U.S. patent application number 16/779292 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-06 for case for a tablet shaped device.
The applicant listed for this patent is STM MANAGEMENT PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Jacob GOODRIDGE, Ethan NYHOLM.
Application Number | 20200249719 16/779292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004652319 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-06 |
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200249719/US20200249719A1-20200806-D00007.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200249719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NYHOLM; Ethan ; et
al. |
August 6, 2020 |
CASE FOR A TABLET SHAPED DEVICE
Abstract
A case for a tablet shaped device, comprising a first panel
comprising a portion of a case perimeter wall; a second panel
comprising another portion of the case perimeter wall, wherein the
first panel and the second panel define a front face adjacent the
case perimeter wall and having a tablet shaped device receiving
area, the second panel comprising substantially one third of the
tablet shaped device receiving area; and a hinge coupling the first
panel and the second panel.
Inventors: |
NYHOLM; Ethan; (North Bondi
NSW, AU) ; GOODRIDGE; Jacob; (Kelvin Grove QLD,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STM MANAGEMENT PTY LTD |
Alexandria NSW |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004652319 |
Appl. No.: |
16/779292 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
G06F 1/1628 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 6, 2019 |
AU |
2019100127 |
Claims
1. A case for a tablet shaped device, the case comprising: a first
panel comprising a portion of a case perimeter wall; a second panel
comprising another portion of the case perimeter wall, wherein the
first panel and the second panel define a front face adjacent the
case perimeter wall and having a tablet shaped device receiving
area, the second panel comprising substantially one third of the
tablet shaped device receiving area; and a hinge coupling the first
panel and the second panel.
2. The case for a tablet shaped device of claim 1, wherein the
hinge attaches the first panel and the second panel.
3. The case for a tablet shaped device of claim 1, wherein the
hinge is configured for folding the second panel backwards.
4. The case for a tablet shaped device of claim 1, wherein the
hinge comprises a membrane and the first panel, the second panel
and the membrane define a dovetail groove.
5. The case for a tablet shaped device of claim 1, wherein the
hinge comprises a membrane defining key-hole shaped apertures at
either end thereof.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority to Australia Patent
Application No. 2019100127, filed on Feb. 6, 2019, which said
application is incorporated by reference in its entirety
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure herein generally relates to a case for a
tablet shaped device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Examples of tablet shaped devices include but are not
limited to a tablet computer, an APPLE IPAD PRO.TM., SAMSUNG GALAXY
TAB S4, and AMAZON FIRE HB 8. A peripheral keyboard may be used by
a user to interface with a tablet shaped device. The peripheral
keyboard may communicate with the tablet shaped device via a
BLUETOOTH network, at least one port, or via a cable, for
example.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a tablet shaped device in the form of an APPLE
IPAD PRO.TM. ("IPAD"), generally indicated by the numeral 1. The
tablet shaped device 1 is coupled to a prior art folding cover 2
for a tablet shaped device ("folding cover"). The folding cover
comprises a keyboard 6, and is in the form of an APPLE SMART
KEYBOARD FOLIO.TM., however other examples of folding covers do not
comprise a keyboard. Other folding covers with a keyboard may be
used. The folding cover 2 attaches to the tablet shaped device 1
magnetically. In this but not all possible examples, a plurality of
magnets are embedded within the back panel of the tablet shaped
device 1 which are magnetically attracted to the folding cover 2.
The folding cover 2 comprises a magnetically attractable material
for magnetic attachment to the plurality of magnets. A port located
on the back face of the tablet shaped device 1 in the form of an
APPLE SMART CONNECTOR.TM. connects the folding cover 2 and the
tablet shaped device 1. The port provides a data connection and
power to the keyboard 6. Such ports may be located at other
positions on other tablet shaped device, for example on an edge of
a tablet shaped device.
[0005] In FIG. 1, the folding cover 2 is shown in a typing
configuration. The folding cover 2 comprises a plurality of
hingedly connected panels 5,11, that are sequentially connected.
Panel 5 is hingedly connected to the keyboard 6. In the typing
configuration, the plurality of hingedly connected panels 5,11 are
folded behind the tablet shaped device 1 to form a collapsible
stand 3. When the folding cover 2 is in the typing configuration,
the front face 4 of the tablet shaped device 1, which comprises an
electronic touch sensitive display 8, faces the user.
[0006] The folding cover 2 also has a tablet shaped device
protection configuration, in which the keyboard 6 covers the front
face 4 and electronic touch sensitive display 8 of the tablet
shaped device 1 to provide light protection. In this configuration,
the back of the tablet shaped device 1 is protected by the
plurality of hingedly connected panels 5,11, the stand 3 being
collapsed and flattened.
[0007] Some users may find the light protection configuration
insufficient, particularly those users who wish to protect the
table shaped device 1 from accidental drops, or who may use the
tablet shaped device 1 in a harsh environment, e.g. a construction
site, a school or in the field. In the past, those users may
generally dispose the tablet shaped device in a prior art rugged
case for a tablet shaped device that has a rear wall for protecting
the back face of the tablet shaped device 1 and has a protecting
peripheral wall for protecting the perimeter of the tablet shaped
device 1. This may be problematic, however, because such a prior
art rugged case may interfere with the folding cover 2, and
interfere with during reconfiguration of the folding cover 2
between the typing configuration and the protection configuration.
