U.S. patent application number 16/910460 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-05 for protective frame.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rohan Vishnubhai Patel. Invention is credited to Rohan Vishnubhai Patel.
Application Number | 20220134970 16/910460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220134970 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Patel; Rohan Vishnubhai |
May 5, 2022 |
PROTECTIVE FRAME
Abstract
Disclosed is improved automobile license plate frame design. By
having a slit surrounding the edge of the automobile license plate
frame, the frame can be inserted onto the automobile license plate
without need of removing the plate. The similar set up also can be
used for other devices.
Inventors: |
Patel; Rohan Vishnubhai;
(Bensalem, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Patel; Rohan Vishnubhai |
Bensalem |
PA |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20210146862 A1 |
May 20, 2021 |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
16/910460 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16432970 |
Jun 6, 2019 |
|
|
|
16910460 |
|
|
|
|
62935666 |
Nov 15, 2019 |
|
|
|
International
Class: |
B60R 13/10 20060101
B60R013/10 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A protective case for an electronic device, that provides
access to at least one functionality of the electronic device,
comprising: a base surface, at least one edge surface, at least one
protruding lip and at least one slit; wherein the base surface is
configured to provide protection to the bottom side of the
electronic device; wherein the base surface extends into the at
least one edge surface; wherein the at least one edge surface is
configured to provide protection to at least four sides and corners
adjacent to the top side and the bottom side of the electronic
device; wherein the at least one edge surface is configured to have
the at least one protruding lip; wherein the at least one
protruding lip secures the electronic device from slipping out of
the protective case; wherein the base surface, the at least one
edge surface and the at least one protruding lip are made of
non-stretchable material; wherein the at least one slit goes
through the at least one protruding lip and at least partially
and/or fully through the at least one edge surface, wherein the at
least one slit is located at and/or near the respective corner of
the protective case; wherein the at least one slit is configured to
flex the at least one edge surface and the at least one protruding
lip enough to enables insertion of the electronic device and to
substantially secure the electronic device firmly within the
protective case; wherein the base surface is configured to provide
rigid protection to the bottom side of the electronic device; and
the at least one edge surface is configured to provide rigid
protection to the at least four sides and corners adjacent to the
top side and the bottom side of the electronic device; wherein the
at least one protruding lip that is made from non-stretchable
material firmly secures the electronic device substantially at the
at least four sides and corners surrounding to the top side of the
electronic device except for the at least one slit.
38. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one slit is configured to serve dual purpose to flex the at least
one edge surface and the at least one protruding lip enough to
enable insertion of the electronic and to provide access to at
least one functionality of the electronic device.
39. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
non-stretchable material is made out of at least one of following:
a. a wooden material; b. a plastic like material; c. a carbon-fiber
material; d. a metal like material; e. a polymer material; f. a
non-stretchable synthetic material; g. an aramid fiber material; h.
a non-stretchable non-synthetic material.
40. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
protective case comprises only one slit and only one edge surface
wherein the one slit is up to as wide as that entire side; wherein
the only edge surface comprises only one lip that provides
continuous protection to the rest of the sides and corners
surrounding to the top side of the electronic device.
41. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base
surface and/or the at least one edge surface has at least one
window.
42. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
protective case is used in combination with another case to provide
at least multiple layers of protection.
43. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one lip is configured by shaping the at least one edge surface to
latch.
44. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one slit is covered by a softer material to provide flexibility and
continuous protection.
45. The protective case as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
window has at least one softer material protruding outward of the
rigid protective case wherein the at least one softer material
provides grip that helps prevent the case from sliding on a smooth
surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Claims priority of U.S. Provisional application 62/935,666
filed on Nov. 15, 2019
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to an automotive
license plate protective frame case for an automobile License plate
and also other valuable items. More so, the present invention
relates to a protective case made of a non-flexible or a semi-rigid
or non-stretchable material that provides maximum coverage. With a
small slit at or near corners a frame made out from rigid
(non-stretchable) material can be installed easily on a device. It
also features a frame made from 2 pieces wherein each of the two
pieces latches on the device independently. It also features a
variation where both the frame pieces additionally inter-lock to
one another to provide better latching strength and coverage.
[0005] It also features a variation where an outer shell is made
from non-stretchable material used in conjunction with softer layer
inside to provide flexibility needed for the device to be inserted
in the protective case.
[0006] The protective frame featured in this application can be
made from non-stretchable material but not limited to the carbon
fiber, kelvar, metal, wood or any material that is non-stretchable,
semi-rigid or rigid material. The stretchable material can be but
not limited to the silicone, rubber, TPU, TPE or any material that
is stretchable and or flexible.
[0007] The protective frame featured in this invention can be made
of hard materials or soft flexible materials. It is easy to insert
a license plate and/or a device in a soft protective case; however,
such soft protective cases provide low grade protection to the
secured device. While protective cases made of hard material
provide better protection it is difficult to insert a device in it.
In an alternative version, a large portion of side walls is removed
from hard protective frame that allows flexibility, which in turn
allows insertion of a device in a hard protective case. This
removal of significant portion of side wall compromises the safety
of the secured device, in case of an accidental fall. In light of
the above mentioned drawbacks, there exists a need of a protective
case that allows ease of insertion of a device while providing high
grade protection to the edges of the device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying figure, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a protective frame 100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a slit and a lip at a corner
region of a protective frame 200, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of a slit and a lip
at a corner region of a protective frame 300, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a protective frame 400, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a protective frame 500, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a protective frame 600, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a protective frame 700, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a protective frame 800, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a protective frame 900, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a protective frame 1000, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a protective frame 1100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a protective frame 1200, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0021] It should be noted that a word "edge" mentioned in this
invention is but not limited to surfaces surrounding the display of
a device. When referred as "back surface" it's the opposite side
surface to the display or display of tag numbers which generally
has camera and back plate in a device and automobile license plate
have a frame in the back.
[0022] It should be noted that the accompanying figure are intended
to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure. This figure is not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying
figure is not necessarily drawn to scale. The similar slit design
concept can be used into various other applications to make
protective or decorative cases out of non-stretchable materials for
variety of products.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments
of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying figures.
The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the
scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments described. This disclosure
may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope
and spirit of the disclosure. It should be understood that the
accompanying figure is intended and provided to illustrate
embodiments of the disclosure described below and are not
necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawing, like numbers refer to
like elements throughout, and thicknesses and dimensions of some
components may be exaggerated for providing better clarity and ease
of understanding. Similar mechanism can be used in various shapes
and sizes to accomplish similar goal for a protective frame made
out of a non-stretchable material. The frame mentioned in this
invention also can be frame cover or protective cover or protective
case. The frame is designed to protect a device. A device here can
be an automobile License plate TAG, mobile device, cellphone,
mobile phone, mobile tablet or a portable electronic device. The
protective frame can be made from non-stretchable material or
stretchable material. Non-stretchable materials includes but not
limited to a wooden material; a plastic material; a carbon-fiber
material; a metal material; a polymer material; a non-stretchable
synthetic material; an aramid-fiber material; a non-stretchable; a
non-synthetic material. A stretch-able material includes but not
limited to a synthetic material; a non-synthetic material; a metal
like material; a wood like material; a plastic like material; a
silicone like material; a carbon-fiber material; a polymer
material; a non-stretchable synthetic material; an aramid-fiber
material; a non-stretchable material; a non-synthetic material; a
stretchable material; a glass like material.
[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the
like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or
importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from
another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a
limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least
one of the referenced item. The entire purpose of the invention is
to allow flexibility by having a slit or slits for a frame to be
inserted on a device.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a protective frame 100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The protective frame
100 has an edge surface 105. The edge surface 105 is designed to
provide protection to all sides perpendicular and surrounding to
the display of the device. The device is not shown in the FIG. 1
for the sake of clarity. The edge surface 105 of the protective
frame 100 is made of a semi-rigid or a non-flexible or a
non-stretchable material. A semi-rigid or non-flexible or
non-stretchable can be aluminium like metal, plastic, wood, a
carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, synthetic material or a non-synthetic
material or a similar non-flexible or non-stretch-able material.
The edge surface 105 secures a device. The edge surface 105 has a
plurality of corner regions 110. Each of the plurality of corner
regions 110 has one or more slits 115 as shown in FIG. 1. The slits
can be in various numbers or in various regions of the edge to
provide flexibility needed for the device to be inserted in the
protective frame 100. The at least one slit needed for entire edge
surface is also possible depending on the region the slit is. At
least one slit also can be featured at or near the corner of the
protective case. The one or more slits 115 to provide little
flexibility to the corner region to enable insertion of a device in
the protective frame 100. In an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the one or more slits 115 can be partial or full. The
slit 115 can stop in the middle of the edge 105 or can be reaching
substantially near a bottom of the edge 105. The back surface 120
has an opening in the centre to provide a view to the back of the
device or to the front screen of the device since the frame
configuration can be used wise-versa. The back surface 120 can be
made of a semi rigid or a non-flexible material. Also the back
surface 120 can be of a substantially square shape or a
substantially rectangular shape or any other shape. In another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the slit 115 is a partial
slit. It will be understood to a person ordinarily skilled in the
art that the one or more slits 115 can be deeper or shallower or in
multiple numbers in the edge region of entire protective case. In
accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, there could
be any number of slits in the corner region 110 and or on the edge
region 105 that protects side of the device. In an embodiment of
the present disclosure, the protective frame 100 has a lip 125. The
lip 125 secures a device to the protective frame 100. It should be
noted that the lip 125 can be of several shapes/sizes and can be
placed at different locations on the protective frame 100. The lip
also can be configured but not limited to as a part of the edge.
The lip also can be on the top and the bottom of the edge surface
105 to secure the device from slipping out of it from top or
bottom. This protective frame 100 also can be configured to be
inverted wherein the protective frame is inserted on the device
from top instead of bottom. As shown in FIG. 1 the edge wall can
provide protection to the entire side of the device. Also a slit
can be wide enough to serve a dual purpose of providing enough
flexibility so the frame can be inserted over a device and provide
functionality to operate the device. Also as shown in FIG. 1 &
FIG. 3 the edge surface can be as tall to provide protection to
entire side section's height from bottom to the top.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a closer view of the corner region 110 of
the protective frame 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The corner region 110 is shown to include one
slit 115 and a lip 125. It will be apparent to a person ordinarily
skilled in the art that various shapes, sizes and numbers of slits
are possible in the entire edge 105 surrounding the device, without
affecting the scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the protective frame
shown in FIG. 1. The cross section shows 3 separate regions for
sake of clarity. The edge region 105, shown as a vertical edge,
protects the sides of the device. The base 130 is attached to the
edge region 105 and is marked with horizontal lines in FIG. 3. Both
the lip 125 and base 130 is curvature or extension of the edge 105
which together secures the device within. The base region's
functionality is to connect all edge regions together. The base
region also acts as a stopper in order to secure the inserted (not
shown) device from slipping out from the bottom side of the
protective case. The grid region 125 is connected to the edge
region 105 and is marked with a grid lines in FIG. 3. The lip
region 125 secures the device between the lip 125 and the base 130.
Additionally the slit 115 is a separation that can through the lip
125 but partially of fully though the edge region 105 to allow
flexibility to insert a device into the protective case. The slit
115 also can go through both the lip 125 and the edge 105 and
extend partially into the base 130. The edge 105, lip 125 and base
130 are all made from non-stretchable material.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the protective frame 400, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The window 120 is
featured to provide access to operate the device including but not
limited to access to speakers of the device, to at least one
display, buttons, charging port or any other operational
functionality. The slits 115 plays a crucial role in allowing a
device inserted into the edge 105 of the frame 400 that is made
from a non-stretchable semi-rigid or rigid material with very
little flexibility. Additionally the frame can have a back
protection layer 130 to protect the back side that is opposite to
the display in most devices. The back side also can be absent or
have a window 120 shown in FIG. 1 in the protective frame 400. This
protective frame 400 also can be configured to be inverted wherein
the protective frame is inserted on the device from top instead of
bottom with a window 120 to operate display as shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates the protective frame 500, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The slit 115 is
missing here at the corner instead a wider slit 135 which serves a
dual purpose of providing flexibility the edge 105 need to insert
the device and an access to operate the device that is inserted
into the protective frame 500 that is made from a non-stretchable
semi-rigid or rigid material with very little flexibility.
Additionally the frame can have a back protection layer 130 to
protect the back side that is opposite to the display in most
devices. The back side also can be absent by leaving a window 120
as shown in FIG. 1 in the bottom part of the protective frame 400.
This protective frame 400 also can be configured to be inverted
wherein the protective frame is inserted on the device from top
instead of bottom.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the protective frame 600, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The slit 115 is
missing here at the corner instead a wide slit 140 provides
flexibility the edge 105 need to insert the device into the
protective frame 500 that is made from a non-stretchable semi-rigid
or rigid material with very little flexibility. The wide slit 140
can be shorter in width than the entire side thus will cover at
least small portion on the side the wide slit 140 had been situated
around. The wide slit also can be as wide as the entire side it's
protecting providing flexibility needed for a device to be inserted
inn.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates the protective frame 700 with a 2-piece
design wherein the outer frame 710 being used with an inner soft
frame 605 made from a softer material than the protective frame 710
which is made from a non-stretchable semi-rigid or rigid material
with very little flexibility. The protective frame 710 has a slit
115 present at the corner which can be present anywhere in the edge
105 surface to provide needed flexibility. Additionally the frame
705 made from softer and stretchable material can have various
configurations and coverage with larger windows or cushion points
to provide usability and protection against an impact. The frame
705 also can be made with softer edge surfaces and harder back
surfaces. Additionally the frame 705 can have a window 120 as shown
in FIG. 1. Additionally the frame can have a back protection layer
130 to protect the back side that is opposite to the display side
in most devices. The back side also can be absent by leaving a huge
window in the bottom part of the protective frame 700. This
protective frame 600 also can be configured to be inverted wherein
the protective frame is inserted on the device from top instead of
bottom keeping rest of the configuration very identical. The
protective frame 700 also can be configured to have each of two
pieces 705 and 710 to be inserted from opposite sides. In other
words the frame 705 can be designed to be inserted on the device
from the top while the frame 710 can be designed to be inserted
from the bottom or wise-versa.
[0032] FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 illustrates a protective frame made in 2
pieces with each of the two pieces having multiple wide slits, edge
surfaces and lip that enables each of the two frame pieces to be
latched on the device independently. Due to each of the case pieces
latches on the device separately, the bulkiness of the case can be
minimized and both the pieces together can provide better coverage
over any of existing configurations. By having multiple latching
points, the configuration assures firmer latching of the case on
the device. By having at least one latching point on each side, the
case is configured to stay flushed with the device most of the time
even during sudden movements of the device. This 2 piece protective
frame configurations can be made from any non-stretchable or any
stretchable materials. The 2 piece configuration variations shown
in this application has each of the two pieces latches
independently to the device. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, at least
one of the two frame pieces latches at 3 spots to the device
providing better attachment of the frame piece to the device it's
been latched upon. Additionally the configurations shown in the
FIGS. 8 to 11 can also be used in conjunction with a soft frame
inside or a softer layer inside to enhance the protection to the
device.
[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates the protective frame 800 that features a
2-piece design wherein the top frame piece 805 and the bottom frame
piece 855 latches on the device (not shown) independently and
provides protection to the device. The top frame piece 805 has a
base 810 from which an edge surface 815 protrudes to provide
protection to the sides of the device (not shown). The top frame
piece 805 latches on the device with help of lip 820. The edge
surface 815 is missing near corner regions of the top frame piece
805. This missing edge surface near the corner regions provides
flexibility for the frame to be inserted upon the device. The
bottom frame piece 855 has a base 860 from which an edge surface
865 protrudes to provide protection to the corners of the device
(not shown). The bottom frame piece 855 latches on the device with
help of lip 870 present on multiple edge surface 865. The edge
surface 865 is missing in the straight regions (between
neighbouring corners) of the bottom frame piece 855. This missing
edge surface near the corner regions provides flexibility for the
frame to be inserted upon the device if the frame is made from
non-stretchable or semi-rigid material. The window 825 and 875 also
can feature to enhance appearance or to provide access to the
device. Together both the frame pieces 805 and 810 can be
configured to provide protection to the all four sides and corners
surrounding the display or to provide protection to all surfaces of
the device while providing access to operate the device where
needed. This configuration shown in the FIG. 8 serves a dual
purpose if the frame 800 is made from a non-stretchable material of
provide little flexibility so the each of the frame pieces can be
inserted over the device and reduces overall bulkiness. The frame
800 also can be made from semi-rigid or flexible material in which
this configuration will help reduce overall bulkiness of the case.
The device can be operated, charged or used for any of its audio or
visual capabilities using an access window 875 that can be present
anywhere on the top frame piece 805 or the bottom frame piece 855
or can be featured by having no coverage to the device at certain
area from any of the two frame pieces 805 and 810 to provide
accessibility to the device from missing coverage region.
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates the protective frame 900 that features a
2-piece design wherein the top frame piece 905 and the bottom frame
piece 955 latches on the device (not shown) independently and
provides protection to the device. The top frame piece 905 has a
base 910 from which an edge surface 915 protrudes to provide
protection to the sides of the device (not shown). The top frame
piece 905 latches on the device with help of lip 920. The edge
surface 915 is missing near corner and straight regions of the top
frame piece 905. This missing edge surface provides flexibility to
the frame piece 905 to be inserted on the device. The bottom frame
piece 955 has a base 960 from which an edge surface 965 protrudes
to provide protection to the corners of the device (not shown). The
bottom frame piece 955 latches on the device with help of lip 970
present on multiple edge surface 965. The edge surface 965 is
missing in the straight regions (between neighbouring corners) of
the bottom frame piece 955. This missing edge surface provides
flexibility for the frame piece 955 to be inserted upon the device.
Additionally any of the two frame pieces can feature an access to
the device on any of the frame pieces 905 and 910. Together both
the frame pieces 905 and 910 can be configured to provide
protection to the all four sides and corners surrounding the
display or to provide protection to all surfaces of the device
while providing access to operate the device where needed. This
configuration shown in the FIG. 9 serves a dual purpose if the
frame 900 is made from a non-stretchable material of provide little
flexibility so the each of the frame pieces can be inserted over
the device and reduces overall bulkiness. The frame 900 also can be
made from semi-rigid or flexible material in which this
configuration will help reduce overall bulkiness of the case. The
device can be operated, charged or used for any of its audio or
visual capabilities using an access window 925 that can be present
anywhere on the top frame piece 905 or the bottom frame piece 955
or can be featured by having no coverage to the device at certain
area from any of the two frame pieces 905 and 910 to provide
accessibility to the device from missing coverage region.
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates the protective frame 1000 that features
a 2-piece design wherein the top frame piece 1005 and the bottom
frame piece 1055 latches on the device (not shown) independently
and provides protection to the device. The top frame piece 1005 has
a base 1010 from which an edge surfaces 1015 and 1020 protrudes to
provide protection to the sides of the device (not shown). The edge
surface 1015 latches on the device with help of lip 1025. The edge
surface 1020 does not extend as much as the edge surface 1015 to
provide a space to the edge surface 1065 from the bottom frame
piece 1055. The bottom frame piece 1055 has a base 1060 from which
an edge surfaces 1065 and 1070 protrudes to provide protection to
the corners of the device (not shown). The edge surface 1065
latches on the device with help of lip 1075. The edge surface 1070
does not extend as much as the edge surface 1065 to provide a space
to the edge surface 1015 from the top frame piece 1005.
Additionally any one or both frame pieces 1005 and 1055 can feature
an access to the device with windows 1030, 1080 or 1085 or by not
covering an area to provide access to the device. This
configuration shown in the FIG. 10 serves a dual purpose if the
case 1000 is made from a non-stretchable material of provide little
flexibility so the each of the case pieces can be inserted over the
device and reduces overall bulkiness. The case 1000 also can be
made from semi-rigid or flexible material in which this
configuration will help reduce overall bulkiness of the case.
[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates the protective frame 1100 that features
a 2-piece design wherein the top frame piece 1105 and the bottom
frame piece 1155 latches on the device (not shown) independently
and provides protection to the device while both the frame pieces
interlocking themselves to one another too. The top frame piece
1105 has a base 1110 from which an edge surface 1115 protrudes to
provide protection to the sides of the device (not shown). The edge
surface 1115 latches on the device with help of lip 1120. The
bottom frame piece 1155 has a base 1160 from which an edge surface
1165 protrudes to provide protection to the corners and a portion
of straight sides between the two corners of the device (not
shown). The edge surface 1165 latches on the device with help of
lip 1170. As shown in FIG. 11 both edge surfaces 1115 and 1165 are
configured to interlock one-other for latching or providing
protection to the device. Additionally any one or both frame pieces
1105 and 1155 can feature an access to the device with windows such
as 1125 or 1175 or by not covering an area to provide access to the
device. This configuration shown in the FIG. 11 serves a dual
purpose if the frame 1100 is made from a non-stretchable material
of provide little flexibility so the each of the frame pieces can
be inserted over the device and reduces overall bulkiness. The
frame 1100 also can be made from semi-rigid or flexible material in
which this configuration will help reduce overall bulkiness of the
case.
[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates the protective frame 1200, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The slit 115 is
covered by a softer or stretchable material (grid) to allow
flexibility to the edge 105 needed to insert a device. The layer
made from a softer material than the material of the edge, marked
as grid covering the slit 105. It is still a slit, but covered by a
softer or flexible material to provide continuous protection. Also
a wider slit 135 which serves a dual purpose of providing
flexibility to insert the device and an access to operate the
device, also has a slit 135 with a grid which represents a softer
or stretchable material conjoining the slit 135. This material
covering slit area provides a protection, provides access since the
material is flexible and provides enough flexibility for the edges
105 to flex during insertion of a device into frame 1200. This
similar set up using a softer or stretchable material to cover any
slit can be applied to any or all of the previous embodiments.
Additionally the slit 115 or window 120 (shown in FIG. 4) covered
by a softer layer can have a softer later that protrudes furtherer
than the neighbouring surface around it and provide a grip when the
frame is being used on a slippery surface. The similar set up can
be used in any of the variations shown in the application for a
purpose of providing a visuals or grip so the frame will not slide
easily even on a slippery surfaces.
* * * * *