CASE FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Provided is a case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a front surface, a back surface, and corners. The case has a main body, a plurality of engagement members configured to engage the portable electronic device, and a plurality of extendible couplers. Each extendible coupler is configured to couple an associated engagement member to the main body at one of a plurality of selectable extendable positions with respect to the main body.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a case for a portable electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Smartphone and computer tablet cases provide a protective cover to absorb shock when the device is dropped or subject to damaging forces. Certain cases are designed to include adjustable components to allow the case to be used with portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
SUMMARYProvided is a case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a front surface, a back surface, and corners. The case has a main body, a plurality of engagement members configured to engage the portable electronic device, and a plurality of extendible couplers. Each extendible coupler is configured to couple an associated engagement member to the main body at one of a plurality of selectable extendable positions with respect to the main body.
Further provided is a case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first and second portions include a front side and a back side, and wherein the front side of each of the first and second portions have corners on the first side. The case has a first body including first and second adjustable straps extending from the first body and first and second engagement members. The first and second engagement members are connected to an end of one of the first and second adjustable straps, respectively opposite an end of the first and second adjustable straps connected to the first body. The first and second engagement members are configured to engage one of the corners on the front side of the first portion of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case. The case further includes a second body including third and fourth adjustable straps extending from the second body and third and fourth engagement members. The third and fourth engagement members are connected to an end of one of the third and fourth straps, respectively opposite an end of the third and fourth adjustable straps connected to the second body. The third and fourth engagement members are adapted to engage one of the corners on the front side of the second portion of the portable electronic device coupled to the case. The adjustable straps are configured to be extended and contracted to fit to corners of the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions. The case further includes a hinge structure connecting the first and second bodies at second sides of the first and second bodies opposite the first sides, wherein the hinge structure is formed to allow the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices to be manipulated to open and close the portable electronic device coupled to the case.
Further provided is a case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion. The case comprises a body, extendible couplers extending from the body, and engagement members. Each of the engagement members are connected to an end of one of the extendible couplers opposite an end of the extendible coupler connected to the body. Each of the engagement members is adapted to engage one of the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case. The extendible couplers are configured to be extended to couple the engagement members to the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
Yet further provided is a method for coupling a case to portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first and second portions include a front side opposite a back side, and wherein the first and second portions include corners on the front side. The first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices are positioned on a body having an opening substantially in the center of the body to provide access to the back side of at least one of the first and the second portions of the portable electronic device. Each of a plurality of engagement members connected to adjustable straps extending from the body are extended to engage at least one side of one of the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case. Each of the engagement members are connected to an end of one of the adjustable straps opposite an end of the adjustable strap connected to the body. The adjustable strap may be extended to fit the engagement members to the corners of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
The described embodiments provide a case having adjustable engagement members that may be used to couple the case to portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
Embodiments are described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale, wherein:
Described embodiments provide a design that allows a case to have adjustable portions, such as engagement members, to accommodate engagement with portable electronic devices of different dimensions. The engagement members may be extended to different lengths to allow the case to secure to different sized portable electronic devices. Further, the engagement members may be constructed of a material designed to absorb shock applied to the portable electronic device when coupled to the case.
Reference below will be made to the drawings wherein like structures may be provided with like reference designations. In order to show the structures of various embodiments most clearly, the drawings included herein include diagrammatic representations of components of a case and a portable electronic device. Thus, the actual appearance of the case and electronic device structures may appear different while still incorporating the claimed structures of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, the drawings may show only the structures necessary to understand the illustrated embodiments. Additional structures known in the art have not been included to maintain the clarity of the drawings.
In an embodiment where the adjustable strap 10a, 10b, 10c 10d is comprised of an elastic material, the adjustable strap 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d may have a length such that when no force is applied to stretch the strap 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d away from the diagonal sides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, the attached engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d would not reach corners 34a, 34b,34c, 34d of the portable electronic devices for which the case 4 is intended to be used. In this way, the elastic adjustable straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are stretched to allow the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to engage the corners 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of the portable electronic device 30. Because the adjustable straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are stretched when the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d engage the corners 34a, 34b,34c, 34d of the portable electronic device 30, the elastic straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d would pull the engagement members 12a, 12bb, 12d, toward the device corners 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d to secure the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to the device corners 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, thus securing the case 2 to the portable electronic device 30 body.
An open space 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is defined between each of the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and the diagonal sides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, respectively when the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are coupled to the corners 32a,32b, 32c, 32d of the portable electronic device 30.
In certain described embodiments, the body 6 of the case is shown as having an octagonal shape. In alternative embodiments, the body 6 may have different shapes and different number of sides.
In certain described embodiments, the opening 22 is shown in substantially the center of the body 6. In alternative embodiments, the opening may be located in different areas of the body 6 and may have different relative dimensions than shown. In a still further embodiment, there may be no opening 22, especially for embodiments where the portable electronic devices do not have ports on the back portion.
In certain embodiments, the adjustable straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are shown as extending from the diagonal sides 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. In alternative embodiments, the straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d may be coupled to corners of the body 6 of the case 2 or different sides of the body 6 than shown. In certain described embodiments, there is shown one adjustable strap 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d extending between the body 6 and each engagement member 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. In an alternative embodiment there may be multiple adjustable straps extending between one or more of the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and the body.
The adjustable straps 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d comprise extendible couplers to couple the main body 6 to the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. In alternative embodiments, types of extendible couplers other than adjustable straps made of elastic material may be used. For instance, extendible couplers comprised of a nylon or other non-elastic material may be used. Further the extendible coupler may have a mechanical length adjustment mechanism. Still further, the extendible coupler may be comprised of an adjustable material, such as Velcro, to allow the engagement members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to be secured to the corners 34a, 34b,34c, 34d or one side of the portable electronic device 30.
In certain described embodiments the engagement members of the case that adjust to engage the sides of the portable electronic device comprise corner pieces to engage corners of the portable electronic device. In this way, each corner piece engages a corner and two sides of the portable electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the engagement members may comprise engagement side pieces that are each adjusted to engage only one side of the portable electronic devices to which the case attaches.
In described embodiments, the portable electronic device is comprised of first and second portions that may rotate at a hinge, such as a laptop, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the portable electronic device may have a singular body, such as a smartphone or tablet, that do not have first and second portions that rotate at a hinge.
In certain described embodiments, the engagement members may be extended to different lengths to engage multiple portable electronic devices having different dimensions. In an alternative embodiment, the case may be designed to engage a portable electronic device of one dimension.
Terms such as “top”, bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “rear”, “front”, “back”, “outer”, “inner”, “bottom”, “left”, “right” and the like may be used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. Embodiments may be manufactured, used, and contained in a variety of positions and orientations.
Any of the elements, pieces, and components described herein may be formed as an assembly of different elements and components or a single integral piece. Further, elements described as connected or engaging each other may be formed of a single integral piece or assembly of pieces.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive, and that embodiments are not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modifications may occur to those having ordinary skill in the art.
Claims
1. A case for a portable electronic device including a front surface, a back surface, and corners, comprising:
- a main body;
- a plurality of engagement members configured to engage the portable electronic device;
- a plurality of extendible couplers, each extendible coupler configured to couple an associated engagement member to the main body at one of a plurality of selectable extendable positions with respect to the main body.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the main body has diagonal sides, and wherein each of the extendible couplers couples one of the diagonal sides of the main body, and wherein at least one of the engagement members engages a corner of the portable electronic device coupled to the case to engage portions of two sides of the portable electronic device.
3. The case of claim 1, wherein an open space is defined between each of the engagement members and the main body when the engagement member is coupled to at least one of the sides of the portable electronic device coupled to the case, and wherein the open space is defined by a length of the extendible coupler extending between the engagement member and the main body.
4. The case of claim 1, wherein the extendible coupler comprise an adjustable strap comprised of an elastic material that is configured to be extended by stretching the adjustable strap away from the main body to couple the engagement members to multiple portable electronic devices having different dimensions positioned in the case.
5. The case of claim 1, wherein each of the engagement members forms a cavity having an inner surface adapted to contact the back surface of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case and a strap extending across the inner surface to fasten the portable electronic device to the inner surface of the engagement member.
6. The case of claim 1, wherein each of the engagement members are formed of an elastic material to absorb shock for the corners of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the main body has an inner surface that contacts the portable electronic device coupled to the case, wherein the inner surface of the main body includes a plurality of pads formed of a reusable adhesive material adapted to adhere the portable electronic device coupled to the case to the main body of the case.
8. A case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first and second portions include a front side and a back side, wherein the front side of each of the first and second portions has corners, comprising:
- a first body including: first and second adjustable straps extending from the first body; and first and second engagement members, wherein the first and second engagement members are connected to an end of one of the first and second adjustable straps, respectively opposite an end of the first and second adjustable straps connected to the first body, wherein the first and second engagement members are configured to engage one of the corners on the front side of the first portion of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case;
- a second body including; third and fourth adjustable straps extending from the second body; and third and fourth engagement members, wherein the third and fourth engagement members are connected to an end of one of the third and fourth straps, respectively opposite an end of the third and fourth adjustable straps connected to the second body, wherein the third and fourth engagement members are adapted to engage one of the corners on the front side of the second portion of the portable electronic device coupled to the case, wherein the adjustable straps are configured to be extended and contracted to fit to corners of the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions; and
- a hinge structure connecting the first and second bodies at second sides of the first and second bodies opposite the first sides, wherein the hinge structure is formed to allow the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices to be manipulated to open and close the portable electronic device coupled to the case.
