Stand-in case for portable electronic devices

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a stand-in case for a portable electronic device (PED) includes a top panel configured with an integrated reinforcement, a bottom panel, and a side panel section. The top panel of the stand-in case may be configurable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the stand-in case may be configured to enclose a PED, and in the second position the stand-in case may secure the PED at an angle with respect to the bottom panel. The bottom panel may include at least one catch, or other securing feature, configured to secure the bottom corners or an edge of the PED at an angle relative to the bottom panel. Additionally, the stand-in case may be integrated into a second case, such as a larger bag, a laptop case, or luggage.

1 . A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a top panel comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;   a side panel section configured to connect at least a portion of the bottom panel to the top panel;   a reinforcement integrated with at least the upper portion of the top panel, the reinforcement configurable between a first position and a second position with respect to the bottom panel;   wherein in the first position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel substantially parallel to the bottom panel, such that in the first position the case is configured to at least partially enclose a portable electronic device within the top panel, the bottom panel, and the side panel section; and   wherein in the second position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel at a first angle of inclination with respect to the bottom panel, such that the upper panel is configured to support the portable electronic device at an angle relative to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         2 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement is configured to selectively maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel in the first position through elasticity, and is configured to selectively maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel in the second position by balancing the elasticity of the integrated reinforcement with the counterforce resulting from the weight of the portable electronic device supported at the angle relative to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         3 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement is configured to retain its shape when bent, such that at least the upper portion of the top panel may be selectively bent into the first position and selectively bent into the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one catch positioned on the bottom panel, such that in the second position, at least one corner of the portable electronic device is secured by the catch when the portable electronic device is supported at the angle relative to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         5 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a high-friction contact patch positioned on the bottom panel, such that in the second position, an edge of the portable electronic device is frictionally secured by the high-friction contact patch when the portable electronic device is supported at the angle relative to the bottom panel 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement is further configurable between a third position with respect to the bottom panel, in addition to the first and second positions; and
 wherein in the third position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel at a second angle of inclination with respect to the bottom panel, such that the upper panel is configured to support the portable electronic device at a second angle with respect to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         7 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement comprises one of a metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement comprises a material having resilient characteristics obtained from a curvature of the reinforcement material. 
     
     
         9 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated reinforcement comprises an internal reinforcement built into the upper portion of the top panel. 
     
     
         10 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the case is integrated into a second case. 
     
     
         11 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom panel forms a portion of the outer panel of the second case. 
     
     
         12 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second case comprises a briefcase. 
     
     
         13 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second case comprises a luggage bag. 
     
     
         14 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second case comprises a laptop case. 
     
     
         15 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a closure mechanism configured to selectively join at least a portion of the bottom panel with the top panel, with the top panel in the first position, in order to enclose the portable electronic device between the top panel, the bottom panel, and the side panel section.   
     
     
         16 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper, the zipper configured to selectively join the portion of the bottom panel and the top panel not already joined by the side panel section. 
     
     
         17 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a flap and buckle combination. 
     
     
         18 . A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a top panel comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;   a side panel section configured to connect at least a portion of the bottom panel to the top panel;   a reinforcement integrated with at least the upper portion of the top panel, the reinforcement configurable between a first position and a second position with respect to the bottom panel;   wherein in the first position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel substantially parallel to the bottom panel, such that in the first position the case is configured to at least partially enclose a portable electronic device within the top panel, the bottom panel, and the side panel section;   wherein in the second position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel at a first angle of inclination with respect to the bottom panel, such that the upper panel is configured to support the portable electronic device at an angle with respect to the bottom panel; and   a first catch and a second catch positioned on the bottom panel, such that in the second position, the first and second catches each secure a corner of the portable electronic device supported at the angle with respect to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         19 . The case for a portable electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the integrated reinforcement is configured to selectively maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel in the first position through elasticity, and is configured to selectively maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel in the second position by balancing the elasticity of the integrated reinforcement with the counterforce resulting from the weight of the portable electronic device secured at the angle relative to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         20 . An integrated case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a first compartment of a carrying case, the first compartment having an outer panel;   a bottom panel of a case for a portable electronic device integrated with the outer panel of the first compartment;   a top panel comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;   a side panel section configured to connect at least a portion of the bottom panel to the top panel;   a reinforcement integrated into at least the upper portion of the top panel, the reinforcement configurable between a first position and a second position with respect to the bottom panel;   wherein in the first position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel substantially parallel to the bottom panel, such that in the first position the case is configured to at least partially enclose a portable electronic device within the top panel, the bottom panel, and the side panel section;   wherein in the second position the integrated reinforcement is configured to maintain at least the upper portion of the top panel at a first angle of inclination with respect to the bottom panel, such that the upper panel is configured to support the portable electronic device at an angle with respect to the bottom panel; and   a first catch and a second catch positioned on the interior of the bottom panel, such that in the second position, the first and second catches each secure a corner of the portable electronic device supported the angle with respect to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         21 . The integrated case for a portable electronic device of  claim 20 , wherein the bottom panel is a separate panel attached to the outer panel of the first compartment.