U.S. patent application number 12/765729 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-27 for case for an electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUTURISTIC AUDIO DESIGN INNOVATIONS, LLC. Invention is credited to Falco Freeman.
Application Number | 20110259664 12/765729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44676662 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110259664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freeman; Falco |
October 27, 2011 |
CASE FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A case for an electronic device can include two pieces. A first
piece can be configured to be attached to the electronic device in
a substantially fixed position. A second piece can be configured to
be attached to the electronic device in one of multiple
substantially fixed positions.
Inventors: |
Freeman; Falco; (Portland,
OR) |
Assignee: |
FUTURISTIC AUDIO DESIGN
INNOVATIONS, LLC
Portland
OR
|
Family ID: |
44676662 |
Appl. No.: |
12/765729 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/202 ;
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/003 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; H04M 1/035 20130101; A45C 2011/001 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101; H04M 1/0252 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/202 ;
206/320 |
International
Class: |
G10K 11/16 20060101
G10K011/16; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A case for an electronic device, comprising: a first piece
configured to be attached to the electronic device in a
substantially fixed position; and a second piece configured to be
attached to the electronic device, the second piece having a first
substantially fixed position and a second substantially fixed
position, wherein an upper edge of the second piece is in close
proximity to a lower edge of the first piece when the second piece
is in the first substantially fixed position, and wherein the
second piece is configured to define a gap between a lower edge of
the second piece and a bottom edge of the electronic device when
the second piece is in the second substantially fixed position.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the second piece substantially
covers a majority portion of a backside of the electronic device
when the second piece is in the first substantially fixed
position.
3. The case of claim 1, further comprising at least one connecting
portion configured to connect the second piece to the first piece
in at least the first substantially fixed position.
4. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting portion
is configured to connect the second piece to the first piece in the
second substantially fixed position.
5. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting portion
comprises an inner portion of the second piece having a top edge
that extends beyond the top edge of the second piece.
6. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting portion
comprises multiple units situated underneath each of the first
piece and the second piece.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the second piece is further
configured to slide along the electronic device when transitioning
between the first substantially fixed position and the second
substantially fixed position.
8. The case of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism
configured to secure the second piece into place in at least one of
the first substantially fixed position and the second substantially
fixed position.
9. The case of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at
least one protruding portion.
10. The case of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism further
comprises at least one receiving portion configured to receive the
at least one protruding portion.
11. The case of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the second
piece is configured to collect sound waves from the electronic
device and redirect the sound waves to a user of the electronic
device.
12. The case of claim 11, wherein the bottom portion of the second
piece is further configured to amplify the collected and redirected
sound waves.
13. The case of claim 12, wherein the collected and redirected
sound waves are amplified by at least twenty percent.
14. The case of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the second
piece defines at least one opening.
15. The case of claim 14, wherein the at least one opening is
situated in close proximity to an audio component of the electronic
device when the second piece is in the first substantially fixed
position.
16. The case of claim 15, wherein the audio component comprises at
least one of a speaker and a microphone.
17. The case of claim 14, wherein the at least one opening is
configured to substantially keep a connecting wire in place.
18. The case of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the second
piece comprises a polycarbonate (PC) acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS) blend.
19. The case of claim 18, wherein the bottom portion of the second
piece comprises the PC ABS blend.
20. The case of claim 1, wherein the first piece defines an opening
configured to be in close proximity to a camera lens of the
electronic device.
21. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a
mobile communication device.
22. The case of claim 1, wherein the second piece comprises: a body
portion in substantial alignment with a first plane; and a bottom
portion having two sub-portions, wherein each sub-portion is in
substantial alignment with a corresponding plane, and wherein the
plane corresponding to each of the sub-portions is substantially
perpendicular to the first plane.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosed technology pertains to electronic devices and,
more particularly, to cases for electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices have advanced dramatically over the
years. As such devices have become increasingly complex, they have
also generally become smaller and, in many cases, more fragile. A
wide assortment of electronic device cases have been designed over
the years and many have provided at least some measure of
protection for the corresponding electronic devices. For example,
some cases have protected electronic devices from being damaged
when experiencing drops or other physical shocks while other
devices have included waterproof casings.
[0003] Regardless of the primary purpose of these electronic device
cases, such cases have generally resulted in a decreased experience
or performance of certain types of information that may emanate
from the protected electronic device such as audio information,
e.g., sounds, voice, and music. Current electronic device cases
also tend to negatively impact certain types of information to be
received by the electronic device such as audio information, e.g.,
sound or voice data to be received by a microphone component of the
electronic device.
[0004] There remains a need for a way to address these and other
problems associated with the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
first example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0006] FIG. 1B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
first example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0007] FIG. 1C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
first example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0008] FIG. 2A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the first example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the first example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1B.
[0010] FIG. 2C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the first example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1C.
[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
second example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
second example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0013] FIG. 3C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
second example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the second example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the second example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1B.
[0016] FIG. 4C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the second example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1C.
[0017] FIG. 5A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
third example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0018] FIG. 5B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
third example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0019] FIG. 5C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
third example of an electronic device case in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology.
[0020] FIG. 6A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the third example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0021] FIG. 6B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the third example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1B.
[0022] FIG. 6C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the third example of an electronic device case as illustrated in
FIG. 1C.
[0023] FIG. 7A illustrates a first position of a fourth example of
an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0024] FIG. 7B illustrates a second position of the fourth example
of an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0025] FIG. 7C illustrates a third position of the fourth example
of an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0026] FIG. 8A illustrates a first position of a fifth example of
an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0027] FIG. 8B illustrates a second position of the fifth example
of an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0028] FIG. 8C illustrates a third position of the fifth example of
an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0029] FIG. 9A illustrates a first position of a sixth example of
an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0030] FIG. 9B illustrates a second position of the sixth example
of an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
[0031] FIG. 9C illustrates a third position of the sixth example of
an electronic device case in accordance with embodiments of the
disclosed technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] FIG. 1A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
first example of an electronic device case 100. The electronic
device case 100 may include two pieces: an upper piece 102 and a
lower piece 150. In this first position of the first example, the
upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 are fully separated from
each other. Also, neither the upper piece 102 nor the lower piece
150 are attached to an electronic device in the example. One having
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that either or
both of the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 may be attached
to an electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA),
a portable media player, e.g., an Apple iTouch.RTM. or iPad.RTM.,
or a personal or mobile communications device such as a wireless
smart phone, e.g., an Apple iPhone.RTM..
[0033] In certain embodiments, the electronic device case 100 may
protect an electronic device from scratches or shocks. The
electronic device case 100 may also provide a greater gripping
capability for a user. Alternatively or in addition, the electronic
device case may enhance the audio performance of an audio input
component, e.g., a microphone, of the electronic device or an audio
output component, e.g., a speaker, of the electronic device.
[0034] While the terms "upper" and "lower" may be used herein to
more conveniently describe the corresponding pieces 102 and 150,
one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these
terms are not meant to be limiting; rather, the terms "upper" and
"lower" may be used to emphasize that, in embodiments where the
electronic device case 100 is fully attached to an electronic
device, for example, each piece may be attached to a different
portion of the electronic device, e.g., to an "upper" portion and
to a "lower" portion of the electronic device.
[0035] In the first example, the upper piece 102 of the electronic
device case 100 includes two portions: an upper portion 102a and a
lower portion 102b. In certain embodiments, the upper piece 102 may
be configured to be attached to an electronic device in a
substantially fixed position. The lower piece 150 may also be
configured to be attached to the electronic device but, unlike the
upper piece 102, the lower piece 150 may have two or more distinct
substantially fixed positions. When the lower piece 150 is in a
first substantially fixed position, for example, a top edge of the
lower piece 150 may be in close proximity to a bottom edge of the
upper piece 102. When the lower piece 150 is in a second
substantially fixed position, the lower piece 150 may be configured
to define a gap between a bottom edge of the lower piece 150 and a
bottom edge of the electronic device. These implementations are
described in detail below, particularly with reference to FIGS.
7-9.
[0036] In certain embodiments, the lower portion 102b may be
slightly smaller than the upper portion 102a in terms of one or
both of outer height and outer width. The thickness of the lower
portion 102b may also be smaller than the thickness of the upper
portion 102a. The lower portion 102b may have any of a number of
shapes and sizes. In certain embodiments, the lower portion 102b
may consist of multiple sub-portions. The illustrated examples
described herein are representatives of only of few of the many
possible arrangements for the disclosed technology.
[0037] In certain embodiments, the upper portion 102a may define a
side opening 108 to provide a user with access to one or more
buttons or switches on the side of an electronic device when the
upper piece 102 is attached to the electronic device. Alternatively
or in addition, the upper piece 102 may define a camera lens
opening 110 to provide a camera lens of an electronic device with
external access when the upper piece 102 is attached to the
electronic device. While the camera lens opening 110 in the example
is circular, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the camera lens opening 100 may have any of a number of
different sizes, shapes, and placements within the lower piece 150
in other embodiments.
[0038] The upper piece 102 may have one or more attaching features
configure to allow the lower piece 150 to attach to the upper piece
102. In the example, the lower portion 102b of the upper piece 102
defines two openings 104 and 106, e.g., holes, slits, or notches,
that are each designed to receive a corresponding attaching feature
of the lower piece 150, such as the protruding portion 156
discussed below with reference to FIG. 2A. While the two openings
104 and 106 in the example are mostly rectangular with rounded
corners, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
either of the two openings 104 and 106 may have any of a number of
different sizes, shapes, and placements within the lower piece 150
in other embodiments.
[0039] The lower piece 150 may define one or more openings to
facilitate the passage of audio information, e.g., sound. In the
example, the lower portion 150a of the lower piece 150 defines two
openings 152 and 154. In certain embodiments, one of the openings
152 and 154 may be positioned to facilitate the passage of audio
information from a speaker feature or other output component of an
electronic device when the lower piece 150 is attached to the
electronic device. Alternatively or in addition, the other one of
the openings 152 and 154 may be positioned to facilitate the
passage of audio information to a microphone feature or other input
component of the electronic device when the lower piece 150 is
attached to the electronic device. While the two openings 152 and
154 in the example are circular, one having ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that either of the two openings 152 and 154 may
have any of a number of different sizes, shapes, and placements
within the lower piece 150 in other embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 1B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
first example of the electronic device case 100. In this second
position of the electronic device case 100, the upper piece 102 and
the lower piece 150 may be partially attached to each other. For
example, the electronic device case 100 may be attached to an
electronic device such that a gap is formed between the lower piece
150 and the electronic device, as discussed in detail below with
reference to FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B. This formed gap may enhance the
transmission of audio information, e.g., sound, both to and from
the electronic device, for example.
[0041] FIG. 1C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
first example of the electronic device case 100. In this third
position of the electronic device case 100, the upper piece 102 and
the lower piece 150 may be fully attached to each other. For
example, the electronic device case 100 may be attached to an
electronic device such that no gap is formed between the lower
piece 150 and the electronic device, as discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 7C, 8C, and 9C.
[0042] FIG. 2A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the first example of the electronic device case 100 as illustrated
in FIG. 1A. As discussed above, the upper piece 102 and the lower
piece 150 may each have attaching features that allow the two
pieces 102 and 150 to attach to each other. In this second view of
the first position, one can see a protruding portion 156 of the
upper portion 150b of the lower piece 150 that is suitable for
mating with either of the openings 104 and 106 of the lower portion
102b of the upper piece 102.
[0043] FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the first example of the electronic device case 100 as illustrated
in FIG. 1B. In this second view, one having ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the second position of the electronic
device case 100 may be obtained and maintained by a coupling of the
lower opening 106 of the lower portion 102b of the upper piece 102
and the protruding portion 156 of the upper portion 150b of the
lower piece 150. In certain embodiments, a user may slide the lower
piece 150 over the upper piece 102 until the protruding portion 156
of the lower piece 150 attaches with, e.g., locks or snaps into,
the lower opening 106 of the upper piece 102.
[0044] FIG. 2C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the first example of the electronic device case 100 as illustrated
in FIG. 1C. In this second view, one having ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the third position of the electronic
device case 100 may be obtained and maintained by a coupling of the
upper opening 104 of the lower portion 102b of the upper piece 102
and the protruding portion 156 of the upper portion 150b of the
lower piece 150. In certain embodiments, a user may slide the lower
piece 150 over the upper piece 102 until the protruding portion 156
of the lower piece 150 attaches with, e.g., locks or snaps into,
the upper opening 104 of the upper piece 102.
[0045] While the illustrated example includes a protruding portion
156 of the lower piece 150 and two openings 104 and 106 in the
upper piece 102, one having ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that there are many possible variations in the techniques
that may be used to allow the two pieces 102 and 150 to attach to
each other. For example, the lower piece 150 may have an opening in
place of the protruding portion 156 and the upper piece 102 may
have two protruding members in place of the openings 104 and 106.
These embodiments may be structured such that the upper piece 102
is configured to slide over the lower piece 150, for example.
[0046] Alternative embodiments may not have any readily apparent
attaching features such as the openings 104 and 106 of the upper
piece and the protruding portion 156 of the lower piece 150;
rather, such embodiments may rely on friction between the upper
piece 102 and the lower piece 150 to allow the two pieces 102 and
150 to be attached to each other. Such friction may result from
application of a spray to one or both of an outer surface of the
upper piece 102 and an inner surface of the lower piece 150, for
example. Other embodiments may implement attaching features or
aspects between each of the pieces 102 and 150 and an electronic
device rather than between each other.
[0047] FIG. 3A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
second example of an electronic device case 300 in accordance with
embodiments of the disclosed technology. In the example, the
electronic device case 300 has an upper piece 302 and a lower piece
350 and is similar to the electronic device case 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the lower piece 350 of the electronic
device case 300 may have two openings 352 and 354 that are
positioned to facilitate the passage of audio information from an
audio output component, e.g., speaker, of the electronic device and
to an input component, e.g., microphone, of the electronic device
when the lower piece 350 is attached to the electronic device.
[0048] In the example, the lower piece 350 of the electronic device
case 300 has an additional opening or hole 356 that may be used to
allow a cable or wire to pass through the lower piece 350. For
example, a connector or plug that may interface with a port located
at a bottom portion of an electronic device may have a wire or
cable attached thereto. When the connector or plug is attached to
the electronic device, the additional opening 356 may keep the
corresponding cable or wire in place. In some embodiments, the
additional opening 356 may be a keyhole configured to keep the wire
or cable secure in its positioning.
[0049] FIG. 3B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
second example of the electronic device case 300. In this position,
the upper piece 302 and the lower piece 350 are at least partially
attached to each other.
[0050] FIG. 3C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
second example of the electronic device case 300. In this position,
the upper piece 302 and the lower piece 350 are fully attached to
each other.
[0051] FIG. 4A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the second example the an electronic device case 300 as illustrated
in FIG. 3A. The arrangement between the upper piece 302 and the
lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4A is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2A, with the exception of the additional
opening 356 in the lower piece 350 of the electronic device case
300.
[0052] FIG. 4B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the second example of the electronic device case 300 as illustrated
in FIG. 3B. The arrangement between the upper piece 302 and the
lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4B is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2B, with the exception of the additional
opening 356 in the lower piece 350 of the electronic device case
300.
[0053] FIG. 4C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the second example of the electronic device case 300 as illustrated
in FIG. 3C. The arrangement between the upper piece 302 and the
lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4C is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2C, with the exception of the additional
opening 356 in the lower piece 350 of the electronic device case
300.
[0054] FIG. 5A illustrates a first view of a first position of a
third example of an electronic device case 500. In the example, the
electronic device case 500 has an upper piece 502 and a lower piece
550 and is similar to the electronic device cases 100 and 300
illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 3-4, respectively. The electronic
device case 500 in this third example, however, has a single
opening 552 in a lower piece 550 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0055] FIG. 5B illustrates a first view of a second position of the
third example of the electronic device case 500. The arrangement
between the upper piece 502 and the lower piece 550 as illustrated
in FIG. 5B is similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
102 and the lower piece 150 as illustrated in FIG. 2B and the
arrangement between the upper piece 302 and the lower piece 350 as
illustrated in FIG. 4B, with the exception of the single opening
552 in the lower piece 550 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0056] FIG. 5C illustrates a first view of a third position of the
third example of the electronic device case 500. The arrangement
between the upper piece 502 and the lower piece 550 as illustrated
in FIG. 5C is similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
102 and the lower piece 150 as illustrated in FIG. 2C and the
arrangement between the upper piece 302 and the lower piece 350 as
illustrated in FIG. 4C, with the exception of the single opening
552 in the lower piece 550 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0057] FIG. 6A illustrates a second view of the first position of
the third example of the electronic device case 500 as illustrated
in FIG. 5A. The arrangement between the upper piece 502 and the
lower piece 550 as illustrated in FIG. 6A is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2A and the arrangement between the upper piece
302 and the lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4A, with the
exception of the single opening 552 in the lower piece 550 in place
of multiple smaller openings.
[0058] FIG. 6B illustrates a second view of the second position of
the third example of the electronic device case 500 as illustrated
in FIG. 5B. The arrangement between the upper piece 502 and the
lower piece 550 as illustrated in FIG. 6B is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2B and the arrangement between the upper piece
302 and the lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4B, with the
exception of the single opening 552 in the lower piece 550 in place
of multiple smaller openings.
[0059] FIG. 6C illustrates a second view of the third position of
the third example of the electronic device case 500 as illustrated
in FIG. 5C. The arrangement between the upper piece 502 and the
lower piece 550 as illustrated in FIG. 6C is similar to the
arrangement between the upper piece 102 and the lower piece 150 as
illustrated in FIG. 2C and the arrangement between the upper piece
302 and the lower piece 350 as illustrated in FIG. 4C, with the
exception of the single opening 552 in the lower piece 550 in place
of multiple smaller openings.
[0060] FIG. 7A illustrates a first position of a fourth example of
an electronic device case 700. In the example, the electronic
device case 700 has an upper piece 702 and a lower piece 750 and is
substantially similar to the electronic device case 100 illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present example, however, the upper piece
702 is attached to an electronic device 725. In certain
embodiments, a user may slide the upper piece 702 of the electronic
device case 700 over the electronic device 725 until it is secured
in place by friction or any of a number of attachment
mechanisms.
[0061] FIG. 7B illustrates a second position of the fourth example
of the electronic device case 700. In the example, the lower piece
750 of the electronic device case 700 is attached or secured to one
or both of the electronic device 725 and the upper piece 702 of the
electronic device case 700 such that the lower piece 750 is placed
in a first substantially fixed position. For example, a user may
slide the lower piece 750 of the electronic device case 700 along
the electronic device 725 until one or more attachment mechanisms,
e.g., the lower opening 106 of the upper piece 102 and the
protruding portion 156 of the lower piece of the electronic device
case 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A, secures the lower piece 750 in the
first substantially fixed position. In the example, the lower piece
750 of the electronic device case 700 substantially covers a
majority portion of a backside of the electronic device 725 while
in the first substantially fixed position.
[0062] In the example, a gap 775 is created between a lower edge of
the lower piece 750 and a bottom edge of the electronic device 725.
The gap 775 may be configured to collect audio information, e.g.,
sound waves, emanating from an audio output component, e.g.,
speaker, of the electronic device 725 and redirect the collected
sound waves to a user of the electronic device, for example.
Alternatively, the gap 775 may be configured to collect and refine
audio information such as sound waves to be received by an audio
input component, e.g., microphone, of the electronic device
725.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the gap 775 may be configured to
amplify the sound waves that are collected from the electronic
device 725 and redirected to the user. For example, the gap 775 may
allow the volume of sound produced by the electronic device 725, as
perceived by a user, to be increased by twenty percent or more,
e.g., within a range of twenty-two to twenty-six percent.
[0064] In certain embodiments, a user may experience a perceived
increase in audio information, e.g., sound, produced by the
electronic device 725 from 60 decibels, e.g., when the electronic
device case 700 is completely removed from the electronic device
725 or when only the upper piece 702 of the electronic device case
700 is attached to the electronic device 700 as illustrated in FIG.
7A, to 70 decibels or more, e.g., when the lower piece 750 of the
electronic device case 700 is attached to the electronic device 700
as illustrated in FIG. 7B.
[0065] FIG. 7C illustrates a third position of the fourth example
of the electronic device case 700. In the example, the lower piece
750 is in a second substantially fixed position. For example, a
user may slide the lower piece 750 of the electronic device case
700 along the electronic device 725 until one or more attachment
mechanisms, e.g., the upper opening 104 of the upper piece 102 and
the protruding portion 156 of the lower piece of the electronic
device case 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A, secures the lower piece 750
in the second substantially fixed position. In the example, the
second substantially fixed position of the lower piece 750
substantially or completely eliminates the gap 775 that was
established by the first substantially fixed position of the lower
piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7B.
[0066] FIG. 8A illustrates a first position of a fifth example of
an electronic device case 800. The arrangement between the upper
piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as illustrated in FIG. 8A is
substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7A, with the
exception of the additional opening 856 in the lower piece 850.
[0067] FIG. 8B illustrates a second position of the fifth example
of the electronic device case 800. The arrangement between the
upper piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as illustrated in FIG. 8B
is substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7B, with the
exception of the additional opening 856 in the lower piece 850.
[0068] FIG. 8C illustrates a third position of the fifth example of
the electronic device case 800. The arrangement between the upper
piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as illustrated in FIG. 8C is
substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7C, with the
exception of the additional opening 856 in the lower piece 850.
[0069] FIG. 9A illustrates a first position of a sixth example of
an electronic device case 900. The arrangement between the upper
piece 902 and the lower piece 950 as illustrated in FIG. 9A is
substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7A and the
arrangement between the upper piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as
illustrated in FIG. 8A, with the exception of the single opening
952 in the lower piece 950 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0070] FIG. 9B illustrates a second position of the sixth example
of the electronic device case 900. The arrangement between the
upper piece 902 and the lower piece 950 as illustrated in FIG. 9B
is substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7B and the
arrangement between the upper piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as
illustrated in FIG. 8B, with the exception of the single opening
952 in the lower piece 950 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0071] FIG. 9C illustrates a third position of the sixth example of
the electronic device case 900. The arrangement between the upper
piece 902 and the lower piece 950 as illustrated in FIG. 9C is
substantially similar to the arrangement between the upper piece
702 and the lower piece 750 as illustrated in FIG. 7C and the
arrangement between the upper piece 802 and the lower piece 850 as
illustrated in FIG. 8C, with the exception of the single opening
952 in the lower piece 950 instead of multiple smaller
openings.
[0072] In certain embodiments, some or all of the electronic device
case pieces may be made of any of a number of different resin
types. In certain embodiments, some or all of the electronic device
case pieces may be made of polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), or a PC-ABS blend. Alternatively or in
addition, some or all of the electronic device case pieces may be
made of recycled material.
[0073] In certain materials, a spray may be applied to provide
friction for frictional coupling of an upper piece to a lower
piece, for example. In these embodiments, there may not be discrete
positions; rather, either or both of the upper piece and the lower
piece may be positioned in any of a virtually unlimited number of
positions.
[0074] Having described and illustrated the principles of the
invention with reference to illustrated embodiments, it will be
recognized that the illustrated embodiments may be modified in
arrangement and detail without departing from such principles, and
may be combined in any desired manner. And although the foregoing
discussion has focused on particular embodiments, other
configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though
expressions such as "according to an embodiment of the invention"
or the like are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally
reference embodiment possibilities, and are not intended to limit
the invention to particular embodiment configurations. As used
herein, these terms may reference the same or different embodiments
that are combinable into other embodiments.
[0075] Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to
the embodiments described herein, this detailed description and
accompanying material is intended to be illustrative only, and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
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