U.S. patent application number 13/295156 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for mobile device protective case with slidable shutter.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOPKASE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is David John Ardener, Chih-Ming Chang, Han-Yuan WANG, Mao-Shen Wang. Invention is credited to David John Ardener, Chih-Ming Chang, Han-Yuan WANG, Mao-Shen Wang.
Application Number | 20130118933 13/295156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48279578 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130118933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Han-Yuan ; et
al. |
May 16, 2013 |
MOBILE DEVICE PROTECTIVE CASE WITH SLIDABLE SHUTTER
Abstract
A mobile device protective case (10) includes a frame (20) and a
slidable shutter (30) mounted on the frame (20) to function as a
slidable component. After a mobile device (50) has been inserted
into the frame (20), the slidable shutter (30) hides a touch panel
(51) of the mobile device (50) to prevent the touch panel (51) from
being scratched or scraped. To start using the mobile device (50),
a user moves the slidable shutter (30), such that the touch panel
(51) of the mobile device (50) is exposed and can be directly
operated by the user.
Inventors: |
WANG; Han-Yuan; (Taipei
City, TW) ; Chang; Chih-Ming; (New Taipei, TW)
; Ardener; David John; (Essex, GB) ; Wang;
Mao-Shen; (New Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WANG; Han-Yuan
Chang; Chih-Ming
Ardener; David John
Wang; Mao-Shen |
Taipei City
New Taipei
Essex
New Taipei |
|
TW
TW
GB
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOPKASE INTERNATIONAL CO.,
LTD.
New Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
48279578 |
Appl. No.: |
13/295156 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A mobile device protective case comprising a frame (20) and a
slidable shutter (30) mounted on the frame (20) to function as a
slidable component, characterized in that: the frame (20)
constructed as a unitary structure comprises two. U-shaped blocks
(21a and 21b), a first connection panel (25) and an insertion
chamber (E1) beneath the first connection panel (25), wherein the
first connection panel (25) has two lengthwise ends connected to
two said two U-shaped blocks (21a and 21b) respectively and spaces
said two U-shaped blocks (21a and 21b) apart from each other to
form a window-shaped chamber (E3); the U-shaped blocks (21a and
21b) each have an accommodation chamber (E2) in communication with
the insertion chamber (E1) and the window-shaped chamber (E3) to
form an assembly space for receiving a mobile device (50) therein,
and a U-shaped groove (28) is disposed on each of the two
face-to-face sides of said two U-shaped blocks (21a and 21b); and
the slidable shutter (30) made of flexible material comprises a
plurality of shutter shaped elements (31) formed as a unitary
structure, wherein each shutter shaped element (31) has two ends
slidably mounted into each corresponding U-shaped grooves (28) of
the frame (20) respectively to enable the slidable shutter (30) by
sliding to open or shut the window-shaped chamber (E3) of the frame
(20).
2. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, further comprising
an auxiliary housing element (40) for encasing the frame (20) in a
close-fitting manner, and the auxiliary housing element (40)
comprising a hollowed-out chamber (41) corresponding in position to
the window-shaped chamber (E3) of the frame (20).
3. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein a stop
block (27) is disposed at each of the U-shaped blocks (21a and 21b)
of the frame (20) and located on an outer side of each of the
accommodation chambers (E2).
4. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein a wiper
(33) is disposed on a back of the shutter shutter-shaped elements
(31) of the slidable shutter (30).
5. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein a thin
flat surface (34) having a thickness ranging between 0.08 mm and
0.8 mm is defines a grille-shaped surface on the slidable shutter
(30).
6. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein a thin
flat surface (34) having a thickness of 0.5 mm is formed on the
slidable shutter (30).
7. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein each
U-shaped block (21a or 21b) of the frame 20 further comprises an
upper panel and a slot (29) formed on the bottom of the upper panel
(22) thereof and constructed to communicate with ones own
corresponding U-shaped grooves (28) of the frame (20)
respectively.
8. The mobile device protective case of claim 1, wherein each
U-shaped block (21a or 21b) of the frame (20) further comprises
plural sucking parts (60) dispersedly or orderly mounted on the
accommodation chamber (E2) thereof.
9. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein a stop
block (27) is disposed at each of the U-shaped blocks (21a and 21b)
of the frame (20) and located on an outer side of each of the
accommodation chambers (E2).
10. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein a wiper
(33) is disposed on a back of the shutter-like elements (31) of the
slidable shutter (30).
11. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein a thin
flat surface (34) having a thickness ranging between 0.08 mm and
0.8 mm is defines a grille-shaped surface on the slidable shutter
(30).
12. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein a thin
flat surface (34) having a thickness of 0.5 mm is formed on the
slidable shutter (30).
13. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein each
U-shaped block (21a or 21b) of the frame (20) further comprises an
upper panel (22) and a slot (29) formed on the bottom of the upper
panel (22) thereof and constructed to communicate with ones own
corresponding U-shaped grooves (28) of the frame (20)
respectively.
14. The mobile device protective case of claim 2, wherein each
U-shaped block (21a or 21b) of the frame (20) further comprises
plural sucking parts (60) dispersedly or orderly mounted on the
accommodation chamber (E2) thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a mobile device protective
case, and more particularly, to a mobile device protective case
with a slidable shutter.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Touch panels have been well developed to provide a keying
function. Hence, almost every existing portable electronic product
(hereinafter referred to as a mobile device), such as a mobile
phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer, is
a light and thin electronic product equipped with a touch panel. As
a result, a key which used to be an integral part of a portable
electronic product is no longer found thereon.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of this, it is a primary objective of the present
invention to provide a mobile device protective case with a
slidable shutter. The mobile device protective case comprises a
frame and a slidable shutter. The slidable shutter is mounted on
the frame to function as a slidable component. After a mobile
device has been inserted into the frame, the slidable shutter hides
a touch panel of the mobile device to prevent the touch panel of
the mobile device from being scratched or scraped. To start
operating the touch panel of the mobile device, a user opens the
slidable shutter to unveil the touch panel of the mobile
device.
[0006] The frame, which is a unitary structure, comprises two
U-shaped blocks and a first connection panel. The first connection
panel has more length than width. The two lengthwise ends of the
first connection panel are connected to the two U-shaped blocks,
respectively, in a manner that the two U-shaped blocks are spaced
apart from each other to form a window-shaped chamber E3, and an
insertion chamber E1 is formed beneath the first connection
panel.
[0007] The U-shaped blocks each have an accommodation chamber E2 in
communication with the insertion chamber E1 and the window-shaped
chamber E3 to form an assembly space for receiving a mobile device
therein, and a U-shaped groove is disposed on each of the two
face-to-face sides of the two spaced-apart U-shaped blocks.
[0008] The slidable shutter comprises a plurality of shutter-like
elements hinged together. The two face-to-face U-shaped grooves
respectively hold one end of each shutter-like elements and thereby
enables the slidable shutter to slide in order to open or shut the
window-shaped chamber E3 of the frame.
[0009] The mobile device protective case of the present invention
further comprises an auxiliary housing element. The auxiliary
housing element comprises a hollowed-out chamber corresponding in
position to the window-shaped chamber E3 of the frame. The
auxiliary housing element comes in different colors or decorative
patterns for the user to choose from. The user encases the frame of
the mobile device protective case of the present invention tightly
in the auxiliary housing element to change the surface decoration
of the frame.
[0010] Regarding the mobile device protective case of the present
invention, a stop block capable of positioning is disposed at each
of the U-shaped blocks of the frame and located on the outer side
of each of the accommodation chambers E2.
[0011] Regarding the mobile device protective case of the present
invention, a wiper is disposed on the back of the shutter-like
element(s) of the slidable shutter and adapted to wipe the touch
panel of the mobile device.
[0012] Regarding the mobile device protective case of the present
invention, a thin flat surface having a thickness ranging between
0.08 mm and 0.8 mm is formed on the slidable shutter, which thin
flat surface is designed to operate a function of "slide to unlock"
of a mobile device, if a user's finger contacted with the thin flat
surface and moved the slidable shutter being in sliding
displacement.
[0013] Regarding the mobile device protective case of the present
invention, for replacement of a slidable shutter by "Do It
Yourself", each U-shaped block of the frame further comprises a
slot formed on the bottom of the upper panel thereof and
constructed to communicate with ones own corresponding U-shaped
grooves of the frame respectively.
