PORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE CASE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
A case for an electronic device, for example a tablet computer. The case includes a body for holding the electronic device, a frontal opening for accessing a screen of the electronic device, a flap for covering the opening in a first position and for engaging a support member coupled to a back of the body in a second position.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/352,682, filed Jun. 8, 2010, entitled “Carrier Case,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/373,744, filed Aug. 13, 2010, entitled “Portable, Adjustable Protective Case for Electronic Devices and Methods of Use Thereof,” the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to cases for electronic devices, and more particularly relates to an adjustable protective case for an electronic device.
Portable electronic devices have become very popular and ubiquitous in many different areas of the world and among many different groups of people. Examples of popular portable electronic devices include laptop computers. handheld computers (i.e., iPAD® and Kindle®), portable DVD and CD players and portable gaming devices. These electronic devices contain many different electrical components which may easily be damaged by environmental factors and therefore must be protected adequately. As a result, electronic devices are almost always housed in hard casings.
Technology associated with portable electronic devices has rapidly evolved in at least one important way—miniaturization and downsizing. Modern portable electronic devices have become increasingly smaller and sleeker with little or no compromise in performance. Flat screen monitors and sleek portable electronic devices are becoming the norm. At least one disadvantage associated with this otherwise positive technological advancement is that the device may not be configured to use in a comfortable hands-free manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect the invention provides a case for a tablet computer, comprising: a body formed of a back surface panel, a peripheral framing front surface panel defining an opening, and side panels connecting margins of the back surface panel and the front surface panel; a flap coupled by a pliable web to a bottom of the body, the flap being sized to generally cover the front surface panel, the flap moveable from a position covering the front surface panel to a position towards a rear of the body; and a supporting member pivotably connected to the back surface panel.
In another aspect the invention provides a case for an electronic device, comprising: a back surface panel; a peripheral-framing front surface panel; a plurality of side members connecting a periphery of the front surface panel to a periphery of the back surface panel; and at least two supporting members foldably attached to the back surface panel, a first supporting member attached to an edge of the back surface panel, a second supporting member attached to a midline of the back surface panel.
In another aspect the invention provides a case for a tablet computer, comprising: a body with front opening for providing access to a touchscreen of a tablet computer; a support member pivotably connected to a back of the body; and means, coupled about a bottom of the body, for covering the front opening and for providing a support surface for engaging the support member.
These and other aspects of the invention are more fully comprehended considering the discussion herein.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to portable, adjustable protective cases for electronic devices and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the protective case comprises a back surface panel and a peripheral-framed front surface panel having a plurality of side members connecting to an inner periphery of the back surface panel. In addition to an opening defined by the peripheral-framed front surface, the protective case may have one or more openings (or apertures) along the plurality of side members. In some embodiments, one or more supporting members may be foldably attached to the back surface panel. In some embodiments, one or more strap members may be secured to or about the back surface panel.
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A front cover flap 912a is connected by a pliable web to one of the side panels, with for convenience the side panel being termed a bottom side panel. The front cover panel is substantially rectangular in shape, and sized to generally cover the peripheral framing front surface panel. The web provides for increased ease in positioning the flap either forward, to cover the front surface panel, or rearward, to provide a support surface. In various embodiments the pliable web is coupled to a bottom of the back surface panel, a bottom of the front surface panel, or, perhaps more commonly, in a seam coupling the bottom side panel to either the front surface panel or the back surface panel.
One side of the front cover flap includes at least one securing track, with the embodiment of
When the flap is positioned over the front surface panel the securing tracks face outward from the body of the case. An elastic securing strap 918 stretches across the back surface panel. The securing strap may be used to hold the case against a back of a seat, for general handling of the case, or for securing the flap, for example over the front cover panel. In some embodiments a smooth material is along a middle of a length of the elastic securing strap, providing for increased ease in handling. In some embodiments the elastic securing strap includes small hooks, for example of nylon, along opposing outer facing ends of the straps, with a smooth material, for example leather, separating the outer facing ends. Accordingly, if the securing strap is brought forward to secure the flap over the front surface panel, the hooks of the securing strap may engage, at least partially, with the securing track, aiding in retention of the flap over the front surface panel.
A support member 912b extends from the back panel. As illustrated in
The support member 912b is preferably relatively stiff so as to be able to support the body of the case and the electronic device, with the support member 912b for example comprising a stiff sheet or sheets, preferably of plastic, which may be covered by leather for aesthetics. As shown in
The support member 912b also includes a semi-circular cutout 930 in its free edge. The cutout effectively provides a handle for increased ease in positioning the free edge of the support member 912b.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A case for a tablet computer, comprising:
- a body formed of a back surface panel, a peripheral framing front surface panel defining an opening, and side panels connecting margins of the back surface panel and the front surface panel;
- a flap coupled by a pliable web to a bottom of the body, the flap being sized to generally cover the front surface panel, the flap moveable from a position covering the front surface panel to a position towards a rear of the body; and
- a supporting member pivotably connected to the back surface panel.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the flap includes opposing securing tracks on a side of the flap facing the back panel when the flap is positioned towards the rear of the body.
3. The case of claim 2 wherein the supporting member includes fasteners about a distal edge, the fasteners positioned so as to be able to engage the securing tracks.
4. The case of claim 3 wherein the supporting tracks comprise small loops and the fasteners comprise small hooks.
5. The case of claim 1 wherein the supporting member comprises a rigid plastic.
6. The case of claim 5 wherein the supporting member further comprises a leather covering for the rigid plastic.
7. The case of claim 1 wherein the supporting member is substantially planar.
8. The case of claim 7 wherein a distal edge of the supporting member includes a semicircular cutout.
9. A case for an electronic device, comprising:
- a back surface panel;
- a peripheral-framing front surface panel:
- a plurality of side members connecting a periphery of the front surface panel to a periphery of the back surface panel; and
- at least two supporting members foldably attached to the back surface panel, a first supporting member attached to an edge of the back surface panel, a second supporting member attached to a midline of the back surface panel.
10. The case of claim 9, further comprising:
- at least two securing tracks along two edges of an inner-facing surface of the first supporting member, the securing tracks perpendicularly-oriented relative to the foldable attachment of the first supporting member to the back surface panel; and
- at least two fasteners situated on opposing corners of the second supporting member, the fasteners configured to reversibly secure to any portion of the securing track.
11. The case of claim 9, further comprising, at least two opposing strap members attached to the back surface panel.
12. The case of claim 9, wherein the supporting members are substantially planar.
13. The case of claim 9 wherein the back surface panel, the front surface panel, and the side members are comprised of leather.
14. A case for a tablet computer, comprising:
- a body with front opening for providing access to a touchscreen of a tablet computer;
- a support member pivotably connected to a back of the body; and
- means, coupled about a bottom of the body, for covering the front opening and for providing a support surface for engaging the support member.
15. The case of claim 14, further comprising:
- means, on the means for covering the front opening and for providing a support surface for engaging the support member, for securing position of the support member.
16. The case of claim 15, wherein the support member comprises a rigid planar material.
17. The case of claim 16, wherein the support member includes at least one fastener about a distal end of the support member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Inventor: Timothy Charles Angel (Laguna Hills, CA)
Application Number: 13/156,274
International Classification: B65D 5/52 (20060101);