Abstract:
An adjustable tablet case for protecting tablet computers of different sizes is disclosed. The adjustable tablet case can include a foldable cover coupled to a tablet holding portion which has a central base portion. The adjustable table case can further include retention arms having retention regions. The retention arms resiliently can be coupled to the central base portion. The retention regions can be configured to retainingly receive an edge portion of a tablet computer. The retention portions and retention regions can be urged toward the central base portion by an urging mechanism and be capable of being at least partially extended away from the central base portion, thereby enabling the adjustable tablet case to receive and protect tablets of varying size.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter herein generally relates to a tablet cases. More specifically, the subject matter herein relates to a tablet case that can be adjusted for tablets of different sizes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Cases for tablets are used to prevent the screen from being scratched or damaged. While using the tablet, the user may want to have the tablet propped up so the user does not have to hold the tablet the entire time. Furthermore, tablets come in a variety of sizes, so one case often only fits a specific tablet. If the user obtains a new tablet, the user would most likely also need a new case. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of an adjustable tablet case supporting a tablet in a propped position. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of an adjustable tablet case wherein retention portions thereof are not extended. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of an adjustable tablet case where the retention portions are extended. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a tablet holding portion of an adjustable tablet case where the retention portions are extended. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a tablet holding portion of an adjustable tablet case where the retention portions are not extended. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure is described in relation to a case that adjusts to accommodate a variety of tablet sizes. 
         [0011]    The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially rectangular means that the object in question resembles a rectangle, but can have one or more deviations from a true rectangle. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an adjustable tablet case  100  holding a tablet  106  in a propped position. The adjustable tablet case  100  includes a cover  104  which can be used to partially of substantially completely envelope a tablet  106 . The cover  104  can be adjusted to act as a stand for the tablet  106 . The cover  104  can be adjusted to be a case for the tablet  106 , with the cover  104  protecting the screen of the tablet  106 . The adjustable tablet case  100  can include a tablet holding portion  102  that can be used to releasably fasten the tablet  106  to the cover  104 . When the tablet holding portion  102  is fastened to the tablet  106 , (as during normal operation) the tablet  106  can be effectively secured to (and within) the adjustable tablet case  100 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the adjustable tablet case  100  where the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are not extended. In at least one embodiment, the retention portions can be partially arcuate shaped to receive a portion of a tablet  106 , such as a corner of the tablet (see  102   b  and  102   c ), or substantially flat to receive a portion of a side region of a tablet (see  102   a ). Thus for example, retention portion  102   a  can be used to couplingly receive a side of the tablet  106 . The corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c  can be used to couplingly receive the corners of the tablet  106  opposite the side of the tablet  106  received by retention portion  102   a . Accordingly, a region of the retention portion 102   a  can be substantially flat to conform to the side of the tablet  106 . Additionally, the corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c  can be substantially curved to conform to the corners of the tablet  106 . 
         [0014]    The cover  104  can include a top cover section  116 . The top cover section  116  can be proximate retention portion  102   a  of the tablet holding portion  102  during normal use. The top cover section  116  can be form a subsection of the cover  104 . The top cover section  116  can be separated from the remainder of the cover  104  by a fold  104   a  in the cover imposed during manufacture. The cover  104  can also include a rear cover section  114  and a front cover section  110 . The rear cover section  114  along with the top cover section  116  can protect the rear of the tablet  106 . The rear cover section can be defined by rear cover folds  104   a . One rear cover fold  104   a  separates the top cover section  116  and the rear cover section  114 , as discussed above. The rear cover folds  104   a  allow the cover  104  to be adjusted in form from a flat and closed position to a propped position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The cover  104  can include a cover spine  112  that can be defined by a rear cover fold  104   a  and a front cover fold  104   b . The cover spine  112  can connect the front cover section  110  and the rear cover section  114 . The cover spine  112  can bend to form substantially an arch. The cover spine  112  can also lay substantially flat. The front cover section  110  can protect the screen of the tablet  106  when the adjustable tablet case  100  is closed. The front cover section  110  can act as a base when the adjustable tablet case  100  is in a propped position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the adjustable tablet case  100  where the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended. The retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  can be extended to conform to different sized tablets  106 . The retention portion  102   a  can extend to fasten to a side of the tablet  106 . In at least one embodiment, the retention portion  102   a  can extend further than the outside edge of the top cover section  116 . In other embodiments, the retention portion  102   a  can extend to the outside edge of the top cover section  116 . The corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c  fasten to the corners of the tablet  106  opposite the side that the retention portion  102   a  is fastened. In at least one embodiment, the corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c  can extend further than the edges of the cover  104 . In other embodiments, the corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c  can extend to the outside edges of the cover  104 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a tablet holding portion  102  in an expanded state  600  where the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended. When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b , and  102   c  are extended, expansion regions  120 ,  130 ,  140  are present. Expansion regions  120 ,  130 ,  140  can be the region between the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and the base  151  of the tablet holding portion  102 . Side expansion region  130  can correspond to the retention portion  102   a . Corner expansion regions  120 ,  140  can correspond to the corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c . The tablet holding portion  102  can include a side expansion arm  160  and corner expansion arms  150  and  161  that correspond to the retention portion  102   a  and the corner retention portions  102   b ,  102   c , respectively. Expansion arms  150 ,  160  and  161  can be resiliently coupled to the central portion  151  of the tablet holding portion  104 . When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended, parts of the expansion  150 ,  160  and  161  are exposed, forming expansion regions  120 ,  130  and  140 , respectively. Expansion arms  150 ,  160  and  161  can be partially or wholly received within arm receiving regions  156 ,  166  and  159 , respectively. The exposed base portions  150 ,  160 ,  161  can provide support and maintain the structural integrity of the tablet holding portion  102  when the tablet holding portion  102  is expanded. As such, the tablet holding portion  102  can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of tablet  106  sizes. The expansion bases  166 ,  156 ,  176  can include spaces  168 ,  158 ,  178 . Rods  162 ,  152 ,  172  can be attached to the expansion bases  166 ,  156 ,  176  inside the spaces  168 ,  158 ,  178 . The rods  162 ,  152 ,  172  can be attached to the expansion bases  166 ,  156 ,  176  proximate to the central region  151  of the tablet holding portion  102 . Springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  act as an urging mechanism and can be coupled to the rods  162 ,  152 ,  172 . Other urging mechanisms can be used, for example elastic bands or the like. The rods are received within the springs and impose a resilient force on the arms  150 ,  160 ,  161 , urging the arms  150 ,  160 ,  161  towards the central region  151  of the tablet holding portion  102 . The arms thus need to be manually drawn out and away from the central region  151  to couple with a tablet  106 . The force imposed by the springs or other suitable mechanism urges the coupled sides of the tablet  106  inward towards the central region, thereby enabling the tablet  106  to be releasably retained within the case  100 . 
         [0017]    In at least one embodiment, when the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended, the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174 , are compressed. When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are released, the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  expand and retract the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  toward the center of the tablet holding portion  102 . A tablet  106  can be inserted while the retention portions 102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended. When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are retracted by the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174 , the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  fasten to and secure the tablet  106 . 
         [0018]    In other embodiments, when the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended, the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  are stretched. When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are released, the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  retract and pull the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  toward the center of the tablet holding portion  102 . A tablet  106  is inserted while the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are extended. When the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are retracted by the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174 , the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  fasten to and secure the tablet  106 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a tablet holding portion  102  in a retracted state  605  where the retention portions  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are not extended. When the tablet holding portion  102  is in a retracted state  605 , the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  are at a neutral state. The expansion regions  120 ,  130 ,  140  are not present, and the expansion bases  166 ,  156 ,  176  can be fully retracted into the tablet holding portion  102 . In the retracted state  605 , the springs  164 ,  154 ,  174  can substantially fill the entirety of the spaces  168 ,  158 ,  178 . 
         [0020]    Other configurations of the claimed subject matter will be apparent to one of skill in the art. For example, the side retaining portion  102   a  could be replaced with two corner retention portions, like  102   b  and  102   c . Alternatively, four side retention portions like that of  102   a  could be provided. Thus, the embodiments shown and described above are only examples. 
         [0021]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the following claims.