GB2527846A

GB2527846A - A case for a mobile phone or other portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2527846A
Application number: GB1411991.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathinka Foster; Ryan White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-04
Filing date: 2014-07-04
Publication date: 2016-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-04
Also published as: WO2016001691A1; GB2527846B; GB201411991D0

Abstract

A case (1, fig. 1), for housing a portable electronic device (100, fig. 2) such as a mobile phone; the case comprises means to allow a display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case; the case includes a cavity 4 suitable for holding one or more personalising objects (3, fig. 1); the case being at least in part transparent 2 to allow personalising objects to be seen from outside the case with means to provide access to the cavity to allow personalising objects to be added or removed from the cavity. In one embodiment of the invention the case extends around the side of the portable electronic device and has a protrusion (51, fig. 7) spaced from a rear wall of the case to retain the portable electronic device so that it is spaced away from the rear wall so as to provide the cavity rearward of the portable electronic device. In another embodiment of the invention the case comprises a first part and a second part wherein the first part moves relative to the second part to provide access to the cavity.

Description

A Case for a Mobile Phone or Other Portable Electronic Device The present invention relates to a case for a mobile phone, tablet computer or other portable electronic device, and particularly a case adapted to be personalised by a user.

W02005/067596 relates to a user customisable case having front and back panels that are elastically connected to allow the case to hold different sizes and shapes of phone.

Attached to an outwardly facing side of one panel is a removaNe retainer in which personalised inserts can be held. This case is not able to retain a mobile phone with a touch display in a way that the display can be used whilst the phone is housed in the case.

W020]2/l70892 details a number of bumper style cases for a mobile phone arranged to rctain an inscrt against the back facc of thc phone. The cases have an open back so that the insert can be seen therethrough. These cases require the phone to be removed from the case in order to add/change/remove the insert, They also provide limited protection to the insert which is likely to become worn or tatty quickly.

There also exist single piece phone covers having sealed cavities incorporated in the back face of the cover that hold diamantes, The cavities are not accessible without destroying the case..

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a case for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising a display, a rear and a side therebetween; the case, when mounted on the portable electronic device, extending around the side of the portable electronic device, and having a rear wall that is spaced away from the rear side of the portable electronic device so as to provide a cavity rearward of the portable electronic device for holding one or more personalising objects; the case being at least in part see-through to allow personalising objects held within the cavity to be viewed from outside of the case; and wherein the case comprises mean to provide access to the cavity to allow personalising objects to be added to and/or removed from the cavity.

The rear of the case can thereby provide a cavity akin to a shadow box in which personalising items can be placed or remove to decorate the case.

A non-exhaustive example of personalising items includes articles of identification or decoration such as charms, trinkets, stickers, labels, cards, memorabilia, jewels, or diamante.

In a preferred embodiment, the case comprises means to allow the display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case. For example, the case may have a clear and/or open face through which the display can be viewed.

It is preferred that the case has an inwardly extending protrusion spaced from the rear wall to retain the portable electronic device away from the rear wall and so provide the cavity. The protmsion, which may take the form of a lip or rim, may be arranged to extend substantially transversely across the rear of the phone; preferably around the perimeter of the rear side of the portable electronic device The protrusion may alternatively take the form of an internal wall that extends between two sides of the case so as to extend across and face the rear of the phone.

It is preferred that the case comprises a body that extends around (preferably ali) sides of the portable electronic device, A portion of the body preferably extends away from the rear of the phone to at least in part define the cavity. The rear wall preferably extends between two opposing sides of the portion of the body that extends away from the rear of the phone.

Favourably, at least a portion of the rear wall is see-through so that the personalising item(s) within the cavity can be seen, it is more favourable that this is achieved, at least in part through comprising the rear wall from a see-through material. In one preferred embodiment, most of the rear wall is see-through.

It is preferred that the body of the case is comprised from a single integral piece (further preferably moulded piece). The single integral piece preferably also comprises the internal protrnsion, It is most preferred that the body is comprised from a synthetic plastics material.

Particularly where the case has an open face, so that the display can be seen, it is preferred that the case comprises at least one further inwardly extending projection that, when the case is mounted to the portable electronic device, extends in front of the front side of the portable electronic device, to retain said portable electronic device within the case. Most preferably the projection extends around the periphery of the front side of the portable electronic device.

To provide access to the cavity, it is preferred the case comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part can move relative to the second part. In a preferred embodiment, the first part comprises the rear wall, and further preferably the first part is slidably mounted to the second part.

The second part preferably extends around the side of, and retains the portable electronic device.

Preferably the second part comprises a channel for retaining the first part, optionally so that the first part can slide relative to the second part. The second part preferably comprises the body of the case. The channel is preferably formed on an inner facing surface of the case, preferably provided by a portion of the case that, when the case is mounted to the portable electronic device, is spaced away from the rear of the portable electronic device. It is also favourable that the channel extends on multiple sides of the body.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a case for housing a portable electronic device having a display, the case comprising means to allow the display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case; the case having a cavity for holding one or more personalising items, at least one wall of the case being see-through in order that the personalising items held within the cavity can be viewed from outside of the case; and wherein the case comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part can move relative to the second part to provide access to the cavity so as to allow the addition and/or removal of personalising items.

The first part may, for example, be releasably attachable to the second part and may be mounted to the second part e.g. through a clipping or sliding action; most preferably through a sliding action. Alternatively, the first part may be attached to the second part through a moveable joint; e.g. a hinge.

It is preferred that the second part retains the portable electronic device thereby allowing the personalising items to be added or removed without taking the device out of the case. This provides the device with a degree of protection whilst the personalising items are being changed.

Favourably, the case is suitable for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising the display, a rear and a side therebetween. The cavity is favourably positioned adjacent the rear side of the portable electronic device in order that its contents can be viewed from the rear side of the case.

It is preferred that the second part comprises a body that, when the cover is mounted to the portable electronic device, extends about the side of the portable electronic device, It is preferred that the case comprises a wall that extends around the side of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is housed within the case; and preferably also extends beyond the rear of the portable electronic device to at least in part define the cavity. In this way the rear of the case may provide a cavity akin to a shadow box in which personalising items can be placed to decorate the case.

It is preferred that the first part comprises the at least one see-through wall. It is also preferred that the first part comprises at least part of a rear wall of the case.

The see-through wall preferably comprises a transparent material that in certain embodiments may be colourless. The see-through wall may be comprised from a plate of said transparent material, favourably of a synthetic plastics material such as PMMA.

Where the first part is slidably mounted to the second part, it is preferred that the second part comprises a channel in which the first part is retained and through which the first part can be slid relative to the second pail, It is, however, possible for the first part to have the channel and the second part to have a corresponding lip arranged tobe seated within with channel.

It is preferred that the channel is provided by an inward facing surface of the portion of the wall that extends beyond the rear side of the portable electronic device. The first part may then be simply comprised of a sheet of transparent material that can slide into or out of the channel, It is preferred that the second part of the case is held against the portable electronic device through a friction fit, However, alternatively, or in addition, the second pail may be shaped and! or provided with at least one inwardly extending protrusion or rim to retain the portable electronic device away from the cavity, Where the second part of the case is manufactured as a moulded piece, the shaping/ protrusion may be incorporated as part of the moulding.

In certain embodiments, the protrusion may comprise a wall that extends across the case linking opposing walls of the case and retaining the portable electronic device from the cavity.

It is preferred that the second part of the case is comprised from a single integral piece of moulded synthetic plastics material.

The body of the second piece may comprise an inwardly extending rim, aranged, when the portable electronic device is housed in the case, to extend in front of the front face of the portable electronic device to retain said device within the case. This enables the front of the case to remain open to allow the portable electronic device's touch display to be operated.

It is preferred that a portion the body of the second piece is adapted to partially collapse to allow the first part to be located into the channel. This may be achieved by providing a pattern of apertures in one side of the body. These apertures may also be arranged to expose and/or provide access to features of the portable electronic device.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear of a phone case holding a phone; the case defining a cavity for holding personalising items; Figure 2 is a front view of the phone case holding a mobile phone; Figures 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the case taken from the opposite side to Fig t; Figure 4 is a side cross section taken through line X-X of Fig 3; Figure 5 is perspective view illustrating the back wall in a partially homed position; Figure 6 is a perspective close up of the bottom end of the case (without phone) showing an aperture pattern to form a crumble zone; Figure 7 is a part cross section through an alternative embodiment in which the rear wall comprises a frame for attachment to the case; Figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of a case having a sliding door; Figures 9A & 9B illustrate a fourth embodiment of a case having a pivoting rear face; Figure 10 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a case having a sliding draw; Figure 11 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a case with a sliding draw.; and Figure 12 illustrates a frirther embodiment in which the see through wall is an integral part of the case and the phone is removed to provide access to the cavity.

Referring to Figures 1 -6 there is shown a mobile phone case I holding a phone 00 with a touch screen display 101 on its front face 102. The case I has a transparent rear wall 2 spaced away from the rear face 103 of phone 100 so as to provide a cavity 4 there between, and through which personalising items 3, such as stickers, trinkets, charms or memorabilia, held within a cavity 4 of the case I can be viewed, When a user wishes to add or remove personalising items, the rear wall 2 can be slid out from the case 1 to provide access to the cavity 4.

The case t has a body 5 comprised from a single integral moulding of resiliently flexible material, typically a synthetic plastic The body 5 is shaped to extend around all four sides of the phone 100 between the front 102 and rear 103 faces. The body 5 has an open front that allows the touch display 10] of the phone 100 to be used, and through which the phone 100 can be inserted into the case 1. The phone 100 is retained within the case 1 through a combination of a resistance fit and by inwardly extending peripheral rims or lips SA SB, The rims 5A, SB extend across the respective front and back faces of the phone 100 to hold the phone there between. The frontward peripheral rim SA is resiliently deformable so that it reverts back into shape to retain the phone 100 once installed in the case 1, The body 5 comprises a protruding portion SC that extends away from the rear face 03 of the phone 100, increasing the depth of the case I so as to provide the cavity 4 adjacent the rear face 103 of the phone 100. Provided on an inside surface of the protruding portion SC, extending across multiple sides of the body 5, is a channel SD that is spaced away from the phone 100 to retain rear wall 2.

The rear wall 2 is comprised from a sheet of transparent material typically a synthetic plastics material such as acrylic, though a different material such as glass could be used instead. The rear wall 2 is provided with an aperture so that when installed it does not obstruct the camera lens 104 or light 105 provided on the rear face 103 of the phone 100. To prevent personalising items within the cavity 4 from moving to obstruct the camera lens 104 or light 105, the body 5 is provided with a rib 6 that extends inwardly around (as viewed from the rear of the case 1) the features provided on the rear of the phone 100 and also between the rear face of the phone 100 and the underside of the rear wall 2 (when in position).

The rear wall 2 may also be designed to function as a lens, for example, in order to magnify the contents of the cavity 4. For example the wall 2 may be shaped as a Fresnal lens, As best seen in Fig 6, the protruding portion SC, on one side of the case, in this example the side that sits adjacent the bottom side of the phone 100 (not shown), has a lower profile than the other sides to allow the rear wall 2 to be slid into the channel SD. To retain the rear wall 2 in place, the bottom side is provided with a tab SE that abuts the bottom edge of rear wall 2 when homed. The tab SE may be formed with a channel SF to locate the rear wall more securely.

The bottom wall supporting the tab SE is provided with a pattern of apatures 56 arranged to allow the bottom wall to easily deform so that tab SE to be displaced so S that the rear wall 2 can be inserted, The apature pattern SG may also be designed to double as access ports for a speaker/headphone or other feature(s) provided on the bottom side of the phone 100.

The body 5 may also be provided with other openings in order to expose and or provide access to features on other sides of the phone.

Although it is preferred that the body 5, including the features of the lips SA SC, protruding portion SC and channel SD, are formed from a single integral moulding, it is possible that the case could be formed by techniques other than moulding or materials other than plastic. Tt is also possible, though less preferred, that the body is formed from multiple conjoined pieces.

The remaining figures illustrate alternative designs of phone case that have accessible cavities for holding personalising items.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the rear wall 2 comprises a frame 2A arranged to mate with an outward facing surface of the body SO. The case also comprises the optional feature of an internal wall 51 that extends across the rear 03 of the phone 100 to space the phone 100 from rear wall 2.

Figure 8 illustrates a case in which on one peripheral side of the body 50, in this instance the lower side, is provided with a sliding member that can be removed to provide access to the cavity. In this example, the sliding member interfits with the remainder of the case 50 through a dove tail fitting. -10-

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the rear wall 20 is hingedly mounted to the body 50 about one edge. The rear wall 20 can be pivoted away from the body, as illustrated in 9A to provide access to the cavity 4. When homed, the rear wall 20 may be retained by inwardly extending lip 51 provided by one or more of the walls.

Figure 10 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a case having a sliding draw that provides a tray 71 for holding the personalising items. The draw 70 can be slid through a side wall 55 into or out from a space 56 within the body 50 between the rear wall 20 2md phone. The draw 70 and case 1 may be provided with a retaining mechanism, e.g. including a push button catch 72, to releasably retain the draw 70 within the case 1.

Figure 1] illustrates a second embodiment having a draw 70 but in which the rear wall 20 of the case 1 is a part of the draw 70 and can be moved relative to the draw 70 (in this instance through a pivoting action) to gain access to the tray 71.

Figure 12 illustrates a yet frirther embodiment in which the rear wall 20 and body 50 the case are one piece and access to the cavity 40 is provided by removing the phone 00 out of the case I through the front of the case. Fig 12 also shows the optional use of a decorative cover plate 200 that may be interposed between the phone 100 and rear wall 2.

The case may be adapted to protect phones having more or less than 4 sides, the case may not need to extend around all of the phone's sides, though this is preferred.

Although not provided in the abovc cmbodimcnts, it is possible that the phonc be provided with a decal acting as a cosmetic and/or protective coating. Where the decal is provided on the rear face of the phone, where it can be seen through the rear wall, the pattern may be chosen to complement the personalising items held within the cavity.

Although the case is desciibed above for holding a phone, it will be appreciated that variations could also be straightforwardly adapted for other types of portable electronic devices such as a tablet computer or personal digital assistant. -12-

Claims

Claims 1 A case for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising a display, a rear and a side therebetween; the case, when mounted on the portable electronic device, extending around the side of the portable electronic device, and having a rear wall that is spaced away from the rear side of the portable electronic device so as to provide a cavity rearward of the portable electronic device for holding one or more personalising objects; the case being at least in part see-through to allow personalising objects held within the cavity to be viewed from outside of the case; and wherein the case comprises mean to provide access to the cavity to allow personalising objects to be added to and/or removed from the cavity.
2 A case according to claim t comprising means to allow the display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case.
3 A case according to claim I or 2 having a protrusion spaced from the rear wall to retain the portable electronic device away from the rear wall.
4 A case according to any claim 1-3 wherein at least a portion of the rear wall is see-through.
S A case according to any previous claim wherein the case comprises a single integral piece of synthetic plastics material to which the rear wall is attached.
6 A case according to any claim 1-5 wherein the wall comprises at least one further inwardly extending projection that, when the case is mounted to the portable electronic device, extends in front of the front side of the portable electronic device, to retain said portable electronic device within the case.
7 A case according to any previous claim wherein the case comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part can move relative to the second in -Ii -part to provide access to the cavity so as to allow the addition and/or removal of personalising items.
8 A case according to claim 7 wherein the first part is slidably mounted to the second part.
9 A case according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the second part comprises a channel in which the first part is retained.A case according to claim 9 wherein the channel is provided on an inward facing surface of a portion of a wall that extends beyond the rear side of the portable electronic device.A case according to claim 7 -tO wherein the portable electronic device is retainable within the second part of the case when the first part is moved.t2 A case according to claim to or 11 wherein at least one wall of the second part is adapted to partially collapsible to allow the first part to be located into the channel.13 A case according to claim 12 wherein at least one wall is provided with at a pattern of apertures to facilitate collapse of the side wall.14 A case according to any previous claim wherein the portable electronic device is retained within the case by a friction fit, A case for housing a portable electronic device having a display, the case comprising means to allow the display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case; the case having a cavity for holding one or more personalising items, at least one wall of the case being see-through in order that the personalising items held within the cavity can be viewed from outside of the case; and wherein the case comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part can -14-move relative to the second part to provide access to the cavity so as to allow the addition and/or removal of personalising items.16 A case according to claim 15 for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising the display, and a rear side; wherein the case comprises a wall that, when the portable electronic device is housed within the case, extends beyond the rear side of the portable electronic device to at least in part define the cavity.t7 A case according to any previous claim wherein the first part comprises the at least one see-through wall.18 A case according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the see-through wall is spaced away from the rear side of the portable electronic device 19 A case according to any previous claim wherein the first part is slidably mounted to the second part.A case according to claim 19 wherein the second part comprises a channel in which the first part is retained.21 A case according to claim 20 wherein the wall comprises the chann& in which the first part is retained 22 A case according to claim 21 when dependent on claim 16 wherein the channel is provided on an inward facing surface of a portion of the wall that extends beyond the rear side of the portable electronic device.23 A case according to claim t5 wherein the at least one side wall is provided with at least one inwardly extending protrusion to inhibit movement of the portable electronic device into the cavity.24 A case according to any previous claim wherein the portable electronic device is retainable within the second part of the case when the first part is moved.-15 -A case according to any claim 15 -24 wherein the second part of the case is comprised from a single integral piece of moulded synthetic plastics material that defines the at least one side wall.26 A case according to any claim 22 -25 wherein at least one walls is adapted to partially collapsible to allow the first part to be located into the channel.27 A case according to claim 26 wherein the side wall is provided with at a pattern of apertures to facilitate collapse of the side wall.28 A case according to any previous claim wherein the portable electronic device is retained within the case by a friction fit, 29 A case according to any previous claim having a clear and/or open face through which a display of the portable electronic device can be viewed.30A case according to any claim 15-29 wherein the wall comprises at least one inwardly extending protrusion or where dependent upon claim 8 a further at least one inwardly extending protrusion that extends in front of the front side of the portable electronic device, when housed in case, to retain said portable electronic device within the case.31 A case for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising a display, a rear and a side therebetween; the case, when mounted on the portable electronic device, extending around the side of the portable electronic device, and having a rear wall that is spaced away from the rear side of the portable electronic device so as to provide a cavity rearward of the portable electronic device for holding one or more personalising objects; the case being at least in part see-through to allow personalising objects held within the cavity to be viewed from outside of the case; and wherein the cavity is accessible to allow personalising objects to be added to and/or removed from the cavity.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims I A case for housing a portable electronic device having a front comprising a display, a rear and a side therebetween; the case comprising means to allow the display to be viewed whilst the portable electronic device is housed within the case; the case, when mounted on the portable electronic device, extending around the side of the portable electronic device and having a rear wall that is spaced away from the rear side of the portable electronic device so as to provide a cavity rearward of the portable electronic device for holding one or more personaiising objects; a portion of the rear wall being see-through to allow personalising objects held within the cavity to be viewed from outside of the UD case; the case comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being slidably mounted to the second part to provide access to the cavity so as to allow the addition and/or removal of personalising items; and wherein the 0 15 case has a protrusion spaced from the rear wall to retain the portable (\,J electronic device away from the rear wall. (42 A case according to any previous claim wherein the second part comprises a single integral piece of synthetic plastics material to which the first part, which includes the rear wall, is attached.3 A case according to claim I or 2 wherein the wall comprises at least one further inwardly extending projection that, when the case is mounted to the portable electronic device, extends in front of the front side of the portable electronic device, to retain said portable electronic device within the case.4 A case according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the second part comprises a channel in which the first part is retained.A case according to claim 4 wherein the channel is provided on an inward facing surface of a portion of a wall that extends, when the case is mounted on the portable electronic device, beyond the rear side of the portable electronic device.6 A case according to any previous claim 2 -5 wherein the portable electronic device is retainable within the second part of the case when the first part is moved.7 A case according to claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one wall of the second part is adapted to partially collapsible to allow the first part to be located into the channel.8 A case according to claim 7 wherein at least one wall is provided with at a pattern of apertures to facilitate its collapse.0 9 A case according to any previous claim wherein the portable electronic device (\J 20 is retained within the case by a friction fit. (4