Multi-modal electronic device cover

A cover for an electronic device includes first and second planar members wherein, a first end of the second planar member is disposed adjacent to a first end of the first planar member. The cover also includes a coupling arrangement configured to be attached to a first end of the electronic device and configured to permit rotation of the first and second planar members around the first end of the electronic device, and a rotational hinge configured to couple together the first ends of the first and second planar members such that the second planar member is rotatable with respect to the first planar member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a cover for an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

A portable electronic device typically includes one or more interfaces through which a user can interact with the device. In the context of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), navigation devices, tablet computers, etc., the user interface may be a large (relative to the size of the device) display screen (e.g., display panel, touch panel, etc.). These display screens are generally disposed on, or integrated with, the housing of the electronic device.

During use, an electronic device may be exposed to impacts, or to the environment. Because the display screen is generally formed from a material that is susceptible to breakage upon impact, a user may wish to protect the display screen of the device when not in use.

SUMMARY

In accordance with certain embodiments, a cover for an electronic device is provided. The cover includes a first planar member and a second planar member, wherein a first end of the second planar member is disposed adjacent to a first end of the first planar member. The cover also comprises a coupling arrangement configured to be attached to a first end of the electronic device and configured to permit rotation of the first and second planar members around the first end of the electronic device. The cover further includes a rotational hinge configured to couple together the first ends of the first and second planar members such that the second planar member is rotatable with respect to the first planar member, and a first releasable locking arrangement configured to, when the cover is in a flat configuration, releasably fasten together the first ends of the first and second planar members so as to prevent rotation of the second planar member about the rotational hinge.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a cover10for a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), navigation device, tablet computer, etc., that is configured to take a number of different configurations or “modes.” Due to these different possible configurations, cover10is sometimes referred to herein as a multi-modal cover. In the perspective view ofFIG. 1, multi-modal cover10is shown covering a display screen of a tablet computer12.

As shown inFIG. 1, multi-modal cover10may include a first substantially planar member15and a second substantially planar member20. First member15comprises a first end25and an opposing second end30. Similarly, second member20comprises a first end35and an opposing second end40. As described further below, first member15and second member20each comprise a plurality of sections (not shown inFIG. 1) separated by foldable or bendable regions (also not shown inFIG. 1).

InFIG. 1, the first end35of the second member20is disposed below first end25of the first member15. That is, first end35is disposed between first end25and the display screen of tablet computer12. First ends25and35are mechanically coupled to one another by a rotational hinge50. Rotational hinge50is a mechanical element that allows rotation of second member20relative to first member15, but retains the first ends25and35together and adjacent to one another. More specifically, rotational hinge50allows rotation of second member50around the hinge in a plane that is substantially parallel to first member15. In a first or flat configuration ofFIG. 1, an elongate axis52extends through rotational hinge50and is substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of first and second members15and20, respectively. An axis53extends from second end30to first end15in first member15through rotational hinge50. Axis53is substantially parallel to an axis54that extends from first end35to second end40in second member20through rotational hinge50. Axes53and54are substantially perpendicular to hinge axis52. Further details of the rotation of rotational hinge50and the coupling together of first ends25and35are provided below.

It is to be appreciated that multi-modal cover10may be constructed from any combination of one or more suitable materials to, for example, provide a particular aesthetic finish, desired level of protection, and/or to, as described below, to function as a stand or support for the electronic device. The materials can include, for example, polyester microfiber, polycarbonate fiber, polyurethane adhesive, polyester knit, leather, or polyurethane.

In one example, the multi-modal cover10can be, at least partially, constructed from a hard material designed to resist impacts while, in another example, the cover can be constructed from a softer material, but include one or more hard elements to provide impact resistance and underlying structure. In some embodiments, multi-modal cover10can be constructed by combining several different materials having different physical/mechanical properties. In one such arrangement, several different materials can be layered (stacked) to form one of first member15or second member20. The different materials can be layered in different orders and arrangements. For example, the material stack can include a soft material to be placed in contact with the device, a hard material (e.g., fiberglass) to withstand impacts, and a stain-resistant or water-resistant material (e.g., polyurethane, microfiber, leather, etc.) to provide an aesthetically pleasing outer surface for the cover. Additionally, as described further below, one or other structural or functional elements may be embedded or otherwise disposed in different portions of multi-modal cover10.

