PROTECTIVE CASE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/943,917, filed on Jul. 17, 2013, which is currently pending and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/135,287, filed on Jul. 1, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,676,279 on Mar. 18, 2014. The patent applications identified above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

[0002] This invention relates to protective cases for electronic devices, a device for finger(s) attachment to electronic devices and/or a mounting device for electronic devices all of which may be separate combinable and/or interchangeable. The protective case preferably has a raised rear portion that that provides space for a recess to accommodate a holding portion, such as a finger(s) attachment and/or other accessories within the protective case.

[0003] Cell phones and various other electronic devices are in wide use around the world. When a cell phone is used to answer a call, send a text message and/or view the Internet, it is gripped in the individual's hand or hands. The individual then uses his or her thumbs and fingers to navigate various applications on the phone. However, the movement of the individual's hands and fingers can cause the individual to accidentally drop the phone thereby causing damage to the phone.

[0004] An additional problem occurs with extended use of electronic devices causing hand, limb and back problems due to the physical stress of griping the electronic device during use.

[0005] Additional uses of smart phones and tablets is for watching videos, listening to music and receiving GPS coordinates and directions in automobiles. The electronic device needs to be held in an individual's hands when using the device for these purposes, rested on a lap, dashboard, console and so forth, thereby leaving the device unsecured and open to damage if the device falls.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a protective case and/or holding portion with an attachment accessory that provides a secure attachment to either an individual's hand or to a surface to ensure the device will not be dropped and damaged. In addition, a need exists for a protective case with a raised portion, storage compartment and lid to store the attachment accessory within the protective case when not in use.

[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide protective case that provides an attachment accessory to attach the protective case to either an individual's hand or fingers to a surface to ensure the electronic device will not be dropped and damaged.

[0008] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a protective case with a raised portion, storage compartment and lid to store the attachment accessory within the protective case when the attachment accessory is not in use.

[0009] The primary object of the present invention is to provide protective case that provides an attachment accessory that reduces the physical stress of gripping an electronic device.

[0010] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a protective case for mobile electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets and so forth, having various attachments that allow the electronic device to be held securely in an individual's hand or fingers, mounted to a surface and/or carried via a belt clip. The protective case preferably has a raised rear portion that extends a predetermined distance from the phone to allow space for a slidable hinged lid on the raised rear portion of the protective case that covers a storage compartment. An attachment accessory is located on a rear surface of the lid. The lid may be flipped over to reveal a smooth front surface for when an individual wants to carry the protective case and electronic device in his or her pocket or to reveal a rear surface and the attachment accessory for attaching the protective case to the individual's fingers or to a flat surface.

[0011] When the lid is in a partially open position, the lid may be locked into place and used as a stand or “kickstand” on a flat surface to hold the protective case and electronic device in a vertical position or in a horizontal position

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

[0023] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

[0024] 1. protective case, generally

[0025] 2. storage compartment

[0026] 3. sliding lid

[0027] 4. attachment accessory

[0028] 5. electronic device

[0029] 6. front portion of protective case

[0030] 7. holding means

[0031] 8. top wall of holding means

[0032] 9. bottom wall of holding means

[0033] 10. first side wall of holding means

[0034] 11. second side wall of holding means

[0035] 12. middle wall of protective case

[0036] 13. rear portion of protective case

[0037] 14. top wall of raised rear portion

[0038] 15. bottom wall of raised rear portion

[0039] 16. first side wall of raised rear portion

[0040] 17. second side wall of raised rear portion

[0041] 18. top edge of lid

[0042] 19. bottom edge of lid

[0043] 20. first side edge of lid

[0044] 21. second side edge of lid

[0045] 22. front surface of lid

[0046] 23. rear surface of lid

[0047] 24. projection

[0048] 25. top corner of lid

[0049] 26. elongated slot

[0050] 27. finger grip

[0051] 28. finger indentation

[0052] 29. front surface of finger grip

[0053] 30. strap

[0054] 31a. latch

[0055] 31b. latch holding means

[0056] 32. rotation means

[0057] 33. stop

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the protective case 1 for mobile electronic devices 5, such as smart phones, tablets and so forth, comprises a storage compartment 2 covered by a rotating and sliding lid 3 for storing various attachment accessories 4 that allow the electronic device 5 to be held securely in an individual's hand, mounted to a surface and/or carried via a clip. The protective case 1 is preferably substantially rectangular-shaped and comprises a front portion 6 having a holding means 7 for holding an electronic device 5 within the protective case 1. The holding means 7 preferably comprises a top wall 8, a bottom wall 9, a first side wall 10, a second side wall 11 and a middle wall 12 separating the front portion 6 from a raised rear portion 13. The holding means 7 may also comprise a sleeve, one or more clip and so forth for holding the electronic device 5 within the carrying case 1.

[0059] The raised rear portion 13 comprises a top wall 14, bottom wall 15, a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 extending a predetermined distance from the middle wall 12 to allow space for the storage compartment 2. The rotating and sliding lid 3 comprises a preferably rectangular-shaped planar piece of material that covers the storage compartment 2. Said lid 3 comprises a top edge 18, bottom edge 19, first side edge 20, second side edge 21, front surface 22 and rear surface 23. Projections 24 are located at top corners 25 of the lid 2. Said projections 24 engage elongated slots 26 located along the first side wall 16 and second side wall 17 of the raised rear portion 13. Said lid 3 is pivotally connected to the first side wall 16 and second side wall 17 in a manner that allows the top edge 18 of the lid 4 to be slid lengthwise from a location proximal to the top wall 14 of the raised rear portion 13 to a location proximal to the bottom wall 15 of the raised rear portion 13.

[0060] When the top edge 18 of the lid 2 is in a location proximal to the top wall 14 of the raised rear portion 13, the lid 2 may be folded downward into a parallel position with the middle wall 12, thereby covering the storage compartment 2 and exposing the front surface 22 of the lid 2, which is preferably smooth, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0061] When the bottom edge 19 of the lid 2 is in a location proximal to the bottom wall 14 of the raised rear portion 13, the lid 2 may be folded downward into a parallel position with the middle wall 12, thereby covering the storage compartment 2 and exposing the rear surface 23 of the lid 2, which has an attachment accessory 4 located thereon, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

[0062] The attachment accessory 4 may be a finger grip 27, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The finger grip 27 may be curved and have at least two finger indentations 28 located on a front surface 29. One or more straps 30 are located on the finger grip 27 to attach the protective case 1 and electronic device 5 to the individual's fingers. One or more pull tabs 31 are located on the one or more straps 30 to allow a user to easily adjust the length of the one or more straps 31 to the size of his or her fingers. The finger grip 27 is mounted to the rear surface 23 of the lid 2 and capable of being rotated in relation to the lid 2 via a rotation means 32, thereby allowing an individual to turn the protective case 1 and electronic device 5 vertically or horizontally while attached to his or her fingers. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a latch 33a and holding means 33b may be located on the rear surface 23 of the lid 2 to allow the finger grip 27, to be locked in a vertical or horizontal holding position.

[0063] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid 2 in a partially open position is illustrated.

[0064] When the lid 2 is in a partially open position, the lid 2 may be used as a stand on a flat surface to hold the protective case 1 and electronic device 5 in a vertical position, as illustrated in FIG. 8, or in a horizontal position, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0065] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.