U.S. patent application number 13/529858 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for tablet computer case with glare protection.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Dow. Invention is credited to John Dow.
Application Number | 20130341233 13/529858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49773513 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130341233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dow; John |
December 26, 2013 |
Tablet Computer Case with Glare Protection
Abstract
An improved protective case for portable electronic devices such
as a tablet computer is described. The protective case comprises of
a base, a cover that is pivotally connected to the base and is
equipped with a pair of side panels that can be folded flat against
the cover in a closed position and when extended in an open
position can shield excess light from getting into the tablet
computer that is housed within the case.
Inventors: |
Dow; John; (Rialto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dow; John |
Rialto |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49773513 |
Appl. No.: |
13/529858 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
G06F 1/1603 20130101; G06F 2200/1633 20130101; A45C 2011/003
20130101; A45C 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/521 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/02 20060101
B65D081/02 |
Claims
1. A tablet computer case comprising: a. a base having an interior
surface, an exterior surface, a left edge, a right edge, a front
edge, and a rear edge, b. a cover having an interior surface, an
exterior surface, a left edge, a right edge, a front edge, and a
rear edge, wherein said cover is pivotally connected to said base
at the rear edge thereof to facilitate a close and open position,
c. a pair of collapsible side panel comprises of a left side panel
and a right side panel that is pivotally connected to the cover at
the left edge and at the right edge thereof, d. means to secure a
tablet computer on the interior surface of said base, and e. a
handle for carrying the case disposed on the front edge of said
base and said cover. wherein said panel provide enhanced screen
visibility to the user of the tablet computer by providing glare
protection in addition to damage protection and privacy
protection.
2. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein a tablet computer
having a display screen on one side is placed on the interior
surface of said base with the display screen facing up.
3. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said cover and said
base can be secured in a close position by a closure mean including
but not limited to a zipper, a strap, a button, a magnet, a
Velcro.RTM. attachment or the like.
4. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel has a
triangular shape.
5. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel is removably
attached to said cover by a fastening mean including but not
limited to a hook and loop attachment, i.e. Velcro.RTM., a double
sided tape, a clip-on attachment, or the like.
6. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel can be
operated in a close and open position, wherein said panel is
foldable against the interior surface of the cover in a closed
position and is adapted to extend along the left and right edges of
said cover and said base when said panel is in an open position
7. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel when
extended in an open position has one edge that will rest against
the interior surface of the left and right edges of said base,
wherein when the tablet computer is placed inside the case under
normal operating condition with the display screen facing up, the
cover and the two side panels form three to sides of a dome
structure to shield light from entering and causing glare to the
tablet computer display screen.
8. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel is made of a
rigid, light proof, durable material such as polyethylene foam.
9. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel is made of a
non-rigid, light proof material such as fabric or cloth.
10. The case as specified in claim 9 wherein said panel is
supported by a wire structure.
11. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said means to secure a
tablet computer on the interior surface of the base comprises an
elastic straps, foam inserts, fasteners, snap locks, clamps, or the
like.
12. The case as specified in claim 1 wherein said panel can be
retrofitted to an existing tablet computer case.
13. A case to protect a tablet computer from damage with added
features for providing glare and privacy protection, said case
comprising: a. a base having an interior surface, an exterior
surface, a left edge, a right edge, a front edge, and a rear edge,
b. a cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a left
edge, a right edge, a front edge, and a rear edge, wherein said
cover is pivotally connected to said base at the rear edge thereof
to facilitate a close and open position, c. a pair of collapsible
side panel comprises of a left side panel and a right side panel
that is pivotally connected to the cover at the left edge and at
the right edge thereof, wherein said panel can be folded flat
against the interior surface of said cover in a closed position and
will extend along the left and right edges of said cover and said
base in an open position, d. means to secure a tablet computer on
the interior surface of said base, and e. a handle for carrying the
case disposed on the front edge of said base and said cover.
wherein said panel has a triangular shape with one side removably
attached to said cover and one side that will rest on the base of
said case in an open position, wherein the cover and the two side
panels form three sides of a dome structure to shield excess light
from the tablet computer display screen.
14. The case as specified in claim 13 wherein said panel is
removably attached to said cover by a fastening mean including but
not limited to a hook and loop attachment, i.e. Velcro.RTM., a
double sided tape, a clip-on attachment, or the like.
15. The case as specified in claim 13 wherein said panel is made of
a rigid, light proof, durable material such as polyethylene
foam.
16. The case as specified in claim 13 wherein said panel is made of
a non-rigid, light proof material such as fabric or cloth.
