Protective case for an electronic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a back panel having an inner surface;
a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, and a right wall, each wall having an inner surface, each of said walls extending from said back panel, wherein said inner surfaces of said walls and said inner surface of said back panel at least partially define a storage volume for receiving a portable electronic device, and wherein a first radius of curvature is formed at an intersection between one of said top wall and said bottom wall and one of said left wall and said right wall; and
at least one dampening member interconnected to said walls, said dampening member comprising an elastic material capable of elastic deformation, and said dampening member forming a second radius of curvature, wherein said second radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature;
wherein said dampening member comprises a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to a plane of a planar screen of said portable electronic device when said portable electronic device is provided within the case, and wherein said cylindrical member has an aperture extending through said dampening member;
wherein said dampening member comprises at least one support member extending radially from said cylindrical member, said at least one support member defining at least another aperture extending through said dampening member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protective case for receiving and retaining a portable electronic device is provided. The case comprises dampening features disposed in at least two corners of the case to protect the electronic device from inadvertent impact and the resultant forces. Various embodiments of the case comprise multi-materials designs and features that allow utilize of various controls and features of the electronic device.
108 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
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a back panel having an inner surface; a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, and a right wall, each wall having an inner surface, each of said walls extending from said back panel, wherein said inner surfaces of said walls and said inner surface of said back panel at least partially define a storage volume for receiving a portable electronic device, and wherein a first radius of curvature is formed at an intersection between one of said top wall and said bottom wall and one of said left wall and said right wall; and at least one dampening member interconnected to said walls, said dampening member comprising an elastic material capable of elastic deformation, and said dampening member forming a second radius of curvature, wherein said second radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature; wherein said dampening member comprises a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to a plane of a planar screen of said portable electronic device when said portable electronic device is provided within the case, and wherein said cylindrical member has an aperture extending through said dampening member; wherein said dampening member comprises at least one support member extending radially from said cylindrical member, said at least one support member defining at least another aperture extending through said dampening member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
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a flexible back panel having an inner surface; a plurality of walls extending from said flexible back panel, wherein said walls and said flexible back panel at least partially define a storage volume for receiving a portable electronic device; an intersection of at least two of said plurality of walls comprising a dampening member, the dampening member comprising an elastically deformable material, wherein said dampening member comprises a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to a plane of a planar screen of said portable electronic device when said portable electronic device is provided within the case, said cylindrical member having an aperture extending through said dampening member; a lip disposed on a distal end of at least one of said walls, wherein said lip is configured to retain said portable electronic device within said storage volume; wherein at least a portion of said flexible back panel and at least a portion of said walls comprise a first material and said dampening member comprises a second material, said first material comprising a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the second material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
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a back panel, at least a portion of said back panel comprising a first material, at least a portion of said back panel comprising a second material, wherein said first material is more rigid than said second material; a plurality of walls extending from said back panel, each of said plurality of walls extending from said back panel, wherein inner surfaces of said back panel and said plurality of walls at least partially define a storage volume for receiving a portable electronic device; a lip disposed on a distal end of said plurality of walls, wherein said lip is configured to retain said portable electronic device within said storage volume; at least one dampening member comprising an elastomeric material, each of said at least one dampening members comprise a cylinder with a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said back panel, and a plurality of supports extending radially from said cylinder, wherein said cylinder and said plurality of supports define a plurality of apertures in each of said at least one dampening members; wherein said case comprises four intersections formed by a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, and a right wall extending from said back panel, and wherein a dampening member is provided at each intersection of said walls, said dampening members adapted to contact corners of said portable electronic device having a substantially rectangular shape and to partially deflect to create an interference fit between said case and said electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification