Universal case for portable electronic devices

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a universal case for a portable electronic device (PED) includes a rear panel, a front panel, and a securing mechanism configured to secure a PED to the rear panel. According to various embodiments, a securing mechanism may comprise an adjustable flexible band configured to secure each corner of a PED to the rear panel. The adjustable flexible band may be routed through a support structure having one or more routing slots. Alternatively, a securing mechanism may comprise adjustable corner mounts configured to selectively secure each corner of a PED to the rear panel. In each embodiment, a single universal case may be used to secure PEDs having various lengths, widths, and thicknesses. A plurality of support grooves formed in a front panel may be configured to catch a bottom edge of a PED and support it at various angles of inclination.

1 . A universal case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a rear panel configured to selectively secure a portable electronic device having four corners, the rear panel comprising a plurality of slots; and   a flexible band routed through the plurality of slots in the rear panel configured to selectively secure each of the four corners of the portable electronic device, the flexible band adjustable between an inner position with respect to a center of the rear panel and an outer position with respect to the center of the rear panel,   wherein in an inner position, the flexible band is configured to secure the four corners of a portable electronic device having a first size, and   wherein in an outer position, the flexible band is configured to secure the four corners of a portable electronic device having a second, larger size.   
     
     
         2 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel comprises eight slots configured to route the flexible band such that the flexible band selectively secures each of the four corners of the portable electronic device, and
 wherein the flexible band is adjustable within each of the eight slots between an inner position and an outer position.   
     
     
         3 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel comprises an upper section and a lower section connected at a pivot point,
 wherein the lower section of the rear panel comprises a first portion and a second portion, and   wherein the first portion is configured to pivot about the pivot point away from the upper section of the rear panel, such that the first portion of the lower section supports the rear panel in an inclined position.   
     
     
         4 . The universal case of  claim 1 , further comprising a front panel pivotally connected to the rear panel via one or more hinge members,
 wherein in a closed position, the portable electronic device is configured to be housed between the front panel and the rear panel, and   wherein in an open position, the front panel is configured to expose a display screen of the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         5 . The universal case of  claim 4 , wherein the front panel further comprises an engagement feature, and
 wherein the flexible band is configured to be secured to the engagement feature in order to maintain the front panel in the closed position.   
     
     
         6 . The universal case of  claim 4 , wherein the front panel comprises a fold point, and
 wherein the front panel is configured to be pivoted about the one or more hinge members and folded about the fold point in order to provide support for the rear panel in an inclined position.   
     
     
         7 . The universal case of  claim 4 , wherein the rear panel comprises an upper section and a lower section connected at a pivot point,
 wherein the lower section of the rear panel comprises a first portion and a second portion,   wherein the first portion is configured to pivot about the pivot point away from the upper section of the rear panel, such that the first portion of the lower section supports the rear panel in an inclined position, and   wherein a bottom edge of the second portion of the lower section of the rear panel is configured to rest on an inner surface of the front panel.   
     
     
         8 . The universal case of  claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of the front panel comprises a plurality of support grooves configured to receive the bottom edge of the second portion of the lower section of the rear panel, and
 wherein each of the plurality of support grooves is configured to maintain the rear panel at a different angle of inclination.   
     
     
         9 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel further comprises a support structure,
 wherein each of the plurality of slots is formed in a corresponding arm extending from the support structure, such that the flexible band is configured to secure each of the four corners of the portable electronic device to the support structure, and   wherein the flexible band is adjustable between an inner position and an outer position within each of the plurality of slots formed in each of the corresponding arms extending from the support structure.   
     
     
         10 . The universal case of  claim 9 , wherein the rear panel comprises an upper section and a lower section connected at a pivot point, and
 wherein the lower section is configured to pivot about the pivot point away from the support structure, such that the lower section supports the support structure in an inclined position.   
     
     
         11 . The universal case of  claim 10 , further comprising a front panel pivotally connected to the rear panel via one or more hinge members,
 wherein in a closed position, the portable electronic device is housed between the front panel and the rear panel,   wherein in an open position, the front panel is configured to expose a display screen of the portable electronic device, and   wherein in the inclined position, a bottom edge of the support structure is configured to rest on an inner surface of the front panel.   
     
     
         12 . The universal case of  claim 11 , wherein the inner surface of the front panel comprises a plurality of support grooves configured to receive the bottom edge of the support structure, and
 wherein each of the plurality of support grooves is configured to maintain the support structure at a different angle of inclination.   
     
     
         13 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel is configured with one or more openings. 
     
     
         14 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel is configured with one or more transparent sections. 
     
     
         15 . The universal case of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band comprises a band having two ends joined together in order to form a continuous flexible band.