Patent Abstract:
A protective jacket or case for an electronic product or device, which fixes on the periphery or outer rim of the electronic product for protection. The protective case includes a first frame ( 10 ) disposed on the outer rim of the electronic product, a second frame ( 20 ) disposed on the outer rim of the first frame ( 10 ), the hardness of the second frame ( 20 ) is higher than the first frame ( 10 ). Comparing with the prior art, the protective case for an electronic product has a first frame ( 10 ) and a second frame ( 20 ) with different hardness, while the protective case being installed on the edge of the electronic product, it can easily be engaged on the device and not easy to fall off, thus protecting the electronic product effectively.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a case for electronic device, and in particular, to a composite protective case for electronic device. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Some electronic devices such as smartphones or tablet PC are costly, and these devices are vulnerable to damage because of accidental crashing or dropping. Therefore, consumers typically attach a case on the outer rim of the electronic device to protect it from accidental damage. 
         [0003]    However, some of the cases for electronic devices in the market are too stiff and poor of plasticity, it is difficult to install such case on the electronic device; some cases are easy to crack due to excessive forces during fixing the same into the devices; some other cases are too soft to tightly attach on the devices, due to the soften material provided, that the device may easily fall from the case. Therefore, consumers would need a better case for protecting their electronic devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention is to provide a protective case for electronic device, which can easily be attached on the device and hardly to fall off, and with highly usability and convenience. 
         [0005]    A protective case for electronic device, which fixes on outer rim of a device for protection, and comprising a first frame fixing on the outer rim of the electronic device, a second frame fixing on the outer rim of the first frame; the hardness of the second frame is higher than the first frame. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the first frame having four sidewalls, each sidewall connects to another end-by-end, inner surface of the sidewalls are adjoining with the outer rim of the electronic device; outer surface of the sidewalls forming a continuous groove; and at least one portion of the second frame embedding into the groove to attach with the first frame. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the second frame having four sidewalls, each sidewall connects to another end-by-end, these four sidewalls embedding into the groove of the first frame. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a bulge is provided on one sidewall of the first frame that corresponding to a button of the electronic device; a button opening is also provided on one sidewall of the second frame that corresponding to the bulge on first frame, to facilitate the bulge for passing through thereof. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a through-hole is provided on another sidewall of the first frame that corresponding to an interface of the electronic device; a through-hole is also provided on another sidewall of the second frame that corresponding to the interface of the electronic device. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a side-slot is provided on still another sidewall of the first frame that corresponding to the button of the electronic device; a side-slot is also set on still another sidewall of the second frame that corresponding to the button of the electronic device. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a volume button case is further provided between the first frame and the second frame, said volume button case having a base and two key presses, the key presses are provided on the base; the base is covered on the side-slot of the first frame; the two key presses passing through the side-slot of the second frame and extending out thereof. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the thickness of the first frame is larger than the thickness of electronic device. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the thickness of the second frame is equal to the thickness of electronic device. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the material of the first frame is plastic, and the material of the second frame is metal; or, the material of the first frame is flexible plastic, and the material of the second frame is rigid plastic. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, a card holder is provided on a flat of the protective case, the flat is corresponding to the back side of the electronic device when the device is attached with the protective case; said card holder is formed by fixing a square protective piece on two or three sidewalls of the first frame or second frame. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, an adhesive layer is provided on the sidewalls that fixing with the protective piece, and the protective piece adhering on the adhesive layer. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, a restricted groove is provided on a fixed position of the protective piece that corresponding to the first frame or second frame; a restricted bulge is provided on the sidewall of the first frame or the second frame that corresponding to the restricted groove. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, a restricted bulge is provided on a fixed position of the protective piece that corresponding to the first frame or second frame; a restricted groove is provided on the sidewall of the first frame or the second frame that corresponding to the restricted bulge. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, a card holder is provided on a flat of the protective case, the flat is corresponding to the back side of the electronic device when the device is attached with the protective case; said card holder is formed by fixing a protective piece between the first frame and the second frame. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, two ends of the protective piece are adhered between the first frame and the second frame. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a restricted bulge is provided on the protective piece where it is fixed on the first frame or second frame; a restricted groove is provided on the first frame or the second frame for receiving the restricted bulge. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, a restricted groove is provided on the protective piece where it is fixed on the first frame or second frame; a restricted bulge is provided on the first frame or the second frame for receiving the restricted groove. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the protective piece is selected from the group consisting of cloth piece, leather piece, transparent plastic piece and opaque plastic piece. 
         [0024]    Comparing with the prior art, the protective case for electronic device provided in the present invention having a first frame and a second frame with different hardness, while the protective case being installed on the edge of the electronic device, it can be easily to attach on the device and hardly to fall off the device, thus to protect electronic device effectively. 
         [0025]    The protective case for electronic device can be applied to smart phones, tablet PC, portable music players and other electronic devices. 
         [0026]    The following are detailed descriptions of the invention referencing embodiment and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is an assembling structural view of the protective case for electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective structural view of the first frame of the protective case in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective structural view of the second frame of the protective case in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a perspective structural view of the volume button case of the protective case in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective structural view of protective case for electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  to  FIG. 10  are structural views showing five different ways of installation of the protective piece. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    Description of element symbols 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 electronic device 
                 01 
               
               
                   
                 first frame 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 sidewall 
                 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24 
               
               
                   
                 bulge 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                 through-hole 
                 130, 230 
               
               
                   
                 side-slot 
                 140, 240 
               
               
                   
                 groove 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 second frame 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 button opening 
                 210 
               
               
                   
                 volume button case 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 base 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 button 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 protective piece 
                 33 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a protective case for electronic device in this embodiment includes a first frame  10 , a second frame  20  engaging with the first frame  10 , a volume button case  30  clamps between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 . In the drawing, exposed contour lines of the first frame  10  and the volume button case  30  are presented by broken lines, in order to display the position relationship between the first frame  10 , the second frame  20  and volume button case  30  more clearly. 
         [0035]    The protective case for electronic device is fixed on the outer rim of an electronic device (not shown in Figs) to avoid or to reduce the damage caused by accidental crashing or dropping, the protective case can be applied to protect smart phones, tablet PC, portable music players and other electronic devices. 
         [0036]    The first frame  10  of the protective case for electronic device fixes on the outer rim of the electronic device, and the second frame  20  attaches on the outer rim of the first frame  10 , hardness of the second frame  20  is higher than the first frame  10  therein. For example, the material of first frame  10  is plastic, and the material of second frame  20  is metal; or the material of first frame  10  is flexible plastic, and the material of second frame  20  is rigid plastic. There&#39;s no special requirement for the scale of hardness, as long as the hardness of the flexible plastic is less than the rigid plastic. While the hardness of the first frame  10  is less, it has larger plastic deformation than the second frame  20 , thus it is easier for the first frame to attach on the outer rim of the electronic device. Also, it is easier for the second frame  20  to engage on the outer rim of the first frame  10  in virtue of the larger plastic deformation of the first frame  10 , meanwhile, once the second frame  20  attached on the first frame  10 , the first frame  10  is difficult to deform due to the restriction of the second frame  20 , thus to prevent the falling of the first frame  10  and the second frame  20  from the electronic device, to protect the device effectively. 
         [0037]    The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments; the electronic device hereafter is exampled by a smart phone. It should be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the first frame  10  having four sidewalls  11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , each sidewall connects to another end-by-end, inner surface of the sidewalls  11 , 12 , 13 , 14  are adjoining with the outer rim of the smart phone; outer surface of the sidewalls  11 , 12 , 13 , 14  forming a continuous groove  15 ; and at least one portion of the second frame  20  embedding into the groove  15  thus to engage with the first frame  10 . 
         [0039]    In addition, a bulge  110  is provided on the sidewall  11  of the first frame  10  that corresponding to a button, such as power switch, of the electronic device. The bulge  110  is used for protecting the button and preventing from being attrition due to multiple repeating usage. 
         [0040]    A through-hole  130  is provided on another sidewall  13  of the first frame  10  that corresponding to an interface of the electronic device, such as a USB interface and/or a headphone port, and the interface is exposed to outside by the through-hole  130 . 
         [0041]    A side-slot  140  is provided on still another sidewall  14  of the first frame  10  corresponding to the button of the electronic device, such as lock button and/or volume button, and the button is exposed to outside by the side-slot  140  for using the device conveniently. 
         [0042]    The second frame  20  having four sidewalls  21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , each sidewall connects to another end-by-end, the four sidewalls  21 , 22 , 23 , 24  of the second frame  20  embedding into the groove  15  of the first frame  10 , thus to engage the second frame  20  with the first frame  10 . 
         [0043]    A button opening  210  is provided on the sidewall  21  of the second frame  20  that corresponding to the bulge  110  of the first frame  10 , for the bulge  110  to pass through thereof. 
         [0044]    A through-hole  230  is provided on another sidewall  23  of the second frame  20  that corresponding to the through-hole  130  of the first frame  10 , for the interface of electronic device to expose outside thereof. 
         [0045]    A side-slot  240  that corresponding to the side-slot  140  of the first frame  10  is also provided on the sidewall  24  of the second frame  20 , the side-slot  240  is corresponding to the lock button and/or volume button of the electronic device. 
         [0046]    A volume button case  30  is further provided between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 , for better protecting the volume button. The volume button case  30  having a base  31  and two key presses  32 , the key presses  32  are provided on the base  31 ; the base  31  is covered on the side-slot  140  of the first frame  10 ; the two key presses  32  passing through the side-slot  240  of the second frame  20  and extending out thereof. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, the thickness of the first frame  10  is larger than the thickness of the smart phone, while installed, the edge of the four sidewalls  11 , 12 , 13 , 14  of the first frame  10  protrude from the screen surface and bottom cover of the smart phone, thus, while the smart phone is put on a table or other platform, it is the edge of the four sidewalls  11 , 12 , 13 , 14  directly touching with the table, thus to protect the screen and bottom cover of smart phone and avoid being attrition. 
         [0048]    The thickness of the second frame  20  is less than the thickness of the first frame  10 , and particularly, the thickness of the second frame  20  is the thickness of groove  15  of the first frame  10 , and also is equal to or almost equal to the thickness of the smart phone. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG.5 , comparing to the embodiment shown in  FIG.1 , the present invention provides another embodiment that, a card holder is provided on a flat of the protective case, the flat is corresponding to the back side of the electronic device when the device is attached with the protective case; said card holder is formed by attaching a square protective piece  33  on two or three sidewalls of the first frame  10  or the second frame  20 . And the protective piece  33  could be a cloth piece, a leather piece, a transparent plastic piece or an opaque plastic piece; and the thickness of the card holder is about 1 mm. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , edges of the protective piece  33  are fixed between the first frame  10  and the electronic device  01 , an adhesive layer is provided on the sidewalls of the first frame  10 , and two ends of the protective piece  33  adhering on the adhesive layer. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , edges of the protective piece  33  are fixed between the first frame  10  and the electronic device  01 ; a first restricted groove is provided on the ends of protective piece  33 , such ends fixed on the first frame  10 ; accordingly, a first restricted bulge is provided on the sidewall of the first frame  10  for receiving the first restricted groove. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , edges of the protective piece  33  are fixed between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 ; ends of protective piece  33  are adhering between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , edges of the protective piece  33  are fixed between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 ; a second restricted groove is provided on the ends of protective piece  33 , such ends fixed on the first frame  10 ; accordingly, a second restricted bulge is provided on the sidewall of the first frame  10  for receiving the second restricted groove. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , edges of the protective piece  33  are fixed between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 ; a third restricted groove is provided on the ends of protective piece  33 , such ends fixed on the first frame  10 ; accordingly, a third restricted bulge is provided on the sidewall of the first frame  10  for receiving the third restricted groove. 
         [0055]    Ends of the protective piece  33  are adhering on the adhesive layer of the first frame  10 , or, be clamping between the first frame  10  and the second frame  20 . While the thickness of the card holder is about 1 mm, the protective piece  33  could be a cloth piece, a leather piece, a transparent plastic piece or an opaque plastic piece. 
         [0056]    While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0