Protective Case With Sliding Display Cover

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to protective cases, and more particularly to protective cases having sliding display covers.

[0002] Most handheld electronic devices for example mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, have display screens that are vulnerable to minor damage such as a scratched display surface, to more severe damage such as the display screen cracking from accidentally dropping or striking the screen on a door, table edge, or the like.

[0003] Attempts to protect the display screen of such handheld devices range from applying clear protector-sheets to the screen to prevent scratching, to carrying the device in a protective case. Clear sheets used to cover the screen to prevent scratching do very little, if anything, to protect the display screen from physical shocks, such as being dropped onto a hard surface. Likewise, many of the protective cases leave the display screen exposed, and thus also provide limited, if any, protection for the display from physical shock.

[0004] Some cases require the user to remove the device from the case to view the display, while others provide a removable display cover, or a cover designed to be flipped open to expose the display. These cases, however, are not always easy to use. For example, it can be inconvenient to be forced to remove a device from its case before use. Likewise, covers that flip-open tend to be vulnerable to having the cover broken off. Thus, it can be seen that currently available technology for protective cases is less than perfect.

[0005] A protective case according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to protect the display screen of a handheld device from physical shock, while still allowing easy access for viewing or entering user input in the case of touch screens. The protective case has a door that slides into open and closed positions to alternately expose or cover an opening in the protective case through which the display screen can be viewed or accessed. In some embodiments, the sliding door can be constructed of a material that is at least semi-transparent, permitting viewing of the display screen, even when the door is closed, while at the same time providing protection from physical shock.

[0006] In some embodiments, the protective case includes a main body substantially covering a handheld device placed within the protective case. The main body can be used to shield the majority of the handheld device from physical shock. In some embodiments, the main body includes a front side having an opening formed therein, and positioned to correspond to a position of the display screen of the handheld device when the handheld device is positioned within the protective case. The main body can include a track, either formed as part of the main body or connected thereto. The track extends at least partially along at least one side of the opening. Various embodiments also include a flexible door slidably engaging the track, configured to slide along the track into an open position substantially exposing the display screen, and into a closed position substantially covering the display screen and protecting the display screen from physical shock.

[0007] The flexible door can be configured to curl around the side, back, bottom, or top of the handheld device when the door is in the open position. In various embodiments, the door includes ribs arranged in a plane parallel to a surface of the display screen and perpendicular to whichever direction the flexible door slides. The ribs can include lands and grooves formed in a single piece of flexible material, or may include multiple slats coupled side by side in a roll-top configuration. In some embodiments, the lands and grooves can be machined, while other embodiments include lands and grooves molded, pressed, or formed in another suitable manner.

[0008] In various embodiments, the main body includes a cavity extending from an edge of the opening and extending partially into a back portion of the main body. The flexible door can be configured to slide into this cavity, and around at least a portion of the handheld device. In some embodiments, the flexible door is configured to slide over an outer surface of the main body, rather than, or in addition to, sliding within the cavity.

[0009] A case constructed according to some embodiments can be made of a sturdy material, and configured to hold a handheld device having a display screen. The case can include an opening substantially corresponding to a shape and size of the handheld device's display screen, and through which the display screen can be viewed. Such a device can include a door member slidably coupled to the case and constructed of a rugged material to provide a shock-protecting barrier over the display screen when slid into a closed position, and to expose the display screen to view when slid into an open position. The door member can include multiple rigid or semi-rigid slats connected side by side using bendable joints. The material used to construct the door member can be a translucent, flexible material.

[0010] Various embodiments include at least one slot engaging the rugged door member and guiding movement of the door member during opening and closing, and the door member can be configured to rest substantially within the slot when the door member is in an open position. The door member may include at least one tab matingly engaging a track on the case.

[0011] Various embodiments include a sliding display cover for a portable device. Some such sliding display covers include a collection of narrow slats arranged side by side and movably coupled to adjacent narrow slats, and a means for coupling the collection of narrow slats to a protective cover including an opening substantially corresponding to a display screen of a portable device, wherein the display cover substantially covers the opening in a closed position, and curls around at least a portion of the portable device in an open position.

[0012] The collection of narrow slats can include lands on a unitary piece of material; and the lands can be movably coupled to adjacent lands by grooves cut out of the unitary piece of material to form the lands. The means for coupling to a protective cover can include one or more tabs configured to slidably mate with a track in the protective cover. The means for coupling can include an extension of the sliding display cover configured to remain within a slot of the protective cover regardless of whether the sliding display is in an open or closed position.

[0013] A method according to various embodiments can include placing an electronic device within a protective case having a roll-top display cover configured to protect a screen of the electronic device from physical shock when the roll-top display cover is in a closed position, and sliding the roll-top display cover from the closed position into an open position, in which the screen is substantially exposed. The method can also include aligning the screen of the electronic device with an opening in a main body of the protective case.

[0022] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0023] Referring first to FIG. 1, a protective case 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown with a sliding display screen cover is illustrated and discussed. Protective case 100 includes a case body 103 having various an openings 105, 109, and 113, and hand grips 115. Case body 103 can be constructed of various different materials to protect an electronic device enclosed within case body 103 from physical shock due to accidentally bumping, dropping or striking protective case 100. For example, in some embodiments, case body 103 can be constructed of a substantially rigid plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloy, or other material, that can be selected to provide various degrees and types of protection, and to achieve a desired size profile. Various materials and finishes can also be used to make protective case 100 easier to grip, easier to slide in and out of a pocket or purse, or to achieve another desired tactile characteristic. In some embodiments, a flexible rubber or rubber-like material can be used. In some embodiments protective case 100 also provides moisture resistance or insulation.

[0024] Case body 103 can be constructed of a single piece of material, or can constructed in multiple different segments that can be snapped, clasped, glued, or otherwise joined to form the entire case body 103. For example, in some embodiments, case body 103 can be a unitary piece of relatively flexible material that can be temporarily stretched or deformed to allow insertion of an electronic device through opening 109 or another opening (not illustrated). In other embodiments, one or more rigid or semi-rigid portions of case body 103 can be disassembled to allow insertion of an electronic device, then reassembled around the inserted device.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, case body 103 includes openings 105, 109, and 113 that are specifically configured for use with a particular electronic device. For example, opening 105 can be configured to correspond to the position of a speaker in a mobile telephone, opening 113 can be used to accommodate a pushbutton or other user input device, and opening 109 can be sized and positioned to accommodate a display screen of an electronic device, such an iPhone, a Droid, or another similar device. In various embodiments, case body 103 can be constructed or modified to include additional or fewer openings to accommodate various features of various different handheld or portable electronic devices. For example, case body 103 can include an opening in the back of case body 103 (not illustrated) to accommodate a camera included on an electronic device. In some embodiments, only the exact number of openings needed for use with a particular electronic device are included in case body 103, while other embodiments can be generically constructed for use with multiple different electronic devices, and may therefore include some openings not used for any one particular device.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, protective case 100 includes an opening 109 sized and positioned for use in conjunction with an electronic device having a display screen and positioned within case body 103. Opening 109 can, in some embodiments, be covered with a substantially clear material. This clear material can be rigid or flexible, and of any desired thickness. However, in at least one embodiment, the clear material is constructed to be thin enough to permit user interaction with a touch screen display included on the electronic device. In other embodiments, opening 109 is left uncovered to facilitate access to the display screen of the electronic device.

[0027] Protective cover 100 includes a slidable display cover configured to slide over opening 109 to cover the display screen of an electronic device located within case body 103 and protect the display screen from physical shock. The slidable display cover is not visible in FIG. 1, because it has been slid into an open position. In some embodiments, the slidable display cover may be partially visible even when it is in a fully open position.

[0028] Referring next to FIG. 2, protective cover 200 is illustrated with a display screen cover 210 in a closed, or protective position, covering an opening (not visible) in case body 203. In various embodiments, display screen cover 210 can be slid open or closed to alternately expose or cover an opening such as opening 109 (FIG. 1). At least one embodiment implements display screen cover 210 in a “roll-top” configuration. For example, when display screen cover 210 is slid from left to right to expose the opening in case body 203, display screen cover 210 slides around the right edge and around the back of the electronic device held within protective cover 200. In some embodiments, display screen cover 210 can wrap externally around case body 203. In other embodiments, display screen cover 210 wraps around the inside of case body 203.

[0029] Although the examples discussed herein generally describe a display screen cover that wraps around a left or right side of an electronic device, embodiments that slide up or down and wrap around the top or bottom edge of the electronic device are also contemplated, consistent with the configuration of the electronic device placed within the protective case. In yet other embodiments, display screen cover 210 can be an accordion-style door (not illustrated) having lateral elements that fold up on one another as the door is slid into an open position.

[0030] A display screen cover 210 according to various embodiments can be constructed of rigid or semi-rigid materials, which can help to absorb or deflect physical shock from the display of an electronic device when the display screen cover 210 is in a closed position. In some embodiments, display screen cover 210 can be constructed of a transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or other material that allows viewing of the display screen of an electronic device held within case body 203, even when display screen cover 210 is in a closed position. In other embodiments, display screen cover is substantially opaque.

[0031] Referring next to FIG. 3, protective case 300, which includes a sliding door 310 partially covering opening 309 in case body 303, is illustrated. Case body 303 also includes opening 115, configured to allow access to various connectors included on an electronic device housed within protective case 300. Although not specifically illustrated, case body 303 may also include various plugs, covers, or the like that can be used to close opening 115 when access to the connectors or ports through opening 115 is not desired.

[0032] Case body 303 also includes seams 322 and 324, which illustrate points at which various separate portions of case body 303 can be disassembled or assembled. For example, in some embodiments, the bottom portion of case body 303 can be separated from the top portion at seam 324, thereby facilitating placement of an electronic device therein. In other embodiments, the front and back portions of case body 303 can be separated at seam 322, and then reassembled after an electronic device has been inserted. In some embodiments case body 303 is the housing provided by the manufacturer of an electronic device, and the sliding door 310 is integral with, or attachable to, the primary housing of the electronic device. Put another way, the electronic and other components of an electronic device, including for example the display screen, can be housed within, or integrated with, protective cover 200.

[0033] Referring next to FIG. 4, a cover and track assembly 400 is illustrated according to various embodiments of the present invention. Cover and track assembly 400 includes sliding display cover 410 and track 420. Track 420 can be formed a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, metal, metal alloy, rubber-like material, or other material, and is constructed to mate with sliding display cover 410. In embodiments like those illustrated in FIG. 4, track 420 can be mounted to a case body, such as those illustrated and discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-3, so that an electronic device can be placed inside of track assembly 400, so that a display screen of the electronic device (not illustrated) can be alternately covered or exposed as sliding display cover 410 is slid to an open or closed position. Note that as sliding display cover 410 is slid open to expose the display of the electronic device, sliding display cover will wrap around an outside edge of the device, and in some embodiments at least partially around the back of an electronic device placed inside of track assembly 400.

[0034] In some embodiments, track 420 is formed as an integral part of a protective case, such as those illustrated and discussed in FIGS. 1-3. Furthermore, in some such embodiments, track 420 does not extend entirely around an edge of an electronic device placed inside of the protective case. Instead, the track can extend only along an edge of an opening 309 (FIG. 3). In some such embodiments, a device placed inside of the protective case can guide the movement of any portion of sliding display cover 410 that is not current engaging track 420. Furthermore, in some embodiments track 420 may engage only one side of sliding display cover 410.

[0035] Various methods and types of engaging mechanisms can be used to connect sliding display cover 410 to track 420. For example, track 420 may include one or more grooves into which one or more pins of sliding display cover 410 fit. In other embodiments, various rail, bearing, wheel, and continuous or semi-continuous male and female coupling techniques can be used to couple sliding display cover 410 to track 420. In some embodiments, track 420 may consist essentially of a pin or other protrusion configured to mate with a corresponding receiver connected to, or formed in, sliding display cover 410. At least one embodiment contemplates that each side of track 420 consists essentially of an upper and lower portion that protrude over and guide individual slats or ribs of sliding display cover 420.

[0036] Referring next to FIG. 5, a display cover 500 according to various embodiments is illustrated. Display cover 500 includes a series horizontal members 510 connected to each other and positioned side by side. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the horizontal members includes a protrusion 516 that can be slidably mated to a track in a protective cover, as discussed in FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated, display cover 500 is constructed from a single piece of material by forming lands 512 separated by grooves 514 cut into the material. The illustrated configuration allows display cover 500 to bend or flex when moved along track included in a protective case.

[0037] Referring briefly to FIG. 6, an expanded view of an edge of display cover 500 is illustrated. The expanded view shows the lands 512, grooves 514, and protrusions 516.

[0038] Although FIGS. 5 and 6 specifically illustrate a display cover 500 constructed from a single piece of material, other embodiments of display cover 500 can use individual slats, bars, or the like. In some such embodiments, the slats or bars can be connected by a strapping material, or simply placed next to each other and held in place by an external frame (not illustrated). In yet further embodiments, the display cover can be a unitary door constructed from one or more pieces of material without lands and grooves. Such a door should be flexible enough to bend at least partially around an outside portion of an electronic device when slid along a track included in a protective cover as described herein.

[0039] Referring next to FIG. 7, a method 700 according to various embodiments of the present invention will be discussed. At block 703, an electronic device is placed within a protective cover having a roll-top display cover. The display screen of the electronic device is preferably aligned with an opening in the protective cover, so that sliding the roll-top display cover into a closed position will be able to protect the display screen from physical shock. As illustrated by blocks 705 and 707, if the cover is closed, a user can slide the roll-top display cover from the closed position to an open position to expose the display screen of the electronic device for use by the user. As illustrated by blocks 709 and 711, if the user desires to protect the display screen of the electronic device from physical shock, the roll-top display cover can be slid into a closed position.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “electronic device,” “handheld device,” “portable device,” and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to various different devices that can be carried by person and include a display screen. Examples of electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile telephones or other communication devices, televisions, radios, audio visual devices, audio players, timekeeping devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other computing devices.

[0041] Various embodiments of a protective case having a sliding screen cover have been described to a level of detail that will allow one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention. Although more than one embodiment has been discussed, other variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be made based on the description provided, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.