U.S. patent application number 13/349559 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for protective case for electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to ESOTERISM CO. LTD.. Invention is credited to Wei-Chieh Lee, Da-chung Wu.
Application Number | 20120182678 13/349559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46419049 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120182678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Da-chung ; et
al. |
July 19, 2012 |
PROTECTIVE CASE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
The present invention provides a protective case for electronic
mobile communication devices in which nips an electronic device in
position through an accommodation space formed by combining a first
frame with a second frame. When combining the electronic mobile
communication device with the protective case according to the
invention, the electronic mobile communication device is only
required to lean against the first frame and the second frame, and
no scratches occur during the combination. Meanwhile, when the
device in combination with the invention is placed on a desktop,
the electronic mobile communication device can be kept at a
distance from the desktop, thereby protecting the surface of the
electronic device from being abraded by the desktop.
Inventors: |
Wu; Da-chung; (Taipei City,
TW) ; Lee; Wei-Chieh; (Taipei City, TW) |
Assignee: |
ESOTERISM CO. LTD.
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
46419049 |
Appl. No.: |
13/349559 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/10 20130101; H04M
1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/00 20060101
H05K007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 14, 2011 |
TW |
100200798 |
Claims
1. A protective case for an electronic mobile communication device,
comprising: a first frame, including: a first stick body, formed
with a rounded corner, with two ends thereof being defined as a
first end and a second end; a second frame, including: a second
stick body, formed with a rounded corner, with two ends thereof
being defined as a third end and a fourth end; wherein the first
end and the fourth end are connected by at least a first locking
unit, and the second end and the third end are connected by at
least a second locking unit, such that the first stick body and the
second stick body are adapted for being closed to constitute an
accommodation space, and the first stick body and the second stick
body are each provided with a positioning device at its inner side
facing toward the accommodation space.
2. The protective case for an electronic mobile communication
device according to claim 1, wherein the first locking unit
includes a first locking slot formed at one of the first and the
fourth end, a first locking port formed at the other one of the
first and the fourth end, and a first locking element for screw
connecting the first locking port to the first locking slot.
3. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the second locking unit includes a
second locking slot formed at one of the second and the third end,
a second locking port formed at the other one of the second and the
third end, and a second locking element for screw connecting the
second locking port to the second locking slot.
4. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the locking unit is a buckle in a
clip connection form.
5. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the first end is concavely formed
with a first recess and the fourth end is formed with a first bump,
such that the first bump can be inserted into the first recess and
a first locking port at the first end can be screw-fastened to the
first bump through the first recess, and wherein the third end is
concavely formed with a second recess and the second end is formed
with a second bump, such that the second bump can be inserted into
the second recess and a second locking port at the third end can be
screw-fastened to the second bump through the second recess thereby
forming a connection.
6. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the first frame and the second frame
are substantially identical in total length, and wherein the first
frame and the second frame are substantially identical in location
of the rounded corners.
7. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the first stick body or the second
stick body is formed with at least one through hole.
8. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the first stick body and the second
stick body are made from metallic material or glass-fiber
material.
9. The protective case for electronic mobile communication devices
according to claim 1, wherein the first stick body and the second
stick body are each provided with a shock absorber pad at an inner
side of the rounded corner.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a protective case for
electronic mobile communication devices; in particular, it relates
to a protective case for encapsulating the edge of the electronic
mobile communication device.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Thanks to convenience brought by touch screens, the keyboard
of various portable electronic mobile communication devices now can
be replaced so that such portable electronic mobile communication
devices become thinner and slimmer and can be easily carried;
examples thereof can be found in currently very popular touch panel
notebook computers or touch screen mobile phones and mobile
communication devices.
[0005] However, in use, its surface may be easily abraded by the
desktop or normal usage; although this usually will not affect the
functions of the electronic mobile communication devices priced
probably up to hundreds or thousands of dollars, such abrasions are
still annoying to most in terms of aesthetics.
