MULTIFUNCTIONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE

• US 20120024741A1
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: modulR LLC
• Original Assignee: modulR LLC
• Inventors: Beatty, Joshua, Casto, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,567,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/521
• 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 13/001 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A case for an electronic device includes a main body configured to secure and protect the electronic device and one or more accessory-attachment nodes configured to be coupled to a case accessory. Example case accessories include shoulder straps, car headrest frames, wall-mounting frames, and the like. When the electronic device case is mated to the case accessory using the one or more accessory-attachment nodes, the electronic device may be securely positioned for transport and/or use. Further, the one or more accessory-attachment nodes may allow the case and, in particular, the electronic device coupled to the case, to be easily moved from one case accessory to another case accessory.

Claims

1. A case for an electronic device, comprising:

(a) a main body configured to secure and protect the electronic device, the main body including

(i) a primary section having a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface of the primary section being configured to contact a back surface of the electronic device,

(ii) first and second side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section, the first and second side sections being configured to apply force to a first pair of opposed sides of the electronic device, and

(iii) first and second latch sections extending toward one another, the first latch section extending from the first side section, and the second latch section extending from the second side section, the first and second latch sections being configured to apply force to a front of the electronic device; and

(b) one or more accessory-attachment nodes on the rear surface of the primary section, the one or more accessory-attachment nodes being configured to be coupled to a case accessory.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the primary section of the main body includes a substantially rigid plate overmolded by a softer material.

3. The case of claim 2, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are attached to and extend from a rear side of the substantially rigid plate, with the one or more accessory-attachment nodes being uncovered by the softer material such that the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are accessible to the case accessory.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the primary section of the main body includes one or more threaded holes, and the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are removably screwed into the one or more threaded holes.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the main body is integrally formed of the same material.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the main body and the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are integrally formed of the same material.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise male coupling hardware that is configured to mate with female coupling hardware of the case accessory.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise female coupling hardware that is configured to mate with male coupling hardware of the case accessory.

9. The case of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprises four accessory-attachment nodes.

10. The case of claim 9, wherein the substantially rigid plate is generally rectangular.

11. The case of claim 9, wherein the four accessory-attachment nodes are arranged near four corners of the electronic device.

12. The case of claim 1, wherein each accessory-attachment node includes a neck portion and a head portion, with the neck portion being configured to mate with a slot in the case accessory and the head portion being configured to inhibit removal of the neck portion from the slot of the case accessory.

13. The case of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are magnetic and are configured to be magnetically coupled to the case accessory.

14. The case of claim 1, wherein the main body further includes

(iv) third and fourth side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section, the third and fourth side sections being configured to apply force to a second pair of opposed sides of the electronic device, and

(v) third and fourth latch sections extending toward one another, the third latch section extending from the third side section, and the fourth latch section extending from the fourth side section, the third and fourth latch sections being configured to apply force to the front of the electronic device.

15. The case of claim 14, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side sections of the main body and the first, second, third, and fourth latch sections of the main body all comprise a substantially continuous edge section configured to apply force to the sides and the front of the electronic device.

16. The case of claim 1, further including a cover configured to couple to the main body of the case and/or to the electronic device and to substantially cover the front of the electronic device.

17. A system for protecting an electronic device and using the electronic device in various settings, comprising:

(a) a first case accessory; and

(b) a case for the electronic device, the case including

(i) a main body configured to secure and protect the electronic device, the main body comprising

(A) a primary section having a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface of the primary section being configured to contact a back surface of the electronic device,

(B) first and second side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section, the first and second side sections being configured to apply force to a first pair of opposed sides of the electronic device, and

(C) first and second latch sections extending toward one another, the first latch section extending from the first side section, and the second latch section extending from the second side section, the first and second latch sections being configured to apply force to a front of the electronic device; and

(ii) one or more accessory-attachment nodes on the rear surface of the primary section, the one or more accessory-attachment nodes being configured to be coupled to the first case accessory.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the primary section of the main body includes a substantially rigid plate overmolded by a softer material.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are attached to and extend from a rear side of the substantially rigid plate, with the one or more accessory-attachment nodes being uncovered by the softer material such that the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are accessible to the first case accessory.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the primary section of the main body includes one or more threaded holes, and the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are removably screwed into the one or more threaded holes.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the main body is integrally formed of the same material.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the main body and the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are integrally formed of the same material.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise male coupling hardware that is configured to mate with female coupling hardware of the first case accessory.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise female coupling hardware that is configured to mate with male coupling hardware of the first case accessory.

25. The system of claim 17, further including a second case accessory, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are further configured to be coupled to the second case accessory.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the first case accessory is selected from a group consisting of a stationary wall-mounting frame, a frame with a movable arm, a stand-up frame, a shoulder strap, a car headrest frame, car front-seat frame, and a hand strap.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprises four accessory-attachment nodes.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein each accessory-attachment node includes a neck portion and a head portion, with the neck portion being configured to mate with a slot in the first case accessory and the head portion being configured to inhibit removal of the neck portion from the slot of the first case accessory.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are magnetic and are configured to be magnetically coupled to the first case accessory.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein the main body further includes

(iv) third and fourth side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section, the third and fourth side sections being configured to apply force to a second pair of opposed sides of the electronic device, and

(v) third and fourth latch sections extending toward one another, the third latch section extending from the third side section, and the fourth latch section extending from the fourth side section, the third and fourth latch sections being configured to apply force to the front of the electronic device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side sections of the main body and the first, second, third, and fourth latch sections of the main body all comprise a substantially continuous edge section configured to apply force to the sides and the front of the electronic device.

32. A method of protecting an electronic device and using the electronic device in various settings, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a case that includes

(i) a main body having (A) a primary section with a front surface and a rear surface, (B) first and second side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section, and (C) first and second latch sections extending toward one another, the first latch section extending from the first side section, and the second latch section extending from the second side section,

(ii) one or more accessory-attachment nodes on the rear surface of the main body'"'"'s primary section;

(b) putting the electronic device into the case, including

(i) positioning a back surface of the electronic device in contact with the front surface of the main body'"'"'s primary section,

(ii) positioning a first pair of opposed sides of the electronic device in contact with the main body'"'"'s first and second side sections such that the main body'"'"'s first and second side sections apply force to the first pair of opposed sides of the electronic device, and

(iii) positioning a front of the electronic device in contact with the main body'"'"'s first and second latch sections such that the main body'"'"'s first and second latch sections apply force to the front of the electronic device;

(c) providing a first case accessory; and

(d) coupling the case to the first case accessory, including coupling at least one of the one or more accessory-attachment nodes to the first case accessory.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

(e) providing a second case accessory;

(f) decoupling the case from the first case accessory; and

(g) coupling the case to the second case accessory, including coupling at least one of the one or more accessory-attachment nodes to the second case accessory.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the first case accessory is selected from a group consisting of a stationary wall-mounting frame, a frame with a movable arm, a stand-up frame, a shoulder strap, a car headrest frame, car front-seat frame, and a hand strap.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprises four accessory-attachment nodes.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein coupling the case to the first case accessory includes coupling at least one of the four accessory-attachment nodes to the first case accessory.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein each accessory-attachment node includes a neck portion and a head portion, and wherein coupling the case to the first case accessory includes mating the neck portion of at least one of the one or more accessory-attachment nodes to a slot in the first case accessory.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes are magnetic, and wherein coupling the case to the first case accessory includes magnetically coupling at least one of the one or more accessory-attachment nodes to the first case accessory.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein

the case'"'"'s main body further includes (D) third and fourth side sections each extending frontwardly from the primary section and (E) third and fourth latch sections extending toward one another, the third latch section extending from the third side section, and the fourth latch section extending from the fourth side section, and

putting the electronic device into the case further includes (iv) positioning a second pair of opposed sides of the electronic device in contact with the main body'"'"'s third and fourth side sections such that the main body'"'"'s third and fourth side sections apply force to the second pair of opposed sides and (v) positioning the front of the electronic device in contact with the main body'"'"'s third and fourth latch sections such that the main body'"'"'s third and fourth latch sections apply force to the front of the electronic device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side sections of the main body and the first, second, third, and fourth latch sections of the main body all comprise a substantially continuous edge section.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise male coupling hardware, and coupling the case to the first case accessory includes mating the male coupling hardware with female coupling hardware of the first case accessory.

42. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more accessory-attachment nodes comprise female coupling hardware, and coupling the case to the first case accessory includes mating the female coupling hardware with male coupling hardware of the first case accessory.