# US 2014/0190842 A1 · Latch Mechanism of a Protective Case for Portable Electronic Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190842 A1 - Document ID: US20140190842A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/146,972 - Filed: 2014-01-03 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Mattel, Inc. - Applicants: Mattel, Inc. - Inventors: Ross RUMFOLA, III; Daniel J. DAMON; Jared P. PARDI; Donald W. STUCKE, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190842A1 ## CPC - A45C 11/00: Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) - A45C 13/1084: {of the latch-and-catch type} - A45C 11/003: {for storing portable computing devices, e.g. laptops, tablets or calculators} - A45C 2013/025: {for holding portable computers or accessories therefor} - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS ## Abstract A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover and a back plate that are hingedly coupled to one another. The cover has a locking plate hingedly coupled to the top of the cover. A latching mechanism is disposed on the top of the back plate. The locking plate is configured to rotate over the cover and back plate and be engaged by the latching mechanism, locking the cover and back plate together. Furthermore, a portable electronic device is configured to be enclosed by the cover and the back plate, which provide protection for the portable electronic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising: a first cover including a top, a bottom, and an opening disposed between the top and the bottom; a second cover including a top and a bottom, the bottom of the second cover hingedly connected to the bottom of the first 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; and a locking plate configured to be engaged by the at least one latch member and disposed on the other of the first and second covers, wherein when the locking plate is engaged by the at least one latch member, the portable electronic device is locked between the first cover and second cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protective case of claim 1, further comprising a screen protector covering the opening of the first cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The protective case of claim 1, wherein the locking plate is hingedly connected to the top of the first cover. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The protective case of claim 1, wherein the locking plate includes a first aperture and a second aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The protective case of claim 4, wherein the at least one latch member includes a first latch member and a second latch member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The protective case of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch member is substantially L-shaped. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The protective case of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch member is slidably reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the at least one latch member is configured to engage the locking plate in the first configuration and is configured to disengage the locking plate in the second configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The protective case of claim 7, further comprising a spring biasing the at least one latch member in the first configuration. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The protective case of claim 9, wherein the first cover includes an opening and a screen protector covering the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The protective case of claim 9, wherein the locking plate is hingedly connected to the first cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The protective case of claim 9, wherein the locking plate includes a first aperture and a second aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The protective case of claim 12, wherein the at least one latch member includes a first latch member and a second latch member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The protective case of claim 9, wherein the at least one latch member is substantially L-shaped. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The protective case of claim 9, wherein the at least one latch member is slidably reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the at least one latch member is configured to engage the locking plate in the first configuration and is configured to disengage the locking plate in the second configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The protective case of claim 15, further comprising a spring biasing the at least one latch member in the first configuration. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The protective case of claim 17, wherein the locking plate includes a first aperture and a second aperture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The protective case of claim 18, wherein the at least one latch member includes a first latch member and a second latch member, the first latch member being engagable with the first aperture and the second latch member being engagable with the second aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The protective case of claim 17, wherein the first cover includes an opening and a screen protector covering the opening.