Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for protecting a mobile device. In one embodiment, a protection device for a mobile device is disclosed which induces a combination of a flexible inner sleeve and a rigid shell. The flexible inner sleeve conforms to, and encapsulates, the mobile device. The rigid shell receives and engages the inner sleeve. The flexible inner sleeve and the rigid shell can be used separately with the mobile device or can encase the mobile device as an integrated protective unit.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,316, filed Aug. 12, 2009. The above application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and is to be considered a part of this specification. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for protecting a mobile device. More specifically, the disclosure relates to protection cases which enable quick and unobstructed access to the features of the mobile device while protecting the mobile device from accidental damage. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Computers, mobile devices (e.g., telephones, BlackBerrys®, and iPhones®), and personal digital assistant (“PDA”) are being made progressively smaller. New mobile devices include smart telephones which also function as small computers. Such mobile devices are often equipped with music playback and camera/camcorder features. More advanced mobile devices include a touch screen pad on the mobile device&#39;s display area. The touch pad provides a full keyboard function in a region of the display area. As compared to mobile phones having alpha-numeral key pads, the mobile devices featuring a touch screen with full functioning keypads allow the subscriber to access many more applications. Such applications typically include full internet access and email. 
         [0006]    As with any mobile device, there is a risk of accidental dropping and damage to the underlying mobile device. Conventional methods for protecting similar portable devices include encasing the entire device in a hard protective shell case. Hard protective shell cases typically are made of a thermoplastic resin which is molded to house the handheld mobile device. Hard shell cases provide excellent protection. However, because of their rigidity, hard shell cases are brittle and subject to shattering when dropped. Hard shell cases can also be abrasive to the touch. 
         [0007]    On the other hand, soft protective shell cases are typically formed from polymeric material, fabric or leather, and are configured to house the mobile device. Soft protective shell cases provide marginal exterior protection but are soft to the touch. However, soft protective shell cases are prone to tearing and deformation. 
         [0008]    Conventional protective cases are made of plastic, metal, leather or transparent acrylic. While conventional cases provide protection, they suffer from certain inherent shortcomings. The plastic and leather protective cases are too soft to protect the mobile device from impact. The metal and the acrylic protective cases are made of rigid material which can scratch the surface of the mobile device and are difficult to assemble to, or remove from, the mobile device. Moreover, many conventional protective cases require removing the mobile device when it is being used or when it needs to be connected to an auxiliary device. The removal of the mobile device from the protective case is both cumbersome and risky. Finally, conventional protective cases are bulky. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for protective cases which protect the mobile device from scratching and accidental damage while providing ease of access to the mobile device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a protection device for a mobile device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (“PDA”)). The protection device includes a flexible inner sleeve for conformingly surrounding the mobile device, the flexible inner sleeve having a screen aperture and a plurality of indents, the flexible inner sleeve receiving the mobile device through the screen aperture, and a rigid shell for engaging the flexible inner sleeve, the rigid shell having a plurality of fingers where each finger engages a corresponding indent on the flexible inner sleeve. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the protection device includes a flexible inner sleeve and a rigid shell. The flexible inner sleeve conformingly encapsulates the mobile device. The flexible inner sleeve includes a screen aperture and at least one protrusion for manipulating a mobile device control or knob. The flexible inner sleeve receives the mobile device through the screen aperture and aligns each of its plurality of secondary apertures with a respective mobile device connection port to allow connecting the mobile device to an auxiliary device. The rigid shell receives the flexible inner sleeve and the mobile device to form an integrated protective case. The rigid shell also includes a plurality of apertures which align with the secondary apertures of the inner sleeve. A user can use the inner sleeve or the rigid shell to protect the PDA. Alternatively, a user can combine the inner sleeve and the rigid shell to provide an integrated protective unit for the mobile device. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a protective case for receiving a mobile device. The protective sleeve includes a sheath having a backing and a plurality of edges, a sleeve having a face portion and a backing portion, the sleeve defining a first protrusion and a second protrusion which respectively correspond to a first control and a second control of the mobile device, wherein the sheath engagingly receives the sleeve between the plurality of edges and wherein the sheath includes a first cavity and a second cavity for receiving the first protrusion and the second protrusion, respectively. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be discussed with reference to the following exemplary and non-limiting illustrations, in which like elements are numbered similarly, and where: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional mobile device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a flexible inner sleeve for surrounding a mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a rigid shell for use with the flexible inner sleeve of  FIG. 2A  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of a flexible inner sleeve for surrounding a mobile device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom plan view of the flexible inner sleeve of  FIG. 3A  for surrounding a mobile device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective inside view of a rigid shell for use with the flexible inner sleeve of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mobile device enclosed in the flexible inner sleeve of  FIG. 2A  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mobile device enclosed in the flexible inner sleeve of  FIG. 2A  and the rigid shell of  FIG. 2B  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a mounting bracket for use with an exemplary protective case; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  A is a top perspective view of a flexible inner sleeve for surrounding a mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom plan view of the flexible inner sleeve of  FIG. 3A  for surrounding a mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective inside view of a rigid shell for use with the flexible inner sleeve of  FIGS. 7  A and  7 B according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a mounting bracket for use with an exemplary protective case according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a mounting bracket for use with an exemplary protective case according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional mobile device  100 . Mobile device  100  of  FIG. 1  can define a cellular or WiFi phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a portable media player, a web browser or any other portable device. For brevity, such devices are identified generically as mobile devices. 
         [0029]    Mobile device  100  is shown with a top surface  110  and a side surface  120 . Display  130  is conventionally integrated into the mobile device  100  and defines a screen which can be a touchpad, a keyboard or a combination of both. Certain conventional mobile devices include touch-sensitive screens which can also act as a keyboard. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a flexible inner sleeve  200  for surrounding a mobile device  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Flexible inner sleeve  200  can be molded to have the same shape and configuration as the mobile device it protects. Flexible inner sleeve  200  can be formed from a polymeric or rubber material with suitable elasticity. In one embodiment, the polymeric material includes silicon-based polymer and/or rubber material. Flexible inner sleeve  200  can also be formed from a foam-type elastic material. The elasticity of the flexible inner sleeve  200  provides several functionalities. First, the elastic polymer is soft to touch and provides excellent grip. Second, it protects against accidental dropping or other damages to the underlying mobile device. Finally, the elasticity enables the flexible inner sleeve  200  to be stretched or slipped over the mobile device. 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the flexible inner sleeve  200  includes top surface  210  and side surfaces  220  and  230 . Top surface  210  includes screen aperture or opening  212 . In one embodiment, the screen aperture or opening  212  is large enough to provide an unobstructed access to and view of the display screen of the mobile device. This is particularly suitable for mobile devices with touch-sensitive displays. The screen aperture or opening  212  can be configured to be large enough to expose the entire mobile device screen while small enough to cover the remaining portions of the mobile device. The top surface  210  forms an edge around the entire screen aperture or opening  212  to hold the mobile device within the flexible inner sleeve  200 . 
         [0032]    Side surface  220  includes side edge  224 . As will be discussed below, side edge  224  can be indented to releasably engage a rigid shell. In one embodiment, side edge  224  defines a mortise which can lockingly engage an edge of a rigid shell. In another embodiment, edge  224  includes a groove for receiving and engaging a notch formed on the rigid shell. Side surface  220  also includes aperture  222  and protrusion  226 . Aperture  222  can be formed on inner sleeve  200  to match and align with a port or an opening in the mobile device. The mobile device port typically defines a bus or a connection jack for connecting the mobile device to an auxiliary device. 
         [0033]    Mortise  234  is formed on side surface  230  to engageably receive a rigid shell. In one embodiment, mortise  234  defines a depression or indent on the side surface  230  of inner sleeve  200 . Aperture  232  is also formed on the side surface  230  of the inner sleeve  200  to align with a port or an opening in the mobile device. The port can be configured to receive, for example, a USB data connection or a headphone. The other sides (not shown) of inner sleeve  200  can have similar mortises, protrusions and apertures formed thereon. Depending on the configuration of the underlying mobile device, mortises can be formed on all four sides of the inner sleeve  200  or on one, two or three sides thereof. In one embodiment, where mortises are formed on two opposing sides of the flexible inner sleeve  200 , the rigid shell can releasably engage two sides of the flexible inner sleeve  200 . The limited elasticity of the rigid shell and the elasticity of the flexible inner sleeve  200  allow coupling of the flexible inner sleeve  200  to the rigid shell  250 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a rigid shell  250  for use with the flexible inner sleeve  200  of  FIG. 2A  according to an embodiment of the invention. The rigid shell  250  includes a bottom surface  260  and side surfaces (interchangeably, side edges)  270 ,  280 ,  290  and  295 . Side surfaces  270  and  280  engage opposing sides of the flexible inner sleeve  200  (see  FIG. 2A ). Similarly, side surfaces  290  and  295  engage opposing sides of the flexible inner sleeve  200 . In this manner, the side surfaces function to secure the rigid shell  250  to the flexible inner sleeve  200 . The side surfaces  270 ,  280 ,  290  and  295  of the rigid shell  250  can have corner openings at the four corners to expose the flexible inner sleeve  200 . 
         [0035]    Side surface  280  includes apertures  282  and  286 , which correspond to aperture  222  and protrusion  226  of the flexible inner sleeve  200  (see also  FIG. 2A ). Aperture  286  receives protrusion  226 , allowing the user to manipulate the underlying mobile device. Similarly, when the flexible inner sleeve  200  of  FIG. 2A  is engaged with the rigid shell  250  of  FIG. 2B , the apertures  222  and  282  are aligned to provide access to a mobile device port (not shown). The alignment in the two apertures  222  and  282  allows the mobile device port to be exposed outside of the protective device and to be connected to an auxiliary device (e.g., a computer). In one embodiment, the apertures  222  and  282  align to form a cavity for a mobile device to protrude therefrom. Thus, the user can engage the dial without having to remove one or both of the protective devices. 
         [0036]    Side surfaces  290  and  295  can be optionally added to grip opposing sides of the flexible inner sleeve  200 . Side surface  290  includes an aperture  292  which aligns with aperture  232  of  FIG. 2A . The apertures  232  and  292  may be used for a camera lens in the mobile device. When the flexible inner sleeve  200  of  FIG. 2A  is aligned with the rigid shell  250  of  FIG. 2B , the apertures  232  and  292  provide access to the mobile device port. The hard shell  250  and the flexible inner sleeve  200  can be configured to follow the contours of the underlying mobile device. In one embodiment, the flexible inner sleeve  200  follows the contours of the mobile device and the hard shell  250  follows the contours of the flexible inner sleeve  200 . When assembled, the two-part protection system (i.e., the hard shell and the flexible inner sleeve) does not add substantially to the overall size and weight of the device. 
         [0037]    Aperture  298  can be optionally added to receive a bracket for connecting rigid shell  250  to an outside mount. Aperture  298  can be replaced by a clip or any other suitable mounting apparatus which allows attaching the mobile device to a person&#39;s belt or pockets. While not shown, the flexible inner sleeve may also include similar configuration for attaching directly to the clothing. Aperture  299  can be used to mate with a corresponding protrusion on flexible inner sleeve  200  to allow for better securement and releasing of the two parts. 
         [0038]    While  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show four surfaces for engaging hard shell  250  to flexible inner sleeve  200 , the inventive principles are not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the hard shell  250  can be configured to engage the flexible inner sleeve  200  at two or more of its sides or corners. In another embodiment, the hard shell  250  can be configured to engage the flexible inner sleeve  200  at only two edges. In still another embodiment, the hard shell can be designed to slidingly receive the flexible inner sleeve by forming a tongue-and-grove feature with the inner sleeve. In yet another embodiment, the flexible inner sleeve can be snapped into place using one or more coupling points with the rigid shell. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a prior art flexible inner sleeve  300  for surrounding a mobile device  312 . The flexible inner sleeve  300  is designed to conform to the contours of the mobile device  312  (e.g., an iPhone®). The mobile device  312  includes display and keyboard sections on the face thereof. The flexible inner sleeve  300  is made of a soft-touch silicon lining to protect the mobile device  312  from shocks or other static electricity. The flexible inner sleeve  300  includes apertures  310  and  322 . Aperture  310  receives the mobile device  312 . Aperture  322  provides an opening for accessing a mobile device port. Protrusion  326  is positioned over a mobile device control, such as volume control. Protrusion  326  allows the user to effect a change in the mobile device by pressing the protrusion. The change can be, for example, increasing or decreasing the volume of the mobile device. Protrusion  326  has two parts corresponding to one of mobile device volume increase or decrease. The flexible inner sleeve  300  includes four indents  331 ,  332 ,  333  and  334  at its four corners. The four indents  331 ,  332 ,  333  and  334  mate with the four fingers  351 ,  352 ,  353  and  354 , respectively, on the hard shell  350  to protect the four corners from accidental dropping of the mobile device  312 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom plan view of the flexible inner sleeve  300  of  FIG. 3A  for surrounding a mobile device. The flexible inner sleeve  300  includes a bottom surface  301  that mates with an inner surface  302  of a rigid shell  350  (see also  FIG. 3C ). Four outer convex raised portions  341 ,  342 ,  343  and  344  surround the bottom surface  301 . The outer convex raised portions  342  and  344  allow the user to grab the soft flexible inner sleeve  300  while still providing the hard protection of the rigid shell  350 . The flexible inner sleeve  300  includes a center raised portion  345  to snugly mate with an opening  370  on the rigid shell  350  to provide a better connection between the flexible inner sleeve  300  and the rigid shell  350 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of a prior art rigid shell  350  for use with the flexible inner sleeve  300  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The rigid shell  350  is a hard or rigid acrylic shell that engages the mobile device  312  through the flexible inner sleeve  300 . The rigid shell  350  includes four fingers  351 ,  352 ,  353  and  354  to grab, attach to or fit into the four indents  331 ,  332 ,  333  and  334  of the flexible inner sleeve  300  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The four fingers  351 ,  352 ,  353  and  354  provide protection to the four corners of the mobile device. The rigid shell  350  also has four concave sides  361 ,  362 ,  363  and  364  to snugly fit against the corresponding outer convex raised portions  341 ,  342 ,  343  and  344 , respectively, when attached to the flexible inner sleeve  300 . The rigid shell  350  does not cover the sides (i.e., the four outer convex raised portions  341 ,  342 ,  343  and  344 ) but does cover the bottom surface  301  of the flexible inner sleeve  300 . Exposing the four outer convex raised portions  341 ,  342 ,  343  and  344  of the flexible inner sleeve  300  allows the user to have a better grip while still providing the rigid shell  350  to protect the mobile device  312 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mobile device  100  enclosed in the flexible inner sleeve  200  of  FIG. 2A  according to an embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 4 , the mobile device  100  is inserted inside the flexible inner sleeve  200  through the screen aperture  212 . Protrusion  226  aligns with a control knob (not shown) of the mobile device  100  and the aperture  222  provides an opening to access a mobile device port  414 . It can be seen that a screen  416  of the mobile device  100  is readily accessible by the user. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mobile device  100  enclosed in the flexible inner sleeve  200  of  FIG. 2A  and the rigid shell  250  of  FIG. 2B  according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 5  shows the flexible inner sleeve  200  containing the mobile device  100 . The combination of the flexible inner sleeve  200  and the rigid shell  250  protect the mobile device  100  while allowing immediate access to the buttons and screen of the mobile device  100 . The flexible inner sleeve  200  is snugly fit around the mobile device  100  and the rigid shell  250  is snapped or attached to the flexible inner sleeve  200 . The combination of the rigid shell  250  and the flexible inner sleeve  200  can be coupled to the user through a clip (not shown). 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a prior art mounting bracket  600 . The mounting bracket  600  has a curved portion  650  for receiving the mobile device  100 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  A is a top perspective view of a flexible inner sleeve  700  for surrounding a mobile device  712  according to an embodiment of the invention. The flexible inner sleeve  700  is designed to conform to the contours of the mobile device  712  (e.g., an iPhone®). The mobile device  712  includes display and keyboard sections on the face thereof. The flexible inner sleeve  700  can be made of a soft touch silicon rubber lining to protect the mobile device  712  from shocks or other static electricity. The flexible inner sleeve  700  includes apertures  710  and  722 . Aperture  710  receives the mobile device  712 . Aperture  722  provides an opening for accessing a mobile device port. Protrusion  726  is positioned over a mobile device control, such as volume control. Protrusion  726  allows the user to effect a change in the mobile device  712  by pressing the protrusion  726 . The change can be, for example, increasing or decreasing the volume of the mobile device  712 . In one embodiment, protrusion  726  is configured to have two parts corresponding to one of mobile device volume increase or decrease. The flexible inner sleeve  700  includes four indents  731 ,  732 ,  733  and  734  at its four corners. The four indents  731 ,  732 ,  733  and  734  mate with the four fingers  751 ,  752 ,  753  and  754 , respectively, on the hard shell  750  to protect the four corners of the mobile device  712  from accidental dropping of the mobile device  712 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom plan view of the flexible inner sleeve  700  of  FIG. 7  A for surrounding a mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention. The flexible inner sleeve  700  includes a bottom surface  701  that mates with an inner surface  702  of a rigid shell  750  (see also  FIG. 7C ). Four outer raised portions  741 ,  742 ,  743  and  744  surround the bottom surface  701 . The outer raised portions  742  and  744  allow the user to grab the soft flexible inner sleeve  700  while still providing the hard protection of the rigid shell  750 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a rigid shell  750  for use with the flexible inner sleeve  700  of  FIGS. 7  A and  7 B according to an embodiment of the invention. The rigid shell  750  can be a hard or rigid acrylic shell configured to engage the mobile device  712  directly or through the flexible inner sleeve  700 . The rigid shell  750  includes four fingers  751 ,  752 ,  753  and  754  to grab, attach to or fit into the four indents  731 ,  732 ,  733  and  734  of the flexible inner sleeve  700  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The four fingers  751 ,  752 ,  753  and  754  provide protection to the four corners of the mobile device. The rigid shell  750  also has four sides  761 ,  762 ,  763  and  764  to snugly fit against the corresponding outer raised portions  741 ,  742 ,  743  and  744 , respectively, when attached to the flexible inner sleeve  700 . In one embodiment, the rigid shell  750  does not cover the sides (i.e., the four outer convex raised portions  741 ,  742 ,  743  and  744 ) but does cover the bottom surface  701  of the flexible inner sleeve  700 . Exposing the four outer raised portions  741 ,  742 ,  743  and  744  of the flexible inner sleeve  700  allows the user to have a better grip while still providing the rigid shell  750  to protect the mobile device  712 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  shows a mounting bracket  800  for use with an exemplary protective case according to an embodiment of the invention. The mounting bracket  800  is formed in the shape of a “Z” and can have a curved portion  815  for receiving the mobile device  100 . The mounting bracket  800  has a similar curved portion  805  on the other side. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket  800  has an opening  810  positioned between the two curved portions  805  and  815 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  shows a mounting bracket  900  for use with an exemplary protective case according to an embodiment of the invention. The mounting bracket  900  is formed in the shape of a “S” and can have a curved portion  915  for receiving the mobile device  100 . The mounting bracket  900  has a similar curved portion  905  on the other side. 
         [0050]    The invention has been disclosed in an illustrative manner. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in an exemplary rather than a limiting manner. Although minor modifications of the invention will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.