17. The case as specified in claim 16 wherein said panel is
supported by a wire structure.
18. The case as specified in claim 13 wherein said panel is
constructed to be able to provide support and prevent the cover
from collapsing when in use.
19. The case as specified in claim 13 wherein said panel can be
retrofitted to an existing tablet computer case
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a protective case
for portable electronic devices and more particularly to a
protective case for portable electronic devices, such as tablet
computers, that provides glare protection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recent developments in computer technology have created a
surge in popularity for portable electronic devices such as tablet
computers and notebook computers. These portable electronic devices
have become more powerful and more functional. They have attractive
design that are thin and light weight making it easier to transport
and much more appealing to people of all ages, not only for
entertainment purposes but also for business or work purposes.
These portable electronic devices are designed mainly for mobile
use where people carry and operate them whenever and wherever they
desire. As such, they will be vulnerable to damage caused by
exposure to harsh environmental condition, physical abuse,
accidental dropping or when placed in a potentially detrimental
position.
[0003] In addition, these portable electronic devices are known for
the poor visibility when used outdoors or in bright sunlight or
even indoors with excessive ambient light. When used under these
conditions, the display screen often appears washed out or faded
making it difficult to see the display screen properly. As a
result, the user will attempt to adjust the position of the screen
to avoid the glare or adjust the screen settings, i.e., brightness
or contrast which oftentimes prove to be ineffective. The reduction
in visibility of the display screen inhibits the user's ability to
use these portable electronic devices outdoors as well as in rooms
having direct sunlight or high intensity lighting. There are also
instances where there is a lack of privacy for users when these
electronic devices are being use in crowded public places.
[0004] It is common to use a protective case to guard the portable
electronic devices from damage. Many cases are currently available.
Some of the cases are designed to have a generic fit to accommodate
a variety of devices while others are designed specifically for a
particular model and/or brand of a device. However, prior art cases
for portable electronic devices currently only provides for
carrying, storing, and protecting the electronic devices. None of
the cases provide the necessary protection against damage while
including the additional benefits of protecting the display screen
from glare caused by excessive light as well as protection from the
eyes of undesired onlookers. Therefore, it would be desirable to
have a case that has integrated features that offers damage
protection, glare protection and privacy protection.
[0005] A search of the prior art discloses relevant information,
however, none of the prior art discloses the novelty of the present
invention that discloses a glare protection and privacy screen that
is integrated into a protective case that is lightweight, made
specifically for use with tablet computers and which are easily
collapsible and can be retrofitted to an existing case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention effectively addresses the above
recited problems by extending the utility of the tablet computer
case. This invention relates to a tablet computer case which
provides a protective means to transport a tablet computer having a
display screen and also form a shielded enclosure which permits the
use of the tablet computer and its display screen within the
shielded enclosure.
[0007] The present invention proposes a solution to provide
enhanced screen visibility for tablet computer display screens that
are subject to glare through a protective case comprises of a base,
a cover that is pivotally attached to the base and a pair of
collapsible side panels. The panels are provided having a closed or
folded position in which it is essentially flat and are integral to
the cover of the case. In its open position, they are readily
extendable onto the left and right edges of the cover and base to
effectively reduce glare, facilitates outdoor use of the display
screen and provides privacy relative to information displayed on
the screen. The panels according to the present invention generally
have a triangular shape and are constructed from a durable,
light-proof and light weight material such as polyethylene
foam.
[0008] In view of the above disclosure, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a tablet computer case that can
significantly reduce glare on the tablet computer screen caused by
excessive light source.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a tablet
computer case that can provide a layer of privacy protection to
limit viewing of the tablet computer display screen by the
undesired surrounding people.
[0010] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
means to provide privacy and glare protection for a tablet computer
that can be retrofitted to an existing tablet computer case.
[0011] These and other objects of the invention will be made
apparent to one of skill in the art upon a review of this
specification, the associated drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the
tablet computer case showing the side panels in an open
position.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the
tablet computer case showing the side panels in a folded position
with respect to the cover.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the
tablet computer case showing the side panels detached from the
cover.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the tablet computer
case in a closed position.
BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] The best mode of carrying out the invention is presented in
terms of a preferred embodiment of a protective case 10 for a
tablet computer 50 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The protective case 10
for the tablet computer 50 may take on many embodiments. The
preferred embodiment of the case 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-4,
comprises a base 12 and a cover 26 that is pivotally attached to
the base 12 and a pair of collapsible side panel 42 and 44 disposed
within the cover 26.
[0017] The base 12 includes an interior surface 14, an exterior
surface 16, a left edge 18, a right edge 20, a front edge 22, and a
rear edge 24. The cover 26 includes an interior surface 28, an
exterior surface 30, a left edge 32, a right edge 34, a front edge
36, and a rear edge 38 in such way as to engage the corresponding
edges 18, 20, 22, and 24 of the base 12 and thereby enclose the
tablet computer 50 when the case 10 is closed. In this regard, the
cover 26 is pivotally connected to the base 12 along the rear edges
24 and 38 of the base 12 and the cover 26. The cover 26 and base 12
can be secured in a close position by a closure mean including but
not limited to a zipper, a strap, a button, a magnet, a Velcro.RTM.
attachment or the like. Additionally, the case 10 can also be
provided with carrying means, such as handles 40a and 40b that are
attached to the front edges 22 and 36 of the base 12 and cover 26
respectively. A shoulder strap can also be provided in lieu or in
combination with such handles 40.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the side panel 42 and 44 can be folded
flat against the interior surface 28 of the cover 26. In this
configuration, the panels 42, 44 provide additional impact
protection for the enclosed display screen 52 of the tablet
computer 50 while not interfering with the closing of the case 10.
In an open position, the left side panel 42 and the right side
panel 44 combine with the cover 26 of the case 10 to form three
sides of a dome structure which functions to shield the display
screen 52 of the tablet computer 50 from excess light and from
undesired spectators. The panels 42, 44 are removably attached to
the cover 26 by conventional fastening means. The preferred
fastening means comprises of a hook and loop attachment 46 such as
a Velcro.RTM. strips. Other fastening means can include a
double-sided tape, a clip-on attachment or the like, The panels 42,
44 can also be equipped with a spring mechanism (not shown) such
that the panels 42, 44 can fold back automatically when not in use.
Alternatively, the panel 42, 44 can also be permanently attached to
the cover 26, The attachments 46 serve as a hinge between the side
panels 42, 44 and the cover 26 to facilitate an open and close
position of the panels 42, 44.
[0019] The left panel 42 and right panel 44 which are attached to
the cover 26 along their common edges by attachments 46a and 46b,
respectively, are positioned to extend out towards the user along
the edges 18, 20, 32, 34 of the base 12 and the cover 26, thereby
when combined with the cover 26 of the case 10 function to form an
enclosure for the tablet computer 50 and its display screen 52. It
was found that panel 42, 44 with triangular shape works best for
the purpose of this invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the panels
42, 44 are attached to the cover 26 by one or more pairing
Velcro.RTM. strips 46a, 46b with one edge of the triangular panel
42, 44 resting on the corresponding edges 18, 20 of the base 12
when in use. This structure facilitates use of the tablet computer
50 in places where such use is typically limited due to excess
ambient light or due to lack of privacy.
[0020] The protective case 10 according to the present invention
can be constructed of rigid or flexible polymer, metal, neoprene,
or any other type of material that are known in the art of portable
electronic device case. The panel 42 and 44 are preferably
constructed from a rigid, light-proof, durable material such as
polyethylene foam. The preferred material is polyethylene
cross-linked. foam of medium density with thickness in the range of
0.125''-0.25'' and weighs less than 0.25 ounce. However, it is to
be understood that the dimension, weight, and material of the
panels 42, 44 can vary but should be generally selected to achieve
a rigid structure that is able to provide support and prevent the
cover 26 from collapsing when in use. The panel 42, 44 should also
he sufficiently thin so it can easily be adapted for use with a
conventional tablet computer case.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the panel 42 and 44 can also
be constructed from a non-rigid material such as fabric or cloth.
In this regard, the fabric panels 42 and 44 can be supported by a
wire structure (not shown) to provide the necessary support to
prevent the cover 26 from collapsing when in use while still able
to achieve the same result as the panels 42, 44 described according
to the preferred embodiment.
[0022] The base 12 of the case 10 also includes mounting means 48
to secure the tablet computer 50 on the interior surface 14 of the
base 12. The mounting means 48 can include but not limited to an
elastic straps, foam inserts, fasteners, snap locks, clamps or the
like. The protective case 10 according to the present invention as
depicted in FIGS. 1-4 provides additional features that are not
offered in the prior art cases. Aside from providing a mean to
protect the tablet computer 50 from damage, the case 10 disclosed
in the present invention also provides significant reduction of
glare on the display screen 52 and restricts viewing of the display
screen 52 by undesired individuals while providing full access to
the user.
[0023] Although the invention has been described in some detail and
pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be
limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may
be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all
modifications and forms which may come within the language and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *