Abstract:
An apparatus, such as a padfolio, for carrying an electronic tablet device, the padfolio including front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions; an electronic tablet case rotatably attached to the front cover, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions, wherein with the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position, and wherein with the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/752,228, filed on Jan. 14, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is generally directed towards padfolios and notebook holders and, more particularly, toward padfolios and notebook holders having an electronic tablet case integrally formed therewith for removably receiving an electronic tablet and allowing operation of the electronic tablet with the padfolio/notebook in an opened or closed position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Padfolios, notebooks and other cases and business accessories are widely used and are useful for storing and organizing documents and other business and personal accessories. Many padfolios, notebooks, cases, etc., while structured and arranged in an attempt to be user-friendly, are not always organized for use of the item(s) carried thereby in the most efficient manner. Accordingly, it is desirable for a padfolio to have effective organizational features with enhanced device attachment features that maximize its efficiency. 
         [0004]    With the emergence of electronic tablet devices, users are typically forced to carry both an electronic tablet case (to protect and carry the electronic tablet) and also a padfolio, notebook or other case. The padfolio/notebook will typically have a writing pad and other organizational features which are often desirable by a user. This has the drawback that a user has to carry and travel with two separate items. Additionally, when a user desires to use the electronic tablet, he/she must remove it from the case for use. In this instance, a user again has at least two items to carry and maneuver (the electronic tablet and the case), and three items if the user also has a padfolio/notebook. Having to continually maneuver two to three items can become cumbersome for a user. 
         [0005]    Additionally, if the user desires to use the padfolio/notebook in conjunction with the electronic tablet, it becomes even more difficult, as the user now has to open the padfolio/notebook to access the notepad or other materials inside, while maintaining control of the electronic tablet and its case. In situations where space is at a premium, such as, for example, on an airplane, the task of maneuvering and “juggling” the different items becomes difficult and burdensome, and hinders productivity. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A padfolio, also referred to herein as a notebook or carrying case, that incorporates a rotating electronic tablet holder, or case, is disclosed herein. The inventive padfolio allows the user to view the electronic tablet and access the graphical user interface (“GUI”) on the interior cover of the padfolio when the padfolio is open; allowing the user to simultaneously take notes and view/use the electronic tablet. Rotating the electronic tablet additionally allows the user to view the electronic tablet and access the GUI on the exterior cover of the padfolio when the padfolio is closed. This allows the electronic tablet to be utilized while the padfolio is in a closed position, resulting in space savings. 
         [0008]    The padfolio of the present disclosure includes a padfolio which may incorporate a writing pad and other organizational features on the inside thereof. The padfolio includes a molded frame with a molded-in rotational axis defined by two positioning points on the frame. A mobile electronic tablet case is attached to the frame which removably secures the electronic tablet into the padfolio and frame. Two rotatable hinges, which define the two positioning points, attach the electronic case to the frame along the rotational axis. The two rotatable hinges rotate about the rotational (central) axis to allow an electronic tablet received in the electronic tablet case to be rotated between two positions. In a first position, the electronic tablet can be accessed and used with the padfolio in an open position. In the first position, closing the padfolio orients the GUI of the electronic tablet to the interior of the padfolio, such that it is protected and not accessible. Rotating the electronic tablet to the second position (e.g., 180-degrees) orients the GUI of the electronic tablet to the exterior of the padfolio, such that the GUI is accessible when the padfolio is in a closed position. This allows the electronic tablet to be used, while minimizing the space to that of a closed padfolio. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure permits a mobile electronic tablet to be used in combination with the inventive padfolio that contains, for example, organizational compartments and a writing pad allowing the user to access the electronic tablet and writing pad simultaneously, or as a low-profile mobile electronic tablet case by way of a rotating electronic tablet case frame located on the front cover of the padfolio. The rotatable case frame allows the mobile electronic tablet to be rotated between two positions so that the electronic tablet can be used when the padfolio is in a closed or open position. 
