U.S. patent application number 16/678867 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-14 for modular electronic device accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Open Mind Developments Corporation. Invention is credited to Matt Bertulli, Jeremy Lang, Shai Levy, Brad Pedersen.
Application Number | 20200146409 16/678867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70550382 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200146409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lang; Jeremy ; et
al. |
May 14, 2020 |
MODULAR ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESSORY
Abstract
A modular mobile device accessory, comprising an inner
protective case sized, shaped and configured to be fitted by hand
to a mobile device to protect the device from impact; an outer
protective case sized, shaped and configured to fitted by hand on
to, and removed by hand from, the inner protective case; whereby a
level of impact protection, and a size of the device with the
accessory, can be selectively varied.
Inventors: |
Lang; Jeremy; (Saskatoon,
CA) ; Pedersen; Brad; (Toronto, CA) ;
Bertulli; Matt; (Kelowna, CA) ; Levy; Shai;
(Vancouver, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Open Mind Developments Corporation |
Kelowna |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
70550382 |
Appl. No.: |
16/678867 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62757607 |
Nov 8, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/185 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 2011/001 20130101; A45C 11/182 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/18 20060101
A45C011/18 |
Claims
1. A modular mobile device accessory, comprising: an inner
protective case sized, shaped and configured to be fitted by hand
to a mobile device to protect the device from impact; an outer
protective case sized, shaped and configured to fitted by hand on
to, and removed by hand from, the inner protective case; whereby a
level of impact protection, and a size of the device with the
accessory, can be selectively varied.
2. A modular mobile device accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the outer protective case includes a pocket for holding cards or
bank notes.
3. A modular mobile device accessory as claimed in claim 1, the
inner protective case being fittable to the mobile device by
gripping edges of the mobile device.
4. A modular mobile device accessory as claimed in claim 1, the
inner protective case being fittable to the mobile device by a snap
fit on to the mobile device.
5. A modular mobile device as claimed in claim 1, the outer
protective case being fittable to the inner protective case by a
snap fit.
6. A modular mobile device accessory as claimed in claim 1, the
outer protective case being fittable to the inner protective case
by gripping edges of the inner protective case.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/757,607, entitled "Modular Electronic Device
Accessory", filed Nov. 8, 2018, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of accessories
for mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones and
tablets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In recent years, the rate of use of hand-held electronic
devices such as mobile phones and tablets has exploded. Such
devices provide convenient access to communication and computing
capability, and as a result, demand for such devices is very
high.
[0004] Unfortunately, it is not unusual for such devices to be
inadvertently dropped, or otherwise struck against a hard surface.
When something like this happens, it is common for the device
screen to break, or for the body of the device to be dented or
broken. If the impact is severe enough, the internal electronics of
the device may be affected.
[0005] As a result, it has become common for users of such devices
to place protective cases on their mobile devices. Such cases
typically are impact resistant, or impact absorbent, so that the
force of an impact is dissipated within the case, and damage to the
phone is reduced or prevented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, there may be provided a modular mobile device
accessory, comprising: an inner protective case sized, shaped and
configured to be fitted by hand to a mobile device to protect the
device from impact; an outer protective case sized, shaped and
configured to fitted by hand on to, and removed by hand from, the
inner protective case; whereby a level of impact protection, and a
size of the device with the accessory, can be selectively varied.
Optionally, the outer protective case includes a pocket for holding
cards or bank notes. Optionally, the inner protective case is
fittable to the mobile device by gripping edges of the mobile
device. Optionally, the inner protective case is fittable to the
mobile device by a snap fit on to the mobile device. Optionally,
the outer protective case is fittable to the inner protective case
by a snap fit. Optionally, the outer protective case being fittable
to the inner protective case by gripping edges of the inner
protective case. Optionally, the inner protective case can be used
as stand alone case without the outer protective case.
[0007] The above summary is not intended to describe each
illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings included in the present application are
incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They
illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with
the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do
not limit the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows three components of an embodiment of the device
accessory.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device accessory partially
assembled.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device accessory fully
assembled.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows two components of another embodiment of the
device accessory.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an outer case fitted to an
embodiment of an inner case.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a pocket in use in an embodiment of an outer
case.
[0015] FIGS. 7A-G show bottom, perspective, right elevation, rear
elevation, left elevation, front elevation and top views of an
embodiment of an outer protective case.
[0016] FIGS. 8A-E show right elevation, rear elevation, left
elevation, front elevation and top views of another embodiment of
an outer protective case.
[0017] While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various
modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not
to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] It has been found that there are certain trade-offs
associated with the use of protective cases. One such trade-off is
that the cases add to the volume and weight of the mobile device.
In particular, in relation to telephones, an effective protective
case can increase the volume of the phone (with case) by fifty or
one hundred percent. The case can add substantially to the weight
of the phone as well. Since mobile phones are often carried in
pockets, or small handbags, this increase in volume and weight can
cause real inconvenience.
[0019] On the other hand, thin and light protective cases may be
less effective than thicker and heavier cases in preventing
breakage and damage to the phone.
[0020] It will be appreciated that the risk of breakage will vary
according to the circumstances in which the device is carried and
used. For example, if the device is generally located in a thickly
carpeted area, it is less likely to break as a result of being
inadvertently dropped than if it is generally located in an area
with stone floors. As another example, a device belonging to a
person who moves around only rarely during the day may be less
likely to get inadvertently broken than a device belonging to
somebody who moves the device from place to place frequently.
[0021] It is also the case that, in some circumstances, a device
owner may find it easier to carry a bulkier device, while in other
circumstances, it may be harder. For example, a person who carries
a briefcase to work may have no trouble carrying a phone with a
bulky protective case, because the briefcase provides adequate
carrying space. The same person going to a nightclub may have only
a small pocketbook or a clothes-pocket available to carry a phone,
and thus, would find a bulky protective case less convenient.
[0022] It has been discovered that a modular electronic device
accessory is helpful for device owners who face the above-described
trade-offs.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
The modular phone accessory in this embodiment comprises an inner
protective case 12, which fits over the mobile device 10. In FIG.
1, the device 10 is a mobile phone but the invention may be used
with other mobile devices. The inner protective case 12 is sized,
shaped and configured to be fitted by hand on to the device 10, and
remain so fitted, to provide impact protection to the device
10.
[0024] The accessory further includes outer protective case 14.
Outer protective case 14 is sized, shaped and otherwise configured
to be hand-fitted, and to remain fitted, over inner protective case
12, while the inner protective case 12 is fitted to device 10. Case
14 is also configured to be selectively removed by hand.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the inner protective case 12 fitted to the
device 10, while the outer protective case 14 is detached. FIG. 3
shows the outer protective case 14 fitted over the inner protective
case 12, which is in turn fitted to the device 10.
[0026] It will be appreciated that when both protective cases are
fitted to the device 10, the device 10 is better protected against
impact. However, when only inner case 12 is fitted to device 10,
the volume and weight of the phone and associated case are smaller
than when both cases are used. Thus, this modular phone accessory
allows a user to adjust the level of impact protection, and the
weight and volume of the protected phone, to match the user's needs
and circumstances.
[0027] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the modular
accessory. Similar to the first embodiment, the inner protective
case 12 fits over the device 10, and the outer case 16 fits over
the inner protective case 12. The case 16 provides some added
protection against impact, but less than outer protective case 14
of the first embodiment; as can be seen in FIGS. 4-6, case 16 does
not fully cover inner protective case 12, but only partially covers
it.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, case 16 is sized and shaped to provide
a pocket 20 into which material, such as one or more cards 18 or
cash money, can be carried along with device 10. Thus, in addition
to the other benefits of the modular accessory, the accessory can
be used as a replacement for a wallet in some circumstances, thus
reducing the number of objects a user would need to carry.
[0029] Outer case 16 may fit onto inner protective case 12 by means
of a snap fit. Case 16 may be made of relatively hard and smooth
plastic, which provides for a slimmed-down profile, with a lack of
protrusions and friction from the case 16, even when cards and/or
money are positioned in the pocket.
[0030] Inner protective case 12 may be composed of flexible plastic
or rubber or some other material. It may fit on to the mobile
device by surrounding and gripping the narrow sides/edges of the
device. Alternatively, inner protective case 12 may fit on to the
device by means of a snap fit. Also alternatively, case 12 may be
made of a rigid plastic or other materials.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows various views of outer protective case 14. FIG.
8 shows various views of outer case 16.
[0032] The cases 12, 14 and 16 may be made of synthetic or natural
rubber, or plastic, or other materials that can be configured as
described herein, and provide impact protection.
[0033] The references in all sections of this application are
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
[0034] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
invention is not limited to the particulars of this detailed
description. Rather, the invention is to be interpreted as having
the full scope of the disclosure. The invention has been described
in detail with reference to a mobile phone as an exemplary
embodiment, and it applies mutatis mutandis to other mobile
devices, such as tablets, portable digital music players and the
like.
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