Padfolio With Rotating Electronic Tablet Case
An apparatus, such as a padfolio, for carrying an electronic tablet device, the padfolio including front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions; an electronic tablet case rotatably attached to the front cover, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions, wherein with the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position, and wherein with the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position.
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This patent application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/752,228, filed on Jan. 14, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is generally directed towards padfolios and notebook holders and, more particularly, toward padfolios and notebook holders having an electronic tablet case integrally formed therewith for removably receiving an electronic tablet and allowing operation of the electronic tablet with the padfolio/notebook in an opened or closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPadfolios, notebooks and other cases and business accessories are widely used and are useful for storing and organizing documents and other business and personal accessories. Many padfolios, notebooks, cases, etc., while structured and arranged in an attempt to be user-friendly, are not always organized for use of the item(s) carried thereby in the most efficient manner. Accordingly, it is desirable for a padfolio to have effective organizational features with enhanced device attachment features that maximize its efficiency.
With the emergence of electronic tablet devices, users are typically forced to carry both an electronic tablet case (to protect and carry the electronic tablet) and also a padfolio, notebook or other case. The padfolio/notebook will typically have a writing pad and other organizational features which are often desirable by a user. This has the drawback that a user has to carry and travel with two separate items. Additionally, when a user desires to use the electronic tablet, he/she must remove it from the case for use. In this instance, a user again has at least two items to carry and maneuver (the electronic tablet and the case), and three items if the user also has a padfolio/notebook. Having to continually maneuver two to three items can become cumbersome for a user.
Additionally, if the user desires to use the padfolio/notebook in conjunction with the electronic tablet, it becomes even more difficult, as the user now has to open the padfolio/notebook to access the notepad or other materials inside, while maintaining control of the electronic tablet and its case. In situations where space is at a premium, such as, for example, on an airplane, the task of maneuvering and “juggling” the different items becomes difficult and burdensome, and hinders productivity.
The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA padfolio, also referred to herein as a notebook or carrying case, that incorporates a rotating electronic tablet holder, or case, is disclosed herein. The inventive padfolio allows the user to view the electronic tablet and access the graphical user interface (“GUI”) on the interior cover of the padfolio when the padfolio is open; allowing the user to simultaneously take notes and view/use the electronic tablet. Rotating the electronic tablet additionally allows the user to view the electronic tablet and access the GUI on the exterior cover of the padfolio when the padfolio is closed. This allows the electronic tablet to be utilized while the padfolio is in a closed position, resulting in space savings.
The padfolio of the present disclosure includes a padfolio which may incorporate a writing pad and other organizational features on the inside thereof. The padfolio includes a molded frame with a molded-in rotational axis defined by two positioning points on the frame. A mobile electronic tablet case is attached to the frame which removably secures the electronic tablet into the padfolio and frame. Two rotatable hinges, which define the two positioning points, attach the electronic case to the frame along the rotational axis. The two rotatable hinges rotate about the rotational (central) axis to allow an electronic tablet received in the electronic tablet case to be rotated between two positions. In a first position, the electronic tablet can be accessed and used with the padfolio in an open position. In the first position, closing the padfolio orients the GUI of the electronic tablet to the interior of the padfolio, such that it is protected and not accessible. Rotating the electronic tablet to the second position (e.g., 180-degrees) orients the GUI of the electronic tablet to the exterior of the padfolio, such that the GUI is accessible when the padfolio is in a closed position. This allows the electronic tablet to be used, while minimizing the space to that of a closed padfolio.
The present disclosure permits a mobile electronic tablet to be used in combination with the inventive padfolio that contains, for example, organizational compartments and a writing pad allowing the user to access the electronic tablet and writing pad simultaneously, or as a low-profile mobile electronic tablet case by way of a rotating electronic tablet case frame located on the front cover of the padfolio. The rotatable case frame allows the mobile electronic tablet to be rotated between two positions so that the electronic tablet can be used when the padfolio is in a closed or open position.
In one form, the inventive padfolio includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions. An electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the front cover, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart.
The front cover includes a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame. The electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame.
In one form, the frame includes oppositely disposed tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case includes oppositely disposed pins at an edge thereof received in the tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatable along an axis at the edge defined by the pins, such that the electronic tablet case may be laterally moved along the tracks to rotate the electronic tablet case between the first and second positions.
The front and back covers may remain in the closed position while the electronic tablet case is rotated between the first and second positions. Further, the electronic tablet may be secured in a third, upright position between the first and second positions.
The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame.
The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case.
In another form, a padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions. The front cover includes an electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart.
The front cover includes a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame by at least one hinge member. The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the at least one hinge member and the frame.
The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case.
In a further form, a padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions, wherein the back cover is solid and the front cover comprises a frame. An electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame and rotatable between first and second positions, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device. The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, the open front cover faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, the open front cover faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart.
The electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame. The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame.
The electronic tablet case may be removably attached to the frame.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio with an electronic tablet case that allows for ease of use of the electronic tablet and space savings.
It is an additional object of the present disclosure to combine the features of a padfolio and an electronic tablet case making travel easier and more efficient for the user.
It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio that provides for ease of transport and use of electronic tablets.
It is yet a further object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio having an integral electronic case positionable between at least two positions for use and/or transport of the electronic tablet.
Various other objects, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure can be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims.
Further possible embodiment(s) are shown in the drawings. The present disclosure is explained in the following in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiment(s) depicted in drawings. In the drawings:
The inventive padfolio disclosed herein generally includes a pocket for attaching a writing pad, other organizational features, and a rotating electronic tablet case assembly. The padfolio includes front and back covers that are pivotally attached, and can also include a closure element, such as a zipper, buttons, etc. about the periphery of the covers to maintain the padfolio in a closed position. The front cover includes a frame embedded therein, and can have a rotational axis point (central or offset) and two inverted bumps (i.e., depressions) that cooperate with bumps (i.e., projections) formed on two hinges to secure the rotating electronic case assembly in two positions. The frame encases the electronic tablet case, which removably secures an electronic tablet device therein, and the two hinges, which are attached to the electronic tablet case and which have the projections. The electronic tablet case is secured into the frame by way of the two hinges having a rotational axis point and two positioning points. The hinges are molded to have a flange that is secured into the electronic tablet case, a pivot pin, and a bump or bumps that allows the electronic tablet case to snap into, and be rotated between and maintained in, two different positions.
The first position is a closed position in which the electronic tablet received within the case is rotated to face the inside of the padfolio. In the second position, the electronic tablet case is rotated outward so that the surface of the mobile electronic tablet is visible from the front view of the closed padfolio. With the mobile electronic tablet case rotated to the first position—inward—and the padfolio in the closed position, the mobile electronic tablet is protected as it is encased within the padfolio. With the padfolio in the open position, the user can utilize the mobile electronic tablet surface as well as the organizational padfolio features and the writing tablet inside. With the mobile electronic tablet case rotated to the second position—outward—the surface (e.g., GUI) of the mobile electronic tablet is revealed to the user when the padfolio is in the closed position, so that it may be used without opening the padfolio. Utilizing/operating the mobile electronic tablet within the mobile electronic tablet case when it is in the second position consumes less physical space.
As shown in
The front cover 16 includes a frame 26 integrally formed or secured therein. The electronic tablet case 14 is rotatably attached to the frame 26. The electronic tablet case 14 is attached to the frame 26 at two attachment points 28 and 30, and is rotatable about rotational axis 32 defined thereby.
The electronic tablet case 14 includes a solid back cover 34 and an open front cover 36. The covers 34 and 36 may be made of the same material as the front 16 and back 20 covers of the padfolio 10. The open front cover 36 includes an opening sufficient to access the GUI 18 and other operational buttons of the electronic tablet 12. The electronic tablet case 14 is rotatably attached to the frame 26 via two hinges 38 and 40. The hinges 38 and 40 are attached to the solid back cover 34 of the case 14. Typically, only the edges of the hinges 38 and 40 are visible, and covering material on the faces of the back cover 34 hides the rest of the hinges 38 and 40. The hinges 38 and 40 rotatably attach the case 14 to the frame 26 via pins 42 which are received and extend into apertures 44 formed in the frame 26 (only one aperture 44 is shown in
To rotate and lock the case 14, and hence the electronic tablet 12, in the two positions exterior to and interior to the padfolio 10, cooperating detents 46 and projections 48 are formed on the frame 26 and hinges 38, 40, respectively (see
As shown in
As shown in
Rotating the case 14 and tablet 12 180-degrees (as described above) rotates the case 14 and tablet 12 to a second position, as shown in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. For example, while the two pivot position points 28 and 30 are shown located at the top and bottom of the case 14 and fame 26, they may also be disposed on the sides of the case 14 and frame 26 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Additionally, instead of two pivot position points as discussed above, the inventive padfolio may incorporate only one pivot point, as shown in
The front cover 102 includes elastic bands 118 located at each corner which are used to removably secure an electronic tablet 120 to the front cover 102. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that Velcro™ or other connection mechanisms may be utilized to removably secure the electronic tablet 120 to the front cover 102 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The front cover 102, with electronic tablet 120 attached, may be pivoted to an open position (as shown in
With the padfolio in a closed position, as shown in
The pins 216 and hinge parts 218 move along the tracks 214 to allow the user to move the tablet case 210 from the first position (
In the second position, as shown in
The tablet case 210 may be pushed and/or pulled along the tracks 214 by the pull tab 208 into a third position (see
As shown in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range.
Claims
1. An apparatus for carrying an electronic tablet device comprising:
- front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions;
- an electronic tablet case rotatably attached to the front cover, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions,
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position, and
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front cover comprises a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frame includes oppositely disposed tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case includes oppositely disposed pins at an edge thereof received in the tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatable along an axis at the edge defined by the pins, such that the electronic tablet case may be laterally moved along the tracks to rotate the electronic tablet case between the first and second positions.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the front and back covers remain in the closed position while the electronic tablet case is rotated between the first and second positions.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein electronic tablet case is securable in a third, upright position between the first and second positions.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a padfolio.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second positions of the electronic tablet case are 180-degrees apart.
11. A padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device comprising:
- front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions;
- wherein the front cover includes an electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions,
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position, and
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position.
12. The padfolio according to claim 11, wherein the front cover includes a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame by at least one hinge member.
13. The padfolio according to claim 12, wherein the electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the at least one hinge member and the frame.
14. The padfolio according to claim 12, wherein the electronic tablet case is removably attached to the frame.
15. The padfolio according to claim 11, wherein the electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case.
16. The padfolio according to claim 11, wherein the first and second positions of the electronic tablet case are 180-degrees apart.
17. A padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device comprising:
- front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions, wherein the back cover is solid and the front cover comprises a frame;
- an electronic tablet case rotatably attached to the frame and rotatable between first and second positions, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device,
- wherein the electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case,
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the first position, the open front cover faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position, and
- wherein with the electronic tablet case in the second position, the open front cover faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position.
18. The padfolio according to claim 17, wherein the electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame.
19. The padfolio according to claim 18, wherein the electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame.
20. The padfolio according to claim 17, wherein the first and second positions of the electronic tablet case are 180-degrees apart.
21. The padfolio according to claim 17, wherein the electronic tablet case is removably attached to the frame.
22. The padfolio of claim 17, wherein the frame includes oppositely disposed tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case includes oppositely disposed pins at an edge thereof received in the tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatable along an axis at the edge defined by the pins, such that the electronic tablet case may be laterally moved along the tracks to rotate the electronic tablet case between the first and second positions.
23. The padfolio of claim 22, wherein the front and back covers remain in the closed position while the electronic tablet case is rotated between the first and second positions.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein electronic tablet case is securable in a third, upright position between the first and second positions.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 17, 2014
Applicant: LEEDSWORLD, INC. (New Kensington, PA)
Inventors: Ryan Alan Huet (Pittsburgh, PA), Morgan Requel McMullin (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application Number: 13/800,658
International Classification: B65D 85/00 (20060101);