WO2019213346A1

WO2019213346A1 - Electronic device protector

Info

Publication number: WO2019213346A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/030320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert A. Vito
Original assignee: Matscitechno Licensing Company
Priority date: 2018-05-04
Filing date: 2019-05-02
Publication date: 2019-11-07

Abstract

An electronic device protector is provided having a shell including an inner surface defining a receiving slot configured to receive an electronic device. The shell defines a joint portion having a vertex and at least two walls extending from the joint portion. The electronic device protector further includes an impact-resistant layer coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The impact-resistant layer covers the joint portion of the shell is adapted to receive at least one edge portion of the electronic device. The receiving slot is configured to form an air pocket defined by a space between the impact-resistant layer adjacent to the vertex of the joint portion and the electronic device upon the electronic device contacting the impact-resistant layer covering the joint portion of the shell.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROTECTOR

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is related to, and claim the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/666,867, entitled ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROTECTOR, filed May 4, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of protective apparatuses, and more particularly to electronic device protectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent year, electronic devices have become widely accepted as relevant equipment for teaching students. For example, it is common students of all ages to use laptops, electronic notebooks, tablets or the like for interacting with their learning curriculum. As students are encouraged to commute to and from school with their electronic devices, there is a rising problem associated with students damaging such electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are directed to protective apparatuses, and more particularly to electronic device protectors.

In accordance with one aspect, an electronic device protector is provided having a shell including an inner surface defining a receiving slot configured to receive an electronic device. The shell defines a joint portion having a vertex and at least two walls extending from the joint portion. The electronic device protector further includes an impact-resistant layer coupled to the inner surface of the shell . The impact- resistant layer covers the joint portion of the shell is adapted to receive at least one edge portion of the electronic device. The receiving slot is configured to form an air pocket defined by a space between the impact-resistant layer adjacent to the vertex of the joint portion and the electronic device upon the electronic device contacting the impact-resistant layer covering the joint portion of the shell .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, with like elements having the same reference numerals. When a plurality of similar elements a re present, a single reference numeral may be assigned to the plurality of similar elements with a small letter designation referring to specific elements. When referring to the elements collectively or to a non-specific one or more of the elements, the small letter designation may be dropped . According to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. To the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

FIG. 1A is a prospective view of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector in accordance with aspects of the invention ;

FIG. IB is a top view of the electronic device protector of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a front view of the electronic device protector of FIG. 1A;

FIG. ID is a side view of the electronic device protector of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. IE and IF are images illustrating the electronic device protector of FIGS. 1A- 1D protecting an electronic device in a book-bag;

FIG. 2A is a prospective view of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector having an aperture according to aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the electronic device protector of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a prospective view of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector having a modified wall in accordance with aspects of the invention; and

FIG. 3B is a side view of the electronic device protector of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to protective apparatuses, and more particularly to electronic device protectors. The inventor recognized that its common for electronic devices to be damaged within a student's book-bag or carrying device as students are typically required to transfer their electronic device between their house, school, and other locations. More specifically, the inventor recognized that students' electronic devices are often damaged from impacts directed toward an edge of the electronic devices, e.g ., as students put down their book-bags or carrying devices because electronic devices are often stored vertically within book-bags or carrying devices (e.g. , as illustrated in FIGS. IE and I F) . Electronic device protectors in accordance with an aspect of the invention may protect electronic devices (e.g ., laptops, tablets, electronic notebooks, and the like) from impacts, such as impacts directed toward an edge and/or side of the electronic device.

As used herein, the term "impact-resistant" is intended to encompass any object or material that partially or fully lessens, diminishes, dissipates, deflects, or absorbs the mechanical force of an impact.

FIGS. 1A- 1D illustrate an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector 100 in accordance with aspects of the invention . As a general overview, electronic device protector 100 includes a shell 110 and an impact- resistant layer 140. Shell 110 includes an inner surface 112 that defines a receiving slot 114 that is configured to receive an electronic device. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and ID, shell 110 defines a receiving slot 114 that has a substantially parabolic shape. It should be understood that other embodiments of the invention may have a shell configured to define a receiving slot having a different shape, such as a V-shape, a V- shape with a flat bottom, a U-shape, etc. Shell 110 may be configured such that receiving slot 114 is accessible in at least three directions. For example, as illustrated by FIGS. 1A-1D, an electronic device may be positioned within receiving slot 114 by moving the electronic device in either direction along longitudinal axis 102 or in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 102 of electronic device protector 100. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A- 1D includes a shell 110 formed from a single continuous component, in another embodiment the shell may be formed from at least two components coupled together.

Shell 110 defines a joint portion 116 having a vertex 118 and at least two walls 120 extending from joint portion 116. Walls 120a and/or 120b extend from vertex 118 by height Hi and H2, respectively. Walls 120a and 120b may be configured to extend to a height HI,H2 that covers a bottom portion of an electronic device, covers a majority of the electronic device, or extends to a dimension (e.g ., a height) of the electronic device. For example, walls 120a and 120b may have heights Hi and H2, respectively, of 4 inches or more and/or 8 inches or less. In one embodiment, the height Hi and H2 0f walls 118a and/or 118b are 6 inches or about 6 inches. Although wall 118a and wall 118b are illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1 D as having the equal heights Hi and H2, in an alternative embodiment height Hi of wall 118a may be greater than or less than height H2 0f wall 118b. Shell 110 may also have a maximum length LMX of 6 inches or more and/or 12 inches or less. In one embodiment, the maximum length LMX of shell 110 is 10 inches or about 10 inches.

Shell 110 may be formed of at least one durable material having a desired flexibility. For example, shell 110 may be formed of materials that enable one of walls 120a and 120b to bend relative to the other of wall 120a and 120b, such that the distance Di between top portion 122a of wall 120a and top portion 122b of wall 120b is reduced or increased . Suitable materials for forming shell 110 include thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, high-tensile strength fibrous materials, composites, combinations thereof, and the like. For example, shell 110 may be formed of resins including, but not limited to, acrylic resins, polyvinyl resins, polythene resins, polypropylene resins, polycarbonate resins, etc. Suitable high-tensile strength fibrous materials include, e.g., aramid fibers, para-aramid or synthetic fibers, fiberglass, or other high-tensile strength fibers.

Electronic device protector 100 includes an impact-resistant layer 140 coupled to the inner surface 112 of shell 110. Impact-resistant layer 140 may be coupled to inner surface 112 directly by way of adhesives or mechanical attachment or indirectly by way of an additional layer of material. Impact-resistant layer 140 may include a layer formed from elastomers such as, e.g., urethane rubbers, silicone rubbers, nitrile rubbers, butyl rubbers, acrylic rubbers, natural rubbers, styrene- butadiene rubbers, combinations thereof, and the like. Other suitable elastomers will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

Impact-resistant layer 140 may comprise one or more layers configured to provide impact-resistance by absorbing and/or dissipating the forces of impacts. For example, impact-resistant layer 140 may include a layer of an elastomeric material and a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material. The elastomeric material may provide impact-resistance by absorbing and/or dissipating the forces of impacts along the surface of the elastomeric material. The high tensile strength fibrous materials may be integrated into other materials of impact-resistant layer 140 and/or form one or more separate layers. In one embodiment, a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is located between two or more layers of elastomeric material. In another embodiment, impact-resistant layer 140 includes a first layer proximal to shell 110 comprising high- tensile strength fibrous material and a second layer proximal to receiving slot 114 comprising an elastomeric material . In one embodiment, impact-resistant layer 140 is formed of a first semi-rigid layer comprising a polypropylene polymer that blocks and redirects impacts; a second layer comprising aramid fabric that absorbs and disperses vibrational energy associated with the impact across the aramid fibers; a third layer comprising a closed cell, high density elastomer foam that absorbs impact energy; and a fourth layer comprising a closed cell low density, soft elastomer foam that may be proximal to the received electronic device.

Impact-resistant layer 140 is adapted to receive at least one edge portion of an electronic device at a section adjacent to joint portion 116 of shell 110.

For example, joint portion 116 may be configured to have a distance D2 between walls 120a and 120b, such that an electronic device contacts and/or is supported by impact- resistant material 140 at joint portion 116. Distance D2 between walls 120a and 120b may be 0.25 inch or more and/or 2 inches or less. In one embodiment, distance D₂ between walls 120a and 120b is 0.5 inch or about 0.5 inch. Impact-resistant layer 140 may be adapted to have a high static friction and/or kinetic friction with plastic and glass materials used for electronic device casings and/or screens, such that electronic devices are frictiona lly secured within receiving slot 114. For example, impact-resistant layer 140 may be formed from materials that produce a high static or kinetic friction with plastic and/or glass materials. Additionally and/or alternatively, impact-resistant layer 140 may have grooves and/or protrusions that increase the force required for removing the electronic device from receiving slot 114 by way of, e.g., griping a corner or an edge of the electronic device.

Receiving slot 114 is configured to form an air pocket 142 defined by a space between impact-resistant layer 140 adjacent to vertex 118 of joint portion 116 and the electronic device upon the electronic device contacting a section of impact- resistant layer 140 covering joint portion 116 of shell 110. By configuring shell 110 to define a receiving slot that forms an air pocket 142, electronic device protector 100 provides superior impact resistance with respect to impacts directed toward an edge of the electronic device (e.g., in the impact direction I illustrated in FIG. IF). For example, upon an impact directed along impact direction I, electronic device protector 100 may protect the electronic device by way of deformation of impact-resistant layer 140, bending of shell 110 at joint portion 116, and/or friction resisted movement of the electronic device into air pocket 142.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector 200 having an aperture 210 according to aspects of the invention. Electronic device protector 200 includes features that are similar to the features of electronic device 100 and, thus, similar reference numbers may be used to refer to similar features. Additionally, discussions of one or more features of electronics protector 200 are omitted when such features are disclosed with reference to other embodiments of the invention.

As a general overview, electronic device protector 200 includes a shell 110 and an impact-resistant layer 140. Electronic device protector 200 includes an aperture 210 extending from an outer surface 212 of shell 110 through impact- resistant layer 140 to receiving slot 114. Aperture 210 may be configured to reduce the weight of electronic projector 200 while minimizing any reduction in the level of protection provided to the electronic device. For example, height H3 and length L_a of aperture 210 may be configured to provide both impact resistance and weight reduction. It should be understood that a preferred height H3 and/or length L_a of aperture 210 may depend on the size of the electronic device.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device protector 300 having a modified wall in accordance with aspects of the invention. As with electronic device protector 200, electronic device protector 300 includes features that are similar to the features of electronic device 100 and, thus, similar reference numbers may be used to refer to similar features. Additionally, discussions of one or more features of electronics protector 300 are omitted when such features are disclosed with reference to other embodiments of the invention .

As a general overview, electronic device protector 300 includes a shell 110 and an impact-resistant layer 140. Shell 110 includes a modified wall 310.

Modified wall 310 may be configured to receive electronic devices having non- conventional or non-rectangular prism shapes, such as an electronic device with a battery extension pack. Additionally and/or alternatively, modified wall 310 may have a shape adapted to increase the force required for removing the electronic device from receiving slot 114 by way of, e.g ., improved static and kinetic friction. In one embodiment, the shape of modified wall 310 provides improved flexibility for modified wall 310. As shown in FIG. 3B, modified wall 310 includes at least one inwardly curved portion and at least one outwardly curved portion .

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. In particular, any of the features described herein with respect to one embodiment may be provided in any of the other embodiments.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device protector comprising :

a shell including an inner surface defining a receiving slot configured to receive an electronic device, the shell defining a joint portion having a vertex and at least two opposed walls extending from the joint portion;

an impact-resistant layer coupled to the inner surface of the shell, the impact-resistant layer covering the joint portion of the shell and adapted to receive at least one edge portion of the electronic device,

wherein the receiving slot is configured to form an air pocket, the air pocket defined by a space between the impact-resistant layer adjacent to the vertex of the joint portion and the electronic device upon the electronic device contacting the impact-resistant layer covering the joint portion of the shell.

2. The electronic device protector of claim 1, wherein the slot has an increasing width in a direction from the joint portion of the shell to an opening of the slot.

3. The electronic device protector of claim 2, wherein the slot has a parabolic shape.

4. The electronic device protector of claim 1, wherein the shell is formed from a single continuous piece of material.

5. The electronic device protector of claim 4, wherein the single continuous piece of material comprises a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin.

6. The electronic device protector of claim 1, wherein the impact- resistant layer comprises at least one layer of elastomer material and at least one layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material.

7. The electronic device protector of claim 1, wherein the impact- resistance layer covers at least a portion of the at least two opposed walls of the shell.

8. The electronic device protector of claim 7, wherein the impact- resistance layer covers a majority of the at least two opposed walls of the shell.

9. The electronic device protector of claim 1, further comprising an aperture formed in the joint portion of the shell, the aperture extending through the shell and the impact-resistance layer.

10. The electronic device protector of claim 9, wherein the aperture extends through at least a portion of each of the at least two opposed walls of the shell.

11. The electronic device protector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two opposed walls has a planar shape.

12. The electronic device protector of claim 11, wherein another one of the at least two opposed walls has a curved shape.

13. The electronic device protector of claim 12, wherein the other one of the at least two opposed walls of the shell includes an inwardly curved portion and an outwardly curved portion relative to the inner surface of the shell .