Abstract:
An improved, self-supporting portable electronics case for withstanding impact forces, dead loads and torsional forces; the case comprising a first plate having a first surface, a second surface, and a first set of flanges. The case further includes a second plate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second set of flanges extending from the second plate; and at least one spacer joined to the first set of flanges and the second set of flanges.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This continuation application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/077,592, filed Nov. 12, 2013 and entitled Portable Electronics Case, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to portable electronic accessories. More specifically, the present invention is an improved portable electronics case adapted to be self-supporting and to have increased structural and live load-bearing strength relative to other such cases. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    With the proliferation of smaller, smarter, and more expensive electronics devices, such as mobile phones, in the last fifteen years, the portable electronics market has seen a corresponding proliferation of different portable electronics cases to protect those devices. These include compact leather and synthetic leather cases, faceplates, rubberized cases, silicone cases, single-piece, and multiple-piece cases. These cases are both aesthetic and functional, with one objective to provide protection from live or dead load forces. 
         [0007]    While many of these existing cases are directed to reducing the damaging effect of impact from dropping the case (e.g., live load), few, if any, of the cases currently on the market address the problems associated with structural load or applied torque. Simply put, such cases are not self-supporting and may be deformed by, among other things, load or torsion in a manner that damages the contained electronics. 
         [0008]    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
         [0009]    The present invention provides an improved, self-supporting portable electronics case that is proficient at withstanding both impact forces and dead loads as well as the application of torque. The invention comprises a first plate having a first surface, and a first set of flanges; a second plate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second set of flanges extending from the second plate; and at least one spacer joined to the first set of flanges and the second set of flanges. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a first plan view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows the embodiment from line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view that shows the embodiment from line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an isometric assembly view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a second isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIGS. 1-5  show an embodiment  20  of the invention, which comprises a first plate  22 , a second plate  24 , and spacers  26  fastened to the first plate  22  and the second plate  24  with a first set of screws  28  and a second set of screws  30 , respectively. Each of the plates  22 ,  24  has a length along a longitudinal reference plane L and a width along a lateral reference plane W. The embodiment  20  is symmetrical about both the longitudinal plane L and the latitudinal plane W. The plates  22 ,  24  and spacers  26  are preferably aluminum alloy (e.g., 6061). The spacers  26  are female hex standoffs. 
         [0016]    The plates  22 ,  24  comprise a plurality of longitudinal edge surfaces  32 ,  32 ′ oriented parallel to the longitudinal plane L and a plurality of latitudinal edge surfaces  36 ,  36 ′ oriented parallel to the latitudinal plane W. The longitudinal edge surfaces  32  of the first plate  22  are aligned with the longitudinal edge surfaces  32 ′ of the second plate  24 . Similarly, the latitudinal edge surfaces  36  of the first plate  22  are aligned with the latitudinal edge surfaces  36 ′ of the second plate  24 . A plurality of angled edge surfaces  39 ,  39 ′ are angled relative to the longitudinal plane L and latitudinal plane W. 
         [0017]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , the first plate  22  having a first perimeter. The first plate  22  comprises a first set of flanges  34  spaced between the various edge surfaces  32 ,  36 ,  39 . Each flange  34  comprises a flange edge surface  41  that is parallel to one of either the latitudinal plane W or the longitudinal plane L. The flanges  34  are joined to longitudinal edge surfaces  32  or latitudinal edge surface  36  with curved surfaces  43 . For emphasis, the first perimeter comprises the longitudinal edge surfaces  32 , the latitudinal edge surfaces  36 , the angled surfaces  39 , the flanges  34  (including flange edge surfaces  41 ) and curved surfaces  43 . 
         [0018]    The first plate  22  has a first surface  40  and an opposing planar second surface  42  (see  FIG. 2 ), each of which is adjacent to the longitudinal and latitudinal edge surfaces  32 ,  36 . The first plate  24  also includes two inner sidewalls  46 ,  48  defining a first opening  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) and a second opening  52  (extending between the first surface  40  and the second surface  42 ). 
         [0019]    When containing a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, the first and second openings  50 ,  52  may provide access to controls of the device, such as a touch screen display or keyboard. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the second plate  24  has a second perimeter. The second plate  24  comprises a second set of flanges  38 . Each flange  38  comprises a flange edge surface  41 ′ that is parallel to one of either the longitudinal plane L or latitudinal plane W. The flanges  38  are joined to longitudinal edge surfaces  32 ′ or latitudinal edge surfaces  36 ′ of the second plate  24 . For emphasis, the second perimeter comprises the longitudinal edge surfaces  32 ′, the latitudinal edge surfaces  36 ′, the flanges  38  (including flange edge surfaces  41 ′), and the angled surfaces  39 ′. 
         [0021]    The second plate  24  has a third surface  54  and an opposing planar fourth surface  56 , each of which is adjacent to the longitudinal and latitudinal edge surfaces  32 ′,  36 ′. The second plate further comprises inner sidewalls  60   a - h  defining openings, including a central opening  62 , between the third surface  54  and the fourth surface  56 . The inner sidewall  60   h  is notched. The central opening  62  intersects with the volumetric center  64  of the second plate  24 . The openings may be used to facilitate dissipation of heat generated by any contained portable electronics. In addition, the central opening  62  defined by the notched sidewall  60   h  may be used as a tool, such as a bottle opener. 
         [0022]    The first and second plates  22 ,  24  are connected together by aligning their respective flanges  34 ,  38  with ends of the spacers  26  and fastening the plates  22 ,  24  to the spacers  26  with the screws  28 ,  30 . In some embodiments, the plates  22 ,  24  are fastened to surround a second, smaller case or liner (not shown) made from a semi-rigid thermoplastic elastomer, such as are often intended to provide protection for electronics against minor bumps and abrasions. One such acceptable case is sold under the tradename EXEC IP4 by Magpul Industries Corp. of Boulder, Colo. 
         [0023]    In the event the embodiment  20  is subjected to impact (e.g., from dropping), the shape of the embodiment  20 , including the flanges  34 ,  38  and angled edge surfaces  39 ,  39 ′, increases the likelihood that the embodiment  20 , rather than the contained electronics (e.g., a phone), will absorb most of the force from impact. Use of a liner with the embodiment as described above will further inhibit transference of the forces to the contained electronics. Moreover, an impact force or load acting on one of the plates  22 ,  24  will be transferred to the spacers  26 , particularly of the force direction is normal or near normal to the first or third surfaces  40 ,  54 . In those embodiments where the plates  22 ,  24  and spacers  26  are made of a soft metal, such as aluminum alloy, the embodiment  20  absorbs much of the energy resulting from the impact. In addition, the embodiment  20  is particularly strong and durable when subjected to other loads, including torque. 
         [0024]    While the above-described embodiment is manufactured substantially from aluminum alloy, alternative embodiments contemplate the use of other materials of similar rigidity and hardness. For example, in one embodiment, the elements may be molded (e.g., injection molded) from a thermoplastic hybrid compound. In yet another embodiment, some elements of may be manufactured from aluminum alloy while other elements of the same embodiment may be manufactured from a thermoplastic hybrid compound. In still other embodiments, the thermoplastic hybrid compound may be further impregnated with carbon or glass fibers. 
         [0025]    The present invention is described above in terms of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically-described apparatus. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.