[0014] Regarding the mobile device protective case of the present
invention, for preventing a mobile device after assembled escaped
from the mobile device protective case of the invention, each
U-shaped block of the frame further comprises plural sucking parts
dispersedly or orderly mounted on the accommodation chamber (E2) to
suck the mobile device securely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a mobile device protective
case of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 contains an exploded view of the mobile device
protective case and a partial enlarged view of a slidable shutter
shown at position A according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged view of the
mobile device protective case of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a wiper disposed on the back
of the slidable shutter or a thin flat surface formed on the
slidable shutter of the mobile device protective case and a partial
enlarged view of the slidable shutter shown at position B according
to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case for use with a mobile device according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case for use with a mobile device, showing that the slidable
shutter is pulled open to expose a touch panel of the mobile device
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case and an auxiliary housing element for providing close-fitting
covering to the mobile device protective case and changing surface
decoration thereof according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case encased in the auxiliary housing element of FIG. 7, showing
that the slidable shutter is still capable of being pulled open or
shut according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case provided with plural sucking parts for preventing a mobile
device escaped from the mobile device protective case and a partial
enlarged view of the slidable shutter shown at position C according
to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the mobile device protective
case provided with slots designed for replacement of the slidable
shutter by a user who can do it himself/herself and a partial
enlarged view of the slidable shutter shown at position D according
to the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the slidable shutter provided
with a thin flat surface designed to operate the function of "slide
to unlock" of the mobile device, if a user moves the slidable
shutter being in sliding displacement through the user's finger
contacted with the thin flat surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, a mobile device
protective case 10 of the present invention comprises a frame 20
and a slidable shutter 30. The slidable shutter 30 is mounted on
the frame 20 to function as a slidable component of the frame
20.
[0027] The frame 20, which is a unitary structure, comprises two
U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b and a first connection panel 25,
wherein the first connection panel 25 separates the two U-shaped
blocks 21a and 21b by a distance.
[0028] The two U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b each comprise an upper
panel 22, a lower panel 23, and a bent panel 24. The bent panel 24
has one end connected to the upper panel 22 and the other end
connected to the lower panel 23 so as to separate the upper panel
22 and the lower panel 23 by a distance. Hence, the two U-shaped
blocks 21a and 21b each have an accommodation chamber E2 defined by
the upper panel 22, the lower panel 23, and the bent panel 24.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first connection panel
25 has more length than width. The two lengthwise ends of the first
connection panel 25 are connected to the upper panels 22 of the two
spaced-apart U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b, respectively. Hence, an
insertion chamber E1 is formed beneath the first connection panel
25 of the frame 20. The insertion chamber E1 is in communication
with the accommodation chambers E2 of the two U-shaped blocks 21a
and 21b. A window-shaped chamber E3 is defined between the two
spaced-apart U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b of the frame 20. The
window-shaped chamber E3 is in communication with the insertion
chamber E1 and the accommodation chambers E2.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, in another specific embodiment, the
frame 20 either comprises a second connection panel 26 instead of
the first connection panel 25 or further comprises a second
connection panel 26 disposed beneath the first connection panel 25,
wherein the second connection panel 26 connects the lower panels 23
of the two spaced-apart U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b, such that the
frame 20 also has the insertion chamber E1, the two accommodation
chambers E2, and the window-shaped chamber E3.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the slidable shutter 30 made of
flexible material comprises a plurality of shutter-like elements 31
formed by molding techniques as a unitary structure. To mount the
slidable shutter 30 on the frame 20, a U-shaped groove 28 is
disposed on each of the two face-to-face sides of the two
spaced-apart U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b. Each U-shaped grooves 28
not only respectively hold one end of each of the shutter-like
elements 31 of the slidable shutter 30, but also enables the
mounted slidable shutter 30 to function as a slidable component
capable of sliding along the U-shaped grooves 28.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in another specific
embodiment, each U-shaped block 21a or 21b of the frame 20 further
comprises a slot 29 formed on the bottom of the upper panel 22
thereof and constructed to communicate with ones own corresponding
U-shaped grooves 28 of the frame 20 respectively.
[0033] The slots 29 are designed for replacement of the slidable
shutter 30 by a user who can do it himself/herself (or called DIY).
