US 2010/0147737 A1Published application

Protective cushion cover for an electronic device

AssigneeOtter Products, LLC

InventorsCurtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, W. Travis Smith, John H. Loudenslager, Jamie L. Johnson, Matthew M. Glanzer

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Abstract

Disclosed is a protective case for an electronic device. The protective case has two layers, an inner cushion cover that surrounds a portion of the electronic device and an outer rigid shell. The outer rigid shell has curved flexible arms that engage and hold the cushion cover 104 on the electronic device. The cushion cover has reduced thickness portions so that the curved flexible arms are embedded in the cushion cover and provide a protective case having a substantially smooth exterior. The cushion cover is capable of absorbing shocks from impacts on the rigid outer shell. Coring on the inner portion of the cushion cover provides additional softness and the ability of the cushion cover to absorb shocks while using a higher density material, which is able to conform to the electronic device.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A protective case for an electronic device comprising:

a rigid outer shell having a back portion that is connected to a plurality of curved flexible arms that engage said electronic device, on at least two surfaces, said rigid outer shell made from a plastic material that is capable of bending sufficiently to engage said electronic device without breaking and having sufficient elasticity to cause said plurality of curved flexible arms to generate a force on said at least two surfaces;
a cushion cover made from a single elastomeric material that is form-fitted to cover a portion of said electronic device, said cushion cover having a density and elasticity that causes said cushion cover to conform to said electronic device, said cushion cover comprising:
reduced thickness portions disposed in predetermined areas of said cushion cover, said plurality of curved flexible arms disposed in, and engaged with, said reduced thickness portions such that said force generated by said plurality of curved flexible arms is coupled through said reduced thickness portions to said electronic device;
raised impact portions located adjacent to said reduced thickness portions, said raised impact portions having a predetermined thickness.

1 more element

A method of protecting an electronic device from impacts comprising:

providing a rigid outer shell having a back portion that is connected to a plurality of curved flexible arms that engage said electronic device on at least two surfaces, said rigid outer shell made from a plastic material that is capable of bending sufficiently to engage said electronic device without breaking and having sufficient elasticity to cause said plurality of flexible arms to generate a force on said at least two surfaces;
providing a cushion cover made from a single elastomeric material that is form-fitted to cover a portion of said electronic device, said cushion cover having a density and elasticity that causes said cushion cover to conform to said electronic device, said cushion cover comprising:
reduced thickness portions disposed in predetermined areas of said cushion cover, said plurality of curved flexible arms disposed on and engaged with, said reduced thickness portions such that said force generated by said plurality of curved flexible arms is coupled through said reduced thickness portions to said electronic device;
raised impact portions located adjacent to said reduced thickness portions, said raised impact portions having a predetermined thickness.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.