Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The priority benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/693,566, filed July 3, 2018, is hereby claimed and the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to expandable devices that can be attached to portable electronic devices or cases for portable electronic devices and used as grips, stands, or for other purposes.

Background

[0003] Portable electronic devices, such as MP3 players and smart phones, are often housed in protective covers or cases in order to protect the device from damage, provide a grip for handling the device, and/or provide a stand for propping the device on a surface. Such cases increase the effective size of the device. Expandable devices and accessories, which may be attached directly to the device or to the case protecting the device, are used for a variety of functions, including propping the device on a surface and providing an expandable grip for handling the device. The expandable devices have decorative buttons, which may display logos, decals, symbols, or other artistic renderings.

Summary

[0004] In accordance with a first example aspect, an expandable device for a portable electronic device is described that includes a base and body portions pivotably coupled to the base at spaced radial positions. The body portions are movable between collapsed states generally extending along the base and expanded states projecting upwardly from the base.

[0005] According to some forms, the body portions can be integral with the base and connected to the base via folds. According to further forms, each of the body portions can be foldably coupled to adjacent ones of the body portions.

[0006] According to other forms, the body portions can be elongate strips. According to further forms, the body portions can be pivotably coupled to perimeter edges of the base and/or the strips can include curved outward facing edges providing grippable surfaces.

[0007] According to another form, each of the body portions can overlap an adjacent one of the body portions to provide a waist for gripping the expandable device. [0008] According to another form, the expandable device can further include a button coupled to tops of the body portions. In a further form, the expandable device can further include a frame that is coupled to the base, where the button is configured to releasably couple to the frame with the body portions in the collapsed states. In an alternative further form, the body portions can be resilient members that extend between the base and button and the resilient members can be biased to the expanded states. In this form, the button and base can include slot openings and the resilient members can include tabs that are configured to be mounted within the slot openings to couple the resilient members to the button and base and/or the button and base can be configured to releasably couple together to hold the resilient members in the collapsed states.

[0009] In accordance with a second example aspect, a method of operating an expandable device for a portable electronic device is described that includes moving body portions of the expandable device about pivot connections with a base of the expandable device from collapsed states to expanded states with the body portions projecting upwardly from the base and moving the body portions about the pivot connections from the expanded state to the collapsed state with the body portions generally extending along the base.

[0010] According to one form, moving the body portion of the expandable device can include moving body portions integral with the base.

[0011] According to another form, moving the body portions can include twisting a button coupled to tops of the body portions. In further forms, the method can include biasing the body portions to the expanded states with a biasing mechanism and, if desired, releasably coupling the button and base together to hold the body portions in the collapsed states.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the embodiments described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first example expandable device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure showing the device in an expanded configuration;

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the expandable device of Fig. 1 showing the device in a collapsed configuration; [0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second example expandable device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure showing the device in an expanded configuration;

[0016] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a third example expandable device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure showing the device in an expanded configuration;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the expandable device of Fig. 4 showing the device in a collapsed configuration; and

[0018] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the expandable device of Fig. 4 showing the device in a collapsed configuration.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Detailed Description

[0019] Expandable devices for portable electronic devices are provided that include a base and a body that is movable relative to the base between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The body includes movable body portions that are pivotably coupled to the base and that can be moved between collapsed states that generally extend along the base and expanded states projecting upwardly from the base. The expandable devices may further include a button coupled to the body.

[0020] A first embodiment of an expandable device 100 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The expandable device 100 includes a base 102 and a body 104 having a plurality of body portions 106 that are pivotably attached to the base 102. In this form, each body portion 106 is an elongate strip that is integrally attached to the base 102 via a fold 108. The body portions 106 are foldable to extend across the base 102 in the collapsed state (Fig. 2) and include interior and exterior side edges 1 10, 1 12. The interior edge 1 10 can be generally linear, while the exterior edge 1 12 can have an inwardly curved profile so that a distal end portion 1 14 of the strip 106 has an outwardly extending bulbous shape.

[0021] Each strip 106 pivotably couples to the base 102 along a perimeter 1 16 thereof giving the base 102 a closed polygon shape. In the illustrated form, the body 104 includes five strips 106 such that the base 102 has a pentagon shape. Of course, other numbers of strips 106 and base 102 shapes can be utilized.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the strips 106 are offset with respect to a center of the base 102 such that the interior edge 1 10 of each strip 106 passes along the center of the base 102. This positioning allows the strips 106 to sequentially be folded over the next adjacent strip 106 to give the body 104 a clockwise, as shown, or counter-clockwise overlapping configuration. With this configuration, the collapsed state of the strips 106 corresponds to the strips 106 extending generally along the base 102 which includes the slight angle of the strips 106 due to the overlapping configuration and the expanded state of the strips 106 with the strips 106 pivoted upwardly to an angle projecting away from the base 102. By one approach, the interior edges 1 10 of the strips 106 can advantageously engage one another to give the body 104 rigidity and guidance as the strips 106 are moved between the collapsed and expanded states.

[0023] With the curved exterior edges 1 12 of the strips 106, the body 104 has a waist 1 18 defined between the base 102 and the distal end portions 1 14. The waist 1 18 provides a grippable portion for a user to hold and retain the expandable device 100 to thereby

conveniently hold a portable device (not shown) attached to the expandable device 100, provide a stand for a portable electronic device, and other suitable functions.

[0024] If desired, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the expandable device 100 can include a generally planar button 120 coupled to the body 104. More specifically, the button 120 can include an exterior surface 122 opposite the body 104 and an interior surface 124 facing the body 104. The body portions 106 may be slidably received within tracks 126 provided on the interior surface 124, where the tracks 126 are shaped and configured to allow the distal ends 1 14 of the body portions 106 to slide between expanded states as shown in Fig. 1 and collapsed states as shown in Fig. 2. The body portions 106 can couple to the tracks 126 by any desired configuration. For example, members on the body portions 106 or tracks 126 can project into grooves or openings in the other. As shown, the tracks 126 can follow a chord or secant path across the button 120. [0025] A second embodiment of an expandable device 200 is shown in Fig. 3. The expandable device 200 includes a base 202 and a body 204 having a plurality of body portions 206 that are pivotably attached to the base 202. In this form, the body portions 206 are part of a folded assembly 208 that is integrally attached to the base 202 via folds 210. The folded assembly 208 is configured to twist, moving the body portions 206 between a collapsed configuration (not shown) and an expanded configuration as shown in Fig. 3.

[0026] The folded assembly 208 includes the body portions 206 and connecting portions 212 extending between the body portions 206. The body and connecting portions 206, 212 are connected together and movable with respect to one another via fold lines 214. The fold lines 214 are disposed in a generally spiral configuration, such that each of the body and connecting portions 206, 212 have triangular shapes, although top portions of the body portions 206 may be truncated, as described in more detail below. As shown, the folds 210 of the body portions 206 direct each of the body portions 206 to overlap an adjacent body portion 206 when the body 204 is moved to the collapsed configuration with the body portions 206 extending generally along the base 202.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the expandable device 200 can further include a generally planar button 216 coupled to the folded assembly 208 to be moved between a storage configuration and a use configuration. More specifically, the button 216 can be mounted to the body and/or connection portions 206, 212 by any suitable method, such as adhesive, ultrasonic welding, snap-fit, rotating coupling, etc. As shown, due to the configuration of the folding, the cross- sectional area of the folded assembly 208 decreases as the assembly 208 extends away from the base. So configured, the button 216 attaches to a smallest cross-sectional area of the folded assembly 208 creating a waist 218 for a user to grip and retain the expandable device 200, including when the expandable device 200 coupled to a portable electronic device (not shown).

[0028] The expandable device 200 can further include a frame 220 mounted around and/or coupled to the base 202. The frame 220 defines an interior opening 222 that can

advantageously be sized and shaped to selectively receive the button 216 therein. The button 216 can snap-fit to the frame 220 or can utilize other suitable coupling mechanisms. The frame 220 can also be utilized to couple the base 202 and body 204 to a portable electronic device, to a case for a portable electronic device, or be incorporated into a case for a portable electronic device. In the illustrated form, the frame opening 222 and button 216 have a square shape, but other shapes are within the scope of this disclosure. [0029] If desired, the expandable device 200 can include a biasing mechanism or member 224 that is configured to bias the body 204 to the expanded configuration. The biasing mechanism 224 would therefore hold the body 204 in the expanded configuration until a user moves the body 204 to the collapsed configuration and couples the button 216 to the frame 220. Thereafter, the user can then uncouple the button 216 from the frame 220 to expand the body 204. The biasing mechanism 224 can take any suitable form. In one example, the body 204 can be formed from a resilient or shape-retentive material to bias or have an undeformed shape corresponding to the expanded configuration. In another example, the expandable device 200 can include a spring or other biasing member mounted within the body 204 and disposed between the base 202 and the button 216.

[0030] A third embodiment of an expandable device 300 is shown in Figs. 4-6. The expandable device 300 includes a base 302, a button 316, and a body 304 extending between the base 302 and button 316 . The body 304 includes a plurality of body portions 306 that are pivotably attached to the base 302 and button 316. In this form, the body portions 306 are elongate members that have first ends 308 coupled to the base 302 and second ends 310 coupled to the button 316. Although the base and button 302, 316 are shown having circular shapes, other shapes are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0031] In the illustrated form, the body members 306 extend at an angle between the base 302 and button 316 and are radially spaced from a center thereof, such that the body 304 has a spiral configuration. As such, the body 304 can be moved between the collapsed configuration with the body members 306 extending generally along the base 302 and an expanded configuration with the body members 306 extending upwardly away from the base 302. While the body 304 is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations, the button 316 can rotate with respect to the base 302 as the second ends 310 of the body members 306 are moved towards or away from the base 302.

[0032] The body members 306 can couple to the base 302 and button 316 by any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated form, the body member 306 first and second ends 308, 310 each include a tab 318, 320 and the base 302 and button 316 can include corresponding slot openings 322, 324 sized to receive the respective tab 318, 320 therethrough. Of course other coupling methods, such as ultrasonic welding, snap-fit, adhesive, etc. can also be utilized.

[0033] By one approach, the expandable device 300 can include a biasing mechanism or member 326 that is configured to bias the body 304 to the expanded configuration. The biasing mechanism 326 would therefore hold the body 304 in the expanded configuration until a user moves the body 304 to the collapsed configuration. Pursuant to this, the base 302 and button 316 can be configured to releasably couple together using any suitable mechanism, such as snap-fit structure, latches, suction, and so forth. The user can then selectively couple and uncouple the button 316 from the base 302 to allow the body 204 to expand. The biasing mechanism 224 can take any suitable form. In one example, the body members 306 of the body 304 can be formed from a resilient or shape-retentive material to bias or have an undeformed shape corresponding to the expanded configuration. In another example, the expandable device 300 can include a spring or other biasing member mounted within the body 304 and disposed between the base 302 and the button 316.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.