherein the three dimensional structure maintains the portable electronic device at an inclined angle with respect to a support surface.

18. The accessory device as recited in claim 16, wherein the second portion further comprises a body having a size and shape suitable for capturing and retaining the portable electronic device.

19. The accessory device as recited in claim 18, wherein the single piece flap is pivotally coupled to the housing by way of a coupling mechanism.

20. The accessory device as recited in claim 17, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a touch sensitive input that is presented at the inclined angle.