U.S. patent application number 12/836778 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-19 for device cover.
Invention is credited to Kemal Kaya Kaplancali.
Application Number | 20120012579 12/836778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45466119 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120012579 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaplancali; Kemal Kaya |
January 19, 2012 |
DEVICE COVER
Abstract
A device cover for covering a device is provided. The device
cover comprises a substantially planar surface, at least one pair
of opposite side walls and a plurality of protruding members. The
at least one pair of opposite side walls extend substantially
perpendicular from peripheral edges of the planar surface. The
plurality of protruding members is configured on one or more side
walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls. Further, the
plurality of protruding members is configured to extend outwardly
to the planar surface.
Inventors: |
Kaplancali; Kemal Kaya;
(Tsim Sha Tsui, HK) |
Family ID: |
45466119 |
Appl. No.: |
12/836778 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
H04B 1/3888 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.02 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/28 20060101
B65D006/28 |
Claims
1. A device cover comprising: a substantially planar surface; at
least one pair of opposite side walls extending substantially
perpendicular from peripheral edges of the planar surface; and a
plurality of protruding members configured on one or more side
walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls, wherein the
plurality of protruding members are configured to extend outwardly
to the planar surface.
2. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the planar
surface and the one or more side walls of the at least one pair of
opposite side walls define an aperture.
3. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding
members is configured to be fastened to the one or more side
walls.
4. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding
members is configured to be attached to the one or more side
walls.
5. The device cover of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protruding
members is configured to be attached to the one or more side walls
by at least one selected from the group consisting of a hook and
loop attachment, an adhesive attachment, and a sewing
attachment.
6. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the planar
surface, the at least one pair of opposite side walls, and the
plurality of protruding members is made of a material selected from
the group consisting of metal, wood, plastic, biodegradable
material, bioplastic, composite material, and a clothing
material.
7. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the planar surface and the
at least one pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at
least partially, receive a device.
8. The device cover of claim 7, wherein the planar surface and the
at least one pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at
least partially, expose a first surface of the device on receiving
the device.
9. The device cover of claim 8, wherein the plurality of protruding
members is capable of raising the first surface from an external
surface on contacting the external surface for precluding a direct
contact between the first surface and the external surface.
10. The device cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
protruding members is capable of raising the first surface by about
one millimeter (mm) from the external surface.
11. The device cover of claim 7, wherein the device is at least one
selected from the group consisting of a mobile communication
device, a media playing device, and a computing device.
12. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least two protruding
members of the plurality of protruding members are configured on
each side wall of the at least one pair of opposite side walls.
13. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one protruding
member of the plurality of protruding members is configured at each
end portion of side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side
walls.
14. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one protruding
member of the plurality of protruding members is configured on a
middle portion of each side wall of the at least one pair of
opposite side walls.
15. A device cover for covering a device, the device having a first
surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the
device cover comprising: a first pair of opposite side walls; a
second pair of opposite side walls, wherein each side wall of the
second pair of opposite side walls connects the first pair of
opposite side walls, and, wherein the first pair of opposite side
walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to,
at least partially, receive the device; and a plurality of
protruding members configured on at least one of the first pair of
opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls,
wherein at least one of the plurality of protruding members is
substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first pair of
opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
16. The device cover of claim 15, wherein the first pair of
opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are
configured to, at least partially, expose the first surface of the
device on receiving the device.
17. The device cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality of
protruding members is capable of raising at least one of the first
surface and the second surface from an external surface on
contacting the external surface for precluding a direct contact
between at least one of the first surface and the second surface
and the external surface.
18. The device cover of claim 17, wherein the plurality of
protruding members is capable of raising the at least one of the
first surface and the second surface by about one millimeter (mm)
from the external surface.
19. The device cover of claim 15, wherein at least two protruding
members of the plurality of protruding members are configured on
each side wall of at least one of the first pair of opposite side
walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
20. The device cover of claim 15, wherein at least one protruding
member of the plurality of protruding members is configured at each
end portion of side walls of at least one of the first pair of
opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to device
accessories, and more particularly to, a device cover for covering
a device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Assortment of accessories is now available for devices, such
as mobile phones and media players. Examples of such accessories
may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth headsets, earphones,
memory cards, universal serial bus (USB) cables, protective cases
and the like. Such accessories serve one or more purposes and, in
general, provide an ease of use to a user of such devices.
