15 patents in this list

Updated:

Cases for mobile phones are essential for safeguarding electronic gadgets. But it can be inconvenient to have a large phone case that blocks the access to ports and controls. The perfect phone case should be easy to use and offer protection as well.

 

There are various obstacles to overcome while designing phone cases that allow for easy access to ports and buttons. This page examines several patented solutions for these challenges.

1. Modular Protective Case for Mobile Devices with Peripheral Access and Enhanced Durability

MobileDemand LC, 2023

Protective case for mobile devices like tablets or smartphones that enables efficient ruggedization, peripheral attachment, and protection against drops while maintaining compatibility with modular peripherals like keyboards, barcode scanners, etc. The case has a flexible rubberized housing partially enclosed by a rigid housing. The rigid housing has a detachable sidewall that can cover and protect peripheral ports when not in use. The sidewall can be removed to attach peripherals like keyboards directly.

US20230163799A1-patent-drawing

2. Ruggedized Mobile Device Case with Peripheral Attachment Features and Programmable Buttons

MobileDemand LC, 2023

A ruggedized protective case for mobile devices that allows easy attachment of peripheral devices like barcode scanners and payment devices. The case has a secondary housing with port protectors to shield the mobile device's connectors. A circuit housing mounts to the case and provides a rear-facing mount for peripherals. The circuit housing also has programmable buttons to control device functions. The case may include features like a rotatable terminal for wireless payment devices.

3. Modular Protective Case for Enhanced Mobile Device Usability and Protection

MobileDemand LC, 2022

A modular protective case for mobile devices like tablets and smartphones that provides ruggedization against shocks and drops while also enabling convenient one-handed use with peripherals. The case has a flexible inner housing surrounded by a rigid outer housing, with port protectors to shield connectors. A terminal device dock attaches to the case and can be rotated out of the way when not in use. This docked device wirelessly connects to the mobile device. A barcode scanner and triggers are also attached to the case.

4. Shock-Absorbing Protective Case with Scalloped Frame Design for Enhanced Device Accessibility

Vinci Brands LLC, 2022

A protective case for portable electronic devices that provides impact protection while still allowing features of the device to be easily accessed. The case has a hard shell with a scalloped frame design that acts as a shock absorber when the case is dropped. The frame has an elastic bumper that provides cushioning around the device edges and a rigid base that provides support and structure. The frame bumper is made of a material that is different from the base and has lower elasticity.

US20220265015A1-patent-drawing

5. Impact-Resistant Smartphone Case with Accessible Device Features and Visibility

JEFFERSON STREET HOLDINGS, LLC, 2022

A protective case for electronic devices like smartphones provides impact protection without covering the entire device. The case has a rigid inner layer with turned edges and a resilient outer layer with enveloping edges. This creates gaps between the layers that allow device features like logos to be visible. The rigid layer has openings and bridges, and the resilient layer has matching windows and bridges of smaller widths. This layered design allows impact absorption while leaving parts of the device visible and accessible.

6. Modular Protective Case for Mobile Devices with Customizable Features and Port Access

MobileDemand LC, 2021

This is a modular protective case for mobile devices that allows customization with various ruggedized features and attachments. The case has a flexible inner housing surrounded by a rigid outer housing for impact resistance. Port protectors shield connectors when not in use. The case can add optional modules like a barcode scanner, payment terminal, or detachable keyboard. The modules connect to the device wirelessly or via ports in the case.

7. Innovative Dual-Layer Protective Case for Full-Access Mobile Device Usage

Incipio Technologies, Inc., 2020

Protective case for mobile devices like smartphones that allows full use of the device while still being protected. The case has two main parts: a flexible inner sleeve that surrounds the mobile device and provides full access to the screen, buttons, and ports, and a rigid outer shell that engages with the inner sleeve to protect the device. The inner sleeve can receive the device through a screen opening and has protrusions to manipulate controls and align with ports. The outer shell has fingers that engage with indents on the inner sleeve.

US10848194B2-patent-drawing

8. Protective Cover with Integrated Electrical Adapter for Easy Docking of Portable Electronic Devices

National Products, Inc., 2019

A protective cover for portable electronic devices like smartphones and tablets that has an integrated electrical adapter for easy and reliable docking. The cover has a flexible inner layer that encloses the device and an outer hard shell. The inner layer contains a fixed adapter with a plug that mates with the device's port and contacts that extend outside the cover. The outer shell provides protection and has openings for the inner layer's contacts and buttons. When docked, the inner adapter contacts connect to a docking cradle's contacts for charging and data transfer.

US10389399B2-patent-drawing

9. Innovative Electronic Device Cases with Enhanced Camera Flash Reduction and Full Button Accessibility

Apple Inc., 2019

Accessory cases for electronic devices that enable full functionality of device features and mitigate camera flash interference. The cases have key features like a camera opening with chamfered edges to reduce flash interference, and button covers that attach through the case to allow full button use.

US10299553B1-patent-drawing

10. Waterproof Electronic Device Case with Enhanced Interaction and Sound Transmission Features

CATALYST LIFESTYLE LIMITED, 2019

This is a waterproof case for electronic devices that maintains water and air tightness while allowing device interaction and sound transmission. The case has a main housing and lid joined with a compression gasket. Features like stabilization structures, slots, ports, and buttons allow device actuation while sealed. The case interior traps air that vibrates membranes in response to sound pressure, transmitting audio.

11. Adjustable Protective Case for Enhanced Access and Protection of Mobile Devices

Premashanth Kumalarasan, 2019

Protective case for portable electronic devices like smartphones. The case has an adjustable, expandable sheath to provide targeted protection primarily to the corners of the device which are most vulnerable to damage. The sheath is made of two components that can expand and contract to fit different device sizes. An interlock mechanism connects the components. The case allows access to device features like buttons and cameras while protecting the corners from shock and impact.

US20190014877A1-patent-drawing

12. Waterproof Electronic Device Cases with Accessible Control Features

CATALYST LIFESTYLE LIMITED, 2018

Waterproof, sealed cases for electronic devices. The cases have slots, ports and membranes that allow interaction with the device while keeping it protected from water.

13. Waterproof Case with Full Access to Device Controls and Touchscreen

GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, LLC, 2018

A protective waterproof case for electronic devices that provides full access to device buttons and touchscreens while maintaining water resistance. The case has a rigid plastic front frame with a bonded transparent touchscreen cover. The frame surrounds the touchscreen with seals and apertures for buttons and connectors. Elastomeric seals with button-shaped protrusions allow full use of device controls while keeping water out.

14. Protective Smartphone Case with Full Access to Controls and Features

Griffin Technology, LLC, 2018

A protective case for portable devices like smartphones that allows easy access to device controls while providing a high level of protection. The case has a stretchable cover that fits over the device and a transparent screen protector. The device is held between a back frame and front frame with the stretchable cover stretched between them. This allows full access to the device's controls and features while protecting it.

15. Waterproof Electronic Device Case with Functional Access to Controls and Ports

CATALYST LIFESTYLE LIMITED, 2018

Waterproof case for electronic devices that allows full device functionality while remaining sealed. The case has upper and lower housing members that enclose the device and seal with a wrap. The wrap has transparent portions for light transmission and slots for toggles to actuate device controls.

US9993056B2-patent-drawing

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The patents shown here demonstrate the various ways in which protection and accessibility can be balanced These include features that are disclosed through layered constructions for shock absorption, modular designs for increased usability, and strong outer shells concealing flexible inner elements.