Apple patent involves a bumper system for surface protection for portable devices

Apple is always looking for more ways to minimize potential damage to iPhones, iPads, and Mac laptops. A new patent filing (number 20170355507) is for “active surface protection for portable electronic devices.”

The invention would provide Apple devices with one or more bumpers that are operable to transition between a stowed position and a deployed position. The bumpers may protect the surfaces of the device from impact is dropped. 

The bumpers may form portions of side corners or other portions of the portable electronic device in the stowed position. In transitioning from the stowed position to the deployed position, the bumpers may rotate and/or translate.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.