Abstract:
A holster for a mobile device case having a first predetermined configuration and a second predetermined configuration. The holster includes a base sized to releasably affix the mobile device case independent of whether the mobile device case is in the first predetermined configuration or the second predetermined configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/499,478, filed Jun. 21, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     n/a 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to portable device cases and, in particular, a holster accommodating differently sized portable device cases. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mobile device cases come in various shapes and sizes depending on the corresponding mobile device to be retained within. Such cases may also include one or more protective skins disposed around the exterior of the case to provide additional protection for such mobile devices. For example, a case composed of substantially rigid material may also include a removable softer skin disposed around its exterior to absorb an impact force. Users of such mobile device cases, therefore, have cases that define multiple shapes and sizes, and include multiple layers of material, depending on the preference of the user and the design of the mobile device case. 
     Users of mobile device cases also often prefer to clip their mobile device cases to their waist belts or on a strap for a handbag. However, such holsters are sized to receive a single configuration of a mobile device case. For example, currently available holsters are sized to retain a mobile device case having protective skin or without—but not both. As such, what is needed is a holster capable of accommodating the various configurations a mobile device case may have for a particular mobile device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously provides a holster for a mobile device case having a first predetermined configuration and a second predetermined configuration. The holster includes a base sized to releasably affix the mobile device case independent of whether the mobile device case is in the first predetermined configuration or the second predetermined configuration. 
     In another embodiment, the holster includes a base dimensioned to securably and releasably retain a mobile device case having a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration includes a housing having a first portion removeably coupled to a second portion. The second configuration includes an elastomeric cover substantially surrounding the first configuration. The base includes a latch operable to releaseably affix the mobile device case to the base in both the first configuration and second configuration. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a holster for a mobile device case having a first predetermined configuration and a second predetermined configuration. The method includes molding a base sized to releasably affix the mobile device case independent of whether the mobile device case is in the first predetermined configuration or the second predetermined configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary holster constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the holster shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the holster shown in  FIG. 1  taken through Section A-A; 
         FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of the holster shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the holster shown in  FIG. 1  with a mobile device coupled to the holster; 
         FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the holster shown in  FIG. 4  with the mobile device including an additional layer of protection; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the housing of the mobile device case shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Now referring to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a holster constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as “ 10 .” The holster  10  may include a base  12  sized to receive, releasable secure, and at least partially surround a mobile device case having multiple configurations. For example, the base  12  may define a height, width, depth sufficient to accommodate various configurations of the same mobile device case. The base  12  may be composed of a substantially rigid material, for example, polycarbonate, or a material with a similar hardness and may also include soft resilient material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane molded or silicone, otherwise included on the base  12 . 
     The base  12  may include a substantially planar portion  14  sized to contour a front portion of the mobile device case. The planar portion  14  may be dimensioned depending on the dimensions of the mobile device case to be retained by the base  12 . As used herein, the front portion of the mobile device case refers the portion of the device case facing the user when the user operates a keypad or touch-screen depending on the device. For example, the front portion of the mobile device case may be pressed against a portion of the planar portion  14  such that that touch-screen on the mobile device is protected from scratching and accidental activation when the holster  10  is clipped or otherwise to the user&#39;s belt. The planar portion  14  may define a smaller transverse width “W 1 ” toward the top of the holster  10 . The smaller transverse width may allow the mobile device case to be gripped so that it may be removed from the holster  10 . The planar portion  14  may further define a larger transverse width “W 2 ” toward the bottom portion of the holster  10 . 
     The base  12  may further include a pair of extensions  16  extending from the larger transverse width section of the planar portion  14 . The extensions  16  may extend outward from both sides of the larger transverse width section and may surround at least a portion of the mobile device case. For example, when a mobile device is coupled to the holster, the extensions  16  operate to at least partially surround at least a portion of the mobile device case within the holster  10 . The extensions  16  may each define dimensions sufficient to prevent the mobile device case from moving laterally within the holster  10 . For example, the extensions  16  may be curved in shape, or alternatively may be substantially linear in shape, and extend outward from the planar portion  14  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the planar portion  14 . 
     The base  12  may further define a pair of protuberances  18  raised from the surface of the planar portion  14 . The protuberances  18  may be substantially rectangular in shape, or any shape, and sized to contact corresponding resilient pieces (not shown) on the front portion of the mobile device case. The protuberances  18  may operate to space the mobile device case a distance from a portion of the planar portion  14 , such that the mobile device case may be gripped and removed from the holster  10 . For example, the protuberances  18  may operate to form a common contact point for the multiple configurations of the mobile device case within the holster  10 . The protuberances  18  may further operate to space a touch-screen of the mobile device a distance away from the planar portion  14  such that should impact occur the touch-screen does not contact the planar portion  14  and potentially fracture the screen. Rather, should a pushing force be applied to the mobile device case when retained within the holster  10 , the resilient pieces on the mobile device case contact the protuberance  18  and absorb a substantial portion of the pushing force without the touch-screen contacting the planar portion  14 . 
     The base  12  may further include the plurality of arms  20  extending outward from the planar portion  14 . The arms  20  may be substantially dimensioned to receive corner portions included on the mobile device case. For example, the arms  20  may define a curvature similar to the curvature of the corners of the mobile device case. In particular, the arms  20  may define a substantially concave region defining a concavity sized to receive a substantially convex portion defined by the corner portions. In a configuration, the height of the arms  20  may be greater than the height of the extensions  16 , but less than the height of the mobile device case. As used herein, the height of the arms  20  and the extensions  16  refers to the distance each of those respective components extend away in from the planar portion  14  in a substantially orthogonal direction. The arms  20  may further define a tapered height portion  22  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ) decreasing in height as it extends toward the midline of the base  12 . The tapered height portions  22  provide an access point to the mobile device case when disposed within the holster  10  and may allow for the mobile device case to be snapped into and removed from the holster  10 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the base  12  may further include a resilient and pressable latch  24  near the top portion of the base  12 . The latch  24  may be separated from each of the arms  20  by a void in the base adjacent each arm  20 . In particular, the latch  24  may define a pressable surface  26  defining a substantially planar surface sized to accommodate the surface of the fingers of the user. The pressable surface  26  may be angled or may be substantially parallel to the planar portion  14 . Extending downward from a portion of the pressable surface  26  is an engagement element  28 , for example, a hook or tab, sized to be received within a corresponding recess  30  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) defined by the mobile device case. For example, the engagement element  28  may extend downward substantially orthogonally from the pressable surface  26 . The engagement element  28  may further be sized to snap-fit within the recess  30 . In an exemplary operation, the bottom portion of the mobile device case may be placed within a portion of the holster  10 . The top portion of the mobile device case may then be pressed against the engagement element  28  causing it to move upward and snap into the recess  30 , securing the device case to the holster  10 . To remove the mobile device case from the holster  10 , a pushing force applied to the pressable surface  26  forces the engagement element  28  out of the recess  30  releasing the latch  24  from the mobile device case. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , the extensions  16  may be contiguous with and spanned by a ledge  32  sized to retain the bottom portion of the mobile device case. The ledge  32  may extend substantially orthogonally away from the planar portion  14  and/or the extensions  16 . The ledge  32  may define substantially curved corners and edges sized to receive the corresponding corners of the mobile device case. For example, the ledge  32  may define a concavity sized to receive the bottom portion of the mobile device case. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the ledge  32  may further include a pair of nubs  34  disposed at approximately the mid-height of the ledge  32 . The nubs  34  may be raised a distance from the ledge  32  and extend in an inward direction substantially parallel to the planar portion  14 . The nubs  34  may be operable to engage corresponding indentations or flexible pieces on the device case (not shown) such that the nubs  34  contact the indentations to hold the device case within the holster. For example, if a downward pushing force is applied to the mobile device case when it is disposed within the holster  10 , the nubs  34  may contact the indentations and absorb at least a portion of the force applied by the mobile device case on the nubs  34 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , each nub  34  may further define apertures  36  commensurate in size with mobile device speakers that may be disposed on the bottom portion of the mobile device. For example, when the mobile device case is disposed within the holster  10 , the speakers of the mobile device may be disposed proximate the apertures  36  such that sound emitted from the speakers is not substantially dampened by presence of the mobile device within the holster  10 . 
     The holster  10  may further define a clip assembly  38  movably and rotatably coupled to the rear of the base  12 . The clip assembly  38  may include a fastener  40  sized to engage a user&#39;s waist belt or should straps of a hand bag. In an exemplary embodiment, the holster  10  may be removeably attached to a user&#39;s waist belt by the fastener  40  and be rotated to a desired angle on the waist belt. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the engagement element  28  may be at least partially insertable within the recess  30  defined by the mobile device case and operable to secure the holster  10  to the mobile device case. The engagement element  28  may engage the recess  30  whether the mobile device case includes a protective outer cover  42  ( FIG. 6 ) or not ( FIG. 5 ) such that the holster  10  may accommodate multiple configurations of a mobile device case by providing sufficient clearance and size within in the planar portion  14 , extensions  16 , and arms  20  to accommodate the protective outer cover  42 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the mobile device case may include a first configuration which includes a housing  44  in which the mobile device is retained. The housing  44  may include a first portion  46  pre-fabricated to contour a specific mobile device, for example an iPhone, iPad or other mobile phone or tablet computer, and thus may vary depending on the size of the mobile device. The first portion  46  may further include a side wall  48  surrounding the first portion  14  and may define a height substantially commensurate with a height of the mobile device housed within the first portion  14 , or any height. Removeably coupled to the first portion  46  is a second portion  50  which encloses the mobile device within the first portion  46 . The second portion  50  may include a substantially transparent membrane  52  which allows for operation of a touch screen of the mobile device. 
     A second configuration of the mobile device case may include the protective cover  42  disposed around the housing  44 , for example a silicon cover, or other similar elastomeric cover, sized to substantially cover the mobile device case. When disposed around the device case, the silicon cover  42  increases the volume and area the device case occupies within the holster  10 . However, with or without the silicon cover  42 , the latch  24  locks the device case within the holster  10  and the base  12  and the arms  20  define a sufficient volume and area to house both the first and second configurations of the device case. The latch  24  may lock the mobile device case in the first configuration and the second configuration because the recess  32  remains accessible to the latch  24  whether the silicon cover is disposed around the device case or is absent. To further aide in accommodating both the first and the second configurations, the nubs  34  and the protuberances  18  to provide a common contact/resting point for the mobile device case in either configuration. In particular, the nubs  34  and protuberance  18  contact the mobile device case at substantially the same location whether the protective cover  42  is disposed around the mobile device case or not. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.