PROTECTIVE PHONE CASE WITH INTEGRATED CARD HOLDER AND STRAP AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

The present disclosure relates to a resilient protective case for mobile devices having shock resistant properties and a fully integrated card holder for storing one or more cards and a finger strap for securing the encased phone to a user's finger while talking on the phone or taking “selfies”. In particular, the protective case includes a back support member disposed on the unitary body, an outer frame member disposed along an outer portion of the back support member, a card holder formed along a portion of the back support member, and a finger strap coupling a first end portion of the card holder to a second end portion of the card holder.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/409,070 filed Aug. 23, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a resilient protective case for encasing and protecting a mobile phone device. In particular, the protective case includes a body having shock resistant properties and a fully integrated card holder for storing one or more cards and a finger strap for securing the encased phone to a user's finger while talking on the phone or taking “selfies”.

BACKGROUND

Protective cases provide an external cover that attach to an outer body of mobile computer devices, protecting these devices from damage caused by accidently dropping or directly impacting the surface of these devices.

Some conventional protective cases include molded shells, outer coverings, or sleeves which are designed to fully encase the device, being constructed from materials such as a cloth, foam, rubber, leather, or plastic. In addition, some of these cases are designed and manufactured to be waterproof, lightweight, and shock resistant, allowing users to easily secure, store, and transport these mobile device.

Though most if not all of these types of conventional protective cases offer users some protection from scratches and damages to mobile devices, they often require additional manufacturing steps such as an overmolding process to include other valuable features to the case. The process of overmolding, for example, typically requires two or more different materials in combination in order to fabricate and create a single part. Typically the first material, also called a substrate, is partially or fully covered by a second material (or overmold material) during the fabrication process. Next, the substrate portion is placed into an injection molding equipment at which point the overmold material is injected, fully covering and encasing the substrate (first material). Afterwards, the overmold material cures and solidifies over time, thereby forming a single part from the two separate materials. In addition to overmolding processes, conventional protective computer cases may require other types of fabrication steps such as riveting, adhering, or mechanically sewing other components to the protective case which requires a separate installation step. In turn, the time and manufacturing costs for adding such features generally increases resulting in lower profit margins to manufacture such products.

Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a resilient protective case with enhanced features, requiring minimal fabrication techniques, and thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide a protective phone case having a back support member, an outer frame member disposed along an outer portion of the back support member, a card holder formed along a portion of the back support member, and a finger strap coupling a first end portion of the card holder to a second end portion of the card holder.

In one embodiment, the card holder may include two card slots through which one or more cards are inserted. In another embodiment, the card holder may include one or more slope members disposed along a perimeter of the card holder, where the one or more slope members forms a gap along the perimeter of the card holder. In another embodiment, the gap is configured to expose an edge portion of one or more cards inserted into the card holder in order to lift, pinch, and remove the one or more cards from the card holder. In yet another embodiment, the card holder may include card retaining segments by which one or more cards are supported and held in place.

In yet another aspect, the finger strap may include a first corrugated expansion member disposed along a first end portion of the finger strap and a second corrugated expansion member disposed along a second end portion of the finger strap. In still yet another aspect, the finger strap may include a curved strap section disposed along a mid-portion of the strap for receiving and supporting a finger of a user.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a method of inserting a card into the protective phone case, the method including, positioning the card above the card holder having a card retaining segments, with a planar side of the card facing the back support member and a leading edge of the card positioned towards the card slot, inserting the leading edge of the card underneath a first strap edge portion of the finger strap, pushing the leading edge of the card through a second strap edge portion of the finger strap, allowing the leading edge of the card to pass through a card slot of the card holder, beyond the second strap edge portion and, securing the card to the card holder with the card held and supported by the card retaining segments of the card holder.

In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the same reference numeral in different figures indicating previously described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1AandFIG.1Brespectively illustrate a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of a resilient protective phone case100, according to an embodiment. The protective phone case100includes a unitary body101having a back support member102and an outer frame103disposed along an outer portion of the back support member102for encasing and protecting a mobile phone device (not shown). These mobile phone devices may include, but are not limited to smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or other portable mobile phones having a lightweight and substantially thin profile design. At least a portion of the unitary body101is molded, contoured, and shaped to cooperatively fit and receive an outer shell of the mobile computer device in which it encases. For example, the unitary body101may be generally rectangular in shape, as shown inFIG.1, for receiving and protecting mobile phone devices having similar dimensions and shapes. In other examples, the unitary body101may molded into other shapes such as ovals, squares, triangles, or circular designs, for encasing and supporting mobile phone devices having corresponding outer case designs. The unitary body101can be fabricated by a plastic material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using an injection molding process. Advantageously, the molding process of the unitary body101can be carried out by a single piece mold set, without the need for any subsequent or overmold processing, to fabricate the unitary body, allowing reduced manufacturing cost and complexity and increased manufacturing efficiencies and throughput rates. Preferred materials for manufacturing the unitary body101may include thermoplastic materials such as, for example, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Both TPE and TPU compounds are known to offer excellent durability, flexibility, and elasticity. Also, both materials are typically ideal for use in extrusion, injection molding, and other plastics molding applications. In common applications, both material classes generally will not lose their structural integrity over time and can maintain their form and flexibility over many cycles of deformation and use. With excellent properties like flexibility, dimensional stability, and ease of manufacturability, both TPE and TPU are preferred plastic materials for fabricating many consumer products.

