U.S. patent application number 14/937365 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for mobile device case.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wimo Labs, LLC. Invention is credited to Scott H. Wilson.
Application Number | 20160065262 14/937365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52582227 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160065262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson; Scott H. |
March 3, 2016 |
MOBILE DEVICE CASE
Abstract
A protective case for housing a mobile device is provided. The
protective case includes an upper assembly and a bottom assembly
attachable to (and separable from) the upper assembly to form a
watertight inner cavity therebetween. The resulting profile (i.e.,
external shape) of the protective case mirrors that of the mobile
device installed therein. More particularly, the protective case
generally includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and
spaced-apart inner and outer perimeters extending between the top
and bottom surfaces. The top surface of the case is made up of or
includes the top surfaces of various other components of the case,
and those component top surfaces are flush with one another such
that the top surface of the case is completely flat (i.e., does not
include an obtrusive raised protective rim).
Inventors: |
Wilson; Scott H.; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wimo Labs, LLC |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52582227 |
Appl. No.: |
14/937365 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14470798 |
Aug 27, 2014 |
9223346 |
|
|
14937365 |
|
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|
61870335 |
Aug 27, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 2001/3894 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; H04M 1/18 20130101; H04M 1/185 20130101; G06F
2200/1633 20130101; G06F 1/1633 20130101; H04B 1/3888 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20060101
H04B001/3888 |
Claims
1. A case for enclosing a four-sided mobile device with a top
surface that extends between and connects the four sides of the
mobile device, said case comprising: an upper assembly comprising a
transparent screen membrane having four membrane sides forming a
membrane perimeter and an upper assembly body extending around the
membrane perimeter, wherein the screen membrane covers
substantially the entire top surface of the mobile device, and
wherein an upper surface of the screen membrane is flush with an
upper surface of the upper assembly body along at least two of the
four membrane sides; and a bottom assembly attachable to the upper
assembly body to form an inner cavity configured to house the
mobile device between a bottom surface of the screen membrane and
the bottom assembly.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the bottom assembly is attachable
to the upper assembly such that the inner cavity is watertight.
3. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly body includes a
membrane track to support a portion of the bottom surface of the
screen membrane.
4. The case of claim 3, wherein the screen membrane is attached to
the membrane track via an adhesive.
5. The case of claim 1, wherein the screen membrane comprises a
touchpad membrane and an acoustic membrane.
6. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly body comprises a
membrane bezel surrounding the membrane perimeter, and wherein the
upper surface of the screen membrane is flush with an upper surface
of the membrane bezel along the at least two of the four membrane
sides.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly body comprises a
sidewall extending away from the screen membrane to define sides of
the inner cavity against which the four sides of the mobile device
seat when the mobile device is installed in the case.
8. The case of claim 1, wherein the screen membrane is configured
to allow for capacitive touch interaction with the mobile device
across its entire top surface.
9. A case for enclosing a four-sided mobile device with a top
surface that extends between and connects the four sides of the
mobile device, said case comprising: a transparent screen membrane
configured to substantially cover at least the top surface of the
mobile device, a bottom assembly, and an upper assembly body
supporting the screen membrane such that an upper surface of the
screen membrane is flush with an upper surface of the upper
assembly body along at least two sides of the screen membrane,
wherein the upper assembly body extends laterally between the
screen membrane and the bottom assembly, and wherein a bottom
surface of the screen membrane, an upper surface of the bottom
assembly, and a sidewall of the upper assembly body form an inner
cavity configured to house the mobile device.
10. The case of claim 9, wherein the screen membrane is configured
to have a length and width at least substantially equal to a length
and width of the top surface of the mobile device.
11. The case of claim 9, wherein the bottom assembly is attachable
to the upper assembly such that the inner cavity is watertight.
12. The case of claim 9, wherein the upper assembly body includes a
membrane track to support a portion of the bottom surface of the
screen membrane.
13. The case of claim 12, wherein the screen membrane is attached
to the membrane track via an adhesive.
14. The case of claim 10, wherein the upper assembly body comprises
a membrane bezel surrounding a perimeter of the screen membrane,
and wherein the upper surface of the screen membrane is flush with
an upper surface of the membrane bezel along the at least two sides
of the screen membrane.
15. A case for enclosing a four-sided mobile device with a top
surface that extends between and connects the four sides of the
mobile device, said case comprising: an upper assembly comprising a
transparent screen membrane having four membrane sides forming a
membrane perimeter and an upper assembly body extending around the
membrane perimeter, wherein an upper surface of the screen membrane
is flush with an upper surface of the upper assembly body along at
least two of the four membrane sides, and wherein the upper
assembly body includes a membrane track to support a bottom surface
of the screen membrane; and a bottom assembly attachable to the
upper assembly body to form an inner cavity configured to house the
mobile device between the bottom surface of the screen membrane and
the bottom assembly.
16. The case of claim 15, wherein the bottom assembly is attachable
to the upper assembly such that the inner cavity is watertight.
17. The case of claim 15, wherein the screen membrane is configured
to substantially cover the entire top surface of the mobile
device.
18. The case of claim 15, wherein the screen membrane is configured
to have a length and width at least substantially equal to a length
and width of the top surface of the mobile device.
