Modular case and componentry for handheld electronic devices

• US 20130069499A1
• Filed: 11/14/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Modrell
• Original Assignee: Paul Modrell
• Inventors: Modrell, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/373,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20130069499A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.1
• 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: H05K 5/02 Details

Abstract

A case for handheld electronic device, having a housing configured to couple to and cover at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the handheld electronic device. The case includes a detachable cover having a fixed end opposite a free end, the fixed end forming a hinge with the housing and configured to be detachably released from the housing at the hinge. The housing has a recessed cargo area sized to retain articles within the case. The cover rotates at the hinge from a stowed configuration to an open configuration with respect to the housing. In the stowed configuration, the free end of the cover is positioned adjacent the housing to enclose the cargo area. In the open configuration, the free end is rotated away from the housing to expose the cargo area.

Claims

1. A case for handheld electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

the housing configured to couple to and cover at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the handheld electronic device;

a detachable cover;

the detachable cover having a free end and a fixed end opposite the free end, the fixed end forming a hinge with the housing;

wherein the fixed end of the cover is configured to be detachably released from the housing at said hinge;

the housing having a recessed cargo area configured to retain one or more articles within the case;

wherein the cover is configured to rotate at the hinge from a stowed configuration to an open configuration with respect to the housing;

wherein in the stowed configuration the free end of the cover is positioned adjacent the housing to enclose the cargo area; and

wherein in the open configuration the free end of the cover is rotated away from the housing to expose the cargo area.

2. A case as recited in claim 1, wherein in the closed configuration the cover is at least partially disposed within the cargo area.

3. A case as recited in claim 1:

wherein the hinge comprises a hinge insert;

the hinge insert comprising an insert body and one or more tabs;

the hinge body configured to be rotatably attached to the housing;

the one or more tabs configured to slideably engage the fixed end of the cover; and

wherein the cover is configured to detach from the housing by slideably disengaging the cover from the one or more tabs.

4. A case as recited in claim 3:

wherein the cargo area comprises a generally planar recessed surface;

wherein the cover comprises at least one planar surface configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface when the cover is oriented in the stowed configuration;

wherein the cover comprises one or more receiving apertures at the fixed end of the cover;

wherein the one or more receiving apertures extend into the cover in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface of the cover; and

wherein the one or more receiving apertures are sized to slideably receive the one or more tabs of the hinge insert to releasably engage the cover with the hinge insert.

5. A case as recited in claim 3:

wherein the hinge insert and housing comprise;

a pair of concentrically oriented hinge protrusions; and

a pair of hinge openings configured to receive said hinge protrusions.

6. A case as recited in claim 1:

wherein the housing comprises a window;

the window allowing line of sight for a camera and illumination source of the handheld electronic device;

the housing further comprising a diffuser retractably coupled to the housing; and

wherein the diffuser is configured to retractably extend into the line of sight of the illumination source to alter an optical characteristic of light emitted by the illumination source.

7. A case as recited in claim 3:

wherein the cargo area of the housing comprises a generally planar recessed surface; and

wherein said the planar recessed surface comprises a reflective surface.

8. A case as recited in claim 1:

wherein the cover comprises an outer planar surface and an inner recessed surface opposite the outer planar surface;

the inner recessed surface configured to retain one or more articles;

wherein the cargo area of the housing comprises a generally planar recessed surface;

wherein the outer planar surface is configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface of the cargo area and substantially flush with the housing recess when the cover is oriented in the stowed configuration.

9. A case as recited in claim 1:

wherein the cover comprises a sensor;

the sensor configured to sense one or more physiological characteristics of a user.

10. A system for encasing a handheld electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

the housing configured to couple to and cover at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the handheld electronic device;

the housing having a recessed cargo area;

a first interchangeable cover;

a second interchangeable cover;

the first and second interchangeable covers configured to be interchangeably attached to the housing;

the first and second interchangeable covers each having a free end and a fixed end opposite the free end, the fixed end releasably forming a hinge with the housing;

wherein the fixed end is configured to be detachably released from the housing at said hinge;

wherein the first interchangeable cover or second interchangeable cover, when attached to the housing, are configured to rotate at the hinge from a stowed configuration to an open configuration with respect to the housing;

wherein in the stowed configuration the free end of the cover is positioned adjacent the housing to enclose at least a portion of the cargo area; and

wherein the first interchangeable cover or second interchangeable are sized and shaped to substantially match the size and shape of the recessed cargo area; and

wherein in the open configuration the free end of the cover is rotated away from the housing to expose the cargo area.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the cargo area is configured to retain one or more articles within the case.

12. A system as recited in claim 10:

wherein the hinge comprises a hinge insert;

the hinge insert comprising an insert body and one or more tabs;

the hinge body configured to be rotatably attached to the housing;

the one or more tabs configured to slideably engage the fixed end of the first and second interchangeable covers; and

wherein the first and second interchangeable covers are configured to detach from the housing by slideably disengaging the first or second interchangeable cover from the one or more tabs.

13. A system as recited in claim 12:

wherein the cargo area comprises a generally planar recessed surface;

wherein the first and second interchangeable covers comprise at least one planar surface configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface when the first or second interchangeable cover is oriented in the stowed configuration;

wherein the first and second interchangeable covers comprise one or more receiving apertures at the fixed end of the cover, the one or more receiving apertures of the first interchangeable cover being substantially identical to the one or more receiving apertures of the second interchangeable cover;

wherein the one or more receiving apertures extend into the first and second interchangeable covers in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface of the first and second interchangeable covers; and

wherein the one or more receiving apertures are sized to slideably receive the one or more tabs of the hinge insert to releasably engage the first or second interchangeable covers with the hinge insert.

14. A system as recited in claim 12:

wherein the hinge insert and housing comprise;

a pair of concentrically oriented hinge protrusions; and

a pair of hinge openings configured to receive said hinge protrusions.

15. A system as recited in claim 12:

wherein the cargo area of the housing comprises a generally planar recessed surface; and

wherein said the planar recessed surface comprises a reflective surface.

16. A system as recited in claim 10:

wherein the first and second interchangeable covers comprise an outer planar surface; and

wherein the outer planar surface is configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface of the cargo area and substantially flush with the housing recess when the first or second interchangeable covers is oriented in the stowed configuration.

17. A case for handheld electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

the housing configured to couple to and cover at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the handheld electronic device;

the housing having a recessed cargo area;

a detachable cover;

the detachable cover having a free end and a fixed end opposite the free end, the fixed end forming a hinge with the housing;

wherein the hinge comprises a hinge insert;

the hinge insert comprising an insert body and one or more tabs;

the hinge body configured to be rotatably attached to the housing;

the one or more tabs configured to slideably engage the fixed end of the cover; and

wherein the cover is configured to detach from the housing by slideably disengaging the fixed end of the cover from the one or more tabs

18. A case as recited in claim 17:

wherein the cover is configured to rotate at the hinge from a stowed configuration to an open configuration with respect to the housing;

wherein in the stowed configuration the free end of the cover is positioned adjacent the housing to enclose the cargo area; and

wherein in the open configuration the free end of the cover is rotated away from the housing to expose the cargo area.

19. A case as recited in claim 18:

wherein the cargo area comprises a generally planar recessed surface;

wherein the cover comprises at least one planar surface configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface when the cover is oriented in the stowed configuration;

wherein the cover comprises one or more receiving apertures at the fixed end of the cover;

wherein the one or more receiving apertures extend into the cover in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface of the cover; and

wherein the one or more receiving apertures are sized to slideably receive the one or more tabs of the hinge insert to releasably engage the cover with the hinge insert.

20. A case as recited in claim 18:

wherein the cover comprises an outer planar surface and an inner recessed surface opposite the outer planar surface;

the inner recessed surface configured to retain one or more articles;

wherein the cargo area of the housing comprises a generally planar recessed surface;

wherein the outer planar surface is configured to be substantially parallel to the recessed surface of the cargo area and substantially flush with the housing recess when the cover is oriented in the stowed configuration.