Case for Tablet Terminal

Abstract

Even for a tablet terminal without a headphone jack, a tablet terminal case is realized that enables the use of a wired headphone without the need for a conversion adapter. 【Solution means】The first cover 2 includes a frame body 5 that covers the outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal and can hold the tablet terminal, a Type-C cable 6 that is electrically connected to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, and a wiring substrate 8 that is attached to the frame body 5 and connects the Type-C cable 6 and the flat cable 7. The second cover 3 includes an external interface portion 9 attached to the housing 11 and connected to the flat cable 7, and a headphone jack provided in the external interface portion 9. The flat cable 7 is disposed so as to pass through the inside of the connecting portion 4 and cross the connecting portion 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a case for a tablet terminal (tablet-type computer device) that is attached to and used with a tablet terminal.

[0002] The "case for a tablet terminal" referred to in the present invention is synonymous with what is generally referred to as a "case for a portable terminal", a "cover for a tablet terminal", a "cover for a portable terminal", etc., and includes all of these.

Background Art

[0003] A tablet terminal is a portable multifunctional terminal equipped with a display having a resolution comparable to that of a small notebook computer and incorporating various functions such as music and video playback, Internet search, email, e-book viewing, online meetings, document creation, and spreadsheet calculation.

[0004] Efforts are underway to use this type of portable multifunctional terminal in educational settings such as schools. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology proposed the "GIGA School Concept" in 2019 to enhance the educational ICT environment and maximize the capabilities of teachers and students. This initiative aims to establish high-speed and high-capacity communication networks in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools across the country and to provide each child and student with one tablet terminal.

[0005] Assuming the use of a tablet terminal for educational purposes or the like, a keyboard may be provided on a protective cover that prevents damage to the tablet terminal. In addition, proposals have been made to provide a mechanism on the protective cover that prevents damage to the tablet terminal to enable it to be used in a standing state.

[0006] For example, the cover for a foldable computer in Patent Document 1 makes the tablet terminal stand upright by locking one side below the tablet terminal onto the locking block of the third plate body where the keyboard is provided. Also, the leather cover for a tablet computer in Patent Document 2 forms a triangular support base that fixes the front - face leather cover and the front - face substrate at an appropriate angle to make the tablet computer stand upright.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non - Patent Documents

[0008]

Non - Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] Tablet terminals are provided by multiple manufacturers at home and abroad. One of the major products well - known to consumers is the iPad (registered trademark). Even in the second phase of the “GIGA School Plan” announced in April 2024, the policy for selecting the OS of the tablet terminal to be used in schools was announced to be selected from among three overseas manufacturers, and one of the three options is iOS (registered trademark).

[0010] Although new models of this iPad (registered trademark) have been released additionally so far, Apple (registered trademark) announced in May 2024 that it would discontinue the combined sales with past generations it had been doing until then and would sell only the latest generation models in the future, including the Japanese market. Here, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, the 10th generation iPad (registered trademark), which is the latest generation, is different from the 9th generation and earlier in that the iPad (registered trademark) body does not have a headphone jack.

[0011] On the other hand, headphones are used in English listening classes in elementary and junior high schools. Generally, headphones include wireless types such as those using Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wired types with cables. However, in educational settings where a large number of students gather in the same classroom, there is a risk of crosstalk between tablet terminals used by different students with wireless headphones. For this reason, in school classes, the use of wired headphones without the worry of crosstalk is required.

[0012] Therefore, when the 10th generation iPad (registered trademark) is adopted as a tablet terminal used in elementary and junior high schools, high schools, etc., since there is no headphone jack on the body, it is necessary to separately purchase a conversion adapter for operation. Conventionally, as technologies such as those shown in Patent Documents 1 to 2 have already been proposed as tablet terminal cases, there is none that solves the above problems.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a first object is to realize a tablet terminal case that enables the use of wired headphones without the need for a conversion adapter even for a tablet terminal without a headphone jack.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tablet terminal case having a structure that pre-emptively eliminates or overcomes some of the problems assumed when used in elementary and junior high schools, etc.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] The case for a tablet terminal of the present invention has a first cover having an opening for exposing the display surface of the tablet terminal and capable of housing the tablet terminal, a second cover that can open and close the opening of the first cover, and a connecting portion that connects the first cover and the second cover. The first cover has a frame that covers the outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal and can hold the tablet terminal, a Type-C cable that is electrically connected to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, and a wiring board that is attached to the frame and connects the Type-C cable and a flat cable. The second cover has a housing, a keyboard portion that is attached to the housing and formed at the central portion of the second cover, an external interface portion that is attached to the housing and connected to the flat cable, and a headphone jack provided in the external interface portion. The flat cable is arranged to pass through the inside of the connecting portion and cross the connecting portion.

[0016] In the present invention, the following configuration can be adopted. The connecting portion has a first fabric that forms the back side surface and a second fabric that forms the surface opposite to the first fabric, and the flat cable is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first fabric and the second fabric. At the same time, a reinforcing member capable of increasing the tearing strength of the connecting portion can be attached between the first fabric and the second fabric.

[0017] The flat cable connecting between the wiring board of the first cover and the external interface portion of the second cover can be a flexible printed circuit board.

[0018] The Type-C cable is provided with an L-shaped connector portion in which the connector extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the cable extends, and a surrounding portion for housing the L-shaped connector portion can be provided in the frame body.

[0019] The Type-C cable can be housed so as to run along the inside of the peripheral edge of the frame of the first cover.

[0020] The external interface portion can be provided with a Type-C port capable of supplying power to the tablet terminal.

[0021] The frame body can cover the speaker portion provided on the side portion of the tablet terminal at the side portion of the frame body, and can be provided with a speaker hole for emitting the sound output from the speaker portion to the outside near the front edge portion of the frame body and in the vicinity of the speaker portion.

[0022] A holder for holding the pen-type input device can be provided on the upper edge portion of the frame body, and the holder can be provided with a protection portion for covering the pen tip so that the pen tip of the pen-type input device is not exposed to the outside.

[0023] The first cover includes a back plate portion that supports the back surface of the tablet terminal, a lower fixing portion fixed to the back plate portion, and an upper folding portion that is separable from the back plate portion and can be bent outward with the upper end of the lower fixing portion as a fulcrum. The back plate portion is provided with a window portion through which a part of the back side surface of the tablet terminal can be visually recognized when the upper folding portion is folded back, and the window portion can be configured to be covered with a transparent resin.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] The case for a tablet terminal of the present invention has a first cover having a frame body for holding the tablet terminal, and is provided with a Type-C cable that is electrically connected to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, and a wiring board for connecting the Type-C cable and the flat cable is attached to the frame body.

[0025] In addition, the case for a tablet terminal according to the present invention has a second cover having a keyboard portion at the central portion of the housing, and is provided with an external interface portion connected to a flat cable, and a headphone jack is provided in this external interface portion.

[0026] The connecting portion that connects the first cover and the second cover includes a first fabric that is continuous with the fabric covering the outside of the first cover and the second cover, and a second fabric that covers the surface opposite to the first fabric and covers the surface on the side where the keyboard portion is formed. The flat cable is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first fabric and the second fabric.

[0027] A user using the case for a tablet terminal according to the present invention sets the tablet terminal in the opening of the first cover and connects the connector of the Type-C cable disposed at the peripheral edge of the first cover to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal. As a result, the Type-C cable, the wiring board attached to the frame of the first cover, the flat cable arranged so as to cross the connecting portion, and the headphone jack of the external interface portion arranged in the housing of the second cover are all in an electrically connected state.

[0028] Therefore, when a plug of a wired headphone is inserted into the headphone jack of the case for a tablet terminal, the user can listen to the audio output from the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal with the wired headphone.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0031] This embodiment is a case 1 for a tablet terminal assumed to be used in classes at elementary and junior high schools. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the case 1 for a tablet terminal includes a first cover 2 in which a tablet terminal 50 is housed, and a second cover 3 having a keyboard section 12, which are connected via a connecting section 4 to form an integrated case. The first cover 2 has an opening 2a for exposing the display 51 of the tablet terminal 50, and the tablet terminal 50 can be housed in the frame body 5.

[0032] In this specification, when generally referring to the entire state in which the tablet terminal 50 is mounted on the case 1 for a tablet terminal, it is referred to as an electronic device 100. Hereinafter, before explaining the configuration of the case 1 for a tablet terminal in detail, first, the structure of the tablet terminal 50 will be explained.

[0033] (Structure of Tablet Terminal 50) Specifically, the tablet terminal 50 is the 10th generation iPad (registered trademark). For this reason, the tablet terminal 50 does not have a headphone jack.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, the tablet terminal 50 is rectangular in plan view and has rounded corners. The outer shape of the tablet terminal 50 is a flat plate shape. In the tablet terminal 50, a display 51 is mounted on the surface. The display 51 is an LED backlight type display. The display 51 corresponds to the display surface of the tablet terminal 50.

[0035] In the activated state, a number of icons are displayed on the display 51. When the user touches an icon with a finger, the application associated with the icon is launched. Various buttons and connectors are provided on the outer peripheral portion 52 which is the side surface of the tablet terminal 50, the peripheral edge of the front surface where the display 51 is arranged, and the peripheral edge of the back surface of the tablet terminal 50.

[0036] The outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50 has a USB Type-C port 53, a speaker 54, a tablet terminal 55, a top button 56, and a volume button 59. The speakers 54 are provided in two locations each at positions near the upper part and the lower part of the left and right sides when the tablet terminal 50 is placed in a landscape orientation. When the tablet terminal 50 is placed in a landscape orientation, the speakers 54 are positioned on the left and right to form a stereo speaker. The tablet terminal 55 is specifically a Smart Connector (registered trademark). The top button 56 is a button for releasing the tablet terminal 50 from the sleep state or returning it to the sleep state. Also, by long-pressing the top button 56, the power of the tablet terminal 50 is turned on / off.

[0037] The USB Type-C port 53 and the speaker 54 are arranged on the right side 50b of the four sides of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50. The top button 56 is arranged on the left side 50d of the four sides of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50. The tablet terminal 55 is arranged on the lower side 50a of the four sides of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50. The lower side 50a is the side portion located at the lower end of the tablet terminal 50 when the tablet terminal 50 is in an upright state, and the tablet terminal 55 is exposed on the lower side 50a. The volume button 59 is arranged on the upper side 50c of the four sides of the outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal 50.

[0038] The peripheral edge of the front surface of the tablet terminal 50 has a front camera 57 and a front microphone 60. The front camera 57 and the front microphone 60 are arranged side by side at the center of the upper edge adjacent to the upper side 50c, specifically, at the peripheral edge of the surface where the display 51 is present.

[0039] The peripheral edge of the back surface of the tablet terminal 50 has a back camera 58 and a back microphone 61. The back camera 58 is arranged at the corner of the surface where the display 51 is not present, specifically, at the corner adjacent to the left side 50d and the upper side 50c. The back microphone 61 is arranged in the vicinity of the back camera 58.

[0040] The tablet terminal 50 having the above structure is mounted on the frame 5 of the first cover 2 of the tablet terminal case 1 to constitute the electronic device 100.

[0041] (Main configuration of the first cover 2) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first cover 2 has a frame 5, a Type-C cable 6, and a wiring board 8 connected to a flat cable 7.

[0042] The frame 5 covers the outer peripheral portion 52 which is the side surface of the tablet terminal 50 and holds the tablet terminal 50. The frame 5 is connected to the outer edge portion of the back cover 22. The frame 5 is composed of a right horizontal frame portion 13a, a left horizontal frame portion 13b, an upper frame portion 14a, and a lower frame portion 14b, and each frame portion faces the four sides of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50 respectively.

[0043] Since the frame 5 is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer), it has both the flexibility of rubber and the strength of plastic. Since the frame 5 is elastically deformable, the attachment and detachment of the tablet terminal 50 are easy. The frame 5 can firmly hold the tablet terminal 50 and protect the periphery of the tablet terminal 50. Although the frame 5 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, other elastomers may be used.

[0044] The first cover 2 includes a Type-C cable 6 that is electrically connected to the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50.

[0045] The right horizontal frame portion 13a of the frame 5 contacts the right side 50b of the tablet terminal 50 and covers the right side 50b. The inner peripheral surface of the right horizontal frame portion 13a is in the shape of a concave curved surface extending in the extending direction of the right side 50b. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the right horizontal frame portion 13a has a connector hole 15 and a cable insertion hole 16. The cable insertion hole 16 is provided in the vicinity of the connector hole 15.

[0046] The connector hole 15 penetrates the right horizontal frame portion 13a in the direction of its thickness and is in the shape of a long hole extending in the extending direction of the right horizontal frame portion 13a. The connector hole 15 is a hole for exposing the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50. The cable insertion hole 16 is circular and penetrates the right horizontal frame portion 13a in the direction of its thickness. The cable insertion hole 16 is a hole for allowing the cable portion of the Type-C cable 6 to pass through. The connector hole 15 and the cable insertion hole 16 are arranged to face the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the Type-C cable 6 is housed along the inner side of the peripheral edge portion 5b of the frame body 5. Since most of the Type-C cable 6 is hidden inside the frame body 5, the Type-C cable 6 is not conspicuous in appearance.

[0048] Although most of the Type-C cable 6 is hidden inside the frame body 5, only the vicinity of the connector 6a and the L-shaped connector portion 6b is exposed outside the frame body 5. Thus, with the tablet terminal 50 still attached to the first cover 2, the L-shaped connector portion 6b can be grasped with a finger to insert or extract the connector 6a into / from the USB Type-C port 53. FIG. 3 shows a state where the L-shaped connector portion 6b is extracted.

[0049] Since sufficient strength is obtained for the peripheral edge portion 5b of the frame body 5, housing it along the inner side of the peripheral edge portion 5b of the frame body 5 is also suitable from the viewpoint of protecting the Type-C cable 6. Specifically, the Type-C cable 6 is housed in the peripheral edge portion 5b including the corner portion of the frame body 5.

[0050] The Type-C cable 6 includes an L-shaped connector portion 6b in which the connector 6a extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the cable 6 extends. Thereby, when the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 is inserted into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, the Type-C cable 6 does not bulge outward, and can be wired along the frame body 5. Since the tablet terminal case 1 has a structure in which the Type-C cable 6 is not visible in appearance, an electronic device 100 with a neat and smart design can be provided.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the frame body 5 is provided with an enclosure portion 5a for accommodating the L-shaped connector portion 6b of the Type-C cable 6. The enclosure portion 5a is a wall surrounding the periphery of the L-shaped connector portion 6b, and a part of the wall is cut out in consideration of the convenience of pinching with a finger when attaching and detaching the L-shaped connector portion 6b.

[0052] When the connector 6a is inserted into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, the L-shaped connector portion 6b is surrounded by the wall of the enclosure portion 5a. Also, since the thickness of the L-shaped connector portion 6b and the thickness of the enclosure portion 5a are about the same, the L-shaped connector portion 6b does not protrude. Thereby, when using the electronic device 100 by inserting the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, accidents such as a student hooking a hand or the like on the L-shaped connector portion 6b and the connector 6a coming off, or an accident in which the electronic device 100 falls from the desk due to being hooked are prevented. Also, an unreasonable force is prevented from being applied to the connector 6a, which could cause a failure.

[0053] The left horizontal frame portion 13b of the frame body 5 contacts and covers the left side 50d of the tablet terminal 50. The inner peripheral surface of the left horizontal frame portion 13b is in the shape of a concave curved surface extending in the extending direction of the left side 50d. The left horizontal frame portion 13b has a top button hole 18. The top button hole 18 is arranged to face the top button 56 of the tablet terminal 50.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5(a), the first cover 2 is attached to the frame body 5 and includes a wiring board 8 that connects the Type-C cable 6 and the flat cable 7. Specifically, the flat cable 7 is a flexible printed circuit board 7a.

[0055] The flexible printed circuit board 7a, also called FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), is a foldable printed circuit board with a structure in which a row of conductors 7ab is arranged between two thin insulating films 7aa via an adhesive 7ac, as shown in FIG. 5(b). The insulating film 7aa is, for example, a polyimide-based plastic film. Specifically, the material of the conductor 7ab is copper foil. The adhesive 7ac is, for example, an epoxy-based adhesive.

[0056] The flat cable 7 crosses the connecting portion 4 inside the connecting portion 4 that connects the first cover 2 and the second cover 3. The flat cable 4 passes through the inside of the connecting portion 4 and is arranged to cross the connecting portion 4. Although it is also possible to use, for example, FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) as the flat cable 7, using the flexible printed circuit board 7a has the advantage of excellent flexibility and bending resistance. The folding operations of the first cover 2 and the second cover 3 are repeated daily, but if the flexible printed circuit board 7a is used, it can sufficiently withstand sliding and bending under a narrow space.

[0057] The wiring board 8 is arranged near the lower frame portion 14b of the frame body 5. The other end side 6c, opposite to the end side where the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 is provided, is connected to the wiring board 8. Also, the flexible printed circuit board 7a is connected to the wiring board 8. The wiring board 8 is a board that transfers data signals between the Type-C cable 6 and the flexible printed circuit board 7a.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the first cover 2 includes a back plate 21 and a back cover 22. A window portion 21a is provided in the back plate 21.

[0059] The backplane 21 uses a PC material (polycarbonate). The backplane 21 protects the back of the tablet terminal 50. Since the backplane 21 is made of polycarbonate, it has excellent impact resistance. The back cover 22 is made of PU (polyurethane). The back cover 22 has a texture like that of skin and a texture similar to natural leather. The back cover 22 uses a polyurethane fabric with as large a static friction coefficient as possible in order to be difficult to get dirty and reduce the risk of slipping off the table.

[0060] (Main configuration of the second cover 3) The second cover 3 includes a housing 11, a keyboard unit 12, and an external interface 9 connected to a flat cable 7.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second cover 3 can open and close the opening 2a of the first cover 2. The second cover 3 includes a housing 11 and a keyboard unit 12 attached to the housing 11 and formed at the central portion of the second cover 3.

[0062] The housing 11 is box-shaped and has a storage space inside. The housing 11 is made of ABS resin, but other plastics may also be used. The outer shape of the housing 11 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. Four rubber feet 11a for stabilizing the electronic device 100 when placed on a table or the like are attached to the corner portions on the back side of the housing 11.

[0063] The keyboard unit 12 is arranged in the dish portion of the second cover 3. The keyboard unit 12 has a plurality of keys and a backplate. The plurality of keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. The backplate is arranged inside the housing 11 of the keyboard unit 12 and supports the plurality of keys.

[0064] The keyboard unit 12 receives power supply from the USB tablet terminal 50 via a USB Type-C port 53.

[0065] The second cover 3 is attached to the housing 11 and has an external interface portion 9 connected to the flat cable 7. The external interface portion 9 is a substrate on which terminals and ports for connecting to external devices are mounted.

[0066] The tablet terminal case 1 includes a connecting portion 4 that connects the first cover 2 and the second cover 3. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 8, the connecting portion 4 has a first fabric 4a that forms a surface on the back side (the right side of the paper in FIG. 8) of the tablet terminal case 1, and a second fabric 4b that forms a surface on the side opposite to the first fabric 4a (the left side of the paper in FIG. 8). The flat cable 7 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 4.

[0067] The external interface portion 9 includes a headphone jack 9a. Users such as students who use the tablet terminal case 50 set the tablet terminal 50 in the opening 2a of the first cover and insert and connect the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50.

[0068] At this time, the electronic device 10 includes the Type-C cable 6, the wiring board 8 attached to the frame 5 of the first cover 2, the flat cable 7 disposed so as to cross the connecting portion 4, the flat cable 7, and the external interface portion 9 attached to the housing 11 of the second cover, all of which are in an electrically connected state.

[0069] Therefore, when a plug of a wired headphone is inserted into the headphone jack 9a of the external interface portion 9, the user can listen to the audio output from the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50 with the wired headphone.

[0070] By using the case 1 for the tablet terminal, even if the tablet terminal 50 is the 10th generation iPad (registered trademark) without a headphone jack on its main body, students can listen to English listening etc. using a wired headphone without using a conversion adapter.

[0071] (Other configurations) In addition to the above, the case 1 for the tablet terminal has the following configurations 1) to 6) suitable for use in primary and secondary school education.

[0072] 1): As shown in Fig. 2, the external interface part 9 provided on the second cover 3 also has a Type-C port 9b capable of supplying power to the tablet terminal 50. When the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 is inserted into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, the Type-C port 9b of the external interface part 9 becomes available. Therefore, when the user inserts a charging cable into the Type-C port 9b, the tablet terminal 50 can be charged.

[0073] If the Type-C port 9b is not provided, every time the charging of the tablet terminal 50 runs out, the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 needs to be pulled out from the tablet terminal 50, a charging cable needs to be inserted into the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50 main body for power supply, and when it is fully charged, the charging cable needs to be pulled out again and the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 needs to be inserted into the USB Type-C port 53.

[0074] When the user is a primary or secondary school student, since the handling of the device becomes messy, the more the number of insertions and extractions of the Type-C cable 6 increases, the higher the probability that either or both of the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50 main body and the Type-C cable 6 will be damaged. Therefore, it is preferable to parallelly provide the Type-C port 9b in the external interface part 9 on the first cover 2. This can reduce the opportunity to insert and extract the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6.

[0075] 2): As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a reinforcing member 4c capable of increasing the tearing strength of the connecting portion 4 is attached between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b of the connecting portion 4. The reinforcing member 4c is made of, for example, nylon. As shown in FIG. 7, the external shape of the reinforcing member 4 is a horizontally long rectangular shape and has a length in the left-right direction similar to that of the connecting portion 4. Mounting holes 4ca and 4cb are provided at both upper and lower ends of the reinforcing member 4c, and each end of the first cover 2 and the second cover 3 is fixed to the mounting holes 4ca and 4cb by screwing.

[0076] Inside the connecting portion 4, as shown in FIG. 8(b), in order from the back side of the case 1 for the tablet terminal, the first fabric 4a, the flat cable 7 (flexible printed circuit board 7a), the reinforcing member 4c, and the second fabric are arranged. The reinforcing member 4c is sandwiched between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b and is not visible from the outside. The reinforcing member 4c can significantly improve the tearing strength of the connecting portion 4.

[0077] When the user is a primary or junior high school student, since the handling of the device becomes rough, there is a possibility that a tearing force is applied to the connecting portion 4 located between the first cover 2 and the second cover 3. By providing the reinforcing member 4c, damage to the connecting portion 4 can be suppressed. Also, when a tearing force is applied to the connecting portion 4, there is also a possibility that the flat cable 7 arranged inside it is damaged. By providing the reinforcing member 4c to increase the strength of the connecting portion 4, damage to the flat cable 7 can also be prevented.

[0078] 3): The frame body 5 covers the speaker 54 provided on the side portion of the tablet terminal 50 with the side portion 5c of the frame body 5 (see FIG. 9), and a speaker hole 17 for emitting the sound output from the speaker 54 to the outside is provided at the front edge portion 5d of the frame body 5 in the vicinity of the speaker 54 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0079] As a result, the speaker 54 of the tablet terminal 50 is covered by the frame body 5, and it is possible to prevent dust and water from entering the speaker 54. On the other hand, since the speaker hole 17 is provided in the vicinity of the speaker 54 at a position rotated 90 degrees, the user using the tablet terminal 50 can hear the same sound as usual.

[0080] 4): As shown in FIG. 9, a holder 19 for holding the pen-type input device 40 is provided on the upper edge portion 5e of the frame body 5. The holder 19 includes a protection portion 19a that covers the pen tip so that the pen tip of the pen-type input device 40 is not exposed to the outside. Thus, when a student stores the pen of the pen-type input device in the holder 19, the pen tip is covered by the protection portion 19a, so that the pen tip is not exposed to the outside, and it is possible to prevent the student from being injured by the pen tip.

[0081] The upper edge portion 5e of the frame body 5 where the holder 19 is provided is the upper surface of the upper frame portion 14a of the frame body 5. The upper frame portion 14a contacts the upper side 50c of the tablet terminal 50 and covers the upper side 50c. The upper frame portion 14a has a notch 20 for the volume button. The notch 20 for the volume button is arranged to face the volume button 59 of the tablet terminal 50.

[0082] 5): As shown in FIG. 9, the first cover 2 includes a back plate portion 21 that supports the back surface of the tablet terminal 50, a lower fixing portion 24 fixed to the back plate portion 21, and an upper folding portion 23 that is separable from the back plate portion 21 and can be bent outward with the upper end 24c of the lower fixing portion 24 as a fulcrum. The back cover 22 is composed of the upper folding portion 23 and the lower fixing portion 24. The back cover 22 is in the shape of a rectangular plate, specifically, a rectangular plate.

[0083] The back plate portion 21 is provided with a window portion 21a through which a part of the back side surface of the tablet terminal 50 can be seen when the upper folding portion 23 is folded back. The window portion 21a is covered with a transparent resin 21b. The resin 21b constituting the window portion 21a is a transparent polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a resin that provides high transparency and excellent impact resistance.

[0084] Accordingly, in primary and secondary schools, etc., a sticker with a management number is often attached to the back surface of the tablet terminal 50, but the management number can be confirmed while the tablet terminal 50 is mounted in the first case 2.

[0085] The back plate portion 21 has a rear camera hole 28. The rear camera hole 28 is an oval hole that penetrates the back plate portion 21 in its thickness direction. Also, the upper folded-back portion 23 also has a rear camera hole 29. The rear camera hole 29 is an oval hole that penetrates the upper folded-back portion 23 in its thickness direction. The shapes and sizes of the rear camera holes 28 and 29 are the same, and both are arranged to face the rear camera 58 of the tablet terminal 50. Since the rear camera holes 28 and 29 are oval, not only the rear camera 58 but also the rear microphone 61 existing in the vicinity of the rear camera 58 can be exposed.

[0086] The case 1 for a tablet terminal includes a locking tab 25 attached to the upper end side of the first cover 2. A magnet is attached to the locking tab 25 as a locking means, and as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the electronic device 100 is in a stored state, it adheres to a magnet attached to a second cover 3 (not shown) to maintain the stored state of the electronic device 100.

[0087] The locking tab 25 is also used when the electronic device 100 is in an upright state during use, as described below.

[0088] 6): As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper folded-back portion 23 is separated from the back plate portion 21, the case 1 for a tablet terminal includes a stand portion 26 that can be bent toward the back plate portion 21 with the first folding line 23a provided on the upper folded-back portion 23 and the second folding line 24a provided on the lower fixing portion 24 as fulcrums, respectively. Cuts 26a and 26b are provided at both left and right ends of the stand portion 26 in the vertical direction. The stand portion 26 is composed of a first piece 23b and a second piece 24b, and can be bent at the boundary between the first piece 23b and the second piece 24b. A magnet capable of surface adhesion with the locking tab 25 is provided on the second piece 24b.

[0089] Thus, when using the tablet terminal 50, by adhering the locking tab 25 and the second piece 24b of the stand portion 26, as shown in FIG. 10, the triangular structure 27 formed by the upper folding portion 23 and the first piece 23b, the second piece 24b and the locking tab 25, and the lower fixing portion 24 is maintained, and the tablet terminal 50 attached to the first cover 2 is held in an upright posture. Note that the locking means provided on the locking tab 25 and the second piece 24b may be a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0090] According to the tablet terminal case 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the user connects the connector 6a of the Type-C cable 6 to the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, the Type-C cable 6, the wiring board 7, the wiring board 7 and the flat cable 8, and the earphone jack 9a of the external interface portion 9 are electrically connected.

[0091] Therefore, when a plug of a wired earphone is inserted into the earphone jack 9a of the tablet terminal case 1, the user can listen to the sound output from the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50 with the wired earphone.

[0092] According to the present embodiment, in addition to the tablet terminal 50 being housed in the first cover 2 and being protected from impacts during dropping, etc., even when the electronic device 100 is used for educational purposes in primary and middle schools, etc., due to the addition of the above-described fine configuration, damage to the tablet terminal 50 and the tablet terminal case 1 is suppressed.

[0093] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and the embodiments may be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea described in each claim.

[0094] That is, the description of the embodiments described above is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be adopted in various ways. In particular, unless there is a description to the contrary in this specification, the present invention is not limited to the shape, size, configuration, etc. of the components shown in the attached drawings.

[0095] Also, within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, the respective configurations described in the above-described embodiments may be combined, and addition, omission, and substitution with other configurations are possible.

[0096] For example, although the configuration of providing the window portion 21a in the back plate portion 21 has been described, the size of the window portion 21a is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 or the like, and a window portion 21a having a smaller size may also be used. Further, the shape of the window portion 21a is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be, for example, an oval shape or the like.

[0097] Also, although the configuration of providing the nylon reinforcing member 4c between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b for the purpose of improving the strength of the connecting portion 4 has been described, a configuration in which both the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b are made of nylon and the reinforcing member 4c is not provided can also be adopted.

[0098] [Supplementary Note] The configurations of the embodiments and modification examples described above, including configurations other than those described in the claims, are appended below.

[0099] (Supplementary Note 1) A first cover 2 having an opening 2a for exposing the display surface 51 of the tablet terminal 50 and capable of housing the tablet terminal 50, A second cover 3 that can open and close the opening 2a of the first cover 2, A connecting portion 4 that connects the first cover 2 and the second cover 3, The first cover 2 A frame body 5 that covers the outer peripheral portion 52 of the tablet terminal 50 and can hold the tablet terminal 50, A Type-C cable 6 that is electrically connected to the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, It has a wiring board 8 that is attached to the frame body 5 and connects the Type-C cable 6 and the flat cable 7. The second cover 3 has a housing 11, a keyboard section 12 that is attached to the housing 11 and is formed at the center of the second cover 3, an external interface section 9 that is attached to the housing 11 and is connected to the flat cable 7, and a headphone jack 9a provided in the external interface section 9. The flat cable 4 is arranged to pass through the inside of the connecting portion 4 and cross the connecting portion 4. The tablet terminal case 1.

[0100] (Appendix 2) The connecting portion 4 has a first fabric 4a that forms the back surface and a second fabric 4b that forms the surface opposite to the first fabric 4a. The flat cable 7 is arranged to be sandwiched between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b, and a reinforcing member 4c capable of increasing the tearing strength of the connecting portion 4 is attached between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1.

[0101] (Appendix 3) The flat cable 7 is a flexible printed circuit board 7a. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0102] (Appendix 4) The Type-C cable 6 is provided with an L-shaped connector portion 6b in which the connector 6a extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the cable 6 extends. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2, in which an enclosure portion 5a for housing the L-shaped connector portion 6b is provided in the frame body 5.

[0103] (Appendix 5) The Type-C cable 6 is housed so as to run along the inside of the peripheral edge portion 5b of the frame body 5. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 4.

[0104] (Appendix 6) The external interface unit 9 further includes a Type-C port 9b capable of supplying power to the tablet terminal 50. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0105] (Appendix 7) The frame body 5 covers the speaker 54 provided on the side portion of the tablet terminal 50 with the side portion 5c of the frame body 5, and a speaker hole 17 for emitting the sound output from the speaker 54 to the outside is provided near the speaker 54 at the front edge portion 5d of the frame body 5. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0106] (Appendix 8) A holder 19 for holding a pen-type input device is provided at the upper edge portion of the frame body 5. The holder 19 includes a protection portion 19a that covers the pen tip so that the pen tip of the pen-type input device is not exposed to the outside. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0107] (Appendix 9) The first cover 2 includes a back plate portion 21 that supports the back surface of the tablet terminal 50, a lower fixing portion 24 fixed to the back plate portion 21, and an upper folding portion 23 that is separable from the back plate portion 21 and can be bent outward with the upper end 24c of the lower fixing portion 24 as a fulcrum. The back plate portion 21 is provided with a window portion 21a through which a part of the back side surface of the tablet terminal 50 can be visually recognized when the upper folding portion 23 is folded back. A transparent polycarbonate is used for the window portion 21a. The tablet terminal case according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0108] (Appendix 10) The reinforcing member 4c is made of nylon. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 2.

[0109] (Appendix 11) The connecting part 4 has a first fabric 4a that forms the surface on the back side, and a second fabric 4b that forms the surface on the side opposite to the first fabric 4a. A flat cable 7 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b. The first fabric 4a and the second fabric 4b are both made of nylon, and the tablet terminal case 1 described in Supplementary Note 1.

[0110] (Supplementary Note 12) The first cover 2 includes a back plate portion 21 that supports the back of the tablet terminal 50, a lower fixing portion 24 fixed to the back plate portion 21, and an upper folding portion 23 that is separable from the back plate portion 21 and can be bent outward with the upper end 24c of the lower fixing portion 24 as a fulcrum. When the upper folding portion 23 is separated from the back plate portion 21, a stand portion 26 that can be bent toward the back plate portion 21 with the first folding line 23a provided on the upper folding portion 23 and the second folding line 24a provided on the lower fixing portion 24 as fulcrums respectively. The stand portion 26 consists of a first piece 23b and a second piece 24b having locking means. It can be bent at the boundary between the first piece 23b and the second piece 24b, and cutouts 26a and 26b are provided at both ends in the left - right direction in the up - down direction. By adhering a locking tab 25 having locking means attached to the upper end side of the first cover 2 and the second piece 24b, a triangular structure 27 formed by the upper folding portion 23 and the first piece 23b, the second piece 24b and the locking tab 25, and the lower fixing portion 24 is maintained, and the tablet terminal 50 attached to the first cover 2 is held in an upright posture. The tablet terminal case described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2.

[0111] (Supplementary Note 13) The locking means provided on the locking tab 25 and the second piece 24b is a magnet or a hook - and - loop fastener. The tablet terminal case described in Supplementary Note 12.

[0112] (Supplementary Note 14) The frame body 5 has a connector hole 15 for exposing the USB Type-C port 53 of the tablet terminal 50, and an insertion hole 16 provided near the connector hole 15 for passing the cable portion of the Type-C cable 6. The Type-C cable 6 has only the vicinity of the L-shaped connector portion 6b exposed outside the frame body 5. The tablet terminal case 1 according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0113] (Appendix 15) An electronic device 100 including the tablet terminal case 1 according to any one of Appendices 1 to 14 and a tablet terminal 50 housed in the first cover 2.

Industrial Applicability

[0114] The present invention has been developed assuming use in educational applications such as schools and cram schools, but the applications are not limited, and it can be widely and generally used as a case with a keyboard that covers a tablet terminal. For example, it can also be used in various commercial facilities such as showrooms and office receptions.

Explanation of Signs

[0115] 1 Tablet terminal case 2 First cover 2a Opening 3 Second cover 4 Connecting part 4a First fabric 4b Second fabric 4c Reinforcing member 5 Frame body 5a Enclosing part 5b Peripheral part 5c Side part 5d Front edge part 5e Upper edge part 6 Type-C cable 6a Connector 6b L-shaped connector part 7 Flat cable 7a Flexible printed circuit board 8 Wiring board 9 External interface part 9a Earphone Jack 9b Type-C Port 11 Housing 12 Keyboard Section 19 Holder 19a Protection Section 21 Back Panel Section 21a Window Section 21b Transparent Resin 22 Back Cover 23 Upper Folding Section 24 Lower Fixing Section 40 Pen-Type Input Device 50 Tablet Terminal 51 Display 52 Outer Periphery Section 53 USB Type-C Port 100 Electronic Device

Claims

1. A first cover having an opening for exposing the display surface of the tablet terminal and capable of housing the tablet terminal, A second cover that can open and close the opening of the first cover, A connecting portion that connects the first cover and the second cover, and The first cover A frame that covers the outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal and can hold the tablet terminal, A Type-C cable electrically connected to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, A wiring board attached to the frame and connecting the Type-C cable and the flat cable, and The second cover A housing, A keyboard portion formed at the center of the second cover and attached to the housing, An external interface portion attached to the housing and connected to the flat cable, A headphone jack provided in the external interface portion, and The flat cable is arranged to pass through the inside of the connecting portion and cross the connecting portion, The Type-C cable includes an L-shaped connector portion in which the connector extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the cable extends, and a surrounding portion for housing the L-shaped connector portion is provided in the frame. A case for a tablet terminal.

2. The Type-C cable is housed along the inside of the peripheral edge of the frame. The case for a tablet terminal according to Claim 1.

3. A first cover having an opening for exposing the display surface of the tablet terminal and capable of housing the tablet terminal, A second cover that can open and close the opening of the first cover, A connecting portion that connects the first cover and the second cover, and The first cover A frame that covers the outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal and can hold the tablet terminal, A Type-C cable electrically connected to the USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, A wiring board attached to the frame and connecting the Type-C cable and the flat cable, and The second cover A housing, A keyboard portion formed at the center of the second cover and attached to the housing, An external interface portion attached to the housing and connected to the flat cable, A headphone jack provided in the external interface portion, and The flat cable is disposed to pass through the inside of the connecting portion and cross the connecting portion. The frame body covers a speaker portion provided on a side portion of the tablet terminal at a side portion of the frame body, and a speaker hole for emitting sound output from the speaker portion to the outside is provided near the front edge portion of the frame body and in the vicinity of the speaker portion. A case for a tablet terminal.

4. A first cover having an opening for exposing a display surface of a tablet terminal and capable of accommodating the tablet terminal, A second cover that can open and close the opening of the first cover, A connecting portion that connects the first cover and the second cover, The first cover, A frame body that covers an outer peripheral portion of the tablet terminal and can hold the tablet terminal, A Type-C cable electrically connected to a USB Type-C port of the tablet terminal, A wiring board attached to the frame body and connecting the Type-C cable and the flat cable, The second cover, A housing, A keyboard portion formed at a central portion of the second cover and attached to the housing, An external interface portion attached to the housing and connected to the flat cable, An earphone jack provided in the external interface portion, The flat cable is disposed to pass through the inside of the connecting portion and cross the connecting portion. The first cover has a back plate portion that supports the back surface of the tablet terminal, A lower fixing portion fixed to the back plate portion, and an upper folding portion that is separable from the back plate portion and can be bent outward with the upper end of the lower fixing portion as a fulcrum, The back plate portion is provided with a window portion through which a part of the back side surface of the tablet terminal can be visually recognized when the upper folding portion is folded back, and a transparent resin is used for the window portion. A case for a tablet terminal.

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