Referring once again toFIG.1AandFIG.1B, the back support member102of the unitary body101may also include a one-piece integrated finger strap105formed along a center portion of the back support member102. In addition, the back support member102may have two card slots for receiving one or more fingers, including a first card slot106aand second card slot106b, which are disposed on each side of the finger strap105. In addition, the strap105may have corrugated expansion members (105-1,105-2) disposed along each end of the integrated finger strap105and a curved strap section105-3disposed along a mid-portion of the strap105for receiving and supporting a finger of the user. In operation, the strap105is designed to experience some degree of elastic deformation under stress (e.g., when one or more fingers are inserted into the strap105via the two card slots106a,106b), allowing the strap to return to its original state when stress is released (e.g., when the finger is removed from the strap105). To reduce the stress on the strap105corrugated expansion members (105-1,105-2) are formed along each end of the strap105, allowing it to outwardly expand with minimal tensional forces to the strap105, thereby reducing wear and tear, and increasing longevity to the strap. In addition, the curved strap section105-3may provide some stress relief to the strap105due its curvature and slightly raised body which generally conforms to the finger of the user when inserted therein. In one aspect, the finger strap105of the protective phone case100serves as an integrated harness against which a user's finger may rest, preventing them from accidently dropping their phone while in use. In another application, the finger strap105of the protective phone case100may serve as a “selfie” strap, providing the user an easy and convenient way to take a self-portrait photograph (i.e., selfie) while their smartphone attached to the case100. In another implementation, a portion of the back support member102has an indentation forming a card holder107having multiple elements for receiving and retaining one or more cards such as credit cards, membership cards, driver's licenses, and the like. Advantageously, the card holder107is also disposed beneath the strap105, providing additional support and retention to inserted cards when one or more fingers are inserted in the strap105. In addition, a depressed area in the back support member102, in one aspect, forms the card holder107with a fence surrounding the depressed area, corralling one or more cards inserted therein. In yet another implementation, the unitary body101of the protective phone case100may include a camera slot formed along an end portion of the back support member102providing an opening for a camera lens of the phone.

FIG.2AandFIG.2Brespectively illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the card holder107of the resilient protective phone case100, according to an embodiment. The card holder107includes several advantageous elements working together as a single unit which is configured to: 1) accommodate ease of card insertion into the case; 2) provide retaining members to secure the card to the phone case100; and 3) provide a quick and easy removal of the card from the phone case100. For example, elements that form the card holder107may include 1) the two card slots106a,106bthrough which one or more cards are inserted, 2) card retaining segments (107-1a,107-1b) by which one or more cards are supported and held in place, and 3) one or more slope members (107-2a,107-2b) by which the user may lift the one or more cards in order to remove it from the card holder107of the phone case100. For example, the one or more slope members (107-2a,107-2b) forms a ramp having one or more cutout regions or gaps (107-3a,107-3b) disposed along a perimeter of the card holder and a portion of the card retaining segments (107-1a,107-1b). When one or cards are inserted into the card slot, the one or more gaps allow the user to easily lift, pinch, and remove the card from the card holder107.

FIG.3AandFIG.3Brespectively illustrate a front view and a back view of the resilient protective phone case100, according to an embodiment. In another aspect, the phone case100may include but is not limited to a first set of ports (i.e., openings) disposed along an edge portion of the outer frame103. The first set of ports having openings for a USB serial data/power cable103-1, a microphone audio output103-2, and stereo speaker output103-3.

FIG.4AandFIG.4Brespectively illustrate a left-side view and a right-side view of the resilient protective phone case100, according to an embodiment. In yet another aspect, the phone case100may include but is not limited a second set of ports and raised tabs disposed along the left and right side portions of the outer frame103. For example, a ring silent port103-4and a volume tab103-5may be disposed on the left side of the case100, while a side button tab103-6may be disposed on the right side of the case100. Additional ports103-8may be disposed along the outer frame103allowing a passage for other phone components (e.g., microphone or headphone jacks). In other implementations, the phone case100may be configured to accommodate and match other types of phone designs having elements (i.e., volume buttons, power ports, microphones, speakers, input jacks, front/rear cameras, and other phone accessories and components) disposed on the backside or outer frame portion of the case.

FIG.5illustrates the resilient protective phone case100as held by the palm of a user10, according to an embodiment. The phone case100. In application, the user10may access the card holder107when the back support member102of the phone case100is turned in an upright position with the front face resting on the palm of the user10as shown inFIG.5.

FIG.6illustrates an example of a card200held by the user10at a first position relative to the protective phone case100prior to insertion, according to an embodiment. At the first position, the card200is placed above the card holder107, with the planar side of the card facing the back support member102of the phone case100and a leading edge200-1of the card200positioned towards the card slot106b. The card holder107may hold and store any type of cards, including but not limited to credit cards, business cards, medical/insurance cards, and the like.

FIG.7illustrates an example of the card200held by the user10at a second position relative to the protective phone case100during insertion, according to an embodiment. At the second position, the leading edge200-1of the card200is gently inserted underneath a first strap edge portion105-4, causing the corrugated expansion members (105-1,105-2) to expand and thereby allowing sufficient space through which the card200may pass.

FIG.8illustrates an example of the card200held by the user10at a third position relative to the protective phone case100during insertion, according to an embodiment. At the third position, the leading edge200-1of the card200is slipped through a second strap edge portion105-5, allowing the leading edge of the card200to pass through the card slot106b, and extending beyond the second strap edge portion105-5.

FIG.9illustrates an example of the card200held by the user10at a fourth position relative to the protective phone case100during insertion, according to an embodiment. At the fourth position, the card200is fully inserted underneath the strap105and secured to the phone case100with the leading edge200-1and a trailing edge200-2of the card200held and supported by card retaining segments (107-1a,107-1b). In one aspect, the card holder107may be configured to receive and store one or more cards. In another aspect, the card holder107may be configured to store other objects such as but not limited to paper currency, paper notes, and receipts. In yet another aspect, the card holder107may be configured to store thin electronic devices such as memory cards (SD cards, microSD cards, and Ultra microSD cards) and electronic tags (RFID tags, GPS tags).

FIG.10A-FIG.10Billustrate process flowcharts for inserting and removing the card200into/from the resilient protective phone case100, according to an embodiment. In one implementation, a method for inserting the card200into the resilient protective phone case100is provided in flowchart300ofFIG.10A. The method for inserting the card200includes:1) Positioning the card200above the card holder107, with the planar side of the card facing the back support member102of the phone case100and a leading edge201-1of the card200positioned towards the card slot106b; (STEP301)2) Inserting the leading edge201-1of the card200underneath a first strap edge portion105-4; (STEP302)3) Pushing the leading edge of the card200through a second strap edge portion105-5, allowing the leading edge of the card200to pass through the card slot106b, beyond the second strap edge portion105-5; (STEP303) and,4) Securing the card200to the card holder107with the leading edge200-1and a trailing edge200-2of the card200held and supported by card retaining segments (107-1a,107-1b). (STEP304)

In another implementation, a method for removing the card200from the resilient protective phone case100is provided in flowchart320ofFIG.10B. The method for removing the card200includes:1) With the card200fully inserted into the card holder member107, grasping an exposed edge of the card200along a gap (107-3aor107-3b) formed on one end of the slope member (107-2aor107-2b); (STEP321)2) While grasping the exposed edge of the card200, slightly lifting the card200away from the card retaining segment (107-1aor107-1b); (STEP322) and,3) While grasping the exposed edge of the card200, pulling a leading or trailing edge of the card200away from the strap105of the phone case100to completely remove the card200from the case100. (STEP323)

FIG.11illustrates example of holding the resilient protective phone case100by the user10while taking a selfie, according to an embodiment. In addition to serving as a phone carrying support member and card restrainer, the strap105may also serve as a selfie harness for stabilizing the phone case100with a mobile phone encased therein while taking selfies. For example, the user10may insert their finger through the curved strap section105-3of the strap105pressing their fingers against the backside of the case100for stabilization, and then turn the front-side camera of the mobile phone facing the user10to take front-side photos of themselves (i.e., selfies), as shown inFIG.11. The curved strap section105-3may provide ease of finger insertion while also providing some stress relief to the strap105due its curvature and slightly raised body which generally conforms to the finger of the user10when inserted therein.

Although the protective phone case100is structured as a unitary body101, the protective phone case100is not limited to the unitary body. For example, the finger strap105may be separately attached to the back support member102via fasteners such as but not limited to adhesive tapes, glues, threading, rivets, and so on.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” included plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure in its aspects.

Other embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be limited only by the following claims which include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.