Accessory and support for electronic devices, systems including the same and methods
View Patent ↗An accessory for an electronic device, such as a mobile computing device, includes a housing and a support element that are configured to support the electronic device in an inclined orientation. The support element of the accessory may comprise an elongated recess that receives a portion (e.g., an edge portion) of an electronic device to orient and support the electronic device in the inclined orientation. The accessory may also include a peripheral component, such as a user interface component (e.g., a keyboard, a track pad, etc.) or any other component that may enhance or supplement functionality of the electronic device.
1. An accessory for an electronic device, comprising:
a housing with an upper surface, the housing including:
a support element comprising:
an elongated recess within the upper surface of the housing and extending at least partially across a width of the housing, the elongated recess comprising:
a front surface;
a base;
a rear surface; and
a rear corner at a junction between the rear surface of the elongated recess and the upper surface of the housing; and
at least one lip protruding beyond the front surface of the support element,
a recessed area defined by the at least one lip, the front surface of the support element, and the base of the support element, the support element capable of receiving an edge portion of the electronic device, of holding the electronic device in an inclined orientation and, along with the housing, of supporting the electronic device in the inclined orientation with an edge of the electronic device resting upon at least a portion of the base of the support element, a back surface of the edge portion of the electronic device resting upon at least a portion of the rear corner of the support element, and a front surface of the edge portion of the electronic device being disposed against a protruding portion of the at least one lip.
2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to impart the accessory with portability.
3. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a thickness of about 0.375 inch or less.
4. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a thickness of about one centimeter or less.
5. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the support element extends completely across the width of the housing.
6. The accessory of claim 5 , wherein ends of the support element open to opposite sides of the housing.
7. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the rear surface of the elongated recess of the support element is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the base of the support element.
8. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the rear surface of the elongated recess of the support element is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the base of the support element.
9. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the support element includes a plurality of regions configured for use with electronic devices of different widths.
10. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the support element and the housing are configured to completely support the electronic device in the inclined orientation.
11. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:
a peripheral component carried by the housing.
12. The accessory of claim 11 , wherein the peripheral component comprises a user interface accessible from the top surface of the housing.
13. The accessory of claim 12 , wherein the user interface comprises a keyboard.
14. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for assembly with another accessory.
15. The accessory of claim 14 , wherein the housing is configured for assembly with a folio or a case for the electronic device.
16. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the housing is configured to be disposed against a display of the electronic device.
17. A method for enhancing functionality of an electronic device, comprising:
inserting an edge portion of an electronic device into an elongated recess of a support element formed in an upper surface of an accessory to physically secure the electronic device in an inclined orientation relative to the accessory, wherein, upon inserting the edge portion of the electronic device into the support element, an edge of the electronic device rests upon at least a portion of a base of the support element, a back surface of the edge portion of the electronic device rests upon at least a portion of a rear corner of the support element defined at a junction between a rear surface of the support element and the upper surface of the accessory, and a front surface of the edge portion of the electronic device is disposed against a lip extending over a front side of the support element and protruding over a portion of the elongated recess of the support element.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
establishing electronic communication between the electronic device and a peripheral component of the accessory; and
using the peripheral component with the electronic device while the accessory provides sole support for the electronic device in the inclined orientation.
19. The method of claim 18 , comprising using the peripheral component with the electronic device while the support element of the accessory provides sole support for the electronic device in the inclined orientation.
20. The method of claim 18 , comprising using the peripheral component with the electronic device while the elongated recess of the support element of the accessory provides sole support for the electronic device in the inclined orientation.