WO2012100137A1 - Inflatable box or container with recessed slot for ipad - Google Patents

Abstract

A soft cube for securing a tablet computer in place. The cube has a slot for receiving a tablet computer and soft walls that extend past the tablet computer in order to protect it.

Description

INFLATABLE BOX OR CONTAINER WITH RECESSED SLOT FOR iPAD

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This International Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/434,655 filed on January 20, 2011 , the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of electronic accessories, more specifically to an inflatable device for housing a tablet computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tablet computers are becoming widely used by consumers, Popular tablet computers include Apple's iPad, Samsung's Galaxy and Lenovo's Thinkpad Tablet. Tablet use has been growing among children - with many application developers developing applications geared toward children. Moreover, many children and toddlers use tablet computers for watching movies or such similar content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a housing for an iPad or similar tablet computer - thereby allowing for a child to comfortably interact with the iPad while it remains protected by the table it is housed in. {Note: the application will hereinafter refer to an apparatus for housing an iPad - but an iPad is exemplary and the invention relates to housing any tablet computer.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable cube that is configured to receive an iPad according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is top view of an inflatable cube that is configured to receive an iPad according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each of the several figures. It should be noted that these drawings are merely exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appearing herein below.

The iPad product is very popular worldwide, and it is commonly held in a person's hands or on a person's lap. Due to the interactive nature of the iPad device, some iPads can be used by more than one person concurrently or naturally form a surface which is attractive to the use of the iPad.

This invention relates to an inflatable box or container provided with a special iPad slot formed in the top surface thereof in which the iPad can be carried, and perhaps, recessed from the top surface thereof to further enhance the playing, enjoyment and protection of iPads. An iPad holder such as, for example, a frame for gripping the sides of the iPad is positioned in the slot to secure an iPad.

The inventive inflatable box or cube is capable of being stored flat and easily inflated to form a box or console in which the iPad is mounted in the top surface thereof. It could be sized so as to be suitable for children's use so that children could sit on the floor in an erect position or otherwise huddle over the box and use the iPad in a very convenient manner.

Moreover, the inflatable cube having an iPad secured therein may be rotated and positioned on its side such that the iPad is positioned to be substantially perpendicular to a floor or table. This allows the iPad to be positioned in a manner similar to

conventional television sets or monitors for convenient viewing by a group. The box could be formed somewhat smaller to sit on a person's lap so the person could conveniently use the iPad raised above its standard location but raised sufficiently so that it is capable of easy use.

Still further, the box could even be larger permitting multiple players to sit on various sides of the box and, itself, almost being of table size allowing the box to be utilized by persons sitting on small stools or regular chairs and otherwise having direct access as though the iPad inflatable box functioned as a type of card table or the like.

This invention includes providing a recess in the top surface in which the iPad would fit and be held in place and in some embodiments the iPad would then be covered with a frame thereover to further ensure its retention in place.

Fig. 1 shows an inflatable cube 0 having a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 and sidewalls 16a-d. The top wall 12 comprises a recessed area 22. Recessed area is defined by a frame 18, which surrounds a floor surface that is sized and shaped to receive an iPad or similar tablet computer. As shown, frame 18 extends past a frame 20 in which an iPad is to be seated. The frame 18 protects an iPad that is seated in the recessed area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor of recessed area 22 is approximately 181 mm by approximately 233 mm in which the iPad is seated and held in place.

In one embodiment, a frame or such similar iPad retaining means is attached, glued or sewn into the recessed area, which is used to hold an iPad in place. As shown in Fig 1 , a rectangular frame 20 is inserted into the floor of the recessed area defined by frame 18. The rectangular frame 20 is sized and shaped to contact the edges of the front face of an iPad or such similar tablet to secure the same to the cube 10. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any of various iPad retaining structures may be utilized such as elastic retaining means, a slot that maintains a frictional grip on an iPad or any other member which contacts the face or sides of the iPad to hold it in place. It is also within the teaching of this invention that the cube could have a self-formed retaining recess so as to be a one piece integral unit.

Since this item is inflatable, it can be inflated to any convenient size such as suitable to being held on a person's lap, for watching movies and the like or playing games, large enough for children to sit on the floor and having easy access to the iPad or even large enough to form an adult size table capable of having chairs therearound to enhance the playing experience.

By recessing the iPad in the top of the box 10 surrounded by the inflated frame 18, the screen of the iPad is protected from damage. It will be understood that the frame 18 may be of various thicknesses, so long as it extends somewhat past the surface of an iPad seated within the front wail 12 of the cube.

It will be understood that the iPad cube described herein may be produced of any of various soft materials such as filled fabric, plastic, leather or the like.

Furthermore, the size and shape may be altered to accommodate different

demographics. Still further, it need not be in the shape of a cube, but virtually any shape may be possible in various embodiments of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the cube is formed out of PVC or such similar synthetic material. The cube may be designed such that a single compartment is inflated with air or there could be more than one compartment for receiving air. For example, the frame 18 may be its own compartment that can be filled separately from the rest of the body of the cube. The PVC or similar material is soft and when it is filled with air, the cube walls are temporarily deformabie in a manner that in the event that the material is deformed, it subsequently returns to its original position. For example, the frame 18 that surrounds the recessed area provides a contact point with a surface such as floor or a table in the event that the cube turns over on its top wall 12. As such, the frame 18 protects an iPad secured in the recessed area from direct contact, but it also cushions the fall by absorbing a significant amount of the impact from a fall. Upon impact with the ground the inflated frame 18 may become slightly depressed or deformed, but the material returns to its original position after the stress or impact is removed.

Thus, it is critical that frame 18 is soft, but it has some rigidity to maintain its shape. Moreover, the material is preferably deformable and/or depressible, but it returns to its original shape. In embodiments of the invention frame 18 comprises deformable or depressible material; however, in other embodiments of the invention, the entire cube is made of such materials.

Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, a solid box may be provided for holding a iPad - yet, with an inflatable frame extending past such solid box.

Fig. 2 shows an inflated cube 10 that is turned on its side 16b such that an iPad seated therein is held in an orientation that is perpendicular to a floor or a table surface. This allows for convenient viewing by one or several individuals - much like a

conventional television set.

It should be understood that the preferred embodiments were described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1) A cube for holding a tablet computer, said cube comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

side walls;

said top wall comprising a recessed area, said recessed area comprising a soft frame and a floor surface, said soft frame being deformable, said floor surface being adapted to receive a tablet computer.

2) The cube of Claim 1 , further comprising a tablet retaining structure inserted in said recessed area.

3) The cube of Claim 1 , whereby said frame is sized to extend past a face of a tablet computer that is seated in said recess.

4) The cube of Claim 1 , whereby said cube is inflatable.