U.S. patent application number 16/294459 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for protective case.
The applicant listed for this patent is EVOLUTIVE LABS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to CHING-FU WANG.
Application Number | 20200046095 16/294459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69179913 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200046095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; CHING-FU |
February 13, 2020 |
PROTECTIVE CASE
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a protective case, which
includes a main frame unit. The main frame unit includes an inner
ring surface and an outer ring surface. The main frame unit has two
first side portions, two second side portions and four round corner
portions. The inner ring surface has a recess recessed toward the
outer ring surface. The recess has at least one second groove
region formed in one of the first side portions, the second side
portions and the round corner portions, and at least one flat
region connected to the second groove region. The second groove
region is adjacent to a bottom surface and recessed toward the
bottom surface. The flat region is configured in the main frame
unit so as to facilitate demolding when the main frame unit is
fabricated.
Inventors: |
WANG; CHING-FU; (TAICHUNG
CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EVOLUTIVE LABS CO., LTD. |
TAICHUNG CITY |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
69179913 |
Appl. No.: |
16/294459 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; H04B 1/3888 20060101 H04B001/3888 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 8, 2018 |
TW |
107127644 |
Claims
1. A protective case, comprising: a main frame unit, including an
inner ring surface surrounding and defining an accommodation space,
an outer ring surface opposite to the inner ring surface, and a top
surface and a bottom surface connected to the inner ring surface
and the outer ring surface and configured toward opposing
directions, wherein the main frame unit includes two first side
portions spaced apart in an up-down direction, two second side
portions spaced apart in a left-right direction, and four round
corner portions connected to the first side portions and the second
side portions, the up-down direction intersects the left-right
direction, the inner ring surface has a recess recessed toward the
outer ring surface, and the recess has at least one second groove
region and at least one flat region, in which the at least one
second region is formed on at least one of the first side portions,
the second side portions and the round corner portions, the at
least one flat region is connected to the second groove region, and
the second groove region is adjacent to the bottom surface and
recessed toward the bottom surface.
2. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising an assembly
unit detachably mounted on the main frame unit, wherein the
assembly unit has two first long sides spaced apart in the up-down
direction and two second long sides spaced apart in the left-right
direction, and the assembly unit includes a ring wall adjacent to
the bottom surface of the main frame unit and an extending wall
extending from the ring wall toward the outside and disposed in the
recess of the main frame unit, in which the extending wall has at
least one snap flange corresponding to and disposed in the second
groove region of the main frame unit.
3. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the recess of the main
frame unit is circumferentially surrounded and has two second
groove regions respectively formed on the second side portions and
two flat regions connected to the second groove regions, and the
extending wall of the assembly unit has two snap flanges
corresponding to and matching the second groove regions.
4. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the recess of the main
frame unit has two second groove regions respectively formed on the
second side portions, and the recess further has two first groove
regions respectively formed on the first side portions, in which
each of the first groove regions is recessed toward the bottom
surface, the recess has four flat regions respectively connected to
the first groove regions and the second groove regions, and the
extending wall of the assembly unit has four snap flanges, in which
two of the snap flanges are adjacent to the first long sides, the
other two of the snap flanges are adjacent to the second long
sides, and the snap flanges are respectively corresponding to and
disposed in the first groove regions and the second groove regions
of the main frame unit.
5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein each of the round corner
portions of the main frame unit has an arc radius of R1 adjacent to
the inner ring surface, the assembly unit further includes four
curved arcs respectively connected to the first long sides and the
second long sides, each of the curved arcs has an arc radius of R2,
the curved arcs are respectively corresponding to the round corner
portions, and R2 is greater than R1.
6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the second groove region
is configured in one of the second side portions.
7. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the ring wall of the
assembly unit forms a circumferential surrounding, and the ring
wall surrounds and defines a hollow portion.
8. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the assembly unit
further includes a base wall connected to the ring wall and is
configured as an entire surface.
9. A protective case, comprising: a main frame unit, including an
inner ring surface surrounding and defining an accommodation space,
an outer ring surface opposite to the inner ring surface, and a top
surface and a bottom surface connected to the inner ring surface
and the outer ring surface and configured toward opposing
directions, wherein the main frame unit includes two first side
portions spaced apart in an up-down direction, two second side
portions spaced apart in a left-right direction, and four round
corner portions connected to the first side portions and the second
side portions, the up-down direction intersects the left-right
direction, the inner ring surface has a recess recessed toward a
first direction, and the recess has at least one second groove
region and at least one flat region, in which the at least one
second region is formed on at least one of the first side portions,
the second side portions and the round corner portions, the at
least one flat region is connected to the second groove region, the
second groove region is adjacent to the bottom surface and recessed
toward a second direction, and the first direction is substantially
perpendicular to the second direction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a protective case for a
handheld electronic device, and more particularly to a protective
case, which can be assembled and dissembled.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, there is a mobile phone case with a replaceable
back cover for mounting on a mobile phone and protecting the mobile
phone. The mobile phone case with the replaceable back cover
includes a main frame unit having a hollow rectangle, and a back
cover with a ring groove detachably mounted to the main frame unit,
in which the back side of the back cover is printed with a fine
pattern and the like. A user may choose different patterns
according to various occasions or clothing, and thus the mobile
phone shows different personal styles upon replacements of
different back covers with various patterns. Hence, the mobile
phone case with a replaceable back cover is quite popular in the
market.
[0003] Although the mobile phone with the replaceable cover can
have the above replacements of back covers, the main frame unit is
formed with the ring groove during press molding, and production
efficiency is affected since demolding is not easy.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is the purpose of the present disclosure to provide a
protective case for facilitating demolding.
[0005] Therefore, the protective case of the present disclosure
includes a main frame unit. The main frame unit includes an inner
ring surface surrounding and defining an accommodation space, an
outer ring surface opposite to the inner ring surface, and a top
surface and a bottom surface connected to the inner ring surface
and the outer ring surface and configured toward opposing
directions. The main frame unit includes two first side portions
spaced apart in an up-down direction, two second side portions
spaced apart in a left-right direction, and four round corner
portions connected to the first side portions and the second side
portions. The up-down direction intersects the left-right
direction. The inner ring surface has a recess recessed toward the
outer ring surface, and the recess has at least one second groove
region and at least one flat region, in which the at least one
second region is formed on at least one of the first side portions,
the second side portions and the round corner portions, the at
least one flat region is connected to the second groove region, and
the second groove region is adjacent to the bottom surface and
recessed toward the bottom surface.
[0006] In the present disclosure, the flat portion is configured in
the main frame unit so to facilitate demolding and enhance
production efficacy when the main frame is manufactured by a press
molding method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other features and effects of the present disclosure will be
clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the
drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a protective case
mounted on a handheld electronic device according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view taken from FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the
main frame unit of the first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the
assembly unit of the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional k along line VI-VI of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
VII-VII of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
VIII-VIII of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
IX-IX of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
X-X of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
XI-XI of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a protective
case mounted on a handheld electronic device according to a second
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of
the assembly unit of the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before the present disclosure is described in detail, it
should be noted that in the following description, similar elements
are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in a first
embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective case 200 is
applicable to be mounted to a handheld electronic device 9. The
protective case 200 includes a main frame unit 3 and an assembly
unit 4.
[0023] The main frame unit 3 is substantially a hollow rectangle,
and includes an inner ring surface 31 surrounding and defining an
accommodating space 30, an outer ring surface 32 opposite to the
inner ring surface 31, and a top surface 33 and a bottom surface 34
connected to the inner ring surface 31 and the outer ring surface
32 and configured toward opposing directions along a bottom-top
direction Y. The main frame unit 3 includes two first side portions
35 spaced apart in an up-down direction Z, two second side portions
36 spaced apart in a left-right direction X, and four round corner
portions 37 connected to the first side portions 35 and the second
side portions 36. The bottom-top direction Y, the up-down direction
Z and the left-right direction X are substantially perpendicular to
each other. Each round corner portion 37 is defined by an inner arc
and an outer arc. Each round corner portion 37 has an arc radius of
R1 adjacent to the inner ring surface 31.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the inner
ring surface 31 of the main frame unit 3 has a recess 311, which is
circumferentially surrounded and recessed toward the outer ring
surface 32. The recess 311 is adjacent to the bottom surface 34. In
the first embodiment, the recess 311 has two first groove regions
312 respectively formed on the first side portions 35, two second
groove regions 313 respectively formed on the second side portions
36, and four flat regions 314 respectively connected to the first
groove regions 312 and the second groove regions 313. More
specifically, each of the first groove regions 312 is disposed in
the center of the corresponding first side portion 35, each of the
second groove regions 313 is disposed in the center of the
corresponding side portion 36, the flat regions 314 are
respectively disposed on the round corner portions 37, and two
sides of each flat region 314 both extend and are connected to the
adjacent first groove region 312 and the adjacent second groove
region 313. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, each of the first groove
regions 312 and each of the second groove regions 313 are recessed
toward the bottom surface 34 along the bottom-up direction Y.
[0025] It is to be noted that when the main frame unit 3 is
fabricated by the press molding method, the configuration of the
flat regions 314 facilitates demolding and enhances production
efficiency.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the assembly unit 4
can be detachably mounted on the main frame unit 3, and the
assembly unit 4 has two first long sides 41 spaced apart in the
up-down direction Z, two second long sides 42 spaced apart in the
left-right direction X, and four curved arcs 43 respectively
connected to the first long sides 41 and the second long sides 42.
The curved arcs 43 are respectively corresponding to the round
corner portions 37, and each curved arc 43 has an arc radius of R2.
In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, by reducing the
outer edge of the curved arc 43, the R2 of each curved arc 43 is
greater than the R1 of the corresponding round corner portion 37,
such that a yield is generated between the assembly unit 4 and the
main frame unit 3 to facilitate assembly or disassembly.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the assembly unit 4 is
substantially rectangular to match the shape of the main frame unit
3. The assembly unit 4 includes a ring wall 44 which forms a
circumferential surrounding and is adjacent to the bottom surface
34 of the main frame unit 3, an extending wall 45 which extends
toward the outside from the ring wall 44, and a base wall 46 which
is connected to the ring wall 44 and configured as an entire
surface. In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there
are patterns (not shown) on the back side of the base wall 46, such
that when the protective case according to the first embodiment of
the present disclosure is mounted on the handheld electronic device
9, the personal visual effect can be exhibited.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the extending wall 45 is
disposed in the recess 311 of the main frame unit 3. In the first
embodiment of the present disclosure, the extending wall 45 has
four snap flanges 451 extending toward the bottom side. As shown in
FIG. 6, two of the snap flanges 451 are respectively adjacent to
the centers of the first long sides 41, respectively correspond to
and match the first groove regions 312 of the main frame unit 3,
and are hooked into the corresponding first groove regions 312. The
other two of the snap flanges 451 are respectively adjacent to the
centers of the second long sides 42 as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11,
and these two snap flanges 451 respectively correspond to and match
the second groove regions 313 of the main frame unit 3, and are
hooked into the corresponding second groove regions 313. The
extending wall 45 is disposed in the recess 311 of the main frame
unit 3.
[0029] Based on the above, the hooking of the snap flanges 451 to
the first groove regions 312 and the second groove regions 313
enables the assembly unit 4 to be stably mounted on the main frame
unit 3 without accidental separation. In other variations, the
first groove regions 312 can be omitted for the recess 311 of the
main frame unit 3, and also the two snap flanges 451 adjacent to
the centers of the first long sides 41 are omitted for the assembly
unit 4, such that the two snap flanges 451 adjacent to the centers
of the second long sides 42 are hooked into the second groove
regions 313. The assembly unit 4 can thus be stably mounted on the
main frame unit 3 without accidental separation. Similarly, in
other variations, the second groove regions 313 can be omitted for
the recess 311 of the main frame unit 3, and also the two snap
flanges 451 adjacent to the centers of the second long sides 42 are
omitted for the assembly unit 4, such that the two snap flanges 451
adjacent to the centers of the first long sides 41 are hooked into
the first groove regions 312.
[0030] it should be noted that in the above embodiment, for
convenience of explanation and understanding, the first groove
regions 312 in the recess 311 are symmetrically disposed in the
main frame unit 3 and formed in the centers of the first side
portions 35, and the second groove regions 313 in the recess 311
are symmetrically disposed in the main frame unit 3 and formed in
the centers of the second side portions 36. However, the present
disclosure is not limited to the above illustration. The first
groove regions 312 and the second groove regions 313 are not
limited to be disposed in the centers of the first side portions 35
or the second side portions 36, and are not limited to be disposed
symmetrically. In other words, the first groove regions 312 and the
second groove regions 313 can be optionally formed at any positions
of the first side portions 35, the second side portions 36 or the
round corner portions 37, and the numbers of the first groove
regions 312 and the second groove regions 313 formed in the first
side portions 35 or the second side portions 36 are not limited.
For example, one of the first side portions 35 has one first groove
region 312, and the other of the first side portions 35 has no
first groove region 312 and second groove region 313.
Alternatively, one of the second side portions 36 has one second
groove region 313, and the other of the second side portions 36 has
no first groove region 312 and second groove region 313. Further,
in the above embodiment, the first groove regions 312 and the
second groove regions 313 are disposed in the first side portions
35 and the second side portions 36, and the flat regions 314 are
disposed in the round corner portions 37. However, the present
disclosure is not limited to the above illustration. In other
embodiments, the first groove regions 312 and the second groove
regions 313 can be disposed in the round corner portions 37, and
the flat regions 314 can be disposed in the first side portions 35
and the second side portions 36. Similarly, it can be that any one
of the four round corner portions 37 has the second groove region
313. In the above embodiment, as long as the number and the
positions of the snap flanges 451 of the assembly unit 4 are
correspondingly varied, the hooking of each snap flange 451 into
each first groove region or second groove region 313 can be kept.
These variations are all within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, in use, after the assembly unit 4 is
mounted on the main frame unit 3 and the protective case 200 of the
first embodiment is formed, the handheld electronic device 9 can be
assembled into the first embodiment. If another assembly unit (not
shown) is used for the replacement, the handheld electronic device
9 is first dissembled from the first embodiment, the assembly unit
4 is then dissembled from the main frame unit 3, the another
assembly unit is assembled to the main frame unit 3, and then the
handheld electronic device 9 is assembled into the protective case
200, so as to complete the replacement.
[0032] Based on the above descriptions, the advantages of the
present disclosure can be summarized as follows.
[0033] 1. The snap flanges 451 are respectively hooked into the
first groove region 312 and the second groove regions 313, such
that the assembly unit 4 can be stably mounted on the main frame
unit 3.
[0034] 2. The flat regions 314 are disposed in the recess 311 of
the main frame unit 3, such that when the main frame unit 3 is
manufactured by a press molding method, it is easy to demold and
enhance production efficiency.
[0035] 3. By reducing the outer edges of the curved arcs of the
assembly unit 4, the R2 of each curved arc is greater than the R1
of the corresponding round corner portion, such that a yield is
generated between the assembly unit 4 and the main frame unit 3 to
facilitate assembly or disassembly of the assembly unit 4 and the
main frame unit 3.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, which show a protective
case 200 according a second embodiment of the present disclosure,
the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except the
following differences.
[0037] In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the base
walls 46 (shown in FIG. 5) are omitted for the assembly unit 4, and
a ring wall 44 of the assembly unit 4 surrounds and defines a
hollow portion 441, such that the assembly unit 4 forms a frame
strip of a hollow rectangle. The second embodiment is generally
applied in the case where the handheld electronic device 9 needs to
be protected and the back surface of the handheld electronic device
9 can be externally displayed through the hollow portion 441. The
second embodiment provides an alternative option for the
replacement. Therefore, the second embodiment has the same purpose
and effects as the first embodiment described above.
[0038] The above embodiments are only used for illustrating the
present invention, and the present invention is not limited to
these embodiments. The above embodiments can be properly changed
without departing the scope of claims of the present invention.
* * * * *