Electronic device case and method of use

• US 8,573,394 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Clamcase, LLC (Incipio Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ahee, Anthony, Schoenith, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): REYNOLDS, STEVEN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/027,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20110147398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/472, 361/679.27, 361/683, 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 163/42, 163/66, 220/817, 220/810
• US Class Current: 206/320
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved protective cases for hand-held electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to cases that protect and modify the functionality of an electronic device.

Claims

1. An electronic device case comprising;

a lower portion having a front edge, a rear edge, and two substantially parallel side edges and including an inner surface located between the edges, the inner surface having;

i. a planar portion;

ii. a depression portion adjacent the planar portion for receiving an insert so that upon placement of the insert within the depression portion the insert is positioned flush with the planar portion;

wherein the planar portion is located adjacent more than one edge of the depression portion and at least one edge of the depression portion is located adjacent at least one of the side edges of the lower portion;

an upper portion connected to the lower portion, the upper portion including;

i. a frame portion having one or more edges;

ii. a recessed area for receiving an electronic device located within the confines of the frame portion;

iii. a pocket for receiving an edge of the electronic device, the pocket located substantially parallel to at least one edge of the one or more edges of the frame portion;

a hinge portion including;

i. one or more pin structures;

ii. a substantially planar front face and a substantially planar rear face opposing the front face;

iii. a first inner plate adjacent the front face for receiving an attachment means and including one or more indentations for receiving one or more pin structures;

iv. a second inner plate adjacent the rear face and opposing and attached to the first inner plate by the attachment means, the second inner plate including one or more indentations for receiving the one or more pin structures;

wherein the one or more pin structures;

i. includes a means for attaching the hinge portion to the lower portion and upper portion of the case;

ii. each includes a rounded end for placement into the indentations of the second inner plate and a substantially planar end including one or more apertures for receiving an attachment means for attaching the pin structures to the lower portion and upper portion of the case;

wherein the rounded end of one or more pin structures rotating within the indentations when the upper portion of the case is moved.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion includes four pin structures so that two upper pin structures are attached to the lower portion of the case and two lower pin structures are attached to the upper portion of the case.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein the rounded end of the one or more pin structures is contacted with one or more clip portions that conform to the shape of the indentations within the first and second inner plates to facilitate rotation of the one or more pin structures within the indentations.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the attachment means for attaching the first inner plate to the second inner plate includes a plurality of screws located between the upper in structures and the lower pin structures.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion allows for about 360°

movement of the upper portion about the hinge portion.