PRIORITY

[0001 ] The present invention claims priority to provisional application 62/316,288, which has a filing date of March 31, 2016.

BACKGROUND FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable electronic devices accessories and, more particularly, to protective cases for portable electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] It is common for individuals to carry certain indispensible items with them at all times. Portable electronic devices have become one of those indispensible items. The use of portable electronic devices, such as PDAs, cell phones, smart phones, and tablet computers, is well known. It is understood that such devices are typically fragile and subject to breaking when dropped. Consequently, protective cases are typically used with cell phones and other portable electronic devices in order to provide a covering which enhances the durability of such devices.

[0004] At the same time, emotion, human nature and social Darwinism are drivers for

individual differentiation. Driven by inherent or conditioned behavior, people actively engage to differentiate themselves, their properties and personal effects to establish and display their own unique identities. In regards to smartphone cases, for example, design has become a primary driver for consumer decision making. In a specific case study, a child asked her parent for a particular smartphone case because of its illustrative design. The parent informed the child that the smartphone needed to be first selected and purchased before the selection of an appropriate case could occur. The child vehemently disagreed arguing her point that she wanted to choose a smartphone that fit her desired case.

[0005] Currently, the ability to individually differentiate portable electronics device cases is limited. This invention address that and other issues.

SUMMARY

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a portable electronics device case. The portable electronics device case includes a body having an interior face and an exterior face. Semi-flexible walls rise from the interior face, defining a perimeter encompassing a cavity dimensioned to securely contain a portable electronic device. A recess is disposed in the exterior face of the body and is dimensioned for receipt of a fastener strip. The fastener strip includes a fastener surface and a utility surface opposite the fastener surface. Representative suitable fasteners include adhesives, electrostatic, or magnetic fasteners. In certain embodiments the utility surface includes a print surface, frictional surface, a reflective surface, a stand, a clip, a pocket surface, and other utility structures joined to the utility surface of the fastener strip.

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a portable electronics device case according to the current invention;

[0009] Fig. 2 depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of a portable electronics device case according to the current invention;

[00010] Figs. 3A and 3B depict side views of embodiments of portable electronics device cases according to the current invention;

[00011] Fig. 4 depicts a top view of an embodiment of a portable electronics device case according to the current invention;

[00012] Fig. 5 depicts a side view of a fastener strip according to the current invention;

[00013] Figs. 6A - 6E depict side perspective views of various fastener strip configurations according to the current invention; and

[00014] Fig. 7 depicts a side exploded view of an embodiment of a portable electronics device case according to the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00015] While the foregoing detailed description has disclosed several embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. It will be appreciated that the discussed embodiments and other unmentioned embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.

[00016] The current invention is directed to a portable electronics device case having a utility recess, enabling personalization and other features. In exemplary use, the portable electronics device case is designed for receipt of a portable electronics device. Representative portable electronics devices include smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, laptop computers, and others.

[00017] This disclosure is directed to a portable electronics device case with a utility recess. Figs. 1 and 2 depict views of an embodiment of the invention. The portable electronics device case 10 includes a body having a recess 40 on its exterior face 12. The portable electronics device case 10 is operable to securely and removably encompass a major portion of a portable electronic device. In exemplary configuration, the portable electronics device case 10 is composed of an elastomeric material such as rubber, plastics, or silicones. In other configurations, the portable electronics device case 10 is composed of other materials such as metals.

[00018] Figs. 3A and 3B depict sides views of embodiments of portable electronics device case 10. In exemplary configuration, the portable electronics device case 10 is sized and shaped to be placed over a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, in a manner such that it substantially encompasses the smartphone on all sides except for the side with the touch screen. The portable electronics device case 10 includes an exterior side 12 presenting an exterior face 14. The portable electronics device case 10 further includes an interior side 16 presenting an interior face 18. Walls rise from the interior face 18 encompassing a cavity 26 dimensioned to contain the portable electronic device. The elastic property enables the portable electronics device case 10 to stretch over the portable electronics device such that the portable electronic device may be slidably engaged and secured within the cavity 26. Certain configurations includes a camera flash window 20 and a volume rocker switch window 22.

[00019] Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3A ~ 3B, the portable electronics device case 10 includes a recess 40, disposed on the exterior face 14 in exemplary configuration. The depicted recess 40 extends inwardly on the exterior side 12. Fig. 3A depicts a configuration where the recess 40 is nested in the exterior face 14. Fig. 3B depicts a configuration where one or more ridges 42 rise from the exterior face 14. The perimeter of the ridge 42 bounds a relative recess 40, relative to the peak of the ridge 42.

[00020] The depth, width, and edge of the recess 40 are customizable according to the

configuration. The depicted geometry of the recess 40 is rectangular but it may take other shapes such as square, circular, other regular or irregular shapes, or patterns.