19. The case of claim 15, wherein the screen membrane is attached
to the membrane track via an adhesive.
20. The case of claim 15, wherein the upper assembly body comprises
a membrane bezel surrounding the membrane perimeter, and wherein
the upper surface of the screen membrane is flush with an upper
surface of the membrane bezel along the at least two of the four
membrane sides.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of
U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/470,798, filed
Aug. 27, 2014, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/870,335, filed on Aug. 27,
2013. The entirety of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser.
No. 14/470,798 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/870,335 are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Generally, this application relates to cases for portable
electronic devices and, more particularly, to cases that may be
used to protect a portable electronic device (or, more simply, a
"device"). As used herein, the term "portable electronic device"
may include any type of wireless communication device, such as,
e.g., a mobile telephone, a tablet, a portable computer, a gaming
device, a media player, a smart phone, a personal organizer, and
the like. Though the primary embodiment discussed herein relates to
a case for a smart phone, it will be understood that the principles
of the invention could be adapted to other geometries for use with
other portable electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The market for phone cases has continued to grow with the
prevalence of high-priced, fragile smart phones. However, most
cases are either flimsy, cheap, and offer little or no protection,
or they are large, bulky, and mask the aesthetics of the mobile
device they are designed to protect. An example of the latter type
of case is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,864 to Richardson. Some of
these bulkier cases are designed to be watertight or water
resistant up to a certain depth. However, in order to seal the
phone or mobile device, they must completely seal it--often
significantly increasing the size of the case.
[0004] Another feature common among prior art phone cases is a
raised protective lip or rim around the periphery of the device
face. In other words, the case extends out beyond the face of the
device (and any cover over the device face), such as shown in FIG.
1 of Richardson. This "protective rim" serves to protect the face
of the device (often glass) from impact should it be dropped. One
of the most common failure modes for smart phones and the like is a
drop, in which case the glass fascia of the device may crack or
shatter. The extended rim is designed to absorb the majority of the
impact and protect the screen of the device from damage. Obviously,
the larger the rim and the further it extends outward from the
device, the more protection it offers. However, the rim obstructs
the view of the screen at angles, increases the outside package of
the case +device combination, and is generally unappealing.
[0005] Prior phone cases with a raised protective lip can also
obstruct a usable surface of the display screen, for example, in
mobile devices where the screen extends over, or curves around, one
or more edges of the device. For example, some mobile devices have
touch screens that extend across a top surface of the device and
curve over the left and/or right edges of the device to form at
least a portion of the left and/or right sides of the device.
Placing such devices within a phone case with a protective lip
would impede the functionality of the curved edges of the touch
screen.
[0006] Another method to protect the device face that is necessary
in watertight case models is to cover the face of the device with a
generally transparent membrane. This membrane may be a second glass
covering or a clear plastic of sufficient thickness to help absorb
impacts. The membrane is sealed to the protective rim in some
fashion, creating an airtight and watertight cover around the
device. In the prior art, the membrane may be held in place through
a compression fit, where top and bottom clam shells come together
from opposite sides of the membrane. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
8,342,325 to Raynor. In other cases, the membrane may slide into,
or otherwise be fixed to the upper clam shell. However, in all
cases having such a membrane, a raised protective rim or other
feature of the case extends up above the surface of the membrane in
order to help retain it and seal it. For example, Raynor provides
an example of a much less obtrusive rim, such as in FIG. 1B, but it
is still present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention makes novel improvements over the
prior art by creating a watertight or water resistant device case
with a protective membrane, but no protective rim. This results in
a design with a completely flush top face/surface. The design
allows the case to mirror the aesthetic outer shape of the phone it
is designed to protect, essentially looking like there is no case
there at all, while providing robust, watertight protection. There
is no tactile bump along the edge of the device case, but rather
just a smooth transition to the side of the phone.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the present invention comprises a
case backing formed in a shape to receive a particular mobile
device. The edges of the backing are formed such that they curl
upward around the mobile device when it is inserted therein. The
curled upward edges present an upward-facing shelf to which is
mounted a first bezel. The invention also comprises a transparent
membrane of a dimension sufficient to completely cover the upper
surface of the mobile device. An upper bezel is fixed to the
perimeter of the membrane in a fashion such that it does not extend
up above an upper surface of the membrane. The upper bezel may be
mated to the lower bezel, and held in place, at least partially, by
an outer edge of the backing When assembled, the outer edge of the
backing is flush with the upper bezel and the upper surface of the
membrane, forming a watertight seal around the mobile device.
[0009] In other embodiments, the present invention comprises a case
including an upper assembly and a bottom assembly attachable to
(and separable from) the upper assembly to form a watertight inner
cavity therebetween. The resulting profile (i.e., external shape)
of the case mirrors that of the mobile device installed therein.
More particularly, the case generally includes a top surface, a
bottom surface, and spaced-apart inner and outer perimeters
extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The top surface of
the case is made up of or includes the top surfaces of various
other components of the case, and those component top surfaces are
flush with one another such that the top surface of the case is
completely flat (i.e., does not include an obtrusive raised
protective rim).
[0010] Other embodiments and aspects will be clear from a review of
the following detailed description and figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of a mobile device case, showing an
installed mobile device in hidden lines, in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side profile view of the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3A is a rear view of the mobile device case illustrated
in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3B is a rear view of a mobile device case according to
an alternative embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an isolated perspective view of the bottom shell
of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 1, with certain
sub-components illustrated in exploded view.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view showing various
components of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are close-up isometric section views of
certain aspects of certain components illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a section view through the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 1, taken through section A.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of a mobile device case, showing an
installed mobile device in hidden lines, in accordance with other
embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side profile view of the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded top perspective view of the
mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the upper assembly body
of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 11 an exploded top perspective view of the upper
assembly body of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 7 with the mobile device and the membrane
removed and with the headphone jack and power input doors in their
open positions.
[0025] FIG. 12A is an enlarged top perspective view of the
headphone jack and power input doors of the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 7 in their open positions.
[0026] FIG. 12B is a top perspective view of the headphone jack and
power input doors of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 7
and their corresponding headphone jack door and power input door
connectors removed from the remaining components of the mobile
device case.
[0027] FIG. 13 is an exploded top perspective view of the lower
assembly of the mobile device case illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the mobile device
case illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a section view through the mobile device case
illustrated in FIG. 7, taken through section 15-15.
[0030] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain techniques of the present application, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are
shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the
claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality
shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown
in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be
employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The description that follows describes, illustrates and
exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the present
invention in accordance with its principles. This description is
not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described
herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the
invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art
to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be
able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described
herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in
accordance with these principles. The scope of the present
invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall
within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under
the doctrine of equivalents.
First Example Embodiment
[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a mobile device 105
encapsulated within a case 100 according to the present invention.
Notably, the mobile device 105 is shown in dashed lines, indicating
that it is not part of the invention. Moreover, the invention is
not limited to use with a particular mobile device. Rather, it will
be understood by those of skill in the art that the features and
concepts discussed herein can be applied to create cases for mobile
devices of other shapes, dimensions and thicknesses by, for
example, changing the mold used to form the backing, and/or
changing the dimensions of the protective membrane. For
demonstration purposes only, the mobile device displayed generally
depicts an iPhone from APPLE, but it will be understood that
various components of the case could be moved to accommodate
different positioning of different components of different mobile
device models (such as different positioning of volume or power
controls).
[0033] The case 100 is of a clamshell variety, having a bottom
shell 120 and a top membrane 130. The membrane 130 is transparent
or translucent, and seats directly against or just over the top
surface of the mobile device 105, allowing a user to interact with
a capacitive touch screen surface of the device 105 by running a
finger along the upper surface of the membrane 130 when installed.
The membrane 130 is preferably formed of an impact resistant glass,
such as GORILLA GLASS by CORNING or other hard transparent or
translucent materials such as sapphire. The membrane 130 is
surrounded by membrane bezel 180 on all sides. Membrane bezel 180
is preferably made of a rigid plastic material that will hold its
shape. However, it may be a flexible elastomer in some embodiments.
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 5A, membrane bezel 180
provides a shelf 182 to receive the membrane 130. The membrane 130
and bezel 180 are joined along an adhesive layer 132 forming a
membrane assembly. Once assembled, the membrane assembly is not
intended to come apart. More specifically, when a user installs or
removes a device from case 100, the membrane assembly (membrane 130
and bezel 180) are removed as a single unit.
[0034] Mobile device 105 is seated within bottom shell 120, which
forms upward-extending sidewalls around and beyond the mobile
device 105 on all sides. The bottom shell is a generally rigid,
hard material such as a polycarbonate (or any other suitable
material). However, as will be explained, it does have some level
of flexibility so as to receive and hold in the membrane/bezel
combination. The portion of the bottom shell 120 that extends
beyond the mobile device 105, referred to herein as outer lip 128,
is configured to receive the membrane assembly. As will be
explained in more detail in association with FIG. 6, the outer lip
128 may be pulled outward slightly to make room for the membrane
130 and bezel 180, and then snaps back resiliently to hold the
membrane assembly in place along its sides. The resulting top
surface of the case 100 is completely level and flush, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 6. In order to remove the mobile device 105 from case
100, the bezel 180 provides a release tab 184 that can be used to
pull the membrane assembly out and away from the outer lip 128 of
the bottom shell 120. The release tab 184 seats within a cutaway
124 of the outer lip 128. The cutaway 124 is more clearly shown in
the isolated view of the bottom shell 120 in FIG. 4. Though shown
along the top edge of the case in the disclosed embodiment, it will
be understood that this tab 184 could be located at other places
around the perimeter of the case 100.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bottom shell 120 has additional
cutouts to allow a user to interface with certain controls in a
contained device, or to allow certain features to properly
function. The cutouts are then covered with rubber overmolds or
lenses to seal the cutouts, but allow for proper
interface/function. The exact location of these controls and
features will vary from one device to another. Thus, it will be
understood that the location, shape, size and quantity of these
cutouts in the bottom shell 120 will also vary. For example, FIGS.
3A and 3B show rear views of two different embodiments--one
generally designed to accommodate an APPLE product, and the other
generally designed to accommodate a SAMSUNG product. From the back
side of the case, the controls overmold 142 is on the right, and
volume up and down tabs 144A, 144B, as well as power tab 143. The
actual controls are not exposed. However, the overmold 142 is
formed in a shape to accommodate them, and is flexible, such that
when, for example, power tab 143 on the overmold is pressed, the
pressure translates to engage the actual power tab on the sealed-in
mobile device. This same concept is used for control overmold 243
and volume overmold 242 on the SAMSUNG version shown in FIG. 3B.
The design of the camera overmold 150, 250 also changes based on
the design of the enclosed mobile device 105. Lens cover 152A, 252A
and IR cover 152B, 252B are generally formed of a transparent or
translucent film layer that is permanently sealed to their
respective camera overmolds.
[0036] Finally, power input overmold 146, 246 is positioned in a
location to allow for access to a power input on the device 105.
Unlike the other overmolds, power input overmold 146, 256 must be
removed or pulled back in order to allow direct access to the
mobile device 105 during charging. In some embodiments, the
overmold will be cut on three sides so that it may be peeled back
but not fully removed from the bottom shell 120. The overmold will
be formed of a resilient material such that it will spring back to
its original shape, and can be pressed in to seal around the power
input to the device 105 when not charging. An extractor lip 147 is
formed into the control overmold 146 to facilitate peeling it back
for powering the device. Note that, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, release tab
184, 284 is shown at the top of the case where there is a break in
the perimeter of the case 100.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bottom shell 120 with
each of the overmolds exploded outward. In this embodiment, a
cavity 126 is formed on the inner surface of the bottom shell 120
that faces the back of a mobile device 105 (when installed). This
cavity 126 provides a housing for padding 190, as shown in the
exploded view of FIG. 5. The padding 190 is formed of a preferably
compressible, cushioning material such as polystyrene (or any other
suitable material), and is placed between the mobile device 105 and
the bottom shell 120 along a portion of the back of the device 105
to provide additional protection from impacts. A cross-section
showing placement of the padding 190 is shown in FIG. 6. The
padding will preferably be permanently adhered to the bottom shell
120 within cavity 126.
[0038] In addition to impact absorption, the padding serves to help
with heat dissipation and sound travel. Generally, a mobile device
105 will have a battery and electronic circuitry packaged along its
back side. This is the area on the device that generates the most
heat. Most prior art cases trap this heat by failing to provide
spacing between the device and the case. Here, the padding 190
provides holes 192 and channels 194 (filled with ambient air) that
help the heat transfer away and allow the device to more
efficiently cool. These holes and channels also allow for improved
sound wave travel within the case. This is helpful in cases where a
mobile device 105 may package a speaker or audio output along the
back of the case that would otherwise be muffled were the bottom
shell 120 flush to the back of the device 105.
[0039] Also shown in FIG. 4 is gasket track 171, which runs around
the inside perimeter of the bottom shell 120. Unlike in the case of
the outer lip 128 where the cutaway 124 is formed, there is no
break in the gasket track 171. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this
gasket track forms a flat, upward-facing shelf that receives gasket
170. Gasket 170 may be formed of a material similar to membrane
bezel 180. In the preferred embodiment, gasket 170 will be
permanently adhered to the gasket track 171. Separating gasket
track 171 from the outer lip 128 is a trough 160, also running the
perimeter of the bottom shell 120. The trough 160 is best shown in
the cross-section view of FIG. 6. The trough serves to separate the
gasket track from the outer lip 128, and facilitates the outer lip
being pulled slightly outboard (see the arrow in FIG. 6) to allow
for seating of the membrane assembly in place once the mobile
device 105 has been placed in the bottom shell 120. Thus, as the
outer lip 128 is pulled outboard, the gasket track 171 generally
stays in place to receive the bezel 180. While the trough 160
facilitates this assembly step, repeated installations may place a
load on the section of the bottom shell 120 at the base of the
trough 160 where the outer lip 128 separates. In some models, this
area may be reinforced by forming lateral ribs (not shown) across
the trough 160 at certain positions along the perimeter. These ribs
act like plastic rebar to help reinforce the interface at the
bottom of the trough 160.
[0040] FIGS. 5A and 5B show close-up cross-sectional views of both
the gasket 170 and the membrane bezel 180. These two elements mate
together (as shown in FIG. 6) in order to provide a water-tight
seal between the membrane assembly and the bottom shell 120.
Specifically, the gasket 170 provides an upward extending rib 172
that seats inside a notch 185 along the bottom of the membrane
bezel 180. The membrane bezel 170 is held in place laterally and
pulled down by the pressure of the resilient outer lip 128, which
compresses around its outer perimeter. As shown in FIG. 6, the
bezel 180 also provides an annular ledge 186 that extends outward
along its base and is received into a notch formed in the outer lip
128 of the bottom shell 120. This interface forms an additional
seal between the device 105 and the outside environment.
[0041] When assembled to the user, the case 100 forms two primary,
separable assemblies. The bottom assembly comprises bottom shell
120, the overmolds, the padding 190 and the gasket 170. The upper
assembly (membrane assembly) comprises membrane 130 and membrane
bezel 180. The device 105 is placed in this bottom assembly (see
FIG. 5), and then the top assembly is fit over the top of the
device 105. To install the top assembly, a user pulls the outer lip
128 of the bottom shell 120 outward along the perimeter in order to
work/snap the top assembly into place, thereby forming a first seal
between the bezel 180 and the outer lip, and a second seal between
the bezel and the gasket. The resulting profile (i.e., external
shape) of the case 100 mirrors that of the now-installed mobile
device 105, as shown in the cross section view of FIG. 6. More
specifically, the fully-assembled case forms a top surface that is
completely flat (i.e., there is no raised obtrusive protective
rim).
Second Example Embodiment
[0042] FIG. 7 depicts a top view of a mobile device 1205
encapsulated within a case 1200 according to the present invention.
Notably, the mobile device 1205 is shown in dashed lines,
indicating that it is not part of the invention. Moreover, the
invention is not limited to use with a particular mobile device.
Rather, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the
features and concepts discussed herein can be applied to create
cases for mobile devices of other shapes, dimensions and
thicknesses by, for example, changing the mold used to form the
backing, and/or changing the dimensions of the protective membrane.
For demonstration purposes only, the mobile device displayed
generally depicts an iPhone from APPLE with slightly different
controls than that of the mobile device 105 used demonstrably
above, but it will be understood that various components of the
case could be moved to accommodate different positioning of
different components of different mobile device models (such as
different positioning of volume or power controls).
[0043] The case 1200 is of a clamshell variety and includes an
upper assembly 1210 and a bottom assembly 1220 attachable to (and
separable from) the upper assembly 1210 to form a watertight inner
cavity therebetween. As described in detail below, to install the
mobile device 1205 into the case 1200, a user places the mobile
device 1205 in the upper assembly 1210 and then attaches the bottom
assembly 1220 to the upper assembly 1210 to enclose the mobile
device 1205 within the watertight inner cavity of the case 1200.
The resulting profile (i.e., external shape) of the case 1200
mirrors that of the mobile device 1205 installed therein. More
particularly, the case 1200 generally includes a top surface, a
bottom surface, and spaced-apart inner and outer perimeters
extending between the top and bottom surfaces. As described below,
the top surface of the case 1200 is made up of or includes the top
surfaces of various other components of the case 1200, and those
component top surfaces are flush with one another such that the top
surface of the case 1200 is completely flat (i.e., does not include
an obtrusive raised protective rim).
[0044] Turning to the upper assembly 1210, as best shown in FIGS.
9, 10, 11, 12, 12A, 12B, and 15, the upper assembly 1210 includes
an upper assembly body 1260 and a screen membrane 1230 fixedly
attached to the upper assembly body 1260.
[0045] The upper assembly body 1260 forms the top surface and the
inner and outer perimeters of the case 1200 and includes: a first
upper assembly body portion 1240, a second upper assembly body
portion 1250, a headphone jack door 1270, a headphone jack door
connector 1275, a power input door 1280, and a power input door
connector 1285.
[0046] The first upper assembly body portion 1240 includes a
membrane track 1242 that runs around an inside perimeter of the
first upper assembly body portion 1240. The membrane track 1242
forms a substantially flat shelf to which the screen membrane 1230
may be attached (such as via an adhesive 1282, as described below)
and that supports the screen membrane 1230. In this illustrated
embodiment, there is a break in the membrane track 1242 near each
corner of the first upper assembly body portion 1240, though as
best shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, the second upper assembly body
portion 1250 includes a plurality of break fillers that fill these
breaks to form a continuous membrane track 1242.
[0047] The first upper assembly body portion 1240 also defines a
membrane bezel receiving groove 1244 that runs around the perimeter
of the first portion 1240 outward of, adjacent to, and below (or
even with or above, in other embodiments) the membrane track 1242
(with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 15). The membrane
bezel receiving groove 1244 is configured to receive the membrane
bezel 1252 of the second upper assembly body portion 1250, as
described below.
[0048] The first upper assembly body portion 1240 also includes a
downwardly-extending sidewall 1246 having an inner surface and an
opposing outer surface. The inner surface of the sidewall 1246 of
the first upper assembly body portion 1240 substantially forms the
inner perimeter of the case 1200. The bottom of the sidewall 1246
of the first upper assembly body portion 1240 (with respect to the
orientation shown in FIG. 15) terminates in a mounting ridge 1247
that protrudes inwardly from and extends around the perimeter of
the inner surface of the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly
body portion 1240 and facilitates attachment of the upper assembly
1210 to the bottom assembly 1220, as described below.
[0049] The sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240 also includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs 1248 extending
outward from three of the four sides of its outer surface. The ribs
1248 facilitate attachment of the first upper assembly body portion
1240 to the second upper assembly body portion 1250, as described
below, while also providing hoop strength to prevent the sidewall
from bowing outward.
[0050] The sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240 supports a plurality of integrated tabs, switches, or
actuators that enable the user to interface with certain controls
of the mobile device 1205 when the mobile device 1205 is contained
within the case 1200. This ensures that that certain features of
the mobile device 1205 may properly function when the mobile device
1205 is contained within the case 1200. In one embodiment, the
sidewall 1246 defines a plurality of cutouts therethrough, and the
cutouts are covered with rubber overmolds including the tabs,
switches, or actuators. The rubber overmolds seal the cutouts. The
tabs, switches, or actuators thus allow for proper
interface/function with the controls of the mobile device 1205
without actually exposing those controls. The exact location of
these controls and features will vary from one device to another.
Thus, it will be understood that the location, shape, size, and
quantity of these tabs, switches, or actuators will also vary.
[0051] In this illustrated embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 11,
the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body portion 1240
supports a mute switch 1246a configured to toggle upward and
downward, a volume up tab 1246b configured to move inward and
outward, a volume down tab 1246c configured to move inward and
outward, and a screen on/off tab 1246d configured to move inward
and outward. The mute switch 1246a is formed in a shape such that
when a user toggles the mute switch 1246a upward or downward, the
mute switch 1246a engages and translates the upward or downward
pressure to the rocker panel of the mobile device 1205. The volume
up tab 1246b is formed in a shape such that when a user presses the
volume up tab 1246b, the volume up tab 1246b engages and translates
the pressure to the volume up control of the mobile device 1205.
The volume down tab 1246c is formed in a shape such that when a
user presses the volume down tab 1246c, the volume down tab 1246c
engages and translates the pressure to the volume down control of
the mobile device 1205. The screen on/off tab 1246d is formed in a
shape such that when a user presses the screen on/off tab 1246d,
the screen on/off tab 1246d engages and translates the pressure to
the screen on/off tab control of the mobile device 1205.
[0052] The sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240 defines a headphone jack opening 1246e therethrough and a
power input opening 1246f therethrough. The headphone jack opening
1246e is positioned such that, when the mobile device 1205 is
contained within the case 1200 and the headphone jack door 1270 is
peeled back to its open position (described below), a headphone
plug (not shown) can be inserted through the headphone jack opening
1246e and into the headphone jack of the mobile device 1205. The
headphone jack opening 1246e is configured to receive a headphone
jack opening sealer 1270a of the headphone jack door 1270 therein
when the headphone jack door 1270 is in its closed position
(described below) to seal the headphone jack opening 1246e.
Similarly, the power input opening 1246f is positioned such that,
when the mobile device 1205 is contained within the case 1200 and
the power input door 1280 is peeled back into its open position
(described below), a power input device (not shown) can be inserted
through the power input opening 1246f and into a corresponding
power input device receiving opening of the mobile device 1205. The
power input opening 1246f is configured to receive a power input
opening sealer 1280a of the power input door 1280 therein when the
power input door 1280 is in its closed position (described below)
to seal the power input opening 1246f, as described below.
[0053] The first upper assembly body portion 1240 is made of a
generally rigid, hard material such as polycarbonate (or any other
suitable material). However, as will be explained, in certain
embodiments the first upper assembly body portion 1240 and,
particularly, the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body
portion 1240, has some level of flexibility and resiliency so as to
enable the upper assembly 1210 to be snap-fit to the bottom
assembly 1220.
[0054] The second upper assembly body portion 1250 includes the
membrane bezel 1252 and an outer cushion 1254 attached to the
membrane bezel 1252.
[0055] The membrane bezel 1252 is attached to the membrane bezel
receiving groove 1244 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240. Particularly, in this embodiment, the membrane bezel 1252 is
fit into the membrane bezel receiving groove 1244 of the first
upper assembly body portion 1240, though it should be appreciated
that the membrane bezel may be attached to the membrane bezel
receiving groove in any other suitable manner, such as via an
adhesive. The membrane bezel 1252 is sized such that, after
attachment to the first upper assembly body portion 1240, the top
surface of the membrane bezel 1252 is flush with the top surface of
the screen membrane 1230 and the top surface of the first body
portion 1240 (as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 15).
[0056] The outer cushion 1254 of the second upper assembly body
portion 1250 has an inner surface, an opposing outer surface, and a
plurality of spaced-apart ribs 1258 extending inward from the inner
surface. The outer surface of the outer cushion 1254 of the second
upper assembly body portion 1250, the headphone jack door 1270
(described below), and the power input door 1280 (described below)
substantially form the outer perimeter of the case 1200. The ribs
1258 facilitate attachment of the outer cushion 1254 of the second
upper assembly body portion 1250 to the first upper assembly body
portion 1240. More specifically, to attach the outer cushion 1254
of the second upper assembly body portion 1250 to the first upper
assembly body portion 1240, the ribs 1258 of the outer cushion 1254
of the second upper assembly body portion 1250 are fit into the
gaps between the ribs 1248 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240, and the ribs 1248 of the first upper assembly body portion
1240 are fit into the gaps between the ribs 1258 of the outer
cushion 1254 of the second upper assembly body portion 1250.
[0057] The outer cushion 1254 of the second upper assembly body
portion 1250 defines a plurality of tab, switch, or actuator
receiving openings therethrough that are configured receive and
enable the tabs, switches, or actuators of the first upper assembly
body portion 1240 to pass therethrough. Specifically, the outer
cushion 1254 defines a mute switch receiving opening 1254a, a
volume up tab receiving opening 1254b, a volume down tab receiving
opening 1254c, and a screen on/off tab receiving opening 1254d
therethrough. The mute switch receiving opening 1254a is configured
to receive and enable the mute switch 1246a to pass therethrough,
the volume up tab receiving opening 1254b is configured to receive
and enable the volume up tab 1246b to pass therethrough, the volume
down tab receiving opening 1254c is configured to receive and
enable the volume down tab 1246c to pass therethrough, and the
screen on/off tab receiving opening 1254d is configured to receive
and enable the screen on/off tab 1246d to pass therethrough. As
best shown in FIG. 7, in this illustrated embodiment, these tabs
and switches protrude from their corresponding openings defined
through the outer cushion 1254.
