U.S. patent application number 13/117142 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for cover with elastic portion for bar-type portable terminal device.
Invention is credited to Sun Young HAN.
Application Number | 20110240662 13/117142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44708426 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110240662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAN; Sun Young |
October 6, 2011 |
COVER WITH ELASTIC PORTION FOR BAR-TYPE PORTABLE TERMINAL
DEVICE
Abstract
Provided is a bar-type portable terminal device cover having an
elastic portion, which is capable of achieving, due to the
provision of an elastic portion, convenient detachability of the
cover while providing a streamlined configuration to allow complete
protective surrounding of device corners by corner portions of the
cover to thereby exclude the formation of cut grooves responsible
for contamination risk, and which is also capable of significantly
improving quality of the product due to having improved device
protective performance and elegant external appearance.
Inventors: |
HAN; Sun Young; (Incheon,
KR) |
Family ID: |
44708426 |
Appl. No.: |
13/117142 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12195642 |
Aug 21, 2008 |
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13117142 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/660 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/185 20130101;
H04B 1/3888 20130101; H04M 1/0283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/660 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2008 |
KR |
KR10-2008-0045618 |
Claims
1. A cover of a bar-type portable terminal device having an elastic
portion, which is configured to have a structure surrounding rear
and lateral sides of a device and which comprise: a main body
having a thickness in contact with a rear side of a device; side
walls for surrounding both lateral sides of the device; an upper
side wall for surrounding one part of a upper side of the device
and being opened its upper part corresponding to a upper part of
the side walls; a lower side wall for surrounding one part of a
lower side of the device and being opened its upper part
corresponding to a upper part of the side walls; an elastic portion
provided between the main body and the both side walls or at the
center of the main body; and rounded corner portions for
surrounding corners of the device formed on the side walls,
extending at both ends of the lengthwise direction, and being
oriented its one side into a center of a widthwise direction,
wherein the elastic portion is formed inward and has a thickness
that is thinner than the thickness of the main body such that it
can be flexibly bent from the main body.
2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the main body, the
elastic portion and the side wall are provided with formation of
curved lengthwise ends, and the side walls are provided with a
center portion having a convex curved surface as viewed in
cross-section.
3. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is
formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped groove which is formed on
either or both of an inner surface and an outer surface of elastic
portion.
4. The cover according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the elastic portion
is recessively formed in the form of a valley between the main body
and the side walls or at the center of the main body parallel to
the lengthwise direction.
5. The cover according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the elastic portion
is formed in the form of a valley between the main body and the
side walls parallel to the lengthwise and widthwise directions, or
the elastic portion is formed in the form of a "L"-shaped valley
that surrounds the corner portions.
6. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic portion
is formed to have an inward step from the body, and the side wall
has a thickness thinner than or equal to that of the elastic
portion and is formed integrally therewith.
7. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is
formed inward at an inner surface of the main body.
8. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is
formed inward at both an inner and an outer surface of the main
body.
9. The cover according to claim 3, wherein the elastic portion is a
"]"-shaped groove with inclined portions relative to an inner
surface of the main body.
10. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion
comprises an inwardly formed groove continuously extending from one
end of the main body to another end of the main body.
11. The cover according to claim 10, wherein the elastic portion is
formed inward at an inner surface of the main body.
12. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the elastic portion is
formed inward at both an inner and an outer surface of the main
body.
13. A cover of a bar-type portable terminal device having an
elastic portion, which is configured to have a structure
surrounding rear and lateral sides of a device and which comprise:
a main body in contact with a rear side of a device; side walls for
surrounding both lateral sides of the device; an upper side wall
for surrounding one part of a upper side of the device and being
opened its upper part corresponding to a upper part of the side
walls; a lower side wall for surrounding one part of a lower side
of the device and being opened its upper part corresponding to a
upper part of the side walls; an elastic portion provided between
the main body and the both side walls or at the center of the main
body; and rounded corner portions for surrounding corners of the
device formed on the side walls, extending at both ends of the
lengthwise direction, and being oriented its one side into a center
of a widthwise direction, wherein the elastic portion is formed
inward such that it can be flexibly bent from the main body and is
formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped groove which is formed on
either an inner surface or both of an inner surface and an outer
surface of elastic portion.
14. A cover of a bar-type portable terminal device having an
elastic portion, which is configured to have a structure
surrounding rear and lateral sides of a device and which comprise:
a main body in contact with a rear side of a device; side walls for
surrounding both lateral sides of the device; an upper side wall
for surrounding one part of a upper side of the device and being
opened its upper part corresponding to a upper part of the side
walls; a lower side wall for surrounding one part of a lower side
of the device and being opened its upper part corresponding to a
upper part of the side walls; an elastic portion provided between
the main body and the both side walls or at the center of the main
body; and rounded corner portions for surrounding corners of the
device formed on the side walls, extending at both ends of the
lengthwise direction, and being oriented its one side into a center
of a widthwise direction, wherein the elastic portion is formed
inward such that it can be flexibly bent from the main body and
wherein the elastic portion is formed to have an inward step from
the body, and the side wall has a thickness thinner than or equal
to that of the elastic portion and is formed integrally
therewith.
15. The cover according to claim 14, wherein the main body, the
elastic portion and the side wall are provided with formation of
curved lengthwise ends, and the side walls are provided with a
center portion having a convex curved surface as viewed in
cross-section.
16. The cover according to claim 14, wherein the elastic portion is
formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped groove which is formed on
either or both of an inner surface and an outer surface of elastic
portion.
17. The cover according to claim 14 or 16, wherein the elastic
portion is recessively formed in the form of a valley between the
main body and the side walls or at the center of the main body
parallel to the lengthwise direction.
18. The cover according to claim 14 or 16, wherein the elastic
portion is formed in the form of a valley between the main body and
the side walls parallel to the lengthwise and widthwise directions,
or the elastic portion is formed in the form of a "L"-shaped valley
that surrounds the corner portions.
19. The cover according to claim 16, wherein the elastic portion is
formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped groove which is formed on
both of an inner surface and an outer surface of elastic
portion.
20. The cover according to claim 16, wherein the elastic portion is
formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped groove which is formed on
an inner surface of elastic portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority under 35
USC Section 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0045618,
filed on May 16, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cover of a bar-type
portable terminal device having an elastic portion, which is
capable of conveniently detaching itself from the device, and which
is also capable of significantly improving quality of the device in
protective performance and elegant external appearance.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Portable terminal devices, such as mobile phones, portable
game machines, and the like, are quickly taking a position as
living necessaries of modern people who desire to enjoy wireless
communication services. Diverse types of terminal devices have been
developed to keep pace with consumer's preference which is highly
susceptible to functions of the device as well as latest fashion
trends of external appearance.
[0006] The portable terminal equipment may be broadly classified
into a folder type, a flip-up type, a sliding type, a swing type, a
combination thereof, and a bar type, depending on connection types
of a main body with a display and opening/closing manners of
devices. The portable terminal devices are usually provided with a
cover having a combination of a protective function and a
decorative function.
[0007] The cover for the portable terminal device is structurally
configured to protectively surround the device while not covering a
display part thereof. The cover is required to be easily removable
for replacement and reformation of the cover, because it is highly
vulnerable to the latest trends in fashion.
[0008] Meanwhile, the bar-type portable terminal device where a
display panel is connected to a front side of the main body has
been recently developed toward a slimmer size and a rounded design
of corners and peripheral lateral sides of the device.
[0009] Such a bar-type portable terminal device cover, unlike any
portable terminal device cover consisting of a front cover and a
rear cover, is configured to have a monolithic structure that
protectively surrounds the rear side and peripheral lateral sides
of the device, except that the front side on which a display panel
is positioned is open. For example, a conventional art relating to
such a type of cover is disclosed in Korean Utility Model No.
20-0437885.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 13, the conventional art cover 100 is
provided with formation of elastic grooves 120 in corner portions
131 of side walls 130, whereby the corner portions can be flexibly
bent from a main body 110 such that the cover is easily removable
from the device.
[0011] Unfortunately, the conventional art cover 100 suffers from
disadvantages in that contamination may occur due to invasion and
sticking of foreign materials into apertures defined by formation
of the grooves 120 in the corner portions and consequently the
external appearance may be deteriorated.
[0012] Further, the corners of the portable terminal device are
partially exposed to the outside due to formation of the grooves
120, so this may result in damage of the device which consequently
leads to deterioration of device protective properties, when impact
is externally applied to the exposed region.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cover of a bar-type portable terminal device having an
elastic portion, which is capable of achieving, due to the
provision of an elastic portion, convenient detachability of the
cover while providing a streamlined configuration to allow complete
protective surrounding of device corners by corner portions of the
cover to thereby exclude the formation of cut grooves responsible
for contamination risk, and which is also capable of significantly
improving quality of the product due to having improved device
protective performance and elegant external appearance.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a cover of a
bar-type portable terminal device having an elastic portion, which
is configured to have a structure surrounding rear and lateral
sides of a device and which comprises:
a main body in contact with a rear side of a device, side walls for
surrounding both lateral sides of the device, an upper side wall
for surrounding one part of a upper side of the device and being
opened its upper part corresponding to a upper part of the side
walls; a lower side wall for surrounding one part of a lower side
of the device and being opened its upper part corresponding to a
upper part of the side walls; an elastic portion provided between
the main body and the both side walls or at the center of the main
body, and rounded corner portions for surrounding corners of the
device formed on the side walls, extending at both ends of the
lengthwise direction, and being oriented its one side into a center
of a widthwise direction, wherein the elastic portion is formed
inward such that it can be flexibly bent from the main body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a construction of
one embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating use state of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
corresponding to FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation
state of an elastic portion;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a plan view of one embodiment in accordance with
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment in accordance with
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment in accordance with
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a plan view of one embodiment in accordance with
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 11; and
[0028] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a configuration diagram of
conventional art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Hereinafter, a cover of a bar-type portable terminal device
having an elastic portion in accordance with the present invention
will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a construction of
one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 2 is
a view illustrating use state of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of
FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
corresponding to FIG. 4.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, a bar-type portable terminal
device cover 1 having an elastic portion in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention is configured to have a
structure surrounding rear and lateral sides of a device and
comprises:
a main body 10 in contact with a rear side of a device 2, side
walls 30 for surrounding both lateral sides of the device, an upper
side wall 40 for surrounding one part of a upper side of the device
and being opened its upper part corresponding to a upper part of
the side walls, a lower side wall 50 for surrounding one part of a
lower side of the device and being opened its upper part
corresponding to a upper part of the side walls, an elastic portion
20 provided between the main body 10 and the both side walls 30 or
at the center of the main body 10, and rounded corner portions 31
for surrounding corners of the device formed on the side walls 30,
extending at both ends of the lengthwise direction, and being
oriented its one side into a center of a widthwise direction,
wherein the elastic portion 20 is formed inward such that it can be
flexibly bent from the main body 10.
[0032] Preferably, the main body 10, the elastic portion 20 and the
side wall 30 are provided with formation of curved lengthwise ends
1a, and the side walls 30 are provided with a center portion 30a
having a convex curved surface as viewed in cross-section. The
elastic portion 20 is formed to have a "]"-shaped or "V"-shaped
groove which is formed on either or both of an inner surface 1b and
an outer surface 1c.
[0033] The upper side wall 40 of the main body 10 surrounds one
part of the upper side of the device, and the upper part of the
upper side wall 40 corresponding to the upper part of the side
walls is opened.
[0034] The upper side wall 40 of the main body 10 not surrounds all
surface of the upper side of the device but only one part of the
surface.
[0035] The lower side wall 50 of the main body 10 surrounds one
part of the lower side of the device, and the upper part of the
lower side wall 50 corresponding to the upper part of the side
walls is opened.
[0036] Therefore, the lower side wall 50 of the main body 10 not
surrounds all surface of the upper side of the device but only one
part of the surface.
[0037] When the elastic portion 20 has a "]"-shape, both sides
thereof are formed to have inclined portions 22. FIG. 4 shows the
elastic portion 20 which was formed inward at the inner surface 1b,
whereas FIG. 5 shows the elastic portion 20 which was formed inward
at both the inner surface 1b and outer surface 1c.
[0038] Preferably, the elastic portion 20 is formed in the form of
a valley between the main body 10 and the side walls 30 (see FIGS.
1 to 6) or at the center of the main body (see FIGS. 7 and 8)
parallel to the lengthwise direction.
[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic
portion 20 may be recessively formed in the form of a valley
parallel to the lengthwise and widthwise directions with respect to
the main body 10 and the side walls 30 (see FIG. 9). Alternatively,
the elastic portion 20 may also be formed in the form of a
"L"-shaped valley that surrounds the corner portions (see FIG.
10).
[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic
portion 20 may be formed to have an inward step from the body 10,
and the side walls 30 may be formed with the same thickness
integrally with the elastic portion 20 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Among
non-described reference numerals, t1, t2 and t3 represent a
thickness of the main body, a thickness of the elastic portion, and
a thickness of the side wall, respectively.
[0041] Preferably, the corner portions 31 are formed to have a
semi-circular curved surface in conformance with the corners of the
device.
[0042] The corner portions 31 are extended at both ends of the
lengthwise direction, and one side of corner portions 31 is
oriented into a center of a widthwise direction.
[0043] When the elastic portion 20 is formed between the main body
and the side walls, a thickness (t2) of the elastic portion is
preferably thinner than a thickness (t1) of the main body.
[0044] Now, operation of the bar-type portable terminal device
cover 1 having an elastic portion in accordance with the present
invention will be illustrated.
[0045] According to the present invention, flexible formation of
the elastic portion 20 between the main body 10 and the side walls
30 enables easy and convenient attachment/detachment between the
cover and the device, even when the portion is formed integrally
with the corner portions 31 of a semi-circular curved surface
formed to completely surround the device corners on the side walls
30.
[0046] That is, the thickness-defining elastic portion 20 in the
form of a valley between the main body 10 and the side walls 30
serves as a portion which allows for temporary bending flexure of
the side walls 30 (see FIG. 6).
[0047] Due to the provision of the elastic portion 20, the present
invention is configured to secure complete wrapping of the device
corners by the corner portions 31 while providing free
detachability of the cover from the device and is therefore capable
of significantly improving protection of the device due to enhanced
buffering performance, even when the corner portions are exposed to
external impact.
[0048] Further, the present invention is capable of avoiding
potential device contamination due to exclusion of the grooves
causing some problems in the conventional art and is capable of
achieving beautiful and refined appearance with continuity of the
apparently smooth curved surface. As a result, it is possible to
achieve high quality of beauty-oriented products that attach
importance to beauty.
[0049] As apparent from the above description, the bar-type
portable terminal device cover having an elastic portion is capable
of achieving, due to the provision of an elastic portion,
convenient detachability of the cover while providing a streamlined
configuration to allow complete protective surrounding of device
corners by corner portions of the cover to thereby exclude the
formation of cut grooves responsible for contamination risk, and is
also capable of significantly improving quality of the product due
to having improved device protective performance and elegant
external appearance.
[0050] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *