Granted Patent B2

US 8,467,179 · App. 13/283,357 · Granted Jun 18, 2013

Abstract

Claims (20)

1. A tablet computer case comprising:

a first panel configured to releasably engage and hold a tablet computer of a predetermined size and shape, wherein the first panel has a back member that engages a back of the tablet computer,

at least one side edge which engages an edge of the tablet computer, and a front with a viewing window for viewing a screen of the tablet computer, and wherein the front further comprises a fascia that extends over a portion of a visual output side of the tablet computer and that is integral with the at least one side edge;

a second panel having a keyboard side on which a keyboard is located, a perimeter edge substantially matching a perimeter edge of the first panel, at least one spacer attached to the keyboard side, and wherein the second panel weighs substantially less than a weight of the first panel with the tablet computer engaged therein, and has a distribution of total weight that minimizes tipping of the tablet computer case when the first panel with the tablet computer engaged therein is placed at an obtuse angle with respect to the second panel; and

a hinge rotatably attaching the first panel and the second panel, said hinge engaging a bottom edge of the first panel and connecting the first panel to a back edge of the second panel, said hinge further being configured to allow the first panel to swing over a range of about 360° relative to the second panel and having a sufficient tension to hold the first panel and the second panel at substantially all positions of the first panel relative to the second panel within the 360° range; and

the bottom edge of the first panel can rest in substantially a same plane as an underside of the second panel and a portion of the hinge when the first panel is at an angle of at least about 90° with respect to the second panel; and

a communication connector that allows the keyboard to communicate with the tablet computer.

2. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of side edges which engage the edges of the tablet computer.

3. The tablet computer case of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of side edges engage at least three edges of the tablet computer.

4. The tablet computer case of claim 3 , wherein the tablet computer slidably engages the first panel through an open edge between two of the three edges, and wherein an edge opposite the open edge substantially contacts an edge of the tablet computer when the tablet computer is fully engaged with the first panel.

5. The tablet computer case of claim 4 , further comprising a separate panel piece configured to attach to the first panel and fit around an exposed edge of the tablet computer.

6. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , wherein the positions include a closed position where the screen of the tablet computer keyboard come together and the keyboard rests adjacent to the view screen.

7. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , wherein the positions include a tablet position where the screen of the tablet computer and the second panel move apart and the second panel rests adjacent to a back side of the first panel.

8. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , wherein the positions include a display position wherein a back side of the first panel and the second panel form an angle of 90° or less and the viewing screen of the tablet computer faces away from the second panel.

9. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic closure to aid in holding the case in a closed configuration, said magnetic closure comprising a magnet located on the second panel and a corresponding magnetic member on the first panel.

10. The tablet computer case of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic member is one of a magnet or a metal strip.

11. The tablet computer case of claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a first rotational axis adjacent to a bottom edge of the first panel and a second rotational axis adjacent to a back edge of the second panel, and wherein a tension of the first rotational axis is less than a tension of the second rotational axis.

12. The tablet computer case of claim 11 , wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is from 10% to 400% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

13. The tablet computer case of claim 11 , wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is about 10% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

14. The tablet computer case of claim 11 , wherein the tension of the first rotational axis is about 20% less than the tension of the second rotational axis.

Assignments (11)