Abstract:
A mobile device positioning unit is provided that is designed to operably interconnect to a mobile electronic device storage case. Upon actuation of triggers, or similar actuation mechanisms, associated with a palm grip of the unit, the positioning unit is able to transition along the length of the mobile device or rotate relative thereto. The unit may be selectively or partially disconnected from the storage case to provide a stand that allows the mobile electronic device to be propped up.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/400,520 filed Jul. 29, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/414,747, filed Nov. 17, 2010, and 61/424,973, filed Dec. 20, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device for selective interconnection to a mobile electronic device. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is adapted for selective interconnection to an iPad®, a Kindle®, a personal computer, a tablet PC, a netbook, an e-reader, a communication device, and other similar electronic devices, which enhances the use thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Portable electronic devices such as tablet computers, netbooks, e-readers, iPads®, Kindles®, personal computers, communication devices, and other similar mobile devices (hereafter “electronic device”) have become increasingly popular. One drawback of these devices is that in some instances their size and shape renders them difficult to position and use in a hands-free manner. More specifically, it is often desirable to tilt the electronic device to enhance readability or functionality, which is usually done using one or two hands. After holding the electronic device for an extended time the user will often become tired and the amount of holding force and associated stability applied to the electronic device will decrease. Electronic device stability affects readability of the electronic device. Further, stability is directly related to the possibility of dropping the electronic device. Holding an electronic device also does not permit the use of one or both hands for other activities that may be related to the functions being performed by an electronic device, i.e. typing. Further, the nature of some electronic devices, such as iPads®, which are sleek, thin, and lightweight, render them difficult to grasp. 
         [0004]    Thus, it is desirable to provide a grip or similar device for selective interconnection to the electronic device to facilitate use thereof. Embodiments of the present invention, which will be described in detail below, provide a dynamic user interface that allows the electronic device to be used in a hands-free manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is one aspect that the present invention to provide a protective storage case for selective interconnection to an electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage case is a rigid or semi rigid shell designed to engage the back surface and at least one edge of the electronic device. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the case may be entirely rigid or include non-rigid members that function as shock absorbers that the electronic device from impact damage. 
         [0006]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a positioning unit interconnected to the case. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user interface is a palm rest with an associated strap that maintains the user&#39;s hand onto the palm rest. The palm rest may be operably interconnected to the case which allows the case to move relative to the palm rest. More specifically, the case of some embodiments include rails that receive a slide clutch and a slide clutch actuator of the palm rest. In operation, activating the slide clutch actuator will release the slide clutch and allow the palm rest to slide along the rails and thus move along the case. In one embodiment, activation of the slide clutch is initiated when the slide clutch actuator is depressed by a user&#39;s finger or thumb. When pressure is released from the slide clutch actuator, the slide clutch locks and maintains the position of the palm grip on the rails. The sliding functionality provided by those embodiments of the invention allows users to find and fix a comfortable electronic device viewing and use position. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the rails may be integrated into the electronic device or interconnected thereto. 
         [0007]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a positioning unit that allows for selective alteration of the angular orientation of the held electronic device. More specifically, some embodiments provide swiveling palm grip. The palm grip employs a swivel clutch that is selectively actuated by the user wherein depression of a swivel clutch actuator allows one portion of the grip to rotate relative to another portion of the grip. Thus, when the swivel clutch is disengaged, the mobile electronic device is able to rotate about its normal axis. The swivel clutch actuator may be comprised of finger or thumb buttons positioned adjacent to the palm rest. When the swivel clutch is released, the swivel clutch locks and rotation is prevented. In this manner, the swivel clutch allows a user to rotate and fix the use and viewing position of the mobile electronic device. 
         [0008]    As one of skill in the art will appreciate, some positioning units of the contemplated invention may employ transitional and rotational functionality. Further, transitioning and rotation of the palm rest relative to the electronic device may be achieved with selective locking mechanisms not necessarily defined as a “clutch.”. 
         [0009]    It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an ergonomic unit that is easy to use. More specifically, the palm rest may be made of a material that is soft and resilient to enhance user comfort. The material may also reduce the generation of perspiration and associated odors. Further, the material and construction of the palm rest reduces the transmission of heat from the user&#39;s hand to the electronic device. 
