Abstract:
A handheld device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, palmtop computer, or the like, can be protected from physical shock by being suspended within a multiple layer enclosure forming a protective case. The protective case includes an outer shell and an inner cushioning layer comprising one or more cushions. The cushions can be interlocked with opposing ends of the outer shell via an interlocking connection, so that the pieces of the cushion layer can be secured within the protective case. The cushions can cooperate to suspend the handheld device within the enclosure of the protective case and isolate the handheld device from the outer shell to protect the handheld device from physical shocks imparted to the outer shell.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/853,494, filed Aug. 10, 2010, and entitled “PROTECTIVE CASE WITH SLIDING DISPLAY COVER,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to protective cases, and more particularly to protective cases having suspending cushions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most handheld electronic devices for example mobile phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, are vulnerable to minor damage such as a scratched surface, to more severe damage such as the body cracking or internal damage from accidentally dropping or striking the device on a door, table edge, or the like. 
         [0004]    Attempts to protect such handheld devices include carrying the device in a protective case made of rigid plastic or a single piece of flexible material. Protective cases made of rigid or substantially-rigid plastic do very little, if anything, to protect the device from anything more significant than minor scratching, while protective cases made from flexible materials tend to degrade easily from exposure and wear. Furthermore, protective cases that merely surround the device in a material, flexible or rigid, still tend to transmit at least some of a physical shock through the material to the device. Also, many of the protective cases leave the display screen exposed, and thus also provide limited, if any, protection for the display from physical shock. 
         [0005]    Some cases require the user to remove the device from the case to view the display, while others provide a removable display cover, or a cover designed to be flipped open to expose the display. These cases, however, are not always easy to use. For example, it can be inconvenient to be forced to remove a device from its case before use. Likewise, covers that flip-open tend to be vulnerable to having the cover broken off. 
         [0006]    Thus, it can be seen that currently available technology for protective cases is less than perfect. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure allow a device configured to protect an electronic device from physical shocks. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the disclosure, a protective case, which can removably or irremovably couple with a holster, includes a substantially-rigid outer shell and two or more cushions that cooperate to suspend a mobile electronic device within the outer shell such that the mobile electronic device is isolated from the outer shell. The outer shell includes a first portion and a second portion, both of which are configured to matingly couple with each other to form an enclosure which has an aperture through which a display screen of a mobile electronic device positioned within the enclosure can be viewed. The first and second portions each have an inner surface adapted to receive and interlock with a first and second cushion, respectively. The first and second cushions each have an outer surface configured to interlock with the inner surface of the first portion and second portions of the outer shell, respectively, and an inner surface adapted to receive at least part of a first and second end of the mobile electronic device, respectively. The first cushion can interlock with the first portion of the outer shell via a first tongue-in-groove connection, and the second cushion can interlock with the second portion of the substantially-rigid outer shell via a second tongue-in-groove connection. The first and second cushions can each receive two first and two second corners of the mobile electronic device, respectively. 
         [0009]    The outer shell can accommodate a particular model of mobile electronic device and includes a first aperture to enable access to an interface of the particular model of mobile electronic device. One or more cushions can fill the first aperture to provide indirect access to the interface, include a second aperture with a projected lining and can align the second aperture with the first aperture so the projected lining extends at least partially through the first aperture, and include a plug extending at least partially into the interface. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus, which can removably or irremovably couple with a holster, includes an outer shell having two pieces to slidably receive and interlock with each other to form an enclosure and two sleeves that cooperate within the enclosure to position the handheld device within the enclosure and substantially isolate it from contact with the outer shell. Each sleeve slidably receives two or more corners on generally opposing ends of the handheld device, and each piece of the outer shell slidably receives and interlocks with one of the two sleeves. Each piece of the outer shell can slidably receive and interlock with one of the sleeves via a different tongue-and-groove connection. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the disclosure, a protective shell for an electronic device includes a multi-piece shell configured to interlock with the two or more separate pieces of a flexible lining and cooperate with the flexible lining to mechanically isolate the electronic device from the outer shell to shield the electronic device from physical shock. The separate pieces of the flexible lining interlock with generally opposing ends of the electronic device, and the pieces of the multi-piece shell interconnect to form an outer shell that substantially encloses the flexible lining. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Aspects of this disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a protective case holding a portable electronic device and having a sliding display cover in an open position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a protective case holding a portable electronic device, and having a sliding display cover in a closed position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a protective case holding a portable electronic device, and having a sliding display cover in a partially open position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a roll-top display cover slidably mounted in a track, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a roll-top display cover, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded side view of portion A of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a protective case having interlocking layers, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an end view of a protective case having interlocking layers, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9 . is an expanded perspective view of a protective case having interlocking layers, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0023]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a protective case  100  (alternatively referred to herein as a “protective cover” or “protective shell”) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown with a sliding display screen cover is illustrated and discussed. Protective case  100  includes an outer shell  103  having various openings (herein referred to as “apertures”)  105 ,  109 , and  113 , and hand grips  115 . Outer shell  103  can be constructed of various different materials to protect an electronic device enclosed within an enclosure formed by outer shell  103  from physical shock due to accidentally bumping, dropping or striking protective case  100 . For example, in some embodiments, outer shell  103  can be constructed of a substantially rigid plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, or other material, that can be selected to provide various degrees and types of protection, and to achieve a desired size profile. Various materials and finishes can also be used to make protective case  100  easier to grip, easier to slide in and out of a pocket or purse, or to achieve another desired tactile characteristic. In some embodiments, a flexible rubber or rubber-like material can be used. In some embodiments protective case  100  also provides moisture resistance or insulation. 
         [0024]    Outer shell  103  can be constructed of a single piece of material, or can be constructed in multiple different portions (also referred to as “pieces” or “outer layers”) that can be snapped, clasped, glued, interlocked, mated, or otherwise joined or coupled to form the entire outer shell  103 . For example, in some embodiments, outer shell  103  can be a unitary piece of relatively flexible material that can be temporarily stretched or deformed to allow insertion of an electronic device through aperture  109  or another opening (not illustrated). In other embodiments, one or more rigid or semi-rigid portions of outer shell  103  can be disassembled to allow insertion of an electronic device, then reassembled around the inserted electronic device. 
         [0025]    In at least one embodiment, outer shell  103  includes apertures  105 ,  109 , and  113  that are specifically configured for use with a particular electronic device. For example, aperture  105  can be configured to correspond to the position of a speaker in a mobile telephone (alternatively referred to herein as a “cellular phone”), aperture  113  can be used to accommodate a pushbutton or other user input device, and aperture  109  can be sized and positioned to accommodate a display screen of an electronic device, such an iPhone, a Droid, or another similar device. In various embodiments, outer shell  103  can be constructed or modified to include additional or fewer apertures to accommodate various features of various different handheld or portable electronic devices. For example, outer shell  103  can include an aperture in the back of outer shell  103  (not illustrated) to accommodate a camera included on an electronic device. In some embodiments, only the exact number of apertures needed for use with a particular electronic device are included in outer shell  103 , while other embodiments can be generically constructed for use with multiple different electronic devices, and may therefore include some apertures not used for any one particular device. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , protective case  100  includes an aperture  109  sized and positioned for use in conjunction with an electronic device having a display screen and positioned within outer shell  103 . Aperture  109  can, in some embodiments, be covered with a substantially clear material. This clear material can be rigid or flexible, and of any desired thickness. However, in at least one embodiment, the clear material is constructed to be thin enough to permit user interaction with a touch screen display included on the electronic device. In other embodiments, aperture  109  is left uncovered to facilitate access to the display screen of the electronic device. 
         [0027]    Protective case  100  includes a slidable display cover configured to slide over opening  109  to cover the display screen of an electronic device located within outer shell  103  and protect the display screen from physical shock. The slidable display cover is not visible in  FIG. 1 , because it has been slid into an open position. In some embodiments, the slidable display cover may be partially visible even when it is in a fully open position. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, protective case  100  includes one or more cushions (alternatively referred to herein as “flexible linings”, “layers”, “inner layers”, or “sleeves”) that lie between the inner surface of the outer shell  103  and the electronic device located within the protective case  100 . The cushions are not visible in  FIG. 1 , and are illustrated and discussed further in  FIGS. 7-9  below. 
