Abstract:
A keyboard is configured to protect the display, or screen, and optionally the housing of a mobile computing device, such as a tablet computer, while the mobile computing device is not in use. When positioned over the display of a mobile computing device, the keyboard may provide protection without substantially increasing the thickness or other dimensions of the mobile computing device. The keyboard may also include a slot for orienting the tablet computer or other mobile computing device in a working orientation. Systems including assemblies of a keyboard and a mobile computing device, such as a tablet computer, are also disclosed, as are methods for using keyboards with tablet computers and other mobile computing devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/954,841, filed Nov. 26, 2010, for PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE, SYSTEMS INCLUDING PROTECTIVE COVERS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, pending, which is a continuation-in-part of (ii) U.S. Design Pat. application No. 29/379,842, filed Nov. 24, 2010, for PROTECTIVE COVER WITH RECESSED EDGE, AND CONFIGURED FOR USE WITH A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE, abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of (iii) U.S. Design Pat. application No. 29/378,952, filed on Nov. 11, 2010, for PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE (hereinafter “the &#39;952 Application”), abandoned, and of (iv) U.S. Design Pat. application No. 29/379,058, filed on Nov. 12, 2010, for PROTECTIVE COVER, INCLUDING KEYBOARD, FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE (hereinafter “the &#39;058 Application”), now U.S. Pat. No. D659,139, issued May 8, 2012; both of which are continuations-in-part of (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/832,845, filed on Jul. 8, 2010, for SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING A MOBILE DEVICE, abandoned. This application is also a continuation-in-part of (vi) United States Design patent application No. 29/379,837, filed Nov. 24, 2010, for SUPPORT ELEMENT OF A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of the &#39;952 Application, and of (vii) U.S. Design Pat. application No. 29/379,839, filed Nov. 24, 2010, for SUPPORT ELEMENT OF A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. D672,352, issued Dec. 11, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of the &#39;058 Application. The disclosures of all of the foregoing patent applications are hereby incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to protective covers for mobile computing devices and, more specifically, to hard covers for protecting the displays, or screens, and housings of mobile computing devices while the mobile computing devices are not in use. When positioned over the display of a mobile computing device, a protective cover of the present invention may provide protection without substantially increasing the thickness or other dimensions of the mobile computing device. The present invention also relates to systems including protective covers and mobile computing devices, as well as to methods for using mobile computing devices. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Since the advent of mobile computing, mobile computing devices have, over time, become increasingly portable, more readily useful, easier to use and more affordable. As a result of their portability, ready usefulness and ease-of-use, the frequency with which state-of-the-art mobile computing devices are used and the circumstances under which mobile computing devices are used are also ever-increasing. In fact, users who carry mobile computing devices often access them several times throughout the day. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, with repeated access and use, the potential for damaging (e.g., through wear-and-tear, dropping, etc.) fragile mobile computing devices is significant. And, although they are considered to be relatively affordable by historical standards, the monetary costs of mobile computing devices are still significant, particularly to many individual consumers. In addition, the repair or replacement of damaged mobile computing devices, and the restoration of data and applications (i.e., programs), require significant amounts of valuable time. 
         [0005]    In an effort to protect mobile computing devices from damage, a variety of protective apparatuses and devices have been developed. For example, screen protectors protect the displays of mobile computing devices from scratches that may occur during normal use or transportation (e.g., in pockets, purses, daypacks, computer bags, cars, and all of the other various places that mobile computing devices may be left). Although screen protectors protect the displays of mobile computing devices from scratches, they often provide only minimal impact resistance to the displays if the mobile computing devices are dropped. 
         [0006]    Protective “bumpers,” which surround the peripheral edges and, sometimes, the backs of mobile computing devices, are configured to absorb impact in the (not so infrequent) event that a mobile computing device is dropped. While protective bumpers may shield the peripheral edges of a mobile computing device from impact, they provide minimal, if any, impact protection to the typically fragile display of a mobile computing device. 
         [0007]    Portfolio-type covers offer more comprehensive protection for mobile computing devices, provided that they remain closed upon impact. Nonetheless, portfolio-type covers are usually formed from pliable materials, such as vinyl or leather, which are sometimes supported by cardboard. As a result, while portfolio-type covers provide some impact protection to the displays of mobile computing devices, they do not provide optimal protection to the displays of mobile computing devices. Furthermore, the dimensions of portfolio-type covers are typically much greater than the corresponding dimensions of the mobile computing devices they are intended to protect—adding an inch or more to the height and width of a protected mobile computing device, and often increasing the overall thickness of the device by a factor of two or more. Thus, many portfolio-type covers render a protected mobile computing device more cumbersome that it would otherwise be, counteracting the desire for devices with minimal dimensions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A protective cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention is configured to be placed over the display of a mobile computing device and to absorb any impact that may be directed toward the display of the mobile computing device. A protective cover of the present invention may be configured to provide optimal protection to a mobile computing device while posing only a minimal hindrance to use of the mobile computing device. 
         [0009]    In various embodiments, a protective cover of the present invention includes a solid or substantially solid base, which is configured to be placed over the display of a mobile computing device. In addition to the base, a protective cover of the present invention may include at least one retention element protruding from a periphery of the base. The at least one retention element may be configured to engage at least a portion of an outer periphery of the mobile computing device and, in some embodiments, to absorb any impact against the periphery (or at least a covered portion of the periphery) of the mobile computing device. Together, the base and the at least one retention element define a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of a mobile computing device. 
         [0010]    The base of a protective cover according to the present invention may also be configured to receive a mobile computing device and retain the same in such a way that the display of the mobile computing device may be accessed. In some embodiments, the receptacle may be configured to receive an edge of a mobile computing device, while a support element within the receptacle may be placed in an upright position to support the mobile computing device in a somewhat upright position (e.g., at an angle). 
         [0011]    While the receptacles of some embodiments of protective covers according to the present invention are configured merely to receive a mobile computing device to protect its display (i.e., in a protected arrangement), and the receptacles of other embodiments of protective covers of the present invention are configured to protect the display of a mobile computing device and orient the mobile computing device for use (i.e., in a working arrangement), other embodiments of protective covers of the present invention include receptacles that carry elements that add to or enhance the functionality of a mobile computing device. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, a protective cover of the present invention may include a keyboard (e.g., a physical keyboard, etc.) that is easier to use than the virtual keyboards on the touch-screen displays of many mobile computing devices. Other non-limiting examples of accessories that may be carried by the receptacle of a protective cover of the present invention include batteries that may provide backup power for a mobile computing device, communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication (e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i.e., FireWire, i.LINK, Lynx) interfaces, 8P8C jacks, etc.), peripheral memory devices (e.g., disk drives, hard drives, etc.) and other peripheral devices that may extend the functionality of a mobile computing device. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the present invention also includes mobile computing systems, which, in the most basic embodiments, include a mobile computing device and a protective cover of the present invention. In more complex embodiments, a mobile computing system may also include one or more accessories carried by the protective cover. In some embodiments, a mobile computing system of the present invention may also include external devices that communicate with the mobile computing device through one or more accessories carried by the protective cover. 
         [0013]    In addition to protective covers and mobile computing systems, various methods are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention includes various embodiments of methods for protecting the displays of mobile computing devices from damage during storage or transportation. In such a method, the display of a mobile computing device is oriented over the receptacle and base of a protective cover. The mobile computing device is then inserted into the receptacle, with the display positioned against and substantially covered by the base. As the mobile computing device is introduced into the receptacle of the protective cover, in some embodiments, one or more retention elements of the protective cover may engage the mobile computing device to retain the mobile computing device within the receptacle and, thus, the hold the base of the protective cover in place over the display. 
         [0014]    The present invention also includes methods for removing a protective cover from over the display of a mobile computing device. A feature of the mobile computing device (e.g., a portion of a peripheral edge of the mobile computing device, etc.) exposed beyond the protective cover may be engaged at the same time that an adjacent feature of the protective cover (e.g., an edge of periphery of the protective cover, etc.) is engaged. The engaged features may then be pulled in opposite or substantially opposite directions to remove the protective cover from over the display of the mobile computing device. 
         [0015]    The protective cover may then be used to hold the mobile computing device in a desired position for use. In some embodiments, a support element associated with the protective cover may be oriented in an upright position (e.g., within the receptacle of the protective cover, etc.). The mobile computing device is then oriented in a desired manner (e.g., landscape, portrait, etc.) relative to the protective cover, with bottom edge (the edge depending upon the orientation of the mobile computing device) resting against the protective cover (e.g., within the receptacle of the protective cover, against a back side of the base of the protective cover, etc.), with a back side of the mobile computing device resting upon the support element. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the protective cover to enable a user to comfortably type using a keyboard (virtual or physical) of the mobile computing device. In other embodiments, the mobile computing device may be positioned at a more upright angle, which may facilitate viewing of the display of the mobile computing device without physically interacting with the display or any other feature (e.g., a physical keyboard, etc.) of the mobile computing device. Such a position may be useful for viewing video, for viewing the display while using a separate keyboard (e.g., a keyboard carried by the protective cover, etc.), or under a variety of other circumstances. 
         [0017]    Other aspects, as well as the features and advantages of various aspects, of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outside surface of an embodiment of protective cover of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the outside surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a bottom of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an embodiment of support element of a protective cover of the present invention, showing the support element in a flattened, or collapsed position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a side edge of the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a front edge of the embodiment of support element illustrated by  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a rear edge of the embodiment of support element depicted by  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective representation of the embodiment of support element of  FIG. 6  in a raised position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element illustrated by  FIG. 6  in the raised position depicted by  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 6  in the raised position illustrated by  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by  FIG. 6  in the raised position shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in a substantially upright landscape working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in an inclined landscape working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view that illustrates an embodiment of a mobile computing device oriented in a substantially upright portrait working position relative to the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a plan view showing an embodiment of a mobile computing device in a nested working orientation within the receptacle of the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the outside surface of another embodiment of protective cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of the outside surface of the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of the inside surface of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a plan view of a side of the embodiment of protective cover of  FIG. 18 , showing a recess in the top edge of the side; 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a mobile computing device within a recess that communicates with the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover depicted by  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  is a plan view of a bottom of the embodiment of protective cover shown in  FIG. 18 , illustrating a manner in which access to a communications port of an embodiment of a mobile computing device may be obtained as the mobile computing device is located within a receptacle of the protective cover; 
           [0043]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the top of an embodiment of support element of a protective cover of the present invention, illustrating the support element in a folded, or collapsed, position; 
           [0044]      FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the bottom of the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 28  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element shown by  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 29  is a plan view of a rear edge of the embodiment of support element illustrated by  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 30  is a plan view of a front edge of the embodiment of support element depicted by  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 31  is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the embodiment of support element of  FIG. 25  is a raised position; 
           [0051]      FIG. 33  is a side plan view of the embodiment of support element depicted by  FIG. 25  in the raised position shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 34  is a top plan view of the embodiment of support element illustrated by  FIG. 25  in the raised position depicted by  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 35  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 25  in the raised position illustrated by  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 36  illustrates an embodiment of a base that may be used to hold the embodiment of support element shown by  FIG. 25  in the raised position depicted in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 37  is a plan view showing the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by  FIG. 18  with the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 25  in the folded position; 
           [0056]      FIG. 38  is a plan view showing the interior surface of the embodiment of protective cover illustrated by  FIG. 18  with the embodiment of support element shown in  FIG. 25  in the raised position; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 39  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of mobile computing device in a substantially upright working orientation within the embodiment of protective cover depicted by  FIG. 18 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0058]    Protective covers according to the present invention are configured for use with mobile computing devices. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the inventive protective covers may be used with so-called “slate” or “tablet” computers (e.g., the IPAD® available from Apple, Inc., etc.), smart phones, e-readers, hand-held multimedia devices (e.g., Apple&#39;s IPAD TOUCH®, etc.) or any other portable or mobile computing devices with displays that are configured to remain exposed whether or not the device is in use. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an embodiment of a protective cover  10  that incorporates teachings of the present invention. As shown, the protective cover  10  includes a base  20 . In addition, the protective cover  10  may include at least one retention element  30 . 
         [0060]    The base  20  of the protective cover  10  is configured to be positioned over and to completely cover (as shown) or substantially cover (e.g., in embodiments that include perforations, etc.) the display of a mobile computing device (not shown). The base  20  of the protective cover includes an interior surface  22 , which is configured to be placed adjacent to or against the display of a mobile computing device, and an opposite outer surface  24 . 
         [0061]    The at least one retention element  30  of the protective cover  10  is configured to engage part (e.g., a peripheral edge, a feature, etc.) of the mobile computing device (not shown). The at least one retention element  30  may comprise one or more peripheral elements  32  that protrude from an outer periphery  26  of the base  20  of the protective cover  10 , away from the interior surface  22  of the base  20 . The peripheral element(s)  32  may include features (e.g., sides; discrete, spaced apart members; etc.) that are configured to be located adjacent to opposite outer peripheral edges of the mobile computing device. The base  20  and the peripheral element(s)  32  of such an embodiment of protective cover  10  define a receptacle  18 . The shape and dimensions of the receptacle  18  are configured to receive a mobile computing device (not shown) in a display side-down orientation, enabling the display of the mobile computing device to be positioned adjacent to and, thus, to be protected by, the base  20  of the protective cover  10 . 
         [0062]    In the depicted embodiment, the at least one retention element  30  comprises a single peripheral element  32  that extends continuously and completely around the outer periphery  26  of the base  20  and, therefore, is configured to extend around the outer periphery of a mobile computing device (not shown) when the mobile computing device is introduced, display side-down, into the receptacle  18  of the protective cover  10 . 
         [0063]    The at least one retention element  30  (e.g., the peripheral element  32 , etc.) of a protective cover  10  that incorporates teachings of the present invention may be configured to accommodate physical connections between a mobile computing device (not shown) and one or more external devices while the mobile computing device is positioned within the receptacle  18  of the protective cover. In this regard, in the embodiment depicted by  FIGS. 1-5 , an access feature  36  may be provided through the peripheral element  32  of the protective cover  10 . While the access feature  36  is illustrated as comprising a recessed section in a bottom portion  32 B of the peripheral element  32 , other configurations of access features  36  are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0064]    The base  20  and the retention element  30  of the protective cover  10  may be formed from rigid or substantially rigid materials, which resist deformation when localized forces are applied thereto. In addition, the retention element  30  may be rigidly associated with the base  20 . Thus, the base  20  and the retention element  30  may impart the protective cover  10  with structural integrity. Examples of rigid or substantially rigid materials that may provide these characteristics include, but are not limited to, certain metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), some plastics and rigid and substantially rigid composite materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced plastics, etc.), among others. 
         [0065]    In the depicted embodiment, the base  20  and retention element  30  of the protective cover  10  form a shell  12  of the protective cover  10 , which may, in some embodiments, be unitary in structure. 
         [0066]    In addition to the shell  12 , a protective cover  10  of the present invention may include a liner  14 . The liner  14  may serve one or a variety of purposes. For example, the liner  14  may be formed from a material that cushions surfaces of a mobile computing device (not shown). As another example, the material from which the liner  14  is formed may enable engagement of one or more features of a mobile computing device by the retention element  30  of the protective cover  10 . 
         [0067]    As illustrated, the liner  14  may include a base liner  28 , which covers parts (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) or all of the interior surface  22  of the base  20 . The material from which the base liner  28  is formed and the location of such a base liner  28  against the interior surface  22  of the base  20  may, in some embodiments, enable the base liner  28  to absorb any shock generated by impact on the base  20  or any other part of the shell  12 . 
         [0068]    The liner  14  may also include a peripheral liner  38 , which may be positioned against or secured to an interior surface  34  of the retention element  30  (and, in the depicted embodiment, an interior surface  34  of the peripheral element  32 ). The peripheral liner  38  may comprise a compressible, resilient material. When used in conjunction with a rigid or substantially rigid retention element  30  that is rigidly associated with the base  20  of the protective cover  10 , the peripheral liner  38  may engage at least a portion of an outer periphery of a mobile computing device (not shown) when the mobile computing device has been placed within the receptacle  18  of the protective cover  10 . 
         [0069]    A variety of materials possess desirable characteristics for the base liner  28  and the peripheral liner  38 . These materials include, but are not limited to, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam (which is commonly referred to as “foam rubber” and as “expanded rubber”), polyurethane foam (e.g., microcellular polyurethane foam; fine-celled, low compression-set, high density polyurethane foam; etc.), neoprene and a variety of other compressible, resilient materials. 
         [0070]    Such an embodiment of protective cover  10  may be configured to protect a mobile computing device from damage (e.g., from dropping the mobile computing device (e.g., from a height of four feet or greater, from a height of six feet or greater, etc.), incurred during transportation of the mobile computing device, etc.) without significantly adding to the dimensions of a mobile computing device assembled with protective cover  10 . Without limiting the scope of the present invention, in some embodiments, when a protective cover  10  is assembled with a mobile computing device, the protective cover  10  may increase a thickness of the mobile computing device by no more than about one-eighth of an inch (about 3.175 mm). Likewise, a protective cover  10  of the present invention may only add about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) or less to each of the height and width of a mobile computing device. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, a protective cover  10  of the present invention also includes a support element  40 . In various embodiments, a support element  40  may be configured to accommodate and/or support a mobile computing device (not shown) in a plurality of working orientations in and/or over the receptacle  18  of the protective cover. 
         [0072]    A specific, but non-limiting, embodiment of support element  40  that may be used with a protective cover  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 6-13 . The illustrated embodiment of support element  40  includes a flat, somewhat elongate body  41  with a front edge  42 , a rear edge  44  and a hinge  46 . The front edge  42  and the rear edge  44  are located at opposite ends of the support element  40 . The hinge  46 , which is oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the front edge  42  and the rear edge  44 , is located about midway between the front edge  42  and the rear edge  44 , along the length of the support element  40  and delineates a front panel  41 F of the body  41  from a rear panel  41 R of the body  41 . While the hinge  46  is depicted as comprising a living hinge, other types of hinges are also within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the depicted embodiment, the support element  40  includes a pair of positioning pins  48  extending in opposite directions from the side edges  43  and  45  of the body  41  of the support element  40 , along the front edge  42  of the support element  40 , as well as a pair retention pins  49  extending in opposite directions from the side edges  43  and  45 , along its rear edge  44 . 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the depicted embodiment of support element  40  is configured to be used in conjunction with a support base  50 , which may be associated with (e.g., formed as part of, secured in place relative to, etc.) the interior surface  22  of the base  20  of the protective cover  10 . The support base  50  includes a primary receptacle  51  for receiving the body  41  of the support element  40 . The dimensions of the primary receptacle  51  are slightly larger than their corresponding dimensions of the body  41 , enabling the primary receptacle  51  to receive the body  41  as the body  41  is oriented in a flattened, or collapsed, position. At a front end  52 , within opposite sides  53  and  55  of the primary receptacle  51 , the support base  50  defines a pair of opposed positioning recesses  58 , which are configured to receive corresponding positioning pins  48  of the support element  40 . Additional pairs of opposed positioning recesses  58  may be located at various locations in the sides  53  and  55  of the primary receptacle  51 , between its front end  52  and its rear end  54 . Along the rear end  54  of the primary receptacle  51 , the support base  50  includes a pair of opposed retention sockets  59 , which are configured to receive and retain corresponding retention pins  49  of the support element  40 , while allowing the retention pins  49  to pivot. 
         [0074]    While  FIGS. 6-9  show the support element  40  in a flattened, or collapsed position,  FIGS. 10-13  depict the support element  40  in one of a plurality of possible raised positions. As shown in  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments various features of a support element  40  and/or support base  50  (e.g., the locations of positioning recesses  58  along the length of the primary receptacle  51  of the support base  50 , etc.) may determine the particular raised positions (e.g., heights, angles, etc.) of the support element  40 . 
         [0075]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 6-13 , and added reference to  FIGS. 14-17 , with the support element  40  in a raised position, an outer peripheral edge  110  of a mobile computing device  100  may be positioned within the receptacle  18  of a protective cover  10  and adjacent to (e.g., against a peripheral liner  38  on) an interior surface  34  of a peripheral element  32  of the protective cover  10 , with a back side  104  of the mobile computing device  100  resting upon the support element  40 . When the back side  104  of the mobile computing device  100  is positioned against either the front panel  41 F or the rear panel  41  R of the body  41  of the support element  40 , the force of the mobile computing device  100  (e.g., its weight under gravity, etc.) presses the retention pins  48  against the surfaces of the retention recesses  58  in which the retention pins  48  are positioned, holding the retention pins  48  in place within their corresponding retention receptacles  58 . 
         [0076]    The angle at which a display  102  of the mobile computing device  100  is oriented may be determined, at least in part, by the position of the support element  40 . A location of the outer peripheral edge  110  relative to the support element  40  (e.g., the edge  42 ,  44  of the support element  40  closest to where the outer peripheral edge  110  is positioned, etc.) may also at least partially determine the angle at which the display  102  of the mobile computing device  100  is oriented. For example, steep angles of orientation, such as those depicted by  FIGS. 14 and 16  may be achieved positioning the outer peripheral edge  110  of the mobile computing device between the rear edge  44  of the support element  40  and the side of the peripheral element  32  located closest to the rear edge  44 . Shallower angles of orientation, such as that depicted by  FIG. 15 , may be accomplished by positioning the outer peripheral edge  110  of the mobile computing device  100  between the front edge  42  of the support element  40  and the side of the peripheral element  32  that is located closes to the front edge  42 . 
         [0077]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a mobile computing device  100  may be introduced into the receptacle  18  of the protective cover  10  with the back side  104  ( FIGS. 14-16 ) of the mobile computing device  100  parallel and adjacent to the interior surface  22  of the base  20  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) of the protective cover  10 . Such an orientation may be achieved by placing the support element  40  in a collapsed position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), and in embodiments of protective covers that lack support elements  40 . 
         [0078]    Turning now to  FIGS. 18-22 , an embodiment of a protective cover  10 ′ that includes an accessory  60  for a mobile computing device  100  is depicted. In the specific embodiment shown  20  and  21 , the accessory  60  is a keyboard (e.g., a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.) computer keyboard, etc.). Of course, protective covers  10 ′ that include other types of accessories (e.g., batteries that may provide backup power for a mobile computing device; communication elements that may provide a mobile computing device with alternate and/or additional means of communication (e.g., USB or USB micro ports, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (i.e., FireWire, i.LINK, Lynx, etc.) interfaces, 8P8C jacks, etc.); peripheral memory devices (e.g., disk drives, hard drives, etc.); etc.) are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, the protective cover  10 ′ may include one or more communication ports  70  to facilitate communication between one or more devices that are external to the protective cover  10 ′ and one or more accessories  60  of the protective cover  10 ′ and, optionally, directly or indirectly (e.g., through an accessory  60 , etc.) with a mobile computing device that has been assembled with the protective cover  10 ′. Each communication port  70  may be accessible through a peripheral element  32 ′ of the protective cover  10 ′, and may be associated with an accessory  60  in a manner known in the art. In embodiments where an accessory  60  of the protective cover  10 ′ requires power, at least one communication port  70  of the protective cover  10 ′ may include a power inlet of any suitable type known in the art (e.g., the illustrated USB port, a jack for a DC power converter, etc.), and may be associated with the accessory in a manner that enables power to be provided directly or indirectly (e.g., through one or more batteries, etc.) to the accessory  60 . 
         [0080]    In embodiments where the accessory  60  comprises a keyboard, such as that depicted by  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the protective cover  10 ′ may be configured to enable a user to comfortably access and use the keyboard. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, a side  32 K′ of the peripheral element  32  located next to the keyboard may include a recess  37  that extends along the entire width or most of the width of the keyboard. The recess  37  be located at an elevation that is about the same as or beneath an elevation of the upper surfaces of the keyboard. 
         [0081]    The upper surfaces of the keyboard may be recessed within the receptacle  18 ′ of the protective cover  10 ′ a sufficient depth that the receptacle  18 ′ may also accommodate a mobile computing device (not shown). 
         [0082]    In addition to carrying one or more accessories  60 , such as the depicted keyboard, the receptacle  18 ′ of a protective cover  10 ′ of the present invention may carry components (e.g., a battery, a circuit board and the electronics carried by the circuit board, wiring, switches, indicator lights, etc.) associated with the accessory. In addition, the receptacle  18 ′ may carry other accessories  60  for the mobile computing device. 
         [0083]    Additionally, in embodiments where the protective cover  10 ′ includes a keyboard, the receptacle  18 ′ may include an edge retention element  62 , which is configured to receive and at least partially retain an edge of a mobile computing device (not shown), adjacent to a top edge of the keyboard. In the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the edge retention element  62  comprises a slot recessed in a bottom surface  19 ′ of the receptacle  18 ′. On an opposite side of the edge retention element  62  from the keyboard, the receptacle  18 ′ of the protective cover  10 ′ may carry a support element  80  and a base  90  with which the support element  80  is assembled. 
         [0084]    A specific, but non-limiting, embodiment of a support element  80  is depicted by  FIGS. 25-35 , and a specific embodiment of support base  90  that is configured for use with the support element  80  is shown in  FIG. 36 .  FIGS. 25-31  show the support element  80  in a folded, or collapsed position, while  FIGS. 32-35  depict the support element  80  in an at least partially unfolded, raised position. 
         [0085]    The support element  80  includes a body  81  with a front panel  81 F and a rear panel  81 R. The front and rear panels  81 F and  81 R are joined by a hinge  86  (e.g., a living hinge, etc.). As illustrated, the rear panel  81 R is longer than the front panel  81 F. When the support element  80  is in its folded position, as shown in  FIGS. 25-31 , the rear panel  81 R is positioned against the front panel  81 F, with a rear edge  84  of the rear panel  81 R located laterally beyond a front edge  82  of the front panel  81 F, and a lip  87  at the rear edge  84  protruding to a location laterally adjacent to the front edge  82 . 
         [0086]    A pair of positioning pins  88  is located along the front edge  82 , with the positioning pins  88  protruding in opposite directions from the sides  83  and  85  of the body  81  of the support element  80 . In addition, a pair of retention pins  89 , located along the edge  87 E of the lip  87 , protrudes in opposite directions from the sides  83  and  85  of the body  81  of the support element  80 . With the support element  80  is in the folded position, the retention pins  89  are located at an elevation that is the same as or below the elevation of the positioning pins  88 . 
         [0087]    The positioning pins  88  and the retention pins  89  of the support element  80  are configured to cooperate with corresponding features of a complementarily configured support base  90 .  FIG. 36  illustrates an embodiment of such a support base  90 . In particular, with continuing reference to  FIGS. 25-35 ,  FIG. 36  illustrates the features of a lateral side  95  of a primary receptacle  91  ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ) of an embodiment of a base  90  that may be used with the embodiment of support element  80  shown in  FIGS. 25-35 . An unillustrated, opposite side of the primary receptacle  91  is a minor image of side  95 . Side  95  includes a retention socket  99  that receives and retains a retention pin  89  of the support element  80  in a manner that enables the retention pin  89  to pivot. A collapsed position positioning receptacle  98 F is located just in front of the retention socket  99 , and is configured to removably receive a positioning pin  88  of the support element  80  when the support element  80  is in a folded position, and its body  81  is placed within the primary receptacle  91 . A raised position positioning receptacle  98 R, which is located in front of the collapsed position positioning receptacle  98 F, has a shape (e.g., the illustrated reverse-L shape, etc.) that enables the positioning pin  88  to lock into position as a force (e.g., the force of a mobile computing device, etc.) is applied to the front panel  81 F of the body  81  of the support element  80 . The positioning pin  88  may be removed from the raised position positioning receptacle  98 R by moving the front panel  81 F forward, then lifting the positioning pin  88  out of the raised position positioning receptacle  98 R. Although  FIG. 36  illustrates an embodiment of support base  90  that includes only one raised position positioning receptacle  98 R, embodiments of support bases that include more than one raised position positioning receptacle are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0088]    The configurations of the support element  80  and the support base  90  enable the support element  80  to rest flat, parallel to the bottom surface  19 ′ of the receptacle  18 ′ and, in some embodiments, substantially flush with bottom surface  19 ′ of the receptacle  18 ′ while the support element  80  is in its folded, or collapsed, position. 
         [0089]      FIG. 37  depicts the support element  80  in a raised position. With the support element  80  in the raised position, an outer peripheral edge  110  of a mobile computing device  100  may be engaged by an edge retention element  62  within the receptacle  18 ′ of a protective cover  10 ′, and a back side  104  of the mobile computing device  100  may be positioned against the front panel  81 F of the support element  80 , placing a display  102  of the mobile computing device  100  in a working position having a substantially upright angle, as shown in  FIG. 38 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 39  shows a protective cover  10 ′ with the support element  80  in a folded, or collapsed, position. When the support element  80  is in the collapsed position, a mobile computing device  100  may be introduced into the receptacle  18 ′ of the protective cover  10 ′, with a display  104  ( FIG. 39 ) of the mobile computing device  100  covered by the protective cover  10 ′, as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . When such an embodiment of a protective cover  10 ′ is assembled with a mobile computing device  100 , the protective cover  10 ′ may prevent damage to the mobile computing device  100  without significantly adding to the dimensions of the mobile computing device  100 . In some embodiments, an assembly including the protective cover  10 ′ and a mobile computing device  100  may have a thickness that exceeds the thickness of the mobile computing device  100  alone by only about one-fourth of an inch (about 6.35 mm) or less. Similarly, the protective cover  10 ′ may only add about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) or less to each of the height and width of the mobile computing device  100 . 
         [0091]    When disassembly of the protective cover  10 ′ from the mobile computing device  100  is desired, a user may grasp adjacent areas of the protective cover  10 ′ and a feature of the mobile computing device  100  exposed through or beyond the protective cover  10 ′ (e.g., an outer peripheral edge  110  adjacent to a communication port  108  of the mobile computing device  100 , which is exposed through an access feature  36  of the protective cover  10 ′, etc.), then pull the grasped areas in opposite directions. 
         [0092]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the invention and the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, other embodiments of the invention may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the invention and the appended claims. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, that fall within the meaning and scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.