[0058] The second upper assembly body portion 1250 is made of a
generally compressible, cushioning material such as thermoplastic
polyurethane (or any other suitable material). The components of
the second upper assembly body portion 1250 thus have
impact-absorption qualities that protect the mobile device 1205
itself and other components of the case 1200. For instance, the
membrane bezel 1252 that surrounds the perimeter of the screen
membrane 1230 is configured to absorb impact to the screen membrane
1230 when the case 1200 is dropped or otherwise impacted to reduce
the impact to the screen membrane 1230, thus reducing the
likelihood that the impact will break the screen membrane 1230.
[0059] The headphone jack door 1270 includes a headphone jack
opening sealer 1270a, and is attached to the upper assembly body
1260 via the headphone jack door connector 1275 such that the
headphone jack door 1270 is movable between: (1) a closed position
in which the headphone jack opening sealer 1270a is received in and
seals the headphone jack opening 1246e of the sidewall 1246 of the
first upper assembly body portion 1240 (as best shown in FIGS. 9
and 10); and (2) an open position in which the headphone jack
opening sealer 1270a is removed from the headphone jack opening
1246e, thereby enabling direct access to the headphone jack of the
mobile device 1205 (as best shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A).
[0060] More specifically, the headphone jack door connector 1275 is
attached to the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body
portion 1240 via a snap fit, an adhesive, and/or any other suitable
attachment mechanism. The headphone jack door connector 1275 is
made of a generally rigid, hard material such as polycarbonate (or
any other suitable material). The headphone jack door 1270 is
attached to the headphone jack door connector 1275 via an adhesive
or any other suitable attachment mechanism. The headphone jack door
1270 is made of a suitable flexible, resilient material such that
the headphone jack door 1270 will spring back to its original shape
when deformed. The attachment of the headphone jack door 1270 to
the headphone jack door connector 1275 enables the headphone jack
door 1270 to be peeled back, but not fully removed, to shift the
headphone jack door 1270 from its closed position to its open
position and enable direct access to the headphone jack of the
mobile device 1205.
[0061] The power input door 1280 includes a power input opening
sealer 1280a, and is attached to the upper assembly body 1260 via
the power input door connector 1285 such that the power input door
1280 is movable between: (1) a closed position in which the power
input opening sealer 1280a is received in and seals the power input
opening 1246f of the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body
portion 1240 (as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), and (2) an open
position in which the power input opening sealer 1280a is removed
from the power input opening 1246f, thereby enabling direct access
to the power input device receiving opening of the mobile device
1205 (as best shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A).
[0062] More specifically, the power input door connector 1285 is
attached to the sidewall 1246 of the first upper assembly body
portion 1240 via a snap fit, an adhesive, and/or any other suitable
attachment mechanism. The power input door connector 1285 is made
of a generally rigid, hard material such as polycarbonate (or any
other suitable material). The power input door 1280 is attached to
the power input door connector 1285 via an adhesive or any other
suitable attachment mechanism. The power input door 1280 is made of
a suitable flexible, resilient material such that the power input
door 1280 will spring back to its original shape when deformed. The
attachment of the power input door 1280 to the power input door
connector 1285 enables the power input door 1280 to be peeled back,
but not fully removed, to shift the power input door 1280 from its
closed position to its open position and enable direct access to
the power input connector of the mobile device 1205.
[0063] As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A, the headphone jack door
1270 and the power input door 1280 are separately movable between
their corresponding closed and open positions. In other words, the
user can move the headphone jack door 1270 from its closed position
to its open position to enable direct access to the headphone jack
of the mobile device 1205 without also moving the power input door
1280 from its closed position to its open position, and the user
can move the power input door 1280 from its closed position to its
open position to enable direct access to the power input connector
of the mobile device 1205 without also moving the headphone jack
door 1270 from its closed position to its open position.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 14, an extractor lip 1290 is formed into
the headphone jack door 1270 and the power input door 1280 to
facilitate peeling the headphone jack door 1270 and the power input
door 1280 from their corresponding closed positions to their
corresponding open positions.
[0065] The screen membrane 1230 is transparent or translucent, and
seats directly against or just over the top surface of the mobile
device 1205 when the mobile device 1205 is contained within the
case 1200, allowing a user to interact with a capacitive touch
screen surface of the device 1205 by running a finger along the
upper surface of the screen membrane 1230 when installed. The
screen membrane 1230 is preferably formed of an impact resistant
glass, such as GORILLA GLASS by CORNING, or other hard transparent
or translucent materials, such as sapphire.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, in this example embodiment, a touchpad
membrane 1234 is mounted to the bottom surface of the screen
membrane 1230 and fills an opening defined through the screen
membrane 1230 proximate a fingerprint reader of the mobile device
1205. The touchpad membrane 1234 prevents water from entering this
opening while enabling the mobile device 1205 to read the user's
fingerprint when the user touches the touchpad membrane 1235. As
also shown in FIG. 9, in this example embodiment, an acoustic
membrane 1236 is mounted to the bottom surface of the screen
membrane 1230 and fills an opening defined through the screen
membrane 1230 proximate an ear hole of the mobile device 1205. The
acoustic membrane 1236 prevents water from entering this opening
while enabling the user to hear audio emanating from the ear hole
of the mobile device 1205.
[0067] To attach the screen membrane 1230 to the upper assembly
body 1260 and form the upper assembly 1210, the adhesive 1282 is
applied to the membrane track 1242 of the first upper assembly body
portion 1240 and the screen membrane 1230 is then placed atop the
adhesive 1282 such that the adhesive 1282 and the membrane track
1242 support the screen membrane 1230. After installation, the
screen membrane 1230 is surrounded by the membrane bezel 1252 of
the second upper assembly body portion 1250 on all sides and, more
specifically, the membrane bezel 1252 contacts the outer perimeter
of the screen membrane 1230. Once the upper assembly 1210 is
formed, the screen membrane 1230, the first upper assembly body
portion 1240, the second upper assembly body portion 1250, the
headphone jack door 1270, the headphone jack door connector 1275,
the power input door 1280, and the power input door connector 1285
are not intended to come apart. More specifically, when a user
installs or removes the mobile device 1205 from the case 1200, the
upper assembly 1210 separates as a single unit from the bottom
assembly 1220. Thus, in this illustrated embodiment, the top
surface of the case 1200 is made up of or includes the top surfaces
of the screen membrane 1230, the membrane bezel 1252, and the first
upper assembly body portion 1240, and those component top surfaces
are flush with one another such that the top surface of the case
1200 is completely flat (i.e., does not include an obtrusive
protective rim).
[0068] In certain embodiments, after curing the adhesive is
transparent. In other embodiments, after curing the adhesive is
translucent. In further embodiments, after curing the adhesive is
opaque.
[0069] The bottom assembly 1220 includes an outer bottom assembly
portion 1222, an inner bottom assembly portion 1224, and a lens
assembly module 1226.
[0070] The outer bottom assembly portion 1222 is made of a
generally rigid, hard material such as thermoplastic polyurethane
(or any other suitable material).
[0071] The inner bottom assembly portion 1224 is attached to the
outer bottom assembly portion 1222. The inner bottom assembly
portion 1224 includes latticework configured to absorb impacts and
transfer heat away from the mobile device 1205. It should be
appreciated that this particular illustrated latticework is merely
one example type of latticework that may be employed, and that any
other suitable latticework may be employed. As best shown in FIG.
15, the inner bottom assembly portion 1224 defines an
inwardly-extending mounting ridge receiving groove 1224a around the
outer perimeter of the inner bottom assembly portion 1224. As
described below, the mounting ridge receiving groove 1224a is
configured to receive the mounting ridge 1247 of the upper assembly
1210 to attach the bottom assembly 1220 to the upper assembly
1210.
[0072] The inner bottom assembly portion 1224 is made of a
generally compressible, cushioning material such as polystyrene (or
any other suitable material).
[0073] The lens assembly module 1226 facilitates use of the camera
on the back of the mobile device 1205 when the mobile device 1205
is contained within the case 1200. The lens assembly module 1226 is
set in a rigid plastic housing that is attached to the outer bottom
assembly portion 1222 via a snap-fit, a press-fit, an adhesive, or
any other suitable manner. In various embodiments, the lens
assembly module 1226 is configured to reduce or prevent reflection,
such as by being made of a dark colored material.
[0074] To install the mobile device 1205 into the case 122 in this
embodiment, a user first places the mobile device 1205 in the upper
assembly 1210. The user then positions the top surface of the inner
bottom assembly portion 1224 against the bottom surface of the
mounting ridge 1247 of the sidewall 1246. The user then pushes the
bottom assembly 1220 toward the screen membrane 1230, which forces
the inner bottom assembly portion 1224 to comply inward, until the
mounting ridge 1247 is received in the mounting ridge receiving
groove 1224a of the inner bottom assembly portion 1224. As best
shown in FIG. 15, once the mounting ridge 1247 is received in the
mounting ridge receiving groove 1224a, the inner bottom assembly
portion returns to its original shape, thereby retaining the
mounting ridge 1247 within the mounting ridge receiving groove
1224a, attaching the upper and lower assemblies 1210 and 1220,
enclosing the mobile device 1205, and forming a watertight seal
between the upper and lower assemblies 1210 and 1220.
[0075] To install the mobile device 1205 into the case 1200 in
another embodiment, a user first places the mobile device 1205 in
the upper assembly 1210. The user then attaches the bottom assembly
1220 to the upper assembly 1210 by pulling the sidewall 1246 of the
upper assembly 1210 outward and working the mounting ridge 1247
extending around the perimeter of the sidewall 1246 into the
mounting ridge receiving groove 1224a of the bottom assembly 1220.
As best shown in FIG. 15, once the mounting ridge 1247 is received
in the mounting ridge receiving groove 1224a, the sidewall 1246
snaps back to its original shape, thereby attaching the upper and
lower assemblies 1210 and 1220, enclosing the mobile device 1205,
and forming a watertight seal between the upper and lower
assemblies 1210 and 1220.
[0076] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted
without departing from the scope of the novel and non-obvious
techniques disclosed in this application. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departing
from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques
not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that
they will include all techniques falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *