Protective case for portable electronic devices

• US 7,988,010 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chang, Chih-Chiang, Yang, Mu-Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/649,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20100258463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/1.5, 220/4.21, 220/4.22, 220/375, 220/754, 220/847, 220/810, 220/756, 220/757, 220/770, 220/769, 220/768, 229/117.22, 229/117.24, 229/117.25, 229/125.18, 229/125.22, 229/125.38, 229/125.11, 229/117.26
• US Class Current: 220/375
• 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 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

Abstract

A protective device for portable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing and a connecting strap. One end of the connecting strap is attached to the first housing and another end of the connecting strap is attached to the second housing. The connecting strap is pulled outwardly to bring the first housing and the second housing together to be connected to each other or pulled inwardly as the first housing and the second housing are separated from each other.

Claims

1. A protective device for portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing defining a cutout;

a second housing; and

a connecting strap, the connecting strap having a first end, a second end, and a flexible strap portion between the first and second ends;

wherein the second housing together to be connected to each other or pulled inwardly as the the first end of the connecting strap is directly fixed to the first housing, a portion of the flexible strap portion adjacent the first end is looped and threaded outward through the cutout, the flexible strap portion is reversely looped and threaded inward through the same cutout and forms a variable length looped portion, the second end of the connecting strap is also directly fixed to the second housing.

2. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a recess portion and a stepped sidewall, the recess portion and the stepped sidewall cooperatively define a receiving cavity having a shape corresponding to the portable electronic device.

3. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stepped sidewall defines the cutout, and the connecting strap is threaded through the cutout twice.

4. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stepped sidewall of the first housing defines a groove, and the second housing forms a latching portion receivable in the groove.

5. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stepped sidewall includes with a lower thick portion and an upper thin portion, a stepped portion therebetween act as ledge to rest against the first housing.

6. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second housing includes a cover portion and a frame portion connected to the cover portion, a flange is formed on the cover portion.

7. A protective device for portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing including a recess portion and a stepped sidewall, the stepped wall defining a cutout;

a second housing including a cover portion and a frame portion, the frame portion joining to the stepped sidewall; and

a connecting strap, the connecting strap having a first end, a second end, and a flexible strap portion between the first and second ends;

the first end of the connecting strap directly fixed to the first housing, a portion of the flexible strap portion adjacent the first end being looped and threaded outward through the cutout, the flexible strap portion being reversely looped and threaded inward through the same cutout and forming a variable length looped portion, the second end of the connecting strap being also directly fixed to the second housing.

8. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recess portion and the stepped sidewall cooperatively define a receiving cavity having a shape corresponding to the portable electronic device.

9. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connecting strap is threaded through the cutout twice.

10. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stepped sidewall of the first housing defines a groove, the second housing forms a latching portion received in the groove.

11. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stepped sidewall includes with a lower thick portion and an upper thin portion, a stepped portion therebetween acts as ledge to rest against the first housing.

12. The protective device for portable electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second housing includes a cover portion and a frame portion connected to the cover portion, and a flange is formed on the cover portion.