9. The case of claim 8, wherein the first and second bodies each have diagonal sides, and wherein the end of each of the adjustable straps is connected to one of the diagonal sides of one of the first and second bodies.
10. The case of claim 8, wherein the hinge structure comprises flexible straps connecting the first and second bodies.
11. The case of claim 10, wherein one of the portable electronic devices includes computer ports on a side of the first portion, wherein the straps are connected to the first and second bodies to define a space between the straps that exposes the computer ports on the side of the first portion when the portable electronic device is positioned in the case.
12. The case of claim 8, wherein an open space is defined between each of the engagement members and one of the first and second bodies when the engagement member is coupled to one of the corners of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case, and wherein the open space is defined by a length of the adjustable strap extending between the engagement members and one of the first and second bodies.
13. The case of claim 8, wherein the adjustable strap is comprised of an elastic material that is configured to be extended by stretching the adjustable strap away from the corner edge to securely fit to corners of portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
14. The case of claim 8, wherein the engagement members and the hinge structure are formed of an elastic material to absorb shock for the portable electronic device coupled to the case.
15. The case of claim 8, wherein the first and second bodies each have an inner surface that contacts one of the portable electronic devices when positioned in the case, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second bodies includes a plurality of pads formed of a reusable adhesive material adapted to adhere the portable electronic device positioned in the case to the main body of the case.
16. A case for portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion, comprising:
- a body;
- extendible couplers extending from the body; and
- engagement members, wherein each of the engagement members are connected to an end of one of the extendible couplers opposite an end of the extendible coupler connected to the body, wherein each of the engagement members is adapted to engage one of the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case, and wherein the extendible couplers are configured to be extended to couple the engagement members to the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
17. The case of claim 16, wherein the body has diagonal sides, wherein the end of each of the extendible coupler is connected to one of the diagonal sides of the main body, and wherein the engagement members comprise corner pieces having a cavity to engage one corner and two sides of one of the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case.
18. The case of claim 17, wherein the body has an octagonal shape.
19. The case of claim 17, wherein the body has an opening substantially in the center of the body to provide access to the back side of the first and the second portions.
20. The case of claim 19, wherein the body comprises portions of flexible material, wherein the opening is formed between the portions of flexible material, and wherein the portions of flexible material separate a first and second sides of the body, wherein the first and second sides of the body couple to the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case, wherein the portions of flexible material enable the first and second sides of the body to move when coupled to the first and second portions of the portable electronic device that moves at a hinge.
21. The case of claim 17, wherein the extendible coupler comprises an adjustable strap comprised of an elastic material that configured to extend by stretching the adjustable strap away from the main body to couple to the engagement members to corners of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
22. The case of claim 17, wherein the body has an inner surface that contacts one of the portable electronic devices when positioned in the case, wherein the inner surface of the main body includes a plurality of pads formed of a reusable adhesive material adapted to adhere the portable electronic device positioned in the case to the main body of the case.
23. A method for coupling a case to portable electronic devices of different dimensions including a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first and second portions include a front side opposite a back side, wherein the first and second portions include corners on the front side, comprising:
- positioning the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices on a body having an opening substantially in the center of the body to provide access to the back side of at least one of the first and the second portions of the portable electronic device;
- extending each of a plurality of engagement members connected to adjustable straps extending from the body, wherein each of the engagement members are connected to an end of one of the adjustable straps opposite an end of the adjustable strap connected to the body, to engage at least one side of one of the first and second portions of the portable electronic devices coupled to the case, wherein the adjustable strap may be extended to fit the engagement members to the corners of the portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the adjustable straps are comprised of an elastic material, wherein the extending the engagement members comprises stretching the adjustable strap away from the body to securely fit to sides of portable electronic devices having different dimensions.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the positioning the first and second portions of one of the portable electronic devices to the body comprises:
- positioning a back side of first and second portions of the portable electronic device to contact a plurality of pads on an inner surface of the body, wherein the pads are formed of a reusable adhesive material adapted to adhere the back side of the first and second portions of the portable electronic device positioned in the case to the inner surface of the body.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2016
Inventors: Hong Lip YOW (Chino, CA), Sam PYO (La Habra, CA), Dwayne BELLOW (Laguna Niguel, CA), Steve BELLOW (Laguna Niguel, CA), Jared CHEN (Rosemead, CA)
Application Number: 14/720,444