Abstract:
A multi-function, 360-degree rotating computer tablet grip is described that allows users to hold and manipulate a tablet computer with one hand. The tablet grip including rubberized pressure grips or contact points on each end to secure the back plate of the grip to a tablet computer. The back plate of the grip includes a 360-degree rotating disc with a flip-up ringlet through which the user&#39;s fingers are inserted positioned to allow the user to grip and control the tablet. Additionally, a kickstand is attached to the rear of back plate by a hinge attachment on one side.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/501,723 filed Jun. 27, 2011 titled MULTI-FUNCTION TABLET COMPUTER GRIP WITH 360-DEGREE ROTATING FINGER RINGLET. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to the field of computer accessories for tablet computers, more particularly to an accessory for a tablet computer that allows the user to more easily hold and manipulate the tablet. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Tablet computers are wonderful devices. They have proved to have immense functionality for both work and play. One downside to their functionality, however, is that currently, tablet computers such as the iPad are not easily manipulated or controlled while in use. Due to their sleek design and low profile, the devices themselves do not presently have a handle or other means of maintaining security or stability while not decreasing the functionality of the device. The result is a high probability of the user to drop the tablet computer or employ an uncomfortable and non-ergonomic body orientation in an effort to use said tablet computer. 
         [0004]    This is particularly apparent in circumstances where the tablet is being used to aid or assist in other tasks, such as where it is being used as an interface by speaker while a presentation is being given, or it is being used as a data entry device by a nurse, salesperson, or the like. Trying to hold the tablet with one hand while using it with the other is very difficult due to the size and design of current tablets. What is needed is a more secure and convenient way to hold the tablet with one hand while simultaneously using it with the other without fear of dropping the device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In an embodiment, a grip to allow a user to hold a tablet computer is described. The grip includes a back plate mounted to the back of the tablet computer. A disk is attached to the back plate by a pivot, such that the disk can spin relative to the back plate, and a ringlet attached to the disk, the ringlet sized to accept one or more fingers of the user. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment a tablet computer accessory is described that allows a user to grip the tablet computer. The accessory includes a back plate mounted to the back of the tablet computer, a stand element pivotably attached to back plate at one end of the stand element such that the opposite end can be extended away from the back plate to form a leg, a disk rotatably mounted to the back plate, and a ringlet pivotably mounted to the disk, the ringlet movable between a closed position and an open position. The ringlet is sized to accept one or more fingers of the user to allow the user to grip the tablet computer with a single hand. 
         [0007]    In yet another embodiment, a tablet computer accessory allowing a user to grip the tablet computer is described. The accessory includes a back plate mounted to the back of the tablet computer, the back plate including a top grip receptacle and a bottom grip receptacle where friction grips are mounted in each of the top grip receptacle and the bottom grip receptacle, and each friction grip is made from a pliable material and forming a channel to accept an edge of the tablet computer. A stand element is pivotably attached to back plate at one end of the stand element such that the opposite end can be extended away from the back plate to form a leg, the stand element including an aperture. A disk is rotatably mounted to the back plate and accessible through the aperture in the stand plate when the stand plate is closed against the back plate, and a ringlet is pivotably mounted to the disk. The ringlet is movable between a closed position and an open position, and sized to accept one or more fingers of the user to allow the user to grip the tablet computer with a single hand. When the ringlet is in a fully open position, it may be used as a stand for the tablet computer. 
