BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Art
The invention relates generally to protective and decorative casings for handheld or mobile devices such as a cellular phones, mobile computing devices, and portable digital media players. More specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable covers for mobile phones.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mobile/cellular phones have become quite ubiquitous. Additionally, mobile phone manufacturers and sellers frequently create and sell phones with new designs, new shapes, and new sizes. Moreover, cellular service providers now allow and encourage mobile phone users to “upgrade” their respective phones by getting a brand new phone at least biannually. Each new phone purchase requires the user to purchase new phone accessories, such as car chargers, wall chargers, screen covers, and protective cases. All of these types of mobile phone accessories, especially protective phone cases, are often unique to particular phone designs.
Other mobile electronic devices such as tablet computers, certain laptop computers, digital medial players, and the like are also often used with protective covers. Covers for these other types of mobile must also be replaced each time a use purchases such a device having a new size or shape.
Thus, a need exists for a protective cover for a portable/mobile electronic device such as a cellular phone, mobile computing device, or a portable digital media player, where the cover need not be replaced each time a user purchases a new device. More specifically, a need exist for an expandable phone casing of which may be used with a plurality of phone sizes and shapes.
SUMMARY To address the needs remaining in the art, the present invention comprises, in a first embodiment, an electronic device case, said case comprising: an elastic body; a plurality of protective bumpers attached to said body; and means for releasably attaching said plurality of protective bumpers to said elastic body.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises an electronic device case, said case comprising: an elastic body; a plurality of protective bumpers attached to said body; and a plurality of pairs of pins and receivers for releasably attaching said plurality of protective bumpers to said elastic body.
In another alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises a set of electronic device cases, said set comprising: a first elastic body, said first elastic body having a first size and a first shape; a second elastic body, said second elastic body having a second size and a second shape; a plurality of protective bumpers selectively and releasably attachable to said first elastic body or to said second elastic body; and means for releasably attaching said plurality of protective bumpers to first elastic body or to said second elastic body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows: a perspective exploded view of an exemplary assembled expandable case for electronic devices according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A shows: a rear perspective view of an exemplary elastic body for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 2B shows: a front perspective view of the exemplary elastic body of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 shows: an exemplary left top corner “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows: an exemplary left upper side “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows: an exemplary left lower side “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows: an exemplary left bottom corner “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows: an exemplary right top corner “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows: an exemplary right upper side “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows: an exemplary right lower side “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows: an exemplary right bottom corner “bumper” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows: a perspective view of a connecting “pin” for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows: a perspective view of a pin receiving piece for an expandable case according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows: a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present expandable case for electronic devices.
FIG. 14 shows: a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present expandable case for electronic devices.
FIG. 15 shows: a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present expandable case for electronic devices.
FIG. 16 shows: a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present expandable case for electronic devices.
FIG. 17 shows: a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present expandable case for electronic devices.
FIG. 18 shows: a rear perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 19 shows: a rear perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 20 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 21 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 22 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 23 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 24 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
FIG. 25 shows: an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.
The following detailed description is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, in the present description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of expandable case 10000 for electronic devices. Expandable case 10000 generally comprises elastic body 200, protective bumpers 300-1000, and means for connecting protective bumpers 300-1000 to elastic body 200. Each of these elements is further described in greater detail below with respect to subsequent Figures.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown elastic body 200 of expandable electronic devices 1000. Elastic body 200 may be made of any elastic material suitable for holding an electronic device and structurally sound enough to hold a relatively consistent pre-stretched shape. However, elastic body 200 preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, and elastomeric composites. Thus, elastic body 200 is capable of stretching to cover the back and sides of a variety of shapes and/or sizes of electronic devices.
Referring again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, elastic body 200 comprises a generally cuboid shape having a back and four sides. Elastic body 200, therefore, further includes a cavity within said sides for receiving an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an electronic calendar, a mobile digital media player, a laptop computer, or the like. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that elastic body 200 may be of any plane geometric shape with a having a device receiving cavity. For example, elastic body 200 may comprise an extruded oval or other shape suitable for receiving an electronic device.
Referring still to FIG. 2, the back of elastic body 200 of expandable case electronic devices 1000 comprises a length and width. Preferably, the nominal (pre-stretched) length of the back of elastic body 200 is within a range of from about 4.87 inches to about 6.22 inches, and the nominal (pre-stretched) length of the back of the elastic body 200 is within a range of from about 2.31 inches to about 5.06 inches. The nominal depth of the sides of elastic body 200 is within a range of from about 0.28 inches to about 0.30 inches.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the sides of elastic body 200 may further comprise selectively placed protrusions to accommodate mechanical buttons along the sides or backs of electronic devices. These buttons may include, on/off switches, volume control buttons, camera activators, or game controls. Additionally, the sides of elastic body 200 may further comprise selectively placed apertures for accommodating “plug-ins” such as power cords, head phones, microphones, data ports, or the like.
Referring next, collectively, to FIGS. 3-10, there is shown a plurality of protective bumpers 300-1000, which, as shown in FIG. 1, attach to elastic body 200 to preserve the post-stretched shape of elastic body 200 when an electronic device is disposed within expandable case 10000.
Referring still to FIGS. 3-10, each protective bumper 300-1000 comprises a material somewhat more rigid than that of elastic body 200. Generally, protective bumpers 300-1000 comprises a rubber or plastic material suitable for providing protection to an electronic device and holding the post stretched shape of elastic body 200. Preferably, protective bumpers 300-1000 comprise a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, polymers, and rubber. As further illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, protective bumpers comprise specific shapes for each position relative to elastic body 200. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that protective bumpers 300-1000 may comprise a variety of other shapes depending on the size and shape of an electronic device disposed within expandable case 10000.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary protective top left corner bumper 300 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, bumper 300 comprises a shape suitable for covering a corner portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 300 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 300 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 3, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 300 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 300 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 300 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 300 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 3, bumper 300, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 300 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 300 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary upper left side protective bumper 400 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, bumper 400 comprises a shape suitable for covering a side portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 400 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 400 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 4, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 400 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 400 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 400 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 400 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 4, bumper 400, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 400 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 400 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary lower left side protective bumper 500 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, bumper 500 comprises a shape suitable for covering a portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 500 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 500 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 5, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 500 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 500 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 500 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 500 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 5, bumper 500, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 500 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 500 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary left bottom protective bumper 600 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, bumper 600 comprises a shape suitable for covering a corner portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 600 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 600 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 6, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 600 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 600 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 600 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 600 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 6, bumper 600, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 600 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 600 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 7, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary top right corner protective bumper 700 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, bumper 700 comprises a shape suitable for covering a corner portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 700 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 700 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 7, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 700 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 700 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 700 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 700 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 7, bumper 700, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 700 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 700 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary upper right side protective bumper 800 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, bumper 800 comprises a shape suitable for covering a side portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 800 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 800 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 8, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 800 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 800 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 300 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 800 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 8, bumper 800, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 800 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 800 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary lower right side protective bumper 900 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, bumper 900 comprises a shape suitable for covering a side portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 900 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 900 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 9, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 900 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 900 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 900 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 900 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 9, bumper 900, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 900 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 900 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 10, there is shown a perspective view of exemplary right bottom corner protective bumper 1000 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, bumper 1000 comprises a shape suitable for covering a corner portion of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the present expandable case 10000, bumper 1000 may comprise an aperture or protrusion as described above for accommodating a button or external device port for an electronic device. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that bumper 1000 can be sized, shaped, dimensioned, and otherwise designed for use with specific sizes and shapes of electronic devices
Referring still to FIG. 10, expandable case 10000 further comprises means to attach bumper 1000 to elastic body 200. Said attachment means may comprise an adhesive to permanently affix bumper 1000 to a desired location of elastic body 200. Preferably, however, bumper 1000 is releasably connected to elastic body 200 by said attachment means, which may include pairs of cooperative pads of hook and loop connections, such as VELCRO™. Alternatively, said means for releasably connecting bumper 1000 to elastic body 200 comprises cooperating pin 1100 and grommet 1200, which can snap fit together as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 herein.
Referring again to FIG. 10, bumper 1000, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises an aperture. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when bumper 1000 is attached to elastic body 200, is collinear with a corresponding aperture elastic body 200 such that when pin 1100 is snapped into grommet 1200, bumper 1000 and elastic body 200 are clamped together.
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a perspective view of pin 1100. Pin 1100 generally comprises a cylindrical shape. Pin 1100 further comprises a top edge that extends circumferentially out from the main cylindrical body portion. Pin 1100 further comprises a bottom ring that also extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the cylindrical body. The bottom ring of pin 1100 preferably comprises a rounded peripheral edge that extends a somewhat lesser distance from the cylindrical body of pin 1100 than does the top edge. Pin 1100 preferably comprises a hard rubber, thermoplastic, or thermoset material that is resistant to corrosion and nonabrasive. For example, pin 1100 may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, metals, and polymers.
Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a perspective view of receiving grommet 1200. Grommet 1200 generally comprises an extruded ring shape. Grommet 1200 is sized to releasably receive the bottom edge of pin 1100 as a “snap-fit” connection. Grommet 1200 preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, metals, and polymers. As shown in FIG. 1, when engaged, pins 1100 and grommets 1200 cooperate to attach bumpers 300-1000 to elastic body 200.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises bumpers 301-1001 disposed within elastic body 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 13-17 herein. As further illustrated in FIGS. 20-25 herein, interior bumpers 300-1000 may be attached to elastic body 200 via pins 1101 and grommets 1201.
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications, or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the above description is of an exemplary embodiment of the invention and included for illustrative purposes only. The description of the exemplary embodiment is not meant to be limiting of the invention. A person of ordinary skill in the field of the invention or the relevant technical art will understand that variations of the invention are included within the scope of the claims.