FIG. 2is schematic top view of multi-modal cover10that illustrates additional structural details of the first member15and the second member20. BecauseFIG. 2is a top view, structural elements that may be disposed in cover10are shown using hashed/dotted lines.

In this view, first end35of second member20is disposed underneath first end25of first member15. First member15comprises two co-planar sections60(1) and60(2) separated by a bendable region65. In this embodiment, bendable region65comprises an area that includes only soft material so that first member15can fold (bi-directionally) at region65. Disposed in section60(2) are first and second bar magnets70(1) and70(2) positioned on either side of rotational hinge50.

First member15, more specifically section60(1), also includes a metallic element75. In this specific example ofFIG. 2, metallic element75is a rectangular plate. In other arrangements, metallic element may comprise, for example, one or more elongate metallic bars extending across section60(1), a frame (e.g., square, H-shaped, figure 8-shaped), etc.

Second member20comprises four co-planar sections80(1),80(2),80(3), and80(4) separated by bendable regions85(1),85(2), and85(3), respectively. InFIG. 2, section80(1) and a portion (approximately half) of bendable region85(1) are positioned underneath section60(2) of first member15. Additionally, disposed in section80(1) are bar magnets72(1) and70(2). Bar magnets72(1) and72(2) are not shown inFIG. 2. When multi-modal cover10is in the first configuration (i.e., flat configuration) ofFIG. 2, the magnets72(1) and72(2) in section80(1) are configured to be aligned, or in registration with, magnets70(1) and70(2), respectively, of section60(2) so as to be magnetically coupled thereto. When magnetically coupled, the magnets70(1) and72(1) and the magnets72(1) and72(2) are collectively configured to substantially prevent rotation of second member20around rotational hinge50unless an external rotational force is applied by a user. Disposed in section80(4) (i.e., the second end40of second member20) is an elongate bar magnet90.

First member15and second member20are each configured to bend (at regions65and85(1)-85(3), respectively), so that cover10may take several different configurations (i.e., different modes). As described further below, these different modes are such that cover10may function as a stand for an electronic device, such as tablet computer12(FIG. 1). In certain examples described below, multi-modal cover10is configurable as a stand that supports an electronic device in different upright configurations.

FIG. 3is a simplified cross-sectional view of multi-modal cover10, taken along cross-sectional line3-3ofFIG. 1. When multi-modal cover10is in the illustrated flat configuration, the cover is configured to be disposed over a surface, such as a display screen, of an electronic device. For ease of illustration, the electronic device has been omitted fromFIG. 3. Also for ease of illustration, first member15and second member20are shown inFIG. 3as being substantially parallel. It is to be appreciated that, in certain arrangements, first member15and second member20may be angled with respect to one another.

As shown, section60(2) of the first member15is disposed over section80(1) of second member20. That is, the first end35of the second member20is disposed underneath first end25of the first member15. In this flat configuration, magnets70(2) and72(2), as well as magnets70(1) and72(1), are positioned adjacent to one another so as to magnetically mate. Also shown inFIG. 3is metallic element75in section60(1) (of first member15) and magnet90in section80(4) (of second member20).

As noted above, first member15comprises first and second sections60(1) and60(2), respectively, separated by a bendable region65. Similarly, second member20comprises third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sections80(1)-80(4), respectively, separated by bendable regions85(1),85(2), and85(3), respectively. In the example ofFIG. 3, bendable regions65and85(1)-85(3) are formed by soft material that allows bi-directional folding at the regions. It is to be appreciated that, in alternative arrangements, bendable regions65and85(1)-85(3) may be formed from alternative materials or mechanism. For example, in one alternative arrangement bendable regions65and85(1)-85(3) may be formed by mechanical hinges that allow the bi-directional folding of first and second members15and20, respectively.

As noted above, second member20is coupled to first member15by a rotational hinge50that allows rotation of the second member with respect to the first member.FIG. 4is a schematic top view illustrating cover10when second member20is rotated with respect to the first member15.

As noted above, in the flat configuration ofFIG. 1, axis54through second member20(i.e., the elongate axis extending from first end35to second end40through rotational hinge50) is substantially parallel to axis53(i.e., the elongate axis extending from first end25to second end30through rotational hinge50). However, in the arrangement ofFIG. 4, second member20is rotated in the direction of arrow100such that axis54is substantially perpendicular to axis53. That is, as shown, second member20is rotated within a plane that is parallel first member15.

When second member20is rotated such that axis54is substantially perpendicular to hinge axis52, magnet72(2) (not shown inFIG. 4) in first end35of the second member20is positioned adjacent to a portion of metallic element75(also not shown inFIG. 4) near the center of section60(1). As such, magnet72(2) is configured to magnetically couple to metallic element75to retain second member20in the rotated position. In an optional embodiment, second member20, and more specifically section80(2) and/or section80(3), may include a metallic element therein so as to couple to magnet70(1) in first member15, thereby further retaining second member20in the rotated position.

FIGS. 1-4illustrate the use of a first releasable locking arrangement that fastens together the first ends25and35of the first and second members15and20, respectively. More specifically, in the above embodiments, the magnets70(1) and70(2), along with magnets72(1) and72(2), comprise the first releasable locking arrangement. It is to be appreciated that different releasable locking arrangements may be used in alternative embodiments. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the first releasable locking arrangement may comprise opposing hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® brand hook-and-loop fasteners). VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B. V., Claude Debussylaan 24, 1082 MD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In this embodiment, the one or more opposing hook-and-loop fasteners are disposed on each of the first end25and the first end35such that, when the cover is in the flat configuration, the one or more hook-and-loop fasteners mechanically mate. In another alternative embodiment, the first releasable locking arrangement may comprise re-usable adhesive disposed on one or more of the first ends25or35.

As noted above, multi-modal cover10is configured to adopt a number of different configurations in which the cover may function as a stand for an electronic device. For ease of illustration, the following examples illustrate the use of multi-modal cover10as a stand for tablet computer12. It is to be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative and that multi-modal cover10may be used with a number of other portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, navigation devices, computers, etc.

Tablet computer12, as well as many other electronic devices, generally have a rectangular shape in which two edges (sides) are longer than the other two edges (ends) of the device. Additionally, such rectangular shaped devices will display different screens, depending on the orientation of the device. For example, when the electronic device is oriented so that one of the shorter edges (ends) is facing downwards (i.e., the short portion of the rectangle is downwards), the electronic device is said to be in a vertical orientation and the device operates in a “portrait” mode of operation. When the electronic device is oriented so that one of the longer edges (sides) is facing downwards (i.e., the long portion of the rectangle is downwards), the electronic device is said to be in a horizontal orientation and the device operates in a “landscape” mode of operation.FIGS. 5A-5Ccollectively illustrate the transition or conversion of multi-modal cover10from the flat configuration ofFIGS. 1-3to a configuration arranged to support tablet computer12in a portrait mode of operation. This second configuration of cover10is sometimes referred to herein as the “portrait configuration”.FIGS. 6A-6Billustrate an alternative portrait configuration.FIGS. 7A-7Ecollectively illustrate the conversion of multi-modal cover10from the flat configuration ofFIGS. 1-3to a configuration arranged to support tablet computer12in a landscape mode of operation. This second configuration of cover10is sometimes referred to herein as the “landscape configuration”.

InFIG. 5A, multi-modal cover10is coupled to a first end110of tablet computer12by a coupling arrangement115that permits rotation of the cover around the first end110. That is, coupling arrangement115allows cover10to “flip” open so as to expose the display screen120of the tablet computer12.

In the example ofFIG. 1, coupling arrangement115comprises releasable tabs125(1) and125(2) configured to mechanically mate with tablet computer12. More specifically, tabs125(1) and125(2) may have elastic or spring-form properties so as to releasably “clip” onto the outer surface of tablet computer12.

Coupling arrangement115also comprises hinges130(1) and130(2) attached to tabs125(1) and125(2), respectively. Hinges130(1) and130(2) comprise a flexible (e.g., bendable) material of sufficient length to permit rotation of cover110around first end110.

It is to be appreciated that the specific coupling arrangement115ofFIG. 5Ais merely illustrative and that other mechanisms for attaching the cover to tablet computer12may be used in alternative arrangements. For example, in alternative arrangements, coupling arrangement115may use adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® brand hook-and-loop fastener), touch fasteners, elastic band(s), etc. Similarly, hinges130(1) and130(2) may be formed from a number of different materials or may be mechanical hinges.

As shown inFIG. 5A, a first step to convert multi-modal cover10from the flat configuration to a first portrait configuration is to fold cover10around first end110in the direction shown by arrow135. After cover10is rotated, first end35of second member20is now on top of first end25of first member.

FIG. 5Cillustrates another intermediate arrangement in which cover10is further folded at bendable regions65,85(2), and85(3). More specifically, bendable region85(3) of second member20is folded such that section80(4) is adjacent to section60(1) of first member15. As shown, after section80(4) is folded adjacent to section60(1), cover10has an elongate triangular shape that supports (i.e., functions as a stand for) tablet computer12. Sections80(2) and60(2) are configured to rest against a surface (e.g., table).

In the arrangement ofFIG. 5C, the magnet90in section80(4) is configured to magnetically couple to metallic element75in section60(1) so as to releasably lock cover10into the triangular shape. As such, magnet90and metallic element75collectively comprise a releasable locking arrangement that functions to retain the triangular shape.

In certain circumstances, a user may operate tablet computer12when cover10is in the arrangement ofFIG. 5C. Alternatively, the user may rotate cover10, and tablet computer12, in the direction shown by arrow150(FIG. 5C) so that the cover and tablet computer12are in a more upright position, as shown inFIG. 5D. In the example ofFIG. 5D, cover10still has a triangular shape, but sections60(1) and60(2) are configured to rest against a surface, and section80(3) is configured to rest against tablet computer12.

As described above,FIGS. 5A-5Dillustrate a first example conversion of cover10from the flat configuration to a portrait configuration.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare perspective and side views, respectively, of cover10in a second portrait configuration reachable through a second conversion process.

In the second conversion process ofFIGS. 6A and 6B, multi-modal cover10is first rotated around first end110of tablet computer12(i.e., rotation of hinges130(1) and130(2)) such that the cover is adjacent the back (i.e., the surface opposite from display screen120) of tablet computer12. That is, cover10is rotated approximately 180 degrees around first end110. Next, cover10is folded, at bendable region65, away from tablet computer12, and then folded towards tablet computer12at bendable region85(2) so as to bring section80(4) proximate to first end110. Cover10is then folded at bendable region85(3) so that the outer surface of section80(4) is abutting the inner surface of section60(1). As shown, after section80(4) is folded so as to be abutting section60(1), cover10has an elongate triangular shape that supports (i.e., functions as a stand for) tablet computer12. In this configuration, section80(3) is configured to rest against a surface (e.g., table).

As previously noted,FIGS. 7A-7Eillustrate the conversion of multi-modal cover10from the closed or first configuration ofFIGS. 1-4to a landscape configuration. More specifically,FIG. 7Aillustrates a first step in the landscape conversion in which cover10is first rotated around first end110of tablet computer12(i.e., rotation of hinges130(1) and130(2)) such that cover is adjacent the back of tablet computer12.

Next, as shown inFIG. 7B, second member20is rotated, as described above with reference toFIG. 4, in the direction of arrow100so that, after the rotation, axis54(FIG. 4) of second member20is substantially perpendicular to axis53(FIG. 4).FIG. 7Billustrates second member20when it is only partially rotated (i.e., rotated approximately 45 degrees). As noted above, when second member20is fully rotated (i.e., rotated 90 degrees such that axis54is substantially perpendicular to axis53), magnet72(2) (not shown inFIG. 7B) in section80(1) (i.e., the first end35of the second member20) is positioned adjacent to metallic element75(also not shown inFIG. 7B) of section60(1). As such, magnet72(2) is configured to magnetically couple to metallic element75to retain second member20in the rotated position. In an optional embodiment, second member20, and more specifically section80(2) and/or section80(3), may include a metallic element therein, or be at least partially formed from a metallic material, so as to couple to magnet70(1) in first member15to further retain second member20in the rotated position.

As shown inFIG. 7C, from the rotated position, second member20is next folded, at bendable region85(2), back towards first member15(and tablet computer12). Similarly, second member20is folded at bendable region85(1) such that section80(4) is abutting first member15.

After section80(4) is folded so as to be abutting first member15, cover10has an elongate triangular shape that supports (i.e., functions as a stand for) tablet computer12. In this configuration, section80(3) is configured to rest against a surface (e.g., table).FIGS. 7D and 7Eare perspective and side views, respectively, that illustrate the final landscape configuration of multi-modal cover10.

In the arrangement ofFIGS. 7C-7E, the magnet90(not shown inFIGS. 7C-7E) in section80(4) is configured to magnetically couple to metallic element75(also not shown inFIGS. 7C-7E) in section60(1) so as to releasably lock cover10into the triangular shape. As such, magnet90and metallic element75collectively comprise a releasable locking arrangement.

The above description is intended by way of example only.