Abstract:
An electronic device case or system having a protective housing capable of aesthetic change. A plurality of back panels having different images thereon can be interchanged in a sidewall portion to alter the look of the case. The panel images may be colors, pictures, designs, logos, or even text.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent Design application Ser. No. 29/431,945, filed on Sep. 12, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent Design application Ser. No. 29/417,069, filed on Mar. 29, 2012. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventions relate to peripheral components for electronic devices such as, for example, a smart phone, a gaming device, a tablet or the like. 
     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. 
     However, other than some minor aesthetic differences, phone case providers have been unable to point to any meaningful improvements or advantages they provide over cases made by other manufacturers. As a result, purchases of phone cases are typically made based on aesthetic appeal alone. Further, because the aesthetic quality is such an important factor, it is not uncommon for some users to have more than one phone case for much the same reason that they might have more than one pair of shoes. 
     But purchasing two, three or even more protective cases for any portable electronic device is cost prohibitive for many. Also, even where cost may not be an issue, the bulkiness of having several unused device cases can be a problem. As fads and fashion change, or as people change, the desire for another different protective case may be created. The solution to these problems has been missed by prior case designers and manufacturers. 
     Until the invention of the present application, many case manufacturers have stayed with adding new designs and new features by creating an entirely new case. 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 case design which is capable of being changed repeatedly by a user without sacrificing portability, functionality or affordability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed herein an improved protective case and decorative protective case system for an electronic device which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional aesthetic and operating advantages. 
     Generally speaking, the protective case for an electronic device comprises a continuous sidewall for surrounding the periphery of an electronic device and a removable back panel. A plurality of openings may be defined in the sidewall for permitting access to ports or control buttons on the electronic device. The sidewall also includes a front edge and a back edge. 
     In an embodiment, the removable primary back panel is configured to fit within an open area defined by the continuous sidewall and a retaining flange extends from the back edge of the continuous sidewall to retain the back panel within the open area. 
     A plurality of the back panels may be used to periodically alter the aesthetic look of the protective case by changing panels based on an image on each. The image on each panel may be different colors, photos, designs, logos, and even text, such as a favorite poem or quote. 
     These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a case made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front (inside) view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a case made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front (inside) view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are side views of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , there are illustrated embodiments of a protective case, generally designated by the numerals  10  and  110 . The particular illustrated cases  10  ( FIGS. 1-7  and  15 ) and  110  ( FIGS. 8-14 ) are for an Apple® iPhone 4/4S and an iPhone 5, respectively. In fact, while all the embodiments illustrated are directed to iPhones, it should be understood that the principles of the invention can be more broadly applied to most any smart phone, as well as other types of portable electronic devices such as gaming consoles (e.g., Gameboy), tablets (e.g., iPad) and the like, as long as a protective case is useful. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-7 , the case  10  is comprised of a continuous outer sidewall  12  and a back panel  14 . The sidewall  12  is designed to fit about the periphery of an electronic device (not shown) in a protective manner and holding in place the back panel  14 , which also protects the secured device. Numerous openings  16  may be defined within the sidewall  12  to align with any ports, speakers, microphones, switches or buttons on the device used to operate or interact with the electronic device. Alternatively, integral button areas  122  (See  FIG. 8 ) may be provided in the sidewall  12  which interact with a corresponding component on the device (e.g., a volume toggle button). The sidewall  12  defines an open area  20  into which the electronic device will be positioned. 
     The sidewall  12  has both a front edge  24  and a back edge  26 . In an alternate embodiments, the sidewall  12  is comprised of two parts. These may be a front and back portion or a top and bottom portion. The two parts would preferably snap or friction fit together to form the entirety of the sidewall  12 . 
     A front portion  30  including the front edge  24  and a back portion  32  including the back edge  26  would allow the electronic device to be sandwiched between the two portions when assembled. A retaining flange  34  preferably extends from each of the front and back edges,  24  and  26 , to provide securing both the device and the back panel  14  within the open area  20  of the sidewall  12 . 
       FIGS. 8-14  illustrate a case  110  very similar to the case  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 . The case  110  is comprised of a continuous outer sidewall  112  and a back panel  114 . The sidewall  112  is designed to fit about the periphery of an electronic device (not shown) in a protective manner and holding in place the back panel  114 , which also protects the secured device. Numerous openings  116  may be defined within the sidewall  112  to align with any ports, speakers, microphones, switches or buttons on the device used to operate or interact with the electronic device. An integral button area  122  is provided in the sidewall  112  which interact with a corresponding component on the device (e.g., a volume toggle button). The sidewall  112  defines an open area  120  into which the electronic device will be positioned. 
     The sidewall  112  has both a front edge  124  and a back edge  126 . In an alternate embodiments, the sidewall  112  is comprised of two parts. These may be a front and back portion or a top and bottom portion. The two parts would preferably snap or friction fit together to form the entirety of the sidewall  112 . 
     The back panel  14  (or  114 ) is basically a flat, rectangular shaped panel which may include various degrees of cushioning and/or rigid material (preferably layered) to protect an enclosed device. Openings  118 , such as for a phone camera, may be provided within the back panel  14 / 114 . Further, each panel  14 / 114  may include an aesthetic image, such as color(s), picture, design, logo, or even text. The image may be customizable for the particular user, if desired. To change the look of the case  10 / 110 , the user need only remove the electronic device, change-out the existing panel with a newer panel and replace the device.  FIG. 15  illustrates the removed panel  14 . 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.