U.S. patent application number 13/005334 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for combination of protective casing and stand for portable handheld electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SwitchEasy Limited. Invention is credited to Chi Vun Steven BAU.
Application Number | 20110266194 13/005334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42651319 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110266194 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAU; Chi Vun Steven |
November 3, 2011 |
COMBINATION OF PROTECTIVE CASING AND STAND FOR PORTABLE HANDHELD
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A combination of protective casing and stand for portable
handheld electronic device comprising a base and a cover pivotably
connected to the cover, in which an inner space is formed between
the base and the cover for containing the electronic device, and
the cover could be pivoted with respect to the base to make the
combination to form a configuration at least including a triangle
in a cross section taken along a central line of the
combination.
Inventors: |
BAU; Chi Vun Steven; (Hong
Kong, HK) |
Assignee: |
SwitchEasy Limited
Hong Kong
HK
|
Family ID: |
42651319 |
Appl. No.: |
13/005334 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A45C 2200/15 20130101; H04M 1/04 20130101; H04B 1/3888 20130101;
A45C 2011/003 20130101; H04M 1/0214 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/736 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/52 20060101
B65D005/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2010 |
HK |
10104171.1 |
Claims
1. A combination of protective casing and stand for portable
handheld electronic device comprising a base and a cover pivotably
connected to the base, wherein an inner space is formed between the
base and the cover for containing the electronic device, and the
cover could be pivoted with respect to the base to make the
combination to form a configuration at least including a triangle
in a cross section taken along a central line of the
combination.
2. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 1, wherein the combination is in form of a pocket, and the
cover comprises a fixed part attached to the base fixedly and being
pivotable together with the corresponding part of the base with
respect to the rest of the base and a free part covering the base
and being pivotable with respect to the base freely.
3. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 2, wherein at least one first fastener is formed between the
base and the free part of the cover for fastening the base and the
free part selectively.
4. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 3, wherein a tab extends outwards from the base at an end of
the fixed part of the cover, and at least one second fastener is
formed between the tab and the fixed part of the cover for
fastening the tab and the fixed part selectively.
5. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 4, wherein the part of the first fastener formed on the free
part of the cover could be engaged with the part of the second
fastener formed on the tab, to fasten the free part of the cover
and the tab selectively.
6. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 2, wherein one or more ribs are formed on the base where is
covered by the free part of the cover.
7. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 1, wherein the combination is in form of a box, and the cover
is pivotably connected to the base at one edge thereof and a
protrusion is formed on an edge of the cover opposite to the edge
connected to the base, in which the height of the protrusion is
larger than the thickness of the cover.
8. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 7, wherein a recess is formed at an edge of the base for
containing the protrusion when the cover is closed to the base.
9. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 7, wherein a texture is formed on an outer surface of the
cover.
10. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 7, wherein the base and the cover are provided with a
plurality matching openings for external access to buttons,
switches and/or ports on the electronic device.
11. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 1, wherein the combination is in form of a box, and one or
more pairs of grooves are formed on an outside surface of the base
and each of the pairs is used for receiving the two side edges of
the cover.
12. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 11, wherein the cover is made of flexible materials.
13. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 12, wherein a pair of notches is formed on an inner surface
of the cover and each of the notches extends from an individual
corner of the cover adjacent to the edge of the cover connected to
the base to a middle part of an opposite edge of the cover, in
which the thickness of the cover in the notches is relatively
thinner than the other part of the cover.
14. The combination of protective casing and stand according to
claim 11, wherein the base and the cover are provided with a
plurality matching openings for external access to buttons,
switches and/or ports on the electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims the priority benefits of Hong Kong
Short-Term Patent Application No. 10104171.1 filed on Apr. 28,
2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a combination of
protective casing and stand for portable handheld electronic
device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Due to the convenience for use, portable handheld electronic
devices, such as Apple iPhone, personal digital assistant (PDA),
digital media players, digital recorders, potable TV, handheld
computers, etc., are more and more popular in modern life.
