Abstract:
An apparatus may be used with a notebook, tablet, mobile phone, computer, or other device to provide handles for securely and comfortably holding and manipulating the notebook. The apparatus generally includes a frame, a pair of handles, and a case approximately the size of the notebook. The apparatus may be removably secured to the notebook by gripping edges of the notebook so that the notebook may be manipulated and handled by the handles of the apparatus, and while secured may retain functionality of the notebook. The frame may include a rib for connecting the handles with the case, as well as connecting the handles to each other, and may provide stability and strength to the apparatus. In another aspect, the apparatus may be a unitary structure including a body, one or more handles, and one or more connectors connecting the handles to the body.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,907, filed Mar. 25, 2013. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,907 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    No federally sponsored research or development, and no sequence listing, table, or computer program listing compact disc appendix is applicable to this application. 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to the field of computer accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for use with a notebook (or tablet, tablet PC, iPad, mobile phone, cell phone, smart phone, etc.) whereby the apparatus may be removably secured to the notebook by gripping edges of the notebook so that the notebook may be manipulated and handled by handles of the apparatus. 
         [0004]    Use of tablet computers (“tablets”) is increasingly prevalent throughout the United States and rest of the world. Tablets are a rapidly growing segment of mobile devices. Holding a tablet can cause fatigue for a user&#39;s hands or arms, which in turn may increase the risk of dropping the tablet. Among other benefits, tablets are useful for recording live events. However, holding a tablet for recording purposes may especially cause such fatigue or risk of dropping the tablet, especially when holding the tablet above one&#39;s head or in other positions to capture a desired view. 
         [0005]    A number of configurations exist wherein a frame is used to hold a tablet or notebook or for protection against hard contacts and for securing one or more handles for manipulating the notebook. However, there does not exist a frame and case combination having spaced apart handles connected by a rib embedded in the case, or a unitary structure having a body, connector, and handle, whereby gripping portions of the case are removably secured to edges of a notebook, which provides protection for the notebook and ease of holding and manipulating such notebook, while still permitting complete (or nearly complete) functionality. 
         [0006]    The apparatus of this disclosure overcomes the above problems and has further advantages as described in the following detailed description and related drawing figures. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES 
       [0007]    The present disclosure describes a new and novel apparatus for carrying, holding, and securing a tablet PC, notebook, smart phone, or other computer device. 
         [0008]    An advantage of the present method is to prevent or reduce fatigue from holding the notebook. 
         [0009]    Another advantage is to add a protective surface and body to the notebook. 
         [0010]    Another advantage is to reduce a risk of dropping the notebook. 
         [0011]    Another advantage is the relative ease with which the notebook is secured to the case. 
         [0012]    Another advantage is that a notebook may remain fully (or mostly) functional while engaged with the structure. 
         [0013]    The details of one or more embodiments of these concepts are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of these concepts will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1-5  show an exemplary apparatus (or features thereof) according a first aspect of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a plan front view showing an exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan rear view of the exemplary apparatus; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a frame of the exemplary apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary apparatus; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a handle of the exemplary apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6-11  show an exemplary apparatus (or features thereof) according to a second aspect of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a plan front view of the exemplary apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a plan front view of the exemplary apparatus engaged with an exemplary notebook. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a plan rear view of the exemplary apparatus; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a plan rear view of the exemplary apparatus engaged with the exemplary notebook; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11A-B  are cross-sectional views of an exemplary gripping portion of the apparatus. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary apparatus  10  according to the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , apparatus  10  may include a pair of handles  30  at opposite sides of apparatus  10 , handles  30  oriented in a first direction. A connecting rib  22  may have a length extensive between handles  30  and may be oriented in a second direction. The second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction. 
         [0029]    Connecting rib  22  may be part of a frame  20  (see  FIG. 3 ). In one aspect, a single handle  30  is provided. In such aspect, rib  22  may extend from single handle  30  to a side of a case  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) opposite from single handle  30 . Rib  22  is generally a sheet or strip of metal or other material of sufficient rigidity to provide strength to apparatus  10 . 
         [0030]    Rib  22  generally has a width sufficient to impart strength to apparatus  10 , but narrow enough to avoid obscuring buttons, controls, or other functional elements of a notebook  50 . Multiple ribs  22  extensive between handles  30  may also serve these purposes. 
         [0031]    Notebook  50  is held and gripped by apparatus  10 . Specifically, notebook  50  may be held and gripped by case  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). Notebook  50  generally has a screen  54  in a central area of notebook  50  and notebook edges  52  along a periphery of notebook  50 . Case  40  is between handles  30  and may include a body portion  42  (see  FIG. 2 ), peripheral edges  44 , and gripping portions  46 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when notebook  50  is engaged with apparatus  10 , only peripheral edges  44  and gripping portions  46  may be visible from a front view of apparatus  10 . 
         [0032]    Gripping portions  46  wrap around notebook edges  52  to engage notebook  50  with apparatus  10 . Case  40  may be formed of a hard material, such as plastic or other polymer having a generally rigid character. However, case  40  should be sufficiently elastic to allow a small degree of expansion or contraction of a space between body portion  42  and gripping portion  46 . The elasticity permits notebook  50  to snap or lock into place within case  40 . Consequently, a compressive force may be exerted upon notebook edge  52  by gripping portion  46  and body portion  42  at an opposite side of notebook  50  from gripping portion  46 . Case  40  is preferably transparent, thus allowing a design on a backside of notebook  50  to remain visible when notebook  50  is engaged with case  40 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of apparatus  10 , shown without notebook  50 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , case  40  may include body portion  42 , peripheral edges  44 , and gripping portions  46 . Case  40  may also include recessed portions  48 . Recessed portions  48  may expose buttons, controls, or other functional elements of notebook  50  such that the buttons, controls or elements remain accessible and functional to a user of notebook  50 . The location, size, shape, width, and number of recessed portions  48  may be selected based upon a particular configuration of the notebook  50  to be engaged with apparatus  10 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , handles  30  may have a length equal or substantially equal to a length of case  40 . However, handles  30  may extend beyond the length of case  40 . In such case, the handles may provide greater protection by increasing the likelihood of a handle  30  being struck against the ground or another object rather than case  40  or notebook  50 . Conversely, handles  30  may not be extensive with a length of case  40 , in order to provide more compact handles  30  for easier storage of apparatus  10  or for a less cumbersome overall size of apparatus  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of frame  20 , which may include rib  22  and handles  30 .  FIG. 3  shows apparatus  10  without case  40  or notebook  50 . Frame  20  may be characterized simply by rib  22  and an interior portion  32  of handles  30 , as discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of apparatus  10  along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , rib  22  may be embedded with body portion  42  of case  40 , thereby unitizing rib  22  and case  40 . Rib  22  may be embedded in body portion  42  during an injection molding process. Embedding rib  22  in body portion  42  allows handles  30  to be securely integrated with case  40 , thereby providing strength to apparatus  10  for securing and holding notebook  50 . Rib  22  may have a relatively flat profile, i.e., a small thickness, so that case  40  does not protrude a large distance from the backside of notebook  50 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 4 , gripping portions  46  of peripheral edges  44  are shown wrapped around notebook edges  52  of notebook  50 . The shaded portions of body portion  42 , peripheral edges  44 , and gripping portions  46  are surfaces exposed by a plane of the cross-sectional cut. The un-shaded portions represent portions visible at a distance from the plane of the cross-sectional cut. One of the handles  30  is visible behind case  40  and notebook  50 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of one of the handles  30  along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , handle  30  may include an interior portion  32  and a grip surface  34 . Grip surface  34  may extend around a full circumference of interior portion  32 . Interior portion  32  may be formed of the same material as rib  22  and may be formed simultaneously with rib  22  together as one integral part. Thus, interior portion  32  may be formed as a unitary structure with rib  22 , the two features together comprising frame  20 . Interior portion  32  provides overall strength to apparatus  10 , and if apparatus  10  is dropped or collides with an object, can absorb at least some of the impact, thereby protecting notebook  50 . 
         [0039]    Grip surface  34  may be added to interior portion  32  for user comfort, protection of notebook  50 , and to reduce a risk of dropping apparatus  10 . For example, grip surface  34  may be made with a foam, rubber, or rubber-like material which provides elasticity to handles  30 . The elasticity of handles  30  may provide comfort to a user&#39;s hands when gripping handles  30 , and may absorb impact in case apparatus  10  is dropped or collides with an object. 
         [0040]    The rubber or rubber-like material of grip surface  34  may increase a coefficient of friction between the user&#39;s hands and handles  30 , thereby decreasing a likelihood of the user dropping apparatus  10 . Grip surface  34  may be textured for improved grip by the user, for example with an open cell pattern. A thickness of grip surface  34  may be selected to provide an ideal handle diameter for a human hand, thereby increasing the user&#39;s comfort when using apparatus  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , apparatus  100  may include a body  110 , connectors  141 ,  142 ,  143  and  144 , and handles  151  and  152 . Body  110  may include a planar portion  120  and gripping portions  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  and  135 . Because apparatus  100  may contain any number of plural gripping portions, the gripping portions may be collectively referred to hereinafter as “gripping portions  130 ”. Similarly, when general characteristics of the gripping portions are explained, but without reference to a specific gripping portion, the term “gripping portion  130 ” may be used. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , gripping portions  130  may each extend from a respective part of a periphery of the planar portion  120 . The gripping portions  130  may extend in a direction transverse to the planar portion  120  (e.g., transverse to a plane of the planar portion  120 ). First connector  141  may extend between body  110  and first handle  151 . Second connector  142  may extend between body  110  and second handle  152  at an opposite side of body  110  from first handle  151 . Handles  151 ,  152  may be surrounded fully or partially by a layer of material to increase comfort and/or grip of handles  151 ,  152  (e.g., an open cell type foam, rubber, or similar material). 
         [0043]    Apparatus  100  may comprise a first connector  141  extending along a first axis A1 substantially parallel with the planar portion  120 . Apparatus  100  may comprise a first handle  151  extending along a second axis A2 substantially parallel with the planar portion  120  and substantially perpendicular to the first axis A1, the first connector  141  extending between the body  110  and the first handle  151 . The structure or apparatus  100  may thus be removably secured to a notebook  160  by gripping edges  161  of the notebook with gripping portions  130  so that the notebook  160  may be manipulated and handled by the first handle  151  of the structure. 
         [0044]    Apparatus  100  may be a unitary structure. For example, apparatus  100  may not be pieced together from component parts, but rather formed as a single piece. Apparatus  100  may comprise a homogenous flexible solid, or in fact, may consist essentially of the homogenous flexible solid. For example, apparatus  100  may be formed of a single mold (e.g., plastic, polyurethane, or rubber). Apparatus  100  may be formed by an injection molding process (e.g., a one-piece injection). By forming apparatus  100  of a one-piece homogenous flexible solid, the formation of apparatus  100  may be simplified in a low cost manufacturing process. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows that body  110  may comprise first, second, third, fourth, and fifth gripping portions  131 - 135 . However, body  110  may simply comprise first, second, and third gripping portions  131 ,  132 , and  133 . First gripping portion  131  may extend linearly along the first axis A1. Second gripping portion  132  may have an L-shape extending along the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. Third gripping portion  132  may have an L-shape extending along the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. 
         [0046]    A first distance may be defined as the distance between (i) a section of the second gripping portion  132  along the second axis A2, and (ii) a section of the third gripping portion  133  along the second axis A2. A second distance may be defined as a distance between (i) the first gripping portion  131 , and (ii) a midpoint between a corner  137  of the second gripping portion  132  and a corner  138  of the third gripping portion  133  (see  FIG. 7 ). In general, apparatus  100  is designed to accommodate a standard tablet or other computing device (e.g., in a substantially rectangular shape). Thus, the first distance may be less than 80 percent (or 70, 60, or 50 percent) of the second distance or vice versa (e.g., the second distance may be less than 80, 70, 60, or 50 percent of the first distance). 
         [0047]    In general, functional components of notebook  160  remain exposed or unobscured by gripping portions  130 . This may allow for full functionality or at least a high degree of functionality of notebook  160  while engaged with apparatus  100 . Therefore, a length of first gripping portion  131  along the first axis A1 may be less than 50 percent (or 40, 30, or 20 percent) of a length of body  110  along the first axis A1. Furthermore, the section of second gripping portion  132  along the first axis A1, and the section of third gripping portion  133  along the first axis A1, may be spaced apart by a distance greater than 50 percent (or 60, 70, or 80 percent) of the length of the body along the first axis A1, and there may be no gripping portions  130  directly in between second gripping portion  132  and third gripping portion  133 . For example, there may be no gripping portion at an opposite side of body  110  from gripping portion  131  (other than gripping portions  132 ,  133 ). 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a front view of exemplary apparatus  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , second gripping portion  132  may have a corner  137 . Corner  137  may represent a junction between (i) a section of second gripping portion  132  extending along the first axis A1, and (ii) a section of second gripping portion  132  extending along the second axis A2. Similarly, third gripping portion  132  may have a corner  138 . Corner  138  may represent a junction between (i) a section of third gripping portion  133  extending along the first axis A1, and (ii) a section of second gripping portion  133  extending along the second axis A2. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a front view of exemplary apparatus  100  engaged with notebook  160 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , notebook  160  may include an edge  161  and functional components  162 . Functional components  162  may include a camera lens, a speaker, buttons, a headphone jack, or other such elements of notebook  160 . Gripping portions  131 - 135  may receive and grip notebook  160  at locations along notebook edge  161 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , notebook  160  may be substantially rectangular and have a length L and a width W. Length L may extend along the first axis A1and width W may extend along the second axis A2. However, variations are contemplated in which length L may extend along the second axis A2 and width W may extend along the first axis A1. In such variations, the handles  151  and  152  may be located at the longer sides of the notebook. Additional variations are contemplated in which a third, and even fourth, handle are provided, for example, a handle for each of the four sides of the rectangular notebook  160 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of exemplary apparatus  100 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , planar portion  120  may include a central circular or oval-shaped opening. Such opening may allow for a logo of the notebook  160  to remain visible when apparatus  100  is engaged with notebook  160 . The opening may also decrease a weight of apparatus  100  while not significantly diminishing its strength and structural integrity. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a rear side of connectors  141 - 144  may be flush with their respective sections of the planar portion  120  from which they extend. This feature may add strength to the overall structure and may simplify the manufacturing process. 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of exemplary apparatus  100  engaged with notebook  160 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , functional components  162  may be located at a rear side of notebook  160  and/or along notebook edge  161 . In general, functional components  162  remain exposed (are not covered or obscured) by gripping portions  130 . Leaving functional components  162  exposed permits full use (or nearly full use) of notebook  160  while engaged with apparatus  100 . 
         [0054]    In one aspect of the invention, locations of gripping portions  130  and locations of functional components  162  are mutually exclusive (e.g., do not coincide with each other). In another aspect of the invention, one or more gripping portions  130  may partially cover one or more functional components  162 . A design choice may be made in which a functional component (or portion thereof)  162  (e.g., a speaker) is covered by one of the gripping portions  130 . In this case, it may be determined that the reduction in functionality is acceptable due to the improved security imparted by the location of the gripping portion  130 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary gripping portion  130 . As shown in  FIG. 11A , gripping portion  130  extends transversely to a plane of planar portion  120 . Gripping portion  130  may include a projection which is substantially parallel to planar portion  120 . Gripping portion  130  together with the section of planar portion  120  from which it extends may form a C-shape capable of receiving an edge of notebook  160 . The C-shape may have a first interior width W1 when notebook  160  is not engaged with apparatus  100 . The first interior width W1 may be less than a thickness of the edge of notebook  160 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view of exemplary gripping portion  130  when notebook  160  is engaged with apparatus  100 . As shown in  FIG. 11B , a material of gripping portion  130  is generally of sufficient flexibility to permit the first interior width W1 to expand to a second interior width W2 when notebook  160  is engaged with apparatus  100 . Second interior width W2 may represent a full thickness of notebook  160  or a thickness along an edge of notebook  160  where the thickness tapers (e.g., less than a full thickness of notebook  160 ). 
         [0057]    A raised profile or “bump” at the end of gripping portion  130  may assist in engaging notebook  160  with apparatus  100 . For example, pressure (e.g., lateral pressure from the perspective of  FIGS. 11A-B , or a force substantially parallel to the plane of planar portion  120 ) upon the raised profile or “bump” by notebook  160  may force the expansion of the C-shaped profile. 
         [0058]    A material of gripping portion  130  may be a same material of which the entire apparatus  100  may be formed (e.g., a homogenous flexible solid). The flexibility of the material may allow apparatus  100  to be removably secured to notebook  160  by compressive force exerted upon edges  161  of notebook  160  when the apparatus  100  is engaged with the notebook  160 . However, the material may be of limited flexibility (e.g., still has a significant degree of rigidity) to provide strength to apparatus  100 . 
         [0059]    In another aspect of the invention, the projection of gripping portion  130  may be angled slightly upward with respect to planar portion  120  (e.g., projecting towards planar portion  120 ) when notebook  160  is engaged with apparatus  100 . In this case, the projection may be substantially parallel to planar portion  120  when notebook  160  is engaged with apparatus  100 . Various combinations of angles of the projection are possible with respect to the engaged and non-engaged states of apparatus  100 . 
         [0060]    Embodiments of the subject apparatus and method have been described herein. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and understanding of this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments and approaches are within the scope of the following claims.