Abstract:
An improved cover and protector for handheld electronics and more specifically to a more dexterous tablet cover which allows for easier handling and positioning for easier user interface, and protection elements to avoid scratches, breaks from incidental contact, and accidental drops. The apparatus includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a removable handle affixed to the rear cover with lockable rotational adjustment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to currently pending U.S. patent application 61/552,314 filed Oct. 27, 2011 entitled Tablet and Electronic Media Cover, Protector and Handling Apparatus, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An improved cover and protector for handheld electronics and more specifically to a more dexterous tablet cover which allows for easier handling and positioning for easier user interface, and protection elements to avoid scratches, breaks from incidental contact, and accidental drops. The apparatus includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a removable handle affixed to the rear cover with lockable rotational adjustment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    People are constantly on the go with their busy schedules, and typically are accompanied with a variety of tools for organize and conduct their daily lives including hand-held computers, cellular “smart” phones, electronic tablets, and other mobile devices. Some of these devices are large compared to the size of a person&#39;s hand, which requires dexterity to operate with both hands. Additionally, many of the latest devices currently available to consumers are expensive and easily susceptible to damage from scratching or dropping. As such, the present disclosure provides an apparatus to better hold, position, protect and use these tools by teaching an improved cover which may protect the these tools from scratching and damage, and facilitate an improved user interface while sitting down without access to a table, while walking, while running, or other activities difficult to perform while simultaneously handling an electronic device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0005]    In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for handling and protecting an electronic device is provided, the apparatus comprising: a front cover adapted for viewing a display screen of the electronic device, with the front cover constructed of at least a first material with soft durometer; a rear cover constructed of a material with hard durometer; a handle rotatably coupled to the rear cover; fastening means to join the rear cover to the front cover with the electronic device contained therebetween such that, when assembled, the position of the electronic device is fixed relative thereto; and an overall shape being formed similar to the electronic device to be protected. 
         [0006]    In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for handling and protecting an electronic device is provided, the apparatus comprising: a front cover and a rear cover formed to a shape similar to the electronic device when assembled therewith; the front cover permitting a user to view a display screen of the electronic device; a handle with an adjustable strap; the rear cover having a connection permitting rotatable attachment of the handle thereto; and fastening means joining the front cover to the rear cover with the electronic device contained therebetween. 
         [0007]    In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for handling and protecting an electronic device is provided, the apparatus comprising: means for protecting a front of the electronic device; means for protecting a rear of the electronic device; means for securing the rear protecting means to the electronic device; means for handling the electronic device; means for rotatably coupling the handling means to the rear protecting means; means for fastening the front protecting means to the rear protecting means with the electronic device contained therebetween; and means for restricting movement of the electronic device relative to the protecting means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment electronic device protector, with an exemplary front cover separated. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment electronic device protector with a front cover removed. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 2  with an exemplary front cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view of an exemplary handle as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a detail rear perspective view of an exemplary handle assembled into an exemplary rear cover. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a detail perspective view of an exemplary handle as shown in  FIG. 3  as removed from an exemplary rear cover. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded rear view of yet another exemplary embodiment electronic device protector. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of  FIG. 7  and a cross-section view thereof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following detailed descriptions of various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment apparatus in exploded view form to more easily view the individual components. The electronic device is removed for clarity. The electronic device cover  110  may conform to the outside perimeter, rear plane, and front plane of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the electronic device cover  110  may be constructed of at least one durometer of rubber, plastic, silicone, neoprene, or other synthetic compound that can be formulated with different durometers. A soft durometer may be between 30 Shore OO and 50 Shore A, whereas a hard durometer may be between 51 Shore A and 75 Shore D. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the perimeter  130  of the electronic device cover  110  may be constructed of a soft durometer material, whereas the back portion circumscribing the rear window  135  may be constructed of a hard durometer material. A soft durometer material for the perimeter  130  of the electronic device cover  110  may flex to allow insertion of the electronic device (not shown) into the front of the electronic device cover  110 . The hard durometer material for the back portion of the electronic device cover  110  may give support to the rear cover  120 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the rear cover  120  may nest within the electronic device cover  110 , hence covering the rear window  135 . The rear cover  120  may function as a rigid support for the handle (not shown). In another embodiment, the rear cover  120  may be incorporated as part of the electronic device cover  110 , thereby eliminating the rear cover  120 . It is contemplated that a common rear cover  120  can be used for simplicity of manufacture while creating electronic device covers  110  that are conformed to fit the various electronic device shapes. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  also illustrates the electronic device covering apparatus  100  with a removable cover  140 . The removable cover  140  may be attached to the electronic device cover  110  or may be attached to the electronic device (not shown). Means with which to attach the removable cover  140  may be a magnet  150 , pins, hinges, or other similar attachment means known to those skilled in the art. The removable cover  140  may comprise thin sections  160  about which a user may fold the removable cover in order to adjust viewing the electronic device display (not shown) upon placing the apparatus  100  onto a surface. Also, the apparatus  100  may comprise a flap  170  and snap  180  to close and secure the removable cover to the apparatus  100 . 
         [0022]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment of an apparatus  200  for protecting an electronic device  210  is shown. A removable cover is not shown for clarity. The front cover  220  may conform to the electronic device  210  and may at least partially envelop the rear of the electronic device  210 . The front cover  220  may be adapted for viewing the display screen by covering only a small fraction of the front face of the electronic device  210 . For example, the surface area of the front face of an 8 inch by 10 inch electronic device  210  may be 80 sq.in., but the surface area covered by the front cover  220  may be 3.56 sq.in. The surface area of the aforementioned example is computed by circumscribing a uniformly offset perimeter of approximately 0.1 inches on the face of the electronic device  210 . Alternatively, the front cover  220  may be transparent to allow full coverage of the viewing screen. It is, however, contemplated that full coverage of the electronic device viewing screen by the front cover  220  may not be advantageous for a touch-screen interface. 
         [0023]    As with the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the front cover  220  in  FIG. 2  may be constructed of at least one durometer of rubber, plastic, silicone, neoprene, or other synthetic compound that can be formulated with different durometers. A softer, low durometer material may be employed in the outer perimeter  221  of the front cover  220  to conform to the shape of the electronic device  210  and to protect the edges of the electronic device  210  from damage. Whereas the rear portion of the front cover  220  may employ a harder, high durometer material to support the rear cover  240 . The rear cover  240  may nest within the front cover  220  where the rear cover  240  is contained between the front cover  220  and the electronic device  210  in order to restrict movement of the rear cover  240 . Movement may be restricted through a friction fit. Additionally, operating apertures  222  are viewable in the front cover  220 . These apertures  222  allow the user to access operations associated with the electronic device  210 , such as universal serial bus (USB) ports, power adapter ports, microphone jacks, camera lenses, or various other ports. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  also illustrates an exemplary handle  230  that may be rotatably secured to the rear cover  240 . Handle  230  may be comprised of a handle base  233 , a handle pivot mechanism  232 , a handle strap  231 , a fixed strap end  234 , and an adjustable strap end  235 . The handle base  232  may employ at least one port through which the handle strap  231  may be passed, particularly for the adjustable strap end  235 . The adjustable strap end  235  may be constructed with Velcro®, a watchband-type pin and hole combination, or other forms commonly known to those skilled in the art that yield length adjustment of the strap  231  to accommodate various hand sizes. For user comfort, the strap  231  may be constructed of fabric, rubber, or other soft, durable material known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment apparatus  300  as shown in  FIG. 2  yet with another exemplary front cover  310 . An electronic device is not shown for clarity. The front cover  310  may be attached to the electronic device through a magnetic strip  320 , or alternatively attached to the front cover  220  through a hinge mechanism as illustrated with pins  330  and sockets  340 , or through other forms commonly known to those skilled in the art. Further still, the front cover  310  may be attached through a combination of magnets  320  and hinge mechanisms  330 ,  340 . In this embodiment, the front cover  310  may be constructed partially or entirely of a rigid plastic with hard durometer. 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , a detail perspective view of an exemplary handle  230  and handle pivot mechanism  232  are shown. The handle pivot mechanism  232  requires no tools to operate, and is thus toolless. The handle pivot mechanism  232  may be operated by a user manually applying force on at least one side of the handle pivot mechanism  232  in the direction of the arrows. This applied force may elastically deform tangs  520  to disengage the semi-circular tabs  510  from the circular hole  241  in the rear cover  240 . Alternatively, a compression spring (not shown) may be situated between the semi-circular tabs  510 , or within the handle pivot mechanism  232 , so that upon application of force, the compression spring (not shown) elastically deforms to allow the handle  230  to be disengaged from the rear cover  240  in the direction of the arrow as shown in  FIG. 6 . It is these semi-circular tabs  510 , at least in this embodiment, that provide for rotation of the handle  230  about the hole  241 . 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the handle  230  may be removed from circular hole  241  and replaced by a mounting bracket (not shown). Such a mounting bracket (not shown) would be useful for affixing the apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  to a vehicle dashboard, a cup holder, a desk, or other frequently used locations where hands-free or single-hand operation is beneficial. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the rear cover  240  may have click-stops  242  disposed about the perimeter of the hole  241  at given angle intervals ranging from 15 to 30 to 45 to 60 to 75 to 90 to 105 to 120 to 135 to 150 to 165 and to 180 degrees. The semi-circular tabs  510  may have mating protrusions (not shown) that engage the click-stops  242  and provide rotational locking. Unlocking can be accomplished either by applying a rotational force upon the handle of sufficient quantity to surmount the radial force exerted by the tangs  520  or spring (not shown), or depressing the semi-circular tabs  510  in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5 , or by other means commonly known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]    In still another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an exploded rear view of an electronic device protector  700  is shown. The electronic device, front cover, handle strap, and removable front cover are not shown for clarity. Rear cover  710  may have a circular boss  711  protruding from the rear surface of the rear cover  710 . The outer diameter of the circular boss  711  may rotatably interface with handle  720  at surface  721  to allow handle  720  to spin about the axis of the circular boss  711 . The handle  720  may have arms  723  that radially extend from the center  722  of the handle  720 . At least one slot  724  may be disposed in at least one arm  723  at or near the distal end of the arm  723  for inserting at least one end of the handle strap (not shown). The handle  720  is retained against the rear cover  710  by the handle pivot lock  730 . Retaining means may be an outside thread  731  on the handle pivot lock and inside thread  711  on the inside diameter of the rear cover circular boss  711 . Rotational locking may be achieved by a friction fit between the handle  720  and the handle pivot lock  730 . The rear of handle pivot lock  730  may employ a partially hemispherical surface  732  to provide a comfortable fit with the palm of a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  illustrates a rear view of  FIG. 7  with cross-section view A-A thereof. Detail  810  is illustrated in  FIG. 9  to illustrate a cross-section of the electronic device protector  700 . 
         [0031]    What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.