Device cover for accessory attachment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9685986-B2
Application number	US-201615182517-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2016
Priority date	Nov 5, 2015
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

Aspects of the technology relate to a cover (e.g., for a handheld electronic device). The cover may include a cover body configured for securement to a handheld electronic device and comprising an accessory attachment area, wherein the accessory attachment area includes a plurality of receivers, and wherein the accessory attachment area is configured for coupling with an accessory in at least one of a plurality of orientations. In some aspects, each receiver further includes a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall, wherein each receiver includes an engagement surface configured for abutting engagement with a projection associated with an accessory when the projection is disposed in a secured configuration within a respective space. An electrical device cover and various attachment devices are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cover for a handheld electronic device configured to couple with an accessory for the handheld electronic device, the cover comprising:
a cover body comprising an attachment area, the attachment area comprising a plurality of receivers, and wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall, and wherein the attachment area has a first position at which the accessory is coupleable to the cover body via a first set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a second position at which the accessory is coupleable to the cover body via a second set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, and wherein the first set of receivers comprises at least one receiver different from the second set of receivers, wherein the attachment area is further configured for coupling with a second accessory via a third set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, the third set of receivers being different receivers from the first set of receivers and the second set of receivers, wherein at least one of the receivers of the plurality of receivers further comprises a plurality of electrodes coupleable with the projection of the accessory.

2. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers is arranged in one of: (i) a matrix of rows and columns, and (ii) a lattice pattern.

3. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising an accessory coupled to the cover body, wherein the accessory comprises a plurality of projections, and wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a respective engagement surface configured for adjoining a respective projection when the respective projection is disposed in a secured configuration within the respective receiver.

4. The cover of claim 3 , wherein the respective engagement surface and recess wall face different directions.

5. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the cover body further comprises a base and at least one sidewall extending away from the base, the at least one sidewall being shaped to substantially conform to the handheld electronic device and the at least one sidewall comprising the attachment area with the plurality of receivers.

6. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the accessory further comprises a plurality of projections and wherein each respective projection of the projections is substantially circular and extends away from a surface of the accessory and has a protrusion configured to engage an engagement surface.

7. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the cover body further comprises at least one circuit coupleable with the plurality of electrodes, wherein the at least one circuit is configured to be electrically coupled with the handheld electronic device.

8. A cover assembly for a handheld electronic device, the cover assembly comprising:
a cover body comprising an attachment area, the attachment area comprising a plurality of receivers, each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprising a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall; and
an accessory comprising a plurality of projections, the accessory configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a first position via a first set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a first set of projections of the plurality of projections, and wherein the accessory is further configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a second position via a second set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a second set of projections of the plurality of projections, and wherein the first set of receivers comprises at least one receiver different from the second set of receivers, wherein the attachment area is further configured to be coupled with a second accessory via a third set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, the third set of receivers comprising one or more receivers different from the first set of receivers and second set of receivers, wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections further comprises a plurality of first electrodes and at least one respective receiver of the plurality of receivers further comprises a plurality of second electrodes for contacting with the plurality of first electrodes.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of receivers is arranged in one of: a matrix of rows and columns, or a lattice pattern; and wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in one of: a matrix of rows and columns, or a lattice pattern corresponding with the plurality of receivers.

10. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the accessory is configured to be attached to the cover body in a first orientation via the first set of receivers, and attached to the cover body in a second orientation via the second set of receivers.

11. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises an engagement surface configured for adjoining with the plurality of projections associated with the accessory when the plurality of projections is disposed in a secured configuration.

12. The cover assembly of claim 11 , wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections is substantially circular and extends upward away from a surface of the accessory, and wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections comprises a protrusion configured to abut the engagement surface.

13. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein a total number of the plurality of projections is greater than a total number of the plurality of receivers in the attachment area.

14. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections is configured to be deformed when the at least one respective projection is pressed into the receiver.

15. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the accessory further comprises a power source coupled with the plurality of first electrodes, and wherein the cover body further comprises at least one circuit configured for connecting with the plurality of second electrodes, the accessory providing power via the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, and the at least one circuit.

16. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the accessory is a kickstand, the kickstand comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of projections is disposed at the first end, and wherein the kickstand is transitionable between an extended position extending away from the attachment area at the second end, and a unextended position wherein the kickstand is substantially flush with the attachment area, and
wherein the kickstand is configured for supporting the cover body and the handheld electronic device via at least one of the plurality of projections and at least one of the plurality of receivers.

17. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the accessory is a bicycle mount, and wherein the plurality of projections is disposed on the bicycle mount.

18. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the accessory comprises an elongate coupling portion and a cover portion, the cover portion extending away from the elongate coupling portion and configured to cover a display of the handheld electronic device, the elongate coupling portion having the plurality of projections configured to facilitate a coupling between the elongate coupling portion and the cover body along an edge of the cover body.

19. A cover system comprising:
a handheld electronic device;

Assignees

• Htc Corp

Inventors

• Lee Hsin-Hao
• Wang Cheng-Lin
• Tien Ernest Euan
• Chen Yin-Chou
• Lin Tsung-Peng
• Lee Cheng-Yen
• Lin Yu-Hui
• Wei Chang-Hua
• Chang Jen-Yang
• Lee Shih-Hsiu
• Lin Jui Hsiang
• Wen Hung Chuan
• Lin Yen-Cheng
• Lee Yen-Yi
• Chien Ting-An
• Huang Hsin-Hui
• Lin Sheng Cherng
• Chang Yung-Lung

Classifications

• H04B1/3877 Primary

  Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters · CPC title

• H04M1/04 Primary

  Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers · CPC title

• H04M1/185

  Improving the shock resistance of the housing, e.g. by increasing the rigidity · CPC title

• H04M19/04

  the ringing-current being generated at the substations · CPC title

• H04M1/725

  Cordless telephones (user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724) · CPC title