GB2531695A

GB2531695A - Device Holder

Info

Publication number: GB2531695A
Application number: GB1416789.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Akwasi Aboagye Nana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-23
Filing date: 2014-09-23
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Also published as: GB201416789D0

Abstract

A case for a portable electronic display device 13 comprises a protective housing 3 and a platform arrangement 11 for supporting the portable electronic device 13 configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the housing 3. The platform arrangement 11 may slide in and out of the housing 3 between a stowed position and an extended position and may pivot relative to the housing 3 between the extended position and a deployed position. The case provides a portable, convenient and stable working platform for the user of a portable electronic device, such as a tablet, particularly whilst standing up, which can readily be returned into the housing of the case for protection.

Description

Device Holder

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to the field of cases and holders for portable electronic devices and, especially tablets such as the ipaclim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development and use of touch screen tablet devices as well as smartphones, mini-tablets and similar portable electronic devices has increased significantly in recent years.

Despite their functionality and convenience, these devices are rather fragile which means a robust case is often desirable. In taking advantage of their portability, a user typically has to remove the device from a hag or case and hold it in one hand whilst using the other hand for touch screen use making for somewhat clumsy use. It would be desirable for a means to facilitate robust protection and hands free support of electronic devices to aid their use portably and use while sitting, travelling or standing.

A number of functional or multifunctional tablet carry cases are known in the art.

WO-A-2013/103928 describes a tablet case comprising a frame member for housing a tabled device in which the tablet is rotatable between two facing directions and which frame member is slideable between compact stowed position and upright deployed position. This essentially enables a tablet to he moved between tablet and laptop positions within a separate carry case.

US-A-2010/006614 describes a case providing a portable table with waist and shoulder harness to hold it in a position to allow a user to operate a device and comprising a cover whereby the case may be closed to protect the device.

CN 202653393 comprises a tablet carrying case which may he worn by shoulder and waist harness to secure against the body. The case may then he opened and folded downward and outward, the downward and outward folding part supporting the tablet and configured to allow the tablet to slide out and rotate in order to enable configuration between portrait and landscape configurations. There is a need for improved cases to enhance the user experience of tablet-type electronic devices and similar and in particular to take full advantage of their portability, especially whilst travelling or when mobile.

The present inventor has developed a new case for aiding mobile use of a portable electronic device.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

There is a need for improvements in cases for portable electronic devices such as tablets.

It is an object of this invention to provide a case for a portable electronic device which improves the devices utility in a portable environment. It is an object of the invention to provide a case for a portable electronic device which provides improved hands free support of the device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a framework for the support of a portable electronic device to enable its hands free portable support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a case for a portable electronic display device, the case comprising a protective housing for receipt of the portable electronic device and a platform arrangement for supporting the portable electronic device, the platform arrangement being configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the housing, whereby the platform arrangement may slide in and out of the housing between a stowed position within the housing and an extended position extending from the housing and may pivot relative to the housing between the extended position and a deployed position where a supported device can he operated.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a framework for supporting a portable electronic display device, the framework comprising a supporting frame and a platform arrangement for supporting a portable electronic -2 -display device, the platform arrangement being configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the supporting frame whereby the platform arrangement may slide relative to the supporting frame to an extended position and may pivot relative to the supporting frame between the extended position and a deployed position, where a supported device can he operated.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The case of the present invention provides a portable, convenient and stable working platform for the user of a portable electronic device, such as an ipadTM or tablet, particularly whilst standing up, which can readily be returned into the body or housing of the case for excellent protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 illustrates in perspective view a case according to one aspect of the invention, between its stowed and extended configurations; Figure 2 illustrates a case of Figure 1 worn by a user and in its deployed configuration; Figure 3 illustrates in perspective view a case of Figure 1 in its deployed configuration; and Figure 4 illustrates in an exploded perspective view the components of a case according to one aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides for an improved case and support framework a portable electronic device, preferably a touch screen portable electronic device such as a tablet The case and support framework of the present invention enable a portable electronic device (hereinafter this term or tablet may be used interchangeably, which terms may be substituted with one another where the context allows) to be used on a convenient platform, stably supported when suspended about a user's body, typically to the front of the users body or torso and typically suspended about the shoulders or neck.

A case, according to the invention comprises a protective housing for receipt of the portable electronic device and a platform arrangement for supporting the portable electronic device, the platform arrangement being configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the housing, whereby the platform arrangement may slide in and out of the housing between a stowed position within the housing and an extended position extending from the housing and may pivot relative to the housing between the extended position and a deployed position where a supported device can be operated.

Preferably the platform arrangement defines a platform plane, being the plane of the platform which will support the electronic device.

Preferably, the housing defines a housing plane which is typically parallel to the platform plane when the platform arrangement is in its stowed position within the housing. The housing is typically a generally rectangular cuboid having a first face and a second face, two opposing sides and two opposing ends. The first face and second face are preferably generally planar and typically in parallel with one another (and each define or are parallel with the housing plane).

The case may be so configured that one end is an open or opening end, being the end from which the platform arrangement is slideably extendable. The sides may be shorter or longer than ends. Preferably the sides are longer than the ends.

Preferably, the platform arrangement is configured to pivot relative to the housing plane. Thus, the platform arrangement may he disposed in a deployed configuration at an angle to the housing plane, i.e. may project outward from the plane of the case in its held position.

The platform arrangement may be configured to pivot between the extended configuration and one or a range of angles of deployed configuration.

For example, the case may be formed so as to enable adjustment and selection of a continuous range of angles from (the angle in the extended configuration) to -4 -about 100°, say to about 90° and optionally at positions 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 or 75° from the plane of the housing. Alternatively, the case is formed so as to enable stepwise adjustment to a possible deployed angle every say 5° or 10°. In a yet further alternative, the case is formed so as to enable adjustment between a set of predetermined deployed configurations at predetermined angles in the range from 0° to about 120°, e.g. 45°, 60° and 90°. hi a yet further alternative, the case is formed so as to enable adjustment between the extended configuration and a single deployed configuration at a predetermined angle to the housing in the range from 0° to about 120°, e.g. 45°, 60° or 90°.

Preferably, the case is provided with a retaining means for the user to hold, support, secure or retain the case. The retaining means may be, for example a harness, but is preferably a strap that may be used to support the case about a user's neck or shoulders like a typical carrying strap, whereby the case may be suspended to the fore of the user's body.

The retaining means is preferably provided or attached to the case so as to dispose the case with its opening end upward. This may be achieved by any manner which would be known and understood by the skilled person in the art, e.g. providing or attaching the retaining means so that in the stowed position the weight is distributed such that the opening end is disposed upward.

Preferably, a strap is attached at two positions on the housing, one proximal to or at each side and preferably an equal distance from the opening end. The strap is preferably attached sufficiently close to the opening end that when carried by the strap, the opening end is disposed upward, and is preferably within the 25% of the length of the housing closest to the opening end.

Preferably the retaining means, e.g. the strap, is adjustable (by any suitable means, e.g. a buckle) so as to enable a user to adjust the length of the strap to a comfortable carrying and working height.

Preferably, in use, the case in the stowed configuration may be suspended to the fore of the user's body such that a face of the housing abuts the user's body. Preferably, when in deployed configuration, the housing remains in position whereby a face of the housing abuts the user's body, whilst the platform arrangement projects upward from the upwardly disposed opening end of the housing and outward at an angle to the plane of the housing and outward from the user's body so as to provide a convenient platform from which a portable electronic device disposed thereon may be operated.

In this manner, in the deployed configuration, the platform arrangement provides a working surface that has unencumbered access and improved stability. By having the platform arrangement, in the deployed configuration, project outward from an upper end, when worn, of the case, the housing/body of which rests against the wearer's body, touch and typing actions on the portable electronic device do not cause significant movement of the platform arrangement or of the portable electronic device because the housing/body portion of the case abutting the body acts as a stop to prevent movement of the platform arrangement and the case as a whole about a virtual pivot point -the counter movement being the movement of the lower end of the case, when worn, toward the body of the user/wearer, which movement is limited by the body of the user. This is in contrast, for example, to a case which has a projecting platform arrangement that projects from a lower end of a case when worn, wherein the counter movement to a pivotal movement caused by downward pressure on the platform is outward movement of the upper end of the case, which may freely occur, since it is prevented from moving only by the relative tension of the straps holding it in place and is thus much less stable.

Preferably, the platform arrangement is configured to enable a portable electronic device to be rotated (e.g. between portrait and landscape orientations) about an axis generally perpendicular to the screen of the portable electronic device.

Preferably, the platform arrangement comprises a base member, which provides the structural integrity of the platform arrangement and by which the platform arrangement is mounted to the housing, and a platform member which is supported by the base member and provides a platform surface upon which a portable electronic device may be disposed. Preferably, the platform member is configured, when in the extended or deployed positions, to he rotatable -6 -relative the base member typically about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the platform member, whereby a portable electronic device may be rotated between different orientations, such as between a portrait and landscape working orientation. The platform member may be so configured by, for example, a ring bearing disposed between the platform member and the base member.

Any suitable means may be provided to support the platform arrangement on the housing to enable it to be slidably moved between stowed and extended configurations and between extended and deployed configurations. Such arrangements may include slide rails, bearings, wheels, hinges. stops and such like.

Preferably the platform arrangement is mounted to the housing by way of a cross member. The cross member is preferably slidably mounted within the housing in order that the platform arrangement may move from a stowed configuration within the housing to an extended configuration whereby the platform arrangement extends from an opening end of the housing to reveal any portable electronic device disposed on the platform arrangement.

The platform arrangement may be pivotally mounted on the cross member to enable the platform arrangement to pivot in and out of the plane of the housing about an axis that is substantially parallel with the housing plane and which axis is preferably substantially perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the platform arrangement between its stowed and extended configurations. Preferably, the platform arrangement is hingedly mounted on the cross member.

More preferably, where the platform arrangement comprises a base member, which is a structural base member, the base member is mounted in relation to the housing, preferably by way of a cross member. The base member is then pivotally mounted to the cross member.

The cross member may then he slidably mounted to the housing and typically to the sides of the housing, e.g. by a slide rail and shim or bearings. -7 -

Optionally a closure member, e.g. a leather flap, may be provided to fold over and close the opening end when the case is in its stowed configuration.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the case of the above aspect and in a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a supporting frame. hi a preferred embodiment of the case of the first aspect described above, the case and were relevant the housing may be comprised of a supporting frame, which is in or integrally forms the housing and which supporting frame is described in more detail below.

According to the second aspect, a framework is provided for supporting a portable electronic display device, the framework comprising a supporting frame and a platform arrangement for supporting a portable electronic display device, the platform arrangement being configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the supporting frame whereby the platform arrangement may slide relative to the supporting frame to an extended position and may pivot relative to the supporting frame between the extended position and a deployed position, where a supported device can be operated.

The supporting frame comprises two side members and at least two cross members provided to create a rigid structure. Preferably, the supporting 20 frame comprises two sides, an optional end cross member and at least two face cross members (e.g. rigid or reinforced planar members).

The framework according to this aspect may comprise any of the features of the first aspect described above with, generally, the framework substituted for the housing.

In a preferred embodiment the case is configured to carry a smartplione, laptop or tablet and more preferably a tablet. Preferably, it is configured to carry a tablet of size from 5 to 17 inches (screen size, corner to corner), preferably 7 to 12 inches. Preferably, the ends of the case are 2.5 to 12 inches, but more preferably 4 to 9 inches (e.g. 6 to 8 inches). Preferably the sides of the case are 5 to 17 inches, more preferably 8 to 13 inches (e.g. 9 to 12 inches).

Preferably, the case is configured to he provided opening end upward and so as the device is carried in portrait configuration such that in the extended configuration, the device is held in portrait configuration and when deployed in portrait configuration but rotatable to landscape configuration. Preferably, the housing comprises a frame (e.g. a metal frame such as aluminium) comprising sides housing slide rails and cross frame members providing some basic structure. Stiff panel elements such as from leather may be disposed on the frame to provide structure to the housing. A cross-member is preferably mounted within the frame in a sliding relationship with the rails housed in the sides.

The invention will now be described in more detail, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying Figures.

In Figure 1 a case 1 comprises a housing 3 having an adaptable strap 5 for fitting around a user's neck or shoulder for carrying the case 1. The strap 5 is adjustable in length by buckle 6. The strap 5 is affixed on the sides 7 of the housing 3 adjacent an opening end 9 from which a platform arrangement 11 slidably mounted to the housing 3 may slide to reveal a tablet 13 which may optionally be disposed or removably mounted on to the platform arrangement 11. Thus the platform arrangement may be moved between a stowed configuration (not shown) in which the platform arrangement 11 is fully within the housing 3 and an extended configuration (not shown) in which the platform arrangement 11 is extended out of the housing 3. Figure 1 illustrates the case 1 in a partially extended configuration between a stowed and extended configuration.

In Figure 2, the case 1 is held around a user's neck 15 by the strap 5. The platform arrangement is extended from the opening end 9 and angled to the plane of the housing 3 by about 45° to adopt a deployed configuration 17 in which the tablet 13 is available for the user to operate on a platform surface of the platform arrangement 11 whilst the case 1 is worn around the user's neck 15.

In Figure 3, the case 1 is in a second deployed configuration in which the platform arrangement 11 is disposed at an angle of 90° to the plane of the housing 3 and in which the platform arrangement 11 is configured to display the tablet 13 in a landscape orientation 19 or rotated orientation. By having a weighty housing 3, the case can operate as an effective table-top stand for viewing movies, photos or, in one embodiment in which an associated wireless linked keyboard may be disposed on the inside of the closure flap, as a laptop work mode. The tablet 13 in this form is mounted on a platform member (not visible) which is rotatably mounted to a base member 21, the base member 21 being itself pivotally mounted to the housing 3 via a cross member 23, which is itself slidably mounted to the sides of the housing. The pivotal relationship is facilitated by hinge member 24.

In Figure 4, components of a case 1 in one embodiment is illustrated in exploded view. Thus, a preferred construction of the case comprises a housing 3 made up of a cover 25 of leather, front and hack sheets 27, sides formed of side panels 29 and side panel covers 31 upon which are mounted strap holders 33 to which a strap 5 is affixed. A cover flap 26 is provided to close the opening end when the case 1 is in a stowed configuration. A platform arrangement is made up of a base member 21, a platform member 35 which is configured to receive a tablet (not shown) and a ring bearing disposed therebetween to enable the platform member 35 to rotate relative the base member 21. The platform arrangement is mounted to the housing via a crossmember 23 which itself is slidcably mounted to the recessed side panels 29 by way of a shim 37. The crossmember 23 is mounted to the shim via a constant torque hinge 39. Thus, the platform arrangement may slide in and out of the housing between stowed and extended positions by movement of the crossemember 23 to which the base member 21 of the platform arrangement is mounted and the platform arrangement may then pivot in its extended position to a deployed position in which the platform member 35 adopts a plane at a desired angle to the plane of the housing (e.g. the cover 25) by means of the constant torque hinge 39 by which the crossmember 23 is mounted to the shim 37.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A case for a portable electronic display device, the case comprising a protective housing for receipt of the portable electronic device and a platform arrangement for supporting the portable electronic device, the platform arrangement being configured slideably and pivotably in relation to the housing, whereby the platform arrangement may slide in and out of the housing between a stowed position within the housing and an extended position extending from the housing and may pivot relative to the housing between the extended position and a deployed position where a supported device can be operated.
2. A case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an opening end to allow the platform arrangement to slide in and out of the housing and which case is provided with a strap configured so that in use worn by a person the opening end is disposed upwards.
3. A case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the platform arrangement extends outward from the body when in its deployed position when worn by a user in its deployed configuration.
4. A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform arrangement comprises a base member, which provides the structural integrity of the platform arrangement and by which the platform arrangement is mounted to the housing, and a platform member which is supported by the base member and provides a platform surface upon which a portable electronic device may be disposed and wherein the platform member is configured, when in the extended or deployed positions, to be rotatable relative the base member about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the platform member, whereby a portable electronic device may be rotated between different orientations.-12 -