Abstract:
A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/749,002, filed Jan. 4, 2013, Attorney Docket No. 0621.2055P, entitled “Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a protective case for a portable electronic device, and in particular, a locking mechanism that retains the case in a closed position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various protective covers, cases, and sleeves for portable electronic devices, such as cellular phones, smart devices, media players, and portable computers, are known. Some designs provide additional protection to the device from damage, but do not permit use of the device when disposed in the protective cover. Other designs permit use of the device when disposed in the cover, but do not sufficiently protect the device from damage, misuse, or unauthorized use when handled by young children or infants. Furthermore, some designs allow the device to be slipped into a protective cover, while others lock the device within the protective cover. Protective covers, however, often are difficult to open to gain access to the interior of the protective cover and remove the device. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device that is appropriate for use by infants and young children. In addition, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device that is configured to be easily opened and easily locked closed. Furthermore, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device to be configured with an ornamental and interactive design that enhances the play element of the electronic device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a protective case for an electronic device with a cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a cavity disposed in the bottom surface. Furthermore, the protective case includes a back plate having a depression configured to receive an electronic device, fit within the cavity of the cover. Additionally, at least one latch member is rotatably and slidably disposed in the bottom surface of the cover at a position proximate the cavity. The at least one latch member includes a tab. Moreover, the latch member has a first position and a second position, where when the latch member is in the second position, the tab of the latch member protrudes into the cavity, locking the back plate into the cavity of the cover. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a protective case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the protective case of  FIG. 1  with a latching mechanism; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a locked position for the latching mechanism of the protective case of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates an intermediate locked position for the latching mechanism of the protective case of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates an unlocked position for the latching mechanism of the protective case of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates the interaction of the latching mechanism with a back plate of the protective case of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed view of the back plate being inserted in a first orientation into a cover of the protective case of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a detailed view of the back plate being inserted in a second orientation into a cover of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    This application incorporates herein by reference, in their entirety, the disclosure of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 13/351,811, entitled “Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device”, filed Jan. 17, 2012, and the disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/596,759 entitled “Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device”, filed Feb. 9, 2012. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the protective case  100  is illustrated. The protective case  100  includes a cover  200  with a top surface  210  and a bottom surface  250  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). As illustrated, the protective case  100  has an aperture  220  that extends from the top surface  210  of the cover  200  to the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 . The protective case  100  is designed to house and protect a portable electronic device  400  (not shown), while still enabling a user to use the portable electronic device  400 . When a portable electronic device  400  is housed within the protective case  100 , the screen of the portable electronic device  400  is viewable through the aperture  220  of the cover  200 . Furthermore, the cover  200  may contain a protective sheet  222  that extends over the aperture  220 . This protective sheet  222  may be a thin transparent planar member through which actuation of the touch screen of the portable electronic device  400  is capable by a user. 
         [0017]    Additionally, the top surface  210  of the cover  200  may include an ornamental design  230 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the ornamental design  230  may be disposed on the top surface  210  of the cover  200 . In other embodiments, the ornamental design  230  may extend from the top surface  210  of the cover  200 . In this embodiment, the ornamental design  230  is configured to resemble a barnyard. The configuration of the ornamental design  230  may be configured to resemble a scene or scenario that matches or interacts with an application that is executed on the portable electronic device  400 . For example, the portable electronic device  400  may contain an application that provides games with a barn or farm theme. The ornamental design  230  illustrated in  FIG. 1  would match the play element of that application. Furthermore, the ornamental design  230  may include at least one, or a plurality, of moveable members  232 ,  234 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ornamental design  230  includes a first moveable member  232  and a second moveable member  234 . In addition, these moveable members  232 ,  234  may be configured to interact with screen of the electronic device  400  and the application running on the portable electronic device  400 . The moveable members  232 ,  234  may be equipped with conductive portions (not shown) that facilitate conductive recognition with the screen of the electronic device  400 . The conductive portions of the moveable members  232 ,  234  are configured to contact the screen of the electronic device  400 , and remain in contact with the screen as the moveable members  232 ,  234  are repositioned by a user. When the conductive portions of the moveable members  232 ,  234  are dragged across the screen of the electronic device  400 , the screen recognizes each of the conductive portions, resulting in the electronic device  400  producing an animation on the screen and/or outputting a sound. Each conductive portion may be unique in shape and size, allowing the screen to recognize the specific conductive portion that is in contact with the screen. Furthermore, the location of the conductive portion on the screen may also produce a unique and distinct output by the electronic device  400 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 . The bottom surface  250  of the cover  200  includes a cavity  260 . A back plate  300  is configured to rest within the cavity  260  of the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 . The back plate  300  includes a first side  310  (not shown in this Figure) and a second side  330  (illustrated). The first side  310  is configured to receive a portable electronic device  400 , while the second side  330  may have ornamental designs  332  that complement the ornamental design  230  of the top surface  210  of the cover  200 . 
         [0019]    Additionally, the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200  includes a first channel  270  and a second channel  280 . The first channel  270  includes a first locking latch  272 , which has a first locking tab  274  (not shown in this Figure). The second channel  280  includes a second locking latch  282 , which has a second locking tab  284  (not shown in this Figure). Furthermore, the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200  has a finger slot, or finger receiving opening  290 . Finger receiving opening  290  is positioned adjacent to the cavity  260 , so that finger receiving opening  290  opens into the cavity  260 . Finger receiving opening  290  is configured to allow a user to slide a finger into the finger receiving opening  290  to aid in pulling the back plate  300  out from the cavity  260  of the cover  200 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , illustrated is the locking operation of the second locking latch  282 . While  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  illustrate the operation of the second locking latch  282 , it is understood that the first locking latch  272  operates in a similar or identical manner.  FIG. 3  illustrates the second locking latch  282  in the locked position A. In the locked position A, the second locking latch  282  is located to the right side of the second channel  280  with the second center projection  283  in a vertical orientation. Conversely, not shown is the first locking latch  272  located to the left side of the first channel  270 , also with the first center projection in a vertical orientation. Because the first and second channels  270 ,  280  are positioned on the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200  proximate to the cavity  260 , the first locking tab  274  (not shown) and the second locking tab  284  protrude into the cavity  260  when the first and second locking latches  272 ,  282  are in the locked position A. 
         [0021]    In order to unlock the locking latches  272 ,  282 , the locking latches  272 ,  282  must first be moved to their intermediate locked position B.  FIG. 4  illustrates the second locking latch  282  in the intermediate locked position B, where the second locking latch  282  has been slid along the second channel  280  from the right side to the left side. Conversely, when the first locking latch  272  is in the intermediate locked position B, the first locking latch  272  has been slid from the left side of the first channel  270  to the right side of the first channel  270 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second center projection  283  is still in a vertical orientation and the tab  284  is still protruding into the cavity  260 . Similarly, when the first locking latch  272  is slid across the first channel  270  to the intermediate locked position B, the first center projection remains in a vertical orientation and the first locking tab  274  continues to protrude into the cavity  260 . 
         [0022]    The last step to unlock the locking latches  272 ,  282  requires the locking latches  272 ,  282  to be rotated to their unlocked position C. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second locking latch  282 , still positioned to the left of the second channel  280 , has been rotated  90  degrees so the second central projection  283  is in a horizontal orientation. Similarly, the first locking latch  272  (not shown), when positioned to the right of the first channel  270 , can be rotated  90  degrees so the first central projection is in a horizontal orientation. With the rotation of the locking latches  272 ,  282  from the intermediate locked position B to the unlocked position C, the first and second locking tabs  274 ,  284  no longer protrude into the cavity  260 . Therefore, the locking tabs  274 ,  284  can no longer engage the back plate  300  and retain it within the cavity  260 . 
         [0023]    In addition, the locking latches  272 ,  282  may only rotate when slid across the channel  270 ,  280  from the locked position A to the intermediate locked position B. The locking latches  272 ,  282  may only rotate when in the intermediate position B in the channels  270 ,  280 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first and second channels  270 ,  280  include a guard  275  (not shown),  285  which prevent the locking latches  272 ,  282  from rotating when the locking latches  272 ,  282  are in the locked position A. In the second channel  280 , the guard  285  is positioned on the right side of the channel  280 . Conversely, in the first channel  270  (not shown), the guard  275  (not shown) is positioned on the left side of the channel  270 . The guards  275 ,  285  engage the underside of the locking latches  272 ,  282  to prevent the locking latches  272 ,  282  from rotating past the guards. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , illustrated is the first side  310  of the back plate  300 . The first side  310  of the back plate  300  includes a depression  312  that is configured to receive a portable electronic device  400 . The depression  312  may contain a plurality of sidewall resilient members  314  and a plurality of base resilient members  316 . The resilient members  314 ,  316  serve to cushion and maintain the position of the portable electronic device  400  within the cavity  260  of the cover  200  when back plate  300  is attached to cover  200 . The resilient members  314 ,  316  are positioned along the depression  312  to cushion and maintain the position of the portable electronic device  400  along both the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. The resilient members  314 ,  316  may be formed or molded from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material or any other suitable resilient material. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates the back plate  300  being placed in the cavity  260  of the cover  200  in a first orientation D, where the depression  312  faces the aperture  220  on the cover  200 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the back plate  300  being placed in the cavity  260  of the cover  200  in a second orientation E, where the second side  330  of the back plate  300  faces the aperture  220  on the cover  200 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the back plate  300  being inserted into the cavity  260  in the first orientation D is best used when the back plate  300  is housing a portable electronic device  400 . This enables the screen  410  of the portable electronic device  400  to be placed adjacent to the aperture  220  and the protective sheet  222  for use of the portable electronic device  400  within the protective case  100 . Moreover, as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the back plate  300  is placed within the cavity  260  in the first orientation D, the second side  330  is substantially flush with the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  7 , and  8 , the back plate  300  includes a series of alignment crevices  340  along the boarder of the back plate  300 . These alignment crevices  340  extend from the first side  310  through the back plate  300  to the second side  330  of the back plate  300 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the alignment crevices  340  align with the alignment tabs  292  disposed within the cavity  260  of the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 . When the back plate  300  is positioned within the cavity  260  of the bottom surface  250  of the cover  200 , the alignment crevices  340  receive the alignment tabs  292 , aligning the back plate  300  into the proper position within the cavity  260 . The alignment tabs  292  are received by the alignment crevices  340  when the back plate  300  is placed within the cavity  260  in both the first orientation D and second orientation E. 
         [0026]    Continuing with  FIG. 7 , illustrated is the aperture  220  with a first slot  224  and a second slot  226 . The first slot  224  is located on one side of the aperture  220 , while the second slot  226  is located on an opposite side of the aperture  220  from the first slot  224 . The first slot  224  is configured to align with the “Home” button on a portable electronic device  400 . Moreover, the second slot  226  is configured to align with a light sensor and/or speaker of a portable electronic device  400 . Moreover, the top surface  210  of the cover  200  may have a sliding guard  228  with a first and second position. In the first position, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the sliding guard  228  is not covering the first slot  224 . The first position is configured to give a user access to the “Home” button of the portable electronic device  400  when the portable electronic device  400  is in the case  100 . Conversely, when the sliding guard  228  is slid into the second position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sliding guard  228  is positioned over the first slot  224 . The second position of the sliding guard  228  prevents a user from pushing the “Home” button of a portable electronic device  400  in the protective case  100 . The second position prevents a user from accidentally pressing the “Home” button of the portable electronic device  400 , such as when an infant is playing with an Apple® iPad® placed in the protective case  100 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , as stated previously, illustrated is the back plate  300  being placed in the cavity  260  of the cover  200  in the second orientation E. In the second orientation E, the second side  330  of the back plate  300  faces the aperture  220  on the cover  200 , and is adjacent to the protective sheet  222 . The second orientation E is ideal for when a user would like to use the protective case  100  and interact with the ornamental design  230  disposed on the top surface  210  of the cover  200  but the user does not have a portable electronic device  400  to be housed in the protective case  100 . The second orientation E of the back plate  300  in the cavity  260  allows for the second side  330  of the back plate  300  to provide support to the protective sheet  222 , preventing damage to the protective sheet  222  in this second mode of use. Furthermore, as previously discussed, the second side  330  of the back plate  300  contains ornamental designs  332  that compliment, or are of the same theme or style as, the ornamental design  230  disposed on the top surface  210  of the cover  200 . The second orientation E of the back plate  300  in the cavity  260  provides additional use for the features of the protective case  100  when the protective case  100  is not housing a portable electronic device  400 . 
         [0028]    Referring back to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is the back plate  300  placed into the cavity  260  of the cover  200  in the second orientation E. The back plate  300  includes a first receptacle  318  and a second receptacle  320  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). When the back plate  300  is placed in the cavity  260  in the first orientation D, the first receptacle  318  is located proximate to the first channel  270 , and the second receptacle  320  is located proximate to the second channel  280 . Conversely, when the back plate  300  is placed in the cavity  260  in the second orientation E, the first receptacle  318  is located proximate to the second channel  280 , and the second receptacle  320  is located proximate to the first channel  270 . The first receptacle  318  is configured to interact and receive the first locking tab  274  when the back plate  300  is placed in the first orientation D. Similarly, the second receptacle  320  is configured to interact and receive the second locking tab  284  when the back plate  300  is placed in the first orientation D. However, when the back plate  300  is placed within the cavity  260  in the second orientation E, the first receptacle  318  is configured to interact and receive the second locking tab  284 . Additionally, the second receptacle  320  is configured to interact and receive the first locking tab  274  when the back plate  300  is placed within the cavity  260  in the second orientation E. The locking tabs  274 ,  284  are configured to protrude into the cavity  260  and into the receptacles  318 ,  320 , locking the back plate  300  into the cavity  260  of the cover  200  when the locking latches  272 ,  282  are in the locked position A and the intermediate locked position B. 
         [0029]    It is to be understood that a protective case for a portable electronic device may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
         [0030]    It is also to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. 
         [0031]    Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. 
         [0032]    Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.