Mobile device cases and case system with embedded sidewall shock absorber

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10667589-B2
Application number	US-201615208574-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2016
Priority date	Jul 13, 2015
Publication date	Jun 2, 2020
Grant date	Jun 2, 2020

Abstract

Protective cases and case systems for a mobile device are disclosed. The cases include a multi component structure that defines a compartment that is dimensioned to receive a mobile device and includes one or more shock absorber elements embedded within its side walls. The multi-component construct may be configured as a standalone case or sleeve that reversibly fits within another external component or shell. The shock absorber element may be formed in multiple segments and may be formed of a softer material than adjacent regions of the case and co-molded into a channel in a supporting wall component that is formed of a more rigid material. The shock absorber component may have one or more channels formed in its outer surface and may extend internally into the device compartment to form relatively soft corner pads or cushions. When a shell is employed additional level of protection to the mobile device may be provided. The shell may have transparent side walls that allow visibility to the shock absorber elements so that the user can perceive the protective construction of the case. A screen protector lid that retentively snaps into and out of the case or sleeve so as to provide additional protection to the mobile device is also disclosed. The shell may be used with or without the screen protector lid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A protective case for a mobile device configured to be user removable from said mobile device, said protective case comprising:
a first component comprising side walls having external channels thereon, wherein said first component defines a compartment configured to receive said mobile device and wherein said compartment includes internal corner regions configured to be in contact with corner regions of said mobile device;
a second component co-molded within said external channels, wherein said first component is made of a first polymer material and said second component is made of a second polymer material that is different than said first polymer material, wherein said second polymer material is softer than said first polymer material, and wherein said second component extends through apertures in said first component to form cushion pads located at one or snore internal corner regions, wherein said cushion pads are configured to be in contact with said mobile device when said mobile device is inserted into the first component of the case; and
a shell component configured to reversibly receive said first and second components, wherein said shell component is formed of a material that is more rigid than either said first or second polymer material.

2. The protective case of claim 1 , wherein said first component further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface that define said side walls having an upper end region and a lower end region, and wherein a lip extends inwardly from the upper end region and defines said compartment.

3. The protective case of claim 2 , wherein said lower end region is configured to extend into and form a continuous flexible back face panel, and said back face panel includes a honeycomb pattern on its inner surface defined by relatively elevated honeycomb patterned walls and recessed surfaces residing within said honeycomb patterned walls.

4. The protective case of claim 1 , wherein said shell component comprises a first shell subcomponent comprising an internal side of the shell component and a second shell subcomponent comprising an external side of the shell component co-molded with said first shell subcomponent, and wherein said first shell subcomponent and said second shell subcomponent have different hardness.

5. The protective case of claim 4 , wherein said first shell subcomponent is formed of PC.

6. The protective case of claim 4 , wherein said second shell subcomponent is formed of TPU.

7. A protective case for a mobile device configured to be user removable from said mobile device, said protective case comprising:
a first component configured to receive said mobile device and comprising side walls having external channels thereon;
a second component co-molded within said external channels, wherein said first component is made of a first polymer material and said second component is made of a second polymer material that is different than said first polymer material, wherein said second polymer material is softer than said first polymer material, wherein said second component further comprises an inner surface and a side surface that are in contact and co-molded to said channels of said first component and, wherein said second component further comprises an exterior surface, wherein said exterior surface includes one or more second channels foamed and extending therein; and
a shell component configured to reversibly receive said first and second components, wherein said shell component is formed of a material that is more rigid than either said first or second polymer material.

8. The protective case of claim 7 , wherein said shell component comprises a first shell subcomponent comprising an internal side of the shell component and a second shell subcomponent comprising an external side of the shell component co-molded with said first shell subcomponent, and wherein said first shell subcomponent has a first hardness and said second shell subcomponent has a second hardness.

9. The protective case of claim 8 , wherein said first hardness is greater than said second hardness.

Assignees

• Incipio Llc

Inventors

• Fathollahi Andy
• Tu Peter

Classifications

• A45C2011/003

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A45C2011/001

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A45C13/02 Primary

  Interior fittings; Means, {e.g. inserts,} for holding and packing articles · CPC title

• A45C2200/10

  Transparent walls · CPC title

• A45C2011/002

  Human Necessities · mapped topic