Apple patents tablet cover that uses fabric to control folding angle
Apple has been granted a patent for a computing device cover that uses a split design to hold a device upright. The cover features a fabric layer with specific tension that connects to a rotating part, helping to control how the cover folds and stays in place.
In the filing’s own words
A computing device cover that can include a base layer and a split layer, the split layer including a fixed portion attached to the base layer, a rotatable portion, and a rotation member pivotably connecting the rotatable portion to the fixed portion, and a cover layer attached to the split layer and positioned between the base layer and the split layer. The cover layer can include pre-drawn fabric positionable adjacent to the rotation member and a concealed tearable area. The computing device cover is configured to support a computing device in the upright position. To do this, several different embodiments are presented.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computing device cover, comprising: a base layer; a split layer, comprising: a fixed portion attached to the base layer; and a rotation member pivotably connected to the fixed portion; and a fabric layer attached to the split layer and positioned between the base layer and the split layer, the fabric layer comprising: a pre-drawn fabric positionable adjacent to the rotation member, the pre-drawn fabric comprising a predetermined tension for controlling kinematics of the rotation member relative to the fixed portion.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Computing device cover
- Patent number
- US12737012B2
- Application number
- 18429291
- Filed
- Jan 31, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
G06F 1/1675 Physics & computingA45C 11/00 Human necessitiesA45C 13/005 Human necessitiesG06F 1/166 Physics & computingA45C 11/002 Human necessitiesA45C 11/003 Human necessitiesMore from Apple in Phones & computers
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.