Two-piece protective case

A two-piece carrying case for a portable electronic device is disclosed. Generally speaking, the protective case includes a first body section and a second body section, each having a back surface, upturned sides, a connecting surface and a rim tightly bonded to an edge of the upturned sides of each body section. The rim defines an open area. The first and second body sections are joined by overlapping the respective connecting surfaces. Correspondingly aligned protrusions and depressions in the connecting surfaces retain the two sections in an overlapping configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cases for electronic devices, and more specifically to two-piece protective cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile phone cases have very quickly blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry. With each new entry into the field, phone cases become lighter, stronger, more colorful, and even more securable. Many phone case designers and manufacturers have focused on the primary purpose of a phone case—i.e., to protect the phone within—sacrificing aesthetics in some instances. In fact, the protective phone case has become such a necessary component of the phone itself, case manufacturers are often given new phone details well-ahead of the general public so that such cases are available as soon as a new phone reaches store shelves.

Two-piece cases are popular due to the ease with which they can be assembled around an electronic device. Typically, a first part is positioned about the device and then a second part is slid into contact. However, due to the ease of the sliding arrangement of the assembly in most cases, the two parts can easily become unexpectedly separated. In some cases, the result can be loss or damage of the protected device.

Until the invention of the present application, case manufacturers have failed to provide the necessary safeguards to maintain connection between two-piece cases. The present invention solves these and other problems which went either unnoticed, ignored or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a two-piece case design which is capable of being attached to a device by a user without fear of coming apart unexpectedly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein an improved protective carry case for a device, such as a portable electronic device (e.g., a phone, camera, PDA, etc.) which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

Generally speaking, the protective case for a portable device comprises a first body section and a second body section, each having a back surface, upturned sides, and a connecting surface. A rim may also be affixed to an edge of the upturned sides of the body sections, the rim defining an open area. The two body sections are joined together by overlapping the respective connecting surfaces. To retain the overlap, at least one protrusion and a corresponding depression are positioned on opposing connecting surfaces. Once aligned, the protrusion enters the depression to “lock” the two body sections together.

In alternate embodiments, the protrusions and corresponding depressions may be on both sides, or it may be that all protrusions are on one surface and all corresponding depressions are on the opposing surface.

It is another aspect of an embodiment of the invention to provide at least one stop on the inner surface of the case for frictionally engaging another surface, such as that of the portable device to be encased. In the event a camera or other sound or image recording device is provided by the portable device, it is an aspect of an embodiment of the invention to provide a passage having an opening on each of the back surface and the inner surface of one of either the first body section or the second body section, the openings being connected by a sidewall. The sidewall is preferably slanted outward to lessen possible interference with the image and/or sound recording function.

These and other aspects of the invention can be more readily understood from a reading of the following detailed description accompanied by the appended drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-12, there is illustrated embodiments of a protective carrying case, generally designated by the number10, for a portable electronic device (not shown). The particular illustrated embodiment is representative of a carrying case designed for an iPhone, manufactured by Apple, Inc. However, a carrying case10made in accordance with the present invention may be configured to fit any number of portable electronic devices, including other smart phones, PDA devices, calculators, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and the like. Those skilled in the relevant art will be able to understand and provide the required design changes to accommodate such alternate devices after a reading of the present detailed disclosure, including the appended drawing figures, without need for undue experimentation.

Reference numbers used withinFIGS. 1-12and in the detailed description to follow, correspond as shown to the following elements:

With reference to an illustrated embodiment, a protective carrying case10includes a first body section12and a second body section14. The first body section12and the second body section14are preferably formed of high-strength thermoplastic polymers such as ABS and polycarbonate materials known in the art. Each of the first and second body sections,12and14, has a back surface18which transforms along an edge25into upturned sides26. The edge25is preferably radiused to provide a smooth transition from back surface18to sides26. However, the edge25may be in the form of a traditional 45 degree corner, or some variation, as well. When the two sections12,14are connected together, a cavity22is formed as defined by an inner surface24of the body sections,12,14, and the upturned sides26.

The first body section12also includes at least one integral toggle button cover28for aligning with control switches on the encased electronic device (not shown), such as for volume and on/off buttons. Toggle button covers28are preferably positioned within the upturned side26of either the first body section12, the second body section14, or both. In the illustrated embodiment, a volume toggle button cover28ais positioned on a left or right side of the first body section12and an on/off toggle button cover28bis positioned on a topside of the first body section12. Additional toggle button covers may be used to suit the various configurations of other electronic devices.

As shown best inFIGS. 2 and 8, a rim16is affixed to an edge of the upturned side26of both the first body section12and the second body section14. The rim16provides a slight overhang to the cavity22to facilitate securing an electronic device within the carrying case. The rim16frames an open area17where typically display and/or keyboard functions are located.

The inner surface24of the case10may include a plurality of stops30for frictionally engaging an outer surface of an electronic device. The stops30are preferably comprised of a high-friction material, such as a rubber or other suitable polymer. In the preferred embodiment, for ease of placement, the stops30are substantially clear, dome-shaped decals which adhere to the inner surface24by any suitable adhesive. As shown, the stops30, of which there are three, are horizontally located in an aligned arrangement on the inner surface24of the two-piece body sections12,14to provide an overall, balanced engagement of the device. That is, the number and positioning of the stops30allows a portable electronic device (not shown) to be held securely after being slidably pushed into the case10.

Another contemplated use for the inner surface24of the first body section12or the second body section14is as advertising space. For example, corporate logos, brand names and the like may be incorporated into the mold tooling.

With reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, the connection between the first body section12and the second body section14can be more readily understood. The second body section14includes an extended flange42, while the first body section12includes a corresponding receptacle44. After an electronic device is placed into the first body section12, the flange42of the second body section14inserts into the receptacle44of the first body section12as the second body section is slid onto the device. The flange42and receptacle44, which may be switched on the two bodies, mate frictionally to hold the first and second body sections,12and14about the device in a protective manner. Using similar polycarbonate material for the first body section12and the second body section14enables an exceptionally strong frictional engagement between the two bodies.

Further, it is also contemplated that the first body section12and the second body section14, may be provided with contrasting colors to mask overprinting. Preferably, the first body section12is provided in black and the second body section14is provided in white. If ink is printed, for example, over the white section and overprints to the black section, the ink will not show on the black. The effect will be a clean line at the junction of the two colors. It will be understood that any contrasting color can be applied to the first body section12and the second body section14to accomplish the intended goal of the present invention.

As mentioned above, it has been determined that many materials, particularly plastics, are unable to withstand repeated high temperatures (e.g., 160° C. and up) for the required duration of the transfer process. For example, during a thermo transfer process wherein the dye from the pre-printed film is introduced to the second body section14, the dye may not be consistently transferred onto the entire second body section14. In fact, it is not uncommon for the edge25of the second body section14which corresponds and aligns with the edge25of the first body section12, to be susceptible to deformation at high temperatures. As a result, the quality of the transferred dye on the first body section12or the second body section14of the carrying case10may be functionally or aesthetically undesirable and even come off.

However, the rim16is tightly bonded to both body sections,12and14, which accomplishes at least a few goals of embodiments of the present invention. First, the rim16creates a perfect line about the open area17much like the contrasting colors of the two sections, as described above. Second, the rim16is also able to mask many physical imperfections in the edge25as a result of the ink heat transfer (e.g., sublimation process). The rim16may also provide structural support to the case in many instances.

Therefore, it is preferably contemplated that the rim16affixed to both the first body section12and the second body section14is integrally bonded in either an injection molding or compression molding process. This subsequent bonding of the rim along an edge25of the upturned sides26of the first and second body sections,12and14, ensures that any loosely transferred dye along this area of the first and second body sections12,14is masked by the rim16.

The use of visually contrasting colors or shades between the first body section12and the second body section14may have other additional benefits. For example, the contrasting color of the first body section12and the second body section14, coupled with side toggle button cover28and a bottom opening20to accommodate a charging plug adapter, provides a user with a visual indication to confirm proper orientation of the housing. Further, the contrasting body sections can be used to indicate proper holding orientation of the device and to enhance visibility of the device. Alternatively or additionally, indicia may be printed on the back surface18of the case10or on the inner surface24of either body section12,14to indicate proper orientation. Finally, the use of contrasting shades or colors between the two body sections12,14provides the visual impression that the housing is thinner than other similar cases in the market used to protect a portable electronic device.

Referring toFIG. 7, another optional feature of the present case10, conical passage32, can be seen. The conical passage32is used to align with the electronic device's camera lens feature. As such, the conical passage32is preferably positioned on the back surface18of the case10in either the first body section12or the second body section14. The passage32has an opening at each of the back surface18and the inner surface24of the case. A slanted sidewall34connects the two openings. Preferably, the inner surface opening36has a diameter less than the back surface opening38. This configuration provides that a greater amount of light will be able to enter the camera aperture for better quality pictures. The conical sidewall32also prevents a photo “flash” effect prevalent in devices using tubular passages where indirect light reflects from the sidewall to “wash-out” a portion of the photo.

With respect toFIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of the disclosed case10is illustrated. The preferred connection between the two body sections,12and14, may be more easily understood. As with the previous embodiment, each second body section14includes an extended flange42, while each first body section12includes a corresponding receptacle44. After an electronic device is placed into the first body section12, the flange42of the second body section14inserts into the receptacle44of the first body section12as the second body section is slid onto the device. The flange42and receptacle44, which may be switched on the two bodies, mate frictionally to hold the first and second body sections,12and14about the device in a protective manner. Using similar polycarbonate material for the first body section12and the second body section14enables an exceptionally strong frictional engagement between the two bodies. The receptacle44of first body section12is shown to be a recessed area primarily on the upturned sides26, while the flange42of the second body section14is preferably a corresponding thin contiguous element extending from the body section14. When the two sections,12and14, are joined, the receptacle44of the first body section12envelops the flange42of the second body section14. The upturned sides26of the two sections can operate as stops to limit the overlap of the two connecting surfaces (i.e., flange44and receptacle42).

Further, to retain the two body sections,12and14, in contact, an embodiment may utilize a system of protrusions52and depressions54, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. The protrusions52, as shown, may be small “bumps” raised on one of the connecting surfaces (i.e., flange44or receptacle42), while the depressions54are recesses on the opposite connecting surface which align with a protrusion52. Each of the connecting surfaces (i.e., flange44and receptacle42) may include both protrusions52and depressions54, or one may have only protrusions52, while the other has only corresponding depressions54. The number and location of the protrusions52, and thus the corresponding depressions54, may vary. Preferably, at least two protrusions52and two corresponding depressions54, and as many as four of each, are used for most applications.

The relative flexibility of the flange44allows the two body sections,12and14, to be brought together. Once the protrusions52and corresponding depressions54align, the connecting surfaces are temporarily “locked” together. The nested electronic device (not shown) provides an added bias to keep the mechanism joined. While the two joined and “locked” body sections,12and14, will not easily unintentionally detach from one another, a typical user is still able to disjoin the two sections by pulling them in opposite directions.