Accessory device having a retaining feature

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10686483-B2
Application number	US-201916276456-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 14, 2019
Priority date	Aug 26, 2015
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include multiple layers. One layer may be formed from a plastic. Other layers may include a fabric layer and a silicone layer. The accessory device may further include a retaining feature designed to hold or carry an object, such as a stylus for use with the electronic device. The accessory device may include a recessed region suited to receive the retaining feature. This allows the retaining feature to be stored in the accessory device when the retaining feature is not in use. Further, the retaining feature may be co-planar with an interior region of the accessory device such that the electronic device is not disturbed when positioned in the accessory device. In this manner, the retaining feature may be hidden. Also, the retaining feature may be deployed from the recessed region and receive the object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
a rear wall that defines a receiving surface for the portable electronic device;
sidewalls extending from, and combining with, the rear wall to form an internal volume for the portable electronic device; and
a retaining feature secured to a sidewall of the sidewalls, the retaining feature capable of carrying an object, wherein when the portable electronic device is disposed against the receiving surface:
a first configuration comprises the retaining feature disposed in the internal volume and covered by the portable electronic device, the sidewall, and the rear wall, and
a second configuration comprises the retaining feature extending away from the sidewall.

2. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a flexible loop.

3. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall lacks openings in a location corresponding to the retaining feature.

4. The accessory device of claim 1 , further comprising a recess in at least the sidewall, wherein the first configuration comprises the retaining feature positioned in the recess.

5. The accessory device of claim 1 , further comprising a fabric layer disposed on at least the sidewall, the fabric layer comprising an opening through which the retaining feature extends.

6. The accessory device of claim 5 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a loop that is secured with the sidewall by an adhesive, and wherein the fabric layer covers the adhesive.

7. The accessory device of claim 1 , further comprising a recess formed in the rear wall, wherein the first configuration comprises the retaining feature positioned in the recess.

8. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
an enclosure that includes an interior region having a size and a shape to receive and carry the portable electronic device, the enclosure having i) a bottom wall that defines a receiving surface for the portable electronic device, and ii) a sidewall extending from the bottom wall; and
a retaining feature attached with the enclosure at the sidewall, the retaining feature having a size and a shape to receive and carry an object, wherein the retaining feature is configured to at least partially extends into the interior region when the portable electronic device engages the receiving surface, and wherein the retaining feature comprises material secured by an adhesive layer to form a loop capable of carrying the object.

9. The accessory device of claim 8 , wherein when the enclosure carries the portable electronic device in the interior region, the retaining feature is at least partially positioned between the portable electronic device and the sidewall.

10. The accessory device of claim 8 , wherein the retaining feature comprises a magnetically attractable material capable of magnetically coupling with the object.

11. The accessory device of claim 8 , wherein the retaining feature comprises:
a woven fabric; and
a polymeric material laminated over the woven fabric.

12. The accessory device of claim 8 , wherein the sidewall lacks openings in a location corresponding to the retaining feature.

13. The accessory device of claim 8 , further comprising a recessed region formed in at least the sidewall, wherein when the portable electronic device is positioned in the interior region and the retaining feature is positioned in the recessed region, the retaining feature is hidden from view by the portable electronic device and the enclosure.

14. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
a bottom wall;
a sidewall extending from the bottom wall;
a loop secured with the sidewall by an adhesive, the loop configured to receive an object suitable for use with the portable electronic device; and
a fabric layer disposed on at least the sidewall and covering the adhesive, the fabric layer comprising an opening through which the loop extends.

15. The accessory device of claim 14 , wherein the loop comprises a magnetically attractable material capable of magnetically coupling with the object.

16. The accessory device of claim 14 , wherein the loop is permanently secured to the sidewall by the adhesive.

17. The accessory device of claim 14 , wherein when portable electronic device is disposed against the bottom wall:
a first configuration comprises the loop covered by the portable electronic device, the sidewall, and the bottom wall; and
a second configuration comprises the loop extending away from the sidewall.

18. The accessory device of claim 17 , further comprising a recess formed in at least the sidewall, wherein the first configuration comprises the loop positioned in the recess.

19. The accessory device of claim 17 , wherein the second configuration comprises the loop being at least partially positioned between the portable electronic device and the sidewall.

20. The accessory device of claim 8 , wherein the enclosure comprises a microfiber layer.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Griffin Ii James G
• Coster Daniel J
• Smith Samuel Gilkison
• Jo Yoonhoo

Classifications

• A45C11/003

  for storing portable computing devices, e.g. laptops, tablets or calculators · CPC title

• G06F2200/1633

  Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer · CPC title

• A45C11/00

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title

• H04B1/3888 Primary

  Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers · CPC title

• G06F2200/1634

  Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer · CPC title