Protective case for use with a mobile device

A protective case for use with a mobile device is provided. The protective case includes an attachment device that is configured to couple to one of a handle assembly, a battery source, and a fascia plate when a void is provided on the protective case. When the handle assembly is coupled to the protective case, the handle assembly is configured to pivot about the protective case for moving the handle assembly from a closed configuration to an open configuration. When the battery source is coupled to the protective case, the battery source is configured to charge the mobile device, and, when the fascia plate is coupled to the protective case, the fascia plate is configured to fill the void, that is otherwise filled by one of the handle assembly and the battery source.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a protective case for use with a mobile device, and more particularly, to a protective case including a handle apparatus, which can be used for taking a “selfie,” and a power source that are interchangeably connectable to the protective case.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional protective cases for use with mobile devices, e.g., smart phones, are known and are configured to protect the smart phone (and its components) from damage if the smart phone is accidentally bumped or dropped. The protective case can be purchased separately and can come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and can be made from various materials (e.g., rigid/flexible plastic, rubber, metal/metal alloys, wood, bamboo, carbon fiber, combination thereof, or other suitable material) and thickness for protection.

Due to evolving sophisticated electronics and software applications, smart phones have opened up new opportunities for user interface and capabilities. For example, taking a “selfie” photograph individually (or a “group selfie”) has become a popular form of self-expression and can be performed by extending one's arm forward while holding the smart phone, or by using an external “selfie stick” apparatus attached to the smart phone, to zoom away from a camera lens of the smart phone so that a user can take a photo of their self (or other suitable subject matter).

Moreover, the highly sophisticated electronics and software applications of the smart phone, typically, drain a power supply of the smart phone, e.g., when using global positioning system software (and associated electronics) that is typically provided on the smart phone.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, a protective case including a handle apparatus, which can be used for taking a “selfie,” and a power source that are interchangeably connectable to the protective case may prove useful in the mobile device industry.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a protective case for use with a mobile device. The protective case includes an attachment device that is configured to couple to one of a handle assembly, a battery source, and a fascia plate when a void is provided on the protective case. When the handle assembly is coupled to the protective case, the handle assembly is configured to pivot about the protective case for moving the handle assembly from a closed configuration to an open configuration. When the battery source is coupled to the protective case, the battery source is configured to charge the mobile device, and, when the fascia plate is coupled to the protective case, the fascia plate is configured to fill the void that is otherwise filled by one of the handle assembly and the battery source.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a protective case for use with a mobile device. The protective case includes an attachment device, a handle assembly that is configured to removably couple to the attachment device, and a battery source that is configured to removably couple to the attachment device. When the handle assembly is coupled to the protective case, the handle assembly is configured to pivot about the protective case for moving the handle assembly from a closed configuration to an open configuration and, when the battery source is coupled to the protective case, the battery source is configured to charge the mobile device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a protective case for use with a mobile device. The protective case includes an attachment device including at least one of at least one tab-lock area and at least one tab slot. A handle assembly that includes at least one of at least one tab-lock and at least one tab that is configured to removably couple to a corresponding one of the at least one tab-lock and the at least one tab. A battery source that includes at least one of at least one tab-lock and at least one tab that is configured to removably couple to a corresponding one of the at least one tab-lock and the at least one tab. A fascia plate that includes at least one of at least one tab-lock and at least one tab that is configured to removably couple to a corresponding one of the at least one tab-lock and the at least one tab. When the handle assembly is coupled to the protective case, the handle assembly is configured to pivot about the protective case for moving the handle assembly from a closed configuration to an open configuration. When the battery source is coupled to the protective case, the battery source is configured to charge the mobile device and, when the fascia plate is coupled to the protective case, the fascia plate is configured to fill a void that is otherwise filled by one of the handle assembly and the battery source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, a protective case including a handle apparatus, which can be used for taking a “selfie,” and a power source that are interchangeably connectable to the protective case may prove useful in the mobile device industry, and such a protective case is described herein.

The protective case described herein has a low profile configuration that integrates sculpted contours which allow some of the components (accessories), e.g., a fascia plate, a handle assembly, and/or a battery source, associated with the protective case to be removably coupled to the protective case. Integrating the sculpted contour on the protective case provides the protective case with the necessary structural integrity for supporting the components associated therewith, while allowing the protective case to be manufactured with a relatively thin wall material thickness, which, in turn, provides a relatively lightweight protective case when assembled, and a manufacturing cost that is generally lower than manufacturing costs that are typically associated with conventional protective cases.

Additionally, as the protective case incorporates one or more attachment devices, a user can easily and quickly interchange some of the components that are associated with the protective case.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a protective case10including a handle assembly30, which is removably coupleable thereto, for use with a mobile device12is shown; the mobile device12can be any type of mobile device including, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc. For illustrative purposes, the mobile device12is shown embodied in the form of a mobile phone.

The protective case10can be manufactured from any suitable material, e.g., rigid/flexible plastic, rubber, metal/metal alloys, wood, bamboo, carbon fiber, combination thereof, or other suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective case10is manufactured from a relatively lightweight plastic using an injection molding process; however, other manufacturing processes can be used, e.g., overmolding. Using the injection molding process allows the protective case10to be manufactured with sufficient flexibility thereby allowing the protective case10to be snapped over side edges of mobile device12when securing the protective case10to mobile device12.

The protective case10can be formed with any geometric configuration so as to match a desired shape of a mobile device. For example, the protective case10is illustrated having a generally rectangular configuration to match the generally rectangular configuration of the mobile device12.

The protective case10has a sculpted contour configuration extending along a back surface thereof thereby forming a channel (or void)11for receiving the one or more components associated with the protective case10and coupling the one or more components to the protective case10, as will be described in greater detail below.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-6, the sculpted configuration is defined by a pair of raised sidewalls13and14(which function as an attachment device) each including a respective top edge15a,15b. The raised sidewalls13,14are spaced apart from each other so that the handle assembly30and/or a battery source30can be fit therebetween for coupling the handle assembly30and/or the battery source40to the protective case10.

One or more a snap lock areas16(FIGS. 2 and 3) are defined in at least one of the raised sidewalls13,14and are configured to couple to a corresponding snap tab17(FIG. 3) that is disposed on each of the handle assembly30and the battery source40for maintaining the handle assembly30and the battery source40in the closed configuration when the handle assembly30or the battery source40is coupled to the protective case10. InFIGS. 2 and 3, the snap lock area16is shown defined in the raised sidewall14and the corresponding snap tab17is shown on a corresponding sidewall of the handle assembly30.

A pair of pivot support members18,19are formed at a respective end of the raised sidewalls13,14and include respective apertures21and22. The apertures21,22are configured to receive a cap screw23(or other suitable device, e.g., pin) for coupling the handle assembly30(or the battery source40) to the protective case10.

The handle assembly30includes a generally elongated configuration and, as noted above, is configured to fit between the raised sidewalls13,14when coupling the handle assembly30to the protective case10. When the handle assembly30is positioned between the raised walls13,14, an aperture31of a pivot member32, which is disposed at one end the handle assembly30, aligns with the apertures21,22of the pivot support members18,19. With the apertures21,22, and31aligned with each other, a user can insert the cap screw23therethrough to couple the handle assembly30to the protective case10.

Once the handle assembly30is coupled to the protective case10, the handle assembly can be moved from a closed configuration (FIG. 1) to an open configuration (FIG. 3); in the closed configuration, the snap tab17of the handle assembly is engaged with the snap lock area16defined in the raised sidewall14. Moreover, in the closed configuration, the edges15a,15bon the raised sidewalls13,14are flush with a back surface33of the handle assembly30(or a back surface of the battery source40), thereby providing the protective case10with a relatively “slim” configuration, when compared to conventional protective cases and/or selfie sticks.

In the open configuration, the handle assembly30is moveable from a retracted configuration (for coupling the handle assembly30to the protective case10, seeFIG. 2for example), to one or more extended configurations (for allowing a user to perform at least one camera function of the mobile device10, seeFIGS. 3 and 4for example). To this end, the handle assembly30includes three (or more) telescoping members that allow the handle assembly30to move between the one or more extended configurations. For illustrative purposes, the handle assembly30is shown including an inner telescoping member34a, a middle telescoping member34b, and an outer telescoping member34c, which includes a button35for performing the at least one camera function of the mobile device12; the button35can be in one of wired or wireless (Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.) communication with the mobile device10for performing the at least one camera function of the mobile device12. Additionally, the outer telescoping member34ccan include all the necessary components (e.g., batteries, circuits, printed circuit boards, indicators (light emitting diodes (LEDs)), etc.,) to control the camera functions of the mobile device12.

An optional mechanical lock out interface36(shown schematically inFIG. 4A) can be integrated into the telescoping members so as not to allow a user to overextend the handle assembly30. For example, each of the telescoping members34a-34ccan have a distal tapered end37that engages a corresponding proximal end of one of the other telescoping members so that each of the telescoping members34a-34clock out before uncoupling from one another. For example, the distal tapered end37of the telescoping member34ccan engage a proximal end of the telescoping member34b. For illustrative purposes, inFIG. 4Bthe tapered end37is shown on the telescoping member34c. Additionally or alternatively, one or more detents can be provided on the inner telescoping member34aand can be configured to releasably engage a corresponding indent that can be provided on the middle telescoping member34b.

The handle assembly30(in the open configuration, retracted or not) is pivotable about the pivot support members21,22from about 0 degrees and to about 270 degrees, and the handle assembly can be maintained in any position from 0 degrees and to about 270 via a frictional axle attachment device (e.g., the cap screw23or other suitable device). The amount of friction that can provided by the cap screw23can be varied by simply turning the cap screw23, which can include a knurled surface and/or a screw-head configuration (e.g., slotted or Philips head).

Referring toFIG. 5, as noted above, the protective case10is configured to couple to the battery source40(e.g., a rechargeable battery), which is shown coupled to the protective case10in this FIG. The battery source40can be configured to provide additional power to the mobile device12when desired, i.e., if the mobile device12is low on battery.

The battery source40can be housed in an injection molded plastic housing, which can be configured to accept various components that can be used for connecting the battery source40to the mobile device12. For example, the battery source40can be configured to accept one or more types of plugs41(u-shaped plugs) that interface with a recharge port of the mobile device12(as best seen inFIGS. 11 and 12).

The battery source40can also include a separate dedicated recharging port42to accept a battery charging connector of the mobile device12. An optional LED indicator(s) can be provided on the battery source40to show when the battery source40is fully charged and operational, or to show a residual amount of charge left in the battery source40.

Similar to the handle assembly30, the cap screw23is also configured to engage a pivot member43that is provided on one end of the plastic housing that houses the battery source40, and while not explicitly shown in the FIGs., a snap lock tab17, which functions in a manner as described above with respect to the handle assembly30, can be provided on the plastic housing that houses the battery source40. Moreover, the pivot member43is configured such that the u-shaped plug41can be inserted into the battery source40and over the cap screw23when the cap screw23is engaged with the pivot member43(FIG. 5).

In use, a user can attach the protective case10, with the cap screw23coupled to the pivot support members18,19, to the mobile device12. Alternatively, the cap screw23can be coupled the pivot support members18,19after the protective case10is attached to the mobile device12.

If the cap screw23is coupled to the pivot support members18,19, the user can remove the cap screw23from pivot support members18,19and attach either the handle assembly30or the battery source40to the protective case10by inserting the handle assembly30or battery source40into the void11defined between the raised sidewalls13,14and engaging the snap lock tab17with the corresponding snap lock area16. Once the snap lock tab17is engaged with the corresponding snap lock area16, the user can reinsert the cap screw23into the pivot support members18,19and the pivot members32,43of either the handle assembly30or battery source40, respectively.

With the battery source40attached to the protective case10, a user can charge the mobile device12using the u-shaped plug41(FIG. 5). Similarly, with the handle assembly30attached to the protective case10, a user can move the handle assembly30from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and can extend the handle assembly30to the one or more extended configurations (FIGS. 3 and 4).

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example,FIGS. 6-16illustrate other embodiments of the protective case10.

Referring toFIGS. 6-12, a protective case110that is configured to attach to the mobile device12is illustrated. The protective case110(and components associated therewith) is/are substantially identical to the protective case10. Accordingly, only those features that are unique to the protective case110are described herein.

Unlike the protective case10, which includes the void11that is defined by the raised walls13,14, the protective case110includes a void111that has at least one tab-lock area113that is defined along a perimeter that defines the void111. The tab-lock area113is configured to engage a corresponding at least one tab-lock115that is disposed on a fascia plate150(FIGS. 6 and 7), a handle assembly130(FIGS. 8-10), and a battery source140(FIGS. 11 and 12); the fascia plate150is configured to fill the void111when the handle assembly130or the battery source140are not attached to the protective case110.

The tab-lock115includes a generally elongated configuration and is defined along a peripheral edge of the fascia plate150, the handle assembly130, and the battery source140. In the illustrated embodiment, three spaced-apart tab-locks115are provided on each of the fascia plate150, the handle assembly130, and the battery source140; an optional tab-lock115(seeFIG. 6, for example) can also be provided along the perimeter that defines the void111.

The handle assembly130and the battery source140are mounted to a base member116, which is basically a fascia plate that supports the handle assembly130and the battery source140.

Unlike the battery source40, the battery source140does not include a pivot member43, as the battery source140is not configured to engage the cap screw23.

To attach the handle assembly130, the battery source140, or the fascia plate150to the protective case110, a user simply pushes any of these components into the void111until the tab-lock115is engaged with the tab-lock area113. Once attached to the protective case110, the handle assembly130and the battery source140can function as described above with respect to the handle assembly30and the battery source40.

To remove the handle assembly130, the battery source140, or the fascia plate150from the protective case110, a user simply applies a downward/inward (opposite tab engagement) pressure along a back surface of any of these components until the tab-lock115is disengaged from the tab-lock area113.

Alternatively, an optional lift-off device150, which can be grasped by a user, can be provided on the handle assembly130, the battery source140, or the fascia plate150and used for removing these components from the protective case110. For illustrative purposes, a lift-off device135is shown provided on the handle assembly130(FIG. 10). The lift-off device150extends laterally between the raised sidewalls of the handle assembly130and is configured to engage a corresponding recess136that can be defined in an outer telescoping member of the handle assembly130. As can be appreciated, other types of lift-off devices can be used, and can be configured to accommodate the specific type of component that is configured to attach to the protective case110.

Referring toFIGS. 13-16, a protective case210that is configured to attach to the mobile device12is illustrated. The protective case210(and components associated therewith) is/are substantially identical to the protective cases10/110. Accordingly, only those features that are unique to the protective case210are described herein.

Unlike the protective cases10/100, which are configured to attach to either one of the handle assembly or the battery source, the protective case210is configured to attach to both a handle assembly230and a battery source240. To this end, the protective case210includes a void211that has at least one tab-lock area213that is defined along a perimeter that defines the void211. The tab-lock area213is configured to engage a corresponding at least one tab-lock215that is disposed on a fascia plate250(FIG. 13) and the handle assembly230(FIG. 14). Other than the relative size of the void211, the handle assembly230, and the fascia plate250, these features/components are identical to the void111, the handle assembly130and the fascia plate150.

The protective case210also includes at least one tab slot245(three tab slots245are shown in the FIGs.) that is defined in a back surface of the protective case210and is disposed adjacent the void211. The tab slot245is configured to engage a corresponding at least one tab246that is disposed the battery source240.

As can be appreciated, the handle assembly230and the fascia plate250can include the tab246and can be configured to engage the tab slot245, and the battery source240can include the tab-lock215and can be configured to engage the tab-lock area213; other arrangements are contemplated.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 13-16, the battery assembly240uses a wired plug connector241to connect to the mobile device12(seeFIG. 16, for example) rather than the u-shaped plug41; however, if the battery assembly240is configured to be inserted into the void211, the battery source240can use the u-shaped plug41to connect to the mobile device12.

To attach the battery source240to the protective case210, a user can simply insert the tab246into the tab slot245, and the handle assembly230and the fascia plate250can be attached to the protective case210in a manner as described above with respect to the handle assembly130and the fascia plate150. The functionality of the handle assembly230and battery source240are identical to that of the previously described handle assemblies and battery sources.