15 patents in this list

Updated:

An additional degree of protection is provided by shock-absorbing phone cases, which shield mobile devices from potential harm.

 

These cases use a variety of materials and technologies to disperse and absorb impact force, reducing the possibility of internal hardware failures, cracked screens, and broken buttons.

 

This page examines several methods for improving phone case shock absorption.

1. Protective Enclosure with Waterproof Seal and Shock Reduction for Electronic Devices

Otter Products, LLC, 2021

A protective enclosure encasing objects like electronic devices to protect them from environmental conditions and rough handling. The enclosure has two or more portions that can be sealed together to form a waterproof seal. One or more members of the enclosure are designed to reduce mechanical loads and shocks that could damage the enclosed object.

US11147174B2-patent-drawing

2. Modular Protective Mobile Case with Customizable Rugged Features

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.

3. Innovative Shock-Absorbing Mobile Device Case with Visible Protection Elements

Incipio, LLC, 2020

A protective case for mobile electronic devices that provides improved protection against impacts and drops. The case has shock absorber elements embedded in the walls of the case compartment. The shock absorbers may be softer than the surrounding case material. The case can also have a transparent outer shell to show the shock absorbers inside. A removable screen protector lid is another feature.

US20200288833A1-patent-drawing

4. Detachable Hard Frame Design for Mobile Phone Cases with Enhanced Shock Absorption

SPIGEN KOREA CO., LTD., 2020

A mobile phone case with a soft protective cover and a hard protective frame that detaches from the cover to reduce damage risk. The case includes a soft cover to protect the back and sides of the phone and a removable hard frame that wraps around the soft cover. The hard frame has a disconnected side with mating connectors on the ends that attach to corresponding connectors on the soft cover's side walls. This allows the hard frame to be separated from the soft cover for reduced damage risk when dropped.

US20200195294A1-patent-drawing

5. Integrally Molded Shock Absorbers in Protective Mobile Device Cases

Incipio, LLC, 2020

Protective cases with molded shock absorbers to protect mobile devices from damage. The case has discrete shock absorber elements integrally molded and embedded into the external surface of the case sidewalls. The case design includes one or more raised, flexible shock absorber elements that are incorporated directly into the outer surface of the case. The shock absorber elements provide a visual indication to the user that the case has impact protection.

6. Multi-Layered Protective Case for Enhanced Device Impact Resistance

Urban Armor Gear, LLC, 2020

A protective case for electronic devices like smartphones and tablets that provides improved impact resistance and device protection while also facilitating device use. The case has a multi-layered composite construction with a resilient, impact-resistant device cradle that houses the device, surrounded by a rigid frame and a shear plate. A backing layer of different rigidity is sandwiched between the shear plate and frame. The cradle has walls that contact the device's periphery and a base that contacts the device back, protecting it from impacts. The frame and shear plate provide rigidity while the backing layer absorbs shock.

US20200093236A1-patent-drawing

7. Protective Mobile Device Case with Protrusions for Improved Shock and Heat Dissipation

Kane and McHenry Enterprises, LLC, 2020

Protective case for mobile devices with protrusions that aid in energy dissipation when dropped and also form channels for heat dissipation.

US20200015558A1-patent-drawing

8. Rugged Protective Enclosure with Multi-Layer Shock Absorption for Electronic Devices

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Protective enclosure for electronic devices to allow them to be used in rugged environments while keeping them safe from drops, shocks, damage, misuse, dirt, debris, and the like. The enclosure includes a hard shell with front and back members, internal and external cushioning layers, and openings to access device features. The cushioning layers protect the device inside the shell. The enclosure can also have a stretchable outer layer that provides impact protection and a tight fit.

US10448718B2-patent-drawing

9. Hinged Mobile Case for Superior Impact Protection and Extended Battery Life

Samsonite IP Holdings S.àr.l., 2019

A mobile device case protects the device from impact while also extending the battery life. The case has a hinge that allows the upper and lower portions to angle toward each other. When closed, this forms a triangular shape to protect the device better when dropped. When the device is open, it allows the case to have a large battery. The hinge allows the case to flex when dropped and absorb the impact energy better than a rigid case.

US20190081299A1-patent-drawing

10. Innovative Detachable Mobile Case Design for Improved Drop Protection

KYOCERA Corporation, 2019

An electronic device like a phone with a case and attachable cover that prevents damage when dropped. The device has a case with a soft portion and a hook receiving part. The attachable cover has a hook that engages with the case. The hook has a rigid body and a laterally extending end. The end engages with the soft portion of the case while the main body supports the cover. This allows the cover to detach when dropped to avoid damage, as the rigid body of the hook releases from the soft case portion.

US10219596B2-patent-drawing

11. Dual-Layer Protective Enclosure for Electronic Devices with Flexible Installation

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Protective enclosure for electronic devices, like smartphones, that provides drop and damage protection. The enclosure has a flexible cushion layer to protect the device from impacts and a rigid structural layer to provide structural integrity. The structural layer has a thinner section that allows flexing when installing/removing the device. The enclosure can be a one-piece design that is easy to install/remove compared to multi-piece cases.

US20190013834A1-patent-drawing

12. Sliding Impact Absorption Sections in Protective Mobile Device Cases

INCIPIO, LLC, 2018

Protective case for mobile devices that absorbs impact forces to protect the device from drops and falls. The case has removable impact sections that slide on channels in the case back. When the case is subject to an impact, the sections can slide and compress against a central stop, dissipating and absorbing the force. The impact sections can then return to their original position for further impacts.

US10085532B2-patent-drawing

13. Innovative Protective Case Design with Differential Impact Absorption for Computing Devices

Lina Zhang, 2018

Protective case for portable computing devices such as laptops and tablets. The case has a unique frame structure to diffuse force from impact and better protect the encased device. The frame has large openings around the central region of the device body to absorb impact force. Smaller openings are clustered around the edges and corners to absorb impact in those vulnerable areas. The case also has cushioning layers and slits in the base layer for heat dissipation.

US10051934B1-patent-drawing

14. Impact-Resistant Mobile Case with Internal Damping Protrusions

Tech 21 Licensing Limited, 2018

A protective case for mobile devices with screens that provides impact resistance. The case has a band that surrounds the device edges and includes a layer of flexible polymer and a softer damping material layer inside it. The inner damping layer has protrusions that project inwardly to contact the device. These protrusions are arranged so that they are the only points of contact between the case and device during normal use. They are placed at least in the corner regions of the case. The protrusions dissipate impact energy by deforming and absorbing it when the device is dropped or impacted.

15. Triple-Layered Shock Absorption Mobile Case Design

Tech 21 Licensing Limited, 2018

A phone case design to protect mobile devices with screens. The case has a band that surrounds the device edge and is made of three layers: an outer layer of flexible polymer, an inner layer of damping material, and an intermediate layer of dissipation material. The intermediate layer is the hardest and the inner layer is the softest. This layering arrangement provides enhanced impact protection and shock absorption compared to traditional cases.

US20180027938A1-patent-drawing

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The patents shown here demonstrate a variety of techniques for obtaining excellent shock absorption. Detachable parts, integrated safety features, and multi-layered materials are some of these innovations. Certain solutions even provide benefits like better heat management or longer battery life, which go above and beyond basic protection