Cell phone case with integral resilient suspension hook

• US 8,636,183 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zuna Designz, LLC
• Original Assignee: Zuna Designz, LLC
• Inventors: Steiner, Russell C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LARSON, JUSTIN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US13/601,557
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 224/269, 224/929, 224/930, 224/556, 224/544, 224/483, 224/242, D14/250, D14/251, D14/253, 361/679.59
• US Class Current: 224/483
• 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 13/004 Expanding devices for display purposes, e.g. filler for soft luggage
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0008 Ventilation grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

A protective cover for a personal electronic device incorporates a case received over the personal electronic device and providing viewing of a screen on the personal electronic device. At least one suspension flap has a first position extending over an upper edge of the personal electronic device substantially flush with the case and a second position released from the upper edge and rotated rearward. The flap includes an angled element to engage a vent slat to suspend the personal electronic device.

Claims

1. A self-hanging protective cover comprising:

a case received over a personal electronic device and providing for viewing of a screen on the personal electronic device;

at least one suspension flap having a first position engaging an upper edge of the personal electronic device substantially flush with the case and a second position released from the upper edge and rotated rearward, said flap being formed by a pair of slots extending through a top and back of the case with a living hinge and having an angled element to engage a vent slat.

2. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the case is flexible material selected from the set of silicon rubber or elastomerics and said suspension flap is integral to the case.

3. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said angled element is received over the upper edge of the personal electronic device, said angled element sufficiently resilient to be engaged and disengaged over the upper edge.

4. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one suspension flap comprises at least one suspension flap suspending the case in a landscape orientation and at least one second suspension flap suspending the case in a portrait orientation.

5. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one suspension flap is received in a relief in the case.

6. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 5 wherein the angled head has an engagement groove and said relief includes a protrusion to engagement groove in a closed position.

7. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 5 wherein the case is flexible material selected from the set of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) (a thermoplastic elastomer) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plastics.

8. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the case includes a front cutout exposing the screen of the personal electronic device.

9. A self-hanging protective cover comprising:

a case received over a personal electronic device and providing for viewing of a screen on the personal electronic device;

at least one suspension flap having a first position engaging an upper edge of the personal electronic device substantially flush with the case and a second position released from the upper edge and rotated rearwardly, said flap being formed by a pair of slots extending through a top and back of the case, being attached to the case with a strip hinge, and having an angled element to engage a vent slat.

10. The self-hanging protective cover as defined in claim 9 wherein the angled element comprises an angled head received in a relief in the case and further comprising tits extending from the angled head to be removably received in dimples in the relief in the case.

11. A self-hanging protective cover comprising:

a case received over a personal electronic device and providing for viewing of a screen on the personal electronic device;

at least one suspension flap having a first position engaging an upper edge of the personal electronic device substantially flush with the case and a second position released from the upper edge and rotated rearwardly, said flap having an angled element to engage a vent slat;

wherein the suspension flap is received in a relief in the case, said relief incorporating side channels receiving pins extending from the flap, said flap extendible upwards along said channels and rotatable outward from said relief.