         [0010]    Again, the contemplated device allows the attached electronic device to be positioned in various ways. For example, when slid to the ends of the rails, the palm rest creates a low-profile stand such that is ideal for typing or close up viewing. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention the palm rest is partially removable from one rail at a time. When dis-associated from one rail, the palm rest is free to pivot about the other rail to form a stand for propping the electronic device on a horizontal surface. Thus, the electronic device can be positioned in a 1) viewing landscape mode (propped about fifteen degrees from vertical), 2) typing landscape mode (supported about fifteen degrees from horizontal), 3) viewing portrait mode (propped about fifteen degrees from vertical), and portrait mode typing (supported about fifteen degrees from horizontal which is a typing mode). 
         [0011]    It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a device for selectively positioning an interconnected electronic device, comprising: a case that is adapted to selectively receive the electronic device; a first rail interconnected to the case; a second rail interconnected to the case and spaced from the first rail in a parallel relationship; a plate slidingly engaged to the first rail and the second rail; and a palm rest operably interconnected to the plate. 
         [0012]    It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a device for selective association with an electronic device, comprising: a base portion that is adapted to be selectively associated with the electronic device; a user interface operably interconnected to the base portion, the user interface capable of rotating relative to the base portion and being locked relative to the base portion. 
         [0013]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system for securing and selectively positioning an electronic device, comprising: a case that selectively receives the electronic device; a base portion that is selectively associated with the case; and a user interface operably interconnected to the base portion, the user interface capable of rotating relative to the base portion and being locked relative to the base portion. 
         [0014]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system for securing and selectively positioning an electronic device, comprising: a base member having a plurality of arms adapted for selective interconnection with an edge of the electronic device; and a user interface operatively interconnected to said base portion, said user interface capable of rotating relative to said base member. 
         [0015]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a mobile device positioning grip and associated electronic device storage case; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a mobile device positioning grip and associated electronic device case; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mobile device positioning grip and associated electronic device case of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the mobile device positioning grip and associated electronic device case of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a mobile device positioning grip and associated electronic device case of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a mobile device positioning grip and associated case in a portrait viewing position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a mobile device positioning system of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a user&#39;s hand positioned in the mobile device positioning system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a user&#39;s hand positioned in the mobile device positioning system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit and associated electronic device oriented for portrait typing; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit and associated electronic device oriented for portrait typing; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit and associated electronic device oriented for landscape typing; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view showing a mobile device positioning unit and associated electronic device oriented for landscape typing; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation view showing a mobile device positioning unit and associated electronic device oriented for landscape typing; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a side perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a portrait typing position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a portrait typing position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a portrait viewing position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a side elevation view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a portrait viewing position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a side perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a landscape typing position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a top perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a landscape typing position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a front perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a landscape viewing position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a rear perspective view showing a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand and associated electronic device in a landscape viewing position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 25  is a rear perspective view of a mobile device positioning unit and associate a case of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 26  is a rear perspective view of the mobile device positioning unit engaged onto a user&#39;s hand; 
           [0043]      FIG. 27  is a rear perspective view of the mobile device positioning unit of  FIG. 25  shown in a portrait viewing position; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 28  is a rear perspective view of a mobile device positioning unit having a deployable stand shown in a landscape viewing orientation. 
       
    
    
       [0045]    To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Components 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Mobile device positioning unit 
               
               
                 6 
                 Base plate 
               
               
                 10 
                 Rail 
               
               
                 14 
                 Storage case 
               
               
                 18 
                 Electronic device 
               
               
                 22 
                 Palm rest 
               
               
                 26 
                 Strap 
               
               
                 28 
                 Hand 
               
               
                 30 
                 Slide trigger 
               
               
                 34 
                 Rotation trigger 
               
               
                 38 
                 Release trigger 
               
               
                 42 
                 Border 
               
               
                 44 
                 Arm 
               
               
                 46 
                 Clip 
               
               
                 50 
                 Ring 
               
               
                 54 
                 Stand 
               
               
                 58 
                 Groove 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0046]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]      FIG. 1  shows a mobile device positioning unit  2  (“unit”) of one embodiment of the present invention. The unit  2  is comprised of a base plate  6  that is selectively interconnected to rails  10 . The rails are interconnected to a storage case  14  that receives and protects an electronic device  18 . The base plate  6  is also interconnected to a palm rest  22  that fits comfortably in a user&#39;s palm. The palm rest  22  may be capable of being inflated or deflated to accommodate hands of different sizes and shapes. Further, the palm grip, or other portions of the unit, may include a speaker system that amplifies the sound provided by the electronic device. The palm rest may also have one or more storage areas for the storage of batteries, screen wipes, business cards, etc. The user&#39;s hand is secured to the palm rest  22  by a strap  26 . A plurality of sliding triggers  30  are provided that when depressed allow the base plate  6  to slide along the rails  10 . Further, rotation triggers  34  are included that when depressed allow the palm rest  22  to rotate relative to the base plate  6 . In some embodiments of the present invention the base plate  6  is selectively releasable from one or both rails  10 . When released from one rail, the base plate  6  may be rotated away from the storage case and about the other to become a stand for positioning the storage case  14  and associated electronic device in portrait or landscape orientation, which will be described in further detail below. 
         [0048]    When one or both slide triggers  30  are depressed, in some embodiments by a user&#39;s thumb, the palm rest is able to slide along the rails  10 . Released of the slide triggers  30  will lock the palm rest in place. Similarly, when the rotation trigger  34  is depressed, the electronic device will rotate relative to the palm rest. Plate release triggers  38  may also be integrated into the base plate  6  that release the base plate  6  from a corresponding rail. When released, the base plate  6  is able to rotate away from the case  14  about the still-connected rail such that the base plate  6  becomes a stand that supports the electronic device for horizontal and vertical viewing. When both release triggers  38  are depressed, the base plate  6  is removable and can be mounted to another storage case  14 . The base plate  6  may also include friction-enhancing border  42 , i.e., mode of rubber, which prevents slippage when the base plate is used as a stand. Although the rotation, release, and slide triggers are shown in particular locations, such triggers may be incorporated in any manner on the unit  2 . For example, the release triggers may be incorporated into a clip associated with the strap  26  instead of located under the base plate. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the slide triggers  30  are recessed to allow the user&#39;s thumb to be more comfortably positioned. The slide triggers  30  may also be located inside a palm rest. The rotation trigger  34  of the is embodiment of the present invention is positioned as shown in the embodiment of the invention described above. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown similar to those described above. However, the slide triggers  30  are recessed and activated by pressing against a clip that secures the strap  26 . Further, additional ergonomic support has been added to increase the shape of the palm rest  22 . Here the rotation trigger  34  is recessed and may also be hidden within the fabric of which the palm rest  22  is comprised. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the slide triggers  30  are positioned outside of the palm rest fabric and the clip  46  to which the strap  26  is interconnected functions as a slide trigger  30 . This embodiment combines the trigger mechanism of the first and third embodiment described above. Further, the rotation trigger  34  is brought outside and blends in with the slide triggers  30 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the slide triggers  30  are smooth and are actuated by pressing inwardly. The strap  26  attaches inside the slide triggers  30 . In addition, the rotation trigger  34  is also smooth. All triggers are flush on the top surface allowing the device to sit flat when turned over. When the mobile device positioning unit  2  is transitioned towards an end of the rails  10 , the stored electronic device will be positioned for portrait typing orientation. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, by moving the palm rest  22  along the rails  10 , the angle of inclination of the electronic device will be altered. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows how the positioning unit  2  may be used as a stand for viewing wherein the base plate  6  has been separated from one rail by pressing one of the release buttons  38 . The base plate  6  is then rotated away from the storage case to form a stand for supporting the storage case  14  in a portrait position. A border edge  42  of the base engages a horizontal surface which orients the electronic device for landscape viewing. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 7-11  show yet another embodiment of the present invention that is secured to the electronic device  18  (or storage case) by a plurality of arms  44 . Here, the storage case  14  employs a palm rest  22  that is rotatably interconnected to a base plate  6 . A strap  26  is also provided to help secure a user&#39;s hand  28 . This embodiment also does not employ multiple trigger mechanisms. This embodiment may include one or more triggers and associated mechanisms that allow the palm rest  22  to rotate relative to the arms  44 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 12-16  show how this embodiment of the present invention can be used for portrait typing ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), landscape viewing ( FIG. 16 ), landscape typing ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ), etc. Here, the palm rest  22  is rotated away from the storage case  14  and the ring  50 . The angle between the palm rest  22  and a fixed ring  50  will define the electronic device  18  inclination. For example, for viewing, the palm rest  22  is rotated away from the fixed ring  50  so that a portion of the palm rest  22  can be engaged onto a table which will prop the electronic device at a desired angle. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 17-24  show an embodiment of the present invention that employs a deployable stand that allow the user to effectively alter the length of the palm rest  22 . The stand  54  has an edge that engages a table to prop the electronic device  18  at a desired inclination. The stand  54  can be used to hang the electronic device  18 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 25-28  show yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the rails are more aptly described as recesses, channels, or grooves  58  that are integrated into the storage case  14 . The base plate  6  includes protrusions that are inserted into the grooves  58 , thereby allowing the base plate  6  to move laterally along the length of the storage case  14 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the palm rest  22  is selectively removable from the ring  50  to provide a stand for viewing. The palm rest  22  may also employ a stand  54 . 
         [0058]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the features and aspects of the provisional applications listed above may be combined with those described herein to yield various ways to provide any number of systems for selective interconnection with an electronic device. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.