Latch Mechanism of a Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device

A protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising:

• a first cover including a first edge and a second edge;
• a second cover including a first edge and a second edge, the second edge of the second cover being hingedly connected to the second edge of the first cover so that the first cover and the second cover can be positioned in an open position, where the first edge of the first cover is spaced away from the first edge of the second cover, and a closed position, where the first edge of the first cover is adjacent to the first edge of the second cover;
• the portable electronic device being receivable between the first and second covers;
• at least one latch member disposed on one of the first and second covers proximate its the first edge;
• and
• a locking plate disposed on the other of the first and second covers proximate to its first edge, the locking plate being shaped to extend over the first edge of the first and second covers to engage the at least one latch member when the first cover and second cover are in the closed position.

A protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising:

• a first cover including an inner surface and an outer surface;
• a second cover including an inner surface and an outer surface, the second cover being hingedly connected to first cover so that the first and second covers can be positioned in an open position, where the inner surface of the first cover and the inner surface of the second cover are exposed, and a closed position, where the inner surface of the first cover is adjacent to the inner surface of the second cover;
• the portable electronic device being receivable between the first and second covers;
• at least one latch member disposed on the outer surface of one of the first and second covers;
• and
• a locking plate pivotally coupled to the outer surface of the other of the first and second covers, the locking plate being repositionable between an unlocked position and a locked position, where when the locking plate is in the locked position and the first cover and the second cover are in the closed position, the locking plate is engaged with the at least one latch member.