Abstract:
A housing for mobile devices is disclosed herein. The housing includes a shell having an interior portion displaced therein configured to fit a mobile device; a first opening through which the interior portion is accessible for inserting the mobile device; a second opening configured to be smaller than the mobile device; and a housing support displaced around the second opening. The housing also includes an insert configured to fit in and cover the second opening, the insert having a first surface facing the interior portion of the shell once the insert has been placed in the shell; and a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the outside of the housing once the insert has been placed in the cell. A method for making the same is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/391,421, filed Oct. 8, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to electronic device covers, and, more particularly, to a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Housings, also known as cases, are used for any variety and number of purposes to protect electronic devices such as cameras, camcorders and other products from exposure to weather and other elements. Housings are also used to hold products such as flashlights, cell phones, global positioning systems (GPS), personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s) portable radios and other similar handheld devices (herein collectively “electronic device”). Certain housings also have the additional feature of providing a belt strap or other interconnection mechanism to attach the housing to a user&#39;s belt or clothing. This feature prevents the housing and associated electronic device from being inadvertently lost or stolen, yet allowing a user to have their hands free for other uses. Although the clip can be used on a belt, the carrying apparatus and enclosed electronic device cannot be supported in a stable upright position on a flat object such as a desk top. Other types of housing include a backing with a stand that allows the enclosed electronic device to be held in an upright position. Still other housings provide a flat surface on the back to keep the housing low in profile. Although having a variety of different backings provide options to the user to choose a case that includes features useful to the user, the manufacturing of different cases increases cost and inefficiencies for the supplier and distributors of the cases 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to address one or more of the issues discussed above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    To address the various issues described herein, It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a housing having a shell including an interior portion displaced therein configured to fit a mobile device; a first opening through which the interior portion is accessible for inserting the mobile device; a second opening configured to be smaller than the mobile device; and a housing support displaced around the second opening. The housing further includes an insert configured to fit in and cover the second opening, the insert having a first surface facing the interior portion of the shell once the insert has been placed in the shell; and a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the outside of the housing once the insert has been placed in the cell. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for making a housing includes providing a shell having an interior portion displaced therein configured to fit a mobile device; a first opening through which the interior portion is accessible for inserting the mobile device; a second opening configured to be smaller than the mobile device; and a housing support displaced around the second opening. The method further includes providing an insert configured to fit in and cover the second opening, the insert having a first surface facing the interior portion of the shell once the insert has been placed in the shell; and a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the outside of the housing once the insert has been placed in the cell. 
         [0009]    It is understood that other aspects of a mobile device housing will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only exemplary configurations of a mobile device housing. As will be realized, the disclosure includes other and different aspects of a mobile device housing and the various details presented throughout this disclosure are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel and unobvious aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with an interchangeable backing being shown to be placed into a housing; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mobile device housing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, where the interchangeable backing having been inserted into the housing; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the mobile device housing of  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the interchangeable backing of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a second interchangeable backing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention that includes a fold-out support; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a third interchangeable backing of  FIG. 1  configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention that includes an attachment for a clip; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobile device housing with the second interchangeable backing of  FIG. 4B  having been inserted into the mobile device housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mobile device housing with the second interchangeable backing of  FIG. 4B  having been inserted into the mobile device housing and deployed; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mobile device housing with the third interchangeable backing of  FIG. 4C  having been inserted into the mobile device housing and a belt attachment configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a second mobile device housing with interchangeable backing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a first interchangeable backing being shown to be placed into a housing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a second exploded perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , with the first interchangeable backing being shown to be placed into the housing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , where the first interchangeable backing having been inserted into the housing; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a second perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , where the first interchangeable backing having been inserted into the housing; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a rear plan view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , where the first interchangeable backing having been inserted into the housing; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , with a mobile device being shown to be placed into a housing; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a second exploded perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , with the mobile device being shown to be placed into the housing; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the second mobile device housing of  FIG. 8 , with the mobile device having been placed into the housing; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the second mobile device housing with interchangeable backing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a second interchangeable backing; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the second mobile device housing with interchangeable backing configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a third interchangeable backing having been inserted into the housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The disclosed housing is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various aspects of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing are shown. The disclosed housing, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited by the various aspects of the mobile device housing presented herein. The detailed description of the mobile device housing is provided below so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    The detailed description may include specific details for illustrating various aspects of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known elements may be shown in block diagram form, or omitted, to avoid obscuring the novel and unobvious concepts presented throughout this disclosure. Further, although the various embodiments may be described in terms of use with a mobile device such as a cellular phone, the described mobile device housing may be used for a variety of devices, including cameras, flashlights, global positioning systems (GPS), personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), multimedia players, portable radios and other similar handheld devices. 
         [0032]    Various aspects of an mobile device housing may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled together. As used herein, the term “coupled” is used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component referred to as being “directly coupled” to another component, there are no intervening elements present. 
         [0033]    Relative terms such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing in the drawings is turned over, elements described as being on the “bottom” side of the other elements would then be oriented on the “top” side of the other elements. The term “bottom” can therefore encompass both an orientation of “bottom” and “top” depending on the particular orientation of the apparatus. 
         [0034]    Various aspects of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of a mobile device housing with interchangeable backing disclosed herein. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a mobile device housing  100  configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with an interchangeable backing  150  being shown to be placed into a housing  110  that is also referred to as a shell. Specifically, the housing  110  includes an interior chamber portion  114  into which a mobile device (not shown) will be placed, and an opening  122  displaced in the interior chamber portion  114 . A backing support  124  surrounds the opening  122 . A lip  154  of the interchangeable backing  150  will rest on top of the backing support  124  of housing  110 . Once inserted, an exterior backing surface  152  will be on the same surface as an exterior device housing surface  112 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which illustrate the interchangeable backing  150  having been inserted into the interior chamber portion  114  of the housing  110 , a back surface of  156  of the interchangeable backing  150  will contact a back surface of the mobile device. In one aspect of the invention, the mobile device will hold the interchangeable backing  150  in place once the mobile device is inserted. As detailed by the cross section illustrated in  FIG. 3  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , the lip  154  of the interchangeable backing  150  rests on the backing support  124  of housing  110 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate the various embodiments of an interchangeable backing, including a flat interchangeable backing  450 A; a standable interchangeable backing  450 B; and a clip-on interchangeable backing  450 C, respectively. Each interchangeable backing includes a back surface  452 A- 452 C, with the back surface  452 A being a flat surface; the back surface  452 B having a stand  460 B; and the back surface  452 C having a clip-on  460 C. The stand  460 B includes a hinge  464 B that allows a leg support  462 B to fold out. The clip-on  460 C includes an opening  462 C into which a clip tab (shown and described further herein) on a user&#39;s belt may be inserted. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates the standable interchangeable backing  450 B having been inserted in the housing  110  and held in place by a mobile device. As shown, the leg support  462 B remains folded using the hinge  464 B. In one embodiment of the invention, the leg support  462 B is recessed into the back surface  452 B of the standable interchangeable backing  450 B when the leg support  462 B is not deployed. Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the leg support  462 B is shown deployed in an unfolded position to support the mobile device for display. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates the clip-on interchangeable backing  450 C having been inserted into the housing  110  and held in place by a mobile device. The clip-on interchangeable backing  450 C is use to clip onto a belt that includes a clip tab  710 . The clip tab  710  includes a button  712  mounted on a stem  714 . The button  712  is sized to fit into the opening  462 C and the stem  714  slides into and is retained by a slot  464 C, thereby allowing the clip tab  710  to be held in place in the clip-on  460 C. Once clipped on, the mobile device will hang on the belt. 
         [0040]    Although three specific embodiments for a mobile device housing interchangeable backing are shown herein, it may be seen that other interchangeable backings can be used. By way of example and not limitation, other backings such as other types of clips of fixture mechanism may be used. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8-18  illustrates a second mobile device housing  800  configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 8 and 9  are two perspective exploded views of the second mobile device housing  800  configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B being shown to be placed into a second housing  810 , also referred to as a shell. Specifically, referring also to  FIGS. 12 and 15 , the second housing  810  includes an interior chamber portion  814  into which a mobile device  1400  will be placed. The second housing  810  includes a back housing surface  822  onto which the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B may be placed and supported. Once inserted, an exterior backing surface  852 B will be on the same surface as an exterior device housing surface  812 . In this embodiment, the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B may be replaced with another interchangeable backing, as further described below, without the mobile device  1400  having to be removed from the second housing  810 . 
         [0042]    Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and referring also to  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  13 , which illustrate the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B having been inserted onto the back housing surface  822  of the second housing  810 , a stand, or kickstand  860 B includes a support  862 B that pivots around a hinge  864 B. In one embodiment, the kickstand  860 B includes a notched portion  866 B recessed in the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B so that the support  862 B may be deployed. Further, referring to  FIGS. 14 and 16 , a recessed portion  868 B is included in the back surface  852 B of the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B so that the support  862 B may be tucked therein and remain more flush when the leg support  862 B is not deployed. In  FIG. 14 , the support  862 B is shown in an unfolded, deployed position to support the mobile device  1400  for display. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , the mobile device  1400  is being placed into the second mobile device housing  800  with the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B, where a back surface  1402  of the mobile device  1400  is inserted into the interior chamber portion  814 . The mobile device  1400  is retained by the second mobile device housing  800  through friction forces. In other embodiments, the mobile device  1400  may be retained in the second mobile device housing  800  by other means that are known by those skilled in the art, including but not limited to clips, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, ridges, etc. In the example shown, the mobile device  1400  includes a plurality of buttons and receptacles  1462 ,  1464 ,  1466 ,  1468  and  1470 , which is preferable still accessible after the mobile device  1400  has been placed in the mobile device housing  800 . Further, the mobile device  1400  also includes a plurality of multimedia devices  1452 ,  1454 ,  1456 , and  1458 , which may include cameras, screens, and speakers, and is preferably accessible after the mobile device  1400  has been placed in the mobile device housing  800 . For example, the mobile device housing  800  and the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B may include openings  892  and  870 B, respectively, for accessibility of the multimedia device  1458 . Thus, in one aspect of the invention, the mobile device housing  800  is customized to be used with the mobile device  1400 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 17  illustrates another embodiment of a backing that may be used with the second device housing  800  in lieu of the kickstand interchangeable backing  850 B. Specifically, a hook interchangeable backing  850 C having been inserted onto the second mobile device housing  800 . The hook interchangeable backing  850 C includes a hook  860 C that is used to hook onto a belt, pant or skirt waist, straps or other flat edge that can support the hook interchangeable backing  850 C. 
         [0045]      FIG. 18  illustrates another embodiment of a backing that may be used with the second device housing  800 . Specifically, a clip-on interchangeable backing  850 C having been inserted onto the second mobile device housing  800 . The clip-on interchangeable backing  850 A is use to clip onto the clip tab  710  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The clip tab  710  includes the button  712  mounted on the stem  714 . The button  712  is sized to fit into the an opening  860 A and the stem  714  slides into and is retained by a slot  864 A, thereby allowing the clip tab  710  to be held in place with the interchangeable backing  850 A. Once clipped on, the mobile device  1400  will hang on the belt. 
         [0046]    Although several backings have been described, it should be apparent that other embodiments of backings may be used with the mobile device housing  100  and the second device housing  800 . 
         [0047]    The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”