Combination cover and stand for an electronic device

Abstract

A cover for an electronic device than can be folded into an easel stand to support the device. The cover includes four rigid panels that are connected by flexible portions that allow folding front or back. The electronic device is secured to a first of the rigid panels by a securing device. A durable elastic band is provided on an interior side of one of the rigid panels and is used to secure at least two of the rigid panels together when the cover is in either the closed or folded easel configurations. Magnets are embedded in two of the rigid panels to securely and detachably couple these two panels when the cover is folded in the easel configuration.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cover for an electronic device comprising:
 a first rigid panel capable of receiving the electronic device;   a second rigid panel, the second rigid panel being substantially the same size as the first rigid panel;   a first flexible portion, the first flexible portion connecting the first and second rigid panels;   a third rigid portion, the third rigid portion having a width that is less than a width of the first and second rigid portions;   a second flexible portion, the second flexible portion connecting the second and third rigid portions;   a fourth rigid portion, the fourth rigid panel being substantially the same size as the third rigid panel; and   a third flexible portion connecting the third and fourth rigid panels.   
     
     
         2 . The cover according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a securing mechanism, the securing mechanism capable of securing the electronic device to the first rigid panel.   
     
     
         3 . The cover according to  claim 2 , wherein the securing mechanism is embedded in the first rigid panel. 
     
     
         4 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover is folded in an easel configuration, the flexible portions acting as hinges between respective rigid portions, the cover further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism detachably coupling the fourth and the first rigid panels.   
     
     
         5 . The cover according to  claim 4 , wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a plurality of magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The cover according to  claim 5 , wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises:
 at least one first magnet embedded in the fourth rigid panel; and   at least one second magnet embedded in the first rigid panel, wherein the least one first magnet and the least one second magnet cooperate to detachably couple the first and fourth rigid panels.   
     
     
         7 . The cover according to  claim 5 , wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises:
 a first plurality of magnets embedded in the fourth rigid panel; and   a second plurality of magnets embedded in the first rigid panel, wherein the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets cooperate to detachably couple the first and fourth rigid panels.   
     
     
         8 . The cover according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elastic band coupled to the second rigid panel, wherein the elastic band is capable of securing at least two of the rigid panels together when the cover is folded.   
     
     
         9 . The cover according to  claim 8 , wherein when the cover is folded in an easel configuration, the elastic band securing the first and second rigid panels together in an area proximate to the first flexible portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cover according to  claim 8 , wherein when the cover is folded in a closed configuration, the elastic band securing the third and fourth rigid panels to the second rigid panel. 
     
     
         11 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein when the cover is folded in an easel configuration, the second rigid panel acts as base in contact with a supporting surface. 
     
     
         12 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein when the cover is folded in an easel configuration, the third rigid panel acts as base in contact with a supporting surface. 
     
     
         13 . The cover according to  claim 1 , wherein first flexible portion has a width sufficient to separate the first and second rigid panels in a closed configuration of the cover so as to accommodate the electronic device between the first and second rigid panels. 
     
     
         14 . A cover for an electronic device comprising:
 a plurality of rigid panels, a first one of the plurality of rigid panels capable of receiving the electronic device;   a plurality of flexible portions, each of the plurality of flexible portions respectively connecting two of the plurality of rigid panels;   an elastic band coupled to a second one of the plurality of rigid panels, the elastic band capable of securing at least two of the plurality of rigid panels together.   
     
     
         15 . The cover according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an interior cover material covering interior surfaces of the plurality of rigid panels; and   an exterior cover material covering exterior surfaces of the plurality of rigid panels,   wherein the plurality of flexible portions comprise the interior and exterior materials coupled together.   
     
     
         16 . The cover according to  claim 14 , wherein a first pair of the plurality of rigid panels is a first size, and a second pair of the plurality of rigid panels are a second size. 
     
     
         17 . The cover according to  claim 16 , wherein the second size is approximately half of the first size. 
     
     
         18 . A cover for an electronic device comprising:
 a plurality of rigid panels, a first one of the plurality of rigid panels capable of receiving the electronic device;   a plurality of flexible portions, each of the plurality of flexible portions respectively connecting two of the plurality of rigid panels;   at least one first magnet disposed in a first one of the plurality of rigid panels; and   at least one second magnet disposed in a second one of the plurality of rigid panels,   wherein the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet cooperate to detachably couple two of the plurality of rigid panels.   
     
     
         19 . The cover according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one first and second magnets detachably couple the two of the plurality of rigid panels when the cover is folded in an easel configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The cover according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an interior cover material covering interior surfaces of the plurality of rigid panels; and   an exterior cover material covering exterior surfaces of the plurality of rigid panels,   wherein the plurality of flexible portions comprise the interior and exterior materials coupled together.