OF A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Priority is claimed to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/694,653, filed July 6, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a grip accessory for a portable electronic device or case for a portable electronic device, and in particular, a moveable accessory for a portable electronic device or case for a portable electronic device.

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 devices have decorative buttons, which may display logos, decals, symbols, or other artistic renderings.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with a first exemplary aspect, an accessory for attaching a portable electronic device or a case for a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The accessory may include a platform having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side may be attachable to a surface of a portable electronic device or a case for a portable electronic device. A disk may have a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and the disk may be movable relative to the platform between a first position, in which the disk is axially aligned with the platform, and a second position, in which the disk is radially offset relative to the platform. The accessory may further include a connector operably connecting the platform and the disk.

[0005] In accordance with a second exemplary aspect, a protective case for a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The protective case may include a case body arranged to receive a portable electronic device on a first face and may include a second face opposite the first face. A platform may have a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and the first side may be coupled to the second face of the case body. The protective case may include a disk having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The disk may be movable relative to the platform between a first position, in which the disk is axially aligned with the platform, and a second position, in which the disk is radially offset relative to the platform.

Further, the protective case may include a connector operably connecting the platform and the disk.

[0006] In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing first and second aspects, an accessory and/or a protective case may further include any one or more of the following preferred forms.

[0007] In a preferred form, the second side of the platform may be shaped to receive the first side of the disk such that when the disk is in the first position, the disk sits in the second side of the platform.

[0008] In a preferred form, the second side of the disk may include an indentation.

[0009] In a preferred form, the second side of the platform may have a raised portion and a recessed portion, a circumference of the disk being level with the raised portion when the disk is in the first position.

[0010] In a preferred form, the connector may be a connector pin disposed between the platform and the disk, the connector pin slidable relative to the track.

[0011] In a preferred form, the first side of the disk may include a track having a first end and a second end. The track may slidably receive the connector pin so that when the disk moves relative to the platform, the connector pin slides between the first end and the second end of the track.

[0012] In a preferred form, the disk may be in the first position when the connector pin is adjacent to the first end of the track, and the disk may be in the second position when the connector pin is adjacent to the second end of the track.

[0013] In a preferred form, track may be arranged to permit movement of the connector pin between the first end of the track and the second end of the track.

[0014] In a preferred form, the track may extend partially across the first side of the disk.

[0015] In a preferred form, the disk may be slidable between the first position and the second position and may be rotatable relative to the platform in the second position. [0016] In a preferred form, the connector pin may provide a rotational axis such that the disk rotates about the rotational axis to move between the first position and the second position.

[0017] In a preferred form, the connector pin may be disposed offset from a central axis of the platform.

[0018] In a preferred form, the second side of the platform may include a concave surface to receive a convex surface of the first side of the disk

[0019] In a preferred form, a cavity may be defined between the second side of the platform and the first side of the disk when the disk is in the first position.

[0020] In a preferred form, the platform may be integrally formed with a case for a portable electronic device.

[0021] In a preferred form, the platform may be integrally formed with the second face of the case body.

[0022] In a preferred form, the disk may include a track formed in a side of the disk facing the platform. The track may slidably receive the connector and the disk may be configured to move such that the connector slides between a first end of the track and a second end of the track.

[0023] In a preferred form, the second side of the platform may be shaped to receive the first side of the disk such that when the disk is in the first position, a convex surface of the disk sits against a concave surface of the platform.

[0024] In a preferred form, the connector may provide a rotational axis such that the disk rotates about the rotational axis between the first position and the second position

[0025] In a preferred form, the connector may be disposed offset from a central axis of the platform.

[0026] In a preferred form, disk may rotate about an axis of the connector that is non-parallel to the central axis of the platform.

[0027] In a preferred form, the platform may provide a sloped portion surrounding the disk when the disk is in the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary electronic device and accessory constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, and showing the accessory in a first position; [0029] Fig. 2 is a different perspective view of the electronic device and accessory of Fig. 1 showing the accessory in a second position;

[0030] Fig. 3 is a side view of the electronic device and accessory of Fig. 1 , showing the accessory in the first position;

[0031] Fig. 4 is a side view of the electronic device and accessory of Fig. 1 , showing the accessory in the second position;

[0032] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in the first position;

[0033] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in the second position;

[0034] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in a third position;

[0035] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in the first position;

[0036] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in the second position;

[0037] Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary accessory and a protective case for an electronic device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, and showing the accessory in a first position;

[0038] Fig. 1 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the accessory and protective case of Fig.

10, and showing the accessory in a second position.

[0039] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a third exemplary accessory constructed in

accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, and showing the accessory in a first position;

[0040] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 12 in an intermediate position;

[0041] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the accessory of Fig. 12 in a second position;

[0042] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of Fig. 12 in the first position; and

[0043] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of Fig. 12 in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In Figs. 1 -4, a portable electronic device 10 with an attached first exemplary accessory 14 ( e.g ., a grip accessory) is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. The accessory 14 includes a platform 18 and a disk 20 operably coupled to the platform 18. The platform 18 has a first side 22 and a second side 26 opposite the first side 22, in which the first side 22 is adjacent to an exterior surface 30 of a portable electronic device 10 or case, and the second side 26 of the platform 18 faces away from the portable electronic device 10. The second side 26 of the platform 18 has a sloped portion 34 and a receiving area 38 recessed relative to, and surrounded by, the sloped portion 34. The sloped portion 34 surrounds a circumference of the disk 20 and provides a smooth transitioned area between the exterior surface 30 of the portable electronic device 10 or case and the disk 20. The disk 20 is movable relative to the platform 18 between a first position, in which the disk 20 sits in the recessed area 38 and is axially aligned with the platform 18 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and a second position, in which a portion 36 of the disk 20 is axially offset from the platform 18 relative to the first position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The receiving area 38 of the platform 18 is shaped (i.e., concave in this version) to permit the disk 20 to glide or slide between the first and second positions. In another example, the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 may be convex to slidably receive a concave surface of the disk 20. In the illustrated examples, the electronic device 10 is a smartphone, but may be any type of handheld electronic device or object.

[0045] In Figs. 1 -4, the accessory 14 is attached to the exterior surface 30 of the electronic device 10 or a case of an electronic device 10 by permanent or semi-permanent adhesive, suction, micro-suction, static, or other fastening mechanisms. The accessory 14 may be removed from the electronic device 10 and reattached, using the same adhesive layer on the platform 18, to an exterior surface 30 of a different mounting surface of an electronic device or case for an electronic device. The first side 22 of the platform 28 is relatively flat to attach to the flat exterior surface 30 of a portable electronic device 10 or a case. Flowever, in other examples, the first side 22 may be pliable so that the platform 18 flexes to conform to a non- planar exterior surface 30 of the portable electronic device 10 or case. In particular, the platform 18 is attached to a back surface 30 (opposite a front surface providing a LCD screen) and extends from the back surface 30 in a sloped, curved, or angular arrangement. For attachment to a case, the accessory 14 may be attached directly to a case or to the electronic device 10 before or after a case is attached to the electronic device 10.

[0046] The disk 20 is movably coupled to the stationary platform 18 such that the disk 20 may slide out and away from the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 while the platform 18 remains stationary relative to the exterior surface 30. In Fig. 3, the disk 20 and platform 18 are aligned with a central axis A of the platform 18 when the disk 20 is in the first position. When the disk 20 moves to the second position, as shown in Fig. 4, the disk 20 is no longer aligned with the central axis A and is rotatable relative to an axis B, which is non-parallel to the central axis A. The disk 20 includes a first side 42 and a second side 46 opposite the first side 42 that is adapted to receive an external pushing force from the user to move the disk 20 relative to the platform 18. The second side 46 may be curved ( e.g ., convex) so that the accessory 14 forms a dome adjacent the flat exterior surface 30 of the electronic device 10, as shown in Fig. 1 , or the second side 46A may have an indentation 50, as shown in Figs. 5-7, suitable to receive one or more fingers to move the disk 20 relative to the platform 18.

[0047] Generally, a user may move the accessory 14 that is attached to the electronic device 10 or case by engaging the disk 20 of the accessory 14 with the user’s thumb or other finger while holding the electronic device 10 in their hand. Generally, to move the disk 20, the user can slide the disk 20 out of the first position, shown in Fig. 5, in which the disk 20 is disposed in the recessed portion 38 and is axially aligned with the platform 18, to a second position, as shown in Fig. 6, in which the disk 20 is radially offset relative to the platform 18. In the second position, the portion 36 of the disk 20, that was previously adjacent the sloped portion 34 of the platform 18, is shown spaced away from the receiving surface 38 of the platform 18. Fig. 6 illustrates the disk 20 in the second position and at an end point of the linear travel in the T direction. While in the second position, the disk 20 can swivel or rotate about the axis of rotation B, which is non-parallel to the central axis A, into a third position shown in Fig. 7. The disk 20 is shaped for both sliding between first and second positions, and rotating about the B axis relative to the platform 18. In particular, the first side 42 of the disk 20 has a curved surface to permit the disk 20 to smoothly move across the concave surface 60 of the receiving area 38. The first side 42 of the disk 20 also includes a track 54, which guides the movement of the disk 20 relative to the platform 18 between the first position and the second position.

[0048] Turning to Figs. 8 and 9, the sliding movement of the disk 20 in a T direction between the first and second positions is made possible by the track 54 formed in the first side 42 of the disk 20. The disk 20 is slidably coupled relative to the platform 18 via a connector 58, which in this version is a pin that extends from the platform 18 and into the track 54 formed in the disk 20. The connector pin 58 includes a neck 64 and a flange 68, the neck 64 extends between the receiving surface 38 of the platform 18 and the flange 68 to connect the track 54 of the disk 20 to the platform 18. The track 54 may have a T-shaped cross-section to receive the flange 68 of the connector pin 58 while allowing the neck 64 of the pin 58 to slide easily within the track 54. For example, the flange 68 is disposed within an area 70 of the disk 20 adjacent to the track 54, and has a diameter larger than an opening made by the track 54 to prevent the connector pin 58 from sliding out of the track 54. When the flange 68 is disposed in the track 54, the disk 20 remains coupled to the platform 18. The neck 64 of the pin 58 is sized to slide within the opening made by the track 54 between a first end 74 and a second end 78 of the track 54. In other examples, the track 54 may have a different shape to correspond with a particular shape of the connector pin 58 such that the neck 64 of the connector pin 58 easily passes through the track 54 without the flange 68 of the connector pin 58 from passing through and out of the track 54.

[0049] In Fig. 8, the disk 20 is in the first position and the flange 68 of the pin 58 is disposed within the area 70 of the disk 20 and adjacent to the second end 78 of the track 54. The track 54 may be linear, or may be shaped to define a non-linear path in which the disk 20 may glide between the first and second positions. In Fig. 9, the disk 20 is in the second position and the flange 68 is adjacent the first end 74 of the track 20. In the second position, the disk 20 cannot move further in the T direction because the first end 74 of the track 54 abuts the flange 68 of the connector pin 58. Flowever, once the connector pin 58 abuts the second end 78 of the track 54, the disk 20 is rotatable about the axis B of the connector pin 58 or may slide along the track 54 back to the first position.

[0050] The connector pin 58 may be integrally formed with or attached to the second side 26 of the platform 18 such that the connector pin 58 extends from the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 to engage with the disk 20. The flange 68 may be disposed within the track 54 by snapping the flange 68 into the track 54 such that the flange 68 catches a portion of the disk 20 to prevent the flange 68 from sliding out of the track 54 once the disk 20 is coupled to the connector pin 58. The illustrated example provides a track 54 formed in an underside of the disk 20 and the connector pin 58 extends from the platform 18, however, in another example, the connector pin 58 may extend from the disk 20 to connect with a track 54 that is formed in the platform 18. In other examples, the connector pin 58 may couple the disk 20 and the platform 18 by other fastening mechanisms that keep the disk 20 and the platform 18 connected while permitting the disk 20 to move relative to the platform 18 along the track 54. The pin 58 is frictionally positioned in the track 54 to hold the position of the disk 20 in the first and second positions.

[0051] In the illustrated examples, the sloped portion 34 of the platform 18 creates a barrier for the disk 20 when the disk 20 is in the first position, and also creates a comfortable contact surface for the user. As a barrier, the sloped portion 34 has an outward curvature that smoothly transitions from the relatively flat mounting surface 30 of the electronic device 10 to a height of the disk 20. The concave portion 60 may be attached or formed together with the sloped portion 34 and is shaped to receive the curved surface of the first side 42 of the disk 20. As shown in Fig 8, the first side 42 of the disk 20 sits against the concave portion 60 of the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 such that the curvature of the disk 20 substantially corresponds to the curvature of the concave portion 60 of the platform 18. In this way, the platform 18 and the disk 20 fit together such that there are no catching edges or surfaces between the circumference of the disk 20 and the sloped portion 34 of the platform 18.

However, in other examples, there may be a notch or edge between the disk 20 and the platform 18 to facilitate movement or decoupling the disk 20 from the platform 18. In other examples, the sloped portion 34 may have a linear slope or an inward curving slope. The sloped portion 34 of the platform 18 and a concave portion 60 of the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 may be integrally formed to provide an integrated platform 18. In another example, the concave portion 60 of the receiving area 38 may be formed separately, and then

subsequently coupled to the platform 18 and within a cavity defined by the sloped portion 34 of the platform 18 such that the sloped 34 portion encircles the concave portion 60 of the receiving area 38. In other examples, the shape of the sloped portion 34 of the platform 18 may have a shape that is different from the receiving area 38. For example, the perimeter of the accessory 14 may be a diamond shape but the receiving area 38 of the platform 18 may be circular to receive a circular disk 20.

[0052] In Figs. 10 and 1 1 , a second exemplary accessory 1 14 and a case 1 10 for an electronic device is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. The second exemplary accessory 1 14 is similar to the first exemplary accessory 14 described above, thus for ease of reference and to the extent possible, the same or similar components of the second exemplary accessory 1 14 in Figs. 10 and 1 1 will retain the same reference numbers as outlined above with respect to the first exemplary accessory 14, although the reference numbers will be increased by 100. A description of many of these elements is abbreviated or even eliminated in the interest of brevity.

[0053] In this example, the accessory 1 14 is coupled to a protective case or cover 1 10 for a portable electronic device, but is operated in the same or similar manner as the first exemplary accessory 14. By comparison to the first exemplary accessoryl 4, a platform 1 18 is built into an exterior surface 130 of the case 1 10. The platform 1 18 is integrated with the case 1 10 such that a sloped portion 134 of the platform 1 18 forms at least part of the exterior surface 130 of the case 1 10. Through the exterior surface 130 of the case 1 10, a user may engage a disk 120 to move the disk 120 from a first position, as shown in Fig. 10, to a second position, as shown in Fig. 1 1. In the first position, the disk 120 sits within the exterior surface 130 of the case 1 10 such that a first side 142 of the disk 120 is adjacent to a receiving area 138 and a circumference of the disk 120 is surrounded by the sloped portion 134 of the platform 1 18. In the illustrated example, the receiving area 138 provides a cavity 172 such that the first side 142 of the disk 120 is spaced away from a concave portion 160 of the receiving area 138 of the platform 1 18. The cavity 172 is disposed within the platform 1 18 and beneath the disk 120 when the disk 120 is in the first position, and may be used as a compartment to store a small item, such as a vitamin, which may be accessed by moving the disk 120 to the second position. However, in another example, the first side 142 of the disk 120 sits against (i.e., flush) the concave portion 160 of the receiving area 138 of the platform 1 18. In yet another example, the accessory 1 14 may be formed separately from the case 1 10 and then subsequently positioned in an aperture for the case or attached to a surface of the case by welding, adhesive, friction-fit, fasteners, or other suitable mechanism.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1 , the sloped portion 134 provides a curved surface along a length L of the case 1 10 and in toward the receiving area 138. The sloped portion 134 gradually inclines from an outer perimeter of the case 1 10 to reach a height H at the disk 120. When disposed into a pocket, the sloped portion 134 effectively and gradually widens the opening of the pocket, or in other words, displaces the pocket outwardly, as the sloped exterior portion of the case 1 10 slides into the pocket. The sloped portion 134 may beneficially facilitate pocketing the case 1 10 and may reduce the likelihood that the accessory 1 14 gets caught on the pocket.

[0055] The accessory 1 14 may be limited to movement along a linear track 154 such that the disk 120 moves along an arc as it slides out of the concave receiving surface 160 of the platform 1 18 and into the second position. In another example, the disk 120 may be rotatable about an axis B once a connector pin 158 reaches a particular point on the track 154 of the disk 120, such as first or second ends 174, 178. In another example, the disk 120 may only rotate about the pivot axis B of the connector pin 158. Further, the second side 146 of the disk 120 may include protrusions, bumps, or abrasive details 180 to permit a user to engage the second side 146 of the disk 120 to slide the disk 120 relative to the platform 1 18. As previously mentioned, the accessory 1 14 has rounded edges to improve pocketability. While the illustrated examples of the accessory 1 14 is generally circular, other example accessories 1 14 may have different shapes. In other examples, the disk 120 may slidably connect to the platform 1 18 through an elastic connector, ball bearings, magnetic couplers, ball and socket joint, female- male locking coupler, or other fastening means. [0056] Figs. 12-16 illustrate a third exemplary accessory 214 constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosure. The third exemplary accessory 214 is similar to the first exemplary accessory 14 described above, thus for ease of reference and to the extent possible, the same or similar components of the third exemplary accessory 214 in Figs. 12-16 will retain the same reference numbers as outlined above with respect to the first exemplary accessory 14, although the reference numbers will be increased by 200. A description of many of these elements is abbreviated or even eliminated in the interest of brevity.

[0057] In this example, the accessory 214 may be moved by swiveling a disk 220 about a connector pin 258 with an axis B of rotation. By comparison to the previous examples, the disk 220 does not provide a track in which the disk 220 may slide toward and away from a platform 218. Rather, in the illustrated example of Figs. 12-16, the disk 220 is rotatably coupled to the platform 218 by the connector pin 258 and swivels from a first position, as shown in Fig. 12, through an intermediate position, as shown in Fig. 13, to a second position, as shown in Fig. 14, by simply rotating about the B axis. The connector pin 258 is placed off-set from a central axis A of the platform 228 such that as the disk 220 rotates about the axis B, a portion 236 of the disk 220 moves away from the platform 218. The connector pin 258 is configured to keep the disk 220 and the platform 218 coupled, while permitting the disk 220 to rotate about the B axis.

[0058] The accessories 14, 1 14, 214 of the present disclosure may beneficially help those who enjoy playing with their hands and/or to release nervous energy, anxiety, or stress. For example, a handheld device with an attached accessory 14, 1 14, 214 may provide a substitution for someone who fidgets or bites their nails. Someone can fidget silently and discreetly by holding their electronic device and sliding the disk 20, 120, 220 with their thumb away from the platform 18, 1 18, 218. In some examples, the accessory 14, 1 14, 214 may be silent and may smoothly glide in and out of the resting position without drawing attention to the user’s moving hands and/or device. Another benefit is that any one of the accessories 14, 1 14, 214 is shaped to easily slide into a pocket without catching the case or accessory 14, 1 14, 214 to clothing when the accessory is pocketed. Additionally, improving the pocketability may increase the comfort in which the electronic device and attached accessory 14, 1 14, 214 device sits within the pocket. The sloped portion 34, 134, 234 of the platform 18, 1 18, 218 surrounds the disk 20,

120, 220 so that the accessory 14, 1 14, 214 does not protrude far the from outer surface of the case.

[0059] The figures and description provided herein depict and describe preferred examples of a disk accessory for a portable electronic device or a case of a portable electronic device for purposes of illustration only. The accessory 14 and 214 may be attached to any surface, not just an electronic device or case. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the foregoing discussion that alternative examples of the components illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. Thus, upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for devices and cases that allow movement of the accessory. Thus, while particular examples and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methods and components disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.