U.S. patent application number 13/103998 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for protective case for interconnected electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ebbex Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicolas Acuna, Mikael Olsson.
Application Number | 20120285847 13/103998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47141143 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olsson; Mikael ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
PROTECTIVE CASE FOR INTERCONNECTED ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
A protective case for holding interconnected electronic devices
is disclosed. The case may comprise a top holding portion
configured to hold a top part of a first electronic device, a rear
holding portion configured to hold a middle part of the first
electronic device, and a bottom holding portion configured to hold
a bottom part of the first electronic device. The top or bottom
holding portion may comprise an extension holding portion to hold a
second electronic device operatively connected to the first
electronic device. The extension holding portion may comprise one
or more apertures for external access of at least part of input and
output devices of the second electronic device. The first
electronic device can be selected from a cellular phone, a tablet
computer or the like, while the second electronic device can
include a memory card reader or a credit card reader. The disclosed
case minimizes damages that the electronic devices may suffer
within its daily use by adsorbing shocks when the devices are hit
or dropped. In addition, the protective case protects the
electronic devices from swiveling against each other, thereby
greatly improving usability.
Inventors: |
Olsson; Mikael; (Redding,
CA) ; Acuna; Nicolas; (Redding, CA) |
Assignee: |
Ebbex Inc.
Redding
CA
|
Family ID: |
47141143 |
Appl. No.: |
13/103998 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1628
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A protective case for interconnected electronic devices,
comprising: a top holding portion configured to hold a top part of
a first electronic device; a rear holding portion configured to
hold a middle part of the first electronic device; and a bottom
holding portion configured to hold a bottom part of the first
electronic device, wherein the bottom holding portion comprises an
extension holding portion to hold a second electronic device
operatively connected to the first electronic device and wherein
the extension holding portion comprises one or more apertures for
external access of at least part of input and output devices of the
second electronic device.
2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the one or more of
apertures are arranged in the form of a recess.
3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein one or more of the
following portions further comprise apertures for access to at
least part of input and output devices of the first electronic
device: the bottom holding portion, the rear holding portion, and
the top holding portion.
4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the first electronic
device includes one or more of the following: a cellular phone, a
smart phone, a tablet computer, a palmtop, a personal digital
assistant, and a laptop.
5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the second electronic
device is a memory card reader or a credit card reader.
6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the material of the
protective case includes rubber, resins, plastic resins, silicone
rubber, elastomers, polymers, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins,
and synthetic materials.
7. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the material of the
protective case includes one or more of the following properties:
elastic, resilient, and flexible.
8. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the extension holding
portion and the bottom holding portion are configured to be
interconnected or separated from each other.
9. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the case is sized to
receive and encase the operatively connected first and second
electronic devices as a single whole.
10. A protective case for interconnected electronic devices,
comprising: a top holding portion configured to hold a top part of
a first electronic device; a rear holding portion configured to
hold a middle part of the first electronic device; and a bottom
holding portion configured to hold a bottom part of the first
electronic device, wherein the top holding portion comprises an
extension holding portion to hold a second electronic device
operatively connected to the first electronic device and wherein
the extension holding portion comprises one or more apertures for
external access of at least part of input and output devices of the
second electronic device.
11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the one or more of
apertures are arranged in the form of a recess.
12. The protective case of claim 10, wherein one or more of the
following portions further comprises apertures for access at least
part of input and output devices of the first electronic device:
the bottom holding portion, the rear holding portion, and the top
holding portion.
13. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the first electronic
device is one or more of the following: a cellular phone, a smart
phone, a tablet computer, a palmtop, a personal digital assistant,
and a laptop.
14. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the second electronic
device is a memory card reader or a credit card reader.
15. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the material of the
protective case include one or more of the following: rubber,
resins, plastic resins, silicone rubber, elastomers, polymers,
synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, and synthetic materials.
16. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the material of the
protective case includes one or more of the following properties:
elastic, resilient, and flexible.
17. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the extension holding
portion and the top holding portion are configured to be
interconnected or separated from each other.
18. The protective case of claim 10, wherein the case is sized to
receive and encase the operatively connected first and second
electronic devices as a single whole.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to an electronic device
accessory, and more specifically to a protective case for storing
multiple interconnected electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The approaches described in this section could be pursued
but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously
conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it
should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this
section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in
this section.
[0003] Portable electronic devices, such as cellular phones,
palmtops, tablet computers, and the like, are in wide use. In many
instances, such electronic devices can be provided with peripheral
devices and corresponding software to implement certain
functionalities extrinsic to the main device. For example, portable
electronic devices may lack the ability to read various memory
drives or credit cards. Generally, users who need these
functionalities need to utilize an appropriate peripheral device,
e.g. a memory card reader, credit card reader or the like.
[0004] One issue encountered by the most portable electronic
devices is that they are easily susceptible to damage when hit or
dropped. Accordingly, there are many different cases or sleeves for
encasing and protecting portable electronic devices. Such cases may
include apertures to allow connecting of peripheral devices to the
main device. However, none of these cases can provide protection to
the connected peripheral devices. As a result, even if the main
device is protected, any peripheral device connected thereto can be
easily subjected to damage.
SUMMARY
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0006] In accordance with various embodiments and the corresponding
disclosure thereof, a protective case for holding interconnected
electronic devices is provided. The disclosed case may minimize
damages suffered by the electronic devices as a result of daily use
when these devices are hit or dropped. In addition, the protective
case may secure the electronic devices from swiveling against each
other, thereby greatly improving usability.
[0007] In one embodiment, a protective case for interconnected
electronic devices is provided. The case may comprise a top holding
portion configured to hold a top part of a first electronic device,
a rear holding portion configured to hold a middle part of the
first electronic device, and a bottom holding portion configured to
hold a bottom part of the first electronic device. The bottom
holding portion may comprise an extension holding portion to hold a
second electronic device operatively connected to the first
electronic device. The extension holding portion may comprise one
or more apertures for external access of at least part of input and
output devices of the second electronic device.
[0008] The one or more holes may be arranged in the form of a
recess. One or more of the following portions may further comprise
apertures to provide access to at least part of input and output
devices of the first electronic device: the bottom holding portion,
the rear holding portion, and the top holding portion. The first
electronic device may include one or more of the following: a
cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a palmtop, a
personal digital assistant, and a laptop. The second electronic
device may include a memory card reader and a credit card reader.
The material of the protective case may include rubber, resins,
plastic resins, silicone rubber, elastomers, polymers, synthetic
rubber, synthetic resins, synthetic materials, or any combination
of thereof. The material of the protective case may include
elastic, resilient, and/or flexible properties. The extension
holding and the bottom holding portions may be configured to be
interconnected or separated from each other. The case may be sized
to receive and encase the operatively connected first and second
electronic devices as a single whole.
[0009] According to another embodiment, a protective case for
interconnected electronic devices is provided. The case may
comprise a top holding portion configured to hold a top part of a
first electronic device, a rear holding portion configured to hold
a middle part of the first electronic device, and a bottom holding
portion configured to hold a bottom part of the first electronic
device. The top holding portion may comprise an extension holding
portion to hold a second electronic device operatively connected to
the first electronic device. The extension holding portion may
comprise one or more apertures for external access of at least part
of input and output devices of the second electronic device.
[0010] The one or more apertures may be arranged in the form of a
recess. One or more of the following portions may further comprise
holes for access of at least part of input and output devices of
the first electronic device: the bottom holding portion, the rear
holding portion, and the top holding portion. The first electronic
device may include one or more of the following: a cellular phone,
a smart phone, a tablet computer, a palmtop, a personal digital
assistant, and a laptop. The second electronic device may include a
memory card reader or a credit card reader. The material of the
protective case may include rubber, resins, plastic resins,
silicone rubber, elastomers, polymers, synthetic rubber, synthetic
resins, synthetic materials, or the combination thereof. The
material of the protective case may include elastic, resilient,
and/or flexible properties. The extension holding portion and the
top holding portion may be configured to be interconnected or
separated from each other. The protective case may be sized to
receive and encase the operatively connected first and second
electronic devices as a single whole.
[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this
description is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which
like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement of a portable
electronic device and a peripheral electronic device according to
an example embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protective case according
to an example embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective case shown in
FIG. 2, which holds the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 according to an
example embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of a
portable electronic device and a peripheral electronic device
according to yet another example embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a protective case designed
to hold the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 according to an example
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective case shown in
FIG. 5, which holds the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 according to an
example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following detailed description includes references to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed
description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with
example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also
referred to herein as "examples," are described in enough detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject
matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be
utilized, or structural, logical and electrical changes can be made
without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0020] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is
common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In
this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive
"or," such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and
"A and B," unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all
publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this
document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as
though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of
inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so
incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated
reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this
document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this
document controls.
[0021] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protective case
for interconnected electronic devices. FIG. 1 shows a perspective
view of an arrangement 100 of a typical portable electronic device
110 and a peripheral electronic device 120. As used herein, the
term "portable electronic device" may refer to a cellular phone, a
smart phone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a palmtop, a
personal digital assistant, and so forth. The portable electronic
devices may be equipped with touch screens or touch pads.
[0022] The term "peripheral electronic device", as used herein, may
refer to a memory card reader, a credit card reader, a battery, a
speaker, a video camera, or any other electronic device detachably
and operatively connectable to the portable electronic device.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protective case 200
according to an example embodiment. The case 200 may comprise a top
holding portion 210 configured to hold a top part of the portable
electronic device 110, a rear holding portion 220 configured to
hold a middle part of the first electronic device 110, and a bottom
holding portion 230 configured to hold a bottom part of the first
electronic device 110. The foregoing three portions may provide the
case, which can be sized to receive and encase the corresponding
portable electronic device 110. Specifically, the size of the case
200 may vary for different portable electronic devices 110.
[0024] The case 200 may also comprise an extension holding portion
240, which may be attached to the bottom holding portion 230. In
the shown example, the extension holding portion 240 is an
extension or a part of the bottom holding portion 230. In other
embodiments, the extension holding portion 240 may be attached to
other portions of the case, as described below. The size of the
extension holding portion 240 can be selected to hold the specific
peripheral electronic device 120.
[0025] The extension holding portion 240 is configured to hold the
peripheral electronic device 120 when it is operatively connected
to the portable electronic device 110. Accordingly, the case may be
designed to encase both the portable electronic device 110 and the
portable electronic device 110 connected thereto.
[0026] The case 200 can be made of materials, which may include
rubber, resins, plastic resins, silicone rubber, elastomers,
polymers, plastic, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, synthetic
materials, or the combination thereof. Furthermore, the material of
the case 200 may include elastic properties, be resilient and/or be
flexible to enable perfect contact with the portable and peripheral
devices.
[0027] The case 200 may be provided with one or more access
apertures 250. The apertures 250 may be used to enable a user to
access at least part of input and output devices of the potable or
peripheral devices, such as buttons, plugs, jacks, speakers,
microphones, communication ports, photo/video cameras, and so
forth. The apertures 250 may be designed in the form of input or
output devices (e.g., buttons), or may include different designs.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the aperture 250 of the extension
holding portion 240 is made in the form of a recess. When the
peripheral electronic device 120 is selected from a memory card
reader or a credit card reader, the recess 240 may enable easy
insertion of memory card or facilitate reading of a credit
card.
[0028] In one example embodiment, the case 200 can be made as a
single whole. Alternatively, one or more parts of the case 200 can
be detached. For example, the extension holding portion 240 can be
detachably connected to the bottom holding portion 230. Moreover,
the extension holding portion 240 may hold the peripheral
electronic device 120 separately from the remainder of the case
200, which in turn may hold the peripheral electronic device 120.
The portable electronic device 120 encased in the extension holding
portion 240 can be operatively or electrically connected to the
peripheral electronic device 120 encased in the bottom, rear and
top portions of the case 200. If this is the case, the electronic
devices may be connected to each other, with the extension holding
portion 240 being also connected to the bottom holding portion
230.
[0029] According to other example embodiments, other portions of
the case 200 can be detachable. For instance, the bottom holding
portion 230 and the extension holding portion 240 can be made as a
single whole (e.g. molded or extruded as one piece), while the rear
holding portion 220 and the top holding portion 210 may also be
made as a single whole. These two conjoint elements can be
detachably connected to each other. Alternatively, the rear holding
portion 220 may be made out of two detachable parts, while the
other portions are fixedly connected to these parts. Those skilled
in the art would readily understand that any portions of the case
can be designed as a single whole or as a detachable element.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective case 200
holding the arrangement 100 of the portable electronic device 110
and the peripheral electronic device 120 according to an example
embodiment.
[0031] In one example, when the case 200 is made as a single whole,
to encase the arrangement of the portable and peripheral electronic
devices, one can first connect the electronic devices together, and
then insert this arrangement into the case 200.
[0032] If the case 200 is made as two detachable parts, where a
first part is the extension holding portion 240 and a second part
is the integrated top, rear and bottom holding portions 210, 220,
230, the peripheral electronic device 120 can be first encased
within the first part, and then the portable electronic device 110
can be encased within the second part. One may then connect these
two parts together, thereby providing interconnection of both
electronic devices 110 and 120.
[0033] The case 200 may therefore provide protection for the
interconnected portable and peripheral electronic devices 110 and
120 against mechanical damage caused by hits, falls and so forth.
Accordingly, the lifetime of the protected electronic devices can
be significantly increased.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement 400
of the portable electronic device 110 and the peripheral electronic
device 120 according to yet another example embodiment. In the
shown example, the portable electronic device 110 is a tablet
computer, and the peripheral electronic device 120 is a memory card
reader or a credit card reader. The peripheral electronic device
120 can be operatively connected to the portable electronic device
110 via a headphone jack.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a case 500 designed to hold
and protect the arrangement 400 according to an example embodiment.
The case 500 may comprise a top holding portion 510 configured to
hold a top part of the portable electronic device 110, a rear
holding portion 520 configured to hold a middle part of the first
electronic device 110, and a bottom holding portion 530 configured
to hold a bottom part of the first electronic device 110. These
three portions provide the case, which can be used to hold and
protect the portable electronic device 110.
[0036] The case 500 may also comprise an extension holding portion
540 for encasing the peripheral electronic device 120. Similar to
the previously disclosed examples, the extension holding portion
540 can be detachably attached to the top holding portion 510, or
all holding portions of the case 500 can be made as a single
one.
[0037] The case 500 may therefore be designed to encase the
portable electronic device 110 and the peripheral electronic device
120 separately or interconnected. The size of the case 500, and
namely sizes of its portions, can be selected to hold specific
electronic devices, or could be all-purpose.
[0038] In shown example, the case 500 may comprise two detachable
parts. A first part is the bottom holding portion 530, while a
second part is made of the rear holding portion 520, the top
holding portion 510, and the extension holding portion 540. The
first part of the case 500 can be detached or safely connected with
the second part.
[0039] The material of the case 500 may include rubber, resins,
plastic resins, silicone rubber, elastomers, polymers, plastic,
synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, synthetic materials, or the
combination thereof. If any portions of the case 500 are
detachable, they can be optionally provided with locking elements,
such as clips, clicks, latches, and so forth (not shown in the
Figures). In addition, the case 500 may be provided with additional
protective elements, such as a transparent film (not shown in the
Figures).
[0040] The case 500 may include one or more apertures 250. The
apertures 250 may be used to access at least part of input or
output devices of the potable or peripheral devices 110 and 120
when they are held by the case 500. The input and output devices
may include buttons, plugs, jacks, speakers, microphones,
communication ports, photo/video cameras, and so forth. The
apertures 250 may be designed in the form of input or output
devices, as discussed above. In the shown example, the aperture 250
of the extension holding portion 540 is made in the form of a
recess to enable a user to easily utilize the peripheral electronic
device 120. When the peripheral electronic device 120 is selected
from a memory card reader or a credit card reader, the recess 250
enables insertion of a memory card or to read a credit card through
this recess.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective case 500
holding the arrangement 400 of the portable electronic device 110
and the peripheral electronic device 120 according to an example
embodiment. The portable electronic device 110 and the peripheral
electronic device 120 can both be used for their direct purpose. In
other words, in one example, a memory card can be inserted into the
memory card reader 120 through the recess 250. The tablet computer
110 can then read the memory card.
[0042] The case 500, therefore, may provide protection for the
interconnected portable and peripheral electronic devices 110 and
120 against mechanical damage to increase the lifetime of protected
electronic devices.
[0043] In the shown example, when the peripheral electronic device
120 is connected to the portable electronic device 110 via a
headphone jack, it can be easily rotated. Regular users may
experience inconvenience when using such arrangement of electronic
devices, as the users have to hold the devices 110 and 120 in a
specific way to ensure proper functionality and connectivity. The
case 500 may hold the peripheral device 120 in place in order to
ensure proper functionality and easier user experience.
[0044] According to another embodiment, the protective case may
comprise more than one extension holding portion. Instead, the case
may be provided with a plurality of the extension holding portions
to encase more than one peripheral electronic device. For example,
one extension holding portion can be attached to the bottom holding
portion, and a second extension holding portion can be attached to
the top holding portion.
[0045] Thus, the protective case for storing interconnected
electronic devices has been described. The case provides protection
against mechanical damage caused by daily use. In addition, the
protective case secures the electronic devices from swiveling
against each other such that functionality and usability are
greatly improved.
[0046] Although embodiments have been described with reference to
specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various
modifications and changes can be made to these example embodiments
without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present
application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *