Abstract:
The present invention discloses a protective device for a mobile device, comprising: a frame comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall opposite to the third sidewall, the sidewalls being terminated with each other and thereby enclosing and defining a space for accommodating the mobile device, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall being provided with a first engaging feature; and a backboard provided with a second engaging feature corresponding to the first engaging feature; wherein the backboard is formed separately from the frame and is assembled with the frame through the engagement of the first engaging feature and the second engaging feature of the frame. With the present invention, the style of the protective device enclosing the mobile device can be altered by merely replacing its backboard with a new one.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a protective device for a mobile device, and more particularly, to a protective device with a replaceable backboard for a mobile device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The mobile phone has been equipped with a variety of new functions and delicately designed housing since it came into existence. Take iPhone as an example, it not only features various functions, such as camera, Personal Digital Assistant, media player, wireless communication, etc., but also supports wireless Internet access, reception and transmission of emails, mobile phone, text messages, Web browsing and wireless communication service. Moreover, the touch screen makes the operation simpler and easier. There have been several generations of iPhone and each of which enjoys great popularity around the world. 
         [0005]    The smart phone is more precise than ever, and its delicate housing urges the user to use it with great care so that abrasions will not be formed on the surface of the mobile phone when the mobile phone is stored along with other items nor will the mobile phone be damaged by the impact force acting thereupon due to its fall from a higher place. Therefore, various protective products have been developed for mobile phones. Take a soft protective casing as an example, it is made of silicone gel and has a size substantially the same as that of the mobile phone. Such a soft protective case encloses the mobile phone and has to be removed and reinstalled before and after the replacement of the battery. As the protective casing has a size similar to that of the mobile phone, it will be damaged easily due to excess force exerted thereupon. Moreover, the act of frequent removal and reinstallation will result in elastic fatigue of the protective casing and cause cracks to form on the protective casing. Additionally, although the soft protective casing provides the mobile phone with protection against abrasions, it may not be sufficient to protect the mobile phone from damages caused by higher magnitude forces such as collision or punch. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, there is a hard protective casing. The hard protective casing comprises components made of high-cost materials and is configured to solely provide enclosing protection. However, the prior art protective casing, soft or hard, is generally formed integrally and configured to entirely cover and enclose the mobile phone to provide protection while maintaining the user&#39;s personal style reflected by the housing. Nowadays, more and more consumers care about whether their personal items look fashionable and unique. As the protective casing is formed integrally, the user has to buy a new protective casing with different design if he/she does not like the original one anymore. This not only increases expenses but also causes inconvenience to the user. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists in the art for a protective device for a mobile device which improves the aforementioned prior art drawbacks and allows the user to replace the backboard according to his/her needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the prior art problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a protective device for a mobile device so as to solve the problem associated with the structure of the prior art protective casing. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective device for a mobile device, including: a frame constructed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall opposite to the third sidewall, and a backboard assembled with the frame. The sidewalls are terminated with each other and thereby encloses defines therewith in a space for accommodating the mobile device. Each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is provided with a first engaging feature; and the backboard provided with a second engaging feature corresponding to the first engaging feature. The backboard is formed separately from the frame and is assemble with the frame through the engagement of the second engaging feature and the first engaging feature of the frame. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the first engaging feature is a track and the second engaging feature is a rail. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the first engaging feature is a rail and the second engaging feature is a track. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the first engaging feature and the second engaging feature are engagement with each other by an interference fit, a snap fit or a sliding connection. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the first engaging feature is formed on an outer side of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the backboard is provided with at least a pair of opposing sidewalls extending perpendicularly at its two sides, and the second engaging feature is formed on each of opposing inner sides of the at least a pair of opposing sidewalls. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the first engaging feature is formed on an inner side of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 
         [0016]    Preferably, one of the first through fourth sidewalls is provided with a securing feature to further secure the backboard to the frame. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the inner side of at least one of the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall is provided with a recess formed thereon, and the backboard is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the recess. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the backboard has an even surface. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the surface of the backboard is made of a material that is able to be pigmented easily. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the backboard has a hole formed thereon to contain and expose at least one supplementary component of the mobile device. 
         [0021]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided another protective device for a mobile device, including: a body constructed by at least a pair of sidewalls through which the body is attached to two opposing sides of a mobile device; and a backboard formed separately from the body. Each of the at least a pair of sidewalls is provided with a first engaging feature and the backboard is provided with a second engaging feature; and the body and the backboard are assembled with each other through the engagement of the first engaging feature and the second engaging feature. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the body further includes a connecting member through which the at least a pair of sidewalls are connected with each other. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the first engaging feature is a groove and is engaged with the second engaging feature by an interference fit, a snap fit or a sliding connection. 
         [0024]    The aforementioned aspects and other aspects of the present invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation illustrating a frame of a protective device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation illustrating a backboard of a protective device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged partial view illustrating a sidewall of the frame of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged partial view of the backboard of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation illustrating the assembly of the frame in  FIG. 3A  and the backboard in  FIG. 3B . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation illustrating the assembly of a frame and a backboard of a protective device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  is a partial view illustrating a sidewall of the frame of a protective device of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  is a partial view illustrating a side of the backboard of  FIG. 5  which is assembled with the frame in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A  is a partial view illustrating a sidewall of a frame of a protective device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7B  is a partial view illustrating a side of a backboard assembled with the frame in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation illustrating the engagement of the frame of  FIG. 7A  and the backboard of  FIG. 7B . 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a protective device in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The present invention will be fully described by way of preferred embodiments and appended drawings to facilitate the understanding of the technical features, contents and advantages of the present invention and the effect to be achieved by the present invention. It will be understood that the appended drawings are merely schematic representations and may not be illustrated according to actual scale and precise arrangement of the implemented creation. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall not be construed based on the scale and arrangement illustrated on the appended drawings and limited thereto. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation illustrating a frame of a protective device applicable to a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frame  1  is constructed by integrally-formed first through fourth sidewalls  11 - 14  terminated with each other, and thereby a space  15  is defined and enclosed, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The space  15  can accommodate a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone (not shown). Moreover, each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  12  is further provided with a first engaging feature  101 . Under the circumstance that the space  15  accommodates a mobile phone, the sidewalls  11 - 14  are attached to the sides of the mobile phone so that the frame  1  encloses the outer circumference of the mobile phone. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation illustrating a backboard of a protective device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the backboard  2  is formed separately from the frame  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main body of the backboard  2  is a flat board and the surface illustrated is the surface (hereafter referred to as “the inner surface”) in contact with the back of the mobile device. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the backboard  2  is provided with a second engaging feature  201  corresponding to the first engaging feature  101  of the frame  1 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged partial view illustrating a sidewall of the frame  1  of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 ; while  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged partial view of the backboard of a protective device of the present invention which is assembled with the frame  1  shown in  FIG. 3A . As shown, the first engaging feature  101  is formed on each of the sides not in contact with the mobile phone (i.e. the “outer sides”), of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall (not shown) opposite to the sidewall  11 . Preferably, the backboard  2  is provided with at least a pair of opposing sidewalls  22  extending perpendicularly at its two sides, and the second engaging feature  201  is formed on each of opposing inner sides (i.e. the sides close to the mobile phone) of the at least a pair of opposing sidewalls  22 . Preferably, the first engaging feature  101  is a track and the second engaging feature  201  is a corresponding rail configured to receive and engage with the track. Alternatively, it is preferable that the first engaging feature  101  is a rail and the second engaging feature  201  is a corresponding track (not shown) to be received by the rail. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned two arrangements in real practice. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation illustrating the assembly of the frame  1  in  FIG. 3A  and the backboard  2  in  FIG. 3B . In this embodiment, the first engaging feature  101  and the second engaging feature  201  can be engaged with each other by an interference fit, a snap fit or a sliding connection, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Specifically, a force is exerted to the backboard  2  in a direction as indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 4  after the second engaging feature  201  of the backboard  2  is engaged with the first engaging feature  101  of the frame  1 , such that the backboard  2  is able to slide in a longitudinal direction (i.e. the lengthwise direction) of the sidewall  11  (or sidewall  12 ) of the frame  1  to a predetermined position so as to effect the assembly of the fame  1  and the backboard  2  through the engagement of the first engaging feature  101  and the second engaging feature  201 , thereby forming a protective device or casing for a mobile device. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation illustrating the engagement of a frame and a backboard of a protective device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , it is preferable that the first engaging features  101  are formed respectively on the inner sides (i.e. the sides close to the mobile phone) of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  12  of the frame  1 , and the backboard  2  is provided with second engaging features  201  corresponding to the first engaging features  101  of the frame  1 . In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a force is exerted to the backboard  2  in a direction indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 5 , and thereby the backboard  2  is slidable in a lengthwise direction of the sidewall  11  (or sidewall  12 ) of the frame  1  to a predetermined position to effect the assembly of the frame  1  and the backboard  2  through the engagement of the first engaging features  101  and the second engaging features  201 , thereby forming a protective device or casing for a mobile device. 
         [0043]    A person having ordinarily knowledge in the art will understand that the positions of the aforementioned first engaging features  101  on the sidewalls of the frame  1  and those of the corresponding second engaging features  201  on the backboard  2  are exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6A  is a partial view illustrating a sidewall of a frame of a protective device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  is a partial view illustrating a side of a backboard that is able to be engaged with the frame in  FIG. 6A . As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the inner side (i.e. the side close to the mobile phone) of at least one of the third sidewall  13  and the fourth sidewall  14  (in this embodiment, the sidewall  13 ) of the frame  1  may be further provided with a recess  102 , and the side of the backboard  2  corresponding to the sidewall  13  may be further provided with a protrusion  202  corresponding to the recess  102 . The recess  102  and the protrusion  202  are matched with each other while the frame  1  and the backboard  2  are combined (or assembled) so that the combination between the backboard  2  and the frame  1  may be further reinforced. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7A  is a partial view illustrating a sidewall of a frame of a protective device in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7B  is a partial view illustrating a side of a backboard that is able to be engaged with the frame in  FIG. 7A . As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the inner side (i.e. the side not in contact with the mobile phone) of at least one of the third sidewall  13  and the fourth sidewall  14  (in this embodiment, the sidewall  14 ) may be further provided with a protrusion  103 , and the side of the backboard  2  corresponding to the sidewall  14  may be further provided with a recess  203  corresponding to the protrusion  103 . The protrusion  103  and the recess  203  are matched with each other while the backboard  2  and the frame  1  are combined so that the combination between the backboard  2  and the frame  1  is further reinforced. 
         [0046]    The positions and configurations of the protrusion and the recess described in the aforementioned embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention. A person having ordinarily knowledge in the art can easily exchange the relative positions of the protrusion and the recess based on the teachings of the present invention, and such a modification still falls within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation illustrating the engagement of a frame and a backboard in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  12  of the frame  1  is provided with a securing feature  104 , and the recesses  204  corresponding to the securing features  104  are arranged at corresponding positions on the backboard  2 . With the combination (such as but not limited to fastening) of the securing features  104  and the recesses  204 , the connection between the frame  1  and the backboard  2  can be further reinforced. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a protective device in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the protective device of the present invention includes a body  3  and a backboard  4  formed separately from the body  3 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The body  3  is constructed by a pair of sidewalls  31 ,  32  through which the body  3  are attached to two opposing sides of a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone (not shown). Each of the pair of sidewalls  31 ,  32  is further provided with a first engaging feature (e.g. a sliding groove)  301 , and the backboard  4  is further provided with a second engaging feature  401  corresponding to the sliding groove  301 . 
         [0049]    The configurations of the sliding groove  301  on the pair of sidewalls  31 ,  32  and the engaging features  401  on the backboard  4  and the manner in which the sliding groove  301  and the engaging feature  401  are engaged are similar to those described above, thus no further description will be provided. However, it is worth mentioning that the body  3  is further provided with a connecting member  33  for connecting the sidewalls  31  and  32 . The connecting member  33  can be made of any material with extensibility, such as transparent rubber, in real practice. The sidewalls  31 ,  32  are connected with each other through the connecting member  33  and thus cover the corresponding sides of the mobile phone. The sliding groove  301  and the engaging feature  401  is engaged with each other preferably by the interference fit, snap fit or sliding connection. That is, the body  3  and the backboard  4  are assembled through the engagement of the sliding groove  301  and the second engaging feature  401 , so as to form a protective device or casing for a mobile device. 
         [0050]    When a protective device for a mobile device of the present invention is implemented in real practice, it is preferable that the backboard  2  (or the backboard  4 ) has an even surface and that the surface is made of a material which is pigmented easily, so that the different figures or patterns can be favorably formed on the backboard  2 . Optionally, at least one hole or opening (e.g. holes or openings  18 ,  28 ,  48 ) are defined on the frame  1  (or the body  3 ) and the backboard  2  (or the backboard  4 ) to contain and expose at least one supplementary component (e.g. a transmission port, a photographing lens, etc.) of the accommodated mobile device. While it is preferable that the frame  1  (or the body  3 ) and the backboard  2  (or the backboard  4 ) are made of a soft material or a hard material, applicable materials are not limited to the aforementioned materials in real practice. 
         [0051]    A person having ordinarily knowledge in the art will understand that the configurations of the frame, backboard and fixing body of the protective device of the present invention and the embodiments of the first engaging feature, second engaging feature, securing feature, etc. are exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any device made without departing from the spirit and scope of the protective device for a mobile device of the present invention falls within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0052]    To sum up, the protective device for a mobile device of the present invention enables the user to replace the backboard of the protective casing according to his/her needs/preferences. 
         [0053]    The embodiments depicted above are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any change or alteration with equivalent efficiency made without departing from the spirit and scope of this creation falls within the scope of the appended claims.