PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20110236629A1
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAGG Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ZAGG Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chipping, Phillip John
• Granted Patent: US 11,169,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/138
• 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: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2419 Fold at edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24264 Particular fold structure [e.g., beveled, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 including nonapertured component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer

Abstract

A protective cover for electronic devices. A device is examined and a film is prepared. The film may include multiple pieces and may have cutouts for discontinuities in the surfaces of the device or to accommodate a user interface. The corners or other portions of the films are then cut such that the films substantially cover the surface of the device without bunching or creating air pockets.

Claims

1. A body cover for an electronic device, the covering comprising:

a first film configured to cover a first surface of an electronic device, the first surface having a screen disposed therein, wherein the first film lays flat against the first surface;

a second film configured to cover a second surface of the electronic device such that the second film lays flat against the second surface, wherein the second film includes edges that wrap around and cover portions of one or more sides of the electronic device, the one or more sides connecting the first surface of the device with the second surface;

a solution that assists in adhering the first and second film to the first and second surfaces of the electronic device, respectively; and

a means for removing any bubbles disposed between first and second film and the first and second surfaces of the electronic device;

wherein one or more cuts formed in the second film, the one or more cuts formed to substantially cover corners of the electronic device such that the second film lays flat against the one or more corners.

2. The protective covering of claim 1, the first film comprising one or more cutout areas, at least one cutout area sized to accommodate a user interface of the electronic device.

3. The protective covering of claim 1, the edges of the second film including cuts such that one or more ports of the device remain accessible to a user.

4. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein both the first film and the second film further comprise an adhesive that adheres the first film and the second film to the device.

5. The protective covering of claim 1, the first film and the second film each having a thickness of:

8 mils or less;

6 to 8 mils;

or

greater than 8 mils.

6. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the solution is applied to the first and second film prior to application of the first and second film to the electronic device, wherein the solution enables delays adhesion of the first and second films such that the first and second films can be properly positioned on the first and second surfaces of the device, respectively.

7. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the one or more cuts are configured to adapt to at least one of:

edges of the device;

sloping surfaces;

ridges;

corners;

rounded corners;

discontinuities in a surface;

ports on the device;

bulges on a surface;

depressions on a surface;

or

rounded surfaces.

8. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the first and second film substantially cover all surfaces of the device including a display of the device.

9. The protective covering of claim 2, further comprising a third film specifically shaped for the user interface.

10. The protective covering of claim 1, the first film further comprising a cutout area to accommodate an inset screen.

11. The protective covering of claim 10, further comprising a third film shaped to substantially cover the inset screen.

12. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the first film and the second film each have at least one of:

a hardness between Shore 25A and Shore 25D;

an elongation of greater than 400%;

or

a tensile strength greater than 9000 psi.

13. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the first film and the second film each have memory such that the first film and the second film deform in response to an impact or abrasion and then return to an original shape.

14. The protective covering of claim 1, wherein the first film and the second film each comprise at least one of:

a urethane;

a thermoplastic elastomer;

a polyether urethane;

a polyester urethane or

an aliphatic urethane.

15. A kit including a body covering for an electronic device, the kit comprising:

a first film configured to cover a first surface of an electronic device, wherein the first film is formed to account for a shape of the first surface;

a second film configured to cover a second surface of the electronic device, wherein the second film is configured to account for a shape of the second surface and to account for one or more ports of the device that are used to connect with a second device such that the one or more ports are not covered by the second film;

a solution that assists in adhering the first and second film to the first and second surfaces of the electronic device, respectively; and

a means for removing any bubbles disposed between first and second film and the first and second surfaces of the electronic device.

16. The kit as recited by claim 15, wherein the first film and the second film each have at least one of:

a hardness between Shore 25A and Shore 25D;

an elongation of greater than 400%;

or

a tensile strength greater than 9000 psi.

17. The kit as recited in claim 16, wherein the first film and the second film each have memory such that each of the first film and the second film deforms in response to an impact and then returns to an original shape.

18. The kit as recited in claim 16, wherein the first film and the second film each comprise at least one of:

a urethane;

a thermoplastic elastomer;

a polyether urethane;

a polyester urethane or

an aliphatic urethane.

19. The kit as recited in claim 16, the first film further comprising an adhesive and the second film comprising an adhesive.

20. The kit as recited in claim 19, wherein the adhesive further comprises one of a pressure bonding or a temperature bonding adhesive.

21. The kit as recited in claim 15, wherein the solution is applied to the first and second film prior to application of the first and second film to the electronic device, wherein the solution enables delays adhesion of the first and second films such that the first and second films can be properly positioned on the first and second surfaces of the device, respectively.

22. The body covering as recited in claim 15, further comprising a plurality of additional films configured to adhere to additional surfaces of the device.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic device is selected from a group including:

a cellular telephone, a digital music player, an audio recorder, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a satellite radio, a watch, a GPS device, a bike computer, a digital camera, a heart rate monitor, a portable DVD player, and a dive computer.

23. An apparatus whose original look is protected with at least one film, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic device having at least a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface includes a user interface that is discontinuous with the first surface and the second surface is not flat;

a first film formed from a urethane plastic and having a hardness between Shore 25A and Shore 25D that adheres to the first surface, the first film having a cutout area to account for the user interface;

an adhesive formed on one side of the first film and configured to adhere the first film to the first surface;

a second film formed from a urethane plastic, the second film having cuts formed therein such that the second film lays flat against the second surface, wherein the second film includes an adhesive that adheres the second film to the second surface

a solution that assists in adhering the first and second film to the first and second surfaces of the electronic device, respectively; and

a means for removing any bubbles disposed between first and second film and the first and second surfaces of the electronic device.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first surface is a front surface and the second surface is a back surface.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a third film configured for the user interface.

27. A body covering comprising:

a first film having a shape adapted to cover a substantial surface area of a device, the surface area including a screen, a front surface and a back surface;

an adhesive connected with the first film, wherein the adhesive adheres the first film to the substantial surface area of the device;

28. A body covering as recited in claim 27, further comprising a solution that is applied to the first film prior to application of the film to the device, wherein the solution enables delays adhesion of the film such that the film can be properly positioned on the device.