Housing for portable electronic device

Abstract

A housing for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a foot stand, the housing comprising: a plurality of side walls including a first side wall having a lip configured to securely connect the foot stand to the housing; a rear wall connected to at least one of the plurality of side walls; and a cavity defined by the plurality of side walls and the rear wall, the cavity configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of side walls and the rear wall support the portable electronic device, with the lip of the first side wall extending into the cavity.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 706,280, filed October 11, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Invention Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a housing, and more particularly, to a housing for a portable electronic device. Background of the Invention

[0004] Portable electronic devices, such as tablets, mobile phones such as smartphones, and laptops, can be housed in cases to protect them. Some cases offer additional functionality, such as incorporating screen protectors to cover the screen of the portable electronic device, providing ports for connecting peripheral devices to the portable electronic device, or serving as stands to support the portable electronic device at an angle relative to the tablet's surface. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a housing for a portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: a plurality of sidewalls, including a first sidewall having a lip configured to securely attach the tripod to the housing; a rear wall connected to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and a cavity defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the rear wall, the cavity being configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of sidewalls and the rear wall support the portable electronic device, wherein the lip of the first sidewall extends into the cavity.

[0006] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a housing of a portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: a plurality of sidewalls, including at least one sidewall having a lip configured to securely attach the tripod to the housing, the lip having a recess defined therein; a cavity defined by the plurality of sidewalls, the cavity being configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of sidewalls support the portable electronic device; and a magnetic member received within the recess, the magnetic member being configured to interact with the tripod and magnetically secure the tripod to the housing.

[0007] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a housing for a portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: a plurality of sidewalls; a lip extending from a first sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls and configured to securely attach the tripod to the housing; a set of ribs formed along the interior of a second sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls; a rear wall connected to one of the plurality of sidewalls; and a cavity defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the rear wall, the cavity being configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of sidewalls and the rear wall support the portable electronic device, wherein the lip of the first sidewall extends into the cavity.

[0008] Brief description of the attached diagram

[0009] Figure 1A This is a top perspective view of a housing for a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1B for Figure 1A Another top perspective view of the shell.

[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the bottom of the shell.

[0012] Figure 3 for Figure 1A Side view of the right side wall of the shell.

[0013] Figure 4 for Figure 1A Side view of the top sidewall of the shell.

[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 1A An exploded view of the shell.

[0015] Figure 6 for Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the portable electronic device and its casing.

[0016] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Portable electronic device insertion Figure 1A Top perspective view of the shell.

[0017] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Portable electronic device insertion Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the bottom of the shell.

[0018] Figure 9 for Figure 6 A three-dimensional diagram of a portable electronic device connected to Figure 1A The portable electronic device has a casing and a stand in an extended position.

[0019] Figure 10 for Figure 6 Another perspective view of a portable electronic device, which is connected to a tripod in an extended position. Figure 1A The shell.

[0020] Figure 11 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device connected to Figure 1A The housing, in which the tripod is in the extended position.

[0021] Figure 12 for Figure 6 A perspective view of a portable electronic device, which is connected to a tripod in its storage position. Figure 1A The shell.

[0022] Figure 13 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device connected to Figure 1A The shell, in which Figure 9 The tripod is now stored away.

[0023] Before explaining any embodiments of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the application of the invention is not limited to the structural details and component arrangements illustrated in the following description or the accompanying drawings. The invention can have other embodiments and can be implemented or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. Detailed description

[0024] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 Example for portable electronic devices 14 ( Figure 6 The housing 10 is a casing for the portable electronic device 14. The portable electronic device 14 may be, for example, a tablet computer or a laptop computer. More specifically, the portable electronic device 14 may be a Surface Pro computer sold by Microsoft®. In other embodiments, the housing 10 may be used with other types of portable electronic devices. The illustrated housing 10 includes a rear wall 18 and four side walls 22a-22d, which collectively define a cavity 26 configured to house the device 14. The four side walls 22a-22d include a first side wall or bottom side wall 22a, a second side wall or top side wall 22b, a third side wall or left side wall 22c, and a fourth side wall 22d or right side wall 22d. When the housing 10 is attached to the device 14, the side walls 22a-22d are formed to extend around the periphery 28 of the device 14. Figure 6 And on a portion of the front surface 30 of the device 14.

[0025] The rear wall 18 is integrally formed with the top side wall 22b, the left side wall 22c, and the right side wall 22d. The rear wall 18 is spaced from the bottom side wall 22a, such that the rear opening 32 ( Figure 2 The rear opening 32 is defined within the housing 10. It is located between the edge 34 of the rear wall 18, a portion of the left side wall 22c not connected to the rear wall 18, a portion of the right side wall 22d not connected to the rear wall 18, and the bottom side wall 22a. Therefore, the rear wall 18 is positioned at the upper portion of the housing 10 and is not connected to any part of the bottom side wall 22a.

[0026] Continue to refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 The housing 10 includes a camera opening 38 (e.g., a first opening) and a pen opening 42 (e.g., a second opening) defined within the rear wall 18. The camera opening 38 is located at the intersection between the top side wall 22b and the left side wall 22c. The camera opening 38 is arranged to surround a camera 46 located on the rear surface 50 of the device 14 when the housing 10 is connected to the device 14. Figure 9 And aligned with the camera. The pen opening 42 is located at the center of the housing 10 and adjacent to the top sidewall 22b. Furthermore, the pen opening 42 has an elongated elliptical shape. When the housing 10 is connected to the device 14, the pen opening 42 is arranged to align with the recess 54 defined in the rear surface 50 of the device 14. Figure 8-13 Alignment. The pen opening 42 and the notch 54 are configured to receive an electronic pen (or other writing instrument, not shown) compatible with the device 14. In other embodiments, the camera opening 38 and the pen opening 42 may be located elsewhere on the housing 10 and / or have different configurations depending on the device 14. In some embodiments, the camera opening 38 and / or the pen opening 42 may be omitted.

[0027] The top sidewall 22b, left sidewall 22c, and right sidewall 22d of the housing 10 are respectively formed with a top beveled edge 58b-d, a bottom beveled edge 62b-d, and a wall surface 66b-d extending therebetween. The top beveled edge 58b-d and the bottom beveled edge 62b-d extend outwards. In the illustrated embodiment, the left sidewall 22c and the right sidewall 22d each have a constant height. In other embodiments, the left sidewall 22c and the right sidewall 22d may taper gradually, such that the left sidewall 22c and the right sidewall 22d each have a varying height. Additionally, recesses 70b-d are defined within each wall surface 66b-d.

[0028] The left side wall 22c and the right side wall 22d each include flat recesses 74c and 74d and grooves 78c and 78d. Each flat recess 74c and 74d is formed on the corresponding top beveled edge 58c and 58d. The groove 78c of the left side wall 22c extends from the bottom beveled edge 62c and terminates at the center of the wall surface 66c. The groove 78d of the right side wall 22d extends from the bottom beveled edge 62d and terminates at the center of the wall surface 66d.

[0029] Multiple sets of ribs 80b-d are formed along the interior portions of the top sidewall 22b, the left sidewall 22c, and the right sidewall 22d, respectively. The ribs 80b-d are spaced apart from each other and extend along the length of the sidewalls 22b-d. Therefore, when each set of ribs 80b-d is inserted into the housing 10, they are arranged as abutment devices 14. The ribs 80b-d help provide compressive strength between the housing 10 and the device 14. In other embodiments, the interior portions of the top sidewall 22b, the left sidewall 22c, and the right sidewall 22d may have smooth surfaces.

[0030] refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2 and Figure 5The bottom sidewall 22a includes a bridging member or lip 94 extending between the left sidewall 22c and the right sidewall 22d. The lip 94 is oriented to extend into the cavity 26 of the housing 10. More specifically, the lip 94 is oriented to extend in a direction toward the rear wall 18. Furthermore, the lip 94 has a plurality of recesses 98 defined therein and extending along the length of the bottom sidewall 22a. In the illustrated embodiment, each recess 98 has a rectangular shape. In other embodiments, each recess 98 may have other shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, etc.). In other embodiments, the lip 94 may have a single recess 98 extending to the entire length or a portion of the length of the bottom sidewall 22a. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 includes five magnetic members 102a-e, which are received and secured within their respective recesses 98. In other embodiments, the housing 10 may include more or fewer than five magnetic members 102a-e. Additionally, in other embodiments, a single elongated magnetic member may be housed in a single recess. Furthermore, adjacent magnetic members 102a-e are spaced apart from each other such that they span the length of the bottom sidewall 22a between the left sidewall 22c and the right sidewall 22d. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic members 102a-e are not uniformly spaced along the length of the bottom sidewall 22a, but in other embodiments, they may be uniformly spaced along the length. The magnetic members 102a-e are provided within the lip 94 to hold the feet 106 of the device 14 ( Figure 6 It is magnetically fixed against the lip.

[0031] The bottom sidewall 22a further includes a cover 110. The illustrated cover 110 is formed as a flat plate. The cover 110 is attached to the lip 94 and is located above the plurality of recesses 98 and the magnetic members 102a-e. Therefore, the cover 110 is arranged to face the rear surface 50 of the device 14 when the device 14 is inserted into the housing 10. In some embodiments, the cover 110 may be securely attached to the lip 94 by an adhesive. In other embodiments, the cover 110 may be securely attached to the lip 94 by any suitable fastening mechanism.

[0032] Furthermore, the bottom sidewall 22a includes a first end 112, a second end 116, and a bottom edge 124 extending between the first end 112 and the second end 116. The first end 112 and the second end 116 are spaced apart to define a gap therebetween. The bottom edge 124 is configured along the bottom sidewall 22a such that the lip 94 extends from the bottom edge 124. When the device 14 is inserted into the housing 10, the gap allows access to the periphery 28 of the device 14 for removal from the housing 10. Additionally, the gap allows for the placement of a speaker 132 on the device 14. Figure 7 It is exposed and not covered by the bottom sidewall 22a.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 Two apertures 136a and 136b are defined within the right side wall 22d. The apertures 136a and 136b are provided to allow device 14 to be electrically connected to peripheral devices, such as power devices (e.g., portable battery packs, charging cables, etc.) or output devices (e.g., external monitors, projectors, etc.). When device 14 is inserted into housing 10, the apertures 136a and 136b are located along housing 10 relative to their respective electrical ports 138a and 138b on device 14. Figure 10 )alignment.

[0034] refer to Figure 4 The housing 10 further includes a first button 140a and a second button 140b formed on the top sidewall 22b. The buttons 140a and 140b are located adjacent to the left sidewall 22c. The first button 140a is arranged to align with a power button (not shown) located on the periphery 28 of the device 14. The second button 140b is arranged to align with a volume button (not shown) also located on the periphery 28 of the device 14. Each button 140a and 140b is formed as a flexible button, allowing it to be pressed to contact and operate the power button or volume button on the device 14. The four sidewalls 22a-d are formed of a plastic material. The buttons 140a and 140b are formed along the top sidewall 22b by an overmolding process. Therefore, the housing 10 is formed of a material with thickness, rigidity, and / or impact resistance, which provides reinforced protection for the device 14.

[0035] Figure 6-13 This illustrates the process of mounting the housing 10 onto the device 14. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the stand 106 of device 14 is rotated to an extended position for mounting. In this extended position, the stand 106 extends outward and rearward from the rear surface 50 of device 14. Figure 7 and Figure 8In this configuration, device 14 is oriented at an angle relative to housing 10, such that the top portion of the periphery 28 of device 14 is inserted into and surrounded by the top sidewall 22b. The front surface 30 of device 14 is oriented at an angle relative to the top sidewall 22b, such that the body 144 of device 14 is externally positioned from the cavity 26. Furthermore, the legs 106 of device 14 extend through the cavity 26 and out of the rear opening 32 of device 14.

[0036] like Figure 9-11 As shown, the body 144 of device 14 is housed within the cavity 26, and the sidewalls 22a-d are fitted around the periphery 28 of device 14. Device 14 is rotated such that the remaining portion of the periphery 28 of device 14 is surrounded by the bottom sidewall 22a, the left sidewall 22c, and the right sidewall 22d. The body 144 of device 14 is arranged within the housing 10 such that the rear surface 50 of device 14 abuts against the cover 110 and the rear wall 18. The bottom sidewall 22a of housing 10 is specifically shaped to conform to the shape of device 14. Therefore, the bottom sidewall 22a is positioned within a recess 148 defined along the rear surface 50 of device 14. As shown, device 14 is supported by the sidewalls 22a-d and the rear wall 18.

[0037] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the foot 106 of device 14 is rotated to a stowed position and secured to the housing 10. In this stowed position, the foot 106 is positioned against a lip 94 of the bottom sidewall 22a. The lip 94 prevents the foot 106 from contacting the rear surface 50 of device 14. Therefore, magnetic members 102a-e within the lip 94 are configured to interact with the foot 106 to hold it in place against the housing 10. The foot 106 may be formed of metal to interact with the magnetic members 120a-e. In some embodiments, the foot 106 may include at least one magnetic member embedded within it. In these embodiments, the magnetic member of the foot 106 may interact with the magnetic members 120a-e of the housing 10. In other embodiments, the lip 94 may be provided with a metal member configured to interact with at least one magnetic member of the foot 106.

[0038] The housing 10 is configured to allow the user to rotate or pivot the stand 106 between the extended position and the retracted position when operating the device 14. When the stand 106 is rotated to the extended position, it is positioned against a horizontal surface (e.g., a tabletop). The stand 106 is configured to support the housing 10 and the device 14 at an angle relative to the horizontal surface. When the stand 106 is rotated to the retracted position, it is magnetically secured to the lip 94 of the bottom sidewall 22a. The retracted position allows the user to hold the device 14 while operating or transporting it without having to tolerate constant movement of the stand 106. The retracted position also allows the user to place the housing 10 and the device 14 against a horizontal surface such that the front surface 30 of the device 14 is oriented parallel to the horizontal surface. Therefore, the housing 10 allows the user to easily operate the device 14 from various positions.

[0039] While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications still exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described above.

[0040] The various features of the present invention are described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A housing for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: Several sidewalls, including a first sidewall having a lip configured to securely attach the leg to the housing; Rear wall, connected to at least one of the plurality of side walls; and A cavity, defined by the plurality of side walls and the rear wall, is configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of side walls and the rear wall support the portable electronic device. The lip of the first sidewall extends into the cavity.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the lip of the first sidewall includes a magnetic member configured to interact with the leg and magnetically fix the leg to the housing.

3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the lip of the first sidewall includes a recess defined therein, configured to receive the magnetic member.

4. The housing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first sidewall has a cover attached to the lip to be positioned above the magnetic member.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sidewalls includes a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall, and wherein the rear wall is connected to the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall.

6. The housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first sidewall is a bottom sidewall, the second sidewall is a top sidewall, the third sidewall is a left sidewall, and the fourth sidewall is a right sidewall.

7. A housing for a portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: Several sidewalls, including at least one sidewall having a lip configured to securely attach the leg to the housing, the lip having a recess defined therein; A cavity, defined by the plurality of sidewalls, is configured to house the portable electronic device such that the plurality of sidewalls support the portable electronic device; as well as A magnetic component is housed within the recess, the magnetic component being configured to interact with the leg and magnetically fix the leg to the housing.

8. The housing of claim 7, wherein the lip of the at least one sidewall extends into the cavity.

9. The housing as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recess of the lip has a rectangular shape.

10. The housing of claim 7, wherein the recess is one of a plurality of recesses and the magnetic member is one of a plurality of magnetic members, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic members is located in one of the plurality of recesses and wherein adjacent magnetic members of the plurality of magnetic members are spaced apart from each other by a gap.

11. The housing of claim 7, further comprising a cover attached to the lip to be positioned above the magnetic member.

12. A housing for a portable electronic device having a tripod, the housing comprising: Several sidewalls; A lip that extends from the first of the plurality of sidewalls and is configured to securely attach the leg to the housing; A set of ribs is formed along the interior of the second sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls; The rear wall is connected to one of the plurality of side walls; as well as A cavity, defined by the plurality of side walls and the rear wall, is configured to receive the portable electronic device such that the plurality of side walls and the rear wall support the portable electronic device. The lip of the first sidewall extends into the cavity.

13. The housing of claim 12, wherein the lip of the first sidewall includes a magnetic member configured to interact with the leg and magnetically fix the leg to the housing.

14. The housing of claim 13, wherein the lip of the first sidewall includes a recess defined therein, configured to receive the magnetic member.

15. The housing of claim 14, further comprising a cover attached to the lip to be positioned above the magnetic member.

16. The housing of claim 12, wherein the set of ribs is a first set of ribs, and wherein, in addition to the second sidewall, a second set of ribs is formed along the interior of at least one of the plurality of sidewalls.

17. The housing of claim 12, wherein the rear wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that a rear opening is defined therebetween.

18. The housing of claim 12, wherein the lip extends from the first sidewall in a direction toward the rear wall.

19. The housing of claim 12, further comprising an opening defined within the rear wall and configured to receive an electronic writing instrument.

20. The housing of claim 12, further comprising an opening defined within the rear wall and configured to surround a camera of the portable electronic device.

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