Electronic device with a foldable cover for covering a user operable device

The invention provides an electronic device including a user operable device and a foldable cover flexibly connected to the user operable device and capable to cover a whole top of the user operable device. The foldable cover includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of foldable lines, so that the foldable cover can be folded along the plurality of foldable lines formed between different sections. The sections are connected through the flexible foldable lines to allow the adjacent sections foldable with respective to one another to make the foldable cover in a supporting state, so that a first fastening section and a second fastening section are releasably fastened together so as to fasten a first supporting section and a second supporting section, and a first attachment section and a second attachment section are placed flatly on a plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more specifically, to an electronic device with a foldable cover capable of covering a top of a user operable device and capable of supporting a portable device at a supporting state by rotation alternatively.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Since modern technology trends to small size and light weight, a portable computer has been more and more popular in computer industry. Accordingly, a keyboard as an input interface equipped for the portable computer also trends to a thin size. A keyboard cover is designed for preventing careless touch of the keyboard when the keyboard is not used. Furthermore, a supporting frame is designed for supporting the portable computer when the portable computer is used. However, there is no peripheral device cooperating with the keyboard as combination of the keyboard cover and the supporting frame in the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic device with a foldable cover capable of covering a top of a user operable device and capable of supporting a portable device at a supporting state by rotation alternatively.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device with a supporting function includes a user operable device placed on a plane. The electronic device further includes a foldable cover flexibly connected to the user operable device and capable to cover a whole top of the user operable device. The foldable cover includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of foldable lines formed between different sections, so that the foldable cover can be folded along the plurality of foldable lines. The plurality of foldable lines are formed by following way: (a) forming a left longitudinal foldable line; (b) a left lower foldable line joining the left longitudinal foldable line at a first point which is located at a bottom side of a left half foldable cover; (c) forming a right longitudinal foldable line; (d) a right lower foldable line joining the right longitudinal foldable line at a second point which is located at the bottom side of a right half foldable cover; (e) a left upper foldable line extending from a left side to an upper side of the foldable cover; and (f) a right upper foldable line extending from a right side to the upper side of the foldable cover. The left longitudinal foldable line and the right longitudinal foldable line extend from the bottom side to the upper side of the foldable cover, the left lower foldable line extends from the bottom side to the left side of the support cove, and the right lower foldable line extends from the bottom side to the right side of the foldable cover. The six foldable lines divide the foldable cover into at least following sections: (a′) a main section; (b′) a first supporting section pivoted to a first lateral side of the main section; (c′) a second supporting section pivoted to a second lateral side of the main section; (d′) a first fastening section pivoted to a lateral side of the first supporting section; (e′) a second fastening section pivoted to a lateral side of the second supporting section; (f′) a first attachment section pivoted to a bottom side of the first supporting section; and (g′) a second attachment section pivoted to a bottom side of the second supporting section. These sections are connected through the six flexible foldable lines to allow the adjacent sections foldable with respective to one another to make the foldable cover in a supporting state, so that (i) the first fastening section and the second fastening section are releasably fastened together so as to fasten the first supporting section and the second supporting section, and (ii) the first attachment section and the second attachment section are placed flatly on the plane.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fastening section includes a first magnetic component, the second fastening section includes a first magnetic induction component, and the first magnetic component and the first magnetic induction component are for releasably attracting each other so as to releasably fasten the first fastening section and the second fastening section. The foldable cover further includes a second magnetic component and a second magnetic induction component. The second magnetic component is disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the first magnetic induction component, and the second magnetic induction component is disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the first magnetic component. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic induction component are for releasably attracting each other and the first magnetic induction component and the second magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other, as the main section, the first supporting section, the second supporting section, the first fastening section and the second fastening section are for rotating in a direction close to the user operable device, so as to cover a top of the user operable device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fastening section comprises a third magnetic component, the second fastening section comprises a fourth magnetic component, and the third magnetic component and the fourth magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other due to being opposite magnetic poles so as to releasably fasten the first fastening section and the second fastening section. The foldable cover further includes a fifth magnetic component and a sixth magnetic component. The fifth magnetic component is disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the third magnetic component. The fifth magnetic component and the third magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other due to being opposite magnetic poles. The sixth magnetic component is disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the fourth magnetic component, and the sixth magnetic component and the fourth magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other due to being opposite magnetic poles. The fifth magnetic component and the third magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other and the sixth magnetic component and the fourth magnetic component are for releasably attracting each other, as the main section, the first supporting section, the second supporting section, the first fastening section and the second fastening section are for rotating in a direction close to the user operable device, so as to cover a top of the user operable device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fastening section includes a first velcro tape, the second fastening section includes a second velcro tape, and the first velcro tape and the second velcro tape are for releasably attaching each other so as to releasably fasten the first fastening section and the second fastening section. The foldable cover further includes a third velcro tape disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the first velcro tape, and a fourth velcro tape disposed on the user operable device and corresponding to the second velcro tape. The third velcro tape and the first velcro tape are for releasably attaching each other and the fourth velcro tape and the second velcro tape are for releasably attaching each other, as the main section, the first supporting section, the second supporting section, the first fastening section and the second fastening section are for rotating in a direction close to the user operable device, so as to cover a top of the user operable device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a flexible connecting portion, one end of the flexible connecting portion is connected to a bottom side of the main section and no connection is with other sections. The other end of the flexible connecting portion is connected to the user operable device, so the main section is connected with the user operable device through the flexible connecting portion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the main section substantially has a shape of a trapezoid, a rectangle, or a triangle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the foldable cover is in the supporting state, a receiving space is formed between the main section and the user operable device for receiving a bottom end of a portable device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a user operable device placed on a plane, and a foldable cover flexibly connected to the electronic device. The foldable cover includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of foldable lines formed between different sections, so that the foldable cover can be folded along the plurality of foldable lines. The plurality of foldable lines are formed by following way: (a) a left longitudinal foldable line extending from a bottom side to an upper side of the foldable cover; (b) a left lower foldable line forming at a left side of the left longitudinal foldable line and extending from the bottom side to a left side of the foldable cover; (c) a right longitudinal foldable line forming at a right side of the left longitudinal foldable line and extending from the bottom side to the upper side of the foldable cover; (d) a right lower foldable line forming at a right side of the right longitudinal foldable line and extending from the bottom side to a right side of the foldable cover; (e) a left upper foldable line forming at the left side of the left longitudinal foldable line and extending from the left side to the upper side of the foldable cover; and (f) a right upper foldable line forming at the right side of the right longitudinal foldable line and extending from the right side to the upper side of the foldable cover. The plurality of foldable lines divide the foldable cover into at least following sections: (a′) a main section; (b′) a left supporting section pivoted to the main section through the left longitudinal foldable line; (c′) a right supporting section pivoted the main section through the right longitudinal foldable line; (d′) a left upper section pivoted to the left supporting section through the left upper foldable line; (e′) a right upper section pivoted to the right supporting section through the right upper foldable line; (f′) a left lower section pivoted to the left supporting section through the left lower foldable line; and (g′) a right lower section pivoted the right supporting section through the right lower foldable line. When the foldable cover is in a supporting state, (i) the left upper section and the right upper section are releasably fastened together so as to fasten the left supporting section and the right supporting section, and (ii) the left lower section and the right lower section are placed flatly on the plane. When the foldable cover is in a non-supporting state, the plurality of sections are substantially extending in a same plane to cover the user operable device.

The present invention provides the user operable device with the foldable cover not only capable of covering the top of the user operable device for protecting the user operable device or preventing careless touch of the user operable device when the user operable device is not used, but also capable of supporting the portable device at the supporting state by rotation when the portable device is used, alternatively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Please refer toFIG. 1toFIG. 6.FIG. 1toFIG. 6are diagrams of a keyboard device with a support1cooperating with a keyboard2at different states according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the support1includes a main body10, a connecting portion11, a first supporting portion12and a second supporting portion13. One end112of the connecting portion11is pivoted to a bottom side102of the main body10, and the other end114of the connecting portion11is connected to the keyboard2. The other end114of the connecting portion11can be connected to a bottom21of the keyboard2. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the other end114of the connecting portion11can be inserted to a socket23on the bottom21of the keyboard2.

As shown inFIG. 4toFIG. 6, the first supporting portion12is pivoted to a first lateral side104of the main body10. The second supporting portion13is pivoted to a second lateral side106of the main body10. The main body10can rotate in a first direction L1away from the keyboard2, the first supporting portion12and the second supporting portion13also can rotate in the first direction L1away from the keyboard2so that a lateral side122of the first supporting portion12and a lateral side132of the second supporting portion13contact against each other, and a bottom side124of the first supporting portion12and a bottom side134of the second supporting portion13stand on a plane P, so as to support the support1on the plane P at a supporting state as the keyboard2is placed on the plane P.

The support1further includes a first fastening portion14and a second fastening portion15. The first fastening portion14is pivoted to the lateral side122of the first supporting portion12, and the second fastening portion15is pivoted to the lateral side132of the second supporting portion13. The first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15are for releasably being fastened together so as to fasten the lateral side122of the first supporting portion12and the lateral side132of the second supporting portion13as the support1is at the supporting state.

As shown inFIG. 5, the support1further includes a first attachment portion16and a second attachment portion17. The first attachment portion16is pivoted to the bottom side124of the first supporting portion12. The second attachment portion17is pivoted to the bottom side134of the second supporting portion13. The first attachment portion16and the second attachment portion17are placed flatly on the plane P as the support1is at the supporting state. As shown inFIG. 6, the main body10, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14, the second fastening portion15, the first attachment portion16and the second attachment portion17can rotate in a second direction L2opposite to the first direction L1and close to the keyboard2, so as to cover a whole top22of the keyboard2.

The main body10, the connecting portion11, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14, the second fastening portion15, the first attachment portion16and the second attachment portion17can be sheet structures, respectively. The main body10can substantially have a shape of a trapezoid, a rectangle, a triangle, and so on. In practical application, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14, the second fastening portion15, the first attachment portion16and the second attachment portion17can be made of stiff or half-stiff material, such as high polymer material, leather, metal material, and so on. The adjacent portions can be connected foldably or pivotably.

As shown inFIG. 5, a slot is formed between the main body10, the connecting portion11and the keyboard2for accommodating a portable information processing device3, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, and so on, as the support1is at the supporting state. The support1can support the portable information processing device3.

As shown inFIG. 3, the first fastening portion14includes a first magnetic component142, and the second fastening portion15includes a first magnetic induction component152. The first magnetic component142and the first magnetic induction component152are for releasably attracting each other so as to releasably fasten the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15. Further, as shown inFIG. 6, the support1further includes a second magnetic induction component24disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the first magnetic component142, and a second magnetic component25disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the first magnetic induction component152. The first magnetic component142and the second magnetic induction component24can releasably attract each other by magnetic induction and the first magnetic induction component152and the second magnetic component25can releasably attract each other by magnetic induction, as the main body10, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15rotate in a second direction L2opposite to the first direction L1and close to the keyboard2, so as to cover the top22of the keyboard2.

Please refer toFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a diagram of the support1according to another embodiment of the present invention. The first fastening portion14includes a third magnetic component144, and the second fastening portion15includes a fourth magnetic component154. The third magnetic component144and the fourth magnetic component154can releasably attract each other due to being opposite magnetic poles, so as to releasably fasten the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15. Further, the support1further includes a fifth magnetic component26disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the third magnetic component144, and a sixth magnetic component27disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the fourth magnetic component154. The fifth magnetic component26and the third magnetic component144can releasably attract each other due to being opposite magnetic poles. The sixth magnetic component27and the fourth magnetic component154can releasably attract each other due to being opposite magnetic poles. The fifth magnetic component26and the third magnetic component144can releasably attract each other and the sixth magnetic component27and the fourth magnetic component154can releasably attract each other, as the main body10, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15rotate in the second direction L2opposite to the first direction L1and close to the keyboard2, so as to cover the top22of the keyboard2. InFIG. 7, the same components as those shown inFIG. 6are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated.

Please refer toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a diagram of the support1according to another embodiment of the present invention. The first fastening portion14includes a first velcro tape146, and the second fastening portion15includes a second velcro tape156. The first velcro tape146and the second velcro tape156can releasably attach each other so as to releasably fasten the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15. The supporting1further includes a third velcro tape28disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the first velcro tape146, and a fourth velcro tape29disposed on the keyboard2and corresponding to the second velcro tape156. The third velcro tape28and the first velcro tape146can releasably attach each other and the fourth velcro tape29and the second velcro tape156can releasably attach each other, as the main body10, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15rotate in the second direction L2opposite to the first direction L1and close to the keyboard2, so as to cover the top22of the keyboard2. InFIG. 8, the same components as those shown inFIG. 6are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated.

Please refer toFIG. 9.FIG. 9is a diagram of the support1according to another embodiment of the present invention. The first fastening portion14includes a reusable adhesive layers148, and the second fastening portion15includes a reusable adhesive layers158. The first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15can be releasably fastened by affixing the reusable adhesive layer148and the reusable adhesive layers158. The reusable adhesive layer148and the reusable adhesive layer158can be affixed to the top22of the keyboard2repeatedly, as the main body10, the first supporting portion12, the second supporting portion13, the first fastening portion14and the second fastening portion15rotate in the second direction L2opposite to the first direction L1and close to the keyboard2, so as to cover the top22of the keyboard2. InFIG. 9, the same components as those shown inFIG. 6are denoted by the same reference numerals and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In contrast with the prior art, the present invention provides the keyboard device with the support not only capable of covering the top of the keyboard for protecting the keyboard or preventing careless touch of the keyboard when the keyboard is not used, but also capable of supporting the portable information processing device at the supporting state by rotation when the portable information processing device is used, alternatively.