Protective cover for a portable electronic device

• US 10,165,839 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2018
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R., Morine, Alan V., Thomas, Brian P., Johnson, Jamie L., Thompson, Jason M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US15/859,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20180116356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/023 Handles; Grips
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/068 having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A protective cover for use with a portable electronic device includes a flexible membrane configured to wrap around at least a portion of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the flexible membrane The flexible membrane is configured to cover at least sides and a back of the installed portable electronic device. The flexible membrane has elasticity such that it snugly fits the installed portable electronic device to protect the installed portable electronic device. The flexible membrane includes a first opening that aligns with a microphone of the installed portable electronic device for allowing sound transmission from outside the protective cover to the microphone of the installed portable electronic device and a second opening for accessing one or more interactive control features of the installed portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A protective cover for use with a portable electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a stretchable cushion layer configured to wrap around at least a portion of a rigid housing for the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the stretchable cushion layer, the stretchable cushion layer configured to cover at least sides and a back of the housing for the installed portable electronic device, the stretchable cushion layer having elasticity such that it tightly fits the housing to protect the installed portable electronic device;

a first opening in the stretchable cushion layer that aligns with a microphone of the installed portable electronic device, the first opening for allowing sound transmission from outside the protective cover to the microphone of the installed portable electronic device;

a second opening in the stretchable cushion layer for accessing one or more interactive control features of the installed portable electronic device; and

a third opening in the stretchable cushion layer that aligns with a speaker of the installed portable electronic device, the third opening for allowing sound transmission from the speaker of the installed portable electronic device.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cushion layer is formed to have a shape corresponding to an outer surface of the portable electronic device.

3. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cushion layer includes a plug opening covered by a flap.

4. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein an edge of at least one of the first opening and the second opening of the stretchable cushion layer seals to an outer surface of the installed portable electronic device to protect the installed portable electronic device from at least one of dust and water.

5. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cushion layer includes a transparent portion that is configured to align with a camera of the installed portable electronic device.

6. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cushion layer comprises silicone.

7. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the one or more interactive control features of the portable electronic device includes an interactive touchscreen on a front surface of the portable electronic device.

8. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a flexible membrane that at least partially covers an interactive touchscreen of the installed portable electronic device, the flexible membrane having a thickness which allows operation of the interactive touchscreen through the flexible membrane.

9. The protective cover of claim 8 wherein the flexible membrane comprises a material that is different than one or more materials comprising the stretchable cushion layer.

10. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cushion layer comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion adhered to the second portion to form the stretchable cushion layer.

11. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein a portion of the stretchable cushion layer is formed to have a shape which fits over one or more buttons of the installed portable electronic device.

12. The protective cover of claim 8 further comprising an adhesive for affixing the flexible membrane to the portable electronic device.

13. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a third opening in the stretchable cushion layer that aligns with an electrical port of the installed portable electronic device, the third opening for allowing access to the electrical port of the installed portable electronic device.

14. A protective cover for use with a smartphone having an interactive control panel and a microphone, the protective cover comprising:

a cushion layer adapted to stretch around at least a portion of a housing surrounding the smartphone when the smartphone is installed in the cushion layer, the cushion layer configured to cover at least portions of a back, sides, and front of the housing surrounding the installed smartphone, the cushion layer formed to have a size and a shape that corresponds to the smartphone;

a first opening in the cushion layer that aligns with a microphone of the installed smartphone, the first opening for allowing sound transmission from outside the cushion layer to the microphone of the installed smartphone;

a second opening in the cushion layer for accessing the interactive control panel of the installed smartphone; and

a third opening in the cushion layer that aligns with an electrical port of the installed smartphone, the third opening providing access to the electrical port of the installed smartphone;

wherein an edge of at least one of the openings seals to the smartphone to protect the smartphone from at least one of dust and moisture.

15. The protective cover of claim 14 wherein a portion of the cushion layer is formed to have a shape which fits over one or more buttons of the installed smartphone.

16. The protective cover of claim 14 wherein the cushion layer includes a fourth opening for accessing a button of the installed smartphone.

17. The protective cover of claim 14 wherein the cushion layer comprises a first area having a thickness that is different than a second area of the cushion layer.

18. The protective cover of claim 14 wherein the cushion layer is adapted to be removable from the smartphone.