[0006] At present, a type of protective envelop is available which
is made from either leather materials or clothes encapsulated with
hard boards, thus allowing envelopment of greater area for portable
electronic mobile communication devices, so as to prevent direct
contact with the desktop. But its drawbacks may include increased
weight and volume for carrying by hand, accordingly causing
inconvenience in portability.
[0007] Alternatively, a type of frame 90 as shown in FIG. 1 can be
used, which comprises a ".PI."-shaped stick 91 and a lateral stick
92, with both ends of the lateral stick 92 being attached to the
".PI."-shaped stick 91 by means of a locking element 93 thereby
nipping the electronic mobile communication device between the
".PI."-shaped stick 91 and the lateral stick 92. Herein the method
for installing the electronic mobile communication device therein
needs to first slide the electronic mobile communication device
into the ".PI."-shaped stick 91 and then to lock up the lateral
stick 92 to the corresponding position; whereas, since the
thickness of this frame 90 must be completely the same as or
slightly less than the thickness of the electronic mobile
communication device to achieve the protective objective provided
by fixed nipping feature, frictions in between inevitably cause
damages to the surface of the electronic mobile communication
device. Furthermore, based on currently available manufacture
processes, after formation of the ".PI."-shaped stick 91, its
opening may slightly shrink inward which may lead to even greater
abrasions on the electronic mobile communication device slithering
therein thus undesirably resulting in deeper scratches on the case
of the electronic mobile communication device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] With regards to the issues set forth hereinbefore, the
present invention provides a protective case for electronic mobile
communication devices, such that no scratches will be created in
combining the electronic mobile communication device with the
protective case according to the present invention. When the
electronic mobile communication device is flatly placed on a
desktop, the electronic mobile communication device can be kept at
a distance from it, thereby preventing the surface of the
electronic mobile communication device case from being scratched
due to frictions with the desktop. In addition, since the present
invention wraps around merely the periphery of the electronic
mobile communication device, the increased weight can be
significantly reduced in comparison with conventional leather-made
protective envelops, thus causing less burdens for carrying.
[0009] The present invention comprises a first frame and a second
frame. Herein the first frame includes a first stick body and a
first positioning device. The first stick body is formed with a
rounded corner, and the two ends of the first stick body are
respectively defined as a first end and a second end. The first
positioning device is arranged along the inner side of the first
stick body, with both ends are respectively located at the first
end and the second end. The second frame includes a second stick
body and a second positioning device. The second stick body is
formed with a rounded corner, and the two ends of the second stick
body are respectively defined as a third end and a fourth end. The
second positioning device is arranged along the inner side of the
second stick body with both ends are respectively located at the
third end and the fourth end. The first end and the fourth end are
connected by at least a first locking unit and the second end and
the third end are connected by at least a second locking unit, such
that the first stick body and the second stick body are adapted for
being closed to constitute an accommodation space.
[0010] Since the first stick body and the second stick body are not
".PI."-shaped, upon mounting an electronic mobile communication
device therein, therefore, the surface of the electronic mobile
communication device will not be abraded. Furthermore, when placed
on a desktop, the surface of the electronic mobile communication
device case is not in direct contact with the desktop, thus
scratches due to frictions with the desktop can be effectively
prevented.
[0011] Besides, the present invention further allows the first
stick body and the second stick body to have the same length and
rounded corner such that, in process, only one type of casting mold
is required to fabricate; and along with secondary machining
processes to form the positioning device (e.g., by CNC or other
machining technologies). Compared with aforementioned conventional
protective case, the manufacture cost of the present invention can
be effectively reduced (seeing that above-said conventional
protective case needs to prepare two types of casting molds).
[0012] In accordance with the previously described advantages, a
preferred embodiment of the present invention will be disclosed in
the following texts to facilitate better understanding of the
present invention. In order to further the understanding regarding
the present invention, the following embodiments are provided along
with illustrations to facilitate the disclosure of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective assembly view of a prior art
protective case;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view for a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective assembly view for the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view for the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention in combination with an
electronic mobile communication device;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view for the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view for the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention in combination with an
electronic mobile communication device when placed on a
desktop;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a perspective diagram for a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention, allowing convenient alteration
of rounded corner position;
[0020] FIG. 8 shows a schematic assembly view for the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention, allowing convenient
alteration of rounded corner position;
[0021] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view for the assembly structure
in a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view for the structure of the
third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 11 shows a view for the buckle according to a fourth
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a perspective view and an
assembly view of a protective case for electronic mobile
communication devices in accordance with the invention are
respectively shown.
[0025] The protective case for electronic mobile communication
devices comprises a first frame 10 and a second frame 20. The first
frame 10 includes a first stick body 11 and a first positioning
device 12, in which the first stick body 11 is configured with a
rounded corner 111 and the two ends of the first stick body 11 are
respectively defined as a first end 112 and a second end 113. The
first positioning device 12 is configured along the inner side of
the first stick body 11, with both ends being respectively located
at the first end 112 and the second end 113. The second frame 20
includes a second stick body 21 and a second positioning device 22,
in which the second stick body 21 is configured with a rounded
corner 211 and the two ends of the second stick body 21 are
respectively defined as a third end 212 and a fourth end 213. The
second positioning device 22 is configured along the inner side of
the second stick body 21, with both ends being respectively located
at the third end 212 and the fourth end 213. Herein, at least a
first locking unit 30 is used to attach the entire locking unit,
thereby connecting the first end 112 to the fourth end 213, whereas
at least a second locking unit 40 is used to attach the entire
locking unit, thereby connecting the second end 113 to the third
end 212. As such, the first stick body 11 and the second stick body
21 join in a ring-like approach to constitute an accommodation
space 50.
[0026] Subsequently, referring conjunctively to FIGS. 4 and 5, with
the accommodation space 50 formed in ring-like joint by the
aforementioned first frame 10 and the second frame 20, the first
positioning device 12 and the second first positioning device 22
can nip the electronic mobile communication device E in place to
protect the case of the electronic mobile communication device E.
Beside, slide actions are not required upon mounting the electronic
mobile communication device E but just leaning it directly against
the frames such that no scratches can occur when combining the
electronic mobile communication device E with the protective case
according to the present invention. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
6, when the electronic mobile communication device E enveloped by
the embodiment of the present invention is placed on a desktop, a
distance can be kept, thus no chance to generate scratches on the
surface of the electronic mobile communication device E case due to
frictions with the desktop. Also, since the present invention wraps
around simply the periphery of the electronic mobile communication
device, the increased weight can be reduced which improves
convenience in portability.
[0027] Besides, it should be noticed that the number of the
aforementioned rounded corner 111, 211 is not limited to one and
may vary according to the contour of the mounted electronic mobile
communication device.
[0028] In this embodiment, a locking unit may include a locking
slot, a locking port and a locking element. The actual locking
condition thereof can be referred conjunctively to FIGS. 3, 4, 5
and 6, wherein the first stick body 11 is further provided with a
second locking slot 214 at the outer side of the first end 112,
such that the first locking element 30 exemplified as a bolt can be
screw-fastened into the first locking port 118 at the fourth end
213 of the second stick body 21 from the second locking slot 214,
thereby forming a connection between the first end 112 and the
fourth end 213. Analogously, the second stick body 21 is provided
with a first locking slot 114 at the outer side of the third end
212, such that the second locking element 40 similarly exemplified
as a bolt can be screw-fastened into the second locking port 218 at
the second end 113 of the first stick body 11 from the first
locking slot 114, thereby forming a connection between the second
end 113 and the third end 212.
[0029] By means of the first locking slot 114 and the second
locking slot 214, it is possible make the first locking element 30
and the second locking element 40 not protrude from the outer side
of the first stick body 11 and the second stick body 20, so as to
avoid possible cut injuries when a user takes or picks up the
device.
[0030] In addition, the total length of the first frame 10 and the
second frame 20, as well as the positions of the rounded corners
111, 211, can be tailored as symmetric structures in accordance
with the contour of the electronic mobile communication device to
be mounted therein. In this way, it is required to develop only one
set of casting molds for production, thereby saving molding costs.
Nevertheless, the manufacture of the first positioning device 12
and the second positioning device 22 still requires secondary
machining processes such as CNC and the like.
[0031] Also, the first stick body 11 may be formed with at least
one through hole 115 and the second stick body 21 may be formed
with at least one through hole 215, with each of the through holes
115, 215 being arranged based on the positions of buttons on the
electronic mobile communication device E. Hence, it is possible
that only the first stick body 11 is formed with the through hole
115 or else only the second stick body 21 is formed with the
through hole 215. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in order
to enhance the shock absorption capability, shock absorber pads
116, 216 are additionally installed on the inner sides of the
rounded corner 111 in the first stick body 11 and the inner side of
the rounded corner 211 in the second stick body 21, respectively.
What is more, in the present embodiment, the first stick body 11
and the second stick body 21 are both made from metallic material
or glass-fiber material, which improves its impact durability and
offers an advantage of light weight.
[0032] It can be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the positions of the rounded corners and the configuration of
the locking units can be modified. According to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 and
8, positions of the rounded corners 111, 211 may differ from the
ones found in the previous embodiment without restricting the
implementation of the present invention.
[0033] Following this, the third preferred embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, which, compared with
the first embodiment, essentially features a major difference in
the fastening structure for connecting the first frame 10 to the
second frame 20. As shown, the first end 112 is concavely
configured with a first recess 112A, while the fourth end 213 is
configured with a first bump 213A. The first bump 213A can be
inserted into the first recess 112A, such that the first locking
element 30 can be screw-fastened into the first bump 213A from the
first end 112 through the first locking port 118 in the first
recess 112A, thereby forming a connection between the first end 112
and the fourth end 213. Similarly, the third end 212 is concavely
configured with a second recess 212A and the second end 113 is
configured with a second bump 113A. The second bump 113A can be
inserted into the second recess 212A, such that the second locking
element 40 can be screw-fastened into the second bump 113A from the
third end 212 through the second locking port 218 in the second
recess 212A, thereby forming a connection between the second end
113 and the third end 212. Such an approach uses the structural
feature for preliminary position alignment, thereby facilitating
lock-in process of the locking unit.
[0034] It can be appreciated that such combinations among each of
the corresponding ends may vary, in which the first locking unit
can be exemplified as a joint device and the second locking unit
may be a buckle. As shown by the fourth preferred embodiment of the
present invention in FIG. 11, it is possible to connect the first
end 112 of the first frame 10 to the fourth end 213 of the second
frame 20 through a joint device 217, such that the first frame 10
can rotate in pivot relatively to the second frame 20. Meanwhile,
the other end of the first frame 10, i.e., the second end 113 as
shown, is provided with a buckle 117 for clip connection to the
third end 212 of the second frame 20 such that, when the second
frame 20 and the first frame 10 together form a ring-like closure,
it is possible to connect them in lock, thereby achieving the joint
of the first frame 10 and the second frame 20. Suppose a user needs
to disassemble or install the protective case of the electronic
mobile communication device, the disassembly or installation
process can be very simple.
[0035] In summary, the present invention provides several
advantages that no scratches occur during combination of the
electronic mobile communication device with the protective case,
scrapes generated due to frictions between the electronic mobile
communication device and the desktop can be avoided, and less
additional weight enables improved portability. The appended
drawings depict simply certain embodiments of the present
invention, and the range of derived applications for the present
invention can be comprehensive; furthermore, with its simple
structure, production efficiency can be greatly elevated in order
to save manufacture costs, which is beneficial for industrial
utilization. It should be also noticed that all modifications or
substitutions conveniently made based on the technical principles
of the present invention are considered to be encompassed by the
scope of the present invention as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *