Protective cases for tablets and portable electronic devices

Abstract

This invention relates to a protective case for a tablet computer, for removably engaging a plurality of linearly arranged electrical blocks. The protective case includes a body and electrical rails. The body includes a first support member and a second support member that are in contact with each other and can be opened and closed relative to each other. The electrical rails are disposed on the second support member. A first outer electrical rail, a second outer electrical rail, and an inner electrical rail are engagingly aligned with the plurality of electrical blocks. When the plurality of electrical blocks are engaged with the longitudinal segments of the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail, the electrical blocks can move along the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail until they are aligned in a straight line with the transverse segment of the inner electrical rail.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application CN202110642016.2, filed on June 9, 2021, entitled "Protective Case for Tablet PC and Portable Electronic Device". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a protective case and a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a protective case and a portable electronic device for use with a tablet computer. Background Technology

[0003] Tablet computers have become very common portable electronic devices. To prevent damage caused by accidental drops or collisions with other objects while carrying or using the tablet, many people will put a protective case on the outside of the tablet for protection.

[0004] Currently, protective cases are trending towards more diverse functional designs. Cases for tablets, in addition to protection, can also provide support for the tablet and input functionality. For example, a case can include a keyboard to allow for input of control commands, addressing the issue of small touchscreens hindering input. This requires electrical connectors on both the case and the tablet to form an electrical connection, enabling keyboard input.

[0005] However, the electrical connectors on both the protective case and the tablet are fixed in place. When the tablet needs to be rotated for viewing, the tablet cannot maintain a physical connection with the electrical connector on the protective case. Currently, although an additional electrical connector can be added to the back of the tablet or to the bottom (both horizontally and vertically) to solve the electrical connection problem between the tablet and the protective case, this easily leads to increased costs due to the addition of electrical connectors, and also results in poor operational smoothness due to the need to repeatedly plug and unplug the electrical connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a protective case for a tablet computer and a portable electronic device, wherein the protective case supporting the tablet computer can form an electrical connection with the tablet computer regardless of how the tablet computer is moved or rotated, so as to facilitate the user to input commands by operating peripheral devices. This not only reduces costs but also has the advantage of high operational smoothness.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a protective case for a tablet computer, the tablet computer having a computer signal transmission component. The protective case includes a main body, peripheral devices, and a protective case signal transmission component. The main body includes a first support member and a second support member connected to each other, the first support member and the second support member being openable and closable relative to each other; the peripheral devices are disposed on the first support member; the protective case signal transmission component is disposed on the second support member, and the protective case signal transmission component is electrically connected to the peripheral devices; wherein, the second support member is used to support the tablet computer, and the protective case signal transmission component is used to dock with the computer signal transmission component to enable signal transmission between the protective case and the tablet computer, one of the computer signal transmission component and the protective case signal transmission component is an electrical block, and the other of the computer signal transmission component and the protective case signal transmission component is an electrical guide rail.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the electrical guide rail includes a longitudinal section, a transverse section, and a turning section, with the turning section connecting the longitudinal section and the transverse section.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the computer signal transmission component is the electrical block, and the sheath signal transmission component is the electrical guide rail.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the second carrier is provided with a groove having a top opening and a bottom, and the electrical guide rail is disposed at the bottom.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the computer signal transmission component is the electrical guide rail, and the sheath signal transmission component is the electrical block.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the tablet computer has a recess with a top opening and a bottom, and the electrical rail is disposed on the bottom.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the electrical block is a flexible connector.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the electrical rail includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. When the electrical block is located at the first end, the long side of the tablet computer is rotated 90 degrees relative to the long side of the tablet computer when the electrical block is located at the second end.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the protective case and the tablet computer are provided with two magnetic elements, which have magnetic attraction between them. The two magnetic elements are disposed between the second support and the tablet computer. The electrical block can move straight along the electrical guide rail. Without rotating the tablet computer, the tablet computer is fixed at different heights on the second support by the two magnetic elements.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, there are multiple electrical blocks and multiple electrical rails, the multiple electrical rails extend parallel to each other, and the arrangement direction of the multiple electrical blocks is perpendicular to the parallel extension direction of the multiple electrical rails.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the electrical guide rail includes longitudinal and transverse sections that are perpendicular to each other.

