Accessory units for consumer electronic devices and related assemblies and methods

US9315004B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Santhana K. Balaji · Fremont, US
• Kevin M. Kenney · San Jose, US
• Andrew Lauder · San Francisco, US
• Robert Michael Merritt · Houston, US
• Michael S. Nashner · San Jose, US
• Samuel G. Smith · Cupertino, US
• Matthew Dean Rohrbach · San Francisco, US
• Jared A. Sartee · Saratoga, US
• Crenshaw Whitley · San Francisco, US
• Kathryn P. Crews · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 6, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 19, 2016
• Expiry date: May 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/1362
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.