Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1662—Details related to the integrated keyboard
  • G06F1/1669—Detachable keyboards
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
  • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
  • G06F3/0231—Cordless keyboards
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
  • G06F2200/16—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/16 - G06F1/18
  • G06F2200/163—Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer
  • G06F2200/1633—Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to protective covers for mobile computing devices and, more specifically, to covers for protecting the displays, or screens, and housings of mobile computing devices.
• a protective cover of the present disclosure may provide protection without substantially increasing the thickness or other dimensions of the mobile computing device.
• the present disclosure also relates to systems including protective covers and mobile computing devices, as well as to methods for using mobile computing devices.
• screen protectors protect the displays of mobile computing devices from scratches that may occur during normal use or transportation (e.g., in pockets, purses, daypacks, computer bags, cars, and all of the other various places that mobile computing devices may be left).
• screen protectors protect the displays of mobile computing devices from scratches, they often provide only minimal impact resistance to the displays if the mobile computing devices are dropped, or if other objects are dropped on or otherwise impact mobile computing devices.
• Portfolio-type covers offer more comprehensive protection for mobile computing devices, provided that they remain closed upon impact. Nonetheless, portfolio-type covers are usually formed from pliable materials, such as vinyl or leather, which are sometimes supported by cardboard. As a result, while portfolio-type covers provide some impact protection to the displays of mobile computing devices, they do not provide optimal protection to the displays of mobile computing devices.
• portfolio-type covers are typically much greater than the corresponding dimensions of the mobile computing devices they are intended to protect— adding an inch (2.54 cm) or more to the height and width of a protected mobile computing device, and often increasing the overall thickness of the device by a factor of two or more.
• many portfolio-type covers render a protected mobile computing device more
• a protective cover that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure is configured to be placed over the display of a mobile computing device and to absorb any impact that may be directed toward the display of the mobile computing device.
• a protective cover of the present disclosure may be configured to provide optimal protection to a mobile computing device while posing only a minimal hindrance to use of the mobile computing device.
• a protective cover of the present disclosure includes a solid or substantially solid base, which is configured to be placed over the display of a mobile computing device.
• a protective cover of the present disclosure may include at least one retention element for securing the base to the mobile computing device and for securing the base in place over the display of the mobile computing device.
• the at least one retention element may also be configured to secure the base over a back side of the mobile computing device.
• the at least one retention element may protrude from a periphery of the base.
• the at least one retention element may be configured to engage at least a portion of an outer periphery of the mobile computing device and, in some embodiments, to absorb any impact against the periphery (or at least a covered portion of the periphery) of the mobile computing device.
• the base and the at least one retention element define a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of a mobile computing device.
• the receptacle may be configured to receive all or substantially all of a thickness of the mobile computing device (e.g., in a nesting relationship, etc.).
• the base of a protective cover may also be configured to receive a mobile computing device and retain the same in such a way that the display of the mobile computing device may be readily viewed and accessed by a user.
• the receptacle may be configured to receive an edge of a mobile computing device, while a support element within the receptacle may be placed in an upright position to support the mobile computing device in a somewhat upright orientation (e.g., at an angle relative to the base of the protective cover, etc.).
• receptacles of some embodiments of protective covers according to the present disclosure are configured merely to receive a mobile computing device to protect its display (i.e., in a protected arrangement), and the receptacles of other embodiments of protective covers of the present disclosure are configured to protect the display of a mobile computing device and orient the mobile computing device for use (i.e., in a working arrangement), other embodiments of protective covers of the present disclosure include receptacles that carry elements that add to or enhance the functionality of a mobile computing device.
• a protective cover of the present disclosure may include a keyboard (e.g., a physical keyboard, etc.) that is easier to use than the virtual keyboards on the touch-screen displays of many mobile computing devices.
• accessories that may be carried by the receptacle of a protective cover of the present disclosure include batteries that may provide backup power for a mobile computing device, communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication (e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i.e., Fire Wire, i.LINK, Lynx) interfaces, 8P8C jacks, etc.), peripheral memory devices (e.g., disk drives, hard drives, etc.) and other peripheral devices that may extend the functionality of a mobile computing device.
• communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication
• communication elements e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i.e., Fire Wire, i.LINK, Lynx) interfaces
• the present disclosure also includes mobile computing systems, which, in the most basic embodiments, include a mobile computing device and a protective cover of the present disclosure.
• a mobile computing system may also include one or more accessories (e.g., peripheral
• a mobile computing system of the present disclosure may also include external devices that communicate with the mobile computing device through one or more accessories carried by the protective cover.
• the present disclosure includes various embodiments of methods for protecting the displays of mobile computing devices from damage during storage or transportation.
• the display of a mobile computing device is oriented over the receptacle and base of a protective cover.
• the mobile computing device is then inserted into the receptacle, with the display positioned against and substantially covered by the base.
• one or more retention elements of the protective cover may engage the mobile computing device (e.g., one or more peripheral edges of the mobile computing device, one or more corners of the mobile computing device, etc.) to retain the mobile computing device within the receptacle and, thus, the hold the base of the protective cover in place over the display.
• the protective cover may remain in place over a front, display surface of the mobile computing device without extending over an opposite, rear surface of the mobile computing device.
• the present disclosure also includes methods for removing a protective cover from over the display of a mobile computing device.
• a feature of the mobile computing device e.g., a portion of a peripheral edge of the mobile computing device, etc.
• an adjacent feature of the protective cover e.g., an edge of periphery of the protective cover, etc.
• the engaged features may then be pulled in opposite or substantially opposite directions to remove the protective cover from over the display of the mobile computing device.
• the protective cover may then be used to hold the mobile computing device in a desired position for use.
• a support element associated with the protective cover may be oriented in an upright position (e.g., within the receptacle of the protective cover, etc.).
• the mobile computing device is then oriented in a desired manner (e.g., landscape, portrait, etc.) relative to the protective cover, with bottom edge (the edge depending upon the orientation of the mobile computing device) resting against the protective cover (e.g., within the receptacle of the protective cover, against a back side of the base of the protective cover, etc.), with a back side of the mobile computing device resting upon the support element.
• the mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the protective cover to enable a user to comfortably type using a keyboard (virtual or physical) of the mobile computing device.
• the mobile computing device may be positioned at a more upright angle, which may facilitate viewing of the display of the mobile computing device without physically interacting with the display or any other feature (e.g., a physical keyboard, etc.) of the mobile computing device.
• Such a position may be useful for viewing video, for viewing the display while using a separate keyboard (e.g., a keyboard carried by the protective cover, etc.), or under a variety of other circumstances.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outside surface of an embodiment of protective cover of the present disclosure
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of the outside surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown by FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bottom of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of support element of a protective cover of the present disclosure, showing the support element in a flattened, or collapsed position;
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of a side edge of the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 6;
• FIG. 8 is a plan view of a front edge of the embodiment of support element illustrated by FIG. 6;
• FIG. 9 is a plan view of a rear edge of the embodiment of support element depicted by FIG. 6;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of the embodiment of support element of FIG. 6 in a raised position
• FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element illustrated by FIG. 6 in the raised position depicted by FIG. 10;
• FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 6 in the raised position illustrated by FIG. 10;
• FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by FIG. 6 in the raised position shown in FIG. 10;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in a substantially upright landscape working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in an inclined landscape working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in a substantially upright portrait working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a mobile computing device in a nested working orientation within the receptacle of the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the outside surface of another
• FIG. 19 is a plan view of the outside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 18;
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by FIG. 18;
• FIG. 21 is a plan view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by FIG. 18;
• FIG. 22 is a plan view of a side of the embodiment of protective cover of FIG. 18, showing a recess in the top edge of the side;
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a mobile computing device within a recess that communicates with the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by FIG. 18;
• FIG. 24 is a plan view of a bottom of the embodiment of protective cover shown in FIG. 18, illustrating a manner in which access to a communications port of an embodiment of a mobile computing device may be obtained as the mobile computing device is located within a receptacle of the protective cover;
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the top of an embodiment of support element of a protective cover of the present disclosure, illustrating the support element in a folded, or collapsed, position;
• FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by FIG. 25;
• FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the bottom of the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 25 ;
• FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element shown by FIG. 25;
• FIG. 29 is a plan view of a rear edge of the embodiment of support element illustrated by FIG. 25;
• FIG. 30 is a plan view of a front edge of the embodiment of support element depicted by FIG. 25 ;
• FIG. 31 is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 25;
• FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the embodiment of support element of FIG. 25 is a raised position;
• FIG. 33 is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by FIG. 25 in the raised position shown in FIG. 32;
• FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element illustrated by FIG. 25 in the raised position depicted by FIG. 32;
• FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 25 in the raised position illustrated by FIG. 32;
• FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment of a base that may be used to hold the embodiment of support element shown by FIG. 25 in the raised position depicted in FIG. 32;
• FIG. 37 is a plan view showing the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by FIG. 18 with the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 25 in the folded position;
• FIG. 38 is a plan view showing the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by FIG. 18 with the embodiment of support element shown in FIG. 25 in the raised position;
• FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of mobile computing device in a substantially upright working orientation within the embodiment of protective cover depicted by FIG. 18.
• Protective covers according to the present disclosure are configured for use with mobile computing devices.
• the inventive protective covers may be used with so-called “slate” or “tablet” computers (e.g., the IP AD ® available from Apple, Inc., etc.), e-readers, smart phones, hand-held multimedia devices (e.g., Apple's IP AD TOUCH ® , etc.) or any other portable or mobile computing devices with displays that are configured to remain exposed whether or not the device is in use.
• so-called “slate” or “tablet” computers e.g., the IP AD ® available from Apple, Inc., etc.
• e-readers e.g., smart phones
• hand-held multimedia devices e.g., Apple's IP AD TOUCH ® , etc.
• any other portable or mobile computing devices with displays that are configured to remain exposed whether or not the device is in use.
• a protective cover 10 when a protective cover 10 is assembled with a mobile computing device, a protective cover may increase a thickness of the mobile computing device by no more than about one-fourth of an inch (about 6.35 mm), or even by no more than about one-eighth of an inch (about 3.175 mm). Likewise, a protective cover may only add about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) or less to each of the height and width of a mobile computing device.
• FIGs. 1-5 illustrate an embodiment of a protective cover 10 that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure.
• the protective cover 10 includes a base 20.
• the protective cover 10 may include at least one retention element 30.
• the base 20 of the protective cover 10 is configured to be positioned over and to completely cover (as shown) or substantially cover (e.g., in embodiments that include perforations, etc.) the display of a mobile computing device (not shown).
• the base 20 of the protective cover includes an interior surface 22, which is configured to be placed adjacent to or against the display of a mobile computing device, and an opposite outer surface 24.
• the at least one retention element 30 of the protective cover 10 is configured to engage part (e.g., a peripheral edge, a corner, another feature, etc.) of the mobile computing device (not shown).
• the at least one retention element 30 may comprise one or more peripheral elements 32 that protrude from an outer periphery 26 of the base 20 of the protective cover 10, away from the interior surface 22 of the base 20.
• the peripheral element(s) 32 may include features (e.g., sides; discrete, spaced apart members; etc.) that are configured to be located adjacent to opposite outer peripheral edges of the mobile computing device.
• the base 20 and the peripheral element(s) 32 of such an embodiment of protective cover 10 define a receptacle 18.
• the shape and dimensions of the receptacle 18 are configured to receive a mobile computing device (not shown) in a display side-down orientation, enabling the display of the mobile computing device to be positioned adjacent to and, thus, to be protected by, the base 20 of the protective cover 10.
• the receptacle 18 may be configured to receive all or substantially all of a thickness of the mobile computing device (e.g., in a nesting relationship, etc.).
• the receptacle 18 may also be configured to receive a mobile computing device in a display side-up orientation, and to attach to the mobile computing device, over its back side.
• the at least one retention element 30 comprises a single peripheral element 32 that extends continuously and completely around the outer periphery 26 of the base 20 and, therefore, is configured to extend around the outer periphery of a mobile computing device (not shown) when the mobile computing device is introduced, display side-down, into the receptacle 18 of the protective cover 10.
• the at least one retention element 30 (e.g., the peripheral element 32, etc.) of a protective cover 10 may be configured to accommodate physical connections between a mobile computing device (not shown) and one or more external devices while the mobile computing device is positioned within the receptacle 18 of the protective cover.
• an access feature 36 may be provided through the peripheral element 32 of the protective cover 10. While the access feature 36 is illustrated as comprising a recessed section in a bottom portion 32B of the peripheral element 32, other configurations of access features 36 are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
• the base 20 and the retention element 30 of the protective cover 10 may be formed from rigid or substantially rigid materials, which resist deformation under localized forces.
• the retention element 30 may be rigidly associated with the base 20.
• the base 20 and the retention element 30 may impart the protective cover 10 with structural integrity. Examples of rigid or substantially rigid materials that may provide these characteristics include, but are not limited to, certain metals
• the base 20 and retention element 30 of the protective cover 10 form a shell 12, which may, in some embodiments, be unitary in structure.
• the configuration of the shell 12 e.g., one or more of its design, the material(s) from which it is made, etc.
• the shell 12 may be configured to provide a form factor that complements the form factor and/or features of a mobile computing device with which the protective cover 10 is configured for use.
• a protective cover 10 of the present disclosure may include a liner 14.
• the liner 14 may serve one or a variety of purposes.
• the liner 14 may be formed from a material that cushions surfaces of a mobile computing device (not shown).
• the material from which the liner 14 is formed may enable engagement of one or more features of a mobile computing device by the retention element 30 of the protective cover 10.
• the liner 14 may include a base liner 28, which covers parts (as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4) or all of the interior surface 22 of the base 20.
• the base liner 28 may be configured to protect the display screen and/or other features on the front side of a mobile computing device that has been positioned within the receptacle 18 of the protective cover 10.
• the liner 14 may additionally or alternatively include a peripheral liner 38, which may be positioned against or secured to an interior surface 34 of the retention element 30 (and, in the depicted embodiment, an interior surface 34 of the peripheral element 32).
• the peripheral liner 38 may be configured to protect portions of a mobile computing device that has been disposed within the receptacle 18 of the protective cover.
• the peripheral liner 38 may also be configured to secure the mobile computing device within the receptacle 18.
• the material of the liner 14 may enable it to absorb any shock generated by impact on the protective cover 10 (e.g., the base 20, one or more peripheral elements 30, etc.); for example, as a mobile computing device with the protective cover 10 properly installed therein is dropped, as the protective cover 10 is impacted by another object, etc.
• the liner 14 may be configured to refract any impact forces incurred by the protective cover 10, internally dissipating at least a portion of those impact forces or otherwise preventing transmission of at least a portion of those impact forces to a protected mobile computing device.
• the peripheral liner 38 may, when used in conjunction with a rigid or substantially rigid retention element 30 that is rigidly associated with the base 20 of the protective cover 10, be configured to engage at least a portion of an outer periphery of a mobile computing device (not shown) (e.g., in an interference fit, etc.) when the mobile computing device has been placed within the receptacle 18 of the protective cover 10, and to secure the mobile computing device within the receptacle 18.
• a mobile computing device not shown
• a variety of compressible, resilient materials may impart the liner 14 with the above-mentioned characteristics.
• materials that possess desirable characteristics for the base liner 28 and/or the peripheral liner 38 include, but are not limited to, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam (which is commonly referred to as “foam rubber” and as “expanded rubber”), polyurethane foam (e.g., microcellular polyurethane foam; fine-celled, low compression-set, high density polyurethane foam; etc.), neoprene and a variety of other compressible, resilient materials.
• EVA ethylene-vinyl acetate
• the liner 14 or portions of the liner 14 may be homogeneously formed, they may have graded densities (e.g., one surface of the liner 14 is less dense than the opposite side of the liner 14, etc.) or they may include laminate structures formed from two or more different materials.
• An embodiment of protective cover 10 that includes such a liner 14 may be configured to protect a mobile computing device from damage (e.g., from dropping the mobile computing device (e.g., from a height of four feet or greater, from a height of six feet or greater, etc.), incurred during transportation of the mobile computing device, etc.) without significantly adding to the dimensions of a mobile computing device assembled with protective cover 10.
• damage e.g., from dropping the mobile computing device (e.g., from a height of four feet or greater, from a height of six feet or greater, etc.), incurred during transportation of the mobile computing device, etc.
• a protective cover 10 of the present disclosure includes a support element 40.
• a support element 40 may be configured to accommodate and/or support a mobile computing device (not shown) in a plurality of working orientations in and/or over the receptacle 18 of the protective cover.
• FIGs. 6-13 A specific, but non-limiting, embodiment of support element 40 that may be used with a protective cover 10 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGs. 6-13.
• the illustrated embodiment of support element 40 includes a flat, somewhat elongate body 41 with a front edge 42, a rear edge 44 and a hinge 46 located between the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44.
• the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44 are located at opposite ends of the support element 40.
• the hinge 46 which is oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44, may be located about midway between the front edge 42 and the rear edge 44, along the length of the support element 40 and delineates a front panel 41F of the body 41 from a rear panel 41R of the body 41.
• the hinge 46 is depicted as comprising a living hinge, other types of hinges are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
• the support element 40 includes a pair of positioning pins 48 extending in opposite directions from the side edges 43 and 45 of the body 41 of the support element 40, along the front edge 42 of the support element 40, as well as a pair retention pins 49 extending in opposite directions from the side edges 43 and 45, along its rear edge 44.
• support element 40 is configured to be used in conjunction with a support base 50, which may be associated with (e.g., formed as part of, secured in place relative to, etc.) the interior surface 22 of the base 20 of the protective cover 10.
• the support base 50 includes a primary receptacle 51 for receiving the body 41 of the support element 40.
• the dimensions of the primary receptacle 51 are slightly larger than their corresponding dimensions of the body 41, enabling the primary receptacle 51 to receive the body 41 the support element 40 is assembled with the support base 50 and as the body 41 is oriented in a flattened, or collapsed, position relative to the support base 50.
• the support base 50 defines a pair of opposed positioning recesses 58, which are configured to receive corresponding positioning pins 48 of the support element 40. Additional pairs of opposed positioning recesses 58 may be formed in the sides 53 and 55 of the primary receptacle 51 of the support base 50, located at various opposed locations along the sides 53 and 55, between the front end 52 and the rear end 54 of the primary receptacle 51.
• the support base 50 includes a pair of opposed retention sockets 59, which are configured to receive and retain corresponding retention pins 49 of the support element 40, while allowing the retention pins 49 to pivot.
• a mobile computing device With the support element 40 in the flattened, or collapsed, position relative to the base 14 of the protective cover 10, a mobile computing device (see, e.g., FIG. 39) may be introduced into the receptacle 18 with its display 104 (see, e.g., FIG. 39) facing, positioned against and, thus, covered by the base 14 of the protective cover 10.
• the protective cover 10 may prevent damage to the mobile computing device 100 without significantly adding to the dimensions of the mobile computing device 100.
• an assembly including the protective cover 10 and a mobile computing device 100 may have a thickness that exceeds the thickness of the mobile computing device 100 alone by only about one-eighth of an inch
• the protective cover 10 may only add about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) or less to each of the height and width of the mobile computing device 100.
• FIGs. 6-9 show the support element 40 in a flattened, or collapsed position
• FIGs. 10- 13 depict the support element 40 in one of a plurality of possible raised positions.
• various features of a support element 40 and/or support base 50 e.g., the locations of positioning recesses 58 along the length of the primary receptacle 51 of the support base 50, etc.
• an outer peripheral edge 110 of a mobile computing device 100 may be positioned within the receptacle 18 of a protective cover 10 and adjacent to (e.g., against a peripheral liner 38 on) an interior surface 34 of a peripheral element 32 of the protective cover 10, with a back side 104 of the mobile computing device 100 resting upon the support element 40.
• the force of the mobile computing device 100 presses the retention pins 48 against the surfaces of the retention recesses 58 in which the retention pins 48 are positioned, holding the retention pins 48 in place within their corresponding retention receptacles 58.
• the angle at which a display 102 of the mobile computing device 100 is oriented may be determined, at least in part, by the position of the support element 40.
• a location of the outer peripheral edge 110 relative to the support element 40 e.g., the edge 42, 44 of the support element 40 closest to where the outer peripheral edge 110 is positioned, etc.
• steep angles of orientation such as those depicted by FIGs. 14 and 16 may be achieved by positioning the outer peripheral edge 110 of the mobile computing device between the rear edge 44 of the support element 40 and the side of the peripheral element 32 located closest to the rear edge 44.
• Shallower angles of orientation such as that depicted by FIG. 15, may be accomplished by positioning the outer peripheral edge 110 of the mobile computing device 100 between the front edge 42 of the support element 40 and the side of the peripheral element 32 that is located closes to the front edge 42.
• a mobile computing device 100 may be introduced into the receptacle 18 of the protective cover 10 with the back side 104 (FIGs. 14-16) of the mobile computing device 100 parallel and adjacent to the interior surface 22 of the base 20 (FIGs. 1-5) of the protective cover 10.
• Such an orientation may be achieved by placing the support element 40 in a collapsed position (as shown in FIG. 6), and in embodiments of protective covers that lack support elements 40.
• the protective cover 10 may engage one or more features of the mobile computing device 100 to secure it in place over the back side 104 of the mobile computing device 100.
• FIGs. 18-22 an embodiment of a protective cover 10' that includes an accessory 60 for a mobile computing device 100 is depicted.
• the accessory 60 is a keyboard (e.g., a wireless
• protective covers 10' that include other types of accessories (e.g., batteries that may provide backup power for a mobile computing device; communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication (e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i. e., FireWire, i.LINK, Lynx, etc.) interfaces, 8P8C jacks, etc.); peripheral memory devices (e.g., disk drives, hard drives, etc.); etc.) are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
• accessories e.g., batteries that may provide backup power for a mobile computing device; communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication (e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i. e., FireWire, i.LINK, Lynx, etc.) interfaces, 8P8C jacks, etc.); peripheral memory devices (e.g., disk drives, hard drives, etc.); etc.) are also within
• the protective cover 10' may include one or more communication ports 70 to facilitate communication between one or more devices that are external to the protective cover 10' and one or more accessories 60 of the protective cover 10' and, optionally, directly or indirectly (e.g., through an accessory 60, etc.) with a mobile computing device that has been assembled with the protective cover 10'.
• Each communication port 70 may be accessible through a peripheral element 32' of the protective cover 10', and may be associated with an accessory 60 in a manner known in the art.
• At least one communication port 70 of the protective cover 10' may include a power inlet of any suitable type known in the art (e.g., the illustrated USB port, a jack for a DC power converter, etc.), and may be associated with the accessory in a manner that enables power to be provided directly or indirectly (e.g., through one or more batteries, etc.) to the accessory 60.
• a power inlet of any suitable type known in the art (e.g., the illustrated USB port, a jack for a DC power converter, etc.), and may be associated with the accessory in a manner that enables power to be provided directly or indirectly (e.g., through one or more batteries, etc.) to the accessory 60.
• the protective cover 10' may be configured to enable a user to comfortably access and use the keyboard.
• a side 32K' of the peripheral element 32 located next to the keyboard may be recessed, or include a recess 37 that extends, along the entire width or most of the width of the keyboard.
• the recess 37 be located at an elevation that is about the same as or beneath an elevation of the upper surfaces of the keyboard.
• the upper surfaces of the keyboard may be recessed relative to the outer edges of the peripheral elements of the protective cover 10.
• the upper surfaces of the keyboard may be recessed within the receptacle 18' of the protective cover 10'.
• the keyboard may be recessed a sufficient depth to enable the receptacle 18' to accommodate a mobile computing device (not shown).
• the receptacle 18' of a protective cover 10' of the present disclosure may carry components (e.g., a battery, a circuit board and the electronics carried by the circuit board, wiring, switches, indicator lights, etc.) associated with the accessory.
• the receptacle 18' may carry other accessories 60 for the mobile computing device.
• the receptacle 18' may include an edge retention element 62, which is configured to receive and at least partially retain an edge of a mobile computing device (not shown), adjacent to a top edge of the keyboard.
• the edge retention element 62 comprises a slot recessed in a bottom surface 19' of the receptacle 18'.
• the receptacle 18' of the protective cover 10' may carry a support element 80 and a base 90 with which the support element 80 is assembled.
• FIGs. 25-35 A specific, but non-limiting, embodiment of a support element 80 of a protective cover 10' that includes an accessory 60, such as a keyboard, is depicted by FIGs. 25-35, and a specific embodiment of support base 90 that is configured for use with the support element 80 is shown in FIG. 36.
• FIGs. 25-31 show the support element 80 in a folded, or collapsed position
• FIGs. 32-35 depict the support element 80 in an at least partially unfolded, raised position.
• the support element 80 includes a body 81 with a front panel 8 IF and a rear panel 81R.
• the front and rear panels 81F and 81R are joined by a hinge 86 (e.g., a living hinge, etc.).
• the rear panel 81R is longer than the front panel 81F.
• a pair of positioning pins 88 is located along the front edge 82, with the positioning pins 88 protruding in opposite directions from the sides 83 and 85 of the body 81 of the support element 80.
• a pair of retention pins 89 located along the edge 87E of the lip 87, protrudes in opposite directions from the sides 83 and 85 of the body 81 of the support element 80. With the support element 80 is in the folded position, the retention pins 89 are located at an elevation that is the same as or below the elevation of the positioning pins 88.
• FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment of such a support base 90.
• FIG. 36 illustrates the features of a lateral side 95 of a primary receptacle 91 (FIGs. 20 and 21) of an embodiment of a base 90 that may be used with the embodiment of support element 80 shown in
• FIGs. 25-35 An unillustrated, opposite side of the primary receptacle 91 is a mirror image of side 95.
• Side 95 includes a retention socket 99 that receives and retains a retention pin 89 of the support element 80 in a manner that enables the retention pin 89 to pivot.
• a collapsed position positioning receptacle 98F is located just in front of the retention socket 99, and is configured to removably receive a positioning pin 88 of the support element 80 when the support element 80 is in a folded position, and its body 81 is placed within the primary receptacle 91.
• a raised position positioning receptacle 98R which is located in front of the collapsed position positioning receptacle 98F, has a shape (e.g., the illustrated reverse-L shape, etc.) that enables the positioning pin 88 to lock into position as a force (e.g., the weight of a mobile computing device, etc.) is applied to the front panel 81F of the body 81 of the support element 80 to force the front panel 81F in a rearward direction.
• the positioning pin 88 may be removed from the raised position positioning receptacle 98R by moving the front panel 81F forward, then lifting the positioning pin 88 out of the raised position positioning receptacle 98R.
• FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment of support base 90 that includes only one raised position positioning receptacle 98R, embodiments of support bases that include more than one raised position positioning receptacle are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 37 depicts the support element 80 in a raised position.
• an outer peripheral edge 110 of a mobile computing device 100 may be engaged by an edge retention element 62 within the receptacle 18' of a protective cover 10', and a back side 104 of the mobile computing device 100 may be positioned against the front panel 81F of the support element 80, placing a display 102 of the mobile computing device 100 in a working position having a substantially upright angle, as shown in FIG. 38.
• the configurations of the support element 80 and the support base 90 also enable the support element 80 to rest flat or substantially flat (e.g., so that the support element 80 does not impede placement of a mobile computing device, and its retention, within the receptacle 18' of the protective cover 10', etc.), parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom surface 19' of the receptacle 18' and, in some embodiments, substantially flush with bottom surface 19' of the receptacle 18' while the support element 80 is in its folded, or collapsed, position.
• FIG. 39 shows a protective cover 10' with the support element 80 in a folded, or collapsed, position.
• a mobile computing device 100 may be introduced into the receptacle 18' of the protective cover 10', with a display 104 (FIG. 39) of the mobile computing device 100 covered by the protective cover 10', as shown in FIGs. 23 and 24.
• the protective cover 10' may prevent damage to the mobile computing device 100 without significantly adding to the dimensions of the mobile computing device 100.
• an assembly including the protective cover 10' and a mobile computing device 100 may have a thickness that exceeds the thickness of the mobile computing device 100 alone by only about one-fourth of an inch (about 6.35 mm) or less.
• the protective cover 10' may only add about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) or less to each of the height and width of the mobile computing device 100.
• a user may grasp adjacent areas of the protective cover 10' and a feature of the mobile computing device 100 exposed through or beyond the protective cover 10' (e.g., an outer peripheral edge 110 adjacent to a communication port 108 of the mobile computing device 100, which is exposed through an access feature 36 of the protective cover 10', etc.), then pull the grasped areas in opposite directions.
• a feature of the mobile computing device 100 e.g., an outer peripheral edge 110 adjacent to a communication port 108 of the mobile computing device 100, which is exposed through an access feature 36 of the protective cover 10', etc.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
• Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=46384639

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Citations (5)

• 2011
  • 2011-07-08 EP EP11733987.9A patent/EP2484188A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events