Protective modular case for electronic device

A modular case system for use with an electronic device having a touchscreen interface, a camera, and an external electrical interface, the modular case system comprising:

• an accessory module for use with the electronic device, the accessory module having a rail member;
• and
• a protective case comprising:
• an inner liner for receiving and at least partially enclosing the electronic device;
• a first aperture permitting access to the touchscreen interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case;
• a second aperture in a back surface of the protective case permitting optical access to the camera of the installed electronic device;
• and
• an outer shell including an attachment mechanism for attaching the accessory to the protective case, the attachment mechanism including a receiver channel to slidably receive the rail member of the accessory to removably attach the accessory to the protective case, the receiver channel including a lip for retaining the rail member in the receiver channel, the attachment mechanism further including a snap feature, the snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the rail member of the accessory to removably lock the rail member into the receiver channel of the outer shell when the rail member is inserted into the receiver channel.

A protective case for an electronic device having a touchscreen interface, a camera, and an external electrical interface, the protective case comprising:

• an inner liner for receiving and at least partially enclosing the electronic device;
• a first aperture in the protective case permitting access to the touchscreen interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case;
• a second aperture in a back surface of the protective case permitting optical access to the camera of the installed electronic device;
• and
• an outer shell including an attachment mechanism for attaching an accessory to the protective case, the attachment mechanism including at least one of (a) and (b) as follows:
• (a) a receiver channel to slidably receive a rail member of the accessory to removably attach the accessory to the protective case, the receiver channel including a lip for retaining the rail member in the receiver channel, the attachment mechanism further including a snap feature, the snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the rail member of the accessory to removably lock the rail member into the receiver channel of the outer shell when the rail member is inserted into the receiver channel, and
• (b) a rail member for sliding into a receiver channel of the accessory to removably attach the accessory to the protective case, the rail member including an engagement feature for retaining the rail member in the receiver channel, the attachment mechanism further including a snap feature, the snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the receiver channel of the accessory to removably lock the rail member into the receiver channel when the rail member is inserted into the receiver channel.