Tablet case with locking high-friction kickstand

1 . A tablet case for protecting a tablet computer and for supporting the tablet computer on a support surface, the tablet case comprising:

a housing sized to receive the tablet computer, the housing having a front surface and a back surface;

a kickstand assembly comprising:

a locking high-friction hinge mounted on the housing; and

a kickstand member attached to the high-friction hinge at a proximal end, the kickstand member extending from the proximal end to a distal end; and

wherein the kickstand member is able to move between a collapsed configuration wherein the kickstand member abuts the housing, and at least one extended configuration wherein the kickstand member is axially rotated to extend outwardly from the housing for supporting the housing, upon application of sufficient force to overcome the frictional resistance of the locking high-friction hinge, and it is only friction from the locking high-friction hinge that prevents axial rotation of the kickstand member between the collapsed configuration and the extended configuration; and

further comprising a locking plate that is mounted to the housing to cover the plate, to lock the plate within the receiving recess, thereby preventing rotation of the first end of the locking high-friction hinge relative to the housing; and

wherein the kickstand member is only attached to the housing via the high-friction hinge, and there is no additional support member attached between the kickstand member and the housing.

2 . The tablet case of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the kickstand member includes a rubber-like head.

3 . The tablet case of claim 2 , wherein the rubber-like head is co-molded with the kickstand member, the remainder of which is constructed of plastic.

4 . A tablet case for protecting a tablet computer and for supporting the tablet computer on a support surface, the tablet case comprising:

a housing sized to receive the tablet computer, the housing having a front surface and a back surface;

a kickstand assembly comprising:

a locking high-friction hinge that includes a first end mounted on the housing, and a second end, the first and second ends being rotatable with respect to each other; and

a kickstand member extending from the proximal end to a distal end, wherein the second end of the high-friction hinge is attached to the proximal end of the kickstand member; and

wherein the kickstand member is able to move between a collapsed configuration wherein the kickstand member abuts the housing, and at least one extended configuration wherein the kickstand member is axially rotated to extend outwardly from the housing for supporting the housing, upon application of sufficient force to overcome the frictional resistance of the locking high-friction hinge, and it is only friction from the locking high-friction hinge that prevents axial rotation of the kickstand member between the collapsed configuration and the extended configuration; and

further comprising a locking plate that is mounted to the housing to cover the plate, to lock the plate within the receiving recess, thereby preventing rotation of the first end of the locking high-friction hinge relative to the housing.

5 . The tablet case of claim 4 , wherein the first end of the locking high-friction hinge includes a plate having at least one bore, and wherein the housing includes a receiving recess shaped to engage the plate of the locking high-friction hinge, and at least one locking post extends upwardly from the receiving recess to frictionally engage the at least one bore.