PROTECTIVE SECONDARY ENCLOSURE APPARATUS WITH MODULAR FACE PROTECTIVE OPTIONS FOR HANDHELD DEVICES
The present disclosure provides a protective secondary enclosure apparatus with modular face protective options for use with a mobile phone, iPhone, smart device, personal handheld unit, or the like. The protective secondary enclosure apparatus provides environmental protection from scratches, bumps, and the like. The modularity of the protective secondary enclosure apparatus enables different levels of environmental protection and different designs to enhance the fashion appeal of the device being protected.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/112,632 filed Nov. 7, 2008. The content of this prior patent application is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConsumer electronic devices exist such as mobile phones, iPhones, smart devices, and personal handheld units. These consumer electronic devices are provided with a primary enclosure to protect electronic components.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure provides a protective secondary enclosure apparatus with modular face protective options for use with handheld devices such as a mobile phone, iPhone, smart device, or personal handheld unit. The apparatus provides environmental protection from scratches, bumps, and the like. The modularity of the apparatus enables different levels of environmental protection and different designs to enhance the fashion appeal of the device being protected.
The required elements of the apparatus include an enclosure base and a bezel ring surrounding the top surface of the enclosure base. The enclosure base may be made of plastic, wood, metal, silicone, non-woven cloth, or the like. The bezel ring may be made of plastic, metal, wood, silicone, santoprene, rubber, or the like.
The enclosure base and bezel ring are available in different designs. Due to the modularity of the protective secondary enclosure, the different designs are interchangeable.
Primary enclosures are provided with handheld devices such as mobile phones, iPhones, smart devices, and personal handheld units. The enclosures provide some environmental protection for the devices.
In many cases, additional environmental protection is desirable for a handheld device. A secondary enclosure may provide the additional protection. However, all the protective features of the secondary enclosure may not be necessary or desirable. Furthermore, the secondary enclosure may detract from the aesthetic appeal of the handheld device in its primary enclosure.
The present disclosure details a secondary enclosure apparatus for handheld devices which is modular in nature. The modularity of the apparatus enables the handheld device user to choose which protective features to retain.
An unexpected benefit is that the modularity of the apparatus gives the handheld device user many aesthetic feature choices. Various combinations of the enclosure base, bezel ring, and lens may be used to create a customized look for the handheld device user.
The required elements of the apparatus include an enclosure base and a bezel ring surrounding the top surface of the enclosure base. The enclosure base may be made of plastic, wood, metal, silicone, non-woven cloth, or the like. The enclosure base holds the handheld device. The enclosure base may either be made of one piece or two pieces designed to fit together.
The bezel ring may be made of plastic, metal, wood, silicone, santoprene, rubber, or the like. For the purposes of this disclosure, a bezel ring is defined as a grooved ring which is attached to the top edge of the enclosure base. The bezel ring may be used to hold a lens in place. The bezel ring also serves to hold the handheld device in place once it is seated in the enclosure base.
Additional embodiments of the system may incorporate optional element(s). One possible embodiment includes a lens which protects the face of the handheld device. The lens may be integrated with the bezel ring, form a folding flap in conjunction with a hinge attached to the bezel ring, be removable and held in place with a slotted bezel ring, or be a removable lens with integrated flexible bands. The lens may be made of clear plastic, Lexan™, glass, or the like. The lens may have cut-outs to enable the use of a microphone, speaker, and the like.
Another optional element is a strap lanyard. The strap lanyard enables the handheld device to be held around the wrist or a similar hands-free method. The strap lanyard further enables the handheld device to be tied to an object. The strap lanyard may be made of rope, nylon, rubber, or the like.
Another optional element is a belt clip. The belt clip enables the handheld device to be attached to a belt worn on a person. The belt clip further enables the handheld device to be clipped onto an object. The belt clip may be made of plastic, metal, or the like.
While these present invention has been described herein with reference to an embodiment and various alternatives thereto, it should be apparent that the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Rather, many variations would be apparent to persons of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined herein and in the claims.
Claims
1. A protective secondary enclosure apparatus with modular face protective options for handheld devices, which comprises:
- an enclosure base capable of holding a handheld device and attaching to a bezel ring;
- a bezel ring capable of attaching to an enclosure base, holding a handheld device in place, and capable of attaching to a modular face.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a strap lanyard.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a belt clip.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a belt clip.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a modular face comprised of a lens and a hinge, wherein the lens forms a folding flap and is attached to the hinge, the hinge being attached to the bezel ring.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a strap lanyard.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a belt clip.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a belt clip.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a modular face comprised of a removable lens, wherein the lens is held in place with the bezel ring.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a strap lanyard.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a belt clip.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further including a belt clip.
13. A protective secondary enclosure apparatus with modular face protective options for handheld devices, which comprises:
- an enclosure base capable of holding a handheld device and attaching to a bezel ring;
- a bezel ring capable of attaching to an enclosure base, holding a handheld device in place, and having an integrated modular face comprising a lens.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further including a strap lanyard.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 further including a belt clip.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 further including a belt clip.
17. A protective secondary enclosure apparatus with modular face protective options for handheld devices, which comprises:
- an enclosure base capable of holding a handheld device and attaching to a bezel ring;
- a slotted bezel ring capable of attaching to an enclosure base, holding a handheld device in place, and holding a modular face comprising a lens.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a strap lanyard.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further including a belt clip.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a belt clip.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 16, 2009
Publication Date: May 13, 2010
Inventors: Kimberly Elizabeth Channey (Ann Arbor, MI), Roger Lee Merritt (Ann Arbor, MI)
Application Number: 12/581,085
International Classification: B65D 85/00 (20060101);