CASE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A case for a portable electronic device includes a shell having an interface aperture and a circular channel within a rear surface. The case further includes a disc captured within the circular channel, wherein the disc has a strap exposed on a surface proximate to the rear surface. Alternatively, the case includes sleeve portions that have apertures on front planar surfaces and semicircular channels on corresponding rear surfaces. The sleeve portions are adapted to mate at a connection interface wherein the semicircular channels collectively form a circular channel. The case optionally includes ridges that protrude from the rear surfaces and optionally includes one or more retractable legs that enable support of the case in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. section 119(e)(1), this application for patent claims priority to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/343,277 filed 26 Apr. 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn recent years, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other portable electronic devices have gained world-wide popularity. These devices continue to evolve as display, processing, memory and communication technologies improve. For example, mobile phones have evolved to include internet access, forming handheld PDAs that have broad feature sets. Further evolution has led to a new class of thin, lightweight “tablet” devices, such as an iPAD provided by APPLE, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., which may include a large display/interface screen, feature sets of a PDA, and processing capabilities that rival those of a powerful laptop computer. While these tablet devices, or “tablets” have large display/interface screens, the viewing area of the screens is typically reduced or obstructed when a user holds or otherwise supports the tablet. To maintain a full viewing area, a user may cradle, or otherwise support a backside of the tablet with an open palm of one hand, while operating the display/interface screen with the other hand. This cradling technique does not secure the tablet in the user's hand and may lead the user to drop the tablet, which could damage the tablet.
Alternatively, a user may “pinch” an edge of the tablet to maintain a full viewing area during use. While this typically prevents the user from dropping the tablet, this pinching may cause hand fatigue or even injury to a user who operates the tablet for an extended period of time. Injuries from use of these portable electronic devices are likely to increase, because as capabilities and features of the devices continue to expand, users of the devices tend to spend correspondingly more time operating the devices.
The display/interface screens of modern portable electronic devices typically have a “landscape” mode, or alternatively, a “portrait” mode of operation that may be designated by changing the physical orientation of the portable electronic device relative to the direction of the Earth's gravity. However, this may require an awkward re-positioning of the device by a user, which may interrupt the user's operation of the device or increase the likelihood that the device may be dropped by the user.
In view of the above, there is a need for a system for securing the tablet during use that reduces the likelihood that the tablet will be dropped and that reduces fatigue or long-term injuries that may occur from pinching an edge of the tablet for an extended period of time. In addition, there is a preference for the system to provide for convenient transitioning between landscape and portrait modes of operation for the portable electronic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA case for a portable electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shell having an interface aperture and a circular channel within a rear surface. The case further includes a disc captured within the circular channel, wherein the disc has a strap exposed on a surface proximate to the rear surface. The case optionally includes ridges that protrude from the rear planar surfaces and optionally includes one or more retractable legs that enable support of the case in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
The present invention can be better understood with reference to the following Figures. The components in the Figures are not necessarily to scale. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principles and elements of the present invention.
In
The first sleeve portion 1a and the second sleeve portion 1b have apertures 2a, 2b that form an interface aperture defined by a rail R when the first sleeve portion 1a and the second sleeve portion 1b mate at the connection interface C. The rail R typically wraps around the edges of the portable electronic device, securing the portable electronic device within the shell 1 and establishing an unobstructed viewing area or interface area for the display/interface screen of the portable electronic device. While the examples show the rail R as a continuous element that forms the perimeter of the shell 1, the rail R is alternatively discontinuous about the perimeter of the shell 1, and may be formed from a series of one or more rail sections, or one or more tabs that are suitable to secure the portable electronic device in the shell 1.
The first and second sleeve portions 1a, 1b have corresponding semicircular channels 5a, 5b on rear planar surfaces 4a, 4b, so that when the sleeve portions 1a, 1b are joined at the connection interface C, the semicircular channels 5a, 5b collectively form a circular channel 5, as shown in the rear views of the case 100 in
A disc 6 (shown in the detailed views of
In the example shown in
The protrusion of the semicircular channels 5a, 5b from the rear planar surface 4 as shown in
In one example shown in
The shell 1 typically includes access ports 9 that enable external connections to be made through the rail R between the portable electronic device and external devices or systems (not shown).
In an alternative example, the case 100 includes ridges and legs (not shown) that are oriented in a direction perpendicular to that of the ridges 8a, 8b and legs 12a, 12b shown in
In another example shown in
While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to these embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A case for a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a shell having an aperture defined by a rail, and having a circular channel on a rear planar surface; and
- a disc in a rotatable arrangement within the circular channel, the disc also having a strap.
2. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail is adapted to secure the portable electronic device within the shell to establish at least one of a viewing area and an interface area for the portable electronic device.
3. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail is continuous about a perimeter of the shell.
4. The case of claim 1 wherein the rotatable arrangement between the disc and the circular channel is about an axis perpendicular to the rear planar surface.
5. The case of claim 4 wherein the rotatable arrangement between the disc and the circular channel accommodates at least a landscape operating mode and a portrait mode of the portable electronic device.
6. The case of claim 1 wherein the rear planar surface of the shell includes a contoured interface on an inner side that is suitable to accommodate a backside surface of the portable electronic device.
7. The case of claim 1 wherein the rail includes access ports that accommodate external connections to the portable electronic device.
8. The case of claim 1 wherein the strap is proximate to an outer side of the rear planar surface and is adapted to receive a human hand inserted within the strap of the disc.
9. The case of claim 1 wherein the shell includes one or more retractable legs that in the open position support the shell in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
10. A case, comprising:
- a shell having an aperture defined by a rail adapted to secure a portable electronic device within the shell; and
- a disc having a strap exposed proximate to a rear surface of the shell, wherein the disc is pivotally fastened to the shell, providing for rotation of the disc about an axis perpendicular to the rear surface.
11. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail establishes at least one of a viewing area and an interface area for the portable electronic device.
12. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail is continuous about a perimeter of the shell.
13. The case of claim 10 wherein the rotation between the disc and the circular channel accommodates at least a landscape operating mode of the portable electronic device and a portrait mode of the portable electronic device.
14. The case of claim 10 wherein the rear surface includes a contoured interface on an inner side that is suitable to accommodate a backside surface of the portable electronic device.
15. The case of claim 10 wherein the rail includes access ports that accommodate external connections to the portable electronic device.
16. The case of claim 10 wherein the strap is adapted to receive a human hand.
17. The case of claim 10 wherein the shell includes one or more retractable legs that in the open position support the shell in at least one of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 10, 2011
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2011
Inventor: Bryan R. Johnson (San Clemente, CA)
Application Number: 13/045,451
International Classification: B65D 85/00 (20060101);