Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02944713 2016-10-11
A PORTFOLIO CASE FOR USE WITH TABLET COMPUTER
The present invention relates generally to a portfolio case and finds
particular
utility with storage of tablet computers.
Tablet computers, together with similar devices such as smartphones, phablets,
game consoles, are increasing in popularity due to their versatility and
portability.
However, despite the ease with which such touch-screen devices may be operated
in
certain circumstances, there are situations in which a conventional desktop
computer
and/or laptop computer are preferred. For example, when tactile feedback
necessary
for touch-typing is required, where data input without obscuring the screen is
desired, or
where other functionality is required that goes beyond the physical features
of the tablet.
In such circumstances, particularly where a user is in a remote environment, a
user will
often carry with then a laptop computer in addition to a tablet, or may carry
various
peripheral devices, which may be cumbersome and/or poorly organised.
For example, these devices have a limited operational period on a single
charge
of their battery, and thus recharging is requited at frequent intervals. This
is often
achieved by connecting the mobile computer device to a supply of mains
electricity;
however, various power packs are also available on the market for storing
relatively large
quantities of energy.
These power packs may be connected to a mobile computer device to recharge
them after their internal battery power is depleted, or may be used to
maintain a mobile
computer device's battery at a predetermined level. The power pack, instead of
the
mobile computer device, may be charged by connecting it to mains electricity,
and the
mobile device may be charged from the power pack.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portfolio
case, comprising: a substantially rigid open-top box; a substantially rigid
lid, pivotally
coupled to the box by a hinge; a tablet retention mechanism located on an
inside surface
of the lid; wherein the hinge is configured to hold the lid in at least one
rotational
orientations relative to the box selected from a fully open position in which
the tablet is
operable by a user, and a partially open position, partway between the fully
open
position and a closed position in which operation of the tablet by a user is
substantially
inhibited; a fold-out keyboard pivotally attached to the box, the keyboard
configured to
be operably connectable to the tablet; and a power pack retained within the
box
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CA 02944713 2016-10-11
configured to supply power to the keyboard and the tablet. In this way, a
tablet
computer may achieve all the functionality of a laptop computer, while
retaining the
versatility of a tablet.
The portfolio case may be a briefcase and/or an attache case. The box may be
made from plastic material, metal, polycarbonate, fibre composite material, or
any other
suitable substantially rigid material. The lid may be made from the same,
similar or
different material to the box.
The tablet retention mechanism may comprise a plurality of straps, for
instance
2, 3 or 4 straps. The straps may be elasticated and/or resilient. The straps
may be
substantially transparent. For instance, the straps may comprise a transparent
plastics
material.
The hinge may comprise a friction hinge; that is, the hinge may resist pivotal
motion of the lid with respect to the box sufficient to maintain the lid in a
fixed position
relative to the box (i.e. the friction of the hinge balances the weight of the
lid and a
tablet retained on the lid). Optionally, the friction of the hinge may balance
the weight
of the box.
In alternative arrangements, the hinge may comprise a ratchet.
The keyboard may be movable between a first position in which it is retained
within the box and a second position in which it extends out of the box away
from the
lid. In particular, the keyboard and box may be sized such that in the second
position
the keyboard slopes from the open top of the box toward a surface onto which
the box
is placed. In this way, the keyboard may be usable at a desired angle for
comfort.
The case may further comprise at least one accessory component, such as a loud
speaker and/or connector, for example an audio jack, network socket, USB port,
or any
other suitable port, the and which may be configured to be operably
connectable to the
tablet.
Operable connection with the tablet may be by any suitable means such as by
wired connection and/or Bluetooth (RTM).
The case may further comprise a processor configured to control signals
between the tablet and the keyboard and/or the accessory component.
Supply of power to the tablet by the power pack may be by any suitable means
such as by wired connection and/or inductive link. For example, an induction
unit may
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be physically connected to an input port of the tablet, and the induction unit
may
receive power via induction from the power pack.
The power pack may be provided with a mains feed cable, such that the power-
pack may be recharged by connection to a mains power supply.
The case may comprise at least one power indicator, for instance a light (e.g.
an
LED light), on an exterior of the box and/or lid, and/or on an interior of the
box
and/or lid.
The case may further comprise at least one cable tidy, configured to retain at
least one of the wired connectors. The cable-tidy may be a winding, sleeve, or
other
suitable cable-tidy.
The case may further comprise a wireless communication device, for instance
able to communicate using Bluetooth (itTM), Near-Field Communication (NFC),
Ultra-
Wide Band (UWB), Wifi, and/or any other wireless communication technology,
which
may be configured to create and/or host a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
and/or a Personal Area Network (PAN).
The case may be configured such that the power pack, processor, wireless
communication device, and/or other electronic components are contained within
a
sealed portion of the case. In this way, accidental interaction with hardware
components is prevented.
The case may comprise a storage region accessible via the lid, in which may be
stored the fold-out keyboard and/or any other items that a user desires, such
as a stylus, =
stationary, notepad, etc.
The case may further comprise a pocket on a base of the box opposite the lid.
In particular, the pocket may comprise a recess in the base of the box and/or
a hinged
pocket lid. The pocket may be sized to receive a pad of A4 paper therein.
The case may be provided with carrying members, for example at least one
handle and/or at least one shoulder strap.
=
The case may comprise a closure, such as a lock, buckle, catch, zip closures,
hook and loop closure, flap, popper/press-stud, button and button-hole/loop
arrangement and/or any other form of closure. For instance the lid and/or
pocket lid
may be water resistant by being sealable with a zip closure.
The power pack may be conveniently stored in the same case as tablet and/or a
mobile computer device, while at the same time being both accessible for
transferring
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electrical power to the mobile computer device and in a manner that prevents
damage
to the mobile computer device due to contact with the power pack.
The case may comprise a substantially rigid shell. The shell may be a plastics
material, polycarbonate material, a composite material, or any other suitable
material.
The case may comprise a flexible textile and/or woven material. The case may
comprise layers of flexible textile and/or woven material over a shell layer.
In some embodiments, the power pack may be removably receivable in the case.
Alternatively, the power pack may be built-in to the case.
In some arrangements, a charging cable may be removably receivable in the
case.
Alternatively, the charging cable may be built-in to the case and/or the
passage.
=
The case may comprise a charging cable within the box. The charge cable may
be a USB cable. The case may comprise a plurality of charge cables for use
with a
corresponding variety of charge connections on a mobile computer device.
Alternatively or additionally, the charge cable may comprise a split cable
that is
configure to connect to a plurality of charge connections on a mobile computer
device.
The power pack may comprise a battery having substantially any suitable
charge,
for example a charge of between approximately 3000mAh and 20000mAh; in
particular
a charge of approximately 5000mAh, 7500mAh, 10,000mAh or 15000mAh. The power
pack may connect to the charge cable via a USB port.
'Operable' may mean substantial operation of a device to perform its primary
function. It is accepted that certain functions of most mobile computer
devices may be
permitted when inside a case (such as controlling volume while music is being
played by
the device); however, effective access a touch-screen of a mobile computer
device (i.e.
the primary user interface) requires a user to be able to view a substantial
part of the
screen. Similarly, 'substantially inhibited operation of the device includes
preventing a
user from being able to execute the device's primary function and/or being
unable to
effectively use the device's primary user interface. The closed position may
include, for
instance, a position in which the mobile computer device cannot be viewed by a
user.
The securing mechanism may be a zip around at least a portion of a perimeter
of
the lid / enclosing wall (for instance, substantially along three sides of a
rectangular
enclosing wall); however, other forms of closing the case are also envisaged,
such as a
hook and loop closure, buttons, poppers/press-studs, etc. The zip may be
stitched on
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reversed, thereby hiding it from view. Nevertheless, the pull tag may be
located on the
outside of the zip.
The case may comprise a gusset between the retaining and enclosing walls such
that, it may be fold back on itself; that is, it can be folded from the closed
position by
more than 180 degrees, more than 270 degrees and/or substantially 360 degrees.
In this
way, the mobile computer device may be at the front, with the retaining and
enclosing
walls of the case behind it.
The power pack could be charged from mains electricity, a car battery, solar
panels and/or any other suitable power supply via the power cable.
The case may further comprise at least one loudspeaker embedded in at least
one of the retaining or enclosing walls, the at least one loudspeaker for
connection to
the mobile computer device therein.
The case may further comprise an audio cable for connection to an audio-out
socket of the mobile computer device. The audio cable may pass through a
further
passage in the case between the loudspeaker and the first pocket.
The speaker(s) may be passive speakers (i.e. driven by the jack output power)
or
active speakers (i.e. connected to and powered by the power pack). The
speakers may
be built into the enclosing wall and/or the retaining wall, and may be
adjacent to the
hinge between the enclosing wall and/or the retaining wall.
The case may further comprise at least one cable tidy configured to receive a
free end of a cable therein. For instance, there may be one cable tidy for a
charging
cable, one cable tidy for an audio cable, and/or one cable tidy for a power
cable.
Alternatively, more than one cable may be received within the or each cable
tidy. The
cable tidy may be in the form of a textile material tube, which may be
flexible and/or
stretchable. Alternatively or additionally, the cable tidy may comprise a
strip of elastic.
The cable tidy may be adjacent to the passage and/or passages.
The retaining mechanism may be any arrangement of components for holding a
mobile computer device against the retaining wall, such as clamps and/or
clips. The
retaining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps. There may be two, four or
eight
straps. In particular, there may be one set of two straps, one set of four
straps, two sets
of two straps or two sets of four straps. Each set of straps may be configured
for use
with a different size of mobile computer device. For instance, a first set of
straps may
be configured to hold a tablet computer having a diagonal size of
approximately 13cm,
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18cm, 20cm or 25cm, the second set of straps may be configured to hold a
tablet
computer having a diagonal size of approximately 28cm, 20cm, 25cm or 34cm.
Each
Set of straps may be configured to hold a range of sized of mobile computer
device, for
instance over a range of between lcm to 3cm, in particular 2cm.
The straps may be configured to pass around the corners of a mobile computer
device, or around the edge of a mobile computer device, located in the case.
The straps may be elasticated. In this way, the straps may stretch around the
corners and/or edges of a mobile computer device therein, to hold it in place.
The straps may be substantially transparent. For instance, the straps may be
clear silicone bands, which may be mounted to a polypropylene sheet that may
be sewn
between textile layers on the retaining wall. In alternative embodiments, the
straps may
be made of elasticated webbing and/or other elasticated bands.
The case may be provided with a strap, which may be releasably attached. In
particular, the strap may be configured to hook onto metal loops and/or
eyes/eyelets on
the case. The metal loops may be stitched into a seam on the case. The straps
may
hook onto the metal loops using a clip, which may be made from a plastics
material
and/or metal. The strap may be adjustable in length. The strap may be a
shoulder
strap. The strap may have a padded section. In alternative embodiments, sewn
material
holes could be used instead of metal eyelets at the attachment points for the
strap.
The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of
example, the
principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example
only,
= without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted
below refer to
the attached drawings.
Figure 1 is perspective view of a case according to the present invention,
shown
closed.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the case of figure 1, shown open.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the case of figure 1 with an optional
storage
compartment shown open.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a strap arrangement for holding a tablet computer.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the strap arrangement in figure 4, shown holding a
smaller tablet computer to that shown in figure 4.
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The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but
the
invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings
described are only
schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the
features of the
invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an
embodiment of
the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be
exaggerated
and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the
relative
dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the
invention.
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description
and in
the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not
necessarily for
describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any
other manner. It
is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate
circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described
or
illustrated herein.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description
and
the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for
describing relative
positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable
under
appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations
than
described or illustrated herein.
It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not
be
interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not
exclude other
elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of
the stated
features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude
the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or
components, or
groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A
and
B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It
means
that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of
the device
are A and B.
Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "connected", used in the
description,
should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only.
Thus, the
scope of the expression "a device A connected to a device B" should not be
limited to
devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an
input of
device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an
input of B
which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean
that
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two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or
that two or
more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-
operate or
interact with each other.
Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "an aspect"
means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in
connection with
the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of
the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in
an
embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification
are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to
different
embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures or
characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined
in any
suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary sldll in the art from
this
disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features
of the
invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or
description
thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the
understanding
of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure,
however, is
not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention
requires more
features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description
of any
individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an
embodiment
of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects
lie in fewer
than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims
following
the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed
description,
with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this
invention.
Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features
included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different
embodiments are
meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further
embodiments, as
will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following
claims, any
of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.
However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised
without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and
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techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an
understanding of
this description.
In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the
disclosure
of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a
parameter,
coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred
than the
other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value
of said
parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said
alternatives,
is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying
between said
less preferred value and said intermediate value.
The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.
The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed
description
of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is
clear that
other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons
skilled in
the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of
the
invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended
claims.
Figure 1 is perspective view of a case according to the present invention,
shown
closed. The case includes an open-top box 2 with a lid 4 that may be secured
closed
with a zipper 6. An optional adjustable strap 8 is provided for attachment to
the box 2
as shown via rings 10 permanently attached to the box 2. An T.PD light 12 is
located on
an exterior of the lid 4 for indicating a level of charge of a power pack
and/or a tablet
computer within the case. On a side of the box 2 is shown a TJSB socket 14 and
an
audio jack 16 suitable for connection of peripheral devices thereto.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the case of figure 1, shown with the lid 4
open
and a tablet computer 80 held on an interior surface of the lid 4 by straps
160. The
strap 8 has been detached from the rings 10, for clarity.
A fold-out keyboard 20 is provided hingably coupled to the box opposite the
lid
4 such that, when folded out (as shown) a user may manipulate the keys
thereon. When
the keyboard 20 is folded back, it is received within a recess 22 in the box
2. Also
provided within the box is a power pack 24, which may be visible or may be
covered by
an internal casing.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the case of figure 1 with an optional
storage
compartment 30 shown open. The storage compartment 30 is hingably openable at
the
same side of the box 2 as the lid 4, and may be provided with a guide and/or
stop 32 to
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limit the opening of the storage compartment lid 34 and/or to prevent
accidental loss of
items laterally from the storage compartment 30. The storage compartment 30
may also
be securable in a dosed position by means of a zip around a periphery of the
lid 34.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a strap arrangement for holding a tablet computer
80
on the retaining wall 90. This arrangement shows four straps 160 located at
respective
corners of the tablet BO, and passing diagonally thereover. The straps 160 are
secured to
an interior portion of the retaining wall, to improve the visual appearance of
the case.
In particular, the straps 160 pass through holes 170 in the exterior of the
retaining wall
90.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the strap arrangement in figure 4, shown holding a
= smaller tablet computer 85 to that shown in figure 4. In addition to the
straps 160 seen
in figure 4, figure 5 shows four additional straps 180, and their respective
holes 190, that
work in a similar manner to the straps 160. The straps 180 and holes 190 are
smaller
than the straps 160 and holes 170, and are located closer to the centre of the
retaining
wall 90 for holding the smaller tablet 85.