[0005] Further, the devices are being increasingly equipped with
multiple functionalities. For example, a device such as a mobile
phone may be equipped with at least one of an in-built camera and a
multimedia player. On account of the multiple functionalities, a
usage of such devices has exponentially increased and with the
increased usage, a need to cover and protect such devices has
increased. For example, a user of such a device may occasionally
place the device on an external surface, such as a table-top or
flooring after using the device. The external surface may be
covered with dust or may be hard or relatively uneven or may even
be at a relatively higher temperature or a lower temperature, and
as such, may be unsuitable for delicate parts of the device, such
as a display screen of the device. Further, a body or a shell of
the device may be composed of plastic or metallic materials with
smooth surfaces that are typically prone to showing scratches and
wear and tear within a relatively short period of time.
Furthermore, body or the shell of the device is prone to damage on
account of bumps, hits, shocks and falls. Accordingly, there is a
need for covering the device for protecting the device.
[0006] Typically, protective cases are provided for covering such
devices and thereby providing the requisite protection. The
protective cases are designed to receive such devices in its
entirety. A user may be required to retrieve a device from a
protective case for using the device thereafter. Such protective
cases, however, cause various hassles to a user of the device. For
example, the user of a mobile phone (device) may not be able to
identify an identity of a person for receiving an incoming call
without having to retrieve the mobile phone from the protective
case. Further, a user of a media player (device) may not be able to
view a display screen for identifying a song play list without
having to retrieve the media player from the protective case. As a
result, the user of the device is forced to perform the cumbersome
activity of retrieving the device from the protective case for
using the device thereafter. Retrieving the device may especially
be cumbersome if hands of the user are pre-occupied with another
task, for example, holding one or more articles.
[0007] Protective cases, with transparent films as surfaces
preclude some hassles explained above. In addition to covering the
device and protecting the device from the external surfaces, such
protective cases expose the display screen of the device for
enabling the user to view the display screen of the device which
provides inherent advantages. More specifically, in case of a
mobile phone, the user may be able to identify the identity of the
person for receiving an incoming call, or, in the case of the media
player, the user may be able to view the song play list without
retrieving the device. However, a user of such devices may still
have to retrieve the device from the protective case for using the
device, such as for example, making a phone call. Moreover, the
device may typically be placed on the external surfaces with the
exposed display screen facing in a direction opposite to the
external surfaces for precluding damage to the display screen.
Placing the device in such a manner may compromise a privacy of
content being displayed on the display screen as the display screen
may be viewed by people in vicinity of the device. Accordingly,
there is a need for covering a device while protecting a privacy of
content being displayed on the device.
[0008] Based on the foregoing, there is a need for covering a
device for precluding a contact of the device from an external
surface for avoiding damage to delicate parts, such as a display
screen of the device. Further, there is a need for covering the
device while allowing a use of the device in a hassle-free manner.
Furthermore, there is a need for covering the device while ensuring
that a privacy of the user is not compromised. In this regard, the
present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this
respect, the device cover according to the present invention
substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of
the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily
developed for the purpose of covering a device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of covers now present in the prior art, the present invention
provides an improved device cover, and overcomes the
above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As
such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and
improved device cover and method which has all the advantages of
the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that
result in a device cover which is not anticipated, rendered
obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone
or in any combination thereof.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to cover a device for
precluding a contact of the device from an external surface for
avoiding damage to delicate parts, such as a display screen of the
device.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to cover the
device and to preclude hassles like retrieving of the device for
using the device thereafter.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to cover the
device and to ensure that a privacy of the user of the device is
not compromised.
[0013] To achieve the objects of the present invention, an
embodiment of the present invention provides a device cover for
covering a device. The device cover comprises a substantially
planar surface, at least one pair of opposite side walls and a
plurality of protruding members. The at least one pair of opposite
side walls extend substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges
of the planar surface. The plurality of protruding members is
configured on one or more side walls of the at least one pair of
opposite side walls. Further, the plurality of protruding members
is configured to extend outwardly to the planar surface.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, device cover
for covering a device is provided. The device includes a first
surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The
device cover comprises a first pair of opposite side walls, a
second pair of opposite side walls and a plurality of protruding
members. Each side wall of the second pair of opposite side walls
connects the first pair of opposite side walls. Further, the first
pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side
walls are configured to, at least partially, receive the device.
The plurality of protruding members is configured on at least one
of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of
opposite side walls. At least one of the plurality of protruding
members is substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first
pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side
walls.
[0015] The device cover is configured to expose at least a first
surface of the device received therein for enabling the user to
utilize the device in a hassle-free manner and without performing
the cumbersome activity of retrieving the device from a protective
covering. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user
experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user
interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows
smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions. A body portion or a
shell portion of the device may also be protected on account of
receiving the device therein. Further, the device cover enables the
user to place the device on an external surface while protecting
the device from the external surface. Accordingly, the device cover
may be placed in an upturned position to rest on the plurality of
protruding members which provides the necessary elevation of the
device from the external surface, thereby protecting the device.
Further, placing the device cover on the plurality of protruding
members enables a user to preclude a public view of the first
surface (such as a display screen) of the device, thereby enabling
the user to maintain the privacy of the content displayed on the
first surface of the device.
[0016] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of
presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of
the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the
current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to
the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved device cover that has all of the
advantages of the prior art covers and none of the
disadvantages.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved device cover that may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
[0020] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved device cover that has a low cost of
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such device cover economically
available to the buying public.
[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a new device cover that provides in the apparatuses and methods of
the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously
overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated
therewith.
[0022] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty that characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter
be described in conjunction with the appended drawing provided to
illustrated and not to limit the invention, wherein like
designations denote like elements, and in which:
[0024] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exploded view and an assembled
view of a device cover, respectively, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover with
a device received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an upturned position of
the device cover with the device received therein, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of exemplary
configurations of plurality of protruding members on the pair of
opposite side walls of the device cover, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
configuration of the device cover, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover for
covering a device, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover for
covering a device, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of
the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the
invention. However, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art
that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances well known methods,
procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the
embodiments of the invention.
[0032] Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not
limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes,
variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those
skilled in the art without parting from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0033] The embodiments of the invention provide a device cover for
covering a device. The device cover protects the device from an
external surface and precludes damage to delicate parts of the
device, such as a display screen of the device. A body portion or a
shell portion of the device may also be protected on account of
receiving the device therein. Further, the device cover precludes
the user from performing any cumbersome activity, such as
retrieving the device for using the device thereafter. The exposed
first surface enables the user to utilize the device without
retrieving the device from the device cover. Also, the exposed
first surface promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in
case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first
surface, as the exposed first surface allows smoother and
unobstructed finger swipe motions. Furthermore, the device cover
protects the device without compromising a privacy of the user of
the device.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an exploded view and an
assembled view of a device cover 100 are illustrated, respectively,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1A, the device cover 100 includes a
substantially planar surface 102, at least one pair of opposite
side walls, such as a pair of opposite side walls 104a and 104b,
and a plurality of protruding members, such as a protruding member
106a, a protruding member 106b, a protruding member 106c and a
protruding member 106d. The pair of opposite side walls 104a and
104b will hereinafter be collectively referred to as pair of
opposite side walls. The protruding members such as the protruding
members 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d will be hereinafter be
collectively referred to as plurality of protruding members.
[0035] The planar surface 102 is depicted to include an aperture
102a. Further, the side wall 104a is depicted to include an
aperture 110. Though only the side wall 104a is depicted to include
the aperture 110, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art
that one or more apertures, such as the aperture 110, may be
provided on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. The
apertures 102a and 110 will be explained in conjunction with FIG.
2.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 1B, an assembled view of the device
cover 100 is depicted. In FIG. 1B, the side walls 104a and the side
walls 104b are depicted to be moulded to peripheral edges 108a and
108b, (the peripheral edges 108a and 108b are depicted as dotted in
FIG. 1B), respectively, of the planar surface 102. However, it will
be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the pair of opposite
side walls may be attached or fastened to the peripheral edges 108a
and 108b. In FIG. 1B, the pair of opposite side walls is configured
to extend substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges 108a
and 108b of the planar surface 102.
[0037] Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured
on the pair of opposite side walls. More specifically, the
protruding member 106a and the protruding member 106b are
configured on the side wall 104a and the protruding member 106c and
the protruding member 106d are configured on the side wall 104b.
Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured to
extend outwardly to the planar surface 102.
