Protective cases for mobile devices

A protective case for a mobile device configured to be in contact with all sides of a mobile device, wherein the mobile device has a flat front surface, a flat back surface, and side surfaces extending between the front and back surfaces, the protective case comprising:

• a flexible inner sleeve configured to engage and surround a mobile device, including the back surface and the side surfaces of the mobile device, the flexible inner sleeve comprising a front surface, a back surface, and side surfaces extending between the front and back surfaces, including top, bottom, right, and left side surfaces, the flexible inner sleeve further comprising a mortise extending continuously from the back surface to at least two of the top, bottom, right, and left side surfaces of the flexible inner sleeve, wherein the height of said mortise on at least one of the top, bottom, right, and left side surfaces of the flexible inner sleeve, as measured between the front and back surfaces, is less than the height of the mortise extending on one or more of the other sides of the flexible inner sleeve, and wherein the flexible inner sleeve further includes at least one protrusion configured to overlie in contact with a control button on the mobile device;
• and
• a rigid outer shell releasably engaged with the flexible inner sleeve to thereby form an integrated protective unit, wherein the outer shell is configured to reside within the mortise, wherein the outer shell includes an aperture dimensioned to receive the protrusion, wherein the outer shell includes multiple side walls that are configured to reside within the corresponding portions of the mortise that are located on the side surfaces of the inner sleeve, and wherein at least one side wall of the outer shell is configured to reside entirely below the front surface of the mobile device when the mobile device is fully inserted within the protective case such that the back surface of the mobile device is in contact with the flat back surface of the flexible inner sleeve.