KR102051589B1

KR102051589B1 - Exterior cover with cradling

Info

Publication number: KR102051589B1
Application number: KR1020130099058A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김태우; 방용석; 버나드 로
Original assignee: 삼성전자주식회사
Priority date: 2013-08-21
Filing date: 2013-08-21
Publication date: 2019-12-03
Also published as: KR20150021740A

Abstract

In the present invention, a mounting external cover provided in the user device is disclosed. The disclosed exterior cover includes a base, a lower cover connected to the base bottom, and an upper cover connected to the lower cover to open and close the display unit of the user device in a variety of modes. The disclosed exterior cover is supported in various mounting modes by the lower cover and the upper cover, and the switching operation between the mounting modes is convenient, and each mounting mode is stable.

Description

Dual exterior cover {EXTERIOR COVER WITH CRADLING}

Embodiments according to the present invention is an exterior cover that can support the user device inclined in various modes while protecting the appearance of the user device including a smart phone (tablet PC) or tablet PC (tablet PC) when carrying ).

In general, in order to protect a user device to be carried, for example, a smartphone or a tablet PC, the user device is equipped with an external cover. The outer cover is detachably provided to the user device, and protects the front and / or rear of the user device. Since the user equipment is often carried, impacts such as drops occur, and external damage such as scratches frequently occurs on the outer surface, and thus is protected by the outer cover.

Another function of the outer cover, it is recognized as an accessory with its own personality by configuring in a variety of colors, it is also made of a variety of materials, for example, a leather of a variety of colors to provide a luxurious feel.

In particular, user devices, such as smartphones or tablet PCs, are protected by an external cover, with the front facing the display and / or touch screen.

In general, a generalized outer cover includes an upper cover and a lower cover, and the upper and lower covers are connected by hinges. The top cover is rotated and folded / unfolded from the front, which is the display screen of the user device.

On the other hand, when using the user device, it is somewhat inconvenient when typing or watching the displayed screen. For example. When using a user device, when the user inputs data using a stylus pen or an input-oriented mode using a virtual keyboard, the user device is slightly inclined, and is mounted at an angle of about 15 degrees. The input operation is convenient from the standpoint.

In addition, in the case of a display-based display of the displayed screen of the user device to the user, it is convenient for the user device to maintain a state inclined much, inclined around about 75 degrees, from the user's point of view.

In contrast, the user device is convenient to carry from the user's point of view when the front surface on which the display is disposed is protected from the external environment.

The exterior cover, which is convenient for use in the above three modes, is mounted on the user base, and the user has been used conveniently.

In practice, a slightly inclined state is convenient for typing when the user equipment is being typed, and it is easy to see when the user is inclined much for viewing the displayed screen. To alleviate this inconvenience, a portable cradle for a separate user device may be provided, or a cradle may be provided on an exterior cover provided in the user device.

However, it may be inconvenient to carry a cradle at all times from the user's point of view, and the user device provided with the cradle is not beautiful in appearance. Accordingly, the external cover of the user device may be configured to perform a mounting function, or a separate part may be attached to the external cover and used as a holder of the user device.

The cover of a user device having a conventional mounting function is disclosed in detail in Korean Utility Model Registration Application No. 2012-0007825 and Korean Patent Application No. 2012-0140504.

However, the conventional external cover of the user equipment does not provide a stable mounting state in various mounting modes, and has a disadvantage that the mounting state is unstable. For example, the external cover of the conventional user equipment has a problem in that switching between modes is inconvenient.

Therefore, the embodiment according to the present invention provides a combined external exterior cover that provides a stable mounting state in various modes.

In addition, the embodiment according to the present invention provides a mounting and exterior mounting cover for quick mode switching.

In addition, the embodiment according to the present invention provides a mounting mode external cover that is convenient for viewing, or the mounting mode switching between the typing mode is convenient.

In addition, an embodiment according to the present invention is to provide a mounting combined exterior cover that is disposed in front of the user device does not turn over when mounted.

In order to solve the above problems, the embodiment according to the present invention is folded with a first folding line (f1, f2) in the external cover of the user device, the user device 10 is connected to a predetermined area, A lower cover 21 for supporting the user device 10 inclinedly; Is connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge (h), opening and closing the front of the user device 10, is folded with a second folding line (f3), the user device 10 is the lower cover And an upper cover 22 supporting each of the first and second mounting modes in the first and second mounting modes, wherein the first and second mode switching is performed according to the folding direction of the first folding line of the lower cover 21. Is done.

In addition, the embodiment according to the present invention in the external cover of the user device, the base 23 to which the user device 10 is detached; A lower cover 21 having a portion fixed to the base 23; And an upper cover 22 connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge h to open and close the front of the user device 10, and in a first mounting mode, the folding line f2 of the lower cover 21. ), The folding line f3 and the hinge h of the upper cover are folded to support the user device 10 inclined, and in the second mounting mode, the folding lines f1 and f2 of the lower cover The folding line f3 of the upper cover is folded to support the user device 10 inclinedly.

In addition, the embodiment according to the present invention in the external cover of the user device, the base 23 to which the user device is removable; A lower cover 21 which is folded with first folding lines f1 and f2 and fixed to a predetermined area of the base 10 and supports the user device 10 inclinedly; And connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge (h), opening and closing the front of the user device 10, and is folded with a second folding line (f3), the user device 10 is lowered Along with the cover 21, it includes a top cover 22 for supporting in the first and second mounting mode, respectively.

As described above, the exterior cover according to the embodiment of the present invention can stably mount the user device in various modes, and the switching operation between the modes is convenient.

Furthermore, the exterior cover according to the embodiment of the present invention does not turn over even when the user device is mounted, and also provides convenience of being disposed in front.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user device is mounted on an exterior cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing a closed state.
2 is a view showing a state in which the front of the user device is opened by rotating the top cover of the exterior cover 180 degrees according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a state in which the front cover of the user device is opened by rotating the upper cover of the outer cover according to an embodiment of the present invention 380 degrees.
4 is a front view showing an exterior cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting state of an exterior cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a first mounting mode. FIG.
6 is a perspective view showing another mounting state of the exterior cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a second mounting mode.
7 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of switching the exterior cover in the first mounting mode to the second mounting mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exemplary view illustrating a state in which a magnetic material is mounted on an exterior cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to aid the overall understanding of the embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It contains a variety of specific details to assist in such understanding, but these will only be regarded as illustrative. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristics, parameters or values do not have to be accurately achieved, and that variations or characteristics, including tolerances, measurement errors, limits of measurement accuracy and other factors known to those skilled in the art This may occur to a degree that does not exclude the effect to be provided.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a user device 10 is mounted on an exterior cover 20 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and illustrates a user mounting mode for convenient viewing, and FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the user device 10 is mounted on the exterior cover 20 according to an example.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the exterior cover 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a cover to which the user device 10 is mounted and carried together, in particular to protect the exterior of the mounted user device 10 It is an accessory concept, which refers to an exterior cover that can be made of various colors and high-quality materials, and refers to an exterior cover having a mounting function without using a separate component. In addition, the user device 10 refers to a portable user device in a general electronic product, and particularly refers to a miniaturized / slim mobile communication device. The user device 10 includes a mobile phone, a palm sized personal computer (PC), a personal communication system (PCS), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable PC (HPC: Hand). The same applies to any of a handheld PC, a smart phone, a wireless local area network (LAN) terminal, a laptop computer, a netbook, a notebook, a tablet PC, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the user device 10 may be a 'tablet PC' or a 'smart phone', assuming that the user device 10 is a tablet PC, the mounting external cover 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention below Will be described.

In the user device 10, a display 100 capable of touch input is disposed on a front surface of the user device 10, and protected by the exterior cover 20. The user device 10 has a touch input device 100 disposed on a front surface thereof, and the touch input device 100 receives and processes touches, movements, and gestures of a finger or a stylus pen. The exterior cover 20 according to the present embodiment rotatably connects the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 on which the user device 10 is mounted, and the first and second covers 21 and 22. A hinge h and a base 23 (shown in FIG. 8) to which the user device 10 is detached.

The base 23 has a structure in which the user device 10 is detachable. By the force of the user, the user device 10 is separated or coupled to the base 10. The base 23 has a locking portion for restraining the coupled user device, and is provided in four corner regions.

Since the first cover 21 is always disposed on the bottom surface of the user device 10, the first cover 21 is referred to as a 'lower cover' below, and the second cover 22 can open and close the front surface of the user device 10. It will be referred to as the 'top cover'.

The upper cover 22 is rotatably connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge (h), folded or unfolded on the front (display portion) of the user device 10, the user due to the rotation and folding The lower cover 21 mounted with the device 10 serves as a mounting function.

The base 23 is mounted in a state in which the user device 10 faces the user device 10. The base 23 may be forcibly mounted or detached by a plurality of locking portions 230 provided along a circumference. Since the locking portion 230 is a synthetic resin material having elasticity, it is possible to forcibly attach or detach the user device, and the resin material may include urethane.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lower cover 22 is partially connected to the user device. As will be described later, the first support 210 of the lower cover 21 is fixed to the upper region of the bottom surface of the base 23 to which the user device 10 is coupled. The lower cover 21 includes first folding lines f1 and f2 (folding lines) parallel to a hinge axial direction (h), and is connected to the first folding lines (l1 and f2). By at least two supporters (210,212,214).

That is, the lower cover 21 includes two folding lines f1 and f2, and includes first, second and third supports 210, 212 and 214. The folding line distant from the hinge h is the folding line f1, and the folding line close to the hinge h is the folding line f2. In addition, the hinge (h) and the support portion at a distance is the first support 210, the support price in the vicinity of the hinge (h) is the third support 214, the first and third support (210,214) The second support 212 is located between. A fold line f1 is positioned between the first and second supports 210 and 212, and a fold line f2 is positioned at a fold line between the second and third supports 212 and 214.

Each of the first, second, and third supports 210, 212, and 214 of the lower cover 21 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the third support 214 is the widest, and the first support 210 is small, and approximately the The third support 214 has an area equal to the sum of the first support 210 and the second support 212. Each of the folding lines f1 and f2 is responsible for the hinge function. For example, each of the folding lines f1 and f2 has a groove shape and is thinner than other portions, so that the support is rotated along the folding line.

The upper cover 22 opens and closes the front of the user device in the standard mode (FIGS. 1 to 3), but rotates in the mounting mode (FIGS. 5 and 6) to rotate the user device 10 together with the lower cover 21. Support it at an angle. The upper cover 22 has a second fold line f3, and the second fold line f3 consists of a single fold line. The upper cover 22 is composed of first and second supports 220 and 222 by the second folding line f2. In general, the first and second supports 220 and 222 may have the same rectangular shape, but need not be limited to the same area, and may be changed according to a mounting angle. In the outer cover 20, the third support 214 of the lower cover and the first and second supports 220 and 222 of the upper cover have the same shape, and the first and second supports 210 and 212 of the lower cover are substantially the same shape. The combined size is similar to the third support 214. Reference numeral '212' shown in FIG. 4 denotes an opening for a camera. The camera opening 212 is formed at the center of the first support 210.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the user device 10 mounted on the base 23 by the lower cover 21 and the upper cover 22 may be mounted in various user mounting modes. FIG. 5 illustrates a first roughness mode in which the mounted user device 10 is inclined at approximately 75 degrees around, and FIG. 6 illustrates a second roughness mode in which the mounted user device 10 is inclined at about 15 degrees. Indicates. The first distance mode is convenient for viewing when the displayed screen is directed toward the user, so it may be referred to as a viewing mode, and the second distance mode should be mounted at a slight inclination on the floor or a table, so that data input is convenient. Also referred to as a typing mode. In each of the first and second mounting modes, each of the folding lines f1, f2, and f3 provided in the lower cover 21 and the upper cover 22 is folded at different directions and angles, thereby using a plurality of supports. You can implement the docking function.

The exterior cover 20 according to the present embodiment more reliably supports the user device in various mounting modes more stably, and it is convenient to switch between each mounting mode.

To this end, the mounting structure of the lower cover 21 and the upper cover 22 in the first mounting mode or the second mounting mode will be described. The lower cover 21 and the upper cover 22 are each provided with a folding line, and by rotating the supports around the folding line, it is possible to implement a variety of mounting modes.

In the first mounting mode illustrated in FIG. 5, the hinge h, the lower cover folding line f3 and the upper cover folding line f2 are folded to support the user device 10 inclinedly.

The first support 210 of the lower cover 21 is always fixed to the upper region of the bottom surface of the base 23, and the second support 212 of the lower cover 21 is in close contact with a portion of the bottom surface of the base 23. The third support 214 supports the user device in an inclined state. In addition, the first cover 220 of the upper cover 22 maintains a state of being in close contact with the lower area of the bottom surface of the base 23, and the second support 222 is in contact with the floor, thereby inclining the user device 10. I support it. Here, the hinge h is folded and disposed at the bottom side.

In the second mounting mode illustrated in FIG. 6, the folding lines f1, f2, and f3 of the lower cover and the upper cover are collapsed to support the user device 10 inclinedly. The first support 210 of the lower cover is fixed on the bottom of the base 23, the second support 212 is inclinedly supported, and the third support 214 is in contact with the bottom. In addition, the first support 220 of the upper cover is in close contact with the bottom of the bottom surface of the base 23, the second support 222 is in contact with the floor to support the user device 10 inclined.

Referring to FIG. 7, an operation of switching from the first mounting mode to the second mounting mode of the exterior cover 20 will be described. As described above, when the exterior cover 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention pulls the folding line f2 of the lower cover in a direction opposite to the user device in the first mounting mode, the folding line f1 is automatically folded, The hinge h comes in contact with the floor. That is, when the user pulls and pushes the folding line f2 by the weight of the user device 10, the exterior cover 20 is changed to the second mounting mode.

In addition, in the second mounting mode of the outer cover, when the user comes into close contact with the bottom surface of the base 23 while lifting the folding line f2 toward the user device, the user changes to the first mounting mode. That is, the exterior cover 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention can change the mounting mode with a simple operation.

Referring to FIG. 8, magnetic bodies m1 and m2 are provided at positions of the base 23 and predetermined positions of the first support 220 of the upper cover. Since each magnetic body (m1, m2) is an upper pole, the attraction force to support the upper and lower cover folded in the first and second mounting mode, thereby stably supporting the user device (10). Each of the magnetic bodies m1 and m2 may be mounted one or more. The magnetic material may be, for example, a permanent magnet. In addition, instead of the magnet, by installing a separate Velcro or rubber, it is possible to stably support the mounting state of the exterior cover.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. I will understand.

Claims

In the external cover of the user device,
A lower cover 21 which is folded with two different first folding lines f1 and f2 and connected to a predetermined area of the user device 10 to support the user device 10 inclinedly;
Is connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge (h), opening and closing the front of the user device 10, is folded with a second folding line (f3), the user device 10 is the lower cover Together with 21 a top cover 22 supporting each in the first and second mounting modes,
According to the folding direction of the first folding line f2 of the lower cover 21, the first and second mounting modes are switched,
When the first folding line f2 of the lower cover 21 is folded toward the user device 10, the user device in the first mounting mode in which the first folding line f2 is in contact with the lower cover 21 side. (10) and when the first folding line f2 of the lower cover 21 is folded in the opposite direction to the user device 10, the second folding line where the first folding line f2 is in contact with the floor Exterior cover for supporting the user device 10 in mode.

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According to claim 1, Between the user device 10 and the lower cover 21 is provided with a base 23 for detaching the user device, a portion of the lower cover 21 is fixed to a portion of the base 23 Exterior cover.

4. The lower cover 21 is divided into first, second and third supports 210, 212 and 214, each having two parallel first folding lines f1 and f2.
The top cover (22) is provided with one second folding line (f3), the outer cover is divided into first and second support (220,222).

The exterior cover of claim 4, wherein the first support (210) of the lower cover is fixed to the base (23).

The method of claim 5, wherein the second support 212 is larger than the first support 210 of the lower cover, the third support 214 is larger than the second support 212, the first support of the upper cover 1,2 support (220,222) is the outer cover consisting of the same size.

The method of claim 4, wherein the first mounting mode is a typing mode for data input, which supports the mounted user device 10 inclined about 15 degrees, and the second mounting mode is the mounted user device 10. Exterior cover in a viewing mode for viewing the displayed data, which tilts back and forth about 75 degrees.

The method according to claim 6, wherein in the first roughness mode, the folds are folded along the hinge h and the folding lines f2 and f3, respectively.
The first support 210 of the lower cover is fixed to the bottom of the base 23, the second support 212 is in close contact with the bottom of the base 23, the third support 214 is in an inclined state Support your device,
The first support 220 of the upper cover is in close contact with the bottom of the bottom surface of the base 23, the second support 222 is in contact with the floor to cover the user device inclined to cover.

The method according to claim 8, wherein in the second mounting mode, each of the folding lines (f1, f2, f3) are folded,
The first support 210 of the lower cover is fixed to the upper surface of the base 23, the second support 212 is inclined support, the third support 214 is in contact with the floor, the first of the upper cover The first support 220 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the base 23, the second support 222 is in contact with the bottom of the outer cover for supporting the user device inclined.

The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a tablet PC or a smartphone.

The exterior cover of claim 3, wherein the first support (220) and the base (23) of the upper cover are each provided with a magnetic material to stably support the first and second mounting modes.

In the external cover of the user device,
A base 23 to which the user device 10 is attached or detached;
A lower cover 21 having a portion fixed to the base 23; And
Is connected to the lower cover 21 by a hinge (h), consisting of an upper cover 22 for opening and closing the front of the user device 10,
In the first mounting mode, the fold line f1 of the lower cover 21 is unfolded, and the fold line f2 of the lower cover 21 is folded toward the user device 10 to be in contact with the base 23. The folding line f3 and the hinge h of the upper cover 22 are folded to support the user device 10 inclinedly.
In the second mounting mode, the folding line f1 of the lower cover 21 is folded, and the folding line f2 of the lower cover 21 is folded in the opposite direction of the user device 10 to be in contact with the floor. And an exterior cover for folding the folding line f3 of the upper cover 22 to support the user device 10 inclinedly.

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