Accessory devices for portable electronic devices

Abstract

An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include one or more bodies, or segments, that are rotationally coupled to each other. One segment may include a keyboard used to provide an input or command to the electronic device. The accessory device may include an additional segment with a hinge assembly and a panel coupled to the hinge assembly. The panel is designed to receive and couple with the electronic device. The hinge assembly is designed to move the panel into different positions. For instance, the hinge assembly and the panel can be stored with a segment of the accessory device when not in use. The hinge assembly can subsequently deploy, and place the panel in a position to receive the electronic device such that the electronic device is positioned for use with the keyboard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessory device suitable for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
 a first segment comprising a keyboard and a touch pad;   a second segment coupled with the first segment, the second segment comprising a hinge assembly; and   a panel coupled with the hinge assembly, the panel positioned by the hinge assembly such that when the panel carries the portable electronic device, the first segment lacks contact with the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnet carried by the panel, the magnet configured to magnetically couple with a device magnet of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises:
 a first hinge component coupled with the panel; and   
       a second hinge component coupled with the first hinge component and the second segment. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly is secured with the second segment. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory device of  claim 4 , wherein the hinge assembly extends from the second segment. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises electrical contacts configured to eclectically couple with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured to place hover the portable electronic device over the keyboard. 
     
     
         8 . An accessory device suitable for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
 a first segment comprising a keyboard and a touch pad;   a second segment coupled with the first segment, the second segment defining an opening;   a hinge assembly carried by the second segment; and   a panel coupled to the hinge assembly, wherein:
 a first position comprises the panel located in the opening, and 
 a second position comprises the panel external to the opening by the hinge assembly, and 
 in the second position, the panel is configured to carry and suspend the portable electronic device over the first segment. 
   
     
     
         9 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , further comprising a magnet carried by the panel, the magnet configured to magnetically couple with a device magnet of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , wherein the panel comprises electrical contacts configured to eclectically couple with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , wherein the first position comprises the hinge assembly positioned in the opening and the panel covering the hinge assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises:
 a first hinge component coupled with the panel; and   a second hinge component coupled with the first hinge component and the second segment.   
     
     
         13 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , wherein when the panel carries the portable electronic device, the first segment lacks contacts with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory device of  claim 8 , wherein the panel is configured to place hover the portable electronic device over the keyboard. 
     
     
         15 . An accessory device suitable for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
 a first segment comprising a keyboard and a touch pad;   a second segment coupled with the first segment;   a panel configured to receive the portable electronic device; and   a hinge assembly coupled with the second segment, the hinge assembly comprising:
 a first hinge component secured with the second segment by a fastener, 
 a second hinge component secured with the first segment, and 
 a third hinge component secured with the second segment and the panel, wherein rotation of the first hinge component within the panel causes the second hinge component and the third hinge component to move away from the second segment and place the panel over the first segment. 
   
     
     
         16 . The accessory device of  claim 15 , further comprising a magnet carried by the panel, the magnet configured to magnetically couple with a device magnet of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         17 . The accessory device of  claim 15 , wherein the panel comprises electrical contacts configured to eclectically couple with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The accessory device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a fourth hinge component secured with the second segment by a second fastener; and   a fifth hinge component secured with the fourth hinge component and the third hinge component.   
     
     
         19 . The accessory device of  claim 15 , wherein when the panel carries the portable electronic device, the first segment lacks contacts with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory device of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is configured to place hover the portable electronic device over the keyboard.