[00021] Certain embodiments of the portable electronics device case 10 include a fastener strip 30 for engagement within the recess 40. Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of a fastener strip 30. The fastener strip 30 includes a fastener surface 32 and a utility surface 36 opposite the fastener surface 32. Representative suitable fasteners include adhesives, electrostatic, or magnetic fasteners. In exemplary configuration, the fastener is disposed about a major portion of the fastener surface 32. Representative suitable adhesives include those which are strong enough to adhere to the recess 40, but not so strong as to prevent it from being removed from the recess 40. Several such adhesives are available and are known in the art.

[00022] Exemplary dimensions for the fastener strip 30 are a length, width, and height which are less than the corresponding recess 40 to which the fastener strip 30 will be applied such that the fastener strip 30 is contained within the perimeter presented by the recess 40.

[00023] Various configurations of the fastener strip 30 include further structure disposed on its utility surface 36. In the configuration of Fig. 6A, the utility surface includes a print surface 37 for receipt of writing, printing, or other imprinting such that a user can inscribe, imprint, or transfer drawings, images, photographs, decals, or other insignia 38 on the print surface 37. Print surfaces 37 are those which can received imprinting or inscribing such as that of a pen, pencil, laser printer, ink jet printer, or similar devices. Representative suitable print surfaces include paper, photo paper, and paper composites.

[00024] In certain configurations, the fastener strip 30 and print surface 37 are provided as fastener strip 30 blanks configured for printing by the user. Each fastener strip 30 blank has a precut edges dimensioned to be contained with the corresponding recess 40 enabling the fastener strip 30 blanks to be peeled from a backing. The backside of the fastener strip 30 blank has the adhesive coating that allows the user to adhere the sticker to the recess 40. In order to use the fastener strip 30 blanks, the user acquires digital image data for the desired insignia 38. The user formats the digital image data so that each image will fit on a fastener strip 30 blank. Next, the images are printed onto a fastener strip 30 blank.

[00025] In the configuration of Fig. 6D, the utility surface includes a mirror surface 33 operable to reflect a broad band of electromagnetic radiation within the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In exemplary configuration, the mirror surface 33 includes a mirror coating applied as a substrate to the utility surface 36 as the receiving surface. Representative suitable mirror surfaces include plastic mirrors such as acrylic mirrors, mirror coatings such as chrome paint, or other mirror surfaces known in the art.

[00026] In the configuration of Fig. 6B, the utility surface 36 includes a frictional surface 39, operable to resist sliding when the portable electronics device is resting on its exterior side 12. The frictional surface 39 extends above the exterior face 14, including any ridges 42. The illustrated frictional surface 39 shows a plurality of ribs disposed on the utility surface 36. The illustrated ribs are composed of a rubber. Other representative frictional surfaces 39 include a textured surface of smaller dimensioned raised sections, such as that of sandpaper. Certain embodiments include hook and loop fasteners. [00027] In the configuration of Fig. 6C, the utility surface 36 includes an affixed generally planar stand 35 pivotably joined to the utility surface 36. The illustrated stand 35 is joined with the utility surface 36 at their respective upper ends, enabling the lower end of the stand 35 to pivot between an extended position, wherein the lower end of the stand 35 is pivoted away from the lower end of the utility surface 36, and a retracted position, wherein the lower end of the stand 35 is positioned proximate the lower end of the utility surface 36. The stand 35 may be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, in the illustrated configuration, the stand 35 is rectangular. In other configurations, the stand 35 may be "V" shaped or other shapes.

[00028] In other configurations, the utility surface 36 includes an affixed generally planar clip pivotably joined to the utility surface 36 with the lower end of the clip tension biased towards the lower end of the utility surface 36. The clip is joined with the utility surface 36 at their respective upper ends such that the lower end of the clip can pivot between an extended position, wherein the lower end of the clip is pivoted away from the lower end of the utility surface 36, and a retracted position, wherein the lower end of the clip is positioned proximate the lower end of the utility surface 36. The clip may be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, the clip may be generally "U" shaped with the two upper edges pivotably attached to the utility surface 36 and the bottom portion biased toward the lower end of the utility surface 36.

[00029] In the configuration of Fig. 6E, the utility surface includes a cover 29 operable to present a pocket 31. Representative suitable cover 29 materials include rigid, soft, or flexible materials such as plastics or fabrics. Edges of the cover 29 are joined with the utility surface 36 such that the cover 29 and utility surface 36 bound a defined, enclosed region presenting a pocket 31 for user engagement.

[00030] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, use of certain embodiments is shown. Fig. 7 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of a portable electronics device case 10. A portable electronics device is received. The portable electronics device is oriented to the 26 cavity of the portable electronics device case 10 and slidably engaged into the cavity, securing it. An image insignia 38 is selected and printed on the print surface 37 of the fastener strip 30. The fastener surface 32 of the fastener strip 30 is engaged to the within the recess 40, leaving the insignia 38 exposed.

[00031] Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the single claim below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.