         [0008]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tablet grip according to the concepts described herein; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are additional perspective views of the tablet grip from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the tablet grip of  FIG. 1  showing the components of a preferred embodiment of the tablet grip; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of an embodiment of the stand plate from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a side cutaway of the stand plate from  FIG. 4A  along section A-A; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the stand plate from  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of an embodiment of the back plate from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a side cutaway of the back plate from  FIG. 5A  along section A-A; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the back plate from  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of an embodiment of the disk holder from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is a side cutaway of the disk holder from  FIG. 6A  along section A-A; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the disk holder from  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a front view of an embodiment of the ringlet from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a side cutaway of the ringlet from  FIG. 7A  along section A-A; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the ringlet from  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  is a front view of an embodiment of the ringlet insert from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  is a cutaway of the ringlet insert from  FIG. 8A  along section A-A; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the ringlet insert from  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 8D and 8E  are a front view and a perspective view, respectively of the ringlet insert and ringlet combination; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9A  is a front view of an embodiment of the grip from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9B  is a cutaway of the grip from  FIG. 9A  along section A-A; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of the grip from  FIG. 9A ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronics package that may be incorporated into the tablet grip of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    As described, while tablet computers are incredibly useful and enjoyable, manipulating the tablet can be cumbersome and difficult. Unlike a smart phone that can be held with one hand while user types, or interacts with the phone with the other hand, it is difficult to hold the tablet with one had while using it due to its dimensions. To assist users in holding and manipulating their tablet computers, the present invention describes embodiments of a tablet grip that places a swiveling ringlet on the back of the tablet that can be used to hold and manipulate it. A user may insert two or three fingers through the ringlet to securely hold the tablet while using or manipulating the tablet with the other hand. In addition to the ringlet, embodiments of the tablet grip can also include one or more stand elements that allow the tablet to be placed into an upright position on a table, desk or other surface. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a tablet grip according to the concepts described herein is shown. Tablet grip  10  includes pliable pressure grips  13  and  14  spaced to conform to a dimension of the tablet computer  18 , shown here as spaced across the short or horizontal dimension of tablet  18 . Preferred embodiments of tablet grip  10  may also include one or more stand elements  12  that can be extended to hold tablet  18  in an upright position for easy viewing by the user. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A through 2C , a preferred embodiment of the tablet grip from  FIG. 1  is shown in more detail without the tablet computer. Tablet grip  20  includes back plate  26  which attaches to top grip  27  and bottom grip  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , back plate  26  spaces top grip  27  and bottom grip  28  apart at the appropriate dimension to accommodate either the horizontal or vertical dimension of the tablet. The tablet then slides into the grips, which are formed from a pliable material that is compressed by the tablet. As the channel of each grip is slightly smaller than the depth of the tablet, the tablet is held in the grip by the friction existing between the grip and the tablet computer. 
         [0036]    Attached to back plate  26  on the side opposite the tablet, is holder disk  23 . Holder disk  23  is attached to back plate  26  using a screw and sleeve, described hereafter, that are designed to allow holder disk  23  to spin relative to back plate  26 . Ringlet  24  is attached to back plate  26  along a hinge element on or near a lateral edge of holder disk  23 . The hinge element allows ringlet  24  to move between a closed position flat against holder disk  23  (see  FIG. 2A ) and an extended position that is in a relatively perpendicular position to holder disk  23  (see  FIG. 2B ). Ringlet insert  25  is inserted into, or formed integrally with, ringlet  24  and is formed from pliable material to provide a comfortable contact point with the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0037]    In preferred modes of operation using the ringlet  24 , the ringlet is extended from its closed position and stand element  21  is fully closed against back plate  26 . Two fingers, such as the index and middle fingers of the users hand are inserted into ringlet  24  and comfortably contact ringlet insert  25 . The user&#39;s thumb and ring and little finger are then placed flat against the back of the tablet. In this manner, the tablet is firmly held in the user&#39;s hand allowing the user to use and manipulate the table with the other had without fear of dropping the tablet. In addition, because the holder disk  23  is rotatably attached to the back plate  26 , the user may spin the tablet in their hand without letting go of ringlet  24 , allowing the user to transition the tablet from a portrait to a landscape orientation or to spin the tablet to show it to others in the area. 
         [0038]    In preferred embodiments, tablet grip  20  also includes a stand element such as stand plate  21 . Stand plate  21  connects to back plate  26  along hinge elements  22  on the top side of back plate  26 . Hinge elements  22  allow stand plate  21  to move between a closed position flat against back plate  26  (see  FIG. 2A ) and an extended position that forms an angle relative to back plate  26  (see  FIG. 2B ). The tablet grip  20  can be made to accommodate any chosen angle when extended, but is preferably between 30 and 75 degrees relative to back plate  26 . In its extended position, stand plate  21  can be used to orient the table computer in an upright position on a table or other surface, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    In preferred embodiments, ringlet  24  can also be used as a secondary stand element. When stand element  21  is closed and ringlet  24  is in its extended position, tablet can be placed on a surface such that the outer flat edge of ringlet  24  acts as a stand element, orienting the tablet in a “propped up” perpendicular position instead of the more vertical orientation achieved with the stand element  21 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the embodiment of tablet grip  20  from  FIGS. 2A through 2C  is shown exploded into its individual elements. As described above, back plate  26  includes hinge elements  22  oriented toward the rear of back plate  26  (away from an installed tablet) for receiving hinge pins  34 . Back plate  26  also includes integrally formed top grip holder  32  and bottom grip holder  33 , which receive pliable top grip  27  and bottom grip  28  respectively. Stand plate  21  attaches to back plate  26  by inserting hinge pins  34  into hinge elements  22 . Once inserted, stand plate  21  can then pivot along the hinge pins relative to back plate  26 . Stand plate  21  also includes aperture  35  which allows the rotating assembly formed by holder disk  23  and ringlet  24  to extend through stand plate  21  when stand plate  21  is closed against back plate  26 . 
