M Edge Accessories LLC v. Amazon.Com Inc.
Filing
10
AMENDED COMPLAINT against Amazon.Com Inc., filed by M Edge Accessories LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Redlined Version, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Jasani, Ranak)
US 8,047,670 B2
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U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,688,037
5,695,271
5,810,604
5,884,888
5,993,022
6,022,119
6,851,822
7,077,596
7,153,212
7,163,306
7,490,948
D600,852
7,748,634
200110026445
2003/0016532
2003/0081407
2003/0179572
2003/0193795
2006/0208477
2007/0115672
2007/0208226
A
A
A *
A
A
A
B2 *
B1
B1
B1
B2 *
S
B1 *
A1
A1
A1
A1
A1
A1
A1
A1
1111997
12/1997
9/1998
3/1999
1111999
212000
2/2005
7/2006
12/2006
112007
212009
9/2009
7/2010
10/2001
112003
5/2003
9/2003
10/2003
9/2006
5/2007
9/2007
Chen
Zeller
Kopp eta!. ................... 434/317
Grimes, III et al.
Neyer et al.
Booty, Jr.
Herrera ........................... 362/99
Bianco eta!.
Karten eta!.
Major eta!.
Fisherman eta!. ............. 362/98
Clepper et a!.
Zehr et al . ..................... 235/492
Naghi eta!.
Reed
Bennett, Jr.
Schnell
Brown
Sandy
Nelson eta!.
Grey eta!.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
FR
GB
GB
wo
wo
2 555 291
25211
2 159 264
2007/102157
5/1985
3/1912
1111985
9/2007
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Sony eBook Reader Pocket (PRS-300) Cover with Light as shown at
http://www. whsmith.co .uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.
aspx?productiD~34171059, Aug. 18,2011.
Sony PRS ACL 1 Reader Digital Book Cover as shown at http://www.
shopzilla.corn/sony-prsaell-reader-digital-book-cover-with/
983029583/compare, Aug. 19, 2011.
Illuminating Book Cover as shown at http://www.hanunacher.com/
Product/77939?cm_ven~HS&cm_cat~ProductSEM&cm_
Adwords&cm_ite~77939&0VMTC~Broad&site~&cre
ative~4305694037&0VKEY~book%20cover%20light, Aug. 18,
2011.
Sony PRS-ACLl Reader Digital Book Cover with Light as shown at
http://walmart.corn/ip/Sony-PRS-ACL 1-Reader-Digital-BookCover-with-Light/107, Aug. 18,2011.
Sony PRS-ACLI Reader Digital Book Cover with Light as shown at
http://www. bhphotovideo .comic/product/589070-REG/Sony_
PRSACLl_Rea ... , Aug. 18, 2011.
Sony PRS-ACLl Reader Digital Book Cover with Light as shown at
http://sonystyle.corn/webapp/wes/stores/servlet/
ProductDisplay?catalogiD~10551&st..., Dec. 9, 2009.
* cited by examiner
U.S. Patent
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FIG. lA
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1
2
BOOKLIGHT FOR A PROTECTIVE COVER
OF AN EREADER
booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing
assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled
between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base
tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab
includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a
second end extending from the first end, wherein the second
end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end
is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a booklight
for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective
cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the
booklight comprising a base, a light housing assembly having
a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base
and the light housing assembly, and a base tab coupled to the
base, wherein the base tab includes a first end coupled to the
base tab, and a second end extending from the first end,
wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a
portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of
the protective cover.
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a cover
assembly for an eReader, wherein the cover assembly
includes a protective cover, and a booklight removably
secured to the protective cover, wherein the protective cover
includes a first cover having an interior and an exterior surface, a second cover having an interior and an exterior surface, a spine connecting the first cover to the second cover,
wherein the first cover and the second cover are pivotable with
respect each other about the spine, a mounting device for
securing the eReader on the interior surface of one of the first
cover and the second cover, and a booklight pocket on the
interior surface of one of the first cover and the second cover,
and wherein the booklight comprises a base, a light housing
assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled
between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base
tab coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first
end coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from
the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein
at least a portion of the free end engages the booklight pocket
of the protective cover, thereby removably securing the
booklight to the protective cover.
In this manner, the present invention provides a booklight
for providing sufficient light for a user to view the text of an
eReader under various ambient light conditions. Thus, in
instances in which a user may find it difficult to view the text
of the eReader because the level of ambient light is not sufficient to illuminate the screen of the eReader, the user can
easily view the text of the eReader.
Additionally, the present invention provides a booklight
that is specially designed for use with an eReader, and more
particularly, for use with a variety of protective jackets or
covers for an eReader. The exemplary booklight is lightweight, durable, and compact, and can be easily collapsed and
stored in a protective jacket or cover of the eReader, thereby
providing a booklight that is easily and conveniently carried
or transported along with the eReader. In this manner, a user
of an eReader can easily and conveniently illuminate the
screen of the eReader in instances in which the level of
ambient light is limited or reduced.
The present invention also provides a booklight having a
flexible neck such that the user can easily and conveniently
direct the light toward the screen of the eReader, for example,
at an optimum angle to reduce or prevent glare, thereby
improving visibility, reducing eye strain and fatigue, and
providing adjustability and adaptability for a variety of
eReader types, sizes, and styles.
The present invention also provides a booklight having a
superbright light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED)
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119
The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/138,520 entitled "Booklight"
filed Dec. 17, 2008, and Provisional Application No. 61/183,
094 entitled "BOOKLIGHT FOR AN eREADER JACKET"
filed Jun. 1, 2009, and is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/541,897, entitled "BOOKLIGHT FORA
PROTECTIVE COVER OF AN eREADER" filed on Aug.
14, 2009, which are assigned to the assignee hereof and
hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety
herein.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a booklight for an
eReader, and more specifically, to a booklight for a protective
cover or jacket of an eReader.
20
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, eReaders such as electronic books have become
increasingly popular. Such eReaders include a display, such
as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying the contents
or text of an electronic book.
In many eReaders, the display does not include a backlight.
Instead, the eReader relies on ambient light for rendering the
text of the eReader visible to the user. In instances in which
sufficient levels of ambient light are present, the user may not
have any difficulty reading the display of the eReader. However, in other instances, a user may find it difficult to view the
text of the eReader in some conditions in which the level of
ambient light is not sufficient to illuminate the screen of the
eReader.
Some common approaches to improve lighting include
using conventional booklights designed, for example, for
hardcover books. Such conventional booklights often include
spring loaded clamps that may be suitable for attaching a
portable light to a conventional hardcover book. However,
such conventional booklights may be difficult to attach to an
eReader and in some cases may result in damage to, or
scratching of, the housing or screen of the eReader.
Moreover, an eReader is designed to be lightweight, portable, and compact. However, such conventional booklights
can be awkward and cumbersome to carry or transport along
with the eReader. As such, a user may not wish to carry these
conventional devices with them, thereby leaving the user with
no supplemental light source in instances in which ambient
light is limited or reduced.
Also, many conventional booklights do not uniformly light
the display of the eReader, which may lead to fatigue or strain
on the user when trying to read an eReader under low ambient
light conditions.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can address and may solve these and
other problems with the conventional devices by providing a
booklight for an eReader, and more specifically, to a
booklight for an eReader jacket.
These problems and others are addressed by the present
invention, a first exemplary embodiment of which is directed
to a booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein
the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the
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which require little power to operate and can maximize the
lifespan of the light source, and indeed, may never need
replacing.
Aspects of the present invention can be configured to use,
for example, a single, standardAAA battery that can provide,
for example, equal to or greater than 20 hours of operating
time.
The present invention also provides a booklight having
improved lighting characteristics, such as increased uniform
lighting. For example, the present invention can provide a
booklight including a mirrored reflector and optical quality
dome lens for uniformly distributing the light from the light
source toward the eReader screen.
The present invention also can provide a booklight having,
for example, multiple light intensity settings for the light
source. For example, an aspect can include a three-position
switch including two light intensity settings (for example, a
'high' setting and a 'low' setting) and an 'off setting. Other
aspects can include three or more light intensity settings. In
this mauner, the present invention provides a booklight that
can provide ample illumination in various ambient light conditions, thereby providing greater flexibility and adjustability
for the user. Additionally, the present invention provides a
booklight that can minimize or reduce the power consumption, thereby extending the battery life, for example, by
reducing the light intensity in instances in which a greater
amount of ambient light is available.
The present invention is configured to work seamlessly
with a protective jacket or cover for an eReader.
An exemplary embodiment of the booklight includes a slim
support arm or base sized to match a pocket sewn or formed
in an interior surface of a protective cover for an eReader. The
pocket can be configured to receive a base of the booklight
such that the booklight can be easily and effortlessly carried
with the eReader, for example, at all times. The booklight
pocket can be conveniently located behind the eReader such
that the support arm does not interfere with the use of the
eReader. The exemplary embodiments can be configured to
receive and seamlessly integrate and store the booklight
within the protective cover, for example, in the spine of the
protective cover when the eReader is not in use. In this manner, a lightweight, durable, and compact booklight can be
easily collapsed and stored inside the protective cover along
with the eReader, thereby providing a booklight that is easily
and conveniently carried or transported along with the
eReader, while also protecting the booklight from damage.
Thus, a user of an eReader can easily and conveniently illuminate the screen of the eReader in instances in which the
level of ambient light is limited or reduced.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the
following detailed description and drawings.
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective views of a cover assembly including the booklight of FIG. lA assembled with a
protective cover for an eReader;
FIGS. 4A-4E illustrates an exploded and assembled view
of a base tab of a booklight for an e-Reader according to an
embodiment;
FIGS. SA-SE illustrates an exploded and assembled view
of a base of a booklight for an e-Reader according to an
embodiment;
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate partial perspective of a base and
base tab according to an embodiment;
FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a contact bar of a booklight according to an embodiment;
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a first cap of a booklight according
to an embodiment;
FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate a negative battery contact of a
booklight according to an embodiment;
FIGS. lOA-lOD illustrate a second cap of a booklight
according to an embodiment;
FIGS. llA-llD illustrate a positive battery contact of a
booklight according to an embodiment;
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a manipulatable neck of a
booklight according to an embodiment;
FIG. 13A illustrates an assembled view of a light assembly
housing of a booklight according to an embodiment;
FIG.13B illustrates an exploded view of the light assembly
housing of FIG. 13A;
FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate views of a first side of a light
assembly housing of FIG. 13A.
FIGS. lSA-lSD illustrate views of a second side of a light
assembly housing of FIG. 13A.
FIG. 16A-16B illustrate an assembled and exploded view
of a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly of a booklight
according to an embodiment;
FIGS. 17A-17E illustrate views of a reflector a booklight
according to an embodiment;
FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate views of an optical lens of a
booklight according to an embodiment; and
FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate views of a switch cover of a
booklight for an e-Reader according to an embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other aspects and features of embodiments of
the present invention will be better understood after a reading
of the following detailed description, together with the
attached drawings, wherein:
FIG. lA illustrates an assembled perspective view of a
booklight for an e-Reader according to an embodiment;
FIG. lB illustrates an exploded view of the booklight of
FIG.lA;
FIG. 2A-2D illustrate assembled perspective views of the
booklight of FIGS. lA and lB;
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The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-19D illustrate
exemplary aspects of a booklight for an eReader.
As shown in FIGS. 1A-3D, an exemplary embodiment is
directed to a booklight for a protective cover for an eReader.
The exemplary booklight can be configured to work seamlessly and integrally with the protective cover of the eReader.
The exemplary booklight comprises a base, a light assembly housing 40 having a light source, a manipulatable neck 30
coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and
a base tab 20 rotatably coupled to the base. The base tab 20
can includes a first end 22 rotatably coupled to the base tab 20,
and a second end 24 extending from the first end 22. As shown
in FIG. lA, the second end 24 is a free end 24. At least a
portion of the free end 24 is configured to engage a pocket of
the protective cover, as shown for example in FIG. 3A.
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The light assembly housing 40, base 10, and base tab 20
can be constructed from lightweight durable ABS plastic or
other suitable materials. The manipulatable neck 30 can be
formed from plastic, metal, or other suitable materials.
A size and shape of a perimeter of the portion of the free
end 24 substantially corresponds to a size and shape of the
pocket of the protective cover. In an exemplary embodiment,
the free end 24 includes a substantially flat plate portion
configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover. In
other embodiments, the base tab 20 can have other shapes,
such as a rod-shape, a wire-shape, a wire-shape configured to
form a perimeter surface corresponding to the shape of the
pocket, etc.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, the base tab 20 can be
rotatable about an axis of rotation that is transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the base 10. For example, in an exemplary
embodiment, the first end 22 of the base tab 20 can be rotatably coupled to the base 10 by a swivel joint. In another
exemplary embodiment, the first end 22 of the base tab 20 can
be rotatably coupled to the base 10 by a ball and socket joint.
An exemplary embodiment of a protective cover 100 for an
eReader is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D. The protective cover
100 can include, for example, a pocket for supporting the
booklight. For example, the protective cover 100 can include
a pocket 120 for receiving the base tab 20 of the booklight
such that the booklight can be easily and effortlessly carried
with the eReader, for example, at all times. The pocket 120
can be formed, for example, at an upper end of the interior
surface of the rear cover 104 such that the book light can be
positioned to extend from the upper end of the spine toward
the lower end of the spine of the cover. In other embodiments,
the pocket 120 can be formed at other locations on the interior
of the rear cover 104, or at locations on the interior of the front
cover 102. The pocket 120 can be formed on the same cover
as the mounting system or on a different cover than the cover
having the mounting system.
The pocket 120 can be integrally formed or sewn into the
interior surface of the cover or coupled to the interior surface
of the cover, for example, by another adhering means, such as
using a glue, adhesive tape, etc.
The pocket 120 includes an open end 120a adjacent to the
spine of the protective cover 100 for receiving the base tab 20
of a booklight. The pocket 120 can include a closed end 120b
at an opposite end from the open end 120a. In other embodiments, both ends of the pocket can be open ends. A shape of
the pocket 120 can be configured to correspond to a shape of
the base tab 20 of the booklight.
As shown in FIG. 3B, in operation, the base tab 20 of the
booklight can be inserted into the pocket 120 until the
booklight is positioned along the spine of the protective cover
100, thereby securing the booklight to the protective cover. In
this manner, the protective cover 100 can seamlessly integrate
and store the booklight within the protective cover 100 in the
spine of the cover when the cover 100 is in the closed position.
In this way, the present invention provides a protective cover
100 including an integral booklight that is compact and portable.
When the cover 100 is in the flat open position or the full
open position, the light assembly housing 40 can be moved
into a position to illuminate the display of the eReader in
several ways. For example, the light assembly housing 40 can
be moved into position to illuminate the display of the
eReader by flexing or bending the manipulatable neck 30 of
the booklight while the booklight is in the stored position.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3B, the booklight can be
pivoted or swiveled about the base tab 20, thereby moving the
booklight from a stored position in which the booklight is
aligned with the spine of the cover 100 and into an open
position in which at least a portion of the booklight extends
away from the cover 100 such that the booklight can be
positioned to light the display of the eReader. The flexible
neck 30 then can be moved into an optimal position to focus
the light and illuminate the display of the eReader by flexing
or bending the manipulatable neck 30 of the booklight while
the booklight is in the open (i.e., pivoted or swiveled) position. The booklight can be pivoted or swiveled into numerous
positions, depending on the desired position of the light housing assembly for illuminating the display of the eReader. The
cover assembly of the booklight and the protective cover will
be described in greater detail below.
With reference to FIGS. 4A-4E and SA-SE, the base tab 20
and the base 10 of the booklight will now be described.
The base tab 20 can have a substantially L-shaped crosssection. In this embodiment, the free end 24 is substantially
perpendicular to the fixed end. The first end 22 of the base tab
20 can include a front face on a side of the free end 24, and a
rear face on an opposite side from the free end 24. As shown
in FIG. 4D, the first end 22 of the base tab 20 includes a
surface having a first slot 26 formed therein. For example, the
rear face of the base tab 20 can include the first slot 26.
As shown in FIG. SA, the body includes a base tab 20
mounting surface upon which the first end 22 of the base tab
20 can be rotatably coupled. The base tab 20 mounting surface can include a first protrusion 12 that corresponds to and
engages the first slot 26 of the first end 22 of the base tab 20
in a marmer such that the base tab 20 pivots about the first
protrusion 12.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. SA-SE, the first
protrusion 12 has a first portion having a first diameter and a
second portion having a second diameter. The second portion
interposes the base tab 20 mounting surface and the first
portion. The first diameter of the first portion is greater than
the second diameter of the second portion.
In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4A-4E, the first slot
26 of the base tab 20 includes a first opening portion having a
dimension that is one of equal to and greater than the first
diameter of the first portion of the protrusion 12. The first slot
26 of the base tab 20 can include a second opening portion
having a dimension that is one of equal to and greater than the
second diameter of the second portion of the protrusion and
less than the first diameter of the first portion of the protrusion
12.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, the first slot 26 can be open
at one end and closed at the other end such that the protrusion
12 of the base tab 20 can be inserted into the larger diameter,
open portion of the first slot 26 and moved into engagement
with the smaller diameter, closed portion of the first slot 26.
Alternatively, the first slot 26 can be closed at both ends, with
one end having a larger diameter than the other end such that
the protrusion 12 of the base tab 20 can be inserted into the
larger diameter portion of the first slot 26 and moved into
engagement with the smaller diameter portion of the first slot
26. In this marmer, the protrusion 12 can be seated in the first
slot 26 such that the base tab 20 pivots or swivels about the
first protrusion 12 of the base 10.
It is noted that in another embodiment, the first slot 26 can
be formed on the base 10 and the protrusion 12 can be formed
on the base tab 20.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other
arrangements for pivoting or swiveling the base tab 20 with
respect to the base 10 are possible and are contemplated by
the present application. For example, in another exemplary
embodiment, the protrusion 12 can be a ball and the slot can
be a socket for receiving the ball. In an exemplary embodi-
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ment, the socket can include flexible portions or fingers that
flex or separate to receive the ball and then return to their
original position to retain the ball in the socket.
With reference again to FIGS. 4A-4E and SA-SE, in
another embodiment, the surface of the first end 22 of the base
tab 20 can include a second slot (e.g., 27) formed therein and
adjacent to the first slot. The base tab 20 mounting surface can
include a second protrusion (e.g., 14) that engages the second
slot (e.g., 27) of the first end 22 when the base tab 20 is in a
first pivot position, and does not engage the second slot (e.g.,
27) of the first end 22 when the base tab 20 is in a pivot second
position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the surface of the first end 22
of the base tab 20 includes a second slot 27 and a third slot 28
formed therein and adjacent to the first slot 26. The first slot
26 interposes the second slot 27 and the third slot 28. In this
embodiment, the base tab 20 mounting surface includes a
second protrusion 14 and a third protrusion 16 that engage
respectively the second slot and the third slot of the first end
22 when the base tab 20 is in a first pivot position. The second
protrusion and a third protrusion do not engage the second
slot and the third slot of the first end 22 when the base tab 20
is in a second pivot position. In this manner, the base tab 20
can be retained in the closed position by the engagement of
the second protrusion 14 and a third protrusion 16 with the
second slot 27 and the third slot 28. By disengaging the
protrusions 14,16 from the slots 27, 28, the base tab 20 can be
pivoted or swiveled into an un-stored position.
With reference again to FIGS. SA-SE, the body can include
a battery compartment configured to secure a battery 68
therein. The battery compartment includes an electrically
conductive terminal, such as a contact bar 18, for electrically
contacting the ends of the battery 68. An exemplary embodiment of the contact bar 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C.
The exemplary embodiment can use, for example, a single
standard AAA alkaline battery 68 which may provide endurance enough for more than 20 hours of operation of the light
source. In other embodiments, other types and sizes of batteries can be used.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
embodiments are not limited to the battery 68 being stored in
the base 10. In other embodiments, the battery 68 can be
included in the light assembly housing 40 or another component.
The first end of the body 10 can include a first end cap 60
movable between an open position for accessing the battery
compartment and a closed position for securing the battery 68
in the battery compartment. An exemplary embodiment of the
first cap 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D. The first end cap 60
can include a negative battery contact or terminal 62 as illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9D.
A second end of the body 10 can include a second end cap
64 that couples a first end of the manipulatable neck 30 to the
second end of the body 10. An exemplary embodiment of the
second end cap 64 is illustrated in FIGS. lOA-lOD. The
second end cap 64 can include a positive battery contact or
terminal 66 as illustrated in FIGS. llA-llD.
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a manipulatable neck 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The manipulatable
neck 30 can be manipulatable between a plurality of positions. The manipulatable neck 30 can be a flexible and resilient neck 30. The manipulatable neck 30 can be configured in
numerous positions and is capable of retaining the manipulated position such that the light assembly housing 40 can be
placed in an optimal position for illuminating the display of
the eReader. In other embodiments, the manipulatable neck
30 can be formed from a series of links that are rotatable or
pivotable with respect to each other.
In the illustrated embodiment, the manipulatable neck 30
includes a conductor extending along a length of the manipulatable neck 30. The first end of the conductor is electrically
connected to the electrically conductive terminal (e.g., 18) of
the body 10 and a second end of the conductor is electrically
connected to a power input of the light assembly housing 40.
The manipulatable neck 30 can be a hollow manipulatable
neck 30 such that the conductor can extend along the length of
the manipulatable neck 30 inside the hollow manipulatable
neck 30.
With reference to FIGS. 13A-19D, an exemplary embodiment of a light assembly housing 40 will now be described.
As shown in FIGS. 13B, 14A-14D, and 15A-15D, an
exemplary embodiment of the light assembly housing 40 can
be formed by a first side 42 having a light source 50, and a
second side 44 having a switch 56 for the light source 50. The
light source 50 can include an incandescent light or a light
emitting diode (LED), such as a SuperBright LED light. A
printed circuit board 51 having the light source 50 mounted
thereon, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 13B and 16A16B, can be secured inside the light assembly housing 40.
With reference again to FIGS. 13B and 14A-14D, the first
side 42 of the light assembly housing 40 can include an outer
surface having an opening 46 formed therein. The light source
50 is disposed adjacent to the opening 46 and configured to
emit light in a direction away from the light assembly housing
40. As explained above, the light source 50 can include a light
emitting diode (LED).
As shown in FIGS. 13B and 17A-17E, an exemplary
embodiment of the light assembly housing 40 can include a
mirrored reflector 52 disposed adjacent to the opening 46 and
configured to reflect and focus light emitted from the light
source 50 in the direction away from the light assembly
housing 40. As shown in FIGS. 13B and 18A-D, the light
assembly housing 40 can include an optical lens 54 disposed
one of in and over the opening 46 and along a lightpathofthe
light emitted from the light source 50. The optical lens 54 can
include, for example, a dome-shaped optical lens (e.g., an
optical quality dome lens). The lens 54 is not limited to a
dome-shaped lens and lenses having other shapes and sizes
are contemplated by the embodiments. The optical lens 54
can be selected to uniformly distribute the light emitted from
the light source 50 in the direction away the light assembly
housing 40.
As shown in FIGS. 13B and 19A-19D, the light assembly
housing 40 can include a switch 56 for selecting among a
plurality of light settings for the light source 50.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 19a19D, the switch 56 can be a slidable switch or slidable switch
cover, such as a three-position switch, being selectable
between a plurality oflight intensity settings, such as a 'high'
setting, a 'low' setting, and an 'off' setting. Each of the light
intensity settings causes the light source 50 to emit a different
level or quantity of light.
In other embodiments, the switch can be a toggle switch, a
rotatable switch or knob, or a push button switch etc. having
a plurality oflight intensity settings, such as a 'high' setting,
a 'low' setting, and an 'off' setting.
The embodiments are not limited to these light intensity
settings. In other embodiments, the switch 56 can include a
plurality of 'high' settings and/or a plurality of 'low' settings.
For example, the plurality oflight settings for the light source
50 includes an 'off' setting and at least two light intensity
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settings. In another embodiment, the plurality oflight settings
for the light source 50 includes an 'off' setting and at least
three light intensity settings.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13A,
the switch 56 can be on the light assembly housing 40. In
another embodiment (not shown), the switch can be on the
base 10 and electrically connected to the light source 50 via an
electrical conductor or wire extending from the base 10,
through or along the manipulatable neck 30, and into the light
assembly housing 40.
In another embodiment, a booklight for a protective cover
for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket
for supporting the booklight, can include a base 10, a light
assembly housing 40 having a light source, a manipulatable
neck 30 coupled between the base 10 and the light assembly
housing 40, and a base tab 20 coupled to the base 10. The base
tab 20 includes a first end 22 coupled to the base tab 20, and
a second end 24 extending from the first end 22, wherein the
second end 24 is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of
the free end 24 is configured to engage the pocket of the
protective cover.
In this embodiment, the base tab 20 is not pivotable with
respect to the base 10 of the booklight. In operation, the base
tab 20 of the booklight is inserted into the pocket until the
booklight lies along the spine of the protective cover, as
shown for example in FIG. 3B. In this embodiment, the light
assembly housing 40 can be moved into a position to illuminate the display of the eReader by flexing or bending the
manipulatable neck 30 of the booklight while the booklight is
in the fixed, stored position.
With reference again to FIGS. 3A-3D, another exemplary
embodiment is directed to a cover assembly for an eReader,
wherein the cover assembly includes a protective cover 100,
and a booklight 200 removably secured to the protective
cover. The protective cover 100 includes a first cover 104
having an interior and an exterior surface, a second cover 102
having an interior and an exterior surface, a spine connecting
the first cover 104 to the second cover 102, wherein the first
cover 104 and the second cover 104 are pivotable with respect
each other about the spine, a mounting device 114a-c, 116 for
securing the eReader on the interior surface 104a, 102a of one
of the first cover 104 and the second cover 102, and a
booklight pocket 120 on the interior surface 104a, 102a of
one of the first cover 104 and the second cover 102. The
booklight comprises a base 10, a light assembly housing 40
having a light source 50, a manipulatable neck 30 coupled
between the base 10 and the light assembly housing 40, and a
base tab 20 coupled to the base 10. The base tab 20 includes
a first end 22 coupled to the base tab 20, and a second end 24
extending from the first end 22, wherein the second end 24 is
a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end 24
engages the booklight pocket of the protective cover, thereby
removably securing the booklight 200 to the protective cover
100.
A size and shape of a perimeter of the portion of the free
end 24 substantially corresponds to a size and shape of the
booklight pocket 120 of the protective cover 100. As
explained above, the free end 24 includes a substantially flat
plate portion that engages the booklight pocket 120 of the
protective cover. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the
mounting device 114a-c, 116 and the booklight pocket 120
are on the first cover 104. In this embodiment, the mounting
device 114a-c, 116 secures the eReader over the booklight
pocket 120 and the portion of the free end 24 of the base tab
20 when the eReader is secured to the interior surface 104a,
1 02a of the one of the first cover 104 and the second cover
102. In this marmer, the mounting device 114a-c, 116 and the
eReader secure, or at least help to secure, the base tab 20 of the
booklight 200 in the booklight pocket 120 of the protective
cover 100, thereby strengthening the assembly of the protective cover 100 and the booklight 200.
In other embodiments, the mounting device 114a-c, 116
and the booklight pocket 120 can be on separate covers 104 or
102.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the booklight pocket 120 is located
adjacent to an upper end of the interior surface 104a, 102a of
the one of the first cover 104a and the second cover 102. In
this manner, the base 10, the manipulatable neck 30, and the
light assembly housing 40 of the booklight 200 can be configured to be aligned serially along the spine of the protective
cover 100 in a stored position inside the protective cover 100.
The light assembly housing 40 can be easily and conveniently
manipulated into position and/or the base 10 can be pivoted or
swiveled into position, to focus the light from the booklight
200 and optimize the illumination of the display of the
eReader.
The present invention has been described herein in terms of
several preferred embodiments. However, modifications and
additions to these embodiments will become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended that all such modifications
and additions comprise a part of the present invention to the
extent that they fall within the scope of the several claims
appended hereto.
Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the
figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components,
elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms
(including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be
further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a
meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of
the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted
in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so
defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may
not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in
this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but
do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as
"between X andY" and "between about X andY" should be
interpreted to include X andY. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X andY" mean "between about X and about
Y." As used herein, phrases such as "from about X toY" mean
"from about X to about Y."
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with,
"contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on,
attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the
other element or intervening elements may also be present. In
contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example,
"directly on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to,
"directly coupled" with or "directly contacting" another ele-
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ment, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be
the pocket not traversing the axis and being adjacent
appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a
to an end of the interior surface and in the portion of
structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature
the interior surface sized to secure the eReader,
may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feawherein the pocket is formed at an angle with respect
ture.
to the axis; and
Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below",
a booklight including,
"lower", "over", "upper", "lateral", "left", "right" and the
a base coupled to a substantially flat portion that is
disposed within the pocket, the substantially fiat porlike, may be used herein for ease of description to describe
tion including a slot and the base including a protruone element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood 10
sion received by the slot so that the base is movably
that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
coupled with the substantially flat portion,
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
a light housing assembly having a light source, and
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For
a neck between the base and the light housing assembly.
7. The cover assembly for an eReader according to claim 6,
example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements
described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features 15 wherein the pocket is coupled to the interior surface.
would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features.
8. A cover and light assembly, the cover and light assembly
The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
comprising:
at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial
a protective cover including, a first and second cover each
relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.
including
What is claimed is:
an exterior surface and an interior surface, and an axis
20
around which the interior surfaces of the first and
1. A cover assembly for an eReader comprising:
a protective cover including:
second covers are bendable, and
a first and second cover each including, an interior sura pocket formed between the exterior surface and at least
face and an exterior surface,
a portion of the interior surface of one of the first and
a spine connecting the first and second covers which are 25
second covers, the pocket not traversing the axis and
pivotable with respect to each other about the spine,
having an opening formed at an edge of the interior
and
surface; and
a pocket formed between the interior surface and the
a light including,
exterior surface of one of the first and second covers,
a planar base disposed within the pocket and having a
wherein the pocket does not traverse the spine and 30
slot,
extends away from the spine and has an opening
a movable base with a protrusion that is received by the
formed at an edge of one of the interior surfaces,
slot of the planar base so that the movable base is
a booklight including,
movably coupled to the planar base,
a base with a protrusion,
a neck extending from the movable base, and
a substantially flat portion that is disposed within the 35
a light housing disposed at a distal end of the neck.
pocket formed between the interior surface and the
9. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
wherein the movable base has a first position with respect to
exterior surface of one of the first and second covers,
the substantially flat portion including a slot that
the planar base, and in the first position, the light housing is in
receives the protrusion, so that the base is coupled
a stored position.
10. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
with the substantially flat portion while the base is 40
capable of moving relative to the substantially flat
wherein the movable base has a second position with respect
portion,
to the planar base, and in the second position, the light housa light housing assembly having a light source, and
ing is in a lighting position.
11. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
a neck between the base and the light housing assembly.
2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck is a 45 wherein the pocket is formed between the exterior surface and
flexible neck.
a corner portion of the interior surface.
12. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
3. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source
wherein the exterior cover is sized to wrap around an eReader.
includes a light emitting diode (LED).
4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior
13. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
surface further includes an axis and the interior surface is 50 wherein the interior surface includes at least one mounting
bendable around the axis, and
device disposed on the interior surface.
14. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
wherein the pocket is formed at an angle with respect to the
aXIS.
wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface form a
first cover and a second cover and the pocket is formed in one
5. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the pocket is
55 of the first cover and the second cover.
coupled to the interior surface.
6. A cover assembly for an eReader, comprising:
15. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
a protective cover including a first and second cover each
wherein the pocket is formed at an angle with respect to the
aXIS.
including,
an interior surface, wherein a portion of the interior
16. The cover and light assembly according to claim 8,
surface of one of the first and second covers is sized to 60 wherein the pocket is coupled to the interior surface.
17. A cover and light assembly, the cover and light assemsecure the eReader, and
an exterior surface
bly comprising:
the protective cover having an axis around which the
a protective cover including, a first and second cover each
interior surfaces of the first and second covers are
including,
an exterior surface, an interior surface, the protective
65
bendable, and
cover having an axis around which the interior sura pocket formed between the interior surface and the
faces of the first and second covers are bendable, and
exterior surface of one of the first and second covers,
US 8,047,670 B2
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a pocket formed between the exterior surface and a corner portion of the interior surface of one of the first
and second covers and extending away from the axis,
the pocket being formed with two opposing surfaces
at an angle with respect to the axis, the pocket being
formed with at least one opening at an end of the two
opposing surfaces; and
a light including,
an elongated planar base disposed within the pocket
between the two opposing surfaces of the pocket, the
elongated planar base having a slot, the elongated
planar base being sized to be received between the
two opposing surfaces of the pocket and the at least
one opening at the end of the two opposing surfaces,
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a movable base that moves with respect to the elongated
planar base, the movable base having a protrusion that
is received by the slot of the elongated planar base so
that the movable base is movably coupled to the elongated planar base,
a neck extending from the movable base, and
a light housing disposed at a distal end of the neck and
including a light adapted to light at least a portion of
the interior surface of the cover,
wherein the movable base has at least a first position and a
second position with respect to the elongated planar
base, and in the first position, the light housing is in a
stored position, and in the second position, the light
housing is in a lighting position.
* * * * *
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