Detachable cover for a computing device
View Patent ↗In some implementations, a cover may be attached to or detached from a computing device. For example, individual cam locks of a plurality of cam locks embedded into a computing device may be placed in an open position. Individual pins of a plurality of pins fastened to the cover may be aligned with a corresponding cam lock of the plurality of cam locks. The individual pins may be inserted into the corresponding cam locks. The individual cam locks may be moved from the open position to a closed position, causing the cover to be attached to the external surface of the computing device. The cover may include a curved portion that causes the cover to apply pressure to the outer surface of the computing device when the plurality of cam locks are in the closed position.
1. A method comprising:
placing individual cam locks of a plurality of cam locks embedded into a computing device to an open position, wherein the computing device comprises:
a first housing comprising:
a first display device; and
a first set of the plurality of cam locks;
a second housing comprising:
a second display device; and
a second set of the plurality of cam locks;
one or more hinges attaching the first housing to the second housing, wherein the one or more hinges enable the first housing to positioned at an angle relative to the second housing;
aligning individual pins of a plurality of pins fastened to a cover with the individual cam locks of the plurality of cam locks;
inserting the individual pins of the plurality of pins into the individual cam locks of the plurality of cam locks; and
moving the individual cam locks of the plurality of cam locks from the open position to a closed position, thereby causing the cover to be attached to an external surface of the computing device, wherein the cover includes a curved portion that causes the cover to apply pressure to the external surface of the computing device after the plurality of cam locks are placed in the closed position.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device further comprises:
one or more sliders, wherein:
each slider engages one or more cam locks of the plurality of cam locks;
sliding the one or more sliders in a first direction causes the one or more cam locks to be placed in the open position; and
sliding the one or more sliders in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the one or more cam locks to be placed in the closed position.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises one or more layers, wherein each layer of the one or more layers comprises one of a metal layer, a plastic layer, or a cloth layer.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each pin of the plurality of pins comprises at least one of:
a pin head;
a shaft; or
a pin body.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each cam lock of the plurality of cam locks comprises:
a tool engagement notch; and
an opening into which a pin of the plurality of pins may be inserted.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the individual cam locks of the plurality of cam locks from the open position to a closed position causes the individual cam locks to draw the individual pins further into an opening in each of the individual cam locks, such that the cover is substantially flush with an outer surface of the computing device.
7. A computing device comprising:
a first housing comprising:
a first display device;
a first set of cam locks;
a second housing comprising:
a second display device;
a second set of cam locks;
a hinge coupling the first housing to the second housing, wherein the hinge enables the first housing to be placed at an angle relative to the second housing; and
a cover comprising:
a first set of pins coupled to the first set of cam locks in a closed position; and
a second set of pins coupled to the second set of cam locks in the closed position;
wherein the cover includes a curved portion that causes the cover to apply pressure to an outer surface of the computing device when the cover is attached to the computing device.
8. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the cover is detached from the computing device by:
placing the first set of cam locks in an open position; and
placing the second set of cam locks in the open position.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein placing the first and second set of cam locks in the open position causes at least one pin of the first set of pins or the second set of pins to be extracted from a corresponding cam lock due to the pressure exerted by the cover to the outer surface of the computing device.
10. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the computing device further comprises:
a first set of sliders in the first housing to engage the first set of cam locks; and
a second set of sliders in the second housing to engage the second set of cam locks.
11. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein:
sliding the first set of sliders in a first direction causes the first set of cam locks to be placed in an open position; and
sliding the second set of sliders in the first direction causes the second set of cam locks to be placed in the open position.
12. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein:
sliding the first set of sliders in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the first set of cam locks to be placed in the closed position; and
sliding the second set of sliders in the second direction causes the second set of cam locks to be placed in the closed position.
13. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein moving individual cam locks of the first or second set of cam locks from the open position to the closed position causes the individual cam locks to draw a corresponding pin further into an opening in the individual cam locks, such that an inner surface of the cover is substantially flush with the outer surface of the computing device.
14. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the cover comprises at least one of a metal layer, a plastic layer, or a cloth layer.
15. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein individual pins of the first and second set of pins comprise at least one of:
a pin head;
a shaft; or
a pin body.
16. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein individual cam locks of the first set of cam locks and the second set of cam locks comprises:
a tool engagement notch; and
an opening into which an individual pin of the first set of pins or the second set of pins may be inserted.
17. A computing device comprising:
a first housing comprising:
a first display device;
a first set of cam locks placed in a closed position;
a second housing comprising:
a second display device;
a second set of cam locks placed in the closed position;
a hinge coupling the first housing to the second housing to enable the first housing to be placed at an angle relative to the second housing; and
a cover comprising:
a first set of pins coupled to the first set of cam locks; and
a second set of pins coupled to the second set of cam locks;
a curved portion of the cover to apply pressure to an exterior surface of the computing device after the cover is attached to the computing device.
18. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the cover is detached from the computing device by:
placing the first set of cam locks in an open position; and
placing the second set of cam locks in the open position;
wherein the pressure exerted by the cover to the exterior surface of the computing device causes at least one pin of the first set of pins or the second set of pins to be extracted from a corresponding cam lock.
19. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the cover comprises at least one of a metal layer, a plastic layer, or a cloth layer.
20. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein moving individual cam locks of the first or second set of cam locks from an open position to the closed position causes the individual cam locks to draw a corresponding pin of the first and second set of pins further into an opening in the individual cam locks, causing an inner surface of the cover to be substantially flush with an outer surface of the computing device.