Therefore, a used slidable shutter 30 of the mobile device
protective case 10 of the present invention if a user has a dislike
for the slidable shutter 30 is capable of being detached from the
frame 20 through the slots 29 by DIY of the user, and vice versa,
through the slots 29 a favorite or novel slidable shutter 30 is
also capable of being quickly mounted to the frame 20 by the user
for variant of the user's mobile device protective case 10.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, given the aforesaid control
mechanism for displacement of the slidable shutter 30, the
window-shaped chamber E3 of the frame 20 can be opened or shut by
the slidable shutter 30. As shown in FIG. 2, to make it easy to
manipulate the sliding of the slidable shutter 30, a raised handle
32 is disposed one of the shutter-like elements 31 located at the
front of the slidable shutter 30.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, to enable the slidable shutter 30 to
scrub, a wiper 33 is disposed on the back of the shutter-like
element 31 having the raised handle 32.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the mobile device protective
case 10 of the present invention serves the purpose of preventing
the touch panel 51 of the mobile device 50 from being scratched or
scraped. When in use, the insertion chamber E1, the accommodation
chambers E2, and the window-shaped chamber E3 of the mobile device
protective case 10 of the present invention together form an
assembly space. After the mobile device 50 has been inserted into
the insertion chamber E1 of the mobile device protective case 10 of
the present invention, the mobile device 50 is in its entirety
confined to the mobile device protective case 10 of the present
invention.
[0037] At this point in time, the touch panel 51 of the mobile
device 50 is placed under the protection of the slidable shutter 30
of the mobile device protective case 10 of the present invention
such that, even if the mobile device protective case 10 of the
present invention is hit, the slidable shutter 30 can still prevent
the touch panel 51 of the mobile device 50 from being scratched or
scraped,
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, to start using the mobile device 50, a
user moves the slidable shutter 30 of the mobile device protective
case 10 of the present invention, such that the touch panel 51 of
the mobile device 50 is exposed and can be directly operated by the
user. Furthermore, the wiper 33 disposed on the back of the
slidable shutter 30 wipes the touch panel 51 of the mobile device
50 in the course of the movement of the slidable shutter 30.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 11, in another specific
embodiment, the slidable shutter 30 further comprises a thin flat
surface 34 formed thereon having a thickness ranging between 0.08
mm and 0.8 mm, preferably 0.5 mm of thickness.
[0040] The thin flat surface 34 is capably formed with an entire
surface or a grille-like or grid-like surface, which is designed to
operate the function of "slide to unlock" of the mobile device 50.
As shown in FIG. 11 when a user's finger comes in contact with the
thin flat surface 34 of the slidable shutter 30 of the mobile
device protective case 10 and moves the slidable shutter 30 being
in sliding displacement, due to electricity inducted through the
thin flat surface 34, the touch panel 51 of the mobile device 50
seems to be directly touched by the user's finger and then
synchronously performs the function of "slide to unlock" and
simultaneously displays information to the user.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, a stop block 27 is disposed
at each of the two U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b of the frame 20 of
the mobile device protective case 10 of the present invention, and
the stop block 27 is located on the outer side of each of the
accommodation chambers E2 of the two U-shaped blocks 21a and 21b.
Hence, once the mobile device 50 is inserted into the mobile device
protective case 10 of the present invention, the mobile device 50
will be guided to its position and cannot escape from the
accommodation chambers E2.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in another specific
embodiment, the mobile device protective case 10 of the present
invention further comprises an auxiliary housing element 40 that
comes in different colors or decorative patterns for the user to
choose from according to user preference. The user encases the
frame 20 of the mobile device protective case 10 of the present
invention tightly in the auxiliary housing element 40 by means of a
snap fastener or Velcro to change the surface decoration of the
frame 20.
[0043] The shape of the auxiliary housing element 40 matches the
shape of the frame 20 of the mobile device protective case 10 of
the present invention. The auxiliary housing element 40 comprises a
hollowed-out chamber 41 corresponding in position to the
window-shaped chamber E3 of the frame 20. As shown in FIG. 8, after
the frame 20 of the mobile device protective case 10 of the present
invention has been encased in the auxiliary housing element 40 in a
close-fitting manner, the slidable shutter 30 mounted on the frame
20 is still slidable. Hence, the user can operate the touch panel
51 of the mobile device 50 freely.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in another specific
embodiment, each U-shaped block 21a or 21b of the frame 20 of the
mobile device protective case 10 of the present invention further
provides with plural sucking parts 60 dispersedly or orderly
mounted on the accommodation chamber E2 thereof. After a mobile
device 50 has been assembled into the accommodation chamber E2 of
the mobile device protective case 10 of the present invention, the
mobile device 50 is capable of being sucked with those sucking
parts 60 to prevent the mobile device 50 escaped from the mobile
device protective case 10 of the invention.
* * * * *