         [0010]    In one form, the inventive padfolio includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions. An electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the front cover, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the apparatus with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart. 
         [0011]    The front cover includes a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame. The electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame. 
         [0012]    In one form, the frame includes oppositely disposed tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case includes oppositely disposed pins at an edge thereof received in the tracks, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatable along an axis at the edge defined by the pins, such that the electronic tablet case may be laterally moved along the tracks to rotate the electronic tablet case between the first and second positions. 
         [0013]    The front and back covers may remain in the closed position while the electronic tablet case is rotated between the first and second positions. Further, the electronic tablet may be secured in a third, upright position between the first and second positions. 
         [0014]    The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame. 
         [0015]    The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case. 
         [0016]    In another form, a padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions. The front cover includes an electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device, the electronic tablet case rotatable between first and second positions. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device received within the electronic tablet case faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, a graphical user interface on an electronic tablet device within the electronic tablet case faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart. 
         [0017]    The front cover includes a frame, and wherein the electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame by at least one hinge member. The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the at least one hinge member and the frame. 
         [0018]    The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case. 
         [0019]    In a further form, a padfolio for carrying an electronic tablet device includes front and back covers pivotally attached to each other along an edge and pivotal between open and closed positions, wherein the back cover is solid and the front cover comprises a frame. An electronic tablet case is rotatably attached to the frame and rotatable between first and second positions, the electronic tablet case configured for removably receiving an electronic tablet device. The electronic tablet case includes a solid back cover and an open front cover, wherein the open front cover allows access to a graphical user interface of an electronic tablet device received in the electronic tablet case. With the electronic tablet case in the first position, the open front cover faces an inside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. With the electronic tablet case in the second position, the open front cover faces an outside of the padfolio with the front and back covers in the closed position. The first and second positions of the electronic tablet case can be 180-degrees apart. 
         [0020]    The electronic tablet case includes hinge members attached thereto at opposite ends thereof, the hinge members including pins which are received in oppositely displaced apertures formed in the frame to rotatably attach the electronic tablet case to the frame. The electronic tablet case is frictionally secured in the first and second positions by cooperating projections and detents formed on the hinge members and the frame. 
         [0021]    The electronic tablet case may be removably attached to the frame. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio with an electronic tablet case that allows for ease of use of the electronic tablet and space savings. 
         [0023]    It is an additional object of the present disclosure to combine the features of a padfolio and an electronic tablet case making travel easier and more efficient for the user. 
         [0024]    It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio that provides for ease of transport and use of electronic tablets. 
         [0025]    It is yet a further object of the present disclosure to provide a padfolio having an integral electronic case positionable between at least two positions for use and/or transport of the electronic tablet. 
         [0026]    Various other objects, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure can be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Further possible embodiment(s) are shown in the drawings. The present disclosure is explained in the following in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiment(s) depicted in drawings. In the drawings: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates the inventive padfolio in a closed position with the electronic tablet case (with electronic tablet therein) rotated to face the interior of the padfolio with the padfolio in a closed position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates the inventive padfolio in a closed position with the electronic tablet case (with electronic tablet therein) rotated to face the exterior of the padfolio and thus be accessible for use by a user with the padfolio in a closed position; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate rotation of the electronic tablet case of the inventive padfolio; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrate the rotatable attachment of the electronic tablet case to the frame of the front cover of the inventive padfolio; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates insertion and retention of an electronic tablet into the electronic tablet case of the inventive padfolio; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates the inventive padfolio in an open position with both the electronic tablet and a writing pad included within the inventive padfolio accessible; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the inventive padfolio; and 
           [0035]      FIGS. 10-11  illustrate a further embodiment of the inventive padfolio. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The inventive padfolio disclosed herein generally includes a pocket for attaching a writing pad, other organizational features, and a rotating electronic tablet case assembly. The padfolio includes front and back covers that are pivotally attached, and can also include a closure element, such as a zipper, buttons, etc. about the periphery of the covers to maintain the padfolio in a closed position. The front cover includes a frame embedded therein, and can have a rotational axis point (central or offset) and two inverted bumps (i.e., depressions) that cooperate with bumps (i.e., projections) formed on two hinges to secure the rotating electronic case assembly in two positions. The frame encases the electronic tablet case, which removably secures an electronic tablet device therein, and the two hinges, which are attached to the electronic tablet case and which have the projections. The electronic tablet case is secured into the frame by way of the two hinges having a rotational axis point and two positioning points. The hinges are molded to have a flange that is secured into the electronic tablet case, a pivot pin, and a bump or bumps that allows the electronic tablet case to snap into, and be rotated between and maintained in, two different positions. 
         [0037]    The first position is a closed position in which the electronic tablet received within the case is rotated to face the inside of the padfolio. In the second position, the electronic tablet case is rotated outward so that the surface of the mobile electronic tablet is visible from the front view of the closed padfolio. With the mobile electronic tablet case rotated to the first position—inward—and the padfolio in the closed position, the mobile electronic tablet is protected as it is encased within the padfolio. With the padfolio in the open position, the user can utilize the mobile electronic tablet surface as well as the organizational padfolio features and the writing tablet inside. With the mobile electronic tablet case rotated to the second position—outward—the surface (e.g., GUI) of the mobile electronic tablet is revealed to the user when the padfolio is in the closed position, so that it may be used without opening the padfolio. Utilizing/operating the mobile electronic tablet within the mobile electronic tablet case when it is in the second position consumes less physical space. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate the inventive padfolio  10  in a closed position. In each of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic tablet  12  is inserted within an electronic tablet case  14  included in the front cover  16  (see also  FIG. 3 ) of the padfolio  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the electronic tablet  12  (with the electronic tablet case  14  in a first position) faces toward the interior of the padfolio  10  and is thus inaccessible. In  FIG. 2 , the electronic tablet  12  (with the electronic tablet case  14  in a second position) faces toward the exterior of the padfolio  10 , and thus the GUI  18  of the electronic tablet  12  is accessible for operation and use by a user with the padfolio in the closed position. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the padfolio  10  includes a front cover  16  and a back cover  20  pivotally attached to each other at a spine  22  of the padfolio  10 . The covers  16  and  20  can be opened in the manner of a book to reveal the interior (see  FIG. 8 ) of the padfolio  10 . The joints between the various sections of the padfolio  10  can be made of adhesives, stitching, welding, or a combination of techniques. The interior of the padfolio  10  can be widely variable and, thus, is not shown herein. In general though, the interior can have a variety of sleeves, pockets, binder rings, etc. for mounting, storing and organizing various elements and devices. The facing material for the exteriors of the covers  16  and  20  can be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, cloth, plastic, leather (imitation and real), etc. The covers  16  and  20  can be spanned about their perimeters by a closure element that can include, for example, a zipper  24  or other securing device. Alternately, the covers  16  and  20  need not have a closure element spanned about their perimeter, such they are joined at the spine  22  and are opened and closed like a book. 
         [0040]    The front cover  16  includes a frame  26  integrally formed or secured therein. The electronic tablet case  14  is rotatably attached to the frame  26 . The electronic tablet case  14  is attached to the frame  26  at two attachment points  28  and  30 , and is rotatable about rotational axis  32  defined thereby. 
         [0041]    The electronic tablet case  14  includes a solid back cover  34  and an open front cover  36 . The covers  34  and  36  may be made of the same material as the front  16  and back  20  covers of the padfolio  10 . The open front cover  36  includes an opening sufficient to access the GUI  18  and other operational buttons of the electronic tablet  12 . The electronic tablet case  14  is rotatably attached to the frame  26  via two hinges  38  and  40 . The hinges  38  and  40  are attached to the solid back cover  34  of the case  14 . Typically, only the edges of the hinges  38  and  40  are visible, and covering material on the faces of the back cover  34  hides the rest of the hinges  38  and  40 . The hinges  38  and  40  rotatably attach the case  14  to the frame  26  via pins  42  which are received and extend into apertures  44  formed in the frame  26  (only one aperture  44  is shown in  FIG. 6 ). The apertures  44  are formed opposite one another in the frame  26  and define the attachment points  28  and  30 . 
         [0042]    To rotate and lock the case  14 , and hence the electronic tablet  12 , in the two positions exterior to and interior to the padfolio  10 , cooperating detents  46  and projections  48  are formed on the frame  26  and hinges  38 ,  40 , respectively (see  FIG. 6 ). With the case  14 , and hence the electronic tablet  12  received therein, in a first position where the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  faces the interior of the padfolio  10 , the projections  48  will be received in one of the detents  46  on either side of the apertures  44  to frictionally maintain the case  14  in the first position. A user can supply enough force to disengage the projections  48  and detents  46  and rotate the case  14 , and hence the electronic tablet  12  received therein, to a second position where the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  faces the exterior of the padfolio  10 . In this position, the projections  48  will be received in the other of the detents  46  on either side of the apertures  44  to frictionally maintain the case  14  in the second position. While the drawings show the hinges  38 ,  40  having the projections  48  and the frame  26  having the detents  46 , the projections  48  and detents  46  can be alternately displaced on those elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other securing mechanisms to frictionally secure the case  14  in the two positions can be implemented as well. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , to insert the electronic tablet  12  into the case  14 , a flap  50  on the front cover  36  of the case  14  is folded back, and then the electronic tablet  12  is slid into the case  14  (see  FIG. 7 ). After the electronic tablet  12  is fully received in the case  14 , the flap  50  is folded back and disposed behind the electronic tablet  12  between the electronic tablet  12  and the back cover  34  to removably secure the electronic tablet  12  within the case  14  (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ). Of course, this is only one type of closure element which can attach the tablet  12  to the frame  14 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the case  14  may take various other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the case  14  can be formed such that the tablet  12  snaps into the case  14 . Alternately, the case  14  may secure the tablet thereto via elastic or other bands, via Velcro™, etc. The tablet  12  need only be removably secured to the case  14  and rotatable therewith. With the electronic tablet  12  secured in the case  14 , the case  14 , with the tablet  12  therein, may be rotated between the two positions, as described above. Additionally, the case  14  may also be removably secured to the frame  26 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the case  14  and tablet  12  may be rotated such that the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  faces toward the interior of the padfolio  10  (i.e., first position). In this position, the tablet  12  may be operated by a user (via the GUI  18 ), while also enabling the user to utilize, for example, a notepad  52  and other organization features located in the interior of the padfolio  10 . Closing the padfolio  10  with the case  14  and tablet  12  in the position shown in  FIG. 8  results in the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  facing within the interior of the padfolio  10  and the back cover  34  of the case  14  facing the exterior of the padfolio  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0045]    Rotating the case  14  and tablet  12  180-degrees (as described above) rotates the case  14  and tablet  12  to a second position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  facing the exterior of the padfolio  10 . With the case  14  and tablet  12  in this second position, the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  remains accessible with the padfolio  10  in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . As will be appreciated, in the exemplary embodiment described herein, since the hinges  38  and  40  are attached to the back cover  34  of the case  14 , the front cover  36  of the case  14 , and hence the GUI  18  surface of the tablet  12 , will sit slightly above the front cover  16  of the padfolio  10  with the case  14  rotated to the second position with the GUI  18  of the tablet  12  facing the exterior of the padfolio  10 . When the case  14  and tablet  12  are rotated to the first position and face the interior of the padfolio  10 , the back cover  34  of the case  14  will be substantially flush with the front cover  16  of the padfolio  10 . 
         [0046]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. For example, while the two pivot position points  28  and  30  are shown located at the top and bottom of the case  14  and fame  26 , they may also be disposed on the sides of the case  14  and frame  26  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]    Additionally, instead of two pivot position points as discussed above, the inventive padfolio may incorporate only one pivot point, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In this exemplary embodiment, the inventive padfolio  100  includes front  102  and back  104  covers connected at a spine  106 , such that they open and close much like a book. A hinge mount  108  is connected to the spine  106  via rivets or other connection means. The front cover  102  includes a hinge  110  which is connected to the hinge mount  108  via a ball and socket connection there between. Specifically, the hinge  110  includes a ball  112  which is received in a socket  114  formed in the hinge mount  108  to define a pivot point  116 . 
         [0048]    The front cover  102  includes elastic bands  118  located at each corner which are used to removably secure an electronic tablet  120  to the front cover  102 . One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that Velcro™ or other connection mechanisms may be utilized to removably secure the electronic tablet  120  to the front cover  102  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The front cover  102 , with electronic tablet  120  attached, may be pivoted to an open position (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) and rotated at the hinged pivot point  116  to face the electronic tablet either toward the interior or the exterior of the padfolio  100 . As previously described, with the cover  102  and tablet  120  facing the exterior of the padfolio  100 , the electronic tablet  120  may be operated with the padfolio  100  in a closed position. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 10-11  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. The inventive padfolio  200  is shown in a closed position in  FIG. 10A  and includes a front cover  202  connected by a spine  204  to a back cover  206 , such that these parts open and close in a manner similar to a book. The front cover  202  includes the alternate embodiment which involves how the tablet case  210  is rotated to access the GUI  230  of the electronic tablet  228  removably secured thereto. 
         [0050]    With the padfolio in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 10A , a pull tab  208  can be used to open the tablet case  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 10B  (an exploded view) and  11 A, the tablet case  210  is rotated about its side edge. The front cover  202  includes a frame  212  having oppositely disposed tracks  214  molded therein. Oppositely disposed pins  216  are mounted to the tablet case  210  via hinge parts  218 , which have flange parts that are secured in the construction of the tablet case  210 . The tablet case  210  rotates about an axis defined by the pins  216  along an edge thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 11A . 
         [0051]    The pins  216  and hinge parts  218  move along the tracks  214  to allow the user to move the tablet case  210  from the first position ( FIG. 10A ) to a second position ( FIG. 11B ) and ultimately to a third position ( FIG. 11C ). The pull tab  208  can be used to pull and/or push the tablet case  210  laterally across the frame  212  into which the tracks  214  are molded. 
         [0052]    In the second position, as shown in  FIG. 11C , a stand (not shown) may be incorporated into the tablet case  210 , front cover  202  and/or frame  212  to maintain the tablet case  210 , and hence the tablet  228 , in an upright position for viewing and/or manipulation of the GUI  230 . The tablet case  210  may be rotated and moved laterally with the front  202  and back  206  covers in a closed position and secured with a zipper  220  or other closure member. Alternately, a closure member may be omitted. 
         [0053]    The tablet case  210  may be pushed and/or pulled along the tracks  214  by the pull tab  208  into a third position (see  FIG. 11C ). In the position, the padfolio  200  is in a closed position while the GUI  230  of the tablet  228  remains accessible. The tablet case  210  may be snapped into the third position pivot and lock axis  224  (see  FIG. 10B ), such that the pins  216  snap into the axis  224  to frictionally maintain the tablet case  210  in the third position. Similarly, a first position pivot and lock axis  222  frictionally maintains the tablet case  210  in the first position in a similar manner. The tablet case  210  can be pivoted into the third position pivot and lock axis  224  and then snapped into the first position pivot and lock axis  222  where it engages the frame  212  securely. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , the tablet is removably held into the tablet case  210  via four elastic bands  226  at the four corners thereof. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other alternate methods of removably securing the tablet  228  to the tablet case  210  may be utilized, as long as the GUI  230  of the tablet  228  can be used in the second ( FIG. 11B ) and third ( FIG. 11C ) positions when the padfolio  200  is in the closed position. 
         [0055]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range.