[0038] In FIG. 1B, the plurality of protruding members is depicted
to be moulded to the side walls 104a and 104b. However, it will be
obvious to a person skilled in the art that the plurality of
protruding members may be affixed to the pair of opposite side
walls by a variety of means. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the plurality of protruding members is configured to be
fastened to one or more side walls of the pair of opposite side
walls. In another embodiment, the plurality of protruding members
is configured to be attached to the one or more side walls of the
pair of opposite side walls. In various embodiments, the plurality
of protruding members may be configured to be attached to the one
or more side walls of the pair of opposite side walls by at least
one of a hook and loop attachment, an adhesive attachment and a
sewing attachment.
[0039] In FIGS. 1A and 1B, two protruding members are depicted to
be configured on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls.
However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that at
least two, i.e. two or more protruding members may be configured on
each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Further, the
plurality of protruding members may be configured at a variety of
positions (explained in conjunction with FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5). For
example, at least one protruding member of the plurality of
protruding members may be configured at each end portion of side
walls of the pair of opposite side walls (shown in FIG. 4A). The at
least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members
may also be configured on a middle portion of each side wall of the
pair of opposite side walls. Further, it will be evident to a
person skilled in the art that a variety of combinations of
configurations of the plurality of protruding members on the pair
of opposite side walls may be possible. For example, at least one
protruding member of the plurality of protruding member may each be
configured on the middle portion as well as on the end portion of
each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Details
corresponding to the embodiment have been explained in conjunction
with FIG. 7. In various embodiments of the present invention, the
plurality of protruding members may be present at a predefined
distance from each other.
[0040] The planar surface 102, the pair of side opposite side walls
and the plurality of plurality of protruding members may be
composed of variety of materials. In an embodiment of the present
invention, at least one of the planar surface, the pair of opposite
side walls and the plurality of protruding members is made of
metal, plastic, biodegradable material, bioplastic, wood, composite
material a clothing material.
[0041] The planar surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls
104 are configured to, at least partially, to receive a device.
Examples of the device may be, but are not limited to, a mobile
communications device such as a cellular phone, a smart phone or
personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand phone, hand held device,
touch pad, tablet PC, a media playing device such as an Apple.TM.
Ipod.TM., and a computing device such as a gaming console or a
calculator, and a camera. The examples for the device are provided
for exemplary purposes and it will be obvious to a person skilled
in the art that the device may include similar hand-held devices. A
reception of the device in the device cover 100 is depicted in FIG.
2.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates the device cover 100 with a device 112
received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, the planar
surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls 104 are configured
to, at least partially, receive the device 112. Further, the planar
surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls are configured to,
at least partially, expose a first surface 112a of the device 112
as shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
first surface 112a may be configured to include a display screen of
the device 112. The planar surface 102 supports the rear side of
the device 112. The planer surface 102 and the pair of opposite
side walls are adapted to be gripped by a user wherein the surface
reduces slippage at the user's hand. In an embodiment, the gripping
of may be increased by providing protrudance on the planar surface
102 and/or the pair of opposite side walls.
[0043] In FIG. 2, the height of the pair of opposite side walls 104
may be configured in a manner that the pair of opposite side walls
104 may be equal to or may not exceed the first surface 112a when
the device 112 is included in the device cover 100.
[0044] Accordingly, on receiving the device 112 in the device cover
100 in a manner wherein the first surface 112a is positioned to be
facing in a direction opposite to the planar surface 102, the
display screen of the device 112 may be exposed. A user of the
device 112 may use the device 112 thereafter by utilizing the
exposed display screen of the device 112. Also, the exposed first
surface 112a promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in
case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first
surface 112a, as the exposed first surface 112a allows smoother and
unobstructed finger swipe motions.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
device 112 may include an in-built camera with a camera lens
configured on a second surface opposite to the first surface 112a.
The aperture 102a may be configured to coincide with the camera
lens on receiving the device 112 within the device cover 100,
thereby exposing the camera lens for providing an unobstructed view
to a viewfinder function of the in-built camera function. The user
of the device 112 may utilize the in-built camera by positioning
the camera lens exposed through the aperture 102a to point towards
a subject to be captured by the user and depressing a capture key
configured on the exposed first surface 112a of the device.
[0046] The aperture 110 configured on the side wall 104a provides
an opening in the device cover 100 which may be utilized for
connecting the device 112 received in the device cover 110 to one
or more accessories, such as the Bluetooth headset, earphones,
universal serial bus (USB) cables, memory cards, data communication
interfaces, power inlet/outlet interfaces and the like. As
explained in conjunction with FIG. 1A, one or more apertures such
as the apertures 110 may be provided on each side wall of the pair
of opposite side walls for enabling access to the device 112 and
use various functionalities of the device 112.