         [0041]    Holder disk  23  is rotatably mounted to back plate  26  using sleeve  31 , which acts as a friction reducing bearing, and screw  30 . Screw  30  attaches to back plate  26  using threads formed in back plate  26 . Ringlet  24  then snaps onto disk holder  23  using pins  36  in the terminal ends of ringlet arms  37 . Ringlet insert  25  fits into the interior of ringlet  24  to provide a comfortable contact point for the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C, an embodiment of stand plate  21  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. Stand plate  21  is preferably formed of a rigid molded plastic, such as an ABS polycarbonate blend, but can be formed of any suitable material, such as other types of plastics or metals. Stand plate  21  includes body  41  in which aperture  35  is formed. The top end  42  of stand element  21  includes integrally formed hinge pins  34  mounted between outer pin supports  43  and inner pin support  44 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C, an embodiment of a back plate  26  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. Back plate  26  includes main body  50  which is integrally formed with top grip holder  32  and bottom grip holder  33  as well as hinge elements  22 . Each of top grip holder  32  and bottom grip holder  33  is formed by a support element  55  and  57 , respectively, and a retainer element  56  and  58 , respectively. Retainer elements can be formed to apply a desired amount of spring tension when the grip element is inserted and a tablet is installed. The spring tension increases the friction between the grip element and the tablet and enhances retention of the tablet in the tablet grip. Each hinge element  22  includes a pin groove  52  which accepts the hinge pins on stand element  21 , shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0044]    The back, or non tablet facing side of body  50  includes elements to attach with and align holder disk  23 . Projection  51  is conically shaped and extends outward from the face of body  50  a small amount. The purpose of projection  51  is to space holder disk  23  away from the surface of body  50  to reduce the friction between holder disk  23  and body  50  when holder disk  23  spins relative to body  50 . Screwy thread  53  accepts screw  30  from  FIG. 3  to securely attach holder disk  23  to back plate  26 . Alignment ridge  54  is integrally formed with body  50  and is spaced from projection  51  by an amount equal to the radius of holder disk  23 . Alignment ridge assists in the installation of holder disk  23  during manufacturing and can also provide a tactile indication of the orientation of the tablet in tablet grip  20  to the user. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C, an embodiment of a holder disk  23  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. Holder disk  23  provides two functions to the tablet grip. First, it provides the axis on which the tablet grip can spin through 360-degrees in a user&#39;s hand, and second it provides the attachment point for the ringlet used to secure the tablet in the user&#39;s hand. Holder disk  23  is attached to back plate  26  using sleeve aperture  61  through which the sleeve  31  and screw  30  from  FIG. 3  pass. Holder disk may then freely spin around the axis provided by the screw and sleeve relative to the back plate. 
         [0046]    Recess portion  60 , which is generally formed in the same shape as ringlet  24  from  FIG. 3 , provides space for ringlet  24  to be stored flush with the raised portion  62  of disk holder  23  when the ringlet is in its closed position. Ringlet  24  is attached to disk holder  24  by inserting ringlet pins  36  on ringlet  24  into ringlet pin holes  63 . When installed, ringlet  24  can pivot along the axis formed by ringlet pin holes  63  between the closed position flush with the disk holder  23  and an open position extending away from disk holder  23 . Latch  64  engages the end of ringlet  24  opposite the pivot point and can hold the ringlet in the closed position through a snap in place friction fit. 
         [0047]    In addition to attaching a ringlet to disk holder  23 , other types of mechanical interfaces can be attached to disk holder  23 . Ringlet  24  could be detached by separating the ringlet pins from the ringlet pin holes  63  and other mechanical interfaces with pins could be inserted to allow the tablet grip to be employed in other scenarios. Examples of other mechanical interfaces would be wall mount attachments, car seat attachments or other similar applications. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, an embodiment of a ringlet  24  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. As described above, ringlet  24  pivotably attaches to holder disk  23 . Ringlet  24  is formed by body  70  with integrally formed ringlet arms  37 . At the end of each ringlet arm  37  ringlet pins  36  extend and are inserted into ringlet pin holes  63  in disk holder  23 . Body  70  includes grip indent  72  which is sized and shaped to accept ringlet insert  25  from  FIG. 3  through a fiction fit. Body  70  also includes a flat edge  71  along the edge of ringlet  23  opposite ringlet pins  36 . As described above, flat edge  71  can be used to allow the ringlet  24  to operate as a secondary stand element for the tablet grip. In the center of flat edge  71  is latch indent  73  which is operable to engage with latch  64  on holder disk  23 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C, an embodiment of a ringlet insert  25  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. Ringlet insert is either overmolded or friction fit onto ringlet  24  to provide a pliable, higher-friction, more comfortable contact point between the user&#39;s fingers and the tablet grip. Ringlet insert is preferably formed using a pliable material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, though any suitable material with the desired properties could be used including other soft plastics, silicones, or rubber materials. Ringlet insert  25  is formed by body  80  having arms  82  and is shaped to fit the insert indent  72  in the ringlet. Insert indent  72  inserts into channel  81  in body  80  of ringlet insert  25  to hold ringlet insert in the correct position on ringlet  24 .  FIGS. 8D and 8E  show ringlet insert  25  installed on ringlet  24 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C, an embodiment of a grip usable as top grip  27  or bottom grip  28  from  FIG. 3  is shown in greater detail. Grip  27  is formed from material the same as or similar to ringlet insert  25 . Grip  27  is preferably formed using a pliable material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, though any suitable material with the desired properties could be used including other soft plastics, silicones, or rubber materials. Grip  27  is preferably integrally formed with base  91 , back arm  90  and retention arm  92 . Back tabs  93 , base tabs  94  and retention tabs  95  are integrally formed with grip  27  and fit into respective recesses within the grip holder  32  or  33  on back plate  26  to securely hold grip  27  to the appropriate grip holder. Grip  27  also includes recess  96  formed in base  91 . 
         [0051]    Grips can be formed to accommodate various tablets with differing thicknesses without having to change the overall dimensions of base plate  26 . For thinner tablets a grip having a thicker base arm and/or retention arm can be made and inserted into the appropriate grip holder. For thicker tablets, a grip with a thinner base arm and/or retention arm can be used. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment of an electronics package for a tablet grip according to the concepts described herein is shown. Any tablet grip according to the concepts described herein, in addition to the mechanical features described, can incorporate electronics that would be useful to a tablet computer. An example of an embodiment of such electronics is shown by electronics package  100 . Electronics package  100  includes a WiFi hotspot  101  such as is well known. The WiFi hotspot includes a cellular antenna  107  to communicate with a cellular network and a WiFi antenna  108  to broadcast and receive WiFi signals. A SIM card  102  is used to provide authentication to the cellular network. The electronics package may also include other features such as a credit card reader and processor  103  which may operate independently from or in conjunction with the WiFi hotspot  101 . The credit card reader  103  can receive credit card information from an external or integrated magnetic strip reader  105  or from an NFC credit card reader  104 . Replaceable or rechargeable batteries  106  provide power to the electronics. Other electronic modules may also be included into the tablet grip as appropriate. 
         [0053]    The electronics package itself is preferably enclosed in one of the tablet grip components such as the back plate  26  or stand plate  21 . The appropriate ports, such as a slot for a SIM card or connectors for connecting the electronics with external components would be provided into the tablet grip component. 
         [0054]    The tablet grip can also include other features that are well within the scope of the concepts described herein. Compartments can be molded into various components to allow for the storage of other tablet accessories. The compartments can be general compartments or can be made specifically for certain items. Examples of accessories that could have storage compartments in the back plate or stand plate of the tablet grip are styluses, ear buds, screen cleaners, etc. Instead of compartments, clips mounted on the tablet grip could also be employed to hold tablet accessories securely to the tablet grip. 
         [0055]    While components, other than the grips and ringlet insert are preferably formed from rigid materials such as polycarbonate plastic or aluminum, or combinations thereof, those rigid materials can be partially or completely coated with rubber or silicone to discourage damage to the tablet computer or any surface or furniture the tablet grip may come in contact with. 
         [0056]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.