U.S. patent application number 16/891039 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-17 for protective case for mobile electronic device with storage compartment and pivot stand.
This patent application is currently assigned to Incipio, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Incipio, LLC. Invention is credited to Andy Fathollahi, Timothy Hemesath, Peter Tu.
Application Number | 20200288832 16/891039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004867309 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-17 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200288832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tu; Peter ; et al. |
September 17, 2020 |
PROTECTIVE CASE FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH STORAGE
COMPARTMENT AND PIVOT STAND
Abstract
A protective case for a mobile electronic device that includes a
storage compartment for a user's personal items and a pivot stand
is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a first or main
panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured to cover the
storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such access may be
provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each panel may also
function as independent pivot stand capable of positioning the case
in one or more viewing/operating positions.
Inventors: |
Tu; Peter; (Long Beach,
CA) ; Hemesath; Timothy; (Clovis, CA) ;
Fathollahi; Andy; (Corona del Mar, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Incipio, LLC |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Incipio, LLC
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000004867309 |
Appl. No.: |
16/891039 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15936064 |
Mar 26, 2018 |
10667586 |
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16891039 |
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14921923 |
Oct 23, 2015 |
9936780 |
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15936064 |
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62067953 |
Oct 23, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A45C 2011/003 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101; A45C 2200/15
20130101; H04B 1/3888 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; H04B 1/3888 20060101 H04B001/3888 |
Claims
1. A protective case configured to reversibly receive and retain a
mobile electronic device, said protective case comprising: a device
compartment; a bottom shell portion; an upper portion that is
co-molded to the bottom shell portion; a user storage compartment
defined by the bottom shell portion and the upper portion, wherein
the user storage compartment is dimensioned to receive at least one
personal item; a first panel that is co-molded to the upper portion
at a first hinge, wherein the first panel is configured to lock
closed into the bottom shell portion at a first end and swing
outwardly at a second end along the first hinge to allow access to
the storage compartment; and a second panel that is co-molded to
the upper portion at a second hinge, wherein the second panel is
configured to swing open and closed along the second hinge
independently from the first panel, wherein when the second panel
is moved independently from said first panel, the second panel
forms a support stand configured to allow positioning of the case
in a first operating position, wherein the bottom shell portion
comprises a first material and the upper portion comprises a second
material different than the first material, and wherein the first
material is more rigid than the second material, and wherein the
second panel is lockable within the first panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/936,064, filed on Mar. 26, 2018, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/921,923, filed
on Oct. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/067,953, filed on Oct.
23, 2014, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to protective cases for
mobile electronic devices.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets,
laptops, and the like, are known to sustain damage from impact and
from contamination as a result of the ingress of water or other
fluids. Such damage may result, for example, in a cracked screen,
scratches on a finished surface, lost or damaged buttons or
controls, cracked or bent external body components, and/or failed
or malfunctioning electrical components. Protective cases can
protect mobile electronic devices from such damage and other types
of damage.
[0004] There is a continuing need for protective cases for mobile
electronic devices that are capable of providing a compartment to
carry personal items (e.g., credit cards, cash, change, business
cards, keys, etc.), while also providing multiple viewing/operating
positions.
SUMMARY
[0005] A protective case for a mobile electronic device that
includes a storage compartment for a user's personal items and a
pivot stand is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a
first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured
to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such
access may be provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each
panel may also function as independent pivot stand capable of
positioning the case in one or more viewing/operating
positions.
[0006] The protective case is configured to receive, retain, and
protect a mobile electronic device. Such mobile electronic devices
typically include a front face and a back face that define the
height of the mobile electronic device, a perimeter defined by top,
bottom, right, and left sides residing between the front and back
faces, and corners defined at the intersecting regions of the
sides. The mobile electronic device may be a tablet, a mobile
phone, a gaming device, or another portable handheld electronic
device and may have one or more touchscreens on its front face
and/or back face.
[0007] In some embodiments, the protective case includes two
primary components, a bottom shell portion and an upper portion.
The bottom shell portion is dimensioned and configured to reside
below the back side or face of the electronic device. The upper
portion generally extends from the bottom shell portion and is
dimensioned and configured to cover at least a portion of one or
more sides and/or a portion or a perimeter portion of the front
face of the mobile electronic device.
[0008] The bottom shell portion may be co-molded with the upper
portion as respective first and second layers, wherein the bottom
shell portion layer is made of material that is more rigid than the
co-molded upper portion layer. For example, the bottom shell
portion may be formed of a polycarbonate (PC) material while the
upper portion layer may be formed of thermoplastic urethane (TPU),
a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS), nylon, silicone rubber, or a combination thereof. Additional
layers may also be co-molded or otherwise incorporated into the
protective case.
[0009] In some embodiments, the case includes a hinged storage
compartment that is accessible via a first panel that opens
outwardly from the bottom shell component. When the first panel is
opened outwardly, the storage compartment is accessible and the
first panel may be employed as a pivot stand that is configured to
facilitate the case being positioned at a first angle or
viewing/operating position. A second panel or sub-panel may also be
hinged to the bottom shell component and/or to the first panel and
may also open outwardly from the bottom shell and/or from the first
panel to allow for limited access to the storage compartment and/or
to provide another pivot stand that will allow the case to be
positioned at a second angle that is the same as or different than
the first angle or viewing/operating position. Each of the first
and second panels may be co-molded to the bottom component at a
hinge. The second panel or sub-panel may be co-molded to the first
panel and/or to the bottom shell portion at a hinge that is
constructed of less rigid material than other regions of the panel
and/or bottom shell. In some embodiments, the bottom shell and
compartment panels are constructed of a first material and the
upper shell and hinge are constructed of a second material that is
softer or less rigid than the first material. In some embodiments,
the first panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to
mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom
shell component. In some embodiments, the second panel or sub-panel
is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be
mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component and/or
the first panel. The distal or free end (the end that is opposite
the hinged end) of the second panel and/or the first panel may be
layered or overlaid with the first softer material to mitigate
slippage when the case is in the stand operating position.
[0010] Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with
those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise
disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without
limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method
of manufacture, and/or method of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The figures provided herewith are intended to illustrate but
not to limit the invention. Like reference characters in the
figures denote corresponding features consistently throughout
similar embodiments. Each drawing is generally to scale and hence
relative dimensions of the various layers and components can be
determined from the drawings.
[0012] FIGS. 1A-1F are front face, back face, left side, right
side, top side, and bottom side views, respectively, of an
embodiment of the disclosed protective case with a smart phone
retained therein.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the smart phone and the
disassembled protective case illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F
illustrating the smart phone and components of the case.
[0014] FIGS. 3A-3B are front and back perspective views,
respectively, of the disassembled protective case illustrated in
FIG. 2 showing the smart phone and the first and second layers that
form the bottom shell and an upper portion of the case.
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate different viewing/operating positions
of the mobile electronic device. FIG. 4A shows a storage
compartment second panel or sub-panel pivoted about a first hinge
to provide a first viewing angle, and FIG. 4B shows another storage
compartment panel (together with the second panel or sub-panel)
being pivoted about a second hinge to provide a second viewing
angle that is more upright than the first viewing angle.
[0016] FIG. 5A is a back face view of the protective case
illustrated in FIG. 1 with the storage compartment panels being in
the fully closed position and the smart phone contained within the
case. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in
FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5C-5C
in FIG. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A protective case for a mobile electronic device that
includes a storage compartment for a user's personal items and a
pivot stand is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a
first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured
to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such
access may be provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each
panel may also function as independent pivot stand capable of
positioning the case in one or more viewing/operating
positions.
[0018] The protective case is configured to receive, retain, and
protect a mobile electronic device. Such mobile electronic devices
typically include a front face and a back face that define the
height of the mobile electronic device, a perimeter defined by top,
bottom, right, and left sides residing between the front and back
faces, and corners defined at the intersecting regions of the
sides. The mobile electronic device may be a tablet, a mobile
phone, a gaming device, or another portable handheld electronic
device and may have one or more touchscreens on its front face
and/or back face.
[0019] In some embodiments, the protective case includes two
primary components, a bottom shell portion and an upper portion.
The bottom shell portion is dimensioned and configured to reside
below the back side or face of the electronic device. The upper
portion generally extends from the bottom shell portion and is
dimensioned and configured to cover at least a portion of one or
more sides and/or a portion or a perimeter portion of the front
face of the mobile electronic device.
[0020] The bottom shell portion may be co-molded with the upper
portion as respective first and second layers, wherein the bottom
shell portion layer is made of material that is more rigid than the
co-molded upper portion layer. For example, the bottom shell
portion may be formed of a polycarbonate (PC) material while the
upper portion layer may be formed of thermoplastic urethane (TPU),
a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS), nylon, silicone rubber, or a combination thereof. Additional
layers may also be co-molded or otherwise incorporated into the
protective case.
[0021] In some embodiments, the case includes a hinged storage
compartment that is accessible via a first panel that opens
outwardly from the bottom shell component. When the first panel is
opened outwardly, the storage compartment is accessible and the
first panel may be employed as a pivot stand that is configured to
facilitate the case being positioned at a first angle or
viewing/operating position. A second panel or sub-panel may also be
hinged to the bottom shell component and/or to the first panel and
may also open outwardly from the bottom shell and/or from the first
panel to allow for limited access to the storage compartment and/or
to provide another pivot stand that will allow the case to be
positioned at a second angle that is the same as or different than
the first angle or viewing/operating position. Each of the first
and second panels may be co-molded to the bottom component at a
hinge. The second panel or sub-panel may be co-molded to the first
panel and/or to the bottom shell portion at a hinge that is
constructed of less rigid material than other regions of the panel
and/or bottom shell. In some embodiments, the bottom shell and
compartment panels are constructed of a first material and the
upper shell and hinge are constructed of a second material that is
softer or less rigid than the first material. In some embodiments,
the first panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to
mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom
shell component. In some embodiments, the second panel or sub-panel
is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be
mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component and/or
the first panel. The distal or free end (the end that is opposite
the hinged end) of the second panel and/or the first panel may be
layered or overlaid with the first softer material to mitigate
slippage when the case is in the stand operating position.
[0022] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a protective case 200 for a mobile
electronic device 100, and individually and collectively
illustrate, by way of example only, various of the configuration
and construction aspects of the disclosed protective case. In the
embodiment shown, the case is configured for an Apple.RTM.
iPhone.RTM. 6 Plus smart phone device. It should be understood,
however, that the case may be configured for any mobile electronic
device, including but not limited to portable or cellular phones,
audio/video devices, gaming devices, laptop computers, and tablet
computing devices.
[0023] As best depicted in FIGS. 1A-1F, the protective case 200
includes front and back face walls 210 and 220 and left and right
side walls 230 and 240, and top and bottom side walls 250 and 260.
The side walls 230, 240, 250, and 260 reside between the front and
back faces. Each of the walls 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, and 260 are
dimensioned to correspond in dimension to the front and back faces,
and left, right, top, and bottom sides of a mobile electronic
device 100, respectively. As illustrated in the drawings, the front
face wall 210 includes an aperture that facilitates visibility to
the front face touchscreen of the device 100 and allows for
insertion and removal of the device into and out of the case
200.
[0024] Collectively the side walls 230, 240, 250, and 260 define a
perimeter 270 between the front and back faces 210 and 220 of the
protective case 200 and are dimensioned to receive and retain the
mobile electronic device 100 within the case 200 as depicted in the
drawings.
[0025] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B, a lower or bottom
shell portion 300 is defined by first inner and outer surfaces 310
and 311, respectively, and is dimensioned to cover the back face of
the mobile electronic device 100. The first bottom shell 300 may be
configured to extend to the perimeter of the mobile electronic
device 100 at the back face boundary, which is the perimeter
defined by the intersection of the side walls and the back face of
the mobile electronic device 100.
[0026] The bottom shell portion 300 may be configured to cover the
entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the back face of the
mobile electronic device 100 and may be configured to extend to or
around the entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the
perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100 at the back face
boundary.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom shell portion 300
is configured to cover the back face of the mobile electronic
device 100, with the exception of the flash and camera lens window
aperture 224 and the storage compartment 560 that is covered by the
storage compartment panels 570 and 580 that are hinged and
co-molded to the upper portion 500, which is in turn co-molded to
the bottom shell portion 300. The bottom shell 300 is dimensioned
to extend about the entire perimeter of the back face of the mobile
electronic device 100. It should be understood, however, that
alternative configurations may be employed. Perimeter regions in
the bottom shell 300 that reside between one or more of the corners
may be removed. Mid-section regions of the bottom shell 300 may be
removed to allow for access to, or user utilization of, user
controls, additional touchscreen interfaces, and/or other device
features (e.g., speakers, cameras, lights, microphone, etc.) that
are located on the side walls and/or back face of the mobile
electronic device 100.
[0028] The second layer or upper portion 500 is also defined by
inner and outer surfaces 510 and 511, respectively. The upper
portion 500 is generally dimensioned to cover the top, bottom,
right and/or left sides of the mobile electronic device 100, while
in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 500 extends around
the entire perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100, it may
alternatively have a different configuration. Thus, it is
contemplated that the upper portion 500 may cover the entire, a
majority, half, or less than half of the top, bottom, right and/or
left sides of the mobile electronic device and/or may be configured
to extend around less than the entire, a majority, half, or less
than half of the perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100 in
any combination. The upper portion 500 includes the one or more
mobile electronic device control apertures that extend through the
layer and/or include control buttons or interfaces that are
dimensioned and positioned to allow access to and/or control of the
underlying control buttons and/or ports (e.g., power button, volume
button, ringer silent switch, headphone jack, microphone opening,
speaker grill, and data/charging port) on the mobile electronic
device 100.
[0029] The upper portion 500 and bottom shell portion 300 define a
storage area or compartment 560, which in the illustrated
embodiment is sized to receive personal items such as, but not
limited to, credit cards, a driver's license, cash, etc.
[0030] The bottom shell 300 includes an opening 360 sized to
receive and retain in position a major or first storage compartment
panel 570. The first storage compartment panel 570 is configured to
open and close along hinges 562. The first storage compartment
panel 570 is configured or dimensioned to cover the personal items
stored in the storage area 560 when the first storage compartment
panel 570 is positioned in a closed position, as best illustrated
in FIGS. 1B, 4A, and 5A-C. When the first storage compartment panel
570 is opened as shown in FIG. 4B, personal items such as credit
cards can be inserted into or taken out from the storage area
560.
[0031] The bottom shell portion 300 may have a recessed area or
slot 390 to facilitate a user opening and/or closing the panel 570.
The bottom shell 300 may have one or more stops 370 to provide
support to the panel as well as an ending position for the panel
570 when the panel 570 is in a closed position and may also include
indents 395 that receive protrusions 595 to snap lock the panel 570
in the dosed position.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 570 includes a
secondary opening 576 sized to receive a minor or second panel or
sub-panel 580. The sub-panel 580 is configured to independently
open or close along a hinge 564. When the sub-panel 580 is opened
while panel 570 remains closed as shown in FIG. 4A, the case 200 is
configured to be in a reading/viewing position while personal items
can remain retained and protected safely within the storage area or
compartment 560 that remains covered by the panel 570. The
sub-panel 580 may also serve as a preview window that allows the
user to look into the compartment to confirm the contents thereof
without risking those items falling out of the compartment or being
fully exposed.
[0033] Panel 570 may have one or more stops 574 to provide an end
or fully closed position for sub-panel 580 when sub-panel 580 is
closed into panel 570. Therefore, when panel 570 is pivoted outward
about hinge 562 as shown in FIG. 4B, sub-panel 580 can be retained
therein and the two panels may be moved or pivoted together
outwardly in a locked configuration. A soft tip or gripping region
584 (which may be co-molded onto the panel) is positioned at the
free end 588 of the sub-panel 580. The free end of the sub-panel
580 may have a recess area 586 to facilitate the user opening and
pivoting or moving the sub-panel 580. This soft tip or gripping
surface 584 may also provide additional friction to further
stabilize the standing position on a surface as shown in FIG. 4A
when the case in put in a reading/viewing position. A slot or
recessed area 578 may be configured on panel 570 to provide easy
access to the free end of the sub-panel 580.
[0034] Thus, the case 200 is provided with a storage compartment
560 that is easily accessible while also providing one or more
reading/viewing positions. Hence, when the subpanel 580 is open and
the case 200 is placed on a table or desk as shown in FIG. 4A, the
case 200 provides the user a first reading/operating position. When
the panel 570 is open and the case 200 is placed on a table or desk
as shown in FIG. 4B, the case 200 can provide the user a second
reading/operating position that, as illustrated in FIG. 4B,
positions the mobile electronic device in a more upright or
vertical position than the operating position illustrated in FIG.
4A. Also as illustrated in the drawings, the relative dimensions of
the first and second panels 570 and 580 serve to facilitate
retention of the personal items while allowing the user to stand-up
the case 200 and the mobile electronic device 100 in a
viewing/operating position, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4A. As
illustrated in the drawings, the first or primary panel 570 is more
than double the size of the secondary panel or subpanel 580. The
subpanel 580 is positioned centrally within the primary panel 570
so that the contents of the storage compartment 560 are enclosed
around the perimeter by the primary panel 570 even when the
sub-panel 580 is swung out at the hinge into the open stand
position as illustrated in FIG. 4A.
[0035] While, the first and second or bottom and upper portions 300
and 500 together with the pivot panel 570, pivot sub-panel 580, and
the soft tip or gripping surface 584 may be co-molded all together
to form an integrated case 200 construction or construct, it should
be understood that it is contemplated that only portions of one or
more of the portions or components may be co-molded, or each of the
components may be separately formed and mechanically attached to
one another by clips, snaps, or latches between each of the
components or between, for example, the bottom and upper portions.
A combination of co-molding and mechanical attachment of the layers
or portions thereof may also be employed. In the illustrated
embodiment, the bottom shell portion and upper portion 300 and 500
including the storage compartment panels and sub-panels 570 and 580
and the hinges 562 and 564 are co-molded together, such that the
bottom shell portion 300 and panels and sub-panels 570 and 580 are
made of a first material and the upper portion 500, hinges 562 and
564, and the gripping surface or tip 584 are made of a second
material that is more elastic, softer and/or less rigid than the
first material. The panels 570 and 580 are attached to the upper
portion 500 via flanges 590 that are co-molded to hinges 562 and
564 respectively.
[0036] FIG. 5B best illustrates the flanges 590 that may be
provided to facilitate the connection between the panel 570 and
hinge 562, between the sub-panel 580 and hinge 564, and between the
soft gripping surface or tip 584 and the sub-panel 580.
[0037] In a fully integrated or co-molded construction, the case
200 would be properly dimensioned and have sufficient flexibility
to allow the user to insert and remove the mobile electronic device
100 without damage to the case 200. The flexibility may be
implemented via the materials used to construct the case and the
configuration of the co-molded layers or components. The panels 570
and 580 may be constructed so that they are biased toward the
closed position. In this way the user would need to provide some
force to open or swing the panels 570 and 580 open when accessing
the storage compartment or when being used to support a
viewing/operating position. The weight of the mobile electronic
device will tend to offset the bias of the panels 570 and/or 580
when used to support a viewing/operating position.
[0038] When the components are modular or separable from one
another, a user may wrap the upper portion 500 around the mobile
electronic device 100 and then slip the bottom shell 300 in
position around the upper portion 500 and the mobile electronic
device 100. The clips, snaps, hooks, or other mechanical
attachments may, if needed, be formed or molded into: (a) two or
more of the components at their perimeter regions, (b) the control
buttons and corresponding apertures on the bottom or upper portions
300 and 500 and/or (c) at any region where two layers or components
are in contact or in proximity to one another. Thus, a combination
of co-molding and/or mechanical attachment of the layers may be
employed. It should be understood, however, that the shell portion
300 and upper portion 500 may be dimensioned so that the shell
portion 300 snugly receives the upper portion 500 containing the
mobile electronic device 100 and the force of that snug fit by
itself retains the upper portion 500 (containing the mobile
electronic device 100) within the shell portion 300.
[0039] The materials that form the components may be selected based
on their hardness or rigidity. For example, the bottom shell
portion 300 may be made of a first material that has a first
hardness or rigidity, and the upper portion 500 may be made of a
second material that has a second hardness or rigidity that is
different from the first hardness. In some preferred embodiments,
the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. In some
embodiments, the first rigidity is greater than the second
rigidity.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the material that forms panel
570 and sub-panel 580 is the same as the material that forms the
bottom shell 300. The material that forms the soft less-rigid
gripping surface or tip 584 and hinges 562 and 564 is the same
softer less-rigid material that forms the upper portion 500.
[0041] The bottom and upper portions 300 and 500 may be formed of a
composition composed of one or more materials including but not
limited to polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane (TPU),
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS), nylon, metal, silicone rubber, or any combination thereof.
For example, the bottom shell 300, which is the harder and more
rigid of the two layers, may be formed of a composition composed of
polycarbonate (PC), a combination of polycarbonate and ABS, nylon,
fiber reinforced plastic, and/or metal. The upper portion 500,
which has a softer layer, may be formed, for example, of a
composition composed of TPU and/or TPE, a combination thereof, or
other suitable material(s).
[0042] The bottom shell 300 may have a Shore A durometer hardness
that is 50% or more greater than the second layer or upper portion
500, 40% or more greater than the second layer 500, 30% or more
greater than the second layer, 20% or more greater than the second
layer, or 10% or more greater than the second layer, all .+-.5% as
measured using the American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) standard D2240. The first layer may have a Shore A durometer
hardness of 100.+-.15, 100.+-.10, or 100.+-.5, or 100 as measured
using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
standard D2240. The second layer may have a Shore A durometer
hardness of 65.+-.15, 65.+-.10, 65.+-.5, or 65 as measured using
the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard
D2240. It should be understood that the two layers may have a Shore
A hardness that is any combination of the hardnesses described
above.
[0043] In operation, the user would insert the mobile electronic
device 100 into the case 200 through the more pliable less rigid
upper portion that defines the upper section of the case 200 and
the device compartment. Once inserted into the case 200, the user
may hinge open panels 570 and 580 to access the storage compartment
and insert one or more credit cards or other personal items into
the storage compartment 560 and then close panel 570 with or
without closing panel 580. Once the panel 570 is closed the
personal items are secured within the compartment 560. The user may
then extend the sub-panel 580 to support the case and the mobile
electronic device in the viewing/operating position depicted in
FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the user may extend panel 570 to support
the case and the mobile electronic device in another more upright
viewing/operating position as depicted in FIG. 4B. It should be
understood that the storage compartment 560 may be any shape or
size. For example, the storage compartment 560 may be formed with
greater volume to receive thicker items or may be formed in
different shapes to receive specific sized coins or memory sticks
or other earphones or plugs. In some embodiments, the storage
compartment is dimensioned to receive and store wireless or wired
ear-buds and the controllers and a supporting power source. In
other embodiments, the storage compartment 560 may be dimensioned
to receive and store pharmaceutical products, a passport, or
make-up. The inner surfaces of the panels 570 and or 580 may
include a mirror or reflective surface or a money clip for
retention of cash.
[0044] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
invention disclosed herein. Although the various inventive aspects
are disclosed in the context of certain illustrated embodiments,
implementations, and examples, it should be understood by those
skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the
specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments
and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and
equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of
various inventive aspects have been shown and described in detail,
other modifications that are within their scope will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art based upon reviewing this
disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of this
disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of
the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed
herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation,
and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with or
substituted for one another. The generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is
not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is
to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
[0045] Similarly, the disclosure is not to be interpreted as
reflecting an intent that any claim set forth below requires more
features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect, inventive aspects may reside in a
combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing
disclosed embodiment.
[0046] Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with
those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise
disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without
limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method
of manufacture, and/or method of use.
[0047] All references cited herein are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference.
* * * * *