US20220079314A1

US20220079314A1 - Case for portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: US20220079314A1
Application number: US17/456,885
Authority: US
Inventors: Jonathan Brown; Steven Corraliza; Eric James Hostetler
Original assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
Current assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
Priority date: 2015-10-26
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Also published as: US20220265015A1; US20210337948A1; US20210177115A1

Abstract

A case for a portable electronic device that includes a base layer and a perimeter bumper coupled to the base layer for protecting the device is disclosed herein. The base layer is made of a first material and perimeter bumper is made of a second material, different from the first. The perimeter bumper has a different elasticity than the base layer. The elastic frame perimeter bumper extends around a perimeter of the case to provide cushioning or padding for side edges of the case.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/373,761, filed on Jul. 12, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Application Ser. No. 17/189,226, filed on Mar. 1, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/335,428, filed on Oct. 26, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/555,957, filed on Feb. 25, 2016 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D842,860 on Mar. 12, 2019, and which also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/246,554, filed on Oct. 26, 2015, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a case for electronic devices, especially portable devices like smartphones and tablets. There are many types of electronic devices the case can be used to hold including personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, laptop computers, smartphones, mobile phones, satellite phones, cellular phones, pagers, music players, MP3 players, media players, digital cameras, video cameras, bar code scanners, global positioning systems (GPS), and portable game consoles.
These portable electronic devices allow people to play and record music, send and receive e-mail, send text messages, browse Web pages, make phone calls, play and record video, take and view pictures, edit documents, and much more. These devices continue to revolutionize the way people interact, learn, connect with other people, conduct business, and find things. They help people manage their daily lives and can be a source of entertainment. These devices can be used to store valuable information including personal information (e.g., phone numbers, financial information, private photos or videos, and favorite music tracks).
Therefore, it is desirable to protect the electronic device while still allowing features of the device to be easily accessed.

SUMMARY

A case for a portable electronic device includes a base layer and a perimeter bumper coupled to the base layer for protecting the device. The base layer is made of a first material and perimeter bumper is made of a second material, different from the first. The perimeter bumper has a different elasticity from the base layer. The elastic frame perimeter bumper extends around a perimeter of the case to provide cushioning or padding for side edges of the case.
The case provides mechanical protection through a low profile, multi-layer construction that approximately maintains the electronic device's low profile. The durable base is overmolded with a soft, impact-absorbing outer frame layer for impact protection in a flexible, secure, and lightweight form. A specific implementation of the case is for the iPhone™ by Apple Inc., of Cupertino Calif. and more specifically for the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, MacBook™, MacBook Pro™, MacBook Air™, iPad™, iPad mini, iPad Air, or iPad Pro.
The case provides low profile protection for an electronic device in the case. The case provides low profile protection from a combination hard polycarbonate elements paired with softer plastic material. The softer plastic material can be ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a combination of TPU and TPE (TPU/TPE). The softer material forms the flexible perimeter that wraps around a top and a bottom of the base along an edge of the base. The base can be formed of the harder polycarbonate.
The flexible perimeter around an electronic device in the case protects the corners and sides of the electronic device from being dropped or bumped. A ribbing design of the flexible perimeter and scalloped touchpoints of the perimeter enhances shock absorption protection for the electronic device. The harder base protects from impact and scratches of an extended surface of an electronic device in the case.
In a specific implementation of the case, the harder base is injected molded from clear or transparent polycarbonate and the flexible perimeter is white TPU.
The case formed from the base and flexible perimeter is a single piece case that protects one side of an electronic device, such as a back of a laptop computer screen, instead of both sides of the device, such as the back of the laptop screen and a bottom surface of the laptop. When adapted for use with a laptop, two cases may be used to protect both sides of the laptop. A first case can be attached to a back of a laptop screen. And a second case can be attached to a bottom surface of the laptop. When the laptop is placed on a table, the bottom surface of the case faces or contacts the table surface. When the case is used with a smartphone, a single case may be used. The case can be attached to a back of a smartphone or a tablet where the touchscreens of these devices remain exposed for user access.
In a specific implementation, a case for a portable electronic device includes a rigid base and a flexible perimeter wall connected to an edge of the rigid base. The rigid base is formed of a first plastic material having a first durometer. The flexible perimeter wall is formed of a second plastic material having a second durometer. The first durometer is higher than the second durometers on a Shore scale (e.g., D type durometer scale).
The rigid base and flexible perimeter wall define an interior space that is adapted to hold a portable electronic device.
A first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall that faces the interior space is a scalloped surface where the scalloped surface has a regular pattern.
A second interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall that faces the interior space comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the second interior surface, and the first and second interior surfaces are transverse.
Specific implementations, incorporating aspects of the invention may be manufactured by Incase Designs Corp., are known as the Hardshell Case, which is a trademark of Incase.
Other features and advantages of the present system will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designations represent like features throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a case in an implementation.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the case.

FIG. 3 shows a front-perspective view of the case.

FIG. 4 shows a back-perspective view of the case.

FIG. 5 shows a top side view of the case.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom side view of the case.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of the case.

FIG. 8 shows a right side view of the case.

FIG. 9A-9B shows the case and a perspective-enlarged view of a corner portion of the case.

FIGS. 10A-10B show the case and a planar-enlarged view of the corner portion of the case.

FIGS. 11A-11C show the case and a planar enlarged views of a portion of the case near the corner.

FIG. 12A shows cross-sectional views of a portion of the case.

FIGS. 12B-12E show cross-sectional views of a portion of the case with a portable electronic device in the case.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the case.

FIG. 14 shows a case that has a base that is clear polycarbonate.

FIGS. 15-16 show dimension identifiers for the interior space of the case for various implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a case for an electronic device. More specifically, the invention relates to a hard shell case that has a scalloped frame that provides impact protection for an encased device.
FIGS. 1-4 show a front view, a back view, a front-perspective view, and a back-perspective view, respectively, of a case 100 in an implementation. Case 100 is adapted to hold an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device. A specific implementation of the case may be adapted to hold a laptop computer of Apple Inc. of Cupertino Calif., such as a MacBook™, MacBook Pro™, MacBook Air™, or other laptop. The case may also be adapted to hold a smartphone of Apple Inc., such as an iPhone™ 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, or other smartphone. The case may also be adapted to hold a tablet computer of Apple Inc., such as an iPad™, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, or other tablet.
Case 100 includes a base 102 that has a front surface 102 a and a back surface 102 b. The case includes a frame 104 that forms a sidewall of the case. Frame 104 is connected to the base at the base's outer edge and extends around the base's outer edge. Frame 104 can also be connected to the front surface 102 a, back surface 102 b, or both of these surfaces.
FIGS. 5-8 show a top side view, a bottom side view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively, of the case. Frame 104 includes a front portion 106, a back portion 108, and a sidewall 110 that extends upward from the base to form a sidewall for the case. Front portion 106 of the frame is connected to front surface 102 a of base 102. Back portion 108 of the frame is connected to back surface 102 b of the base 102. Sidewall 110 is connected to back portion 108 of the frame and extends upward from back portion 108 of the frame and above back surface 102 b of the base to form the sidewall for the case. The sidewall can extend substantially transversely from the back portion of the sidewall.
In an implementation, the front portion 106 of the frame lies over an edge of the front side 102 a of the base and extends laterally relative to the front side of the base. In an implementation where the front side 102 a of base includes a first recessed edge extending around a perimeter of the front side of the base, the frame may be connected to the recessed edge. In other implementations, an edge portion of the front side 102 b of the base is a beveled edge where the front portion 106 of the frame is connected to the beveled edge.
In an implementation, the frame and the base are connected in a tongue-and-grove configuration. The frame can include a grove into which a tongue portion of the base is fitted into to form the tongue-and-grove connection. Alternatively, the base can include a grove into which a tongue portion of the frame is fitted into to form the tongue-and-grove connection.
The sidewall 110 of the frame and the bottom surface 102 b the base enclose an interior space 608 into which at least a portion an electronic device is placed and held by the case.
Specifically, the back surface 102 b of base 102 is adapted to contact a back of an electronic device (e.g., a back of a laptop computer screen, a bottom portion of a laptop computer that includes a keyboard, a back of a smartphone, or a back of a tablet) that is held in interior space 608 by the case. At least a portion of sidewall 104 is also adapted to contact a portion of an electronic device held in the interior space. The portion of an electronic device contacted by sidewall 104 includes a side, an edge, a portion of a top, one of these elements, or any combination of these elements.
The sidewall may be higher than a depth of an electronic device held in the case, may equal the depth of the device, or may be lower than the depth of the device. In an implementation where the sidewall is higher than the depth of an electronic device in the case, when the user places the electronic device encased in the case facedown on a table (such that a screen of a tablet or smartphone faces the surface of the table), the additional height of the sidewalls lifts the screen off the table's surface. As such, the screen of the device is prevented from contacting the table's surface, which prevents the screen from being scratched or dirtied. Alternatively, the sidewalls can have a raised bezel around the perimeter.
Sidewall fasteners. FIGS. 9-12D show a perspective-enlarged view of a corner portion of the case, a planar-enlarged view of the corner portion, a planar enlarged view of a portion of the case near the corner, and a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 11A. In an implementation, sidewall 104 includes one or more fasteners 103 that are adapted to hold an electronic device in the case. The fasteners can be snap fasteners, clips, clasps, or others.
A top sidewall portion 104 a of the sidewall includes one fastener 103. A left sidewall portion 104 b and a right sidewall portion 104 d of the sidewall each include two fasteners 103. The fasteners on opposite sidewall portions (e.g., the left and right sidewall portions 104 b and 104 b, can be substantially aligned.
A bottom sidewall portion 104 c of the sidewall may not include a fastener 103. The lack of a fastener on the bottom sidewall facilitates the easy insertion of an electronic device into the case and easy removal of the electronic device from the case as the bottom sidewall may be extended are relatively small amount (e.g., less than if the bottom sidewall included a fastener) for the insertion and removal. The sidewall portions of the case in other implementations include more or fewer fasteners.
Each fastener includes a fastener top wall 103 a that is connected to a fastener sidewall 103 b. Each fastener sidewall extends approximately transversely downward from the fastener top wall 103 a and is approximately transversely oriented with respect to the base. The fastener top wall can extends approximately parallel to the base of the case.
Each fastener top wall 103 a extends beyond the fastener's sidewall surface to create a lip to hold down an electronic device positioned in interior space 608. The top wall can extend beyond the fastener's sidewall surface by one of a variety of lengths, such 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75 millimeters or more. The height of the fastener sidewall can approximately match a height of a sidewall of an electronic device positioned in interior space 508, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50 millimeters or longer.
Each fastener top wall is adapted to contact a top, a top edge, or both of an electronic device to secure the device in the case. FIG. 10 shows a fastener 103 overlying a portion of a top edge of an electronic device 605 that is in the case. FIGS. 12B-12C show a side view of a faster 103 overlying a portion of a top edge of an electronic device 605 that is in the case where an air gap 606 is positioned between the side of the electronic device and the fastener sidewall.
FIG. 12E shows a top view of the air gap 606 between the side surface of fastener sidewall 103 b and the side of an electronic device in the case. Fastener top wall 103 a is shown as see through as indicated by the dashed line of the wall. Or, the side surface of the fastener sidewalls can contact a side, the top edge, or both of an electronic device in the case. With the air gap 606 between the side wall of the fastener and the sidewall 610 of the case, when the case is dropped, the side wall of the fastener might not be contacted by the electronic device when the sidewall 110 deforms to absorb the force of the impact. As such, the fastener might not be broken which could otherwise be a risk if the fastener is formed of a brittle material.
For each fastener, the fastener top wall and sidewall can be integrally formed elements that are attached to the sidewall 104 via one or more bonding techniques, bonding materials, or both, such as mechanical bonding (e.g., tongue-and-groove, lap joint, taps and slots, hooks, fasteners, such as small plastic screws, or other mechanical bonding), thermal bonding, solvent welding, ultraviolet bonding, ultrasonic welding, epoxy, induction welding, laser welding, hot plate welding, hot gas welding, high frequency welding, friction welding, extruded bead welding, or other plastic welding techniques.
The fasteners, alternatively, can be integrally formed with the sidewall, such as in an injection molding process or other molding process.
The fasteners, alternatively, can be integrally formed with base, such as in an injection molding process or other molding process. See the cross-sectional view of the fasteners 103 shown in FIGS. 12A-12D where the fasteners are integrally formed with the base and are formed of the same material as the base, such as PC. In this implementation, a back wall 103 b of the fastener can extend through an opening formed in sidewall 110. The back tab holds the fastener vertically stable in the case so that the tab can securely hold a top edge or top surface of an electronic device in the case.
The fasteners can have a variety of lengths, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 millimeters or longer, such as 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 percent of the length or width of the sidewall. One implementation of a fastener 103 extends along an entire length of the frame.
Openings in sidewall. The back portion 108 of the sidewall includes a number of openings 602 that are formed in the back portion. The openings may extend into the back portion from a surface of the back portion. The surrounding surface of the back portion can be relatively smooth or planar surface. In an implementation, no openings are formed in the back portion.
In an implementation, each opening 602 is be surrounded by a surrounding wall 604 (sometimes referred to as a perimeter edge). Each surrounding wall 604 may be raised or protrude from a lower surface of the back portion of the frame. Some of the openings adjacent to the fasteners 103 are partially surrounded by partial-surrounding walls 604 as shown in FIG. 9.
The tops of the openings lie in a plane that is substantially transverse with respect to sidewall 110. The surrounding wall 604 can extend upward from back portion 108 substantially transversely to the back portion and substantially parallel to sidewall 110.
In an implementation, a bottom of the electronic device 605 does not contact the front surface 102 a of base 102. The bottom of the electronic device 605 can contact the tops of walls 604, which position the bottom of the electronic device above the front surface. As such an air gap 607 exists between the bottom of the electronic device and the front surface. See FIGS. 12C-12D.
Each openings 602 may have an elongated shape, such obround, rectangular, oblong, elliptical, double d, oval, or other elongated shape. The openings may have other shapes, such as circles, triangles, squares, or other polygonal shapes, or any combination of these shapes.
Each of the elongated shapes of the openings has a longitudinal axis that extends away from the sidewall towards back surface 102 b. The horizontal axes of the openings extend horizontally along the sidewall of the case.
A pattern of the openings on the back portion of the sidewall may be regular. Or, the openings may be uniformly distributed. Or, the openings may be non-uniformly distributed. The openings may be concentrated in areas where the electronic device can be more easily damaged (e.g., corners or edges) if dropped or bumped while in the case. For example, the openings may be elongated openings arranged next to each other into a ribbing pattern around the frame. The surrounding walls around the openings provide a target area with extra material to deform and absorb impact for enhanced protection.
Scalloped sidewall. In an implementation, an interior surface of sidewall 110 is relatively flat and relatively smooth and provides continuous contacts with a side portion, edge portion, or both of an electronic device positioned in the case. Alternatively, the sidewall has a number of protrusions 610 that extend from the interior surface of the sidewall. The protrusions provide cushioning for an electronic device that is in the case and is dropped or bumped. The protrusions provide controlled compression of the sidewall to reduce acceleration, impulse, and impact forces in amounts that an electronic device can survive from a drop of various heights, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 centimeters or other heights.
The protrusions can have a variety of shapes and extend from sidewall by a variety of lengths. For example, the protrusions can be round (e.g., half round or less than half round), triangular, square, rectangular, or other shapes. Each protrusion can extend from the sidewall by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 millimeters or other amounts. Each protrusion can have a width at a base of the protrusion of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 millimeters or other amounts. The protrusions can have a regular pattern, such as a scalloped pattern, a crenellated pattern, a sawtooth pattern, a sine wave pattern, or other pattern. Alternatively, the protrusions can have an irregular pattern, such as with a larger number of protrusions in corner areas of the sidewall where impact is most likely when an electronic device in the case is dropped.
Referring again to FIG. 12E, which shows a top view of a portion of the case with an electronic device 605 in the case, the side surface of the fastener sidewall can be recessed with respect to the peaks of protrusions 610. Or, the side surface of the fastener sidewall can align with the peaks of the protrusions. Also, the peaks of the protrusions can be positioned at locations between ends of two of the protrusions 610, such as along the straight portions of sidewall 110.
FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of case 100 across line 1002-1002 at sidewall 110. The cross-section is indicated by the broken lines and label 1002-1002 in FIG. 2. The thickness A of base 102 shown in FIG. 13 can range from about 0.25 millimeters to about 5 millimeters or more. The sidewall thickness B of sidewall 110 shown in FIG. 13 can range from about 1 millimeter to about 20 millimeters or more.
Case material. In an implementation, base 102 may be polycarbonate (PC), silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), fiberglass, carbon fiber, or many others, or a composite or combination of these. For example, base 102 is polycarbonate (PC) in an implementation. The base can be opaque, transparent, or have varying degrees of opacity (from 0 percent to 100 percent). For example, the base is transparent in an implementation. The front surface 102 b of the base can have another layer of material attached the front surface, such as leather, fabric, textured plastic, or other material.
In an implementation where the base is PC, the base is a relatively stiff layer with a relatively low elasticity (i.e., high modulus material). Elasticity is also sometimes referred to as flexibility in this application.
FIG. 14 shows a case 100 that has a base 102 that is clear PC in an implementation. Openings 602 formed in back portion 108 of frame 104 are visible through the clear PC.
Frame 104 may be polycarbonate (PC), silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a combination of TPU and TPE (TPU/TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or many other materials, or a composite or combination of these materials. For example, frame 104 is TPU in an implementation. In another implementation, the frame is TPE.
The base material can have first durometer and the frame material can have a second durometer. The first durometer may be greater than the second durometer (so the base material may be harder than the frame material). The first durometer may range from about 70 to about 80 (e.g., about 75) on the Shore scale, such as a type D scale, which is provides hardness values for hard plastic. The second durometer may range from about 45 to about 55 (e.g., about 50), which is about the value for rubber or solid truck tires on the Shore scale, such a type D scale. As such, the sidewall may be relatively soft and can repeatedly absorb impact without shattering.
In an implementation, the frame 104 is formed of a material, such as TPU, TPE, TPU/TPE, EVA foam, or other material, that has a first, relatively high elasticity (i.e., low modulus material) and relatively low durometer. That is, the frame is relatively flexible and facilitates the being flexed at one or more corners or sides of the frame. As such, the frame can be extended sufficiently easily (e.g., with relatively low force) for fitting an electronic device into the case and removing a device from the case. Also, the frame material allows even user with relatively weak hands to bend back the material to fit a device into the case and remove a device from the case. This frame material also tends to absorb energy via deformation when struck or dropped to provide cushioning to an electronic device. The frame also tends to heat when deformed to further absorb energy from being stuck or dropped onto a surface.
In an implementation, the base 102 is formed of a material, such as PC, that has a second, relatively low elasticity material (i.e., high modulus material) and relatively high durometer. As such, second elasticity and flexibility of the base is lower than the first elasticity and flexibility of the frame. The base formed of the second material, such as PC, tends to absorb focused and potentially penetrating strikes to the case, such as from a relatively sharp object. For example, the base material tends to fracture when stuck and absorb energy via the fracture. For example, a sharp object hitting the base can create an aperture or crack in the base were the aperture or crack creates additional cracks to absorb energy.
Material color. The frame and base can be formed of material that is substantially clear, translucent, opaque, or any combination thereof. That is, in various implementations, the opacity can range from 0 percent (fully transparent) to 100 percent (fully opaque). The base can be formed of material that has the same color, similar color, or different color from the frame.
In an implementation where the base is formed of a material having a first color and the frame is formed of a material having a second color where the first and second colors are different, visible seams the base and frame are accentuated by the color difference and can provide a pleasing aesthetic. In an implementation where the base and the frame are formed of material having substantially the same color, the seam is de-emphasized, or not emphasized, to prove an alternative pleasing aesthetic.
Fasteners 103 may be metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, or other metal), polycarbonate, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), fiberglass, carbon fiber, or many other materials, or a composite or combination of these materials. For example, fasteners 103 are TPU in an implementation. In another implementation, the fasteners are TPE. In another implementation, the fasteners are a combination of TPU and TPE. The base material, frame material, and fastener material can be the same material, two different materials, three different materials, or more.
The base, frame, and fasteners can be formed from one or more of a variety of techniques. For example, the base, frame, and fasteners can be formed by an overmolding process where the base is injected molded in a first mold and then transferred to a second mold where the frame, fasteners, or both are overmolded over the base. Or, the base and frame can be co-molded in a co-molding process. During the co-molding of the base and frame, these elements can be overmolded over the fasteners. The fasteners may be metal or may be previously injected molded. Or, the base, frame, and fasteners can be co-molded.
The base and frame can be molded in separate molding processes and coupled. The base and frame can be coupled by one or more of a variety of bonding techniques, bonding materials, or both, such as mechanical bonding (e.g., tongue-and-groove, lap joint, taps and slots, hooks, fasteners, such as small plastic screws, or other mechanical bonding), thermal bonding, solvent welding, ultraviolet bonding, ultrasonic welding, epoxy, induction welding, laser welding, hot plate welding, hot gas welding, high frequency welding, friction welding, extruded bead welding, or other plastic welding techniques. The fasteners can be integrally formed with the frame and coupled to the base when the base and frame are coupled. Or, the fasteners can be held in place by the coupling of the base and frame, such as being held in one or more channels formed in the base, the frame, or both. The fasteners can be mechanically held in the one or more channels or bonded in the one or more channels.
Case Dimensions. This application describes some examples of implementations with specific dimensions, measurements, and values. These are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described. The dimensions or measurements are in millimeters (or inches), radii of curvature in millimeters, angles in degrees. The values are approximate values. These values can vary due to, for example, measurement or manufacturing variations or tolerances or other factors. For example, depending on the tightness of the manufacturing tolerances, the values can vary plus or minus 5 percent, plus or minus 10 percent, plus or minus 15 percent, or plus or minus 20 percent.
Further, the measurements are for a specific implementation of the device, and other implementations can have different values, such as certain dimensions made larger for a larger-sized product, or smaller for a smaller-sized product. The apparatus may be made proportionally larger or smaller by adjusting relative measurements proportionally (e.g., maintaining the same or about the same ratio between different measurements). In various implementations, the values can be the same as the value given, about the same of the value given, at least or greater than the value given, or can be at most or less than the value given, or any combination of these.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show dimension identifiers for interior space 608 of case 100. The dimensions of the interior space may vary to accommodate different sizes of electronic devices. Table A below lists some examples of approximate dimensions of various size interior spaces 608 of the case for holding various smartphones. The dimension may be substantially the same as the dimension of the smartphones that can fit in the interior space.

TABLE A

Product	Length L	Width W	Height H
Implementation	millimeters	millimeters	millimeters

First	158.2	77.9	7.3
Second	138.3	67.1	7.1
Third	158.1	77.8	7.1
Fourth	138.1	67.0	6.9
Fifth	123.8	58.6	7.6

Table B below lists some examples of approximate dimensions of interior space 608 of the case for holding tablets and laptops. The dimension may be substantially the same as the tablets and laptops that can fit in the interior space.

TABLE B

Product	Length L	Width W	Height H
Implementation	millimeters	millimeters	millimeters

First	305.7	220.6	6.9
Second	240	169 5	6.1
Third	240	169.5	7.5
Fourth	203.2	134.8	6.1
Fifth	200	134.7	7.5
Sixth	300	192	17
Seventh	325	227	17
Eighth	314	219	18
Ninth	358.9	247.1	18

Some implementations, two cases are intended for use with a laptop where a first case is attached to the display portion of the laptop and a second case is attached to the base of the laptop. A case that is intended for use with a base of a laptop, the height of the interior space can be greater than 18 millimeters and can be up to 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 millimeters of greater. And, a case intended for use with a base of a laptop can include cutouts in the sidewall where various ports (e.g., power port, communication ports (e.g., USB ports), microphone ports, mini-jack ports, or other ports) of the base are located. And, a case intended for use with a base of a laptop can have a series of perforation formed in the base of the case to allow for heat from the laptop base to pass through the case.
This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:

a rigid base formed of a first plastic material having a first elasticity;

a flexible perimeter wall connected to an edge of the rigid base formed of a second plastic material having a second elasticity,

wherein the first elasticity is different from the second elasticity,

wherein the rigid base and flexible perimeter wall define an interior space that is adapted to hold a portable electronic device,

wherein a first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall faces toward the interior space,

wherein a second interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall faces towards the interior space and comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein,

wherein the first and second interior surfaces are transverse, and

wherein the flexible perimeter wall is overmolded over the rigid base; and

a plurality of fasteners coupled to the first surface of the flexible perimeter wall and integrally formed with the rigid base,

wherein each of the fasteners includes a top ledge that extends into the interior space and each of the fasteners is formed of the first plastic material having the first elasticity.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein the first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall that faces towards the interior space is a scalloped surface that has a regular pattern.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein the scalloped surface has a regular pattern of protrusions that extends toward the interior space.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein second interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall comprises a plurality of aperture walls, wherein one of the aperture wall surrounds a corresponding apertures formed in the second surface.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein each of the apertures formed in the second wall and each of the aperture walls are obround.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein the first plastic material is polycarbonate and the second plastic material is thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. The case of claim 1 wherein the first plastic material is polycarbonate and the second plastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

8. The case of claim 1 wherein the first plastic material is polycarbonate and the second plastic material is a combination of a thermoplastic polyurethane and a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein the rigid base and flexible perimeter wall are coupled by a tongue-and-groove connection.

10. The case of claim 1 wherein the flexible perimeter wall comprises:

a first wall portion;

a second wall portion;

a third wall portion;

a fourth wall portion; and

a plurality of fasteners,

wherein the first and third wall portions are connected to first opposite edges of the base, the second and third wall positions are connected to second opposite edges of the base, and the first, second, and third walls each include at least one of the fasteners.

11. The case of claim 10 wherein the ledge of each fastener is substantially transverse to the first interior sidewall of the flexible perimeter wall.

12. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:

a rigid base formed of a first plastic material having a first elasticity; and

wherein the first elasticity is different from the second elasticity,

wherein a first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall that faces towards the interior space is a scalloped surface where the scalloped surface has a regular pattern,

wherein a second interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall that faces towards the interior space comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the second interior surface,

wherein the first and second interior surfaces of the flexible perimeters wall are transverse,

wherein the flexible inner wall is overmolded over the rigid base, and

wherein the flexible perimeter wall comprises a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, a fourth wall portion, and

a plurality of fasteners coupled to the first interior surface of the flexible perimeter and integrally formed with the rigid base,

wherein the first and third wall portions are connected to first opposite edges of the base, the second and third wall portions are connected to second opposite edges of the base, a least one fastener is coupled to each of the first, second, and third wall portions, each of the fasteners includes a ledge that extends into the interior space, each of the ledges of each of the fasteners is substantially transverse to the first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall, and the interior sidewall faces towards the interior space and is substantially transverse to the base.

13. The case of claim 12 wherein each of the fasteners is formed of the first material.

14. The case of claim 12 wherein the second interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall comprises a plurality of aperture walls, wherein one of the aperture walls surrounds a corresponding one of the apertures formed in the second surface.

15. The case of claim 12 wherein each of the apertures formed in the second wall and each of the aperture walls is obround.

16. The case of claim 12 wherein the scalloped surface has a regular pattern of protrusions that extends toward the interior space.

17. The case of claim 16, wherein each of the fasteners comprises a fastener sidewall coupled to the first interior surface of the flexible perimeter wall and a surface of each of the fastener sidewalls faces towards the interior space and is recessed from the interior space with respect to the peaks of the protrusions.

18. The case of claim 12 wherein the first plastic material is polycarbonate and the second plastic material is a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination of a thermoplastic polyurethane and a thermoplastic elastomer.