U.S. patent application number 12/703678 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for protective casing portable handheld electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SwitchEasy Limited. Invention is credited to Chi Vun Steven BAU.
Application Number | 20110192510 12/703678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44352731 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAU; Chi Vun Steven |
August 11, 2011 |
PROTECTIVE CASING PORTABLE HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
The protective casing for portable handheld electronic devices
comprises an inner casing snugly covering a back and edges of the
electronic device, and an outer frame placed around the edges of
the electronic device for tightly pressing part of the inner casing
against the edges of the electronic device. The resultant
protective casing is of improved protective characteristics,
durability, convenience of use, and functionalities without
compromising aesthetics.
Inventors: |
BAU; Chi Vun Steven;
(Kowloon, HK) |
Assignee: |
SwitchEasy Limited
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
44352731 |
Appl. No.: |
12/703678 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
G06F 2200/1633 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A protective casing for a portable handheld electronic device,
comprising: an inner casing snugly covering a back and edges of the
electronic device; an outer frame placed around the edges of the
electronic device for tightly pressing part of the inner casing
against the edges of the electronic device.
2. The protective casing according to claim 1, wherein the inner
casing comprises a substrate and an endless sidewall extending
upwards from the substrate in which the height of the sidewall is
the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the electronic
device, while the outer frame is shaped and structured as a ring in
which the height of the outer frame is the same as or slightly
larger than the thickness of the electronic device.
3. The protective casing according to claim 2, wherein upper and
lower edges of the outer frame slightly extend inward towards an
inner of the outer frame comparing to a middle part of the outer
frame.
4. The protective casing according to claim 3, wherein a flange is
formed around the endless sidewall of the inner casing at a lower
side of the latter.
5. The protective casing according to claim 2, wherein a flange is
formed around the endless sidewall of the inner casing at a lower
side of the latter.
6. The protective casing according to claim 2, wherein a crocodile
skin-like texture is formed on an outer surface of the substrate of
the inner casing.
7. The protective casing according to claim 1, wherein the inner
casing and the outer frame are provided with matching openings for
external access to buttons, switches and ports on the electronic
device.
8. The protective casing according to claim 7, further comprising a
plurality of plugs for inserting into the matching openings.
9. The protective casing according to claim 2, wherein the inner
casing and the outer frame are provided with matching openings for
external access to buttons, switches and ports on the electronic
device.
10. The protective casing according to claim 9, further comprising
a plurality of plugs for inserting into the matching openings.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a protective
casing for portable handheld electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To protect portable handheld electronic devices, such as the
Apple iPhone, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital media
players, digital recorders, potable TV, handheld computers, etc.,
protective casings have been proposed. Such protective casings may
protect the electronic devices from physical abuse or risks of
damages. However, the conventional protective casings increase
significant overall bulk and weight, and could deteriorate or
damage the delicate finish of the electronic devices. The existing
protective casings also do not balance between the protection,
functionalities and aesthetics. For example, there exists an
all-silicon soft casing that wraps the entire device housing except
the screen. However, such casing is not aesthetically appealing.
Aesthetically appealing casings typically offer less protection.
Further, modern handheld devices require user interactions with the
devices via various interfaces (e.g., screens, buttons, sockets,
etc.), the access to which could be hindered by the structure of
the existing protective casings.
[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to have a protective casing with
improved protection characteristics, durability, convenience of
use, and functionalities without compromising aesthetics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present
invention mainly aims to provide a protective casing for portable
handheld devices with improved protective characteristics,
durability, convenience of use, and functionalities without
compromising aesthetics.
[0005] The protective casing in accordance with the present
invention comprises an inner casing snugly covering a back and
edges of the electronic device, and an outer frame placed around
the edges of the electronic device for tightly pressing part of the
inner casing against the edges of the electronic device.
[0006] In an embodiment, the inner casing may comprise a substrate
and an endless sidewall extending upwards from the substrate in
which the height of the sidewall is the same as or slightly larger
than the thickness of the electronic device, while the outer frame
may be shaped and structured as a ring in which the height of the
outer frame is the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of
the electronic device.
[0007] Preferably, upper and lower edges of the outer frame may
slightly extend inward towards an inner of the outer frame
comparing to a middle part of the outer frame, and a flange may
formed around the endless sidewall of the inner casing at a lower
side of the latter. In addition, a crocodile skin-like texture may
be formed on an outer surface of the substrate of the inner
casing.
[0008] Furthermore, the inner casing and the outer frame may be
provided with matching openings for external access to buttons,
switches and ports on the electronic device, and the protective
casing may further comprise a plurality of plugs for inserting into
the matching openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective casing for
portable handheld electronic devices according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the protective casing
shown in FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective casing shown
in FIG. 1 together with a plug.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the invention, which is illustrated in the
accompanying figures.
[0014] The protective casing of the present invention may be sized
and structured to protect a portable handheld electronic device,
typically with a display screen (e.g., liquid crystal display), for
example: personal digital assistant (PDA) and handheld computers;
digital media devices, such as an MP3 player, digital recorder,
portable TV, radio, etc.; wireless devices, such as a cellular
phone (e.g., Apple iPhone), two-way radio, etc.; handheld devices,
such as global positioning system (GPS), etc.; gaming devices, such
as portable versions of computer gaming (Nintendo, Sony
PlayStation), etc.; digital photo and video cameras, etc.
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the protective
casing according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the
protective casing 1 of the present invention may comprise an inner
casing 11 wrapping a back and sides of an electronic device 2 and
outer frame 12 pressing part of the inner casing 11 against the
sides of the electronic device 2. In the embodiment, the electronic
device 2 is in the form of an Apple iPhone. However, as mentioned
above, the protective casing could be sized and structured to
protect any suitable portable handheld electronic devices.
[0016] The inner casing 11 may comprise a substrate 13 and an
endless sidewall 14 extending upwards from the substrate 13, in
which the height of the sidewall 14 is the same as or slightly
larger than the thickness of the electronic device 2. Thus, the
inner casing 11 could snugly cover the entire back panel and the
sides of the electronic device 2, but leaves a front panel, i.e.
the screen of the electronic device open for viewing.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer frame 12 is shaped and
structured like a ring, and the height thereof is the same as or
slightly larger than the thickness of the electronic device 2. When
placed around the sides of the electronic device 2, the outer frame
12 could press the endless sidewall 14 of the inner casing 11
tightly against the sides of the electronic device 2, just like a
clip to hold the inner casing 11 onto the electronic device 2
securely. As it could act as a shield to protect all vulnerable
points of the electronic devices, the combination of the inner
casing 11 and the outer frame 12 may provide sufficient protection
to the electronic device 2. Furthermore, the outer frame 12 may
work together with the inner casing 11 to provide shock absorption
to the electronic device 2 upon impact.
[0018] Preferably, comparing to a middle part 16 of the ring, upper
and lower edges 17 of the outer frame 12 may slightly extend inward
towards an inner of the outer frame 12. With such configuration,
the pressure of the outer frame 12 on the endless sidewall 14 of
the inner casing 11 could be much higher, and the inner casing 11
could thus be pressed against the electronic device 2 more
securely.
[0019] Preferably, a flange 15 may be formed around the endless
sidewall 14 of the inner casing 11 at a lower side of the latter.
When pressing onto the sidewall 14 of the inner casing 11, the
outer frame 12 could therefore rest on the flange 15 to avoid
slipping off from the inner casing 11.
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner casing 11 and the outer
frame 16 could be provided with matching openings 18 for external
access to buttons, switches and ports on the electronic device 2,
for instance, headphone jack, charging port, docking port, on/off
switch, scroll button, opening for camera, etc.
[0021] In addition, an adhesive static membrane could be attached
to the front screen of the electronic device 2 to protect the
screen of the device. Any suitable membranes available in the
market could be used, and the details of which are omitted
here.
[0022] The inner casing 11 may be made of a semi-soft polymer, such
as silicon, soft rubber or the like flexible, soft and pliant
material, for example, Engage 8200 Polyolefin Elastomer, available
from DOW Plastics. The outer frame 12 may be made of polycarbonate
(e.g., available under common commercial name of LEXAN.RTM.), or
other material that is hard and stiff but provides some flexibility
for slight bending to clip the inner casing 11 onto the electronic
device 2.
[0023] The inner casing 11 and/or the outer frame 12 may be
available in different colors, textures, finishes, materials, etc.
As an example shown in FIG. 2, a crocodile skin-like texture may be
formed on an outer surface 19 of the substrate 13 of the inner
casing 11 for offering additional grip when holding the electronic
device 2.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the protective casing 1 could be further
provided with a plurality of plugs 3. The plugs 3 could be inserted
into the matching openings 18 formed on the inner casing 11 and
outer frame 12, to further protect the buttons, switches and ports
on the electronic device 2 from physical abuse or damages.
[0025] Although the description of the present invention is made
with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention
is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and
changes can be made to the invention by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scopes of the present
invention.
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