Patent Publication Number: US-2022218084-A1

Title: Convertible case for portable electronic device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is based on U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 62/842,808, filed May 3, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Various aspects relate to a case for a portable electronic device and more particularly, to a convertible case for carrying a portable electronic device and supporting the device in a working position. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some aspects, a convertible case for a portable electronic device includes a bottom surface having a first panel. A top surface is moveably coupled to the bottom surface. The top surface has a second panel. The bottom surface and the top surface at least partially define a cavity having an opening. The bottom surface and top surface are moveable with respect to one another between a storage configuration and a working configuration. In the storage configuration the opening has a first size, and the cavity and the opening are sized to receive a portable electronic device. In the working configuration the opening has a second size larger than the first size, and the bottom and top surface are positioned to support the portable electronic device. 
     In some aspects, a convertible case for a portable electronic device includes a bottom surface having a first central panel, a first side panel moveably coupled to the first central panel with a first hinge, a second side panel moveably coupled to the first central panel with a second hinge, and a first end panel moveably coupled to the first central panel with a third hinge. A top surface is moveably coupled to the bottom surface. The top surface includes a second central panel, a third side panel moveably coupled to the second central panel with a fourth hinge, a fourth side panel moveably coupled to the second central panel with a fifth hinge, and a second end panel moveably coupled to the second central panel with a sixth hinge. The bottom surface and the top surface at least partially define a cavity and an opening. The bottom surface is moveable relative to the top surface between a first position and a second position. The size of the opening increases as the bottom surface moves between the first position and the second position. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary case in a dosed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  in the dosed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  in an opened position. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the case in  FIG. 1  in the open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  supporting a laptop in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  supporting the laptop in a second configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1  in a second open position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the case of  FIG. 7  supporting a laptop in a third configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1 , in a first unassembled position showing an internal structure of the case. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the case of  FIG. 9  in a second unassembled position, showing a flexible material covering the rigid structure and illustrating the flexible hinge lines. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the case of  FIG. 1 , folding into a working position. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the case of  FIG. 1 , folded into a working position. 
         FIGS. 13 a -13 c    are schematic views of a portion of the case of  FIG. 1 , folding between a storage position and a working position. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  in a storage position. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  in an intermediate position. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  in a working position. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  supporting a laptop in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  supporting a laptop in a second configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIGS. 1-18  depict an exemplary embodiment of a carry case  10  for a portable electronic device depicted as a laptop in the illustrated embodiment. The case  10  can be configured for other portable electronic computing device, (e.g., tablets, smart phones, etc.). The case  10  is convertible from a carry or storage position (as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) where the case  10  receives the electronic device in an interior cavity for transport and one or more working configurations (as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3-8 ) where the electronic device can rest on the case  10  for use by a user. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 and 9-10 , a case  10  includes a first or top surface or wall  14  and a second or bottom surface or wall  18  that is opposite the top surface  14 . A third or left surface or wall  22  and a fourth or right surface or wall  26  each are positioned between the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18 . A fifth or rear surface  30  is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18 , as well as between the left and right surfaces  22 ,  26 . When assembled, the surfaces  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 ,  30  together define a cavity  34  (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 ,  30  and the cavity  34  are sized to receive a laptop  38  or other electronic device. The surfaces  14 ,  18 ,  22 ,  26 ,  30  and the cavity  34  may be sized to substantially correspond with the size of the laptop  38  and reduce excess space when the laptop  38  is positioned within the cavity  34 . For example, in some embodiments the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18  may be about thirteen inches wide. In other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces may be about 15 inches wide. In still other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18  may have different dimensions configured to fit an associated laptop or other electronic device. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  14  is substantially the same as the bottom surface  18  and the left surface  22  is substantially the same as the right surface  26 . 
     The top surface  14  can be made from multiple panels. For example, the top surface  14  includes a top central panel  42 , a first side panel  46   a,  and a second side panel  46   b.  Additionally, the top surface  14  includes a top end panel  50  that has a width substantially equivalent to a combined width of the top central panel  42 , the first side panel  46   a,  and the second side panel  46   b.  The top central panel  42  has a trapezoidal shape, the first and second side panels  46   a,    46   b  have a triangular shape, and the top end panel  50  has a rectangular shape. Together the panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  combine to define a rectangular shape. The panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  can include various different materials, textures, graphics, or other surface features depending on different aesthetic and performance aspects. 
     The bottom surface  18  can also be made from multiple panels. For example, the bottom surface  18  includes a bottom central panel  142 , a third side panel  146   a,  and a fourth side panel  146   b . The bottom central panel  142  has a trapezoidal shape, and the third and fourth side panels  146   a,    146   b  have a triangular shape. Together the panels  142 ,  146  combine to define a rectangular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface  18  has a greater area than the top surface (e.g., the bottom central panel  142  is larger than the top central panel  42 ). In other embodiments, the bottom surface  18  may also include a bottom end panel that has a width substantially equivalent to a combined width of the bottom central panel  142 , the third side panel  146   a,  and the fourth side panel  146   b.    
     Each panel  42 ,  46 ,  50  on the top surface  14  is moveable with respect to the other panels  142 ,  146  on the bottom surface  18 . In some embodiments, the panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  of the top surface  14  and the panels  142 ,  146  of the bottom surface  18  can be made from a first material and a second material where the first material has a greater flexibility than the second material. The first material can include fabric, a flexible polymer, or other suitable flexible materials and the second material can include metal, a rigid polymer, or other more materials that are more rigid than the first material. For example, the panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  of the top surface  14  and the panels  142 ,  146  of the bottom surface  18  can be made from metal sheets covered with a fabric material. In other embodiments, the panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  of the top surface  14  and the panels  142 ,  146  of the bottom surface  18  can be made from a different rigid material (e.g., hard plastic). The rigid material may also be covered with a different flexible material. 
     Hinges  52  can positioned between adjacent panels  42 ,  46 ,  50  of the top surface  14  and the panels  142 ,  146  of the bottom surface  18 , and can be formed by joining edges of adjacent panels together. The hinges  52  can include only flexible (or semi-flexible) material, and not a rigid material (i.e., the adjacent rigid panels are slightly spaced apart). This allows the hinges  52  to bend. The hinges  52  can be configured to bend in two directions. In some embodiments, the hinges  52  are capable of bending substantially 180 degrees in both directions. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a first hinge  52   a  is between the top central panel  42  and the first side panel  46   a.  A second hinge  52   b  is between the top central panel  42  and the second side panel  46   b.  A third hinge  52   c  is between the top central panel  42  and the top end panel  50 . A fourth hinge  152   a  is between the bottom central panel  142  and the third side panel  146   a.  A fifth hinge  152   b  is between the bottom central panel  142  and the fourth side panel  146   b.  A sixth hinge  152   c  is between the bottom central panel  142  and the end surface  30 . Adjacent panels may be joined together so that hinges are formed and permit flexible movement (see e.g.,  FIGS. 9-10 ). In other embodiments, a single material can be used with living hinge connections between the panels,  42 ,  46 ,  50  of the top surface  14  and the panels  142 ,  146  of the bottom surface  18 . In other embodiments, the hinges can be formed by connecting the first material between the second material. For example, a fabric material can be sewn together between the more rigid components to form a hinge. Other types of hinge connections can be used as would be understood by one of ordinary skill. 
     A securing member or strap  54  is secured to the bottom surface  18  and is removably coupled to the top surface  14  in order to secure the laptop  38  within the cavity  34 . In other embodiments, the strap  54  may be secured to the top surface  14 , or may be removably coupled to both the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18 . In the illustrated embodiments, one end of the strap  54  is fixed to the central panel  42  of the bottom surface  18 . The other end of the strap  54  can removably couple to the central panel  42  of the top surface  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the strap  54  includes a magnetic portion, which can couple to the metal sheet that forms the central panel  42  (e.g., the rigid material). In other embodiments, the strap  54  may include a different type of securing mechanism (e.g., Velcro, press stud, snap, etc.). The strap  54  can also includes a padded surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the padded surface is made from an elastomeric material. The padded surface does not interfere with the magnetic force between the strap  54  and the central panel of the top surface  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-4, and 11-16 , the case  10  can be expanded after the laptop  38  is removed from the cavity  34  while the case  10  is in a storage position (see e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) in order to position the case  10  in a working configuration. The top central panel  42  is moved away from the bottom central panel  142  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 11-12 ). The top central panel  42  moves about the third hinge  52   c , and moves relative to the bottom central panel  142  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 14-16 ). The third hinge  52   c  moves proximate (e.g., comes into contact with) the bottom central panel  142 , which causes the top central panel  42  and the top end panel  50  to be angled relative to each other. The top end panel  50  is also angled relative to the bottom central panel  142  (e.g., creating a generally triangular cross-section). 
     As the top central panel is raised, the first and second side panels  46   a,    46   b  bend along the first and second hinges  52   a,    52   b.  Additionally, the third and fourth side panels  146   a,    146   b  bend along the fourth and fifth hinges  152   a,    152   b  and are pulled upward with the top central panel  42 . The side surfaces  22 ,  26  fold inwardly along their respective seventh and eighth hinges  53   a,    53   b  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 13 a -13 c   ). In other words, panels  62   a,    162   a  of the first side surface  22 , and panels  62   b  and  162   b  of the second side surface  26  rest on top of one another when the case  10  is in the working configuration. The bent side panels  46   a  on respective sides of the central panels  42  (e.g., the left side panels on the top and bottom surfaces  14 ,  18 ) substantially contact one another. A height of the opening of the cavity  34  increases as the first through fourth side panels  46   a,    46   b,    146   a,    146   b  fold relative to the top and bottom central panels  42 ,  142 . 
     When raised fully to the working position (see e.g.,  FIGS. 3, 4, 12, and 16 ), the first and second side panels  46   a,    46   b,  and the third and fourth side panels  146   a,    146   b  remain angled with respect to the panels  62  of the side surfaces  22 ,  26 , as well as to each other (e.g., the first side panel  46   a  remains angled with respect to the third side panel  146   a ). This enables the first and third side panels  46   a,  and the second and fourth side panels  46   b,    146   b  to self-lock when the case  10  is in the working configuration (i.e., the weight of the top surface  14  remains supported by the third and fourth side panels  146   a,    146   b ). The first, second, third, and fourth side panels  46   a,    46   b,    146   a,    146   b  remain in a folded position until an outside force is provided (e.g., user intervention) so that the opening of the cavity  34  remains in the expanded position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the angle between the top central panel  42  and the bottom central panel  142  is approximately 70° and the top central panel  42  and the top end pane  50  are angled approximately 45° apart while the bottom surface  18  is supported by a support surface (e.g., a table, the ground, etc.). In other embodiments, the top central panel  42  may be angled more or less from the top end panel  50 , and the top central panel  42  may be angled more or less from the bottom central panel  142 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 17 , a laptop  38   a  can be supported by the case  10  in a first configuration where the bottom surface of the laptop  38   a  rests against the top central panel  42 , and a front edge  66  of the laptop  38   a  (i.e., the edge typically facing a user and perpendicular to a surface of the laptop keyboard  70 ) is positioned proximate the third hinge  52   c.  The triangular structure formed by folding the top end panel  50  and the end surface  3 o relative to the bottom central panel  142  creates a stop surface for the laptop  38   a.  In other words, the front edge  66  of the laptop  38   a  is supported by the top end panel  50 . The top end pane  50  prevents the laptop  38   a  from sliding along the top central panel  42  and toward the floor. 
     In the first configuration, the laptop  38   a  can be opened to approximately 135° (i.e., the angle between the laptop keyboard  70  and the screen is 135°). The bottom surface of the laptop  38   a  is resting on the top central panel  42  which is positioned approximately 45° from a support surface (e.g., a table, a user&#39;s lap, etc.). When the laptop  38   a  is positioned on the top central panel  42 , the screen of the fully opened laptop  38   a  is positioned approximately orthogonal to the support surface. Placing the laptop  38   a  on the case  10  in the first configuration raises a display of the laptop  38   a  to a more comfortable viewing height than if the laptop  38   a  rested directly on the support surface. This may reduce muscular strain associated with extended use of the laptop  38   a.  Alternatively, the laptop  38   a  is positioned on the first configuration of the case  10 , and not opened to its maximum angle. In other embodiments, a different laptop  38  may be used, which opens to a different maximum angle, with the first configuration of the case  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 18 , a laptop  38   b  also can be supported by the case  10  in a second configuration. The bottom surface of the laptop  38   b  substantially covers the opening of the cavity  34  and rests against edges of the top and bottom central panels  42 ,  142 , as well as the first, second, third, and fourth the side panels  46   a,    46   b,    146   a,    146   b.  The strap  54  is positioned outside of the cavity  34 , and away from the bottom central panel  42  so that the front edge  66  of the laptop  38   b  is positioned on the strap  54 . The elastomeric material of the strap  54  provides frictional resistance for the laptop  38   b  (i.e., against the bottom edge  66 ), and assists in preventing the laptop  38   b  from sliding relative to the strap  54 . Additionally, the substantially vertical orientation of the laptop  38   b  (e.g., angled at approximately 70°) means that the weight has a greater vertical component than a horizontal component, so that there is less force that the friction force of the strap  54  will have to counteract to prevent horizontal movement. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the laptop  38   b  opens to approximately 160° (i.e., the angle between the laptop keyboard  70  and the screen is 160°). In the second configuration, a plane covering the opening to the cavity  34  is positioned approximately 110° from a support surface (e.g., a table, a user&#39;s lap, etc.). The laptop  38   b  is positioned within that plane so that the laptop keyboard  70  is also approximately 110° from the support surface while positioned on the second configuration of the case  10 . When the laptop  38   b  is positioned on the plane, the screen of the fully opened laptop  38   b  (i.e., opened to 160°) is positioned approximately perpendicular with the support surface. Placing the laptop  38   b  on the case  10  in the second configuration raises a display of the laptop  38   b  to a more comfortable viewing height than if the laptop  38   a  rested directly on the support surface. This may reduce muscular strain associated with extended use of the laptop  38   b.  Alternatively, the laptop  38   b  can be positioned on the second configuration of the case  10  and not opened to its maximum angle. The laptop  38   b  may also be used with a supplemental (e.g., wireless) keyboard  74  and/or mouse  78 . In other embodiments, a different laptop  38  may be used, which opens to a different maximum angle, with the second configuration of the case  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the case  10  can be positioned in a third configuration while expanded. The opening of the cavity  34  is positioned facing the support surface, so that the cavity  34  cannot be accessed. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening of the cavity  34  is substantially flush with the support surface. In the third configuration, the top and bottom central panels  42 ,  142  are oriented approximately 70° with respect to the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap  54  includes elastomeric material on both sides, so that elastomeric material is exposed in the third configuration. The top end panel  50 , the bottom central panel  142 , and the end surface  30  are positioned distal to the support surface and move about the third hinge  52   c  (e.g., because of the force of gravity). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the laptop  38   b  opens to approximately 160° (i.e., the angle between the laptop keyboard  70  and the screen is 160°). When the laptop  38   b  is positioned on either central panel  42 ,  142 , the screen of the fully opened laptop  38   b  (i.e., opened to 160°) is positioned approximately orthogonal to the support surface (i.e., in substantially the same position as the second configuration). The height of the opening of the cavity  34  in the opened position is less than the length of the top surface  14 . The third configuration therefore provides a narrower footprint along the support surface than the first or second configurations. This enables the case  10  to be used with a narrower support surface (e.g., a desk) than the case could be used with in the first and second configurations or to take up less space in a working environment. Placing the laptop  38   b  on the case  10  in the third configuration raises a display of the laptop  38   a  to a more comfortable viewing height than if the laptop  38   b  rested directly on the support surface. This may reduce muscular strain associated with extended use of the laptop  38   b.  Alternatively, the laptop  38   b  can be positioned on the third configuration of the case  10 , and not opened to its maximum angle. In other embodiments, a different laptop may be used, which opens to a different maximum angle, with the second configuration of the case  10 . 
     The embodiment(s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described.