Portable electronic device case with battery

• US 8,917,506 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2014
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Diebel, Markus, Johnson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/330,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20140321052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 162 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 361/679.41, 206/308.3
• US Class Current: 361/679.56
• 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 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A case for a smartphone electronic device protects and extends the battery life of the smartphone. The case has a first case portion and a second case portion, which assemble together to protect the top, side, and bottom edges of the smartphone. The lower case portion includes a battery to extend the battery life of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A case configured to hold a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

an upper case portion comprising;

a left sidewall configured to be positioned against a left side edge of the portable electronic device;

a right sidewall configured to be positioned against a right side edge of the portable electronic device; and

a back wall extending between the left sidewall and the right sidewall and configured to be positioned rearward of the portable electronic device; and

a lower case portion comprising;

a mechanical coupler configured to slidably engage the upper case portion to removably couple the upper case portion and the lower case portion, wherein the case comprises a front opening configured such that a screen of the portable electronic device is visible through the front opening when the portable electronic device is held by the case;

a lower sidewall configured to be positioned against a bottom side edge of the portable electronic device;

a back wall extending upward from the lower sidewall and configured to be positioned rearward of the portable electronic device, wherein the back wall of the upper case portion and the back wall of the lower case portion are configured to overlap across at least a majority of the back of the portable electronic device;

a battery enclosed in the back wall of the lower case portion;

an inner connector extending upward from the lower sidewall, the inner connector configured to connect to a connector of the portable electronic device, the inner connector coupled to the battery and configured to transfer electrical power from the battery to the portable electronic device; and

an outer connector positioned on an outside of the lower case portion, the outer connector coupled to the battery such that the battery can be charged via the outer connector.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the case is configured to hold a smartphone.

3. The case of claim 1, further comprising a portable electronic device held by the case.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the outer connector is positioned on an outside bottom side of the lower sidewall.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper case portion and the lower case portion are rigid.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises one or more side wall openings to provide access to input features on the portable electronic device.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the back wall of the upper case portion is rearward of the back wall of the lower case portion when the upper case portion and the lower case portion are coupled.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein the lower case portion is configured to receive the portable electronic device, and wherein the upper case portion is configured to slide over the portable electronic device and lower case portion.

9. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper case portion comprises an upper sidewall configured to be positioned against a top side edge of the portable electronic device.

10. The case of claim 1, wherein the back wall of the upper case portion comprises an opening that extends through the back wall of the upper case portion.

11. A case configured to hold a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a first rigid case portion comprising;

a first back portion configured to be positioned rearward of the portable electronic device and to extend across at least a majority of the back of the portable electronic device, the first back portion comprising a battery configured to be positioned rearward of the portable electronic device;

a first connector coupled to the battery and configured to connect to a connector of the portable electronic device to provide power from the battery to the portable electronic device; and

a second connector coupled to the battery and configured to receive power from an external power source to charge the battery; and

a second rigid case portion comprising;

a left sidewall configured to be positioned along a left side edge of the portable electronic device;

a right sidewall configured to be positioned along a right side edge of the portable electronic device; and

a second back portion extending between the left sidewall and the right sidewall and configured to be positioned rearward of the portable electronic device and to extend across at least a majority of the back of the portable electronic device;

wherein the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion are configured to mechanically couple to each other, wherein the case comprises a front opening configured such that a screen of the portable electronic device is visible through the front opening when the portable electronic device is held by the case, and wherein the first back portion and the second back portion are configured to overlap when the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion are coupled.

12. The case of claim 11, wherein the case is configured to hold a smartphone.

13. The case of claim 11, wherein the first rigid case portion is a lower case portion, and wherein the second rigid case portion is an upper case portion.

14. The case of claim 11, wherein the first rigid case portion comprises a mechanical coupler configured to slidably engage the second rigid case portion to removably couple the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion.

15. The case of claim 11, wherein the first rigid case portion comprises a lower sidewall configured to be positioned along a bottom side edge of the portable electronic device, and wherein the outer connector is positioned on an outside bottom side of the lower sidewall.

16. The case of claim 11, wherein the case comprises one or more side wall openings to provide access to input features on the portable electronic device.

17. The case of claim 11, wherein the second back portion is rearward of the first back portion when the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion are coupled.

18. The case of claim 11, wherein the first rigid case portion is configured to receive the portable electronic device, and wherein the second rigid case portion is configured to slide over the portable electronic device and first rigid case portion.

19. The case of claim 11, wherein the second rigid case portion comprises an upper sidewall configured to be positioned along a top side edge of the portable electronic device.

20. The case of claim 11, wherein the second back portion comprises an opening that extends through the second back portion.