U.S. patent application number 13/564251 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for snap-on protective cover for electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to CASE-MATE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert B. HOLBEN, Vyasateja JYOTHIGOWDANAPURA, Saumil C. MODY. Invention is credited to Robert B. HOLBEN, Vyasateja JYOTHIGOWDANAPURA, Saumil C. MODY.
Application Number | 20130042581 13/564251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46759039 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130042581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOLBEN; Robert B. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2013 |
SNAP-ON PROTECTIVE COVER FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
An electronic device protective cover that includes a
substantially rigid screen protector panel. The electronic device
cover attaches by snap-on connection over a portion of the
electronic device. The protective cover can optionally secure to a
base by a snap-on connection to form a multi-component protective
system.
Inventors: |
HOLBEN; Robert B.; (Roswell,
GA) ; JYOTHIGOWDANAPURA; Vyasateja; (Atlanta, GA)
; MODY; Saumil C.; (Smyrna, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOLBEN; Robert B.
JYOTHIGOWDANAPURA; Vyasateja
MODY; Saumil C. |
Roswell
Atlanta
Smyrna |
GA
GA
GA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CASE-MATE, INC.
Tucker
GA
|
Family ID: |
46759039 |
Appl. No.: |
13/564251 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61524570 |
Aug 17, 2011 |
|
|
|
61557702 |
Nov 9, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/473 ;
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3888
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/473 ;
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65B 5/04 20060101 B65B005/04; B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for an electronic device, the protective
cover comprising: a screen protector panel; and at least one
sidewall panel extending from the periphery of said screen
protector panel, said protective cover attaching by snap-on
connection with a portion of the electronic device to retain the
protective cover on the electronic device.
2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the screen protector panel is of a thickness sufficiently thin to
allow for a user to interact with a touchscreen of the electronic
device therethrough.
3. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the
screen protector panel is no more than about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm
thick.
4. The protective cover of claim 1, comprising a material selected
from polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylic,
thermoplastic urethane or other substantially transparent
material.
5. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall panel comprises an inwardly extending ledge to clasp the
back of the electronic device when attached onto the device.
6. The protective cover of claim 5, wherein the ledge further
comprises an inwardly extending flange to engage a corresponding
surface of the electronic device and secure the cover to the
electronic device.
7. The protective cover of claim 1, further comprising a base for
removable attachment to the at least one sidewall opposite the
screen protector panel.
8. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the screen protector
panel comprises at least one aperture therethrough to allow a user
to operate controls of the electronic device.
9. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall is contoured and shaped to fit the outer periphery of the
electronic device with a snap-on connection.
10. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the screen protector
panel and the at least one sidewall panel comprise a substantially
rigid unitary element.
11. A method of protecting an electronic device from damage, the
method comprising: securing a hard shell protective cover over at
least a screen portion of the electronic device, the hard shell
protective cover comprising a screen protector panel and at least
one sidewall; and snap fitting the at least one protective cover
sidewalls into engagement with cooperating surfaces of the
electronic device, wherein the screen protector panel is retained
over the screen portion of the electronic device.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the protective cover further
comprises a pressure-transmissive panel with dimensions
corresponding to the electronic device screen portion.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic device has a
touchscreen, and wherein the method further comprises operating the
touchscreen through the pressure-transmissive panel of the
protective cover.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the protective cover comprises
at least one aperture in the screen protector panel.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic device has at
least one control, and wherein the method further comprises
accessing the at least one control through the at least one
aperture in the screen protector panel.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing a base onto
the protective cover with the electronic device housed between the
base and the protective cover.
17. A protective cover for an electronic device, the protective
cover comprising: a screen protector panel having engagement
features for snap-fit connection to cooperating features of an
electronic device, the screen protector panel comprising at least
one aperture; and at least one flexible insert secured to the at
least one panel aperture.
18. The protective cover of claim 17, wherein the screen protector
panel is substantially rigid.
19. The protective cover of claim 17, wherein the at least one
flexible insert is secured to the screen protector panel with
adhesive.
20. The protector cover of claim 17, wherein the at least one
flexible insert is insert molded to the careen protector panel.
21. The protector cover of claim 17, further comprising a base
panel, the base panel configured to secure with respect to the
screen protector panel opposite the electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/524,570, filed Aug. 17,
2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/557,702,
filed Nov. 9, 2011, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/406,050,
filed Nov. 9, 2011, is also incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
protective covers and cases for electronic devices, and more
particularly to an ultra-thin injection molded cover and base for
an electronic device for preventing damage to a touch screen,
display screen or other parts of the device, which snaps onto the
device for ease of attachment and removal, and which provides good
optical and touch-screen interface characteristics.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many electronic communication devices exist today which
allow users to communicate with other users or exchange information
and content via a communications network or service. For example,
cellular telephones, smart telephones, tablet computers, readers,
MP3 players, and other electronic devices are available in various
forms. These devices are often expensive and users typically want
to protect the condition of their device in a case or housing.
[0004] For many users, some commercially-available electronic
device cases can be undesirably bulky or large when used with an
electronic device. Electronic devices with touchscreens are
typically encased with a protective shell or covering that leaves
the touchscreen open to interaction with the user. Many users
typically place a protective film layer or adhesive material over
said touchscreen to protect it from getting scratched or damaged.
Some commercially-available protective films can be cumbersome to
install or remove, and air bubbles can be trapped between the film
and the screen detracting from appearance and/or performance.
[0005] Thus, it can be seen that needs exist for improved
protective devices that allow use of an electronic device, for
example use of a display screen and/or a touch screen user
interface of an electronic device, yet provide improved ease of
installation and removal and protection to the device. It is to the
provision of an improved protective cover for electronic devices
meeting these and other needs that the present invention is
primarily directed.
SUMMARY
[0006] In example embodiments, the present invention provides a
single-piece, ultra-thin, injection-molded snap on protective cover
for installation over a screen or other component(s) of an
electronic device such as a cell phone, smart phone, reader, MP3
player, tablet computer or the like. In example forms, the cover is
at least partially transparent to allow viewing of a display of the
device therethrough. In further examples, at least a portion of the
cover is sufficiently thin and transmissive of user input to allow
operation of a touch-screen user interface of the electronic device
through the cover material. In further example forms, the cover has
snap-on connection features to allow the user to easily attach and
remove the cover from the electronic device. In alternate example
forms, the cover snaps onto or into another element of a
multi-component case or cover assembly, for example having snap
connections to a back case component of a protective system for an
electronic device.
[0007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a protective
cover for an electronic device. The protective cover includes a
screen protector panel and at least one sidewall panel extending
from the periphery of said screen protector panel. The electronic
device cover attaches by snap-on connection over a portion of the
electronic device. At least a portion of the screen protector panel
is of a thickness sufficiently thin to allow for a user to interact
with a touchscreen of the electronic device therethrough.
[0008] Optionally, the device cover is installed by snap fitting
the at least one protective cover sidewalls into engagement with
cooperating surfaces or engagement features such as recesses or
projections of the electronic device. In example forms, the
thickness of the screen protector is between 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm
thick. In further example forms, the electronic device cover is
made of a material selected from polycarbonate,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or other substantially transparent
material. In touchscreen applications, the thickness and material
are selected to allow effective transmission of a user input to a
touchscreen through the cover, for example being transmissive of
pressure and deformation for resistive touchscreens, transmissive
of capacitive electronic charge for capacitive touchscreens, and/or
transmissive of acoustic wave signals for surface acoustic wave
transducer touchscreen systems, without the cover causing
significant degradation of touchscreen performance relative to an
uncovered touchscreen.
[0009] Example embodiments include panels having an
inwardly-extending ledge projecting from the sidewall to clasp over
the sides and against the back edge of the electronic device when
attached onto the device. These ledges can optionally have a depth
of less than 1 mm to about 1 inch, depending upon the electronic
device intended to be covered. The screen protector can optionally
include one or more aperture(s) therethrough to allow a user to
operate controls of the electronic device, for camera operation,
and/or for transmission of sound to/from a microphone and/or
speaker of the device. The at least one sidewall can optionally be
contoured and shaped to fit the outer periphery of the electronic
device with a close-fitting snap-on connection. The cover can
optionally include a base that is removably secured with respect to
the at least one sidewall opposite from the screen protector
panel.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of
protecting an electronic device from damage. The method includes
securing a hard shell protective cover over at least a screen
portion of the electronic device. The hard shell protective cover
preferably includes a screen protector panel and at least one
sidewall extending therefrom. Optionally, the protective cover can
include a pressure-sensitive panel with dimensions corresponding to
the electronic device screen portion. In applications wherein the
electronic device has a touchscreen, the method preferably also
includes operating the touchscreen through the protective cover's
pressure-sensitive panel.
[0011] The protective cover optionally includes at least one
aperture, and the method optionally further includes accessing or
operating at least one control or other feature of the electronic
device through the aperture in screen protector. As a further
option, the at least one protective cover sidewall includes an
inwardly-extending lip to engage a corresponding surface of the
electronic device during the snap fitting step, and the method
optionally also includes securing the protective cover and the
electronic device with respect to a base.
[0012] In still another aspect, the invention relates to a
protective cover for an electronic device. This protective cover
can include a screen protector panel capable of being snap-fitted
onto or into removable, semi-permanent or permanent engagement with
the electronic device. The screen protector panel optionally
includes at least one recess or aperture in a front or back face
thereof, and the cover includes at least one insert component
secured into or onto the recess or aperture. This insert can be
secured to the screen protector panel with adhesive or can be
insert-molded to the careen protector panel. The screen protector
panel can also optionally include a base panel that is configured
to secure with respect to the screen protector panel opposite the
electronic device.
[0013] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary
and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are
not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective snap-on cover
for an electronic device according to an example embodiment of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the protective cover of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the protective cover of FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the protective cover of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the protective cover of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the protective cover of FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover of
FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a protective cover being fitted onto an
electronic device according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a front view of a protective cover according to
another example embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is an assembly view of a protective cover being
fitted onto an electronic device and also fitted into a base cover
component of a multi-part protective system.
[0024] FIG. 11 is an isolated perspective view of the base cover
component of FIG. 10.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the protective cover
secured to the base cover and forming a multi-part protective
system for an electronic device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which
form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this
invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,
conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that
the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended
to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and
other publications identified in this specification are
incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
[0027] Also, as used in the specification including the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural,
and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least
that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or
"approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or
"approximately" another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values
are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about,"
it will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment.
[0028] With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIGS. 1-6 show a protective cover 10 for an
electronic device according to an example embodiment of the
invention. The cover 10 includes a screen protector or front panel
portion 20 and one or more peripheral sidewall portions 30
extending transversely from the perimeter of the screen protector
panel 20. The phone cover 10 can comprise polycarbonate (PC),
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylic (PMMA),
thermoplastic urethane (TPU), and/or any other suitable
material(s), preferably at least partially of a material that is
transparent and substantially rigid, but having a sufficient degree
of flexibility and resilience to provide toughness and
transmissibility of user inputs. As opposed to flexible film screen
covers, the substantially rigid cover of the present invention is
preferably stiff and self-supporting, retaining its shape under
light hand pressure without significant deformation, allowing the
cover to snap fit onto an electronic device and be retained on the
electronic device under its own structural resilience without need
for adhesive or static cling or surface contact adhesion. The phone
cover 10 can be manufactured by injection molding, thermoplastic
elastomeric overmolding, and/or other suitable manufacturing
processes. In example forms, the screen protector panel 20 and the
peripheral sidewall portion(s) 30 of the cover 10 are formed as a
one-piece, integral, unitary, injection-molded, ultra-thin walled
shell, for example having a wall thickness of about 0.4 mm to 0.8
mm or less.
[0029] The screen protector panel 20 can optionally include one or
more apertures 22 positioned thereon. The apertures 22 allow a user
to directly contact or otherwise operate or interact with
input/output controls, speakers, microphones or other components of
an electronic device that the protective cover 10 is used with. The
screen protector panel 20 in the depicted embodiment is generally
rectangular shaped with rounded corners, adapted to fit snugly over
an electronic device of corresponding and complementary shape, but
in alternate embodiments may have other shapes and sizes configured
for use with alternative electronic devices. The screen protector
20 is preferably constructed at least in part of a thin, flat panel
of material, preferably no more than about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm thick.
If a touchscreen electronic device is used with the phone cover 10,
the small thickness of the screen protector 20 and the
transmissiveness of the its material(s) of construction allow the
user to interact with the touchscreen while the phone cover 10 is
on the electronic device. The screen protector 20 is preferably
formed of a hard, water resistant, scratch resistant, and impact
resistant material to protect the screen of the electronic device
in conjunction with which the phone cover 10 is used.
[0030] The peripheral sidewall panel(s) 30 can optionally also
include one or more apertures 32 extending therethrough. The
apertures 32 allow a user to directly contact and operate or
interact with an electronic device that the protective cover 10 is
installed on, by accessing side ports and/or controls of the device
through the openings 32 in the cover. The sidewall 30 in this
embodiment extends along a portion of the periphery of the screen
protector panel 20. Generally, the sidewall 30 extends along the
left and right side of the screen protector panel 20, while the
sidewall 30 is absent along a majority of the top and bottom of the
screen protector panel 20. In alternate embodiments, a single
continuous sidewall panel having angled or radiused corners can
extend substantially about the periphery of the cover 10, or
alternatively two or more separate sidewall panels can extend from
discrete sections of the cover along one or both sides and/or one
or both of the top and bottom of the screen protector panel.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the phone cover 10
taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. The cross section of the
sidewall 30 is manufactured and shaped to fit and grip an
electronic device therein, between sidewall portions thereof, to
secure the cover to the device with the screen protector overlying
and immediately adjacent or in contact with the display screen or
touchscreen of the electronic device. A ledge or lip 34 protrudes
transversely inwards from the distal end of at least a portion of
the sidewall panel(s) 30. As depicted, the ledge or lip 34 can
extend generally parallel to the screen cover panel 20. The
distance which the ledge or lip 34 extends inwardly from the
sidewall panel 30 can vary, for example between less than about 1
mm to greater than about 1 inch, depending on the intended
application. In use, a side of a handheld electronic device is
secured between the ledge or lip 34 and the screen protector panel
20. The ledge or lip 34 can optionally include an inwardly directed
(i.e., toward the screen protector panel 20) flange or clip 36 that
clips into or onto a corresponding surface feature of a particular
design of an electronic device for which the cover 10 is adapted
for use.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows the protective cover 10 being attached onto an
electronic device E. The electronic device E in this embodiment is
shown as an Apple iPhone 4, but the protective cover of the present
invention can be adapted for compatibility and use with various
other designs and sizes of electronic devices, and is not limited
to the particular format depicted. The cover 10 is positioned over
the top of the electronic device E, with the screen cover portion
20 overlying the display screen of the electronic device, and
pressed onto the device. The sidewall 30 flexes slightly to receive
the electronic device, and resiliently snaps back to engage with
the periphery of the electronic device E. In this manner, the front
face (containing the display or touchscreen) and at least a portion
of one or more sides of the electronic device are covered and
protected by the cover 10, whereas the back of the electronic
device is substantially uncovered. In the depicted embodiment, the
opposed lateral sides of the electronic device are substantially
covered, whereas the top and bottom ends of the device are
substantially uncovered.
[0033] The contour of the side wall 30 generally matches the outer
contour of the periphery of the electronic device E, helping to
create a close gripping fit between the sidewall 30 and the
electronic device E. The ledge 34, and optionally the flange 36, of
the sidewall 30 clasp and hold the cover 10 against the back face
of the electronic device E, helping to prevent the phone cover 10
from accidentally falling off the electronic device E. When the
phone cover 10 is snugly fit onto the electronic device E, the
touchscreen on the electronic device is still able to be used
through the screen protector 20, due to the pressure-sensitive
thickness and transmissive material of the screen protector being
selected such that the touchscreen can still register an
interactive action delivered through pressure applied by the
user.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows a protective cover 110 according to another
example embodiment of the present invention. The depicted
protective cover 110 is substantially similar to the protective
cover 10 described above, including a screen protector panel 120,
with one or more apertures 122 positioned thereon. One or more
material inserts 124 are applied or secured, for example near the
top and/or bottom of the screen protector panel 120. The material
inserts 124 are preferably made from silicone, rubber, or another
flexible and resilient material. The material inserts 124 can
include one or more flexible outlines or sections of reduced
thickness 126 that distinguish where a button, speaker, microphone
or other component of an electronic device is located. The area
within the flexible outlines 126 is displaceable in a direction
perpendicular with respect to the plane of the protective cover
110. In other embodiments, material inserts 124 can be used as
decorative trim or as protective layering that cushions the
electronic device against impacts. The inserts 124 can be
insert-molded with the remainder of the cover 110, or can be
separately formed and attached by adhesive or other attachment
means. Optionally the screen protector panel 120 comprises a recess
or a raised flange for receiving and/or surrounding some or all of
the inserts 124 for improved attachment and appearance.
[0035] FIG. 10 shows a protective cover 10 substantially as
described above being attached to an electronic device E similarly
to FIG. 8, and further being secured within a back protective shell
or base 130 to form a multi-component protective system for an
electronic device. FIG. 11 shows the base 130 in isolation. The
depicted base 130 receives the electronic device E that is secured
within the protective cover 10. The depicted base 130 includes a
base panel portion 132 and one or more peripheral sidewall portions
134 extending transversely from the perimeter of the base panel
portion 132. The depicted base 130 can be made of polycarbonate
(PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylic (PMMA),
thermoplastic urethane (TPU), and/or any other suitable
material(s), preferably at least partially of a material that is
tough and resilient to protect the electronic device from impacts.
The depicted base 130 can be manufactured using injection molding,
thermoplastic elastomeric overmolding, and/or other suitable
manufacturing processes. In example forms, the base 130 is formed
as an injection-molded shell, with a thickness of between about 0.1
mm-2.0 mm.
[0036] The base panel 132 optionally comprises one or more
apertures 136 positioned thereon. The one or more apertures 136 can
for example provide a window for a digital camera or other
vision-capturing components of an electronic device with which the
protective cover 10 and base 130 are used. The base panel 132 in
the depicted embodiment is generally rectangular shaped with
rounded corners. The base panel 20 is preferably constructed at
least in part of a thin, flat panel of material, preferably no more
than about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm thick. The base panel 132 is preferably
water resistant and impact resistant to protect the back surface of
the electronic device in conjunction with which the base 130 is
used.
[0037] The peripheral sidewall panel(s) 134 can optionally include
one or more cutouts 138 positioned thereon. When the cover 10 is
secured within the base 130, the one or more cutouts align with the
peripheral sidewall apertures 32 of the cover. The cutouts 138
provide access to side ports and/or controls of the electronic
device E with which the base 130 is used. The sidewall 134 in this
embodiment extends along a portion of the periphery of the base
panel 132. Generally, the sidewall 132 extends along the left and
right side of the base panel 132, while the sidewall 134 is absent
along a majority of the top and bottom of the base panel. A single
continuous sidewall panel having angled or radiused corners can
extend substantially about the periphery of the base 130, or
alternatively two or more separate sidewall panels can extend from
discrete sections of the cover.
[0038] The cross section of the sidewall 134 is manufactured and
shaped to fit and grip the sidewall 30 of the cover 10 that is
secured over the electronic device E. The inner contour of the side
wall 134 generally matches the outer contour of the periphery of
the cover 10, helping to create a close gripping fit between the
base sidewall and the cover sidewall 30. The sidewall 134 flexes
slightly to receive the cover 10 that is secured over the
electronic device E, and resiliently snaps back to engage with the
periphery of the cover. In this manner, the back face and at least
a portion of one or more sidewalls 30 of the cover 10 are covered
and protected by the base 130. In the depicted embodiment, the
opposed lateral sides of the electronic device E are substantially
covered, whereas the top and bottom ends of the device are
substantially uncovered. While the depicted embodiment shows the
front cover 10 being received within the back base 130, in
alternate embodiments the back base may be installed first onto the
electronic device, and the front cover installed over the sides of
the back base.
[0039] Similarly to the ledge 34 in the cover, the base 130
optionally includes a ledge or lip 140 that protrudes transversely
inwards from the distal end of the sidewall panel 134. The ledge or
lip 140 can protrude generally parallel to, or at an angle slightly
upward from the horizontal of, the base panel 132. The distance
which the ledge or lip 140 protrudes from the sidewall panel 134
can vary, for example between less than about 1 mm to greater than
about 1 inch. In use, the cover sidewall 30 fits within the height
between the cover 132 and the ledge or lip 140 of the base sidewall
134. As depicted in FIG. 12, when the cover 10 is secured within
the base 130, the ledge or lip 140 extends slightly over the
exterior surface of the corner formed between the cover sidewall 30
and the screen protector 20. The ledge 140 of the sidewall 134
clasps and hold the cover 10 against the interior surface of the
base cover 132, helping to prevent the phone cover 10 from
accidentally falling out of the base 130.
[0040] In use, the protective cover of the present invention
enables a method of protection of an electronic device. The front
cover is installed with its screen cover portion over the screen of
the electronic device, and the sidewall portions of the front cover
secure with a snap fit onto the electronic device. Optionally, a
back or base cover is installed to engage the front cover and form
a multi-component protective system protecting substantially all
surfaces of the electronic device from impacts, scratches and the
like, while not interfering with user operation of the device.
[0041] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and
deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *