Abstract:
A protective cover for handheld devices. The protective cover containing a hardened plastic protective inner layer and a soft outer layer. The protective cover containing at least one cavity for mounting the associated segment of the handheld device therein and at least one fitted notch to secure the piece to the associated segment. The protective cover further containing at least one window for providing exposure to the surface of the associated segment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/462,032 filed Aug. 2, 2006 entitled Handheld Device Protective Case. The present application claims priority on the basis of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/462,032. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a single-piece or multiple-component protective case for handheld devices, such as a personal digital assistant, cellular telephone, lab top computers or portable digital media player, and more particularly relates to protective case for a handheld device having a protective hardened plastic interior layer and a fashionable soft exterior layer. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   With the advancement of technology in the fields of electronics and computers, more powerful features and elements have been integrated into handheld electronic devices. Compact hard drives, processors, and liquid crystal displays boasting the computational equivalent of desktop computers have been integrated into handheld devices the size of a computer mouse. However, the integration of these innovations into handheld devices has amounted to the production of very expensive and delicate devices. Accessories, in the form of protective cases or protective shells, have been produced to keep the handheld devices safe from unexpected incidents due to mishandling. However, the existing protective cases and protective shells fail to incorporate protective shielding while offering a fashionable, stylish exterior accentuating the individual style of each end user. 
   In order to protect the handheld devices sufficiently the protective case must incorporate suitable protective cover that encompasses a substantial portion of the device, as well as provide a tight fit in which the device can be secured. In addition the protective case must be adaptable for use with handheld devices that have moving parts associated with the functions of the handheld device. The use of hard plastics to produce protective cases has lead to a sufficiently protective case for the handheld device, but the inherent look and feel of plastic has cheapened the appearance and texture of the expensive, highly advanced handheld devices. Alternatively, the use of textile fabrics, namely, leather and vinyl, have been used to protect the handheld devices, however, these fabrics have been less effective in properly protecting the device. In addition, the use of textile fabrics has been associated with wear and tear over time, leading to diminished protection and unsightly deformities in the protective cover. 
   The integration of these handheld devices as everyday essential items has opened the pathway for designers to introduce a fashionable design element into each handheld device. Most recently handheld devices have become fashion accessories adopting sleek designs, polished and/or rare metals and even jewels to accentuate the value of the device. 
   The protective and fashionable solution offered in the industry have failed to realize the importance of these changes, and the transition of once utilitarian handheld devices to fashionable accessories has lead to a demand in the market place for a protective device capable of addressing the recent fashionable element. The current market is in demand of a protective cover that can integrate the functions of protecting the delicate handheld device while retaining or enhancing the aesthetically pleasant look of the handheld device. 
   The present invention recognizes and addresses the particular need for a protective case for a handheld device capable of sufficiently protecting the handheld device while incorporating an aesthetically pleasing and attractive element to the individual end user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a novel protective case for handheld devices that incorporates a fashionable element. 
   More specifically, the invention comprises a protective case made of a hardened plastic inner layer, capable of sufficiently protecting the handheld device. The case further provides an outer layer of a relatively soft material. The soft outer layer incorporates a fashionable element on the soft material. 
   The protective case is produced by a two step manufacturing process which reduces cost and increases efficiency while incorporating a unique element for adhering the soft outer layer to the hard inner layer. The first step involves the injection molding of the plastic base inner layer which is the protective backbone of the present invention. The plastic inner layer is strong enough to protect the handheld device, while flexible enough to absorb a limited amount of abuse. 
   The second step of the manufacturing process includes the adhering of the fashionable soft outer layer to the molded plastic inner layer. The outer layer may be in the form of a soft material such as textile, leather, PVC, Nubuck, synthetic fabrics and carbon. The soft outer layer is attached to the plastic inner layer using an adhesive. The edges of the soft outer layer are attached to the plastic inner layer using a special heat process designed to permanently adhere the soft outer layer to the plastic inner layer. The heat processing nearly eliminates the possibility of the soft outer layer detaching or fraying from the plastic inner layer. 
   The protective case consists of one or more components independently attached to the handheld device, allowing for full operation of all features of the handheld device to be operated while the protective cover remains attached. In the event the handheld device requires the activation of moving pieces for operation, such as a flip-type cellular telephone or a twistable personal digital assistant, the protective case remains attached to the handheld device in operation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handheld device protective case depicting the outer layer of the protective carrying case. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a handheld device protective case depicting the inner layer of the protective carrying case. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a handheld device protective case depicting the inner layer. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a handheld device protective case depicting the outer layer. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case attached to a sample handheld device in the closed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case attached to a sample handheld device in the open position. 
   

   The descriptions which follow are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary of specific structures, aspects and features within the broad scope of the present invention and not as limiting of such broad scope. Like numbers refer to similar features of like elements throughout. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 , which is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case  30  depicting the outer layer of the protective case  30 , comprising two separate components, an upper component  32  and a lower component  34 . The upper component  32  and lower component  34  are molded to independently attach to the handheld device and incorporate at least one viewing window  36 , and input/output access ports  40 ,  42  and  44 . 
   With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the soft outer layer  38  is attached to the inner layer of the upper component  32  and the soft outer layer  39  is attached to the inner layer of the lower component  34 . The soft outer layers  38  and  39  are attached utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layers  38  and  39  to the inner layers of the upper component  32  and lower component  34 , respectively. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case  30  depicting the inner layer of the protective case  30 , comprising two separate components, the upper component  32  and lower component  34 . The upper component  32  incorporates at least one viewing window  36  and at least one input/output access port  40  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. The upper component  32  is fitted to clasp onto the handheld device, and incorporates fitted notches  46  and  48  to ensure a snug and secure fit. 
   With further reference to  FIG. 2 , the loner component  34  is attached to the handheld device incorporating a fitted cavity  54  found at the bottom of the lower component  34 . The lower component  34  is further fitted to clasp onto the handheld device and incorporates fitted notches  50  and  52  to ensure a snug and secure fit. 
     FIG. 2  further depicts the soft outer layer  39  found on the lower component  34  fitted cavity  54 . The soft outer layer  39  is attached to the lower component  34  utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layer  39 . 
     FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a protective case  30  depiction the inner surface, comprising two separate components, the upper component  32  and lower component  34 . The upper component  32  incorporates at least one viewing window  36  and at least one input/output access port  40  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. The upper component  32  is fitted to clasp onto the handheld device, and incorporates fitted notches  46  and  48  to ensure a snug and secure fit. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower component  34  is attached to the handheld device incorporating a fitted cavity  54  found at the bottom of the lower component  34 . The lower component  34  is further fitted to clasp onto the handheld device and incorporates fitted notches  50  and  52  to ensure a snug and secure fit. 
     FIG. 3  further depicts the textile soft outer layer  39  found on the lower case  34  fitted cavity  54 . The soft outer layer  39  is attached to the lower case  34  utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layer  39 . 
     FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a handheld device protective case depicting the outer surface, comprising two separate components, the upper component  32  and lower component  34 . The upper component  32  incorporates at least one viewing window  36  and at least one input/output access port  40  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. The lower component  34  incorporates input/output access ports  42  and  44  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. 
   With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the soft outer layer  38  is attached to the outer surface of the upper component  32  and the soft outer layer  39  is attached to the outer surface of the lower component  34 . The soft outer layers  38  and  39  are attached utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layers  38  and  39  to the upper component  32  and lower component  34 , respectively. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case  30  attached to a sample handheld device  56  in the closed position. The upper component  32  is attached the handheld device  56  and incorporates at least one viewing window  36  and at least one input/output access port  40  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. The lower component  34  is attached to the handheld device  56  and incorporates at least one input/output access port  42  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 5 , the soft outer layer  38  is attached to the outer surface of the upper component  32 , and the soft outer layer  39  is attached to the outer surface of the lower component  34 . The soft outer layers  38  and  39  are attached utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layers  38  and  39  to the upper component  32  and lower component  34 , respectively. 
     FIG. 5  further depicts the protective case  30  attached to the sample handheld device  56  which is found in the closed position. The input/output access ports  40  and  42  allow for operation of the functions found on the handheld device  56 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the handheld device protective case  30  attached to a sample handheld device  56  in the open position. The upper component  32  is attached the handheld device  56  and incorporates at least one viewing window  36  and at least one input/output access port  40  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device  56 . The lower component  34  is attached to the handheld device  56  and incorporates input/output access ports  42  and  44  intended to give the end user access to functions found on the handheld device  56 . 
   As further shown in  FIG. 6 , the soft outer layer  38  is attached to the outer surface of the upper component  32 , and the soft outer layer  39  is attached to the outer surface of the lower component  34 . The soft outer layers  38  and  39  are attached utilizing a heat treated chemical which permanently attaches the soft outer layers  38  and  39  to the upper component  32  and lower component  34 , respectively. 
     FIG. 6  further depicts the protective case  30  attached to the sample handheld device  56  which is found in the open position. The input/output access ports  40 ,  42  and  44  allow for operation of the functions found on the handheld device  56 , without the need to remove the protective case  30 . 
   While the foregoing detailed description has described a sample embodiment of a protective case  30  in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. For example, although the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 6  describes a protective case having two components, the novel feature of the present invention may be applied to a protective case having one or multiple components. 
   Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and other embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.