Electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device. The case includes at least one panel, a frame configured to receive an electronic device, and a tilting subassembly. The tilting subassembly includes a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the at least one panel. Pulling of the tether component selectively transforms the tilting subassembly from a first configuration in which the lift component lies substantially flat upon the panel into a second configuration in which the lift component bows into an arch, thereby tilting the frame and an electronic device positioned within the frame. One or more fasteners may be coupled to a second end of the tether component to secure the tilting subassembly in the second configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device, the case comprising:
 at least one panel;   a frame configured to hold an electronic device, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to the panel adjacent a first edge of the panel; and   a tilting subassembly disposed between the panel and the frame, the tilting subassembly including a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the panel, wherein a first end of the lift component is coupled to the panel and a second end of the lift component is coupled to the tether component,   wherein the tilting subassembly is operable to selectively alternate between a first configuration in which the lift component lies substantially flat upon the panel and a second configuration in which the lift component bows into an arch when the tether component is selectively pulled such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device case of  claim 1 , wherein the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to the panel. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device case of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a back panel and the case further includes a front panel connected to the back panel via a spine in the manner of a book. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device case of  claim 1 , wherein the lift component has a shape of the letter Y with a stem and two arms and the tether component extends underneath the stem and underneath a space formed between the two arms of the lift component. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device case of  claim 4 , wherein a first end of the tether component is coupled to the second end of the lift component and the tether component is folded back under the lift component such that a second end of the tether component is adjacent to the first end of the lift component that is coupled to the panel. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the lift component is not coupled to the panel. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device case of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the tether component is coupled to the second end of the lift component and the electronic device case further comprises:
 a fastener coupled to a second end of the tether component, wherein the fastener is operable to selectively couple to an edge of the panel to secure the tilting subassembly in the second configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device case of  claim 7 , further comprising
 at least a second fastener coupled to the second end of the tether component and longitudinally spaced apart from the first fastener, wherein second fastener is also operable to selectively couple to an edge of the panel.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device case of  claim 1 , wherein the tilting subassembly is positioned adjacent to a second edge of the panel, the second edge of the panel being opposite the first edge of the panel. 
     
     
         10 . An electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device, the case comprising:
 at least one panel; and   a tilting subassembly including a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the panel, wherein a first end of the lift component is coupled to the panel and a second end of the lift component is coupled to a first end of the tether component,   wherein the lift component is substantially planar and lies flat upon the panel when the tilting subassembly is in a first configuration such that an electronic device positioned on the tilting subassembly also lies substantially flat upon the panel and wherein the lift component bows into an arch when the tilting subassembly is in a second configuration such that an electronic device positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the panel.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a frame configured to hold the electronic device, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to the panel adjacent a first edge of the panel and the tilting subassembly is disposed between the panel and the frame.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , wherein the panel is a back panel and the case further includes a front panel connected to the back panel via a spine in the manner of a book. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , wherein the lift component has a shape of the letter Y with a stem and two arms and the tether component extends underneath the stem and underneath a space formed between the two arms of the lift component. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device case of  claim 13 , wherein the tether component is folded back under the lift component such that a second end of the tether component is adjacent to the first end of the lift component that is coupled to the panel. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second end of the lift component is not coupled to the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a fastener coupled to a second end of the tether component, wherein the fastener is operable to selectively couple to an edge of the panel to secure the tilting subassembly in the second configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device case of  claim 16 , further comprising :
 at least a second fastener coupled to the second end of the tether component and longitudinally spaced apart from the first fastener, wherein second fastener is also operable to selectively couple to an edge of the panel.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , wherein the tilting subassembly is positioned adjacent to a second edge of the panel, the second edge of the panel being opposite the first edge of the panel. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic device case of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic device positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to the panel. 
     
     
         20 . An electronic device case for selectively tilting an electronic device, the case comprising:
 a first panel including a first panel outer surface and a first panel inner surface;   a second panel including a second panel outer surface and a second panel inner surface;   a spine connecting the first panel to the second panel;   a frame configured to hold an electronic device, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to the second panel inner surface adjacent a first edge of the second panel;   a substantially planar tilting subassembly disposed between the second panel and the frame, the tilting subassembly including a bendable lift component and a tether component slidingly disposed between the lift component and the second panel, wherein a first end of the lift component is coupled to the second panel inner surface and a second end of the lift component is coupled to a first end of the tether component, wherein pulling of the tether component selectively transforms the tilting subassembly from a first configuration in which the lift component lies substantially flat upon the second panel into a second configuration in which the lift component bows into an arch such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted with respect to the second panel; and   a fastener coupled to a second end of the tether component, wherein the fastener is operable to selectively couple to an edge of the second panel to secure the tilting subassembly in the second configuration such that the frame positioned on the tilting subassembly is tilted at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to the second panel.