Transformable Protective Apparatus for Mobile Device

A protective apparatus for a mobile device includes a protective layer unit, an inner support unit and a magnet unit. The protective layer unit includes an outer layer, an inner layer and a clamping strip. A mobile device is sandwiched between the clamping strip and the inner layer. The inner support unit includes a plurality of inner plates. The magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets. The protective layer unit further includes a plurality of recessed portions disposed between the inner plates. Thus, the protective layer unit is bendable at the recessed portions so that the protective layer unit is deformable freely.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective apparatus and, more particularly, to a transformable protective apparatus for a mobile device, such as a tablet computer, a cell phone and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional protective apparatus for a mobile device comprises a rectangular jacket for receiving the mobile device. After the mobile device is removed from the rectangular jacket, the mobile device can be placed on and supported by a support mounted on the rectangular jacket at an inclined angle to facilitate the user operating the mobile device. However, the inclined angle of the conventional protective apparatus is fixed and cannot be adjusted according to the user's practical requirement, thereby causing inconvenience to the user when needing to change the inclined angle of the mobile device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a protective apparatus comprising a protective layer unit, an inner support unit mounted in the protective layer unit, and a magnet unit mounted in the protective layer unit. The protective layer unit includes an outer layer, an inner layer and a clamping strip. The outer layer has a rectangular shape. The inner layer has a rectangular shape and has one side face abutting one side face of the outer layer. The clamping strip has two ends secured on long edges of the other side face of the inner layer. A mobile device is sandwiched between a middle section of the clamping strip and the inner layer. The inner support unit includes a plurality of inner plates which are parallel with the clamping strip of the protective layer unit and are disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the protective layer unit. The inner plates of the inner support unit are equally distant from each other. The magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets which are disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the protective layer unit and are corresponding at two ends of each of the inner plates of the inner support unit. The protective layer unit further includes a plurality of recessed portions which are formed by the outer layer laminating the inner layer and are disposed between the inner plates of the inner support unit. Thus, the protective layer unit is bendable at the recessed portions so that the protective layer unit is deformable freely.

The protective layer unit further includes ten zones consisting of a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, a fourth zone, a fifth zone, a sixth zone, a seventh zone, an eighth zone, a ninth zone and a tenth zone. Each of the ten zones of the protective layer unit includes one of the inner plates disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and two of the magnets corresponding to two ends of the respective inner plate.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the protective layer unit is adjustable and can be bent and transformed freely to have different angles and configurations to receive, place and support the mobile device, thereby facilitating the user carrying and operating the mobile device.

According to another advantage of the present invention, each of the zones of the protective layer unit includes the inner plates and the magnets so that the zones of the protective layer unit can abut each other by the magnetically attractive actions of the magnets to facilitate the user fixing the protective layer unit.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the outer layer of the protective layer unit is made of leather to achieve a waterproof purpose, and the inner layer of the protective layer unit is made of suede to achieve a buffering or an antiskid purpose.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of the protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the open protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state of the protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view showing a closed state of the protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the open protective apparatus for a mobile device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the closed protective apparatus for the mobile device as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic operational view of the closed protective apparatus for the mobile device as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the open protective apparatus for a mobile device with a smaller size.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state of the protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing another standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing another standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing another standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing another standing state of the protective apparatus for the mobile device.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a protective apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a protective layer unit 1, an inner support unit 2 mounted in the protective layer unit 1, and a magnet unit 3 mounted in the protective layer unit 1.

The protective layer unit 1 includes an outer layer 11, an inner layer 12 and a clamping strip 13. The outer layer 11 has a rectangular shape and has the same area as that of the inner layer 12. The inner layer 12 has a rectangular shape and has one side face abutting one side face of the outer layer 11. The clamping strip 13 has two ends secured on long edges of the other side face of the inner layer 12. In practice, a mobile device 4 (see FIG. 8) is sandwiched between a middle section of the clamping strip 13 and the inner layer 12. Preferably, the outer layer 11 of the protective layer unit 1 is made of leather material, and the inner layer 12 of the protective layer unit 1 is made of suede material.

The inner support unit 2 includes a plurality of inner plates 21 which are parallel with the clamping strip 13 of the protective layer unit 1 and are disposed between the outer layer 11 and the inner layer 12 of the protective layer unit 1. The inner plates 21 of the inner support unit 2 are equally distant from each other.

The magnet unit 3 includes a plurality of magnets 31 which are disposed between the outer layer 11 and the inner layer 12 of the protective layer unit 1 and are corresponding to two ends of each of the inner plates 21 of the inner support unit 2.

The protective layer unit 1 further includes a plurality of recessed portions 14 which are formed by the outer layer 11 laminating the inner layer 12 and are disposed between the inner plates 21 of the inner support unit 2. Thus, the protective layer unit 1 is bendable at the recessed portions 14 so that the protective layer unit 1 is deformable and foldable freely.

The protective layer unit 1 further includes ten zones consisting of a first zone “A”, a second zone “B”, a third zone “C”, a fourth zone “D”, a fifth zone “E”, a sixth zone “F”, a seventh zone “G”, an eighth zone “H”, a ninth zone “I” and a tenth zone “J”. Each of the ten zones of the protective layer unit 1 includes one of the inner plates 21 disposed between the outer layer 11 and the inner layer 12, and two of the magnets 31 corresponding to two ends of the respective inner plate 21. The recessed portions 14 are disposed between the ten zones of the protective layer unit 1. Preferably, the inner plates 21 in the ten zones of the protective layer unit 1 have a width size proportion of 4:4:2:2:4:5:1:1:1:1, from the first zone “A” to the tenth zone “J”. Preferably, the clamping strip 13 of the protective layer unit 1 is arranged on the sixth zone “F”.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the zones from the first zone “A” to the sixth zone “F” are used to cover the mobile device 4 or are used for adjustment of the support angle, and the zones from the seventh zone “G” to the tenth zone “J” are used for adjustment of an abutting position of the mobile device 4.

In use, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the fourth zone “D” and the fifth zone “E” is bent, so that the third zone “C” and the fourth zone “D” abut the fifth zone “E”, the second zone “B” abuts the sixth zone “F”, and the first zone “A” abuts the seventh zone “G” and the eighth zone “H”. Then, the recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H”, the ninth zone “I” is bent so that the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” abut the other side of the first zone “A”. At this time, the magnets 31 on the abutting zones attract each other magnetically as shown in FIG. 5 to seal the edge of the protective layer unit 1. Thus, the protective layer unit 1 is folded.

Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 6-8 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, when the protective layer unit 1 is used to receive the mobile device 4, the mobile device 4 is sandwiched between the clamping strip 13 and the inner layer 12. Then, the protective layer unit 1 is folded by the above-mentioned steps so that the mobile device 4 is received in and protected by the protective layer unit 1 to facilitate the user carrying the mobile device 4.

Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, when the protective layer unit 1 is used to receive the mobile device 4 with a smaller size, the mobile device 4 is also sandwiched between the clamping strip 13 and the inner layer 12. Then, the recessed portion 14 between the first zone “A” and the second zone “B” is bent, so that the first zone “A” abuts the second zone “B”. Then, the recessed portion 14 between the fourth zone “D” and the fifth zone “E” is bent, so that the first zone “A”, the second zone “B”, the third zone “C” and the fourth zone “D” abut one side of the mobile device 4, while the fifth zone “E” and the sixth zone “F” abut the other side of the mobile device 4. Then, the recessed portion 14 between the sixth zone “F” and the seventh zone “G” is bent, so that the seventh zone “G”, the eighth zone “H”, the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” abut the second zone “B”. At this time, the magnets 31 on the abutting zones attract each other magnetically to seal the edge of the protective layer unit 1 so that the mobile device 4 is received in and protected by the protective layer unit 1 to facilitate the user carrying the mobile device 4.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 11 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the first zone “A” and the second zone “B” is bent, and the inner layer 12 of the first zone “A” abuts the inner layer 12 of the sixth zone “F” and the seventh zone “G” and the eighth zone “H”. The recessed portion 14 between the third zone “C” and the fourth zone “D” is bent, and the recessed portion 14 between the fifth zone “E” and the sixth zone “F” is also bent. The inner layer 12 of the third zone “C” abuts the inner layer 12 of the fourth zone “D”. Thus, the second zone “B”, the fifth zone “E” and the sixth zone “F” form a triangular structure. In addition, the recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I” is bent, so that the outer layers 11 of the ninth zone “I”, the tenth zone “J” and the first zone “A” abut each other. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the tenth zone “J”, and the back of the mobile device 4 abuts the third zone “C”, so that the mobile device 4 is supported by the protective layer unit 1 at an inclined angle.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 12 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the first zone “A” and the second zone “B” is bent, and the outer layer 11 of the first zone “A” abuts the inner layer 12 of the sixth zone “F”. The recessed portion 14 between the third zone “C” and the fourth zone “D” is bent, and the recessed portion 14 between the fifth zone “E” and the sixth zone “F” is also bent. The inner layer 12 of the third zone “C” abuts the inner layer 12 of the fourth zone “D”. Thus, the second zone “B”, the fifth zone “E” and the first zone “A” form a triangular structure. In addition, the recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I” is bent, so that the inner layers 12 of the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J”, and the seventh zone. “G” and the eighth zone “H” abut each other. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the tenth zone “J”, and the back of the mobile device 4 abuts the second zone “B” and the third zone “C”, so that the mobile device 4 is supported by the protective layer unit 1 at an inclined angle.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 13 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” are expanded outward, so that the inner layers 12 of the seventh zone “G”, the eighth zone “H”, the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” form a surface to support a keyboard 5. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the keyboard 5. The keyboard 5 has a bottom made of a magnet or a magnetically attractive metal to magnetically attract the magnets 31 on the ten zones of the protective layer unit 1 so that the keyboard 5 is secured on the protective layer unit 1.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 14 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the first zone “A” and the second zone “B” is bent. Then, the recessed portion 14 between the second zone “B” and the third zone “C” is bent, and the outer layer 11 of the second zone “B” abuts the inner layers 12 of the sixth zone “F”. The recessed portion 14 between the fourth zone “D” and the fifth zone “E” is bent, and the recessed portion 14 between the fifth zone “E” and the sixth zone “F” is also bent. Thus, the third zone “C” together with the fourth zone “D”, the fifth zone “E” and the first zone “A” form a triangular structure. In addition, the recessed portion 14 between the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” is bent so that the inner layers 12 of the ninth zone. “I” abuts the inner layers 12 of the tenth zone “J”. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the tenth zone “J”, and the back of the mobile device 4 abuts the fourth zone “D”, so that the mobile device 4 is supported by the protective layer unit 1 at an inclined angle.

Alternatively, the configuration of the protective apparatus as shown in FIG. 14 can be varied as follows. The recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I” is bent inward, and the recessed portion 14 between the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” is bent outward, so that the inner layers 12 of the eighth zone “H” abuts the inner layers 12 of the ninth zone “I”, and the outer layer 11 of the ninth zone “I” abuts the outer layer 11 of the tenth zone “J”. Thus, the abutting position of the back of the mobile device 4 is adjusted inward through the distance of one zone, so that the inclined angle of the mobile device 4 is adjusted slightly.

Alternatively, the recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I” is bent, so that the inner layers 12 of the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I”, and the seventh zone “G” and the tenth zone “J” abut each other. Thus, the abutting position of the back of the mobile device 4 is adjusted inward through the distance of two zones, so that the inclined angle of the mobile device 4 is further adjusted.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 15 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the fourth zone “D” and the fifth zone “E” is bent. Then, the inner layers 12 of the first zone “A” abuts the inner layers 12 of the sixth zone “F”, and the inner layers 12 of the fourth zone “D” abuts the inner layers 12 of the fifth zone “E”. Thus, the second zone “B”, the third zone “C”, partial of the fifth zone “E” and partial of the sixth zone “F” form a right-angle triangular structure having an inclined side (or the second zone “B”) directed upward. In addition, the recessed portion 14 between the eighth zone “H” and the ninth zone “I” is bent, and the recessed portion 14 between the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J” is bent, so that the inner layers 12 of the eighth zone “H” abuts the inner layers 12 of the ninth zone “I”, and the outer layer 11 of the ninth zone “I” abuts the outer layer 11 of the tenth zone “J”. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the recessed portion 14 between the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J”, and the back of the mobile device 4 abuts the second zone “B”, so that the mobile device 4 is supported by the protective layer unit 1 at an inclined angle.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 16 with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the recessed portion 14 between the seventh zone “G” and the eighth zone “H” is bent, and the inner layers 12 of the ninth zone “I” abuts the outer layer 11 of the first zone “A”. Thus, the bottom of the mobile device 4 abuts the recessed portion 14 between the ninth zone “I” and the tenth zone “J”, and the back of the mobile device 4 abuts the second zone “B”, so that the inclined angle of the mobile device 4 is slightly lifted.

Accordingly, the protective layer unit 1 is transformable and can be bent and deformed freely to have different angles and configurations to receive, place and support the mobile device 4, thereby facilitating the user carrying and operating the mobile device 4. In addition, each of the zones of the protective layer unit 1 includes the inner plates 21 and the magnets 31 so that the zones of the protective layer unit 1 can abut each other by the magnetically attractive actions of the magnets 31 to facilitate the user fixing the protective layer unit 1. Further, the outer layer 11 of the protective layer unit 1 is made of leather to achieve a waterproof purpose, and the inner layer 12 of the protective layer unit 1 is made of suede to achieve a buffering or an antiskid purpose.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A protective apparatus comprising:

a protective layer unit;
an inner support unit mounted in the protective layer unit; and
a magnet unit mounted in the protective layer unit;
wherein:
the protective layer unit includes an outer layer, an inner layer and a clamping strip;
the outer layer has a rectangular shape;
the inner layer has a rectangular shape and has one side face abutting one side face of the outer layer;
the clamping strip has two ends secured on long edges of the other side face of the inner layer;
a mobile device is sandwiched between a middle section of the clamping strip and the inner layer;
the inner support unit includes a plurality of inner plates which are parallel with the clamping strip of the protective layer unit and are disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the protective layer unit;
the inner plates of the inner support unit are equally distant from each other;
the magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets which are disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the protective layer unit and are corresponding at two ends of each of the inner plates of the inner support unit;
the protective layer unit further includes a plurality of recessed portions which are formed by the outer layer laminating the inner layer and are disposed between the inner plates of the inner support unit;
the protective layer unit is bendable at the recessed portions so that the protective layer unit is transformable freely.

2. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer layer of the protective layer unit is made of leather material.

3. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the protective layer unit is made of suede material.

4. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the protective layer unit further includes ten zones consisting of a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, a fourth zone, a fifth zone, a sixth zone, a seventh zone, an eighth zone, a ninth zone and a tenth zone; and
each of the ten zones of the protective layer unit includes one of the inner plates disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and two of the magnets corresponding to each other at two ends of the respective inner plate.

5. The protective apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner plates in the ten zones of the protective layer unit have a width size proportion of 4:4:2:2:4:5:1:1:1:1, from the first zone to the tenth zone.

6. The protective apparatus of claim 4, wherein the clamping strip of the protective layer unit is arranged on the sixth zone.

7. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective layer unit has a surface to support a keyboard.

8. The protective apparatus of claim 7, wherein the keyboard has a bottom made of a magnet or a magnetically attractive metal to magnetically attract the magnets.

Patent History
Publication number: 20160066667
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 9, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2016
Inventors: Hsu-Sheng Yu (Tainan City), Tung-Pao Chang (Tainan City)
Application Number: 14/480,682
Classifications
International Classification: A45C 11/00 (20060101); A45F 5/00 (20060101);