Protective case for portable electronic device

A protective cover for use with an electronic device, the electronic device comprising at least a first portion, a second portion, and a display, the second portion of the electronic device hingedly attached to the first portion of the electronic device with a hinging mechanism such that the second portion of the electronic device is permitted to articulate relative to the first portion, the protective cover comprising:

• a cushion member comprising a single piece of elastomeric material, the cushion member having a first area, a second area, and a hinge area that attaches the first area of the cushion member to the second area of the cushion member, wherein the hinge area of the cushion member is configured to be in proximity to the hinging mechanism of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective cover, wherein the hinge area of the cushion member includes one or more fold lines for facilitating articulation of the protective cover, and wherein the cushion member includes a button pad accessible at an outer surface of the protective cover, the button pad configured for actuating a button of the installed electronic device from the outer surface of the protective cover;
• a first rigid shell member configured to removably attach to a housing of the first portion of the electronic device with the first area of the cushion member, wherein the first area of the cushion member conforms to an inside surface of the first rigid shell member and is configured to extend substantially between the first rigid shell member and the first portion of installed electronic device;
• and
• a second rigid shell member configured to removably attach to a housing of the second portion of the electronic device with the second area of the cushion member, wherein the second area of the cushion member conforms to an inside surface of the second rigid shell member and is configured to extend substantially between the second rigid shell member and the second portion of installed electronic device.

A case for receiving and protecting a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device comprising at least a first portion hingedly attached to a second portion with a hinging mechanism such that the second portion of the portable electronic device articulates relative to the first portion, the case comprising:

• a cushion member having a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge portion, wherein the cushion member is formed from a continuous piece of elastomeric material, wherein the first portion of the cushion member is attached to the second portion by the hinge portion, wherein the first portion of the cushion member is adapted to receive a back of the first portion of the portable electronic device and extend partially over sides of the portable electronic device, wherein the second portion of the cushion member is adapted to receive a back of the second portion of the portable electronic device and extend partially over the sides of the portable electronic device, and wherein the cushion member is further adapted to permit the articulation of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the case;
• a first shell member adapted to cover at least a portion of an outer surface of the first portion of the cushion member, wherein the first portion of the cushion member is further adapted to extend between the first shell member and the first portion of the installed portable electronic device to cushion the installed portable electronic device, and wherein an opening extends through the first shell member and the first portion of the cushion member, the opening adapted for providing access to an electrical port of the installed portable electronic device;
• and
• a second shell member adapted to cover at least a portion of an outer surface of the second portion of the cushion member, wherein the second portion of the cushion member is further adapted to extend between the second shell member and the second portion of the installed portable electronic device to further cushion the installed portable electronic device, wherein the cushion member, the first shell member, and the second shell member do not extend over a display area of the portable electronic device.