The tablet shaped device 1 may need to be removed from the prior
art rugged case for reconfiguration of the folding cover 2.
[0008] Improved cases for tablet shaped devices may be desired, or
there may be a desire for more consumer choice.
SUMMARY
[0009] Disclosed herein is a case for a tablet shaped device. The
case comprises a first panel comprising a portion of a case
perimeter wall. The case comprises a second panel comprising
another portion of the case perimeter wall. The first panel and the
second panel define a front face adjacent the case perimeter wall
and having a tablet shaped device receiving area. The second panel
comprises substantially one third of the tablet shaped device
receiving area. The case comprises a hinge coupling the first panel
and the second panel.
[0010] In an embodiment, the hinge attaches the first panel and the
second panel.
[0011] In an embodiment, the hinge is configured for folding the
second panel backwards.
[0012] In an embodiment, the hinge comprises a membrane and the
first panel, the second panel and the membrane define a dovetail
groove.
[0013] In an embodiment, the hinge comprises a membrane defining
key-hole shaped apertures at either end thereof.
[0014] Any of the various features of each of the above
disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments
described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a prior art example
of a folding cover for a tablet shaped device coupled to a tablet
shaped device.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a
case for a tablet shaped device.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the case of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the case of FIG. 2,
wherein a panel thereof is folded backwards.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a rear view detail of a hinge of the case of
FIG. 2 in a closed configuration.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a rear view detail of an end of the hinge in
the closed configuration.
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a front view detail of the hinge in an open
configuration.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a front view detail of an end of the hinge in
the open configuration.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the case of FIG. 2 having
receiving therein the folding cover of FIG. 1 and the tablet shaped
device of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIGS. 2-9 show various representations of an embodiment of a
case for a tablet shaped device, the case being generally indicated
by the number 10. The case 10 comprises a first panel 12, a second
panel 14, and a hinge 16 coupling the first panel 12 and the second
panel 14. The first panel 12 and the second panel 14 define a front
face 18 having a tablet shaped device receiving area 20. The first
panel 12 and the send panel are each substantially rectangular and
have distal rounded corners (68,70,72,72) ("partially rounded
rectangle"). One rounded corner may be different to another rounded
corner, as suitable and desired. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
hinge 16 is configured for folding the second panel 14 backwards.
Folding the second panel 14 backwards allows a folding cover 2 in
the form of an APPLE SMART KEYBOARD FOLIO, or generally any
suitable folding cover 2, to be configured in a typing
configuration and coupled to the tablet shaped device 1 when
received by the tablet shaped device receiving area 20, without the
case 10 impeding the coupling between the tablet shaped device 1
and the folding cover 2. The case 10 is shown in a bent
configuration in FIG. 4, for accommodating the folding cover 2 when
in the typing configuration. The case 10 is shown in a flat
configuration in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flat configuration provides
more protection for the tablet shaped device when received by the
case, however the flat configuration may not generally be employed
when the folding cover's keyboard 6 is in use. The case 10 may not
need to be separated from the tablet shaped device and folding
cover 2 during reconfiguration of the folding cover 2 between the
typing configuration and a protection configuration.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in use, the hinge 15 of the
folding cover 2 that is out of the plane of the keyboard 6 is at
the case's hinge 16, and parallel to it. To accommodate the folding
cover 2 when in the typing configuration, the second panel 14 is
smaller than the first panel 12. In the present embodiment, the
second panel 14 comprises substantially one third of the area of
the tablet shaped device receiving area 20. In the present
embodiment, the second panel 14 comprises 0.3-0.37 of the area of
the tablet shaped device receiving area 20. The first panel 12
comprises substantially two thirds of the tablet shaped device
receiving area 20, in the present embodiment 0.63-0.7 of the tablet
shaped device receiving area 20. A side 80 of the first panel 12
and a side 82 of the second panel 12, which is also substantially
rectangular 72,74 and has two distal rounded corners, are at the
hinge 16.
[0027] The hinge 16 attaches the first panel 12 and the second
panel 14. The hinge 16 is integral with the first panel 12 and the
second panel. As best seen in FIG. 6, the hinge 16 is in the form
of a membrane hinge and comprises a membrane 22. In an alternative
embodiment, the hinge 16 may comprise a hinge pin, or have
generally any suitable constructions. A membrane hinge 16 may be
easier to manufacture, for example when integral to the panels
12,14. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the membrane 22 extends
between opposite membrane ends 60, 62 which are adjacent associated
sides of the case 10. The membrane 22 defines key-hole shaped
apertures 24,26 at each end of the opposite membrane ends 60,62.
The key-hole shapes apertures 24,26 may reduce stress within the
hinge during folding. This may assist the hinge 16 to fold and
improve the membrane's resilience to ripping.
[0028] As detailed in FIG. 8, each panel 12,14 comprises an edge
36,38 at the hinge 16. The edges 36,38 and the membrane 22 define a
groove having a dovetail configuration ("dovetail groove"),
generally located at 40, when the hinge 16 is closed. The membrane
22 is the end-wall of the dovetail cavity 40 and the flat edges
36,38 are the side walls of the dovetail cavity 40. The walls of
the dovetail groove 40 may alternatively have curved or textured
walls, if desired. The dovetail groove 40, however, is hidden from
view when formed by closing the hinge 16 (that is, when the case is
in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). This geometry may
reduce the risk of the membrane 22 tearing during operation of the
hinge and may improve manufacturability by injection moulding, by
improving material flow during the injection moulding process. The
dovetail groove 40 is delimited by wedges, for example opposing
wedges 42,44, which are cooperatively arranged to contact when the
hinge is closed, spacing apart the edges 36,38 and setting the
desired spread of the membrane 22 when the hinge is closed. This
may provide for: [0029] a flat and wrinkle free membrane when the
hinge is closed; and may [0030] improve the mechanical stability of
the case 10 when the hinge 16 is closed.
[0031] The case 10 comprises a body 50 comprising the first panel
12 and second panel 14, and a case perimeter wall 30. The perimeter
wall comprises a first panel perimeter wall portion 64 at three of
the four edges of the first panel 12, and running along those three
edges of the first panel 12. The perimeter wall also comprises a
second panel perimeter wall portion 66 that is attached to three of
the four edges of the second panel 14, and running along those
three edges of the second panel 14. The perimeter wall 30 is
interrupted by a plurality of spaces, including spaces 52 and 54.
Space 52 is a finger access port used to remove a stylus when
received by stylus receiving space 32. In the context of the
present application, the term stylus encompasses a hand-held tool
used by a user to interact with a touch sensitive area (for example
a touch sensitive screen) of the tablet shaped device. A stylus
may, but not necessarily, comprise an elongated shaft having
opposite ends and a touch sensitive area interaction point at at
least one of the opposite ends. Each of the panels 12,14 optionally
comprise stiffening members 31,33 comprising a plurality of
elongate and inwardly turned panel members that define a rectangle.
Space 54 is for locating therein a hinge 9 of the folding cover 2,
enabling the keyboard 6 of the folding cover 2 to be folded into
contact or out of contact of the electronic touch sensitive display
8 of the tablet shaped device 1.
[0032] The frontward facing opening of the tabled shaped device
receiving space 20 is constricted by a resilient lip 34, shown in
FIG. 7 for example, projecting inwardly from the rim of the
perimeter wall 30. The tablet shaped device 1 may be inserted by
squeezing it through the opening defined by the resilient lip 34.
The at least one resilient lip 34 deforms to accommodate the
passage of the tablet shaped device 1, and recoils back into shape
subsequent to passage of the tablet shaped device 1. The perimeter
wall 30 comprises user operable actuators 21,23 for operating
volume and power controls of the tablet shaped device when received
by the case 10. Perimeter wall 30 defines ports including port 25
for taking images with a camera of the tablet shaped device, ports
27,29 for sound, and may define a port for a power cable.
[0033] The inside surface of panels 12,14 comprises an optional
inner lining in the form of an inner felt lining. The inner lining
provides a relatively soft surface to reduce scratching of the
tablet shaped device. Other embodiments may not have an inner
lining or may have another suitable lining material.
[0034] A one or two step injection molding process may be used to
fabricate the case 10. Case 10 comprises at least one polymer, in
the present embodiment polycarbonate rear walls and a thermoplastic
polyurethane perimeter. Other embodiments may comprise generally
any suitable material, examples of which include metal, wood, and
fiber reinforced plastic.
[0035] Now that embodiments have been described, it will be
appreciated that some embodiments may have some of the following
advantages: [0036] A folding cover for a tablet shaped device with
a keyboard can be attached to the tablet shaped device without
taking the case 10 completely off the tablet shaped device. [0037]
Because there is no need to remove the case, the tablet shaped
device is more likely to be in the case when bumped or dropped, for
example, providing protection. [0038] Even when a keyboard is
coupled to the tablet shaped device, the case provides at least
some protection for the tablet shaped device. [0039] The hinge may
be rip resistance. [0040] The membrane hinge 16 may allow for a
more compact case.
[0041] Variations and/or modifications may be made to the
embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of
the invention. For example: [0042] The hinge 16 may be separably
attach the first panel 12 and the second panel 14. A removable
hinge pin may be used, for example, which are received by hinge pin
receivers of the first panel 12 and the second panel 14. [0043] The
rear of the panels 12,14 may be plain. [0044] At least one of the
panels 12,14 may have an aperture through the front face 18. [0045]
At least one of the ports 52,54 and any other port may be absent.
[0046] The stylus holder may be absent.
[0047] The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a
feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must
include the feature.
[0048] Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an
admission that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge in any jurisdiction.
[0049] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *