Universal case for a tablet device

A universal case for an electronic tablet device is disclosed comprising a rectangular sectioning panel having a front surface and an unobstructed center portion, the sectioning panel divided into four quadrants by projections at intervals along the center lines of the sectioning panel, and a tablet holding assembly comprising four separate quadrant pieces having tablet gripping members, the pieces configured to fit within the sectioning panel quadrants where quadrant pieces diagonally opposite each other are joined by elastic members which permit the quadrant pieces to elastically separate to accommodate a particular tablet device while urging the pieces toward the center thereby providing a secure fit for the device.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to an electronic tablet device case that is adjustable to retain differently sized devices.

BACKGROUND

Tablet devices such as tablet computers, e-readers, and the like are available in different sizes. Often, cases for such devices are dimensioned for a particular size device. If a consumer has several such devices, separate cases for each need to be sought out and obtained, which cases they are not interchangeable among the disparate devices. Hence, a need for a universal case for a tablet device exists.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment the disclosure is directed to a universal case for an electronic tablet device comprising: a rectangular sectioning panel comprising a front surface having a center point, a front surface center portion surrounding the center point, and a rear surface, the front surface comprising a plurality of first projections at intervals along the x-axis of the centerline of the sectioning panel and a plurality of second projections at intervals along the y-axis of the centerline of the sectioning panel, the first and second projections dividing the front surface into four quadrants, the front surface center portion having no first and second projections; and a tablet holding assembly in contact with the front side of the sectioning panel and comprising four separate rectangular quadrant pieces each configured to fit within a respective quadrant of the front surface of the sectioning panel, wherein the quadrant pieces diagonally opposite each other are joined by a respective elastic member, the elastic members traversing the front surface center portion in an X configuration, each quadrant piece prevented from touching the edge of abutting quadrant pieces by a first or a second projection, and each quadrant piece having tablet gripping member on an outer edge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing detailed description and reference to the figures is exemplary only and not restrictive of the scope of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1A,1B, and1Cthereat is an embodiment of a front surface180for a rectangular sectioning panel100of the disclosure. As used throughout herein “rectangular” includes square, substantially rectangular, and substantially square. Sectioning panel100has a length, L, and a width, W, and a centerline CLx along the x-axis bisecting the width W, and a centerline CLy along the y-axis bisecting the length L of panel100. Panel100further has a top edge110, a bottom edge120and opposing side edges130and140. Panel110further comprises a front surface180and a rear surface190. Front surface180comprises a center point150at the intersection of CLx and CLy, and a plurality of first projections160aand160bat intervals along the x-axis of centerline CLx, and a plurality of second projections170aand170bat intervals along the y-axis of centerline CLy.

In the practice depicted inFIGS.1A and1B, two first projections106aand106band two second projections170aand170bare shown for convenience, it being understood that more than two first and second projections can be individually employed and the number of first and second projections can be the same or different. As depicted the first and second projections are ridges that are rectangular in cross section; other shapes for be employed, e.g. pegs and the shape of the first and second projections can be the same or different. In one practice as shown inFIGS.1B and1C, the first projections160a,160b, and the second projections170aand170bare embossed from the rear surface190so that they protrude outwardly from the front surface180, the embossments for first projections160aand160bcreating respective depressions160cand160don rear surface190, and the embossments for second projections170aand170bcreating depressions170cand170d. In other practices the first and second projections can be integrally molded into the front surface180of the sectioning panel100, or separately made and adhered to the front surface180by glue and the like.

The first and second projections divide the front surface180into four quadrants, 1, 2, 3, and 4, generally and respectively bounded by: 1) side edge140, top edge110, second projection170aand first projection160a;2) side edge140, bottom edge120, second projection170b, and first projection160a;3) bottom edge120, side edge130, second projection170b, first projection160b; and 4) side edge130, top edge110, first projection160b, second projection170a. The four quadrants may be of the same or different size. The front surface180comprises front surface center portion generally depicted inFIG.1Aas the cross-hatched area surrounding center point150. The center portion can be symmetric or asymmetric. In one practice, the front surface center portion comprises up to 30% of the length of the sectioning panel, and, separately, up to 30% of the width of the sectioning panel; in another practice, the front surface center portion comprises up to 20% of the length of the sectioning panel and, separately, up to 20% of the width of the sectioning panel; in another practice, the front surface center portion comprises up to 10% of the length of the sectioning panel and, separately, up to 10% of the width of the sectioning panel.

FIGS.4A and4Bdepict another embodiment of a rectangular sectioning panel101having the same features as shown for sectioning panel100ofFIGS.1A,1B and1Conly sectioning panel101comprises a camera window192which is shown as a corner notch but can be an opening in the panel itself and can be located within the body of the panel.

Referring toFIGS.2A,2B,2C, thereat is an embodiment of rectangular quadrant pieces201,202,203, and204each configured to fit within a respective quadrant of the front surface of the sectioning panel. Quadrant pieces201and203, and202and204, are diagonally opposite each other. The quadrant pieces may be of the same or different size and rectangular shape. In the optional practice shown, the corners of quadrant pieces201and203, and202and204, that are opposite each other have been truncated or beveled but need not be. Each quadrant piece comprises a tablet gripping member to secure the electronic tablet device to the case. Gripping members as known in the art are serviceable. In the practice depicted, gripping members210,211,212and213each comprise a flange that extends around the entire outer periphery of respective quadrant pieces201,202,203, and204, the flange configured to grip the corner and/or side of an electronic tablet device. In another practice, flanges may extend around only a portion of the outer periphery of a respective quadrant piece. As shown in the embodiment ofFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, the flanges may comprise one or more of openings230,231,232,233, configured to align with the location of speaker(s) and/or microphone(s) of an electronic tablet device.

In the practice illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, and as depicted inFIGS.3A and3B, each of the quadrant pieces shown further comprise slots220,221,22, and223through which a respective elastic member250and251is disposed. In the non-limiting embodiment depicted, slots220,221,222, and223each have a side opening that extend to an edge of their respective quadrant piece, from which side opening they can be accessed to engage an elastic member, e.g. as depicted inFIGS.6A and6B. As illustrated, elastic member250joins diagonally opposite quadrant pieces202and204by being disposed through slots221and223, whereas elastic member251joins diagonally opposite quadrant pieces201and203by being disposed through slots220and224. Alternatively, the elastic members may be connected to the quadrant pieces by other means known in the art, e.g. by rivets, glue, and the like. The elastic members are configured to urge the opposing quadrant pieces toward the center point while stretching outward to accommodate differently sized electronic tablet devices. Suitable elastic members include those known in the art such as elastic bands, bungee cords and the like and may be the same or different.

FIGS.3A and3Billustrate the construction of the universal tablet case with the sectioning panel and quadrant pieces ofFIGS.1and2wherein the front side180of rectangular sectioning panel100placed to be in contact with the tablet holding assembly comprising quadrant pieces201,202,203, and204where opposite pieces201and203, and202and204are joined as aforesaid by elastic members250and251. Rectangular section panel100can be secured to the tablet holding assembly by stitching, glue and the like as known in the art. Back cover300is secured to the rear side of the tablet assembly, e.g. by a lip extending around the rear side of quadrant pieces201,202,203,204configured to hold back cover300. In another embodiment, cover300can be conjured as a wrap around cover having a flap portion configured to extend around and over the tablet holding assembly.

FIGS.3C and3Dare representations of the universal case of the disclosure as would be seen through a transparent rectangular sectioning panel. Quadrant pieces201and203which are diagonally across from one another are joined together by elastic band250which is disposed within slots220and222. Similarly, quadrant pieces202and204which are diagonally across from one another are joined together by elastic band251which is disposed within slots221and223. First projection160aprevents quadrant pieces201and202from touching each other whereas first projection160bprevents quadrant pieces203and204from touching each other. Similarly, second projection170aprevents quadrant pieces201and204from touching each other and second projection170bprevents quadrant pieces203and204from touching each other. The depiction inFIGS.3C and3Dshow the quadrant pieces slightly stretched apart via elastic bands250,251.

FIGS.5A and5Bdepict another embodiment of quadrant pieces201a,202a,203a, and204aof the disclosure. These do not have beveled corners proximate the center point and comprise camera opening193, opening235for a volume button on an electronic tablet device; openings234,236,237, and238for a speaker and/or microphone on an electronic table device; and opening239for a charging port on an electronic tablet device.FIG.5Bdepicts the rear (opposite) side of the quadrant pieces ofFIG.5Aand illustrates a practice wherein each quadrant piece comprises a lip310,320,330and340which is configured to accommodate cover310which would slide in under lips310and340and optionally be secured by means known in the art, e.g. stitching or glue and the like. Cover310would have a camera window (not shown) that would align with camera window193.

FIGS.6A and6Bdepict an embodiment for the attachment of elastic members to create the tablet holding assembly, e.g. elastic band250is configured as a loop, one end of which is slipped into slot222via the side opening222awhereas the other end of band250is slipped into slot220via its side opening220a.FIG.7illustrates the construction of the universal tablet case with the sectioning panel and quadrant pieces ofFIGS.4,5, and6wherein the front side180of rectangular sectioning panel101is placed to be in contact with the tablet holding assembly comprising quadrant pieces201a,202a,203a, and204awhere opposite pieces201aand203a, and202aand204aare joined as aforesaid by elastic members250and251. Rectangular section panel101can be secured to the tablet holding assembly by stitching, glue and the like as known in the art. In the practice shown, front cover301, against which an electronic tablet device is placed, is fitted over the front surface of the tablet assembly and can be secured by means known in the art. Front cover320comprises camera window194which is configured to align with camera windows192and193of the sectioning panel and tablet assembly respectively.