Patent Publication Number: US-2022214719-A1

Title: Cover for portable electronic device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/453,836, filed on Nov. 5, 2021 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/242,282, filed on Apr. 27, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/186,371, filed on Nov. 9, 2018, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of covers or cases for portable electronic devices, and particularly to fabric or leathered covered hard shell cases for computing devices such as laptop computers. 
     Portable electronic devices like smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, pagers, media or MP3 players, and portable game consoles have had a transforming impact on how people play and record music, send and receive e-mail and text messages, browse Web pages, make phone calls, play and record video, take and view pictures, edit documents, interface with social media, and much more. These devices continue to revolutionize the way we interact, learn, connect, conduct business, and socialize. They help manage our daily lives, store valuable information including business and personal information (e.g., phone numbers, financial information, private photos or videos, and favorite music tracks), and can be a source of entertainment. 
     In today&#39;s on-the-go and always-connected world, it is not uncommon for consumers to continuously have their electronic devices with or near them, whether it be at work, home, or during business or leisure travel. Electronic devices, however, commonly include fragile components (e.g., screens, glass and/or aluminum or soft metal casings) that can be easily damaged and are manufactured with limited finishes that are not necessarily appealing to consumers in some or all environments or settings. 
     Various after-market hard and soft shell cases or covers have been developed to accessorize and protect portable electronic devices. Notwithstanding, there is a continued need to develop light weight, user friendly, protective cases, that uniquely meld the benefits of, and blur the lines between, soft and hard shell cases by providing aesthetically pleasing external surfaces found in cut-and-sew soft shell covers with the simplicity and durability of hard shell cases. 
     SUMMARY 
     A light, durable, and user friendly cover for a mobile electronic device is disclosed. The cover integrates the protective qualities of hard shell cases with the aesthetics of soft cut-and-sew covers. In accordance with one embodiment, the cover is for a laptop computer and includes top and bottom panels configured to cover the display and keyboard portions of the laptop computer. Each panel is independent and separate from the other and each is formed as a unitary component of a molded resilient polymer material, such as polycarbonate, that is configured to reversibly and retentively snap-fit over the outer surface of the laptop computer. Each panel includes a raised lip along, its perimeter edge region that defines corresponding recessed regions on the panel&#39;s outer surface. Fabric and/or leather overlays are positioned, size matched, and adhesively coupled atop the recessed regions and are protected from delaminating, fraying, and/or peeling by the raised perimeter lip. Various structures including internally positioned ventilation holes and support feet and corresponding footing platforms may be included and are configured to also protect the fabric/leather overlays from delaminating, fraying, and/or peeling. 
     While the illustrated embodiment of the cover is directed to a laptop computer having display and keyboard portions hinged together, the cover may be configured for different types of electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computing devices. In such configurations, the bottom and/or top cover would include an inner surface that is configured to reversibly and retentively snap-fit over the outer surface of the electronic device so that the electronic device screen and user interfaces are accessible. 
     Novel methods of manufacturing the top and bottom covers, and component thereof are also disclosed. The methods are directed to preparation and sizing and cutting the fabric/leather overlays, forming the shell or panel components, position and adhesively coupling the overlay to the panels and forming and securing support feet to the cover. 
     Other features and advantages of the disclosed covers and methods of construction will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1F  illustrates a top, bottom, front, rear, left and right side views, respectively, of an exemplary exterior cover embodiment that includes a top cover configured to cover the display portion of a laptop computer and a bottom cover configured to cover the keyboard portion of a laptop computer. The illustrated cover is specifically configured to fit an Apple® 15-inch MacBook Pro® laptop computer, which is depicted in the cover, and is shown in a closed position. The dotted textured surfaces, illustrated in the drawings, depict fabric or leather overlays that are coupled to recessed regions, which are defined by a raised perimeter wall or lip, on the outer surface of flexible hard shell panels configured to receive and protect the overlays. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top rear-right perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F . 
         FIG. 2B  is a top front-left perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F . 
         FIG. 2C  is a bottom rear-right perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F . 
         FIG. 2D  is a bottom front-left perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F . 
         FIG. 3A  is a top rear-left perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  with the laptop display portion in an open position. 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom front-right perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  with the laptop display portion in an open position. 
         FIG. 4A  is an exterior view of the top cover component of the laptop cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F , with the fabric/leather overlay removed to reveal the outer surface of the top cover panel. 
         FIG. 4B  is an interior view of the display cover illustrated in  FIG. 4A  with the display portion of the laptop computer removed to reveal the inner surface of the top cover panel. DT 1  and DT 2  define the length and width of the display compartment defined by the inner surface of the top cover panel. 
         FIG. 5A  is an exterior rear-right perspective view of the top cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
         FIGS. 5B-5D  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the top cover panel circled in  FIG. 5A  to further illustrate the curvature, of the outer surface of the panel and the recessed region defined by the raised perimeter wall. 
         FIG. 6A  is an exterior front-right perspective view of the top cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
         FIGS. 6B-6D  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the top cover panel circled in  FIG. 6A  to further illustrate the curvature of the outer surface of the panel and the recessed region defined by the raised perimeter wall. 
         FIG. 7A  is an interior rear-right perspective view of the top cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
         FIGS. 7B-7G  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the top cover panel circled in  FIG. 7A  to further illustrate the inner surface of the panel including, the compartment defined thereby, the raised perimeter walls and the retention tabs extending inwardly from the inner surface of the panel. 
         FIG. 8A  is a duplicate of  FIG. 4B  with cross-sectional reference lines added. 
         FIGS. 8B, 8D, 8F, 8F, 8H and 8K  are cross-sectional views taken along corresponding enumerated cross reference lines  8 B- 8 B,  8 D- 8 D,  8 F- 8 F,  8 H- 8 H and  8 K- 8 K of the top cover panel as illustrated in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIGS. 8C, 8E, 8G, 8I, 8J and 8L  are enlarged perspective views of corresponding enumerated areas of the cross-sectional views of the top cover panel encircled in  FIGS. 8B, 8D, 8F, 8H and 8K , respectively. For reference, the fabric/leather layer is shown in phantom/broken lines. 
         FIG. 9A  is an exterior view of the bottom cover component of the laptop cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F , with the support feet and the fabric/leather overlay removed to reveal the outer surface of the bottom cover panel and the foot attachment holes. 
         FIG. 9B  is an interior view of the display cover illustrated in  FIG. 9A  with the keyboard portion of the laptop computer removed to reveal the inner surface of the bottom cover panel. DB 1 -DB 6  define the various length and width of the keyboard compartment and the position of the footing platforms defined by the inner surface of the bottom cover panel. 
         FIGS. 9C-9F  are the front, rear, left and right views, respectively, of the bottom cover panel illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is an interior rear-right perspective view of the top cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9F . 
         FIGS. 10B-10E  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the bottom cover panel circled in  FIG. 10A  to further illustrate the curvature of the surfaces of the panel, the keyboard compartment defined therein, the retention tabs and the raised perimeter wall that defines the recessed region on the outer surface of the panel. 
         FIG. 11A  is an exterior front-left perspective view of the bottom cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9F . 
         FIGS. 11B-11E  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the bottom cover panel circled in  FIG. 11A  to further illustrate the curvature of the outer surface of the panel, the footing platforms, ventilation and access apertures, and the recessed region defined by the raised perimeter wall. 
         FIG. 12A  is an exterior rear-right perspective view of the bottom cover panel illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9F . 
         FIGS. 12B-12E  are enlarged perspective views of the corresponding enumerated areas of the bottom cover panel circled in  FIG. 12A  to further illustrate the outer surface of the panel including the outwardly protruding footing platforms and the recessed regions defined the raised perimeter walls and the outwardly protruding ventilation aperture walls. 
         FIG. 13A  is a duplicate of  FIG. 9B  with cross-sectional reference lines added. 
         FIGS. 13B, 13D, 13F, 13H, 13J and 13M  are cross-sectional views taken along corresponding enumerated cross reference lines  13 B- 13 B,  13 D- 13 D,  13 F- 13 F,  13 H- 13 H,  13 J- 13 J and  13 M- 13 M of the bottom cover panel as illustrated in  FIG. 13A . 
         FIGS. 13C, 13E, 13G, 13I, 13K, 13L, 13N and 13P  are enlarged perspective views of corresponding enumerated areas of the cross-sectional views of the top cover panel encircled in  FIGS. 13B, 13D, 13F, 13H, 13J and 13K , respectively. For reference, the fabric/leather layer is shown in phantom/broken lines. 
         FIG. 14A  is a flow diagram of an exemplary manufacturing process for making the top cover configured to cover the display portion of a laptop computer. 
         FIG. 14B  is a flow diagram of an exemplary manufacturing process for making the bottom cover configured to cover the keyboard portion of a laptop computer. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a support foot separated from the cover illustrating the internal and external portions thereof. 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 1C  illustrating the internal contour of the cover relative to the laptop computer including the hinge portion thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood that the embodiments illustrated and described herein are examples and not limiting. In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, which include: 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Laptop computer 10 
               
               
                   
                 display portion 20 
               
               
                   
                 inner surface 21 
               
               
                   
                 outer surface 22 
               
               
                   
                 keyboard portion 30 
               
               
                   
                 inner surface 31 
               
               
                   
                 outer surface 32 
               
               
                   
                 User interfaces (e.g., ports, jacks, etc.) 33 
               
               
                   
                 Exterior cover 100 
               
               
                   
                 Top cover 200 
               
               
                   
                 Top cover panel 220 
               
               
                   
                 Outer surface 221 
               
               
                   
                 Inner surface 222 
               
               
                   
                 Display portion compartment 225 
               
               
                   
                 Retention tabs 227 
               
               
                   
                 Perimeter edge region 223 
               
               
                   
                 Raised Perimeter lip 228 
               
               
                   
                 Raised surface 229 
               
               
                   
                 Proximate side 230 
               
               
                   
                 opposing outer side 231 
               
               
                   
                 Recessed region 240 
               
               
                   
                 Fabric/leather overlay 290 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom cover 300 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom cover panel 320 
               
               
                   
                 Outer surface 321 
               
               
                   
                 Inner surface 322 
               
               
                   
                 Keyboard portion compartment 325 
               
               
                   
                 Retention tabs 327 
               
               
                   
                 Internally extending curved retention lip 326 
               
               
                   
                 Perimeter edge region 323 
               
               
                   
                 Raised Perimeter lip 328 
               
               
                   
                 Raised surface 329 
               
               
                   
                 Proximate side 330 
               
               
                   
                 Opposing outer side 331 
               
               
                   
                 Recessed region 340 
               
               
                   
                 Ventilation apertures 350 
               
               
                   
                 Outwardly protruding ventilation aperture walls 355 
               
               
                   
                 Raised ventilation aperture wall surface 359 
               
               
                   
                 Proximate side 360 
               
               
                   
                 Opposing internal side 361 
               
               
                   
                 Outwardly protruding footing platforms 370 
               
               
                   
                 Opposing recessed regions 371 
               
               
                   
                 Foot attachment holes 372 
               
               
                   
                 Support foot 380 
               
               
                   
                 Internal portion 381 
               
               
                   
                 External portion 382 
               
               
                   
                 Fabric/leather overlay 390 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Described and illustrated herein is a portable electronic device cover that is capable of being light weight, durable, and user friendly while also blurring the lines between soft and hard shell cases by providing aesthetically pleasing surfaces found in cut-and-sew soft shell covers with the simplicity and durability of hard shell cases. 
     As set forth above,  FIGS. 1A-16  illustrate various aspects of an exterior cover  100  formed and dimensioned to reversibly and retentively receive and protect a laptop computer  10  having a display portion  20  and a keyboard portion  30  (best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ). The display portion  20  and keyboard portion are each externally defined by inner and outer surfaces  21 ,  22 ,  31 ,  32  respectively, such that the inner surfaces  21 ,  31  include the display screen on the display portion  20  and the keyboard interface face on the keyboard portion  30  such that when the laptop  10  is in the closed position the two inner surfaces  21  and  31  are opposed and directly face each other as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 and 16 . As best illustrated in the side views of  FIGS. 1E-3B , the keyboard portion, for the particular laptop illustrated (Apple® 15-inch MacBook Pro® laptop computer), includes various user interfaces  33  on its right and left sides. Such user interfaces may be ports, jacks, speakers, microphones or other electrical, mechanical, optical, and/or acoustic connectors or interfaces. It should be understood that other laptop models may have user interfaces on the display portion  20  and in other regions or sides. It should be understood that the cover  100  is configured to correspond to the outer shape and user interfaces of the particular electronic device for which it is adapted for use. 
     The cover  100  includes a top cover  200  and a bottom cover  300 . The top cover  200  includes a top cover or first panel  220  that is configured to cover the outer surface  22  of the display portion  20  and the bottom cover  300  includes a bottom cover or second panel  320  configured to cover the outer surface  32  of the keyboard portion  30 . Each of said panels  220 ,  320  being independent and separate from one another and each panel being formed as a unitary component of a molded resilient polymer material dimensioned to reversibly and retentively snap-fit over the display portion  20  and keyboard portion  30 , respectively. Thus, the cover  100  is to include snap fit design that is configured for a multiple use, such that the user can attach and remove the cover  100  from the electronic device multiple times while retaining functionality of the cover  100 . 
     The top panel  220  includes a large generally planar wall that is configured to cover and protect the back face of the display portion  20  and multiple side walls that extend generally perpendicular to the generally planar wall that are configured to cover and protect the sides of the display portion  10 . Similarly, the bottom panel  320  include a large generally planar wall that is configured to cover and protect the back face of the keyboard portion  30  and multiple side walls that extend generally perpendicular thereto that are configured to cover and protect the sides of the keyboard portion  30 . 
     The top panel  220 , which is illustrated as a stand-alone component in  FIGS. 4A-8L , is defined by inner and opposing: outer surfaces  222 ,  221 , respectively, that are separated by a perimeter edge region  223 . The inner surface  222  of the top panel  220  defines a compartment  225  dimensioned to receive and cover the outer surface  22  of the display portion  20  of the laptop computer  10 . The bottom panel  320 , which is illustrated as a stand-alone component in  FIGS. 9A-13P , is also defined by inner and opposing outer surfaces  322 ,  321 , respectively, that are separated by a perimeter edge region  323 . The inner surface  322  of the top panel  320  defines a compartment  325  dimensioned to receive and cover the outer surface  32  of the keyboard portion  30  of the laptop computer  10 . 
     Each of the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  include a first plurality of retention tabs  227 ,  327  located at their respective perimeter edge regions  223 ,  323  that extend inwardly from the their respective inner surfaces  222 ,  322  in a transverse direction therefrom. The retention tabs  227 ,  327  are dimensioned to engage the corresponding inner surfaces  21 ,  31  of the display and keyboard portions  20 ,  30  of the laptop computer  10  when attached thereto.  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate the retention tabs  227 ,  327  in place over the inner surfaces  21 ,  31  of the of the display and keyboard portions  20 ,  30  of the laptop computer  10 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the top panel  220  includes two pairs of retention tabs  227 , with one pair extending from the right side wall and another pair extending from left side wall of the top panel  220 . In contrast, the bottom panel  320 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 9B , is configured to include three pairs of retention tabs  327 , with a pair extending from each of the right, left and front side walls of the bottom panel  320 . When the laptop computer  10  is in a closed position, the retention tabs  227  on the left and right side walls of the top panel  220  and the retention tabs  327  on the left and right side walls of the bottom panel  320  are configured to offset to each other and dimensioned to extend in limited length so that when the laptop computer  10  is closed the retention tabs  227 ,  327  would not affect the adaptation between the display and keyboard portions  20 ,  30 . In addition, as best illustrated in  FIG. 13K  and  FIG. 16 , the internally facing perimeter edge region  323  that extends along the recessed back side wall of the bottom panel  320  includes an internally extending curved retention lip  326  that is configured to snap over a corresponding recessed region of the hinge of the laptop computer  10  to maintain the keyboard portion  30  within the keyboard compartment  325  and keep the keyboard from sliding out the back side of the bottom cover  300 . The curved retention lip  326  is positioned below the retention tabs  327  to allow the user to more easily insert the keyboard from the back side of the bottom cover  300  and snap fit the keyboard portion  30  into the keyboard compartment  325  of the bottom cover panel  320  without tearing, the cover panel  320  or damaging the keyboard, Similarly, including retention tabs on two opposing sides of the top panel  220  also allows the user to more easily insert and snap fit the top panel compartment  225  over display portion  20  without tearing the top panel  220  or damaging the display. Other retention tab configurations are contemplated. For example, additional or fewer retention tabs may be included. The retention tabs may be extend from different walls and may be of larger or smaller size. 
     Each of the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  include a raised perimeter wall or lip  228 ,  328 , respectively, that extends longitudinally along the entirety of their respective perimeter edge region  223 ,  323  and projects outwardly from their respective outer surfaces  221 ,  321  to define corresponding raised surfaces  229 ,  329 . Each of the raised perimeter lips  228 ,  328  are defined by a proximate side  230 ,  330  and opposing outer sides  231 ,  331 , respectively. The proximate side  230  that defines the lip  228  on the top panel  220  defines a border that encircles a recessed region  240  formed on the outer surface  221  of the top panel  220 . As measured on the proximate side  230  from the recessed region  240  extending outwardly from the base thereof to the raised surface  229 , the lip  228  has a height defined by a first dimension, which, as representatively illustrated in  FIG. 6B , is referred to as DT 8 . Similarly, the proximate side  330  that defines the lip  328  on the bottom panel  320  defines a border that encircles a recessed region  340  formed on the outer surface  321  of the bottom panel  320 . As measured on the proximate side  330  from the recessed region  340  extending outwardly from the base thereof to the raised surface  329 , the lip  328  has a height defined by a second dimension, which, as representatively illustrated in  FIG. 11B , is referred to as DB 8 . 
     Each recessed region  240 ,  340  is covered with a corresponding fabric or leather overlay  290 ,  390 . The top cover fabric or leather overlay  290  is sized to match recessed region  240  so as to terminate at the proximate side  230  of the raised lip  228  when adhesively coupled thereto. The overlay  290  has a thickness defined by a third dimension that is equal to or less than the first dimension, such that the outer surface of the overlay  290  resides at or below the raised surface  229  of the lip  228  at its perimeter extents bordering the proximate side  230  and is thus thereby protected by the border lip  228  from delaminating, fraying or peeling away from the outer surface  221  of the supporting top panel  220  to which it is coupled. Similarly, the bottom cover fabric or leather overlay  390  is sized to match recessed region  340  so as to terminate at the proximate side  330  of the raised lip  328  when adhesively coupled thereto. The overlay  390  has a thickness defined by a fourth dimension that is equal to or less than the second dimension, such that the outer surface of the overlay  390  resides at or below the raised surface  329  of the lip  328  at its perimeter extents bordering the proximate side  330  and is thus thereby protected by the border lip  328  from delaminating, fraying or peeling away from the outer surface  321  of the supporting bottom panel  320  to which it is adhesively coupled. 
     It should be understood that while the perimeter lips  228 ,  328  are illustrated to extend along the entire perimeter of their corresponding panels  220 ,  320 , which provides an integrated border that is configured to mitigate against delaminating, fraying or peeling of the overlay  290 ,  390  on the entire periphery thereof, it is contemplated that the perimeter lips  228 ,  328  may be configured to extend along only multiple portions or only along a majority of the perimeter edge regions of the corresponding panels  220 ,  320 . Hence, for example, it is contemplated that perimeter lips  228 ,  328  may extend along high impact zones, such as the corners and not extend along other less likely impact regions, such as along the right and left sides. It should be further understood that the perimeter edge regions  223 ,  323  and corresponding perimeter lips  228 ,  328  may be also configured to provide greater protection in high impact regions of the cover, such as at the corners thereof. Thus, for example in the illustrated embodiment, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1D-1F, 2A-2D, 3A-3B, 9A, 9D-9F, 10A, 10C, 10E , the rear corners of the bottom panel  320  includes a perimeter edge region  323  that wraps around from the sides to the face of the bottom panel  320 , such that the perimeter lip  328  and the recessed region  340  adjacent thereto is positioned internally on the face of the panel  320  thereby protecting the overlay from direct rear side impacts and wear and tear. Such a wrap-around configuration of the perimeter edge region may be employed throughout either the top or bottom panels  220 ,  320  or in high impact regions such as the corners, side regions, around user interface apertures or even on support surfaces such as the regions around the support feet  380  and may extend sufficiently inward to form one or more or all of the support feet and thereby entirely replace one or more of the support feet  380 . 
     The outer surface of the recessed regions  240 ,  340  may be textured to facilitate better adhesion to the overlaid material  290 ,  390 . For example, the recessed regions  240  and/or  340  may have an MT-11010 texture, whereas the other areas of the panels  220 ,  320 , including the display and keyboard compartments  225 ,  325  and the retention tabs  227 ,  327  may have a smooth finish (or un-textured surface), which would mitigate scratching the laptop computer  10  or other mobile electronic device. Different textures in the recessed regions  240 ,  340  may be used depending on the overlaid material and adhesive used. 
     The overlays  290 ,  390  may be made of any suitable organic or synthetic material including, but not limited to, woven or non-woven fabrics or textiles, leather, or combination thereof. The top and bottom overlays  290 ,  390  may be made of the same or different materials and may have the same or different thicknesses, equal to or less than the lip height dimensions DT 8  ( FIG. 6A , top panel  220 ) and DB 8  ( FIG. 11B , bottom panel). For example, it is contemplated that the top and bottom overlays  290  and  390  are formed of a single or multi-ply woven fabric that includes parallel grain lines that are oriented perpendicular to one another, and when coupled to the recessed regions  240 ,  340 , the grain lines are oriented to run parallel and perpendicular to the length and/or width of the cover. As another example, it is contemplated that the top and bottom overlays  290 ,  390  are formed of a fabrics having different thicknesses or designs. Thus, for example the bottom overlay  390  may be formed of a more durable thicker fabric or leather than the top overlay  290 , which may be formed of a more delicate fabric or leather or a fabric with a different design, pattern or color than the bottom. The bottom overlay  390  may for example be of a dark durable fabric or leather while the top overlay  290  may, for example, be of a lighter or less durable fabric or leather. While it is contemplated that the overlays  290 ,  390  are each formed as unitary piece of fabric or leather, it should be understood that the overlays  290  and/or  390  may be formed of multiple pieces of fabrics and/or leather and adhered to the recessed regions on the panel as separate pieces or as a single component. It should also be understood that the fabric and/or leather overlays  290  and/or  390  may be formed of multiple plies of fabric and/or leather with or without a fabric or leather backing. 
     The bottom cover  300 , in the illustrated embodiment, further includes a plurality of ventilation apertures  350  that extend through the bottom panel  320  and are positioned at the right and left side regions to correspond to ventilation holes in the laptop computer  10 . The ventilation apertures  350  are defined by outwardly protruding ventilation aperture walls  355  that extend from the recessed region  340  of the outer surface  321  of the panel  320 . The walls  355  include proximate and internal sides  360 ,  361  that terminate at a raised surface  359 . The proximate sides  360  of the walls  355  face outward from the ventilation apertures  350  toward the recessed region  340  whereas the internal side  361  define the ventilation apertures  350 . As measured on the proximate side  360  from the recessed region  340  extending outwardly from the base thereof to the raised surface  359 , the aperture walls  355  have a height, which, as representatively illustrated in  FIG. 11B , is referred to as DB 9 . The height of the aperture walls  355  on the left and right sides of the bottom cover panel  320  may have the same or different dimensions. As illustrated in the drawings, the overlay  390  has a thickness that is equal to or less than the height (DB 9 ) of the aperture walls  355 , such that the outer surface of the overlay  390 , when coupled to the panel  320 , resides at or below the raised surface  359  of the walls  355  at the overlay&#39;s perimeter extents bordering the proximate side  360  of the aperture walls  355 . In this way, the overlay is protected by the raised surface  359  of the aperture walls  355  from delaminating, fraying, or peeling away from the outer surface  321  of the supporting bottom panel  320  to which it is adhesively coupled. 
     The bottom cover panel  320 , as illustrated in the preferred embodiment, includes outwardly protruding footing platforms  370  at each corner. The platforms  370  are integrally molded as part of the unitary molded panel  320  and are defined on the inner surface  322  of the panel  320  by opposing recessed regions  371 . The overlay  390 , extends over the external or outer surface  321  of the panel  320 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B-1F, 2C-2D, 3B  and the cross sections depicted in  FIGS. 13B-13C and 16 . A support foot  380  (best illustrated in  FIG. 15 ) is coupled atop the overlay  390  to each of said footing platforms  370 . Each support foot  380  is secured via an attachment hole  372  extending through the footing platform  370  to the corresponding recessed region  371  on the inner surface  322  of the bottom panel  320  opposite the protruding footing platform  370 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the support foot  380  is dimensioned to include an internal portion  381  configured to reside on the interior surface  322  of recessed regions  371  and external portion  382  configured to reside over the outwardly protruding footing platforms  370  atop the overlay  390 . The external and internal portions  382 ,  381  are connected by a mid-region having a lesser annular diameter, wherein the external portion  382  has a greater diameter than both the internal portion  382  and the mid-region and wherein the internal portion  381  has a greater diameter than the mid-region of the support foot  380 . The support foot  380  may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the support foot  380  may be formed as a unitary component made of molded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to be manually deformed such that the internal portion  381  can be inserted through the support foot attachment hole  372  from the exterior of the cover  300  and once inserted there-through released thereby allowing the internal portion  381  to resume its natural, unstressed shape. 
     The panels  220 ,  320  are dimensioned and otherwise configured to correspond to the shape of the laptop computer for which the cover is adapted to be used. Since each electronic device model typically has unique dimensions and user interfaces, it is contemplated that the cover is uniquely dimensioned for the specific electronic device model. Thus, by way of example, the table below provides potentially suitable internal compartment dimensions and lip  228 ,  328  dimensions (corresponding to the dimension lines set forth in  FIGS. 4B, 6B, 9B, 11B ) of the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  for particular Apple MacBook laptop computers: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 MacBook  
                 MacBook  
                 MacBook  
                 MacBook  
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Air 13 
                 Pro 13 
                 Pro 15 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 DT1 
                 284.4  
                 mm 
                 328.3 
                 mm 
                 307.8 
                 mm  
                 353.1  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DT2 
                 200.4  
                 mm 
                 230.6  
                 mm 
                 216.1  
                 mm 
                 244.2  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DT7 
                 1.0  
                 mm 
                 1.0 
                 mm 
                 1.0 
                 mm 
                 1.0  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DT8 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 mm 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB1 
                 284.4  
                 mm 
                 328.3  
                 mm 
                 307.8  
                 mm 
                 353.1  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB2 
                 200.4 
                 mm  
                 230.6  
                 mm 
                 216.1 
                 mm 
                 244.2  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB3 
                 242.0 
                 mm 
                 271.4  
                 mm 
                 258.9  
                 mm 
                 304.5  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB4 
                 159.5  
                 mm 
                 173.8  
                 mm 
                 167.4  
                 mm 
                 194.9  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB5 
                 221.0 
                 mm 
                 255.8 
                 mm 
                 239.8  
                 mm 
                 281.7 
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB6 
                 195.8  
                 mm 
                 223.1  
                 mm 
                 208.1  
                 mm 
                 236.6  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB7 
                 1.0  
                 mm 
                 1.0  
                 mm 
                 1.0 
                 mm 
                 1.0  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB8 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 nm 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
               
               
                 DB9 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 mm 
                 0.7 
                 mm 
                 0.7  
                 mm 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The dimensions set forth in the foregoing table are in millimeters (“mm”). Although not specified in the table, the thickness of the bottom and top panels  220 ,  320  may vary from 1.7 mm in the thicker perimeter edge regions  223 ,  323  to 1 mm in the relatively more thin areas on the face of the panels and their corresponding recessed regions  240 ,  340 . The thickness of the fabric/cover overlays  290 ,  390  would be equal to or less than 0.7 mm, which is the height of the perimeter lips  228 ,  328  (DT 8 , DB 8 ) and the height of the ventilation aperture wall surface  359  (DB 9 ). 
     It should be understood that while described herein are some examples of implementations with specific dimensions, measurements, and values, these dimensions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described. Moreover, the dimensional values provided are approximate values and may vary due to, for example, measurement or manufacturing variations or tolerances or other factors. For example, depending on the design and the manufacturing tolerances, the values can vary plus or minus 2 percent, plus or minus 5 percent, plus or minus 7 percent, or plus or minus 10 percent. Further, the dimensions are for a specific implementation of the device, and other implementations can have different values, such as certain dimensions made larger for a larger-sized electronic devices, or smaller for a smaller-sized electronic devices. Internal cushions, insert, or components may also be inserted into the compartment  225 ,  325  of one or more of the panels  220 ,  320  that may also result in one or more of the internal dimensions of the panel cover panels  220 ,  320  being larger than the corresponding external dimension of the electronic device for which the panel is adapted for use. 
     It should also be understood that, as illustrated in the drawing, the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  may each include user access apertures that correspond to user interfaces  33  on the laptop computer  10  and facilitate easy access thereto by the user. The location and size of those apertures would correspond to the location and size of the user interfaces  33 . 
     The top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  may be formed of any suitable material. In a preferred implementation, the panels are formed of material selected from a group of polycarbonate, fiber reinforced plastic, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer. The panels are formed of different materials. The support foot may also be formed of any suitable material, including those previously set forth in connection with formation of the top and/or bottom panels  220 ,  320 . In a preferred implementation the support foot  380  is formed of a material that has greater elasticity and flexibility than the material that forms the bottom panel  320 . 
     As set forth in more detail below and illustrated by the manufacturing process flow diagrams of  FIGS. 14A-14B , the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  and the support feet  380  may each be manufactured as unitary structures by injection molding, the fabric/leather overlays are sized and then adhesively coupled to the recessed regions  240 ,  340  on the exterior or outer surface  221 ,  321  of the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  respectively and the feet  380  attached to the bottom panel  320  through attachment holes  372 . 
     More specifically, the flow diagrams of  FIGS. 14A and 14B  are directed to diagramming methods of manufacturing the protective cover  100 , which is formed and dimensioned to reversibly and retentively receive and protect the laptop computer  10  having a display portion  20  and a keyboard portion  30 .  FIG. 14A  is a flow diagram comprising, of steps  400 - 416  for a process to manufacture the top cover  200 .  FIG. 14B  is a flow diagram comprising of steps  500 - 517  for a process to manufacture the bottom cover  300 . Similar steps in each process are described herein together. 
     Formation and Preparation of Top and Bottom Panels 
     Steps  407  and  507  are directed to forming top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  via injection molding. Steps  408  and  508  are directed to removing the respective top and bottom panels from their respective molds. Steps  409  and  509  are directed to deburring the respective top and bottom panels to remove any sharp edges or mold seepage. 
     The top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  may be molded to include the various configurational aspects described above. Thus, by way of example, the top panel  220  is molded to include the opposing inner and outer surfaces  221 ,  222  extending to the perimeter edge region  223  and is formed of a resilient flexible polymer material that is dimensioned to include the display portion compartment  225  defined by the inner surface  222  and reversibly and retentively snap-fit externally over the display portion  20 . Similarly, the bottom panel  320  is molded to include the opposing inner and outer surfaces  321 ,  322  extending to the perimeter edge region  323  and is formed of a resilient flexible polymer material that is dimensioned to include the keyboard portion compartment  325  defined by the inner surface  322  and reversibly and retentively snap-fit externally over the keyboard portion  30 . Each of the top and bottom panels  220 ,  320  is molded to include: (i) a plurality of retention tabs  227 ,  327  extending inwardly from its inner surface  222 ,  322  and positioned and dimensioned to retain the panel on the corresponding portion of the laptop  10 , and (ii) an outwardly protruding wall structure extending longitudinally along the perimeter edge region  223 ,  323  and projecting outwardly from the outer surface to define the raised perimeter lip  228 ,  328  and adjacent recessed regions  240 ,  340  on the respective panel&#39;s outer surface. The bottom panel  320  is molded to include (i) the ventilation apertures  350  defined by the aperture walls  355  and raised wall surface  359  and the outwardly protruding foot platforms  370  and corresponding opposing recessed regions  370 . 
     Formation of Support Feet 
     Steps  512  and  513  are directed to forming the support feet  380 , for the bottom cover  300 , via injection molding and removing the feet from the mold after molding in preparation for attaching the feet  380  to the bottom cover panel  320 . Each foot  380  is molded to include an internal portion  381  and an external portion  382  that is connected by a mid-portion of less diameter as previously described. The foot is preferably molded of an elastic resilient material such as thermoplastic urethane. Other feet may also be employed, for example a two piece foot  380  where the external portion  382  and the internal portion  381  are formed separated from one another and then mechanically or adhesively coupled to the panel  320  directly or each other when attached to the panel  320 . 
     Preparing Fabric/Leather Overlays and Adhesively Coupling them to the Recessed Regions of the Panels 
     Steps  401 - 406  and  501 - 506  generally detail the preparation of the fabric/leather overlay and Steps  410 - 411 ,  414  and  510 - 511 ,  515  detail the steps involved in adhesively coupling the fabric/leather to the corresponding panel  220 ,  320 . 
     Step  401  and  501  are directed to preparing fabric or leather overlay  290 ,  390  by applying a polyurethane coating to the inner surface of the overlay and allowing the coating to dry. The polyurethane coating may be of any suitable thickness. In one implementation the polyurethane coating is approximately 0.05 mm thick. The polyurethane coating bonds well to the overlay and facilitates improved adhesion by the adhesive to the polymer panels  220 ,  320  as described below. In addition, the polyurethane coating may provide utility besides facilitating adhesion of the glue, such as to provide the fabric overlay with stiffness and may assist in preventing the edges of the fabric from fraying. In some implementation, the polyurethane coating may, depending on the nature and thickness of the coating, provide the fabric with a resilient and full appearance and serve as a cushion layer between the outer surface of the fabric and the more rigid panel. 
     Steps  402  and  502  are directed to apply a heat activated adhesive or glue coating over the polyurethane coating. In one implementation, the heat activated adhesive or glue has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm. With respect to steps  401 - 402  and  501 - 502 , the entire roll of fabric or leather material may be processed through an application machine that applies the polyurethane on the inner surface and then a heat activated adhesive or glue on top of the polyurethane coating. 
     Once the polyurethane and heat activated adhesive layers are applied over the inner side of the fabric or leather, as set forth in steps  403  and  503 , the fabric or leather overlay is cut into an intermediate size (e.g., a smaller rectangular size) to facilitate manipulation and handling. Notably, steps  403  and  503  produce fabric or leather overlay constructs that are layered with polyurethane and heat activated adhesive and are oversized relative to the recessed areas  240 ,  340  of the corresponding panels  220 ,  320 . Cutting after the polyurethane and heat activated glue is applied can help ensure that those layers extend all the way to the edges of the cut fabric or leather overlay. 
     Once the fabric or leather overlay construct is initial cut (per steps  403 ,  503 ), the overlay constructs are marked for register keys, which are holes in the fabric that are used to prevent movement of the overlay constructs and ensure that the fabric is properly oriented. (Steps  404 ,  504 ). 
     Steps  405  and key  505  are directed to punching the register holes in the overlay constructs. The register key holes are used for alignment and to orient the overlay construct at each. step and to retain the position during the laser cutting and for silk screening logos on the exterior of the fabric/leather overlay. 
     Steps  406 ,  506  are directed to cutting the fabric or leather overlay constructs so that they are sized to match the corresponding areas of the recessed regions  240 ,  340  of the panel  220 ,  320 . The cutting may be performed by laser or any suitable mechanical means, for example, die cut. Laser cutting has been found to be highly accurate, and provide great consistency and control. In addition, it results in a clean seared edge of the overlay construct that can mate precisely and neatly against the proximate sides  230 ,  330 ,  360  of the perimeter and ventilation walls. The laser cutting can also be automated with high speed and cutting throughput. 
     As set forth in steps  410 - 411  and  510 - 511 , once the overlay constructs are cut to match the size of their corresponding recessed regions  240 ,  340 , the overlay constructs are respectively mated and adhered thereto so that their perimeter cut edges extend to the corresponding proximate side  230 ,  330 ,  360  of the perimeter and ventilation walls of their respective panels  220 ,  320 . Thus, it is the heat activated adhesive layer or coating that comes into direct contact with and adheres to the recessed regions  240 ,  340  of the panels  220 ,  320 . A heat plate may be used to heat activate the adhesive coating and exert pressure on the exterior surface of the overlay to ensure uniform adhesion to the recessed regions  240 ,  340  of the panels  220 ,  320 . Initially the heat plate may be applied over the center region of the overlay and then along the sides regions, thereby initially securing the overlay to the center or face regions of the panel  220 ,  320  and then working outwards securing the overlay outward the center to the perimeter edge regions of panel. 
     Forming Foot Attachment Holes and Attaching Feet to Bottom Panel 
     Once the support feet  380  are formed in accordance with steps  512 - 513 , and the fabric/leather overlay  390  is applied over the recessed region  340  of the outer surface  321  of the bottom panel  320 , step  514  is directed to the foot attachment holes  372  being cut through the overlay  390  and the tooting platforms  370  of the bottom panel  320 . A laser, or any suitable cutting means, may be used to cut the foot attachment holes  372 . The foot attachment holes  372  are cut after the fabric/leather overlay  390  is applied and adhered over and to the outer surface  321  of the outwardly protruding footing platforms  370 . Once the foot attachment holes  372  are cut, as per step  515 , additional heat pressing over the fabric/leather overlay  390  may be applied (to the extent needed), including around the foot attachment holes  372  and other regions of the panel  390 , to ensure full and complete adhesion of the overlay  390  to the outer surface  321  and recessed regions  340  of the panel  320 . Because the foot attachment holes  372  are cut through both the panel  320  and the fabric overlay  390  at the same time, the cutting process is capable of ensuring that the foot attachment hole  372  in the bottom panel  320  are aligned and perfectly matched with the foot attachment hole  372  in the overlay  390 . Once the foot attachment holes  372  are cut, a support. foot  380  is secured thereto per step  516 . Each support foot  372 , as previously described, is formed of a flexible elastic material capable of being stressed or distorted and yet have sufficient resiliency and elasticity to allow it to resume its original shape after the stress is removed. The support foot  380  is secured by sufficiently distorting the shape of the internal portion  381  and inserting it through the foot attachment hole  372  from the outside of the panel  320 . This can be done manually or be automated. Once inserted through the hole  372 , the distortion pressure is removed and the internal portion  381  resumes its original shape and expands into position wherein its retained and supported by the recessed region  371  on the internal surface  322  opposite the foot platform  370 . Once the support foot  380  is secured, the peripheral regions of the external portion  382  resides externally over both the protruding footing platform  370  and the overlying fabric/leather overlay  390 , to which it is in contact, thereby further protecting the fabric/leather overlay  390  from peeling, fraying or delaminating. When other types of feet are employed, e.g., a two piece foot  380  where the external portion  382  and the internal portion  381  are formed separated from one another, the attachment process may be mechanical and/or via adhesive coupling directly to the panel  320  to opposing components  381 ,  382  of the support foot  380  when the foot is attached to the panel  320 . 
     Further it should be understood that while the bottom cover  300  includes footing platforms  370  and feet  380 , the top cover  200  may be manufactured in the same manner to include footing platforms  370  and feet  380 . Similarly, it should be understood that while the top cover does not include footing platforms  370  and feet  380 , the bottom cover  300  may be manufactured in the same manner to exclude footing platforms  370  and feet  380 . Also, while the ventilation holes  350  and corresponding wall structures are included in the bottom cover  300 , it should be understood that the ventilation holes  350  may be manufactured in the top cover  200  to correspond with ventilation needs or structures in the display portion  20  of the electronic device  10 . Thus, while particular manufacturing aspects are described as being part of the top or bottom cover  200 ,  300 , it should be understood that those manufacturing process including the configuration of components thereof may be used to either the top or bottom cover in combination or alone. 
     This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to facilitate explanation of the principles of the invention and its practical applications. This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.