         [0029]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , protective case  200  is illustrated with a display screen cover  210  in a closed, or protective position, covering an opening (not visible) in outer shell  203 . In various embodiments, display screen cover  210  can be slid open or closed to alternately expose or cover an opening such as aperture  109  ( FIG. 1 ). At least one embodiment implements display screen cover  210  in a “roll-top” configuration. For example, when display screen cover  210  is slid from left to right to expose the opening in outer shell  203 , display screen cover  210  slides around the right edge and around the back of the electronic device held within protective case  200 . In some embodiments, display screen cover  210  can wrap externally around outer shell  203 . In other embodiments, display screen cover  210  wraps around the inside of outer shell  203 . 
         [0030]    Although the examples discussed herein generally describe a display screen cover that wraps around a left or right side of an electronic device, embodiments that slide up or down and wrap around the top or bottom edge of the electronic device are also contemplated, consistent with the configuration of the electronic device placed within the protective case. In yet other embodiments, display screen cover  210  can be an accordion-style door (not illustrated) having lateral elements that fold up on one another as the door is slid into an open position. Various embodiments further include multi-part doors. 
         [0031]    A display screen cover  210  according to various embodiments can be constructed of rigid or semi-rigid materials, which can help to absorb or deflect physical shock from the display of an electronic device when the display screen cover  210  is in a closed position. In some embodiments, display screen cover  210  can be constructed of a transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or other material that allows viewing of the display screen of an electronic device held within outer shell  203 , even when display screen cover  210  is in a closed position. In other embodiments, display screen cover is substantially opaque. 
         [0032]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , protective case  300 , which includes a sliding door  310  partially covering aperture  309  in outer shell  303 , is illustrated. Outer shell  303  also includes aperture  115 , configured to allow access to various connectors, interfaces, or the like included on an electronic device housed within protective case  300 . Although not specifically illustrated, outer shell  303  may also include various plugs, covers, or the like that extend partially or fully into the various connectors, interfaces, or the like included on an electronic device housed within protective case  300  and can be used to close aperture  115  when access to the connectors, interfaces, or ports through aperture  115  is not desired. 
         [0033]    Outer shell  303  also includes seams  322  and  324 , which illustrate points at which various separate portions (or “layers”) of outer shell  303  can be disassembled or assembled. For example, in some embodiments, the bottom portion of outer shell  303  can be separated from the top portion at seam  324 , thereby facilitating placement of an electronic device therein. In other embodiments, the front and back portions of outer shell  303  can be separated at seam  322 , and then reassembled after an electronic device has been inserted. In some embodiments, outer shell  303  is the housing provided by the manufacturer of an electronic device, and the sliding door  310  is integral with, or attachable to, the primary housing of the electronic device. Put another way, the electronic and other components of an electronic device, including for example the display screen, can be housed within, or integrated with, protective case  300 . 
         [0034]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a cover and track assembly  400  is illustrated according to various embodiments of the present invention. Cover and track assembly  400  includes sliding display cover  410  and track  420 . Track  420  can be formed a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, metal, metal alloy, rubber-like material, or other material, and is constructed to mate with sliding display cover  410 . In embodiments like those illustrated in  FIG. 4 , track  420  can be mounted to an outer shell, such as those illustrated and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , so that an electronic device can be placed inside of track assembly  400 , so that a display screen of the electronic device (not illustrated) can be alternately covered or exposed as sliding display cover  410  is slid to an open or closed position. Note that as sliding display cover  410  is slid open to expose the display of the electronic device, sliding display cover  410  will wrap around an outside edge of the device, and in some embodiments at least partially around the back of an electronic device placed inside of track assembly  400 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, track  420  is formed as an integral part of a protective case, such as those illustrated and discussed in  FIGS. 1-3 . Furthermore, in some such embodiments, track  420  does not extend entirely around an edge of an electronic device placed inside of the protective case. Instead, the track can extend only along an edge of an aperture  309  ( FIG. 3 ). In some such embodiments, a device placed inside of the protective case can guide the movement of any portion of sliding display cover  410  that is not current engaging track  420 . Furthermore, in some embodiments track  420  may engage only one side of sliding display cover  410 . 
         [0036]    Various methods and types of engaging mechanisms can be used to connect sliding display cover  410  to track  420 . For example, track  420  may include one or more grooves into which one or more pins of sliding display cover  410  fit. In other embodiments, various rail, bearing, wheel, and continuous or semi-continuous male and female coupling techniques can be used to couple sliding display cover  410  to track  420 . In some embodiments, track  420  may consist essentially of a pin or other protrusion configured to mate with a corresponding receiver connected to, or formed in, sliding display cover  410 . At least one embodiment contemplates that each side of track  420  consists essentially of an upper and lower portion that protrude over and guide individual slats or ribs of sliding display cover  420 . 
         [0037]    Referring next to  FIG. 5 , a display cover  500  according to various embodiments is illustrated. Display cover  500  includes a series horizontal members  510  connected to each other and positioned side by side. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the horizontal members includes a protrusion  516  that can be slidably mated to a track in a protective cover, as discussed in  FIGS. 1-4 . As illustrated, display cover  500  is constructed from a single piece of material by forming lands  512  separated by grooves  514  cut into the material. The illustrated configuration allows display cover  500  to bend or flex when moved along track included in a protective case. 
         [0038]    Referring briefly to  FIG. 6 , an expanded view of an edge of display cover  500  is illustrated. The expanded view shows the lands  512 , grooves  514 , and protrusions  516 . 
         [0039]    Although  FIGS. 5 and 6  specifically illustrate a display cover  500  constructed from a single piece of material, other embodiments of display cover  500  can use individual slats, bars, or the like. In some such embodiments, the slats or bars can be connected by a strapping material, or simply placed next to each other and held in place by an external frame (not illustrated). In yet further embodiments, the display cover can be a unitary door constructed from one or more pieces of material without lands and grooves. Such a door should be flexible enough to bend at least partially around an outside portion of an electronic device when slid along a track included in a protective cover as described herein. 
         [0040]    Referring next to  FIG. 7 , protective case  700 , which includes multiple layers, is illustrated. The layers can include outer layers (alternatively referred to herein as “outer shell portions”, “pieces of an outer shell”, “pieces of a multi-piece shell” or the like)  703  and  705 , and inner layers (alternatively referred to herein as “cushions”, “sleeves”, “pieces of a flexible lining”, or the like)  707  and  709 . In some embodiments, protective case  700  can be adapted to protect an electronic device  701  from physical shock by isolating or substantially isolating the electronic device from outer layers  703  and  705  via inner layers  707  and  709 . The outer shell can be adapted to accommodate a particular model of electronic device  701  including, but not limited to, mobile telephones, or other communication devices, tablets, televisions, radios, audio visual devices, audio players, timekeeping devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other computing devices. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, inner layers  707  and  709  can suspend or position electronic device  701  within an enclosure formed by outer layers  703  and  705 , thereby isolating electronic device  701  from the outer layers  703  and  705  by inner layers  707  and  709  and empty space  704 . Physical shocks imparted to outer layers  703  or  705  can be absorbed in part or in full by either inner layers  707  and  709  or empty space  704  before electronic device  701  is affected. In some embodiments, the outer layers  703  and  705  and the inner layers  707  and  709  can be constructed of different materials with different levels of flexibility. For example, outer layers  703  and  705  can be constructed of a substantially-rigid material including, but not limited to, a hard plastic, while inner layers  707  and  709  can be constructed of a flexible material including silicone, rubber, or the like. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, inner layers  707  and  709  receive part or all of electronic device  701 . For example, inner layers  707  and  709  may each fit over or receive one or more corners of electronic device  701 . Inner layers  707  and  709  can fit over generally opposing ends or corners of electronic device  701  such that, when electronic device  701  and inner layers  707  and  709  are positioned within the enclosure formed by outer layers  703  and  705 , electronic device is suspended within the enclosure at opposing ends or corners by inner layers  707  and  709 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, outer layers  703  and  705  receive inner layers  707  and  709 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of outer layer  703  may removably or irremovably interlock, matingly couple, slidably join, or the like with the outer surface of inner layer  707  via one or more various connection types, such as a sliding connection. As discussed below in  FIG. 8 , such connection types may include, but are not limited to, tongue-and-groove connections or some other connection between outer layer  703  and inner layer  707  and outer layer  705  and inner layer  709 . 
         [0043]    Outer layers  703  and  705  can include one or more apertures  713 , configured to allow access to various interfaces  702  (alternatively referred to herein as connectors, ports, or the like), included on an electronic device housed within protective case  700 . Interfaces  702  can include, but are not limited to, headphone jacks, power jacks, buttons, cameras or camera lenses, display screens, and the like. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, inner layer  709  can include a plug  715  that can cover an interface  702  and, where interface  702  includes a recess or port that extends into electronic device  701 , plug  715  may include a protrusion that extends partially or fully into interface  702 . Plug  715  can be used to close aperture  713  when access to the interface  702  through aperture  713  is not desired. In some other embodiments, plug  715  may be located on or coupled to inner layer  707 , outer layers  703  or  705 , or some other part of protective case  700 . In some embodiments, outer layers  703  and  705  can include one or more apertures  717  configured to allow access to various parts of an electronic device housed within protective case  700 . 
         [0044]    As discussed above in  FIG. 3 , outer layers  703  and  705  can be assembled and disassembled along a seam  322  or  324 . When assembled, outer layers  703  and  705  can be interlocked with each other, matingly coupled, or the like via a connection  711 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, outer layers  703  and  705  are matingly coupled at seam  324  (not illustrated) via an interlocking connection  711 . In some other embodiments, outer layers  703  and  705  may be matingly coupled, interlocked, or the like at seam  322  via an interlocking connection located elsewhere on the outer layers  703  and  705 . 
         [0045]    Referring next to  FIG. 8 , protective case  800 , which includes at least outer layer  703  and inner layer  707 , is illustrated. In some embodiments, protective case  800  can be adapted to protect an electronic device  701  from physical shock by isolating the electronic device from the outer layer  703  via inner layer  707 . Inner layer  707  can, in some embodiments, be configured to be coupled, interlocked, mated, or the like with outer layer  703 . Coupling between inner layer  707  and outer layer  703  can be facilitated by one or more connections. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of inner layer  707  includes multiple grooves  803  that are each configured to receive a tongue  805  located on the inner surface of outer layer  703 . Together, each tongue  805  on the inner surface of outer layer  703  can cooperate with a corresponding groove  803  on the outer surface of inner layer  707  to form a tongue-and-groove connection between inner layer  707  and outer layer  703 . In some embodiments, inner layer  707  and outer layer  703  can be interlocked via one or more tongue-and-groove connections, male-female interlocks, sliding connections, or some other type of connection or combination thereof. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, inner layer  707  can be coupled to outer layer  703  such that the two parts interlock in a snug fit to prevent loss of coupling, yet also permitting inner layer  707  to be removed from the outer layer  703  by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, inner layers  707  and  709  are interlocked with outer layers  703  and  705  via a tongue-and-groove connection. Inner layer  707  may be removed from outer layer  703  by sliding inner layer  707 , parallel to the tongue-and-groove connection, out of the partial enclosure formed by outer layer  703 . In some embodiments where the type of connection is a male-female interlock, inner layer  707  may be removed by disengaging the interlock between inner layer  707  and outer layer  703 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, electronic device  701  includes an interface  801 , such as a button. Protective case  800  can be configured to enable a user to access, activate, or otherwise interact with electronic device  701 , via interface  801 , while it is positioned within protective case  800 . For example, outer layer  703  can include an aperture  811  that is located on outer layer  703  in a location that enables a user to access interface  801  through aperture  811 . Inner layer  707  may, in some embodiments, extend over interface  801  to shield interface  801  from physical shocks or some other type of damage. Peg  809  may enable a user to continue to access, activate, or otherwise interact with interface  801  indirectly by contacting interface  801  when a user makes contact with the overlying portion of inner layer  707  that is exposed to the user by aperture  811 . One or more parts of inner layer  707  can be adapted into the form of a button  807  that can partially or completely fill the gap in outer layer  703  formed by aperture  811  to provide ease of user access to interface  801  through aperture  811 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , and expanded view of protective case  900 , which includes outer layer  703  and  705  and inner layers  707  and  709 , is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, inner layers  707  and  709  are adapted to fit over generally opposing ends of an electronic device (not illustrated). In some other embodiments, inner layers  707  and  709  may be adapted to fit over one or more corners of the electronic device. Protective case  900  may also include additional layers to cover parts of the electronic device. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, outer layer  703  can receive inner layer  707  and outer layer  705  can receive inner layer  709 . Each outer layer  703  and  705 , in some other embodiments, receives more than one inner layer. For example, outer layer  703  may receive two inner layers that each fit over one corner of an electronic device, two inner layers that each fit over generally opposing ends of an electronic device such that only part of each inner layer is received by outer layer  703 , or the like. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, one or more inner layers  707  and  709  interlock with one or more outer layers  703  and  705 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , one or more grooves  803  on the outer surface of inner layer  707  may receive one or more tongues  805  on the inner surface of outer layer  703  so that inner layer  707  is interlocked with outer layer  703 . Inner layer  709  can also have one or more grooves  803  that can receive tongues (not illustrated) on the inner surface of outer layer  705  so that inner layer  709  is interlocked with outer layer  705 . In some embodiments, inner layers  707  and  709  may have different types or configurations of connections with one or more of outer layers  703  and  705 . For example, inner layer  707  may interlock with outer layer  703  via a tongue-and-groove connection and inner layer  709  may interlock with outer layer  705  via a male-female interlock. 
         [0050]    One or more of outer layers  703  or  705 , or some other additional outer layers, may include one or more apertures  713 ,  811 ,  906 , and  907 . As discussed and illustrated above in  FIGS. 7-8 , one or more apertures  713 ,  811 ,  906 , and  907  on outer layers  703  and  705  can enable a user to access one or more interfaces, connectors, ports, or the like on an electronic device positioned within the enclosure formed by assembled outer layers  703  and  705 . As discussed and illustrated above in  FIG. 8 , one or more parts of inner layers  707  and  709  may be formed into buttons  907  that can partially or completely fill one or more of the apertures in one of outer layers  703  and  705 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, part of inner layer  707  fills aperture  811  as a button  807  to enable a user to easily access, activate, or otherwise interact with an interface on the electronic device that is covered by inner layer  707 . As also discussed and illustrated above in  FIG. 7 , one or more of inner layers  707  and  709  may include a plug  715  that can cover, and may also extend in part or in full into, an interface on the electronic device that would otherwise be exposed by aperture  713 . For example, the illustrated embodiment includes a cover on inner layer  709  that can cover and extend into an interface on the electronic device received by inner layer  709  and can be removed to enable a user to access the interface through aperture  713  when desired. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, one or more parts of inner layers  707  and  709  may include apertures positioned to align with one or more apertures on outer layers  703  and  705 . In the illustrated embodiment, inner layer  709  includes apertures  903  and  908  which are configured to align with apertures  907  and  906 , respectively, on outer layer  705 . Apertures  903  and  908  allow unhindered access to one or more interfaces on an electronic device positioned within the enclosure formed by outer layers  703  and  705 . In some embodiments, an aperture  903  on inner layer  707  may include a projected lining  905  that extends along the edge of aperture  903  and projects outward from inner layer  707  and partially or fully through aperture  907  to provide additional protection to the interface of the electronic device. For example, apertures  903  and  907 , when aligned, can allow an interface such as a camera lens, microphone, or the like to record the environment while projected lining  905  provides shielding from glare, physical shocks, or some other external interference that might adversely affect the quality of pictures, videos, sounds, or the like recorded by the interface. 
         [0052]    As used herein, the terms “electronic device,” “mobile electronic device,” “tablet,” “handheld device,” “portable device,” and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to various different devices that can be carried by person and include a display screen. Examples of electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile telephones, cellular phones, or other communication devices, televisions, radios, audio visual devices, audio players, timekeeping devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other computing devices. 
         [0053]    Various embodiments of a multi-layer protective case have been described to a level of detail that will allow one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention. Although more than one embodiment has been discussed, other variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be made based on the description provided, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.