[0004] As such an electronic device is covered with smooth and
beautiful surface with delicate finish, when the electronic device
is not in use, a protective casing is needed to contain the
electronic device to prevent the delicate finish of the electronic
device from being damaged.
[0005] When the electronic device is in use, a user usually holds
the electronic device with one hand, and operates the same with the
other hand. However, after operation on the electronic device is
finished, the user would generally put down the electronic device
and let the same operate automatically. For example, after
operation on a digital media player is finished, the user would put
down the player and let it play songs automatically. But, if the
electronic device is put directly on a desk, the delicate finish of
the electronic device would also be subject to deterioration or
damage. Besides, due to the smooth surface of the electronic
device, there is a risk that the electronic device would slide off
from the desk to incur a serious damage. Therefore, a stand is
needed to support the electronic devices stably.
[0006] Furthermore, to demonstrate the new functions of such
portable handheld electronic devices to potential customers, stands
for supporting the electronic devices are also demanded.
[0007] Although there are some kinds of protective casings and
stands available in the market, such protective casings and stands
are separated from each other and the traditional stands are
unfoldable and would occupy a lot of space. Thus, it would be
costly for providing a protective casing and a stand for a
electronic device, and would be inconvenient for use.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to combine a protective casing
and a stand to form a combination of protective casing and stand
for portable handheld electronic devices, which could be used as a
protective casing for protecting the electronic devices when in a
folded state, and could also be used as a stand for supporting the
electronic devices when in a unfolded state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] To overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present
invention aims to provide a combination of protective casing and
stand for portable handheld electronic device, which may comprise a
base and a cover pivotably connected to the base, in which an inner
space is formed between the base and the cover for containing the
electronic device, and the cover could be pivoted with respect to
the base to make the combination to form a configuration at least
including a triangle in a cross section taken along a central line
of the combination.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the combination
may be in form of a pocket, and the cover comprises a fixed part
attached to the base fixedly and being pivotable together with the
corresponding part of the base with respect to the rest of the base
and a free part covering the base and being pivotable with respect
to the base freely.
[0011] Preferably, at least one first fastener may be formed
between the base and the free part of the cover for fastening the
base and the free part selectively. A tab may extend outwards from
the base at an end of the fixed part of the cover, and at least one
second fastener may be formed between the tab and the fixed part of
the cover for fastening the tab and the fixed part selectively.
[0012] In addition, the part of the first fastener formed on the
free part of the cover could be engaged with the part of the second
fastener formed on the tab, to fasten the free part of the cover
and the tab selectively.
[0013] Preferably, one or more ribs may be formed on the base where
is covered by the free part of the cover.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
combination may be in form of a box, and the cover is pivotably
connected to the base at one edge thereof and a protrusion is
formed on an edge of the cover opposite to the edge connected to
the base, in which the height of the protrusion is larger than the
thickness of the cover.
[0015] Preferably, a recess may be formed at an edge of the base
for containing the protrusion when the cover is closed to the base,
and a texture may be formed on an outer surface of the cover.
[0016] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
combination may be in form of a box, and one or more pairs of
grooves are formed on an outside surface of the base and each of
the pairs is used for receiving the two side edges of the cover. In
this connection, the cover is made of flexible materials.
[0017] Preferably, a pair of notches may be formed on an inner
surface of the cover and each of the notches extends from an
individual corner of the cover adjacent to the edge of the cover
connected to the base to a middle part of an opposite edge of the
cover, in which the thickness of the cover in the notches is
relatively thinner than the other part of the cover.
[0018] In the above embodiments, the base and the cover may be
provided with a plurality matching openings for external access to
buttons, switches and/or ports on the electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will be described in details with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
combination of protective casing and stand for portable handheld
electronic device according to the present invention, illustrating
a state of the same as a protective casing;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment shown
in FIG. 1 illustrating how to open the same;
[0023] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the first embodiment,
illustrating a state of the same as a stand;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
combination of protective casing and stand for portable handheld
electronic device according to the present invention, illustrating
a state of the same as a protective casing;
[0025] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the second embodiment,
illustrating a state of the same as a stand;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
6;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
combination of the protective casing and stand for portable
handheld electronic device according to the present invention,
illustrating a state of the same as a protective casing;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the third embodiment shown in FIG.
8;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the third embodiment,
illustrating a state of the same as a stand;
[0030] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the third embodiment
shown in FIG. 10 illustrating an arrangement of the stand; and
[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the third embodiment
illustrating a state of the same as a stand, in which the stand is
in another arrangement different from that in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The aspects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood by those skilled in the art
from the detailed description of the embodiments of the invention
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Exemplary
embodiments of the present application and the description thereof
are for illustration purpose only, and should not be construed as
limitation to the protective scope of the present invention.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment 1 of the
combination of protective casing and stand for portable handheld
electronic device of the present invention is in form of a pocket,
which comprises a base 11 and a cover 12. A part of the cover 12 is
attached to the base 11 fixedly, while the other part of the cover
12 covers the base 11 and could be pivoted with respect to the base
freely. An inner space is formed between the base 11 and the cover
12, to contain a portable handheld electronic device (not shown in
the figures) therein.
[0034] To avoid the opening of the free part of the cover 12
accidentally, one or more first fasteners 13 could be formed
between the base 11 and the free part of the cover 12, as shown in
FIG. 3. The first fastener 13 could be, for example a button, a
zipper, a Velcro, or other suitable means. When the first
embodiment 1 is used as a protective casing, the first fastener 13
on the cover 12 and base 11 is engaged, to avoid the opening of the
free part of the cover 12 and prevent the electronic device
contained in the inner space from sliding out.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a tab 14 extends outwards from the
base 11 on the end of the fixed part of the cover 12. One or more
second fasteners 15 could be formed between the tab 14 and the
fixed part of the cover 12. Similarly, the second fastener 15 could
be, for example a button, a zipper, a Velcro, or other suitable
means. When the first embodiment 1 is used as a protective casing,
the second fastener 15 on the tab 14 and the fixed part of the
cover 12 is engaged. Preferably, in this embodiment, the part of
the first fastener 13 formed on the free part of the cover 12 could
be engaged with the part of the second fastener 15 formed on the
tab 14, to fasten the free part of the cover and the tab
selectively.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the first embodiment 1 needs
to be changed to a stand, the first fastener 13 is disengaged and
the free part of the cover 12 is pivoted with respect to the base
11 to be opened with respect to the latter, and then the second
fastener 15 is disengaged and the tab 14 is opened with respect to
the fixed part of the cover 12. Then, the fixed part of the cover
12 together with the corresponding part of the base 11 is folded
towards the free part of the cover 12. Finally, the part of the
second fastener 15 formed on the tab 14 is engaged to the part of
the first fastener 13 formed on the free part of the cover 12.
Therefore, the first embodiment 1 forms a configuration at least
including a triangle in a cross section taken along a longitudinal
central line of thereof. As a result, a stable stand is formed for
supporting the electronic device.
[0037] To prevent the electronic device from sliding off from the
base 11, one or more ribs 16 could be formed on the base 11 where
is covered by the free part of the cover 12.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the second embodiment 2 of the
combination of protective casing and stand for portable handheld
electronic device of the present invention is in form of a box,
which comprises a base 21 and a cover 22 pivotably connected to the
base 21 at one edge thereof. The cover 22 could be connected to the
base 21 by virtue of a pivot, a hinge or other means known in this
art. Or, the cover 22 could be formed integrally with the base 21
and a joint part therebetween is relative thinner than the other
parts, to enable the cover 22 to be pivotable with respect to the
base 21. In this embodiment, the cover 22 could be opened
completely with respect to the base 21, to completely press against
a rear surface of the base 21, just as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Alternatively, the cover 22 could only be rotated a certain angle
with respect to the base 21, to partly press against the rear
surface of the base 21 (not shown in the figures).
[0039] An inner space is formed between the base 21 and the cover
22 to contain a portable handheld electronic device 23 therein, as
shown in FIG. 6. A protrusion 24 may be formed on an edge of the
cover 22 opposite to the edge connected to the base 21, while a
corresponding recess 25 is formed at an edge of the base 21. When
the cover 22 is closed to the base 21, the protrusion 24 is
inserted into the recess 25, to fasten the cover 22 to the base 21
to avoid accidental opening of the cover 22 with respect to the
base 21. As shown in FIG. 5, a texture may be formed on an outer
surface of the cover 22 for offering additional grip when holding
the combination 2.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the height of the protrusion 24 is
larger than the thickness of the cover 22. When the second
embodiment needs to be changed to a stand, the cover 22 is first
opened with respect to the base 21 to press against the rear
surface of the base 21, and then the edge of the cover 22 connected
to the base 21 and the protrusion 24 are placed on a table or other
plate. Therefore, the second embodiment forms a configuration at
least including a triangle in a cross section taken along a
transversal central line of thereof. As a result, a stable stand is
formed for supporting the electronic device 23.
[0041] The base 21 and the cover 22 could be provided with a
plurality matching openings 26 for external access to buttons,
switches and ports on the electronic device 23, for instance,
headphone jack, charging port, docking port, on/off switch, scroll
button, opening for camera, etc.
[0042] Similar to the second embodiment 2 as mentioned above, the
third embodiment 3 of the combination of protective casing and
stand for portable handheld electronic device of the present
invention is in form of a box, which also comprises a base 31 and a
cover 32. The relationship between the base 31 and the cover 32 of
the third embodiment is similar to that in the second embodiment,
and the details of which would not be repeated herein.
[0043] There is also an inner space formed between the base 31 and
the cover 32 to contain a portable handheld electronic device 33
therein, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0044] One or more pairs of grooves 34 could be formed on an
outside surface of the base 31, each of which is used for receiving
the two side edges 36 of the cover. In this connection, the cover
is made of flexible materials, such as rubber, plastics or other
suitable materials, to enable to be bended. For example, there are
two pairs of grooves 34 formed on the outside surface of the base
31, as shown in FIG. 9.
[0045] On an inner surface of the cover 32, a pair of notches 35
could be formed, each of which extends from an individual corner of
the cover adjacent to the edge of the cover connected to the base
to a middle part of an opposite edge of the cover. The thickness of
the cover in the notches is relatively thinner than the other part
of the cover. Therefore, it would be easier to bend the cover along
the notches 35.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, after the cover 32 is opened
with respect to the base 31, the cover 32 is bended along the pair
of notches 35, and then the two side edges 36 of the cover 32 are
inserted into either pair of grooves 34 on the outside surface of
the base 31. Finally, an edge of the base 31 opposite to the cover
32 and the middle part of the edge of the cover opposite to the
base could be placed on a table or other plate. Therefore, the
third embodiment forms a configuration at least including a
triangle in a cross section taken along a transversal central line
of thereof. As a result, a stable stand is formed for supporting
the electronic device 33.
[0047] If more than one pair of grooves 34 is formed in the outside
surface of the base 31, the side edges of the cover 32 could be
inserted into different pair of grooves, to form a stand with a
different arrangement.
[0048] Similarly, the base 31 and the cover 32 could also be
provided with a plurality matching openings 37 for external access
to buttons, switches and ports on the electronic device 33, for
instance, headphone jack, charging port, docking port, on/off
switch, scroll button, opening for camera, etc.
[0049] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
those skilled in the art should understand that various changes and
modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing the
principles and spirits of the present invention and they still fall
into the scope of claims and the equivalent thereof.
* * * * *