Electronic device case

Abstract

An electronic device case includes an upper shell having an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge and a center region surrounded by the edges. A lower shell is pivotally coupled with the upper shell and formed to include a frame configured to surround and hold an electronic device input peripheral. A number of grips are adjustably engaged with a guide track of the upper shell to support and stabilize any of a variety of electronic devices of different sizes. A number of actuation rods having first ends comprising knobs and second ends coupled with the grips cause translation of the grips along the guide track when slid along the upper, left and right edges of the upper shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system configured to facilitate operation of one or more electronic devices, comprising:
 an upper shell;   a guide track including a first guide track rod and a second guide track rod oriented generally perpendicular to the first guide track rod;   a plurality of grips slidably engaged with the guide track to stabilize an electronic device adjacent to the upper shell;   a lower shell including a frame surrounding a mobile electronic device input peripheral configured for operative coupling with a mobile electronic device held by the plurality of grips, wherein the lower shell is pivotally coupled with the upper shell;   a plurality of actuation rods having first ends comprising knobs and second ends coupled with the grips whereby sliding of the knobs causes translation of the grips along the guide track; and   wherein rotation of the actuation rods about their axes in a first direction decreases resistance to sliding of the grips along the guide track and rotation of the actuation rods about their axes in a second, opposite direction increases resistance to movement of the grips along the guide track.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the actuation rods are oriented generally perpendicular with the track rods of the grips to which they are coupled. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the mobile electronic device input peripheral is a keyboard. 
     
     
         4 . An electronic device case, comprising:
 an upper shell having an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge and a center region surrounded by the edges;   a plurality of grips adjustably engaged with the upper shell to support and stabilize any of a variety of electronic devices of different sizes; and   a lower shell pivotally coupled with the upper shell and further comprising a frame configured to surround and hold an electronic device input peripheral.   
     
     
         5 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the upper and lower shells are configured to lock against pivoting at any of a variety of relative angles. 
     
     
         6 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a hinge pivotally coupling the upper and lower shells and a tensioning knob provided at one end of the hinge whereby rotation of the tensioning knob in a first direction decreases resistance to relative pivoting of the upper and lower shells and rotation of the tensioning knob in a second, opposite direction increases resistance to relative pivoting of the upper and lower shells. 
     
     
         7 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is configured to move toward and away from the upper edge. 
     
     
         8 . The case as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is configured to move toward and away from the right edge. 
     
     
         9 . The case as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is configured to move toward and away from the lower edge. 
     
     
         10 . The case as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is configured to move toward and away from the left edge. 
     
     
         11 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is constrained to moving along a transverse axis. 
     
     
         12 . The case as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of grips is constrained to moving along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising first and second guide track rods coupled with the upper shell and configured to constrain adjustment of the plurality of grips. 
     
     
         14 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of actuation rods configured to adjust the plurality of grips. 
     
     
         15 . The case as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of actuation rods are coupled to the grips so as to extend to locations adjacent to the upper shell edges. 
     
     
         16 . The case as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the actuation rods further comprise knobs distal from the plurality of grips. 
     
     
         17 . An electronic device support apparatus, comprising:
 an upper shell having an upper edge;   a plurality of grips engaged with the upper shell to support and stabilize any of a variety of electronic devices of different sizes against the upper shell during changes in orientation of the upper shell; and   a lower shell pivotally coupled with the upper shell and configured to house a electronic device input peripheral.   
     
     
         18 . The system as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising a lock configured to slide between a first position to lock the upper shell upper edge to the lower shell and second position to unlock the upper shell upper edge from the lower shell.