Devices and methods for supporting and protecting portable electronics

Abstract

A support and protect device for portable electronic device, comprising a main portion, at least one return portion, and at least one intermediate portion. The at least one intermediate portion connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion. When the support and protect device is in a support configuration, the portable electronic device rests on the main portion. When the support and protect device is in a protect configuration, the portable electronic device is held within the at least one storage gap.

1 . A support and protect device for portable electronic device, comprising:
 a main portion;   at least one return portion;   at least one intermediate portion that connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion; whereby   when the support and protect device is in a support configuration, the portable electronic device rests on the main portion; and   when the support and protect device is in a protect configuration, the portable electronic device is held within the at least one storage gap; and   the main portion, the return portion, and the intermediate portion are defined by a core member, where the core member is sufficiently rigid to protect the portable electronic device when the support and protect device is in the protect configuration; and
 sufficiently resilient to allow the return portion to deflect relative to the main portion to allow the portable electronic device to be placed within the at least one storage gap. 
   
   
   
       2 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 one return portion; and   one intermediate portion; whereby   the intermediate portion is arranged such that the main portion is angled with respect to the return portion.   
   
   
       3 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the return portion defines a return plane; and   the return plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       4 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the support and protect device defines a surface plane; and   the surface plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       5 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a stop portion that extends from the main portion to inhibit movement of the electronic device relative to the main portion. 
   
   
       6 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 5 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the stop portion defines a stop plane; and   the stop plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       7 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one intermediate layer attached to the core member; and   at least one cover layer arranged to cover the at least one intermediate layer.   
   
   
       8 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 7 , in which at least one intermediate layer is resilient. 
   
   
       9 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 7 , in which at least one intermediate layer defines a matrix of interconnected passageways that allow air flow along at least one surface of the main portion. 
   
   
       10 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 7 , in which at least one intermediate layer comprises a sheet of foam. 
   
   
       11 . A support and protect device as recited in  claim 1 , in which at least one groove is formed in the main portion to facilitate air flow to the electronic device in the support configuration. 
   
   
       12 . A method of supporting and protecting a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of:
 providing a supporting and protecting device comprising a substantially rigid core member defining a main portion, at least one return portion, and at least one intermediate portion that connects the at least one return portion to the main portion such that at least one storage gap is defined by the main portion and the at least one return portion;   arranging the portable electronic device on the main portion in a support configuration, where the core member is sufficiently rigid to support the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in the support configuration; and   arranging the portable electronic device within the at least one storage gap in a protect configuration, where the core member is sufficiently resilient to allow the return portion to deflect relative to the main portion to allow the portable electronic device to be placed within the at least one storage gap.   
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which the step of providing the supporting and protecting device comprises the step of arranging the intermediate portion such that the main portion is angled with respect to the user. 
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the return portion defines a return plane; and   the return plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the support and protect device defines a surface plane; and   the surface plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       16 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which the step of providing the support and protect device further comprises the step of providing a stop portion that extends from the main portion, where the stop portion inhibits movement of the electronic device relative to the main portion in the support configuration. 
   
   
       17 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , in which:
 the main portion defines a support plane;   the stop portion defines a stop plane; and   the stop plane is angled with respect to the support plane.   
   
   
       18 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , in which the step of providing the support and protect device comprises the steps of:
 attaching at least one intermediate layer to the core member; and   attaching at least one cover layer to the at least one intermediate layer to cover the at least one intermediate layer.   
   
   
       19 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , in which the at least one intermediate layer defines a matrix of interconnected passageways that allow air flow along at least one surface of the main portion. 
   
   
       20 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of forming at least one groove in the main portion to facilitate air flow to the electronic device in the support configuration.