[0047] Upon completing a utilization of the device 112, the device
cover 110 with the device 112 received therein may be placed on an
external surface by upturning the device cover 100, such that the
first surface 112a of the device 112 faces the external surface. An
upturned position of the device cover 100 with the device 112
received therein is depicted in FIG. 3.
[0048] FIG. 3 depicts an upturned position of the device cover 100
with the device 112 received therein, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. It will be evident to a person
skilled in the art that the device cover 100 may be designed to
snugly receive the device 112 therein and the device 112 may not be
released in the upturned position. In the upturned position, the
device cover 100 may contact an external surface 114. More
specifically, the plurality of protruding members of the device
cover 100 may contact the external surface 114. Examples of the
external surface may include a table top, a ground plane, flooring
and the like. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art
that examples of the external surface 114 are provided for
exemplary purposes only and that the external surface 114 may be
any surface which may be relatively harsh to the first surface 112a
with regard to hardness or a temperature of the external surface
114.
[0049] The plurality of protruding members is configured to raise
the first surface 112a from the external surface 114 on contacting
the external surface for precluding a direct contact between the
first surface 112a and the external surface 114. In an embodiment
of the present invention, the plurality of protruding members is
capable of raising the first surface 112a by about one millimeter
(mm) from the external surface 114 for precluding a direct contact
between the first surface 112a and the external surface 114. It
will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that raising the
first surface 112a by one mm from the external surface 114 is
provided for exemplary purposes only and may not be considered
limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
first surface 112a may be raised from the external surface 114 by a
variety of elevation ranges.
[0050] Thus, the device cover 100 is capable of protecting the
device 112 and especially the first surface 112a of the device.
Moreover, a user may place the device cover 100 with the device 112
received therein in the upturned position, as depicted in FIG. 3,
for ensuring that the first surface 112a may not be visible to
people in vicinity of the user. The user may perform such an
action, in order to maintain a privacy of a content being displayed
on the first surface 112a of the device 112. Thus, the device cover
100 may also enable a user to maintain privacy while utilizing the
device 112.
[0051] As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, the plurality of
protruding members may be positioned at a variety of positions on
the pair of opposite side walls. Exemplary configurations of the
plurality of protruding members on the pair of opposite side walls
are depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0052] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of exemplary
configurations of the plurality of protruding members on the pair
of opposite side walls of the device cover 100, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, two protruding
members are depicted to be configured on each side wall of the pair
of opposite side walls of the device cover 100 with each protruding
member configured at each end portion of the each side wall of the
pair of opposite side walls. Accordingly, the protruding member
106a and the protruding member 106b are configured at each end
portion of the side wall 104a, and, the protruding member 106c and
the protruding member 106d are configured at each end portion of
the side wall 104b.
[0053] In FIG. 4B, one protruding member is depicted to be
configured on a middle portion of each side wall of the pair of
opposite side walls of the device cover 100. Accordingly, the
protruding member 106a is depicted to be configured on a middle
portion of the side wall 104a, and, the protruding member 106c is
depicted to be configured on a middle portion of the side wall
104b.
[0054] In an alternate embodiment, the protruding member 106a and
106b may be present on the side wall 104a and the protruding member
106c may be present on the middle portion of the side wall 104a.
Similarly, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art to
prepare other combinations of placing the protruding members on the
side walls of the device cover.
[0055] Further, a size of protruding members of the plurality of
protruding members may vary and it will be obvious to a person
skilled in the art that different configurations of sizes of the
plurality of protruding members may be designed for stably
supporting the device cover 100 in the upturned position depicted
in FIG. 3 and, further, for sufficiently raising the first surface
112a of the device 112 in the upturned position.
[0056] Further, various configurations of side walls and the
plurality of protruding members may be designed for configuring a
device cover, such as the device cover 100. Further, a shape of
each protruding member of the plurality of protruding members may
also vary for configuring the device cover. An exemplary
configuration of a device cover, such as the device cover 100 is
depicted in FIG. 5.
[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
configuration of the device cover 100 for covering a device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5
depicts a device cover 200 which includes a substantially planar
surface 502, such as the planar surface 102, a first pair of
opposite side walls 504a and 504b, such as the pair of opposite
side walls of FIG. 1A, a second pair of opposite side walls 504c
and 504d, and a plurality of protruding members 506a and 506b
configured on the second pair of opposite side walls 504c and 504d.
The first pair of opposite side walls 504a and 504b will
hereinafter be collectively referred to as first pair of opposite
side walls. The second pair of opposite side walls 504c and 504d
will hereinafter be collectively referred to as second pair of
opposite side walls. The protruding members 506a and 506b will be
hereinafter collectively referred to as plurality of protruding
members in FIG. 5. It will be evident to a person skilled in the
art that the device cover 200 may be assembled in a same manner as
the device cover 100 is depicted to be assembled in FIG. 1B from
individual parts depicted in FIG. 1A.
[0058] The planar surface 502, the first pair of opposite side
walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are capable of
receiving, at least partially, a device, such as the device 112.
Further, the device may be snugly received within the planar
surface 502, the first pair of opposite side walls and the second
pair of opposite side walls, such that, the device may not be
released on upturning the device cover 200 to assume an upturned
position, such as the upturned position of the device cover 100 as
depicted in FIG. 3. In the upturned position, the device cover 200
may contact an external surface, such as the external surface 114
explained in conjunction with FIG. 3, i.e. in the upturned
position, the plurality of protruding members of the device cover
200 may contact the external surface.
[0059] In FIG. 5, the protruding member 506a is depicted to be
configured on a middle portion of side wall 504c of the second pair
of opposite side walls. Further, the protruding member 506b is
depicted to be configured on a middle portion of side wall 504d of
the second pair of opposite side walls.
[0060] In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4B, the plurality of protruding
members are depicted to extend perpendicularly outward from the
planar surface 102. Further, the plurality of protruding members is
depicted to include a curved edge portion for contacting the
external surface. However, such a shape of the plurality of
protruding members may not be considered to be limiting. Various
shapes of the plurality of protruding members may be envisioned for
supporting device covers, such as the device cover 100 and the
device cover 200, in the upturned position. One such exemplary
shape is depicted in FIG. 5.
[0061] In FIG. 5, a shape of the protruding members 506a and 506b
is depicted to include a flat peripheral edge running parallel to
respective parallel edges of the side walls 504c and 504d. The
device cover 200 may rest on the flat peripheral edges of the
protruding members 506a and 506b for supporting the device cover
200 in the upturned position, thereby protecting a first surface,
such as the first surface 112a, of the device and further ensuring
that a privacy of the user is maintained.
[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates a device cover 600, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. The device cover 600
may be utilized for covering a device, such as the device 112
explained in conjunction with the FIG. 1. The device may include a
first surface, such as the first surface 112a of the device 112 of
FIG. 1, and a second surface opposite to the first surface.
[0063] The device cover 600 includes a first pair of opposite side
walls 602a and 602b,a second pair of opposite side walls 602c and
602d, and a plurality of protruding members, such as a protruding
member 604a, a protruding member 604b, a protruding member 604c and
the protruding member 604d. Each of the second pair of opposite
side walls 602c and 602d, connects end portions of first pair of
opposite side walls 602a and 602b. More specifically, side wall
602c of the second pair of opposite side walls connects a first end
portion of the side wall 602a and side wall 602b, and, similarly,
side wall 602d connects a second end portion opposite to the first
end portion of the side wall 602a and the side wall 602b.
[0064] Further, plurality of protruding members is depicted to be
configured on each of the first pair of opposite side walls. More
specifically, two protruding members are depicted to be configured
on each of the first pair of opposite side walls 602a and 602b.
Accordingly, a protruding member 604a and a protruding member 604b
are configured on the side wall 602a, and, a protruding member 604c
and a protruding member 604d are configured on the side wall 602b.
The protruding members 604a, 604b, 604c and 604d will hereinafter
be collectively referred to as the plurality of protruding members.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least two, i.e. two
or more protruding members of the plurality of protruding members
are configured on each side wall of at least one of the first pair
of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one
protruding member of the plurality of protruding members is
configured at each end portion of side walls of at least one of the
first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite
side walls.
[0065] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that
though the plurality of protruding members are depicted to be
configured on the first pair of opposite side walls, the plurality
of protruding members may be also configured on the second pair of
opposite side walls. It will be understood by a person skilled in
the art that the plurality of protruding members depicted in FIG. 6
are similar in all respects to the plurality of protruding members
described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to FIG. 5 and a manner of
affixing, shapes and sizes of the plurality of protruding members
are not described in FIG. 6 for sake of brevity of description.
[0066] The first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of
opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, receive
the device. A body portion or a shell portion of the device may be
protected on account of receiving the device therein. Further, the
first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite
side walls are configured to, at least partially, expose at least
one of the first surface and the second surface of the device on
receiving the device. The exposed first surface may enable the user
of the device to utilize the device without retrieving the device
from the device cover 600. Also, the exposed first surface promotes
an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a
touch screen user interface on the first surface, as the exposed
first surface allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe
motions.
[0067] Upon utilization of the device, the user may place the
device cover 600 on the external surface, i.e. make a direct
contact of the plurality of protruding members with the external
surface. The user may place the device cover 600 in a manner that
the device received therein may have the first surface facing the
external surface thereby precluding a public view of the first
surface.
[0068] Further, in FIG. 6, the plurality of protruding members is
depicted to be substantially perpendicular to the first pair of
opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls for
supporting the device cover 600 in the upturned position and
raising the first surface of the device received within the device
cover 600 from the external surface.
[0069] The device cover 600 represents an exemplary configuration
of the device cover 100 explained in conjunction with FIG. 1. The
device cover 600 precludes the planar surface 102 and thereby is
capable of exposing both surfaces, i.e. the first surface and the
second surface of the device 112. This may especially be beneficial
for devices, such as a hand-held camera device, which may include
user controls configured on both surfaces.
[0070] In embodiment, the protruding members (not shown in FIG. 6),
similar to protruding members 602a, 602b, 602c and 602d, are
present on the opposite side of the side walls 604a, 604b, 604c and
604d. These protruding members will protect the second surface of
the device 112 from touching the external surface. All the
embodiments discussed in FIG. 1-5 are also applicable to these
protruding members.
[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates a device cover 700, in accordance with
yet another embodiment of the present invention. The device cover
700 may be utilized for covering a device, such as the device 112
explained in conjunction with the FIG. 1A. The device cover 700
includes planar surface 102, pair of opposite side walls 104a and
104b, and plurality of protruding members 106a, 106b, 106c and
106d. The pair of opposite side walls 104a and 104b will
hereinafter be collectively referred to as the pair of opposite
side walls 104. The plurality of protruding members 106a, 106b,
106c and 106d will hereinafter be collectively referred to as
plurality of protruding members 106.
[0072] The protruding members 106a and 106b are depicted to be
configured on a middle portion and an end portion of side wall 104a
respectively, and, protruding members 106c and 106d are depicted to
be configured on a middle portion and end portion of side wall 104b
respectively.
[0073] As explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4B, the device
cover 700 may be placed in upturned position on an external surface
on completing a utilization of the device received within the
device cover 700. The plurality of protruding members 106 may be
capable of raising a first surface of the device from the external
surface for precluding a contact of the first surface with the
external surface, thereby protecting the first surface.
[0074] The present invention provides various embodiments of a
device cover, such as the device cover 100, the device cover 200,
the device cover 600 and the device cover 700. The device cover
covers devices, such as mobile communication devices, media
players, computing devices and the like. A body portion or a shell
portion of the device may also be protected from bumps, hits, falls
and the like on account of receiving the device therein. Moreover,
the body portion or the shell portion of the device may also be
protected from wear and tear on account on increased usage of the
device.
[0075] The device cover is configured to expose at least a first
surface of the device received therein for enabling the user to
utilize the device in a hassle-free manner and without performing
the cumbersome activity of retrieving the device from a protective
covering. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user
experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user
interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows
smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions. Further, the device
cover enables the user to place the device on an external surface
while protecting the device from the external surface. Accordingly,
the device cover may be placed in an upturned position to rest on
the plurality of protruding members which provides the necessary
elevation of the device from the external surface, thereby
protecting the device. Further, placing the device cover on the
plurality of protruding members enables a user to preclude a public
view of the first surface (such as a display screen) of the device,
thereby enabling the user to maintain the privacy of the content
displayed on the first surface of the device.
[0076] While the principles of the disclosure have been illustrated
in relation to the exemplary embodiments shown herein, the
principles of the disclosure are not limited thereto and include
any modification, variation or permutation thereof.
[0077] While a preferred embodiment of the device cover has been
described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and
variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true
spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above
description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0078] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *