U.S. patent application number 13/484549 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for tri-fold case for a tablet computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to MARWARE, INC.. Invention is credited to CHANSEOL CHUNG.
Application Number | 20120305413 13/484549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47260826 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120305413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHUNG; CHANSEOL |
December 6, 2012 |
TRI-FOLD CASE FOR A TABLET COMPUTER
Abstract
A tri-fold case for a tablet computer includes front and rear
covers, a spine and hinges for rotating the covers and converting
the case between storage and standing positions. The front cover
has corner folding lines dividing the front cover into a center
portion and corners. The rear cover has cutout flaps and flap
folding lines for bending the flaps away from the rear cover. The
front and rear covers have outer surfaces facing away from each
other and inner surfaces facing toward each other for receiving the
tablet computer in the storage position. The outer surfaces of the
covers face each other, the corners are bent along the corner
folding lines and the flaps are bent along the flap folding lines
and attached to the outer surface of the front cover, for
supporting the tablet computer at the outer surface of the rear
cover in the standing position.
Inventors: |
CHUNG; CHANSEOL; (HOLLYWOOD,
FL) |
Assignee: |
MARWARE, INC.
HOLLYWOOD
FL
|
Family ID: |
47260826 |
Appl. No.: |
13/484549 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61491684 |
May 31, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/45.23 ;
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
G06F 2200/1633 20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/45.23 ;
206/320 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00; B65D 5/52 20060101
B65D005/52 |
Claims
1. A tri-fold case for a tablet computer, the case comprising: a
front cover, a rear cover, a spine and hinges respectively
connecting said covers to said spine for rotating said covers about
said hinges and converting the case from a storage position to a
standing position; said front cover having corner folding lines
dividing said front cover into a center portion and corners; said
rear cover having flaps cut out of said rear cover except for
respective flap folding lines for bending said flaps away from said
rear cover; said front and rear covers having outer surfaces facing
away from each other and inner surfaces facing toward each other
for receiving the tablet computer in said storage position; and
said outer surfaces of said front and rear covers facing toward
each other, said corners being bent along said corner folding lines
and said flaps being bent along said flap folding lines and
attached to said outer surface of said front cover, for supporting
the tablet computer at said outer surface of said rear cover in
said standing position.
2. The case according to claim 1, which further comprises hook and
loop fasteners on said flaps and said outer surface of said front
cover.
3. The case according to claim 1, wherein said standing position
includes: a first standing position in which an outer edge of said
rear cover and an outer edge of said center portion of said front
cover are configured to be supported on a horizontal surface; and a
second standing position in which said outer surface of said front
cover at said center portion is configured to be supported on the
horizontal surface.
4. The case according to claim 3, wherein said outer surface of
said rear cover supports the tablet computer in a more vertical
orientation in said first standing position than in said second
standing position.
5. The case according to claim 4, wherein said outer surface of
said rear cover supports the tablet computer at an inclination of
approximately 30.degree. from the vertical in said first standing
position and approximately 45.degree. from the vertical in said
second standing position.
6. The case according to claim 1, wherein said hinges are living
hinges.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e), of provisional application No. 61/491,684 filed May
31, 2011; the prior application is herewith incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a tri-fold case for a tablet
computer. Tablet computers, such as the iPad from Apple, are
devices which are between a laptop computer and a smart phone, both
in terms of size and capabilities.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Tablet computers are too large to be held comfortably in the
hand like a smart phone and do not have a horizontally-oriented
keyboard which can rest on a surface while supporting a
vertically-aligned screen like a laptop computer. Such devices
therefore require accessories to enable them to be protected from
damage and held in positions which are ergonomically correct, so as
to increase productivity while limiting fatigue and discomfort
experienced by the user of the device. However, the prior art does
not provide both a case supplying adequate protection and a stand
supplying ergonomically correct positioning for the device in one
unit.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
tri-fold case for a tablet computer, which overcomes the
hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices
of this general type and which both protects the tablet computer
when not in use and allows it to be used comfortably, especially
its touch screen, while freeing both hands.
[0007] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a tri-fold case for a
tablet computer. The case comprises a front cover, a rear cover, a
spine and hinges, especially living hinges, respectively connecting
the covers to the spine for rotating the covers about the hinges
and converting the case from a storage position to a standing
position. The front cover has corner folding lines dividing the
front cover into a center portion and corners. The rear cover has
flaps cut out of the rear cover except for respective flap folding
lines for bending the flaps away from the rear cover. The front and
rear covers have outer surfaces facing away from each other and
inner surfaces facing toward each other for receiving the tablet
computer in the storage position. The outer surfaces of the front
and rear covers face toward each other, the corners are bent along
the corner folding lines and the flaps are bent along the flap
folding lines and attached to the outer surface of the front cover,
for supporting the tablet computer at the outer surface of the rear
cover in the standing position. Thus, two major tasks of a tablet
computer accessory have been accomplished by the invention, namely
protecting the tablet computer when not in use and providing an
ergonomic stand for using the tablet computer.
[0008] In accordance with another feature of the invention, hook
and loop fasteners are provided on the flaps and the outer surface
of the front cover. Such fasteners, commonly known as VELCRO.RTM.,
provide a strong connection and yet are easily detached.
[0009] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the
standing position includes first and second standing positions. In
the first standing position, an outer edge of the rear cover and an
outer edge of the center portion of the front cover are configured
to be supported on a horizontal surface. In the second standing
position, the outer surface of the front cover at the center
portion is configured to be supported on the horizontal surface.
The case is thus able to rest in two different positions.
[0010] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention,
the outer surface of the rear cover supports the tablet computer in
a more vertical orientation in the first standing position than in
the second standing position. More particularly, the outer surface
of the rear cover supports the tablet computer at an inclination of
approximately 30.degree. from the vertical in the first standing
position and approximately 45.degree. from the vertical in the
second standing position. The user of the case may therefore choose
between two different viewing and operating angles for the tablet
computer.
[0011] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0012] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a tri-fold case for a tablet computer, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the
scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0013] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of the
specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front-perspective view of a
tri-fold case for a tablet computer according to the invention in
an unfolded position;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear-perspective view of the tri-fold case in
the unfolded position;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tri-fold case in a first
standing position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tri-fold case in a
second standing position; and
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 are respective front-elevational and
rear-elevational views of templates for producing the case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is seen a
tri-fold case 1 for a tablet computer. The case 1 is in an unfolded
or closed position for storage or transport in FIGS. 1 and 2 and
therefore it is not possible to see a tablet computer 20 which is
disposed therein, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The case 1 is in the
shape of a book having a front cover 3 with corners 4, 5, a rear
cover 6, a spine or spline 8 and live or living hinges 9, 10
interconnecting the spine and the covers. The front cover 3 has
corner folding lines 12, 13 for the corners 4, 5. The rear cover 6
has flaps 14 which are cut out of the rear cover along a U-shaped
edge 15, as well as flap folding lines 16 for the flaps.
[0020] The front cover 3 has an outer surface 3', an inner surface
3'' and a center portion 7. The rear cover 6 has an outer surface
6' and a non-illustrated inner surface facing the tablet computer
20. The inner surface 3'' is covered with "soft" hook or loop
material, such as VELCRO.RTM. and a non-illustrated surface of the
flaps 14 facing away from the plane of the paper in FIGS. 1 and 2
is covered with "hard" hook or loop material, such as
VELCRO.RTM..
[0021] The steps used to convert the case 1 from the unfolded or
closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to standing positions shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4 for supporting the tablet computer 20, will now be
described. Firstly, the corners 4, 5 are folded upward above the
plane of the paper along the folding lines 12, 13 through
approximately 90.degree.. Secondly, the covers 3, 6 are folded
along the living hinges 9, 10 through approximately 330.degree. so
that the surfaces 3' and 6' face each other. Thirdly, the flaps 14
are folded along the folding lines 16. Fourthly, the hook and loop
materials on the surface of the flaps 14 and on the surface 3'' are
placed in contact with one another so as to hold the corners 4, 5
in place as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The angle of folding along the
living hinges may be varied somewhat before attaching the hook and
loop fasteners. It is also noted that the first, second and third
steps may be carried out in any convenient order so that, for
example, the flaps may be bent first, the living hinges second and
the corners third.
[0022] The case 1 may now be used in one of two standing positions
seen by comparing FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, an outer edge of the
cover 6 and an outer edge of the center portion 7 of the cover 3
may rest upon a horizontal surface in a first standing position so
that the tablet computer 20 has a more vertical orientation which
is inclined approximately 30.degree. from the vertical. In FIG. 4,
the center portion 7 of the inner surface 3'' and the edge of the
cover 6 rest upon the horizontal surface in a second standing
position so that the tablet computer 20 has a less vertical
orientation which is inclined approximately 45.degree. from the
vertical.
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 are highly diagrammatic, respective
front-elevational and rear-elevational views of a template for
producing the case, in which the various folding lines can be
seen.
* * * * *