U.S. patent application number 16/268311 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-06 for customizable protective case for portable electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Grote, Daniel Poon, Evan Reese.
Application Number | 20190173511 16/268311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56408601 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190173511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poon; Daniel ; et
al. |
June 6, 2019 |
CUSTOMIZABLE PROTECTIVE CASE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A protective case for a portable electronic device includes a
rigid plastic frame bonded to a stretchable rubber cover and a back
panel insert that can be removably inserted into a pocket in the
rear of the stretchable rubber cover and plastic frame. To position
a device in the case, the device is simply inserted into the front
opening of the rigid plastic frame and stretchable rubber cover
such that the edges of the stretchable cover stretch over the
device and secure the device in the case. A variety of different
removable back panels allow the stand to be easily reconfigured to
include a stand for the device case, a pocket adapted to hold
payment cards, a folding style wallet, a mirror or a fabric
covering.
Inventors: |
Poon; Daniel; (Nashville,
TN) ; Reese; Evan; (Nashville, TN) ; Grote;
Paul; (Hampton, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, LLC |
IRVINE |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, LLC
IRVINE
CA
|
Family ID: |
56408601 |
Appl. No.: |
16/268311 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15836572 |
Dec 8, 2017 |
10205480 |
|
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16268311 |
|
|
|
|
15448397 |
Mar 2, 2017 |
9871551 |
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15836572 |
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|
|
|
14941391 |
Nov 13, 2015 |
9590684 |
|
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15448397 |
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|
62078980 |
Nov 13, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0202 20130101;
A45C 13/002 20130101; H04B 2001/3894 20130101; H04M 1/185 20130101;
H04B 1/3888 20130101; H04M 1/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20060101
H04B001/3888; H04M 1/18 20060101 H04M001/18; H04M 1/04 20060101
H04M001/04; H04M 1/02 20060101 H04M001/02; A45C 13/00 20060101
A45C013/00 |
Claims
1. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the
protective case comprising: a bumper having a cover component and a
frame component that are bounded with each other to form a front
opening and a rear opening and configured to surround a perimeter
of a portable electronic device; and a back panel configured to be
removably inserted into the rear opening, wherein the back panel
further comprises a pocket adapted to hold payment cards, and
wherein the back panel further comprises a protrusion in the pocket
that applies pressure to any payment cards placed in the
pocket.
2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the back panel further
comprises a lip and locking tabs positioned around an outer
perimeter of the back panel that are configured to mate with
corresponding surface and cavities positioned around the inner edge
of the rear opening of the bumper.
3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic
device can be positioned and held in the bumper by inserting the
portable electronic device into the front opening such that edges
of the cover component stretch over the portable electronic device
and secure the device in the bumper.
4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the frame component is
made of plastic, and wherein the cover component is made of
rubber.
5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the cover component
further comprises one or more slits, and wherein the frame
component further comprises one or more raised bumpers configured
to extend through the one or more slits of the cover component.
6. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the
protective case comprising: a bumper having a cover component and a
frame component that are bounded with each other to form a front
opening and a rear opening and configured to surround a perimeter
of a portable electronic device; and a solid back panel configured
to be removably inserted into the rear opening, wherein the back
panel can be replaced by an alternative back panel having a
different design or surface, and wherein the alternative back panel
comprises a recessed plastic surface and channel adapted to receive
a fabric.
7. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the back panel further
comprises a lip and locking tabs positioned around an outer
perimeter of the back panel that are configured to mate with
corresponding surface and cavities positioned around the inner edge
of the rear opening of the bumper.
8. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the portable electronic
device can be positioned and held in the bumper by inserting the
portable electronic device into the front opening such that edges
of the cover component stretch over the portable electronic device
and secure the device in the bumper.
9. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the frame component is
made of plastic, and wherein the cover component is made of
rubber.
10. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the cover component
further comprises one or more slits, and wherein the frame
component further comprises one or more raised bumpers configured
to extend through the one or more slits of the cover component.
11. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the
protective case comprising: a bumper having a cover component and a
frame component that are bounded with each other to form a front
opening and a rear opening and configured to surround a perimeter
of a portable electronic device; and a back panel configured to be
removably inserted into the rear opening, wherein the back panel
further comprises a folding style wallet.
12. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the back panel further
comprises a lip and locking tabs positioned around an outer
perimeter of the back panel that are configured to mate with
corresponding surface and cavities positioned around the inner edge
of the rear opening of the bumper.
12. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the back panel
comprises a back panel insert.
13. The protective case of claim 12, wherein the back panel insert
includes a fold open wallet portion with a pocket and a latch.
14. The protective case of claim 13, wherein the latch is a
magnet.
15. The protective case of claim 13, wherein the wallet portion can
be folded to form a stand.
16. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the portable
electronic device can be positioned and held in the bumper by
inserting the portable electronic device into the front opening
such that edges of the cover component stretch over the portable
electronic device and secure the device in the bumper.
17. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the frame component is
made of plastic, and wherein the cover component is made of
rubber.
18. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the cover component
further comprises one or more slits, and wherein the frame
component further comprises one or more raised bumpers configured
to extend through the one or more slits of the cover component.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/836,572, filed Dec. 8, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/448,397, filed Mar. 2, 2017, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/941,391, filed Nov.
13, 2015, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/078,980, filed on Nov. 13,
2014. All of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety and are to be considered a part of
this specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wide variety of different types and designs of cases for
portable electronic devices are known. One problem with existing
device cases is that consumers like a variety of different cases
and like to change and update their cases and devices often. This
means the manufacturers must build and stock a wide variety of
different styles and sizes of device cases and consumers are often
forced to buy a new case to obtain a new design or functionality
even though the old case is still functional. Therefore, what is
needed is an advanced customizable case design that can be easily
changed into a number of different configurations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a
protective case for a portable electronic device. The protective
case includes a rigid plastic frame, a stretchable rubber cover and
a back panel that can be removably inserted into a pocket on a rear
of the stretchable rubber cover. The stretchable cover is
preferably attached to the rigid plastic frame by the manufacturer.
To put a device in the case, the device is simply inserted into
front opening of the rigid plastic frame and the edges of the
stretchable rubber cover stretch over the portable electronic
device such that the device is secured in the protective case. The
back panel includes a hooked lip and locking tabs positioned around
the outer perimeter of the back panel that mate with a
corresponding hooked lip and cavities positioned around the inner
edges of the pocket in the rear of the case assembly. An assortment
of different back panels can be inserted into the pocket in the
case assembly to alter the appearance or function of the case.
These back panels include a stand for the device case. The stand
back panel has a pair sloped edges on a foot of a foldable stand
that allow the stand to support the device case in either a
horizontal or vertical position. The back panel can also have a
payment card pocket adapted to hold payment cards with a protrusion
in the pocket that applies pressure to any payment cards placed in
the pocket to securely hold them. Another back panel having a
folding wallet attached to the panel provides the case with the
functionality of a wallet as well as a viewing stand. The back
panels can also have a variety of different surfaces and designs
such as a mirror or a recess adapted for fabric adhesion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a drawing of an unassembled embodiment of the
present invention without a back panel inserted into the main
protective case assembly.
[0005] FIGS. 2a-2c are respectively a drawing of a back panel for
insertion into the back of the main case assembly, a close up view
of the hooked lips on the stretchable rubber cover and back panel,
and a close up view of a cavity in the stretchable cover that
receives a locking tab.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a solid
back panel inserted in the back of the main protective case
assembly.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a drawing of an unassembled stand back panel
insert for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention with the assembled stand back panel of FIG. 4 inserted
into the back of the main protective case assembly and with the
stand in the open position.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention with a payment card style back panel inserted into the
back of the main case assembly.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention with a wallet style back panel inserted into the back of
the main case assembly.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows that a wallet portion of the wallet style back
panel of FIG. 7 can be folded back to form a stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] The present invention is directed toward an adaptable
protective device case with a removable back panel or insert that
can be replaced with an assortment of inserts that have different
designs and/or functions. The device case preferably includes a
rigid plastic frame bonded to an outer stretchable rubber cover or
bumper that fits around the edges of the rigid frame and holds
enclosed device. A removable back panel snaps into an opening in
the back of the stretchable rubber cover.
[0013] The design of the platform allows a user of the case to mix
and match different rubber covers and back panels with a
standardized rigid frame to create different case designs and
functions. A single case can easily be changed into different
configurations by simply inserting a different insert into the rear
of the main case assembly. For example, the case may include a back
panel tooled for fabric adhesion, a back panel of plain plastic in
various colors, patterns and designs, a back panel for in mold
lamination, a back with a payment card holder, a back with a
folding wallet, a back with a kick stand, and a back with a mirror.
In addition, the case assembly of the present invention is readily
adaptable to different device sizes and styles from various
manufacturers. The cases are preferably sold in a kit that includes
a rigid plastic frame bonded to a rubber bumper or cover and a
matching back panel insert. However, the back panels may also be
sold individually or in sets.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, a drawing of an unassembled
embodiment of the present invention without a back panel inserted
in the main case assembly is shown. The main case assembly 1
consists of a stretchable rubber cover 2 and a relatively rigid
plastic frame 4 that are preferably bonded together during
production. To insert a device into the case assembly 1, the device
is simply pushed into the opening in the front of the case assembly
1 and the edges of the rubber cover 2 stretch over the device such
that the device is securely held inside both the rubber cover 2 and
plastic frame 4 of the case assembly. Raised bumpers 17 on the
plastic frame extend through corresponding openings 15 in the
rubber cover 2.
[0015] The rubber cover 2 and plastic frame 4 have an opening or
pocket 6 in the rear with edges 5 that are adapted to receive and
securely hold a matching back panel or insert. FIG. 2(a) is a
drawing of a back panel insert 8 that snaps into the back opening
in the stretchable rubber cover 2 and plastic frame 4. FIG. 2(b) is
close up cross sectional view of the mating of the hooked back
panel edge 11 with the hooked edge 13 of the rubber cover 2. The
back panels hooked edge or lip 11 is provided with locking tabs 9
that fit into corresponding cavities on the rubber cover 2. The
hooked edge 11 of the back panel 8 mates with the corresponding
hooked edge 13 on the rubber cover 2 to securely hold the back
panel 8 in position with respect to the rubber cover 2. FIG. 2(c)
is a drawing of a cavity 19 in the rubber cover 2 that receives a
locking tab 9. The locking tab 9 rests in the corresponding cavity
19 on the rubber cover 2 such that the back panel is fixed and
prevented from sliding with respect to the rubber cover 2 or
plastic frame 4.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 3, a drawing of the embodiment of FIG.
1 with a solid plastic back panel 8 inserted into the pocket 6 on
the back of the main case assembly is shown. As discussed in more
detail below and above, the edges 8 of the pocket in the back of
the rubber bumper 2 and plastic frame 4 have features such as
hooked edges that allow them to grip and hold an insert inserted
into the back pocket 6. The solid back panel 8 can easily be
replaced by simply pulling it off of the rubber cover 2 and
replacing it with an alternative back panel having a different
design or surface, such as a mirrored surface, to alter the design,
appearance or function of the case. The solid back panels 8 can
also include a recessed plastic surface and channel that are
adapted to receive fabric such that a pleasing fabric or leather
back can be provided to the case. In addition, alternative
stretchable covers 2 can be provided that have different designs or
fabric surfaces, but a standardized back pocket 6 that can receive
any available back panel.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 4, a drawing of an unassembled stand
back panel insert 21 for an alternative embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The stand back panel insert 21 includes three
plastic pieces foot 20, mounting member 22 and mounting member 24,
two hinge pins 26 and a main back panel 28. The main back panel 28
includes cavities 30 and holes 32 into which the plastic pieces 20,
22 and 24 and hinge pins 26 are inserted when the stand back panel
insert is fully assembled. The main back panel 28 includes a hooked
lip 34 with protrusions or tabs 36 around its outer perimeter that
function together with matching hooked lips and cavities on the
inner edges of the opening of the case assembly discussed above
with respect to FIG. 1 to securely hold the back panel in the back
of the case assembly.
[0018] FIG. 5 is drawing of the assembled stand back panel 40 of
FIG. 4 inserted into the case assembly 42 of FIG. 1 with the stand
arm 44 in the extended or open position. When the stand is open
position, the edges 46 of the stand arm 44 function to hold the
case and device in either a horizontal or vertical viewing position
depending upon how the case is positioned on the supporting
surface.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 6, a drawing of an embodiment of the
present invention with a payment card style back panel insert 50
inserted into the main case assembly 52 is shown. The payment card
style back panel insert 50 includes a pocket 54 sized to accept
payment cards and/or folded cash. The pocket 52 has a central
protrusion 56 that flexes and applies pressure to items held in the
pocket 52 so that the items do not fall out of the pocket. Similar
features, such as tabs and hooked lips, to those discussed above
with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 5 are provided around the
edges of the back panel insert 50 to secure it in the rear well of
the case assembly 52.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 7, a drawing of an embodiment of the
present invention with a wallet style back panel insert 60 inserted
into the main case assembly 62 is shown. The wallet style back
panel insert 60 includes a fold open wallet portion 64 that
functions like a standard fold open wallet with a pocket 66 and a
latch 68, which may be magnetic, that holds the wallet closed when
folded. The wallet portion 64 can also be folded back to form a
stand for the device as shown in FIG. 8.
[0021] Although there have been described particular embodiments of
the present invention of a new and useful Customizable Device Case,
it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations
upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the
following claims.
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