Protective Cover for Electronic Tablet with Adjustable Viewing Stand

• US 20130098782A1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Incase Designs Corporation (Incipio Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Diebel, Markus, Hong, Hyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,887,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/45.25
• 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 13/005 Hinges
• 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 5/02 Materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• 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 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A protective cover for an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet computer, can transform into an adjustable stand to hold the device in multiple viewing angles. The cover protects the electronic device and allows a user to view and access the device without removing it from the cover. The stand can be adjusted to allow for multiple viewing angles.

Claims

1. A case for an electronic device comprising:

a holder portion, wherein the holder retains the electronic device to the cover; and

a cover portion, coupled to the holder, comprising;

first, second, third, and fourth cover edges, wherein the second and fourth cover edges are longer than the first and third cover edges; and

first, second, and third hinges, each hinge extending in a direction from the second cover edge to the fourth cover edge, wherein a first back part is between the third cover edge and the second hinge, and a second back part is between the third hinge and the second hinge,

when folded in a first stand position by rotating the second hinge in a first rotation direction so a bottom of the electronic device can rest on an inside surface of the outer cover portion, the first back part remains fixedly attached to the holder portion while the second back part is rotated away from the electronic device, and

when folded in a second stand position, the first back part remains fixedly attached to the holder portion, and a panel portion between the first and third hinges raises an edge of the holder above a height of an opposite edge of the holder.

2. The case of claim 1 comprising:

an elastic band, coupled to the outer cover portion, the elastic band extending from the second cover edge to the fourth cover edge, wherein the elastic band can be positioned to hold the outer cover portion against the front opening, thereby preventing rotating of the first, second, and third hinges,

wherein a gap between the third cover edge and the elastic band is at least a width of the elastic band.

3. The case of claim 1 wherein the outer cover comprises:

a first flexible layer;

a second flexible layer; and

a first stiffening layer panel, between the first and second flexible layers, wherein the first stiffening layer panel is more rigid than the first and second flexible layers, and the first and second flexible layers are coupled together, thereby sandwiching the first stiffening layer panel between the first and second flexible layers,

wherein the first stiffening layer panel extends from about the first cover edge to about the first hinge, and the first stiffening layer panel is absent at the first hinge, thereby forming a fabric hinge at the first hinge by way of the first and second flexible layers being coupled together.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein the inside surface of the outer cover portion comprises at least two grooves.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein the inside surface of the outer cover portion comprises at least two rails.

6. A method of providing a cover for an electronic device comprising:

providing first and second flexible layers;

providing first, second, and third panels of a third rigid layer, wherein the third rigid layer is relatively more rigid than the first and second flexible layers;

coupling the first, second, and third panels of the third rigid layer between the first and second flexible layers;

leaving gaps between first, second, and rigid panels, wherein a first gap between the first and second panels forms a first hinge, and a second gap between the second and third panels forms a second hinge, and

a first cover panel comprises the first rigid panel coupled between the first and second flexible layers, a second cover panel comprises the second rigid panel coupled between the first and second flexible layers, and a third cover panel comprises the third rigid panel coupled between the first and second flexible layers;

coupling at least a first clip to a first edge of the first cover panel and at least a second clip to a second edge of the first cover panel,

wherein the first edge is opposite to the second edge of the first cover panel, and the first and second clips retain a back of the electronic device against the first cover panel;

allowing the cover to be folded in a first stand position by rotating the first hinge a first angle in a first rotation direction so a bottom of the electronic device can rest on an inside surface of the third cover panel at a first inside cover position,

wherein in the first stand position, the first cover panel remains fixedly attached to the first and second clips, the clips holding the first cover panel against the back of the electronic device, while the second cover panel is rotated away from the back of the electronic device;

allowing the cover to be folded in a second stand position by rotating the first hinge a second angle in the first rotation direction so a bottom of the electronic device can rest on an inside surface of the third panel at a second inside cover position,

wherein in the second stand position, the first cover panel remains fixedly attached to the first and second clips, the clips holding the first cover panel against the back of the electronic device, while the second cover panel is rotated away from the back of the electronic device, and

the second angle is greater than the first angle, and second inside cover position is further away from the second hinge than the first inside cover position; and

allowing the cover to be folded in a closed position by rotating the first hinge so that the first and second cover panels are substantially planar to each other, and rotating the third cover panel via the second hinge to cover a screen of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 6 comprising:

forming the first and second inside cover positions using grooves.

8. The method of claim 6 comprising:

forming the first and second inside cover positions using rails.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein in a closed position, the third cover panel is substantially parallel to the first and second cover panels, and inside surface of the third cover panel provides cushioning to protect the screen of the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 6 comprising:

coupling at least a third clip to a third edge of the first cover panel,

wherein the third edge is opposite to the first hinge, and the third clip secures the electronic device to the first cover panel and prevents the electronic device from sliding out of the cover.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein no hinges are between the third edge of the first cover panel and the first hinge.

12. The method of claim 6 comprising:

coupling at least a third clip to a corner of the first cover panel,

wherein the third clip secures the electronic device to the first cover panel and prevents the electronic device from sliding out of the cover.

27. The method of claim 6 comprising:

forming a clasp coupled to the third cover panel, wherein the clasp retains the third panel in a closed position covering a screen of the electronic device.

13. A case for an electronic device comprising:

a rectangularly shaped cover comprising first, second, third, and fourth cover edges, wherein the first and third cover edges extend in a first direction and are parallel to each other, the second and fourth cover edges extend in a second direction and are parallel to each other, the second direction is transverse to the first direction, and the second cover edge is longer than the first cover edge;

a first hinge, formed in the cover between the first and third cover edges, extending in the first direction, and the cover from the first cover edge to the first hinge is a front flap, and the front flap has a first length from the first cover edge to the first hinge that is sufficiently long to cover a front screen of the electronic device when the front flap is folded via the first hinge to close the case,

wherein the first hinge is longer than the first length;

a second hinge, formed in the cover, between the third cover edge and the first hinge, extending in the first direction, parallel to the first hinge,

wherein a first back part is between the third cover edge and the second hinge, and a second back part is between the second hinge and the first hinge; and

a holder, that removably couples the electronic device to the case,

wherein when the electronic device is inserted into the holder, the first back part is positioned alongside a back of the electronic device,

when folded in a first stand position by rotating the second hinge in a first rotation direction so a bottom of the electronic device can rest on an inside surface of the front flap, the first back part remains alongside the back of the electronic device, while the second back part is rotated away from the back of the electronic device, and

when folded in a second stand position by rotating the second hinge in the first rotation direction, further than for the first stand position, the first back part remains alongside the back of the electronic device, while the second back part is rotated away from the back of the electronic device, and the bottom of the electronic device rests on the inside surface of the front flap at a position closer to the first cover edge than in the first stand position.

14. The case of claim 13 wherein the holder comprises first and second clips,

wherein the first clip is coupled to the second cover edge, between the second hinge and the third cover edge, the first clip extending toward and beyond an inside surface of the cover, and

the second clip is coupled to the fourth cover edge, between the second hinge and the third cover edge, the second clip extending toward and beyond the inside surface of the cover.

15. The case of claim 13 comprising:

a plurality of grooves formed between the first cover edge and the first hinge on an inside of the front flap of the cover.

16. The case of claim 13 comprising:

a plurality of rails formed between the first cover edge and the first hinge on an inside of the front flap of the cover.

17. The case of claim 13 comprising:

a third hinge, formed in the cover, between the first hinge and the second hinge, extending in the first direction, parallel to the first hinge.

18. The case of claim 13 comprising:

an elastic band, coupled to the cover, wherein the elastic band extends in the first direction, and can be positioned to hold the outer cover against the front flap, thus preventing rotating of the first hinge.

19. A method comprising:

forming a cover having first, second, third, and fourth cover edges, wherein the second and fourth cover edges are longer than the first and third cover edges;

forming first and second hinges in the cover,

wherein a first cover panel is between the third cover edge and the first hinge, and a second cover panel is between the first hinge and the second hinge;

coupling an inside panel to the first cover panel;

forming at least one component coupled to the inside panel, wherein the at least one component is adapted to removably retain at least a portion of a back of an electronic device against the inside panel;

allowing folding into a first stand position by rotating the first hinge a first angle in a first rotation direction so a bottom of the inside panel can rest on an interior surface of a third cover panel at a first position,

wherein in the first stand position, the at least one component remains fixedly attached to the inside panel, removably holding the back of the electronic device against the inside panel, while the second cover panel is rotated away from the electronic device;

allowing folding into a second stand position by rotating the first hinge a second angle in the first rotation direction so the bottom of the inside panel can rest on the interior surface of the third panel at a second position,

wherein in the second stand position, the at least one component remains fixedly attached to the inside panel, removably holding the back of the electronic device against the inside panel, while the second cover panel is rotated away from the electronic device, and

the second angle is greater than the first angle, and second position is further away from the second hinge than the first position.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two clips arranged at opposite ends of the inside panel.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one component comprises at least two guards arranged at corners of the inside panel.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one component comprises at least a guard positioned at the third edge.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the inside panel comprises a holder.

24. The method of claim 19 comprising:

forming the first and second positions using grooves in the interior surface of the third panel.

25. The method of claim 19 comprising:

forming the first and second positions using ridges in the interior surface of the third panel.

26. The method of claim 19 comprising:

forming a clasp coupled to the third panel, wherein the clasp retains the third panel in a closed position covering a screen of the electronic device.