[0018] In addition, the present invention also proposes a portable electronic device, which includes a tablet computer with computer signal transmission components and the aforementioned protective case.

[0019] Compared to existing technologies, the protective case and portable electronic device of the present invention enable signal transmission between the protective case and the tablet computer by moving an electrical block within an electrical guide rail. Regardless of any angle of rotation, height movement, lateral movement, or any other combination of movement, the computer signal transmission component of the protective case and portable electronic device of the present invention can form an electrical connection with the protective case signal transmission component, which has the advantage of high operational smoothness.

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of a tablet computer and a protective case in the first embodiment of the portable electronic device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a first placement scenario of a tablet computer of a portable electronic device relative to a protective case, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a second placement scenario of a tablet computer of a portable electronic device relative to a protective case, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a third placement scenario of a tablet computer of a portable electronic device relative to a protective case, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of a tablet computer and a protective case in a portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a first placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a second placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case for a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a third placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in the second embodiment of the portable electronic device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the tablet computer and protective case of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the portable electronic device 10 includes a tablet computer 12 and a protective case 14. In one embodiment, the tablet computer 12 includes a display surface 121 and a back surface 122. A computer signal transmission device 16 is disposed on the back surface 122. The periphery of the tablet computer 12 includes, for example, two opposing long sides 123 and two opposing short sides 124. The protective case 14 includes a body 18, a peripheral device 20, and a protective case signal transmission device 22. The body 18 includes a first support member 181 and a second support member 182 that are connected to each other. The first support member 181 and the second support member 182 can be opened and closed relative to each other. In one embodiment, the peripheral device 20 is disposed on the first support member 181, and the protective case signal transmission device 22 is disposed on the second support member 182, and the protective case signal transmission device 22 is electrically connected to the peripheral device 20. The second support member 182 can be used to support the tablet computer 12, and the protective case signal transmission device 22 is connected to the computer signal transmission device 16 of the tablet computer 12 to enable the protective case 14 to transmit power and signals to the tablet computer 12. In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the computer signal transmission component 16 includes one or more electrical rails 24, and the sheath signal transmission component 22 includes one or more electrical blocks 26. The electrical blocks 26 are, for example, flexible connectors (pogo pins). The electrical rails 24 and electrical blocks 26 are positioned correspondingly to each other and structurally interlocked, but are not limited to this. Optionally, in subsequent... Figure 5 In the second embodiment illustrated, the computer signal transmission component 16 may include an electrical block 26, while the sheath signal transmission component 22 may include an electrical rail 24A. The number of electrical rails 24 / 24A may be single or multiple, and the number of electrical blocks 26 may also be single or multiple. The number of electrical rails 24 / 24A and electrical blocks 26 may be the same or similar.

[0031] Continuing from the above explanation, as Figure 1As shown, the electrical rail 24 includes, for example, a longitudinal segment 241, a transverse segment 242, and a turning segment 243. The longitudinal segment 241 and the transverse segment 242 may be perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal segment 241 extends, for example, along a first direction D1, and the transverse segment 242 extends, for example, along a second direction D2. The turning segment 243 connects the longitudinal segment 241 and the transverse segment 242. The first direction D1 is, for example, parallel to the short side 124 of the tablet computer 12, and the second direction D2 is, for example, parallel to the long side 123 of the tablet computer 12. The electrical rail 24 also includes opposing first ends 245 and second ends 246. The first end 245 is, for example, the end of the longitudinal segment 241 away from the turning segment 243, and the second end 246 is, for example, the end of the transverse segment 242 away from the turning segment 243. In one embodiment, when there are multiple electrical rails 24, the multiple longitudinal segments 241 of the multiple electrical rails 24 extend parallel to each other, and the multiple transverse segments 242 extend parallel to each other.

[0032] Continuing from the above description, the electrical block 26 is positioned on the second carrier 182 at a location where the electrical guide rail 24 on the back 122 of the tablet computer 12 can touch and form an electrical connection when the second carrier 182 carries the tablet computer 12. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a first placement scenario of a tablet computer of a portable electronic device relative to a protective case, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a second placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a third placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in the first embodiment of the portable electronic device of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the tablet computer 12 is placed (normally horizontally) on the second support member 182 of the main body 18, and one long side 123 of the tablet computer 12 can abut against the junction of the first support member 181 and the second support member 182. In one embodiment, when the tablet computer 12 is in a first placement scenario relative to the main body 18, such as Figure 2 As shown, the electrical block 26 can be located near the turning section 243 of the longitudinal section 241 of the electrical rail 24, so that the tablet computer 12 and the protective case 14 are electrically connected and can transmit power and signals.

[0033] Continuing with the above description, when the tablet computer 12 is raised relative to the second support member 182 to a specific height to assume the second placement scenario, such as Figure 3 As shown, the electrical block 26 can be located at the first end 245 of the longitudinal section 241 of the electrical guide rail 24, so that the tablet computer 12 and the protective case 14 are electrically connected and can transmit power and signals. Furthermore, when the tablet computer 12 is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second support member 182 to a third placement configuration, as... Figure 4As shown, one of the short sides 124 of the tablet computer 12 can abut against the junction of the first support member 181 and the second support member 182. The electrical block 26 can be located at the second end 246 of the transverse section 242 of the electrical guide rail 24, so that the tablet computer 12 is electrically connected to the protective case 14 and can transmit power and signals. The first, second and third placement scenarios described above are based on the tablet computer 12 being horizontal, raised and vertical, but are not limited to these. When the tablet computer 12 is rotated at any angle, moved in height, moved laterally or moved by any other combination of components, the electrical block 26 can form an electrical connection with the electrical guide rail 24.

[0034] In this embodiment, the peripheral device 20 is a keyboard, which allows the user to perform text / number input and other operations on the tablet computer. In actual operation, the peripheral device 20 can also be other devices capable of inputting control commands to the tablet computer, such as digital music devices, game controllers, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0035] In this embodiment, the protective case 14 includes a main body 18, a peripheral device 20, and a protective case signal transmission component 22. In another embodiment, the protective case may only include the main body 18 and the protective case signal transmission component 22. When using the protective case, the user can assemble a peripheral device (such as a keyboard) onto the second carrier 182 of the main body 18 according to actual needs. At this time, the peripheral device 20 and the protective case signal transmission component 22 can be electrically connected.

[0036] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, when there are multiple electrical blocks 26, the arrangement direction D3 of the multiple electrical blocks 26 is perpendicular to the parallel extension direction of the electrical guide rail 24. Specifically, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the arrangement direction D3 of the electrical blocks 26 is, for example, perpendicular to the parallel extension direction (i.e., the first direction D1) of the longitudinal segment 241 of the electrical guide rail 24; Figure 4 As shown, when the tablet computer 12 is rotated 90 degrees, the arrangement direction D3 of the electrical blocks 26 is perpendicular to, for example, the parallel extension direction (i.e., the second direction D2) of the transverse segment 242 of the electrical guide rail 24. In this way, regardless of whether the tablet computer 12 is set horizontally or vertically, it can maintain an electrical connection with the electrical blocks 26 of the protective case 14, thereby maintaining the transmission of power and signals.

[0037] Please continue reading. Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, when the computer signal transmission component 16 of the tablet computer 12 includes an electrical rail 24 and the sheath signal transmission component 22 of the protective case 14 includes an electrical block 26, a groove 28 can be provided on the back 122 of the tablet computer 12. The groove 28 has a top opening (not shown) and a bottom 281, and the electrical rail 16 is disposed on the bottom 281.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the portable electronic device 10 further includes two magnetic elements 30 and 30', which have magnetic attraction between them. In one embodiment, the two magnetic elements 30 and 30' are respectively disposed on the back 122 of the tablet computer 12 and the side of the second carrier 182 facing the peripheral device 20. When the tablet computer 12 is carried by the second carrier 182, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, two magnetic elements 30 and 30' are disposed between the second support member 182 and the tablet computer 12. The electrical block 26 can move horizontally along the electrical guide rail 24. Without rotating the tablet computer 12, the tablet computer 12 is fixed at different heights of the second support member 182 by the two magnetic elements 30 and 30'.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the tablet computer and protective case of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the difference between the second embodiment of the portable electronic device 10A and the first embodiment of the portable electronic device 10 is that the computer signal transmission device 16 provided on the back 122 of the tablet computer 12 of the portable electronic device 10A includes an electrical block 26, while the sheath signal transmission device 22 provided on the second carrier 182 of the protective case 14 includes an electrical guide rail 24A. In one embodiment, the periphery of the second carrier 182 includes, for example, two opposing long sides 183 and two opposing short sides 184, and the second carrier 182 is connected to the first carrier 181, for example, via one of its long sides 183. Figure 5 As shown, although the shape and configuration of the electrical rail 24A differ from those of the electrical rail 24 shown in the first embodiment, the electrical rail 24A still substantially includes a longitudinal section 241, a transverse section 242, and a turning section 243. The longitudinal section 241 and the transverse section 242 may be perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal section 241 extends, for example, along a first direction D1', and the transverse section 242 extends, for example, along a second direction D2'. The turning section 243 connects the longitudinal section 241 and the transverse section 242. The first direction D1' is, for example, parallel to the short side 184 of the second support member 182, and the second direction D2' is, for example, parallel to the long side 183 of the second support member 182. The electrical rail 24A also includes a first end 245 and a second end 246. The first end 245 is, for example, the end of the longitudinal section 241 away from the turning section 243, and the second end 246 is, for example, the end of the transverse section 242 away from the turning section 243. In one embodiment, when there are multiple electrical rails 24A, multiple longitudinal segments 241 of the multiple electrical rails 24A extend parallel to each other, and multiple transverse segments 242 extend parallel to each other.

[0040] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of a first placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a second placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third placement scenario of a tablet computer relative to a protective case in the second embodiment of the portable electronic device of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, when the tablet computer 12 is placed in the first orientation relative to the main body 18, the tablet computer 12 is placed (normally horizontally) on the second support member 182 of the main body 18, and one of the long sides 123 of the tablet computer 12 can abut against the junction of the first support member 181 and the second support member 182. In one embodiment, the electrical block 26 can be located at the first end 245 of the longitudinal section 241 of the electrical guide rail 24A, so that the tablet computer 12 is electrically connected to the protective case 14 and can transmit power and signals.

[0041] When the tablet computer 12 is raised to a specific height relative to the second support member 182 to assume a second placement scenario, such as Figure 7 As shown, the electrical block 26 can be located near the bend 243 of the longitudinal section 241 of the electrical guide rail 24A, so that the tablet computer 12 and the protective case 14 are electrically connected and can transmit power and signals. Furthermore, when the tablet computer 12 is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second support member 182 to a third placement configuration, as... Figure 8 As shown, one short side 124 of the tablet computer 12 can abut against the junction of the first support member 181 and the second support member 182, wherein the electrical block 26 can be located at the second end 246 of the transverse section 242 of the electrical guide rail 24A, so that the tablet computer 12 is electrically connected to the protective case 14 and can transmit power and signals.

[0042] The first, second, and third placement scenarios of the portable electronic device in the second embodiment described above are illustrated using the tablet computer 12 standing horizontally, raised, and upright as examples, but are not limited to these. When the tablet computer 12 rotates at any angle, moves in height, moves laterally, or moves in any other combination of components, the electrical block 26 can form an electrical connection with the electrical guide rail 24A.

[0043] Continuing with the above description, in one embodiment, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, when there are multiple electrical blocks 26 disposed on the back 122 of the tablet computer 12, the arrangement direction D3' of the multiple electrical blocks 26 is perpendicular to the parallel extension direction of the electrical guide rail 24A. Specifically, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the arrangement direction D3' of the electrical blocks 26 is, for example, perpendicular to the parallel extension direction (i.e., the first direction D1') of the longitudinal segment 241 of the electrical guide rail 24A; Figure 8As shown, when the tablet computer 12 is rotated 90 degrees, the arrangement direction D3' of the electrical blocks 26 is perpendicular, for example, to the parallel extension direction (i.e., the second direction D2') of the transverse segment 242 of the electrical rail 24A. This ensures that regardless of whether the tablet computer 12 is positioned horizontally or vertically, it maintains an electrical connection with the electrical rail 24A of the protective case 14, thus preserving the transmission of power and signals.

[0044] Corresponding to the first embodiment, when the computer signal transmission component 16 of the tablet computer 12 includes an electrical block 26, and the sheath signal transmission component 22 of the protective case 14 includes an electrical guide rail 24A, such as Figure 5 As shown, a groove 28 may be provided in the second support member 182 of the body 18 of the protective sleeve 14. The groove 28 has a top opening (not shown) and a bottom 281, and the electrical guide rail 24A is disposed in the bottom 281. In an embodiment not shown, the electrical guide rail 24A may be disposed inside the protective sleeve 14 and covered by the skin of the protective sleeve 14 without being exposed.

[0045] Corresponding to the first embodiment, the portable electronic device 10 further includes two magnetic elements 30 and 30', respectively disposed on the side of the second carrier 182 facing the peripheral device 20 and the back 122 of the tablet computer 12. The two magnetic elements 30 and 30' have a magnetic attraction force. When the tablet computer 12 is carried by the second carrier 182, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, two magnetic elements 30 and 30' are disposed between the second support member 182 and the tablet computer 12. The electrical block 26 can move horizontally along the electrical guide rail 24A. Without rotating the tablet computer 12, the tablet computer 12 is fixed at different heights of the second support member 182 by the two magnetic elements 30 and 30'.

[0046] In summary, in the portable electronic device of the present invention, by setting up the computer signal transmission component of the tablet computer and the protective case signal transmission component, the computer signal transmission component can form an electrical connection with the protective case signal transmission component no matter what angle the tablet computer rotates, moves vertically, moves horizontally, or any other combination of movement. This facilitates the user to input commands by operating peripheral devices, which not only reduces costs but also has the advantage of high operational smoothness.

[0047] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective sleeve removably engages with a plurality of electrically conductive blocks arranged in a straight line, characterized in that, The protective case includes: The body includes a first support member and a second support member connected to each other, and the first support member and the second support member can be opened and closed relative to each other; Multiple electrical rails, including a first outer electrical rail, a second outer electrical rail, and an inner electrical rail, wherein the inner electrical rail is located between the first outer electrical rail and the second outer electrical rail, and the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail are respectively engaged with the multiple electrical blocks, and the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail are arranged at least partially parallel on the second support member, wherein the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail each have a longitudinal section and a transverse section; When the plurality of electrical blocks are correspondingly engaged with the longitudinal sections of the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail, the plurality of electrical blocks can move along the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail until they are aligned in a straight line with the transverse section of the inner electrical rail; or When the plurality of electrical blocks are correspondingly engaged with the transverse sections of the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail, the plurality of electrical blocks can move along the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail to form a straight line with the longitudinal section of the inner electrical rail.

2. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each electrical rail also includes a bend section connecting the corresponding longitudinal and transverse sections.

3. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical block is a flexible connector.

4. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes magnetic elements disposed on the second carrier.

5. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The longitudinal and transverse segments of the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail, and the inner electrical rail are perpendicular to each other.

6. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral segment of the first outer electrical rail extends in the opposite direction to the lateral segment of the second outer electrical rail, and the lateral segment of the first outer electrical rail extends toward the second outer electrical rail, while the lateral segment of the second outer electrical rail extends toward the first outer electrical rail.

7. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the plurality of electrical blocks are joined to the first outer electrical rail, the second outer electrical rail and the inner electrical rail, the plurality of electrical blocks are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal segment or the transverse segment.

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