U.S. patent application number 13/556712 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for tablet computer case for multiple viewing orientations.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPECULATIVE PRODUCT DESIGN, LLC. Invention is credited to David John Law, Ryan Hill Mongan.
Application Number | 20120285859 13/556712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44559305 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Law; David John ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
TABLET COMPUTER CASE FOR MULTIPLE VIEWING ORIENTATIONS
Abstract
A case or cover for an electronic device such as a tablet
computer is disclosed. This case allows the user to protect and
personalize their tablet computer. The case allows the user to
position the device for viewing in either portrait or landscape
mode and does not require the user to hold the device in the
desired orientation. The case may have a distinct hinge, with a
stop that limits its rotational travel allowing the user to prop
the electronic device up, at a desired viewing angle
Inventors: |
Law; David John; (Seattle,
WA) ; Mongan; Ryan Hill; (Orange, CA) |
Assignee: |
SPECULATIVE PRODUCT DESIGN,
LLC
Palo Alto
CA
|
Family ID: |
44559305 |
Appl. No.: |
13/556712 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12973007 |
Dec 20, 2010 |
8230992 |
|
|
13556712 |
|
|
|
|
61340143 |
Mar 15, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2200/1634 20130101;
Y10S 248/918 20130101; E05Y 2900/606 20130101; G06F 1/1626
20130101; Y10T 16/547 20150115; Y10T 16/5403 20150115; E05D 3/10
20130101; G06F 2200/1633 20130101; G06F 1/1632 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/736 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/50 20060101
B65D005/50 |
Claims
1. A case for a tablet-computing device, said case comprising: a
friction hinge; a cover residing substantially adjacent and
co-planar with a back of the tablet-computing device; wherein the
cover comprises one or more railings, slots, indentations, notches,
pivoting pieces, or tracks; and one or more pins, protrusions,
screws, knobs, sticks, bars, or extensions; and wherein the one or
more pins, protrusions, screws, knobs, sticks, bars, or extensions
are engaged and mechanically held within the one or more railings,
slots, indentations, notches, pivoting pieces, or tracks.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a four-bar
mechanism or device.
3. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a pin.
4. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a plurality of
pins.
5. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a spring.
6. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises an elastic band.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S.
Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 12/973,007 filed 20 Dec. 2010,
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/340,143 filed 15 Mar. 2010; each of which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tablet computers have been on the market for quite some time
but are making resurgence with models such as the Amazon Kindle,
Apple iPad, and Barnes and Noble Nook. One embodiment of this
invention describes a case (otherwise known as a sleeve, holder,
portfolio, jacket, or shell) for an electronic device such as a
tablet computer.
[0003] This case allows the user to protect and personalize their
tablet computer. This case has the unique property of allowing the
user to position the device for viewing in either portrait or
landscape mode. This is an increasing useful function as media
(such as videos) are engaging the users for longer periods of time.
This case does not require the user to hold the device in the
desired orientation.
[0004] Cases for tablet computers have been available for some
time. They are most commonly used to protect the device and allow
the user some amount of personalization. Typically, these cases
have been fabricated from a soft flexible material, such as
leather, synthetic leather, or a polymer-based fabric (e.g. nylon,
polyester, or polymer-coated cotton). The functional advantage of
the flexible materials is that they can accommodate a hinge without
a separate part. The material itself flexes accomplishing the
opening and closing action. This allows the user to take the front
cover of the case and fold it around the device so that it is
adjacent to the back of the device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention uses a distinct hinge (FIG. 1D, item 107).
This hinge can have a stop that limits its rotational travel
allowing the user to prop the tablet computer up, at a viewing
angle. Alternatively, this hinge can be similar to those used in
conventional laptop computers where the display is attached to the
base of the laptop. These hinges are known as friction hinges and
hold their rotational position until excessive force is used to
overcome them.
[0006] In another alternative, this friction hinge can have an
angular zone of travel where little or no friction is encountered.
The friction engages after opening the cover (FIG. 1D, item 105)
roughly 280 degrees (106). Then there is roughly 80 degrees of
positioning where the tablet computer's position will be held by
the hinge. Other variations of the case, jacket, or holder are also
discussed here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIGS. 1 A-D show one set up for holding the device or gadget
(laptop, computer, or computing/communication device), for portrait
and landscape positions.
[0008] FIGS. 2 A-B show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with issues hitting the hinge, if it is done with straight
rotation.
[0009] FIGS. 3 A-C show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with issues around hinge geometry.
[0010] FIGS. 4 A-F show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with slots to allow non-diametric rotation, and 4-bar with
tracks.
[0011] FIGS. 5 A-E show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with rotation using 4-bar linkage (displaying landscape and
vertical orientations).
[0012] FIGS. 6 A-H show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with different positions in space, relative to each
other.
[0013] FIGS. 7 A-B show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, with hinges around short axis.
[0014] FIGS. 8 A-G show another set up for holding the device or
gadget, at different orientations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The unique nature of this invention is that it allows the
user to view the screen of the tablet computer in either the
portrait or landscape mode without holding the device (FIG. 1A-C).
The assembly is comprised of the tablet computer (FIG. 1D item
101), a holder (FIG. 1D item 113), a back case (FIG. 1D item 103),
a hinge (FIG. 1D item 107), and a cover (FIG. 1D item 105), as one
embodiment. The holder and the back case move with respect to one
another. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a simple rotational
movement, as an example.
[0016] While it is unique, one issue with the simple rotation is
that the corner of the tablet computer sweeps out an angle that may
interfere with the hinge or with the table top on which the tablet
computer is sitting (FIG. 2A item 217 and FIG. 3A item 330). A
solution which may partially solve this user objection is shown in
FIG. 3C. Shown in this side view, the hinge geometry is constructed
such that the bulk of the hinge lies below the plane in which the
tablet computer rotates.
[0017] Another class of solutions which solve the simple rotation
issue described above is one which employs a different type of
holder motion. FIG. 4 shows an assembly which allows for
non-diametric rotation (or rotation coupled with translation).
Slots or tracks can exist in the back case (with travel protrusions
(or extensions/pins/rails/cavity/channel/path) in the holder).
These tracks define the motion of the tablet computer during
viewing orientation changes.
[0018] When the tablet computer in FIG. 4A has been successfully
rotated to the portrait mode (417), it will look identical to the
configuration in FIG. 1C with the added optional benefit that the
tablet computer can be centered on the case. This is an improvement
both in visual cosmetics and in stability. When centered in
portrait mode, the unit is less likely to tip over. This is also
possible using non-diametric rotation. Two embodiments are
discussed below:
[0019] a) The first solution is similar to FIG. 4, in that it uses
protrusions in the holder riding within tracks in the back case. In
this embodiment, the tracks are not linear (FIG. 8). The tracks
have a geometry which allows the tablet computer to be centered
after rotation. There are protrusions on the holder. These
protrusions are shown in FIG. 8, on the back of item 813. The
dashed lines in FIGS. 8B-G represent the tracks in the back case,
in which these protrusions run. This allows for a very simple
mechanism with a desirable movement.
[0020] b) The second solution accomplishes the same movement using
a four-bar linkage, which is well-known in the art (FIG. 5). This
mechanism has more moving parts than solution (a) above, but it is
also not prone to binding. The materials in solution (a) above need
to be dimensionally stable to ensure the rotation occurring
smoothly over many cycles. Since it only has rotational movement,
the four-bar linkage does not have the same wear issues as
protrusions running in slots and can act repeatedly over many
cycles.
[0021] FIGS. 6A-H further describe this second solution utilizing a
four-bar linkage. In this solution there are two simple pivoting
links between the holder and the back case (FIG. 6B, item 642). One
end of each link is attached to the holder, and the other end is
attached to the back case. A functional embodiment of this solution
is shown in FIG. 6. The dashed lines represent the linkages. There
is the attachment point of one end of each link in the holder, plus
the attachment point of the opposite end of each link in the back
case. All four pivots are free to rotate. It is likely the rotation
angle will be limited to keep the rotation of the tablet computer
to 90 degrees. In the embodiment shown, the links are in the same
plane, and thus, allow for a thin assembly. It would also be
possible to have the links be in parallel planes to enable the use
of longer links. The preceding description was predicated on
solutions for rectangular tablet computers. Of course, square form
factor tablet computer could also be accommodated, as a special
case of a rectangle. In addition, the preceding description assumed
that the hinge on the case would occur on the longer of the two
sides. Instead, the hinge could exist on the shorter of the sides
(FIG. 7), and all the above solutions would still be valid, as
another embodiment.
[0022] The case may have one or more layers. One can use glue,
screw, pin, small bar, or spring, to attach the layers
together.
[0023] The material used for case can be selected from the
following list (or their combinations): plastic, elastic material,
rubber, any artificial material, rigid, soft, flexible, wood,
glass, mirror, smooth, rough, coarse material or surface, metal,
alloy, nylon, cotton, wool, fabric, natural material, transparent,
translucent, opaque material, and uniform or non-uniform
surface.
[0024] A spring or elastic band can be used to hold or adjust the
position of the device or cover or stand or jacket or casing.
Alternatively, it can be used to bring the object to the original
position, based on the user's preference.
[0025] FIGS. 1A-D show the position of the tablet computer or
device with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with
the following features: 101: Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, or
cell phone), 103: back case, 105: cover, 107: hinge, 109, 110, 111,
112: holder tabs or extensions for holding the mobile device at its
sides and/or corners, 120: Rotation of the holder, 125, 126:
notches, groves, or bumps on holder and/or back case, to snap and
click the holder to the back case, in portrait and/or landscape
orientations, as the holder rotates, 113: holder with tabs or
extensions.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 203: back case, 205: cover, 207: hinge, 209,
210, 211, 212: holder tabs or extensions for holding the mobile
device at its sides and/or corners, 213: Holder, 215: Rotation
coupling between holder and back case, 217: Holder hitting the
hinge, if it is a straight rotation, 220: Rotation of the holder,
201: Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, or cell phone).
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 303: back case, 305: cover, 307: hinge, 313:
Holder, 330: Rotation of back case and cover on hinge, e.g., for
about the first 280 degrees, with less friction (loose) or not
self-positionable or non-locking, 301: Mobile device (e.g., PDA,
tablet, or cell phone), 340: Positionable range (e.g., 80 degrees),
304: back case, 306: cover, 308: hinge (different geometry, with
respect to the cover and back case), 314: Holder.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 403: back case, 407: hinge, 413: Holder, or
also a fitted Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell phone), 415
and 417: extend of the holder positions, when transitioning the
orientation of the holder with respect to the back case, 420, 421:
a plurality of tracks, slots, or guides on the back case for
guiding the movement of the holder, when transitioning between
different orientations (e.g., 415 and 417).
[0029] Corresponding pins, stubs, or wheels attached to the holder
(413) connect and run along or inside tracks, slots, or guides. In
one embodiment, two such pins, stubs, or wheels are used on the
holder to constraint the path of the holder when transitioning
between the orientations. In one embodiment, the pins, stubs, or
wheels guided through tracks, slots, or guides keep the holder from
separating from the back case (403) in normal operation.
[0030] In one embodiment, a track, slot, or guide may be straight
(e.g., 420). In one embodiment, a track, slot, or guide (e.g., 421)
may have portions of straight and/or curved sections. In one
embodiment, a change from curved to straight portions (e.g., at
422) of a track, slot, or guide (e.g., 421) accommodates the smooth
movement of the holder (413) and reduces jamming or locking. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the portion of track, slot, or guide
(421) below change location (422), has substantially a curved
(e.g., circular) form, to let the holder rotate clockwise when
moving from position 415, as shown by dotted line centered about
the bottom right corner of 415.
[0031] In one embodiment, the changed location may be geometrically
determined by tracing the movement of the holder and identifying
potential jamming position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the
change location (422) is the closest point on 421 to the bottom
right corner of 415, i.e., line 423 is locally perpendicular to
421, with the length about equal to bottom side of 415.
[0032] In an embodiment, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4B, plurality
of tracks, slots, or guides (e.g., 430 and 431) compromise
substantially of straight portions. In one embodiment, a track,
slot, or guide (e.g., 430) has a bent or locking position at the
end (e.g., 433) to provide more stability to the holder (417), when
reaching the corresponding orientation (e.g., 417). For example, in
such a position, minor jolts to the holder will not tend to
dislodge the holder from its location. In one embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 4B, the combination of gravity and a track,
slot, or guide (e.g., 431) direction (e.g., vertical direction)
provides such stability (for example) at orientation 415, i.e.,
minor jolts to the holder, that dislodges the holder from 415
position, would return the holder back to 415 position by
gravity.
[0033] In one embodiment, the angle of a portion of track, slot, or
guide (e.g., 432) provides for smooth movement of the holder when
transitioning between its orientations. For example, when the
holder (413) is at 432, during its transition from 415 to 417, the
angle between 432 and the bottom side of 413 is less than 90
degrees, to avoid backtracking of holder on 430, i.e., as holder is
passing 432, its lower right corner continues moving from right to
left.
[0034] In an embodiment, e.g., as shown for example in FIGS. 4C-D,
a single track, slot, or guide is used to guide the movement of the
holder (403), while transitioning between its orientation (e.g.,
415 and 417). In one embodiment, the shape of track(s), slot(s), or
guide(s) is/are determined by tracing the location of pins, stubs,
or wheels attached to the holder (413). As illustrated in FIG. 4C,
in an embodiment, a track has end portions (440 and 441) that are
substantially straight and a curved portion (442) between the
straight portions that allow for smooth transition of holder
between its orientations.
[0035] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, the
transitioning portions comprises of one or more linear sub-portions
(452). In an embodiment, as illustrated in both FIG. 4C-D, the
straight portions are fitted to the location of pins, stubs, or
wheels on the holder, to provide stability at various holder
orientations (415, 417), such that jolts to the holder in those
orientations will not dislodge the holder, or will return the
holder to the original orientation position.
[0036] In one embodiment, one or more spring loaded, a flexible
locking mechanism(s), or a friction-based locking mechanism hold(s)
the holder, or one or more pin(s), stub(s), or wheel(s) on the
holder, at its/their location(s), when the holder has reached the
desired orientations.
[0037] In an embodiment, e.g., as shown for example in FIGS. 4E-F,
a plurality of tracks, slots, or guides are used to smoothly guide
the movement of the holder (403) between its orientations (415 and
417).
[0038] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4E, a center point
of the holder (or a mobile device) is smoothly traced (for example,
from 465 to 466) between the orientations. The traces of the pins,
stubs, or wheels attached to the holder provide the location of and
path for tracks, slots, or guides (e.g., 460 and 461). In one
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4F, one or more tracks, slots,
or wheels are extended (e.g., 462 and 463), to provide more
stability to the holder, while it is in the desired orientations.
In such an embodiment, the intermediate orientation and position of
the holder (e.g., 416 and 418) are used to trace the tracks, slots,
or guides (e.g., 462 and 461). Then, the holder is moved to or
dislodged from its location at desired orientation (e.g., 417 or
415) from/to an intermediate location (418 or 416, respectively) by
a translation.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 503: back case, 505: cover, 507: hinge, 513:
Holder, or also a fitted Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell
phone). In one embodiment, the movement of the holder (513) against
the back case (503) is constraint via a linkage mechanism, such as
four-bar linkage (which provides one degree of freedom of planar
movement). In one embodiment, linkages are formed between the back
case (503) and the holder (513) via slider tracks and/or pivoting
pins (e.g., 520, 630, and 631) and bars (e.g., 542). In addition,
limiters on slider tracks or stoppers (on bars or pivot points)
help center the mobile device at the desired orientations (e.g.,
see FIGS. 5A-B).
[0040] FIGS. 5A-B show two orientations of the holder (513) with
respect to the back case (503), in an embodiment, and FIGS. 5C-E
demonstrate intermediate snap shots between these orientations.
These figures show the location of holder pins in various
orientations (e.g., 630 and 631 in landscape orientation and 638
and 639 in portrait orientation), in an embodiment. They also show
one of the back case pins (e.g., 520) and its corresponding bar
(540), in an embodiment. FIGS. 6A-H demonstrate the mechanism in
more details.
[0041] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A-E, short hinges
(e.g., 507) between the cover (505) and the back case (503) are
located at the ends of the pivoting line between the back case
(503) and cover (505). In such embodiments, the hinge does not
interfere with the movement of the holder or the mobile device,
during the transition between the desired orientations (see e.g.,
FIG. 5C). Such hinge arrangement may be employed in other
embodiments as well (e.g., those illustrated via FIGS. 1-8). FIG. 6
shows the position of the tablet computer or device with respect to
the case, from different viewpoints, with the following features:
603: back case, 605: cover, 607: hinge, 613: Holder, 601: Mobile
device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell phone), 620: a pivoting pin on back
case, 638: a pivoting pin on the holder] 642: a connecting bar
between pivoting pins 620 and 638.
[0042] In an embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B-H,
a holder (or a fitted mobile device) (613) is transitioned between
its orientations from location 612 to location 613. The movement is
constraint in one embodiment via a linkage, such as 4-bar linkage.
In one embodiment, two pivot points (620 and 621) (and/or sliders)
on the back case are connected to two pivot points (638 and 639,
respectively) (and/or slider bars) on the holder (613) via two bars
(642 and 643, respectively). When, the holder is transitioned (646)
from orientation 612 to orientation 613, the bars (642 and 643)
move from their initial locations at 640 and 641 (respectively), by
rotating (644 and 645, respectively) around the pivoting points 620
and 621 (respectively). The pivot points (638 and 639) on the
holder (at the end of the bars) traverse on arcs of circles, during
the rotation (e.g., from 630, 632, 634, 636, to 638, and from 631,
633, 635, 637, to 639, respectively).
[0043] In one embodiment, the distance between the pivot points 638
and 639 on the holder are fixed and the movement is constrained
accordingly, such that the line connecting these pivot points on
the holder during the transition maintains its length, i.e., lines
650, 652, 654, 656, and 658 have equal lengths. The location of the
pivot points and the pivot limitations in one embodiment are
selected so that lines 650 and 658 are perpendicular to each
other.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 701: Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell
phone), 703: back case, 705: cover, 707: hinge.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows the position of the tablet computer or device
with respect to the case, from different viewpoints, with the
following features: 801: Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell
phone), 803: back case, 805: cover, 807: hinge, 813: holder, 820
and 822: pin, stub, or wheel on the holder, 821: track, slot, or
guide on the back case, 801: Mobile device (e.g., PDA, tablet, cell
phone), 803: back case, 805: cover, 807: hinge, 813: holder, 821
and 823: tracks, slots, or guides on the back case.
[0046] In one embodiment, one or more tracks, slots, or guides
constraint the movement of the pins, stubs, or wheels, so that the
holder stops at the desired orientations (e.g., see FIGS. 8B and
8G).
[0047] In different embodiments, one can use one or more railings,
slots, indentations, notches, pivoting pieces, hinges, or tracks
with one or more pins, protrusions, screws, knobs, sticks, bars, or
extensions. One can have one or more degrees of freedom in 1, 2, or
3-dimensional space, for movements and rotation/translation, using
such tracks and pins. One can use 4 or 5-bar set up for controlling
and constraining the movements of one object (such as an electronic
gadget/device), with respect to another object/holder/jacket/case.
One can use one or more hinges in different shapes and positions.
One can use a continuous single hinge (or multiple smaller hinges,
but not continuous, to let the other objects occupy the space
between the hinges, for the sake of space, convenience, cost, and
efficiency). The theory behind use 4 or 5-bar set up for
controlling and constraining the movements of one object (commonly
known as "linkage") is described here (source: Wikipedia.org, or
any other mechanics/physics text book): The most common linkages
have one degree of freedom, meaning that there is one input motion
that produces one output motion. Kutzbach-Gruebler's equation is
used to calculate the degrees of freedom of linkages. The number of
degrees of freedom of a linkage is also called its mobility. A
simplified version of the Kutzbach-Gruebler's equation for planar
linkages is shown below:
m=3(n-1)-2f
[0048] where m, n, and f are defined as:
[0049] m=mobility=degrees of freedom
[0050] n=number of links (including a single ground link)
[0051] f=number of one-degree-of-freedom kinematic pairs (pin or
slider joints)
[0052] Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be
covered by this patent application.
* * * * *