Abstract:
A protective case for a mobile device having a shell portion to retentively house the mobile device, a cover portion that can cover a mobile device retentively housed in the shell portion, and a flexible panel portion connecting the shell portion to the cover portion. The cover portion can be adjusted from in front of the shell portion to behind the shell portion by flexing the flexible panel. A pivot stand is attached to the inner surface of the cover portion at a hinge. The pivot stand is configured to pivot outwardly along said hinge to support the case in an operating position.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/119,079, filed Feb. 20, 2015 and 62/129,756, filed Mar. 6, 2015. All of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are to be considered a part of this specification. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This patent document relates to user removable protective enclosures or cases for mobile devices and more particularly to such cases that have a pivot stand for supporting the case and mobile device to stand on edge. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Mobile consumer electronic products, such as smart and cellular phones, computing tablets, MP3/audio/video players, gaming devices and laptops are continuously and rapidly evolving to meet expanding consumer demands. Such devices are becoming more and more powerful, connected, and interactive, and employ bigger and bigger screens. For example, the most recent generation of iPhone® 6 Plus introduced in September 2014 provides nearly double the screen space of the original iPhone (1st generation) introduced in 2007. (iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc.) At the same time, users are looking to improve ways to protect, conveniently and elegantly transport, and use such devices to maximize utility and user experience. 
         [0005]    Some protective cases for mobile devices, such as the Incipio Kickstand® and Kicksnap® branded cases are equipped with an extendable stand on the outer surface of the backside of the case. (Incipio, Kickstand, and Kicksnap are registered trademarks of Incipio, LLC.) However, such a design is not functional in wallet or folio type cases that have both a back cover that protects the backside of the device and a front cover that covers and protects the screen when the case is closed. This is because, in operation, the front cover when opened would tend to interfere with a stand extending from the outer surface of the back cover. Additionally, the inclusion of such a stand on the outer surface of a wallet type cover can detract from the aesthetic appeal that customers are seeking from such wallet-type cases. 
         [0006]    The inventors here have recognized that there is a need for a wallet-type protective case for mobile electronic devices that includes an extendable stand that is capable of standing the case and mobile device on edge so as to provide multiple viewing/operating positions yet is concealed from view when the case is in the closed position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Disclosed are numerous aspects of a unique and inventive protective case configured to receive, retain and protect a mobile device that includes a front face and a back face that define the height of the mobile device, a perimeter defined by top-end, bottom-end, right, and left sides residing between the front and back faces, and corners defined at the intersecting regions of the sides. The case may be for a mobile device that is in the form of a tablet, a mobile phone, an MP 3  audio player, a gaming device, or other portable handheld electronic device and may have one or more touchscreens, including on its front face and/or back face. 
         [0008]    The protective case is, in a first aspect, generally comprised of three primary components: (1) a back cover shell portion configured to reversibly receive and retain the mobile device, (2) a flexible hinge panel portion; and (3) a front cover portion that includes a hinged stand that extends from the inner surface thereof. The shell portion includes a compartment that is defined by wall structures having an inner and outer surfaces. The compartment is dimensioned to generally correspond with the sides and back face of the mobile device for which it is configured to house. The shell portion is configured so that the user may access various user interfaces of the mobile device (e.g., touch screen, home button, power and volume buttons, speaker and charging connections, etc.) yet also retain the mobile device within the shell compartment. The cover portion is generally configured to cover the front face of the mobile device and is attached to the shell portion via the flexible hinge panel portion. The hinge panel portion may be attached to any portion or surface of the shell portion including but not limited to the outer or inner surfaces, the mid region, or along or near a side thereof as illustrated in the drawings herein. 
         [0009]    The shell portion may be made of any suitable material. In one aspect the shell is manufactured of a flexible polymer such as polycarbonate and/or fiber (e.g., carbon or Kevlar) reinforced plastic. The shell may be more rigid, less rigid, or have generally the same rigidity as the front cover portion. The hinge panel portion may be formed of a flexible material so that the front cover portion can be moved or rotated from a closed position wherein it overlies the front face of the mobile device to a completely open position wherein the outer surface of the front cover is adjacent and/or in contact with the outer surface of the shell portion. It is also contemplated that the hinge panel may be formed of a mechanical hinge, like those used in a conventional door mount, but with one side connected to the shell portion and the other side formed within or connected to the front cover. 
         [0010]    The hinged stand that extends from the inner surface of the front cover is configured to be capable of opening to a defined position to support the case and mobile device to stand on edge at one or more angles or viewing/operation positions. A strap or other means may be used to restrain or limit the extendibility of the hinged stand to stabilize the stand or define extendable position of the stand. The hinged stand may be co-molded with or as part of the front cover and may be dimensioned to extend any distance within the dimensions of the front cover. For example the hinged stand may extend only a small area less than a third the length of the front cover, may extend the full or nearly the full length of the front cover, or may extend around half the length of the front cover. In one construction, the cover is constructed of outer surface or panel having a first material or construction and an inner surface or panel having a second material or construction. The hinged stand may be constructed of or as an extension of the inner panel. In another aspect, the hinged stand may be formed as a separate component that is formed of yet another material or construction different than that used in the outer or inner panel of the front cover and then attached (e.g., mechanically and/or adhesively) or otherwise incorporated into the front cover so as to be extendable from the inner surface of the front cover. The ornamental aspects of the shape and/or location of the hinged stand alone and/or in relation to the other ornamental features of the case and the overall case design as a whole is also within the scope of this application. 
         [0011]    Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the drawings, may be combined to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or use without limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    These and other features, aspects and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a line drawing front perspective view of a protective case for a mobile device without the mobile device being received within the back cover shell portion of the case and the case being in the fully closed position with the front cover of the case closed over and completely covering the front of the shell portion. The illustrated case is configured for a Samsung Galaxy phone (not illustrated here, but illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 6 and 8 ) that can be removably received and retained within the shell portion of the case. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A-2F  are front face, back face, left side, right side, top side and bottom side views of the protective case in the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The phone is not depicted as being housed in the case. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2G  is a cross-sectional view of the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 2A  taken along cross-section line  2 G- 2 G showing in greater detail the construction of the case and the relationship and configuration of the shell, cover and panel portions and the attachment between the hinged panel and the shell portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a first open position with a model of the mobile device received and retained therein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view drawing of the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a second open position without a mobile device received within the case, wherein the front cover is adjacent to and nearly in contact in parallel alignment with the outer surface of the back of the shell portion. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5F  are front face, back face, left side, right side, top side and bottom side views of the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 4  in the second open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 1  in an operating position with the mobile device received within the shell and the front cover of the case in an open position with the hinged stand extending from the internal surface of the front cover of the case in an open position to support the case, and hence the mobile device therein, along a longitudinally extending edge. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A-7B  are additional back face and front face perspective views, respectively, of the protective case illustrated in  FIG. 6  with the mobile device removed from the case and further illustrating the various features and construction of the case, including the operation of the hinged stand. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  further illustrates the hinged stand and retention strap mechanism that limits the extendibility of the stand. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Each drawing is generally to scale and hence relative dimensions of the various layers can be determined from the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    As summarized above and illustrated in the drawings, disclosed herein are various aspects of a protective case for a mobile device capable of minimizing bulkiness and weight, yet maintaining a high level of protection. Many of those aspects are summarized above and illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0024]    Commonly disclosed in  FIGS. 1-8  is a protective enclosure or case  200  for a mobile device  100 , which individually and collectively illustrate, by way of example only, various of the configuration, construction, and operational aspects of the case. 
         [0025]    In this particular implementation, the case is configured for a Samsung Galaxy mobile or smartphone device. It should be understood, however, that the case may be configured for any mobile device or electronic device, including but not limited to portable or cellular phones, PDAs, MPS or audio/video devices, gaming devices, laptop computers or computing tablet devices made by Samsung, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, HTC, and numerous other manufacturers and suppliers. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2A-2F  depict different views of a protective case  200  for mobile device without the mobile device  100  received within the case  200  and the case  200  in a fully closed position.  FIG. 2G  is a more detailed cross-sectional view of the protective case  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  taken along cross-section line  2 G- 2 G showing in greater detail the construction of the case and the relationship and configuration of the shell  300 , panel  400  and cover  500  portions of the case  200 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the protective case  200  for mobile device in a first open position with the mobile device  100  received therein.  FIGS. 4 and 5A-5F  depict different views of the protective case  200  for mobile device in a second open position without the mobile device received within the case  200 . 
         [0027]    As disclosed in  FIGS. 1-8 , the protective case  200  includes a shell portion  300  having a back face wall  320  and left-side and right-side walls  330 ,  340  and top-side and bottom-side walls  350 ,  360 . As well shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 , front plane  310  includes the ends of the left-side and/or right-side walls  330 ,  340  furthest away from the back face wall  320 . In the FIGs., front plane  310  is labelled at the ends of left-side and/or right-side walls  330 ,  340 . The side walls,  330 ,  340 ,  350  and  360  reside between the front plane  310  and back face wall  320 . Each of the front plane  310  and walls  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  and  360  are dimensioned to correspond in dimension to the front and back faces, and left, right, top and bottom sides of a mobile device  100 , respectively. 
         [0028]    Collectively the side walls  330 ,  340 ,  350  and  360  define a perimeter  370  between the front plane  310  and the back face wall  320  of the protective case  200  and are dimensioned to receive and retain the mobile device  100  within the case  200  as depicted in the drawings. 
         [0029]    The shell portion  300  is defined by inner and outer surfaces, respectively, and dimensioned to cover the back face of the mobile device  100 . The shell  300  may be configured to extend to the perimeter of the mobile device  100  at the back face boundary, which is the perimeter defined by the intersection of the side walls and the back face of the mobile device  100 . 
         [0030]    The shell portion  300  may be configured to cover the entire, a majority, half or less than half of the back face of the mobile device  100  and may be configured to extend to or around the entire, a majority, half or less than half of the perimeter of the mobile device  100  at the back face boundary, 
         [0031]    In the illustrated implementation, the shell portion  300  is configured to cover the back face of the mobile device  100 , with the exception of the flash and camera lens window aperture  322  a recess area  342  for facilitating the removal or insertion of the mobile device  100 , and control apertures  380  to allow for access to, or user utilization of user controls, additional touchscreen interface, and/or other device features (e.g., speakers, cameras, lights, microphone, etc.) that are located on the side walls and/or back face of the mobile device  100 . The shell  300  in the illustrated implementation is also dimensioned to extend about the entire perimeter of the back face of the mobile device  100 . It should be understood however, that alternative configurations may be employed. Perimeter regions in the shell  300  that reside between one or more of the corners, for example may be removed and/or perimeter corner regions may be removed. 
         [0032]    The shell portion  300  may have a liner layer  390  attached on the back face wall  320 . The liner layer  390  is configured to be made of a softer material (e.g., a synthetic felt) than the shell portion  300  to further protect and/or cushion the mobile device. 
         [0033]    The protective case  200  also comprises a front cover portion  500  which ma have an outer layer  510  and an inner layer  520  or panels. The cover portion  500  is generally dimensioned to cover the entire front face (e.g., the touchscreen) of the mobile device  100  when the case is in a closed position. It is, however, contemplated that the front cover portion  500  may cover less than the entire front face (e.g., a majority, half or less than half of the front face of the mobile device) and/or may be configured to extend around less than the entire perimeter of the front face of the mobile device (e.g., a majority, half or less than half of the perimeter of the mobile device  100 ). 
         [0034]    The protective case  200  may include a hinged connection panel portion  400  extending between the cover  500  and the shell portion  300  and attach the cover  500  and the shell  300  to one another so that the two portions ( 500  and  300 ) can rotate relative to one another at a living joint or hinge region  430 . As well shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the panel portion  400  includes an outer panel surface  410  that faces out and an inner panel surface  420  that faces in when case  200  is in a closed position. The panel portion  400  may have an extension portion  440  that can be attached to the shell portion in any suitable way (e.g., mechanical and/or via adhesive). For example, an end section of the extension portion  440  may be inserted and adhered into a slot or cavity  323  on the back of the shell  300  or inserted between the back face wall  320  of the shell  300  and the liner layer  390  to secure the panel portion  400  to the shell portion  300 . One of ordinary skill in the art, however, would understand that there are numerous alternative configurations that may be employed. 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge panel portion  400  and the inner layer  520  of the cover portion  500  are formed as a single unit. It should be understood however, that alternative configurations may be employed. 
         [0036]    The hinge panel portion  400  may be formed of flexible material so that the cover portion  500  can be moved or rotated from a closed position to an open position through the panel portion  400 . Alternatively the hinge panel  400  may be formed of a mechanical hinge, like those used in a conventional door mount, but with one side connected to the shell portion  300  and the other side extending to form or being connected to the front cover  500 . 
         [0037]    The inner layer  520  of the cover portion  500  includes an opening  528  sized to receive and retain in position an extendable stand  600  that is hinged to the inner surface  522  of the front cover  500 . The extendable stand  600  is configured to open and close along hinge  526 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the extendable stand  600  includes an inner stand layer  610  that faces toward inner layer  520  and an outer stand layer  620  that faces away from inner layer  520  when extendable stand  600  is open. 
         [0038]    The inner layer  520  of the cover  500  may have a recessed region  524  to facilitate the user grasping the stand  600  when opening and/or closing the stand  600 . One or more straps  640  may be used to limit and/or stabilize the rotation of the stand  600 . A snap lock in the recessed area may also be included to secure or retain the stand  600  in a closed position. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates the protective case  200  in an operating position with the mobile device  100  received within the shell portion  300  and the extendable stand  600  hinged outward from the inner layer  520  of the cover  500  in an open position to support the cover and the mobile device on edge in the illustrated operating position.  FIGS. 7A-7B  are back face and front face perspective views, respectively, of the protective case  200  illustrated in  FIG. 6  with the mobile device being removed from the case to further illustrate the configuration and construction of the case components. 
         [0040]    Thus, the case  200  is provided with an extendable stand  600  that is hidden or concealed when the case  200  is in a closed position, yet when the case  200  is open, the stand  600  is revealed and can be extended to provide support. 
         [0041]    While the shell  300  and front cover portions  500  together with panel  400  and the extendable stand  600  may be mechanically attached to form an integrated case  200  construction or construct, it should be understood that it is contemplated that portions of one or more of the layers may be co-molded, or each of the components may be separately formed and mechanically attached to one another by clips, snaps or latches between each of the components. A combination of co-molding and mechanical attachment of the layers or portions thereof may also be employed. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  best illustrates the retention strap  640  that may be provided to limit rotation and to stabilize the extendable stand  600  to maintain a fixed position. 
         [0043]    The case  200  is properly dimensioned and has sufficient flexibility to al low the user to insert and remove the mobile device  100  for which the case is designed into and out of the shell portion  300  without damage thereto. The flexibility may be implemented via the construction materials employed and the configuration of the co-molded layers or components. 
         [0044]    The materials that form the component elements may be selected based on their hardness or rigidity. For example, the shell portion  300  may be made of a first material that has a first hardness or rigidity, and the cover portion  500  may be made of a second material that has a second hardness or rigidity that is different from the first hardness, In a preferred implementation, the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. In another embodiment the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity and in yet another embodiment the materials that form the shell portion and the front cover portion are the same and have the same rigidity and hardness. 
         [0045]    In the present embodiment, the material that forms the panel  400  is the same as the material that forms the inner layer  520  of the cover portion  500 , 
         [0046]    In the present embodiment, the material that forms pivot stand  600  is the same as the material that forms the inner layer  520  of the cover portion  500 . 
         [0047]    The shell portion  300  may be formed of a composition comprised of one or more materials including but not limited to polycarbonate (PC); thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiber, nylon, metal, silicone rubber, or any combination thereof. 
         [0048]    The extendable stand  600 , the panel  400  and the outer and inner layers  510 ,  520  of the cover portion  500  may be formed, for example, of a composition comprised of TPU and/or TPE, silicone rubber, leather, textile material or combination thereof or other suitable material. 
         [0049]    Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and described in connection with the embodiments of the protective cases summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein including the drawings may be combined to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or use without limitation. 
         [0050]    Although the various inventive aspects are herein disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments, implementations, and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the various aspects have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within their scope will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope this disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation, and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with or substituted for one another. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments or implementations described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims. 
         [0051]    Similarly, this method of disclosure, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.