GB2530330A

GB2530330A - Protective cover assembly for portable electronic devices

Info

Publication number: GB2530330A
Application number: GB1416673.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Scoular
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201416673D0

Abstract

A protective cover assembly 10 comprises a case assembly 12 having a case for surrounding a portable computing device such as a tablet, wherein the case has a front window for viewing and operating a touchscreen of the computing device. The cover assembly further comprises a foldable cover 14 having; a top leaf comprising a hinge line which divides the top leaf into top and bottom sections adapted to hinge with respect to one another; and a bottom leaf connected to the top leaf whereby either of the front or rear leaves can be folded over one another. The rear of the case assembly is magnetically attachable to the inner surface of the top leaf and may comprise a magnetically attachable pad. The foldable cover may further comprise an elongate intermediate strip connecting the top and bottom leaves to facilitate hinging. Each of the top and bottom leaves, and the case, may be rectangular, with pockets provided on one of the inner surface of the bottom leaf or the outer surface of the top leaf. The top and bottom leaves may each dispose at least one magnet therewithin.

Description

PROTECTIVE COVER ASSEMBLY FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to large-screened portable electronic device accessories and more particularly to a protective case assembly for a tablet PC.

Although tablet PCs, or popularly known as tablets, offer a great deal of convenience in terms of portability, their inconveniences lie among other aspects. For example, unlike a conventional laptop, a tablet per se is not suitable for a prolonged session of work unless combined with an external keyboard. Another setback is, for a better viewing angle, a tablet always needs to be either manually held at a convenient angle or propped against something. Simply put, a standalone tablet isn't always a convenient proposition for a prolonged usage.

In the light of the aforementioned, tablet cases or covers have been introduced into the market wherein, such a case or cover basically comprises a book-like cover comprising two leaves that are foldable over one another and adapted to securely tuck the tablet therebetween. More particularly, the inner surface of one of the leaves comprises a sleeve permanently attached thereto for snugly receiving a tablet therewithin thus securing the tablet to one of the leaves.

However, these covers are adapted to hold only the tablet thereby requiring a user to carry an accompanying keyboard separately. Secondly, although the covers make it possible for the tablets to be propped against the one of the leaves (thereby eliminating the need for the user to manually hold the tablet or the need for the tablet to be propped against something), as the position of the tablet is defined as the sleeve, these cases offer no flexibility in altering the orientation of the tablet. To be more precise, a tablet within such as case is always adapted to be used in landscape orientation. Lastly, the aspect of the sleeve being permanently attached to a leaf precludes the usage of the sleeve independent of the cover.

In the light of what is discussed, there is a need in the art for an improved case or cover that eliminates the drawback of conventional cases.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a protective cover assembly for a portable, wireless electronic device, such as a tablet. The cover assembly is basically two components comprising a case assembly and a cover. The case assembly comprises a rectangular case is adapted to snugly receive a tablet therewithin. The case comprises a rectangular front window for facilitating the visibility and operability of the touchscreen of the tablet. The case assembly further comprises a stiff rear pad comprising planar front and rear surfaces wherein, the rear surface of the pad is lined with metal members attractable by magnet. The front surface of the pad is adapted to be removably attached to the rear surface of the case to make up the case assembly.

The cover assembly further comprises a pair of interconnected top and bottom leaves wherein, each of the top and bottom leaves comprises a plurality of magnets disposed therewithin.

While the magnets within the top leaf are adapted to removably secure the case assembly thereto (owing to the metal members), the magnets within the bottom leaf are adapted to removably secure a wireless keyboard device thereto wherein, notably, the keyboard device is configured to be used in conjunction with the tablet. The aspect of the case assembly being magnetically secured to the top leaf makes it possible for (i) the case assembly, or even the case, to be used independent of the cover and (ii) the tablet to be used in both landscape and portrait orientations when propped against the cover.

Other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a perspective view of the closed protective cover assembly.

FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a perspective view of the open protective cover assembly.

FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of an exploded perspective view of the protective cover assembly.

FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a perspective view of the case assembly.

FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of an exploded perspective view of the case assembly.

FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a front view of the case.

FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of the case with the tablet being received thereinto.

FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a rear view of the pad.

FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a front perspective view of the foldable cover.

FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the foldable cover.

FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a tablet being used in landscape mode.

FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a tablet being used in landscape mode.

FIG. 13, according to an additional embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a front perspective view of the foldable cover.

FIG. 14, according to an additional embodiment of the present invention, is an illustration of a rear perspective view of the foldable cover.

FIGURES -REFERENCE NUMERALS

10-Protective Cover Assembly 12-Case Assembly 14-Cover 16-Case 18-Pad

20-Tablet

22-Window 24-Metal Member 26-Top Leaf 28-Bottom Leaf 30-Intermediate Strip 32-Keyboard Device 34-Hinge Line 36-Top Section 38-Bottom Section 40-Pocket Sleeve

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to FIGs. 1 through 3, the present invention comprises a protective cover assembly 10 adapted to be used for protecting portable, wireless, touchscreen-enabled computing device such as, a tablet PC, phablet, smartphone, etc. More particularly, the cover assembly lOis dimensionally adapted to be used in conjunction with a large-screened computing device such as, a tablet PC or simply, tablet 20. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 3, the protective case assembly lOis basically a combination of two components, viz., a case assembly 12 and a cover 14.

Referring to FIGs. 1 through 8, the case assembly 12 too is basically a combination of two components viz., a case 16 and a substantially rectangular rear pad 18. The case 16 is basically a rectangular sleeve adapted to slidably receive a tablet 20 therewithin wherein, the case 16, upon receiving the tablet 20, is dimensionally adapted to snugly surround on all sides of the tablet 20. The case 16 further comprises a pair of opposingly-disposed front and rear rectangular panels, the edges of which are interconnected by four side panel strips so as to form a rectangular structure. One of the four side panel strips, preferably the bottom side panel strip, is adapted to be opened so as to permit the ingress and egress of the tablet 20 into and out of the case 16 as seen in FIG. 7. The front panel of the case 16 comprises a rectangular window ZZso as to facilitate the visibility and the operability of the touchscreen of the tablet therethrough. Further, the case 16 comprises a plurality of openings for accessing various ports and other features of the tablet 20 such as, the charging port, the camera, etc. The pad 18, which preferably is made of relatively harder material, comprises planar front and rear surfaces wherein, the rear surface thereof is lined or attached with at least one and preferably two elongate metal members 24 attractable by magnet the utility of which will become apparent from the following body of text. The front surface of the rear pad iSis adapted to be removably secured to the rear surface of the case 16.

Referring to FIGs. 1 through 3, and 9 and 10, the cover 14, which is similar to the cover of a book, comprises top and bottom leaves 26 and 28 interconnected by an elongate intermediate strip 30 such that, the top leaf 26 can be folded over the bottom leaf 28 and vice versa. The top and bottom leaves 26 and 28 comprises a plurality of magnets (not shown) disposed therewithin. While the magnets within the top leaf are adapted to removably secure the case assembly 12 thereto (owing to the metal members 24), the magnets within the bottom leaf are adapted to removably secure a wireless keyboard device 32 thereto wherein, notably, the keyboard device 32 is configured to be used in conjunction with the tablet 20. Notably, the intermediate strip 30 is wide enough to so that, the top leaf 26 may be closed over the bottom leaf 28 accommodating both the case assembly 12 and the keyboard device 32. The top leaf 26 comprises a horizontal hinge line 34 dividing the top leaf 26 into top and bottom sections 36 and 38 whereby, the top section 36 hinges with respect to the bottom section 38 about the hinge line 34. As enabled by the hinge line 34, with the top and bottom sections 36 and 38 being at appropriate angles, the case assembly 12 can be propped against the top section 36 both in landscape and portrait orientations as seen in FIGs. 11 and 12 respectively.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIGs. 13 and 14, the outer surface of the top leaf 26 and the inner surface of the bottom leaf 28 comprise a plurality of pocket sleeves 40 for receiving accessory devices such as, cables, Bluetooth flash unit, earphones, additional battery, power bank, etc. Notably, the cover 14 may be made of soft plastic, leather, or any other suitable material.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. For example, the protective case assembly can be adapted to accommodate a tablet PC by simply altering the dimensions thereof. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A protective cover assembly comprising: (a) a case assembly comprising a case for snugly surrounding a portable computing device on all sides thereof, the case comprising a front window for facilitating the visibility and operability of a front touch screen of the device; and (b) a foldable cover comprising: (i) a top leaf comprising a hinge line, the hinge line dividing the top leaf into top and bottom sections wherein, the top section is adapted to be hinged with respect to the bottom section about the hinge line; and LU (ii) a bottom leaf connected to the top leaf whereby, either of the front or rear leaves can be folded over one another; wherein, either the rear of the case assembly is attached with a metal attractable by magnet and the top leaf comprises at least one magnet disposed therewith or vice versa whereby, the case assembly is magnetically attachable to the inner surface of the top leaf.
2. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the foldable cover further comprises an elongate intermediate strip connecting the top and bottom leaves about the opposite edges thereof so that, either of the front or rear leaves can be folded over one another.
3. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the top leaf comprises at least one magnet disposed therewithin.
4. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the portable electronic device comprises a tablet PC.
5. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the portable electronic device comprises a phablet.
6. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the case is substantially rectangular.
7. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, each of the top and bottom leaves is substantially rectangular.
8. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the bottom leaf comprises at least one magnet disposed therewithin.
9. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the inner surface of the bottom leaf comprises at least one pocket sleeve.
10. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the outer surface of the top leaf comprises at least one pocket sleeve.
11. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the case comprises a plurality of opening for accessing the various ports of the device.
12. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein, the case assembly further comprises a substantially rectangular pad adapted to be secured to the rear surface of the case; the rear surface of the pad attached with the metal attractable by magnet.
13. The cover assembly of claim 12 wherein, the rectangular pad is removable secured to the case.
14. A protective cover assembly comprising: (a) a case assembly comprising a substantially rectangular case for snugly surrounding a portable computing device on all sides thereof, the case comprising a front window for facilitating the visibility and operability of a front touch screen of the device; and (b) a rectangular foldable cover comprising: (i) a substantially rectangular top leaf comprising a hinge line, the hinge line dividing the top leaf into top and bottom sections wherein, the top section is adapted to be hinged with respect to the bottom section about the hinge line; and (ii) a substantially rectangular bottom leaf comprising at least one magnet disposed therewithin, the bottom leaf connected to the top leaf whereby, either of the front or rear leaves can be folded over one another; wherein, either the rear of the case assembly is attached with a metal attractable by magnet and the top leaf comprises at least one magnet disposed therewith or vice versa whereby, the case assembly is magnetically attachable to the inner surface of the top leaf.