11 patents in this list
Updated: June 30, 2024
Lightweight cases are preferred by mobile phone users for a reason: they guarantee comfortable portability and preserve the phone's elegant appearance.
To achieve this lightness, though, prevention against weight loss must be balanced. Manufacturers overcome this difficulty by employing inventive designs and robust yet lightweight materials.
This page examines several methods for creating lightweight phone cases.
Shenzhen Bashidehen Technology Co., Ltd, Chongqing Shiweixun Cultural Communication Co., Ltd, 2023
An ultra-thin support that allows mobile phones to stand upright for easy viewing. The support has a thin base that attaches magnetically to the phone, a column that extends up from the base, and a top plate that holds the phone in place. The column and plate fold down against the base when not in use.
Vinci Brands LLC, 2022
Protective case for mobile devices with an integrated multi-layered construction to provide enhanced protection while minimizing bulkiness and weight. The case has a front face, back face, perimeter, and corners. The multi-layered construction involves molding three distinct layers together in an integrated construct. The layers are the inner layer, middle layer, and outer layer. The inner layer directly contacts and conforms to the mobile device. The outer layer provides impact resistance. The middle layer provides shock absorption.
Incipio, LLC, 2021
Protective cases for mobile devices with improved impact resistance and reduced bulkiness compared to conventional cases. The case has an integrated multi-layered construction with a rigid inner layer, a flexible middle layer, and a shock-absorbent outer layer. The layers are co-molded together within a mold to form an integrated protective case. This construction provides enhanced protection against impact and drops while minimizing bulk and weight compared to conventional cases.
Incipio, LLC, 2020
Protective case for mobile devices that is lightweight and slim while providing high levels of protection. The case has a unique integrated multi-layer construction with an outer rigid layer to absorb impact, a middle shock-absorbing layer, and an inner soft layer to cushion the device. The layers are co-molded together as a single unit. This construction allows for reducing bulkiness and weight while maintaining protection. The case is for mobile devices like tablets and smartphones and can have a touchscreen on both faces.
ANDREW JACOB FREIMUTH, 2020
A finger attachment system for portable devices that improves ergonomics and ease of use while reducing the risk of dropping the device. The system attaches to the back of a device like a smartphone and wraps around the user's finger, providing a secure grip with reduced strain compared to holding the device in the hand. The attachment adds minimal bulk and weight to the device.
TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., 2019
Electronic device housing with improved torsional rigidity while reducing thickness and weight. The housing has a reinforcing structure joined to the bottom and/or top covers. The reinforcing structure has a flat portion, rising wall, and joining portion. The joining area is 10-100 cm2, and the maximum height is 3-30 mm. The reinforcing structure projects 60-95% into the cover area. This provides torsional rigidity without excessive weight or reducing internal space.
INCIPIO, LLC, 2019
A protective case for a mobile device that allows users to store personal items and different viewing/operation positions while minimizing bulkiness and weight. The case has a removable shell to hold the device, a front cover to protect the screen, and a flexible spine to connect them. The shell has a hinged subpanel that opens to access a storage compartment beneath.
INCIPIO, LLC, 2019
Protective cases for mobile devices that provide a high level of protection yet are low profile. The case is a multilayer construction with an inner rigid shell wrapped in a less rigid outer layer. The outer layer is more elastic and provides a grippier, tactile surface. The layering minimizes bulk and weight while maintaining protection. The case can also have responsive buttons.
Samsonite IP Holdings S.àr.I., 2019
A dual-layer protective bumper for mobile devices that provides impact protection and coverage without adding significant size or weight. The bumper has a hard inner layer and a soft outer layer. The inner layer is against the device, and the outer layer covers the inner layer. The bumper fully covers the device except for the screen/buttons. The soft outer layer can have an antimicrobial material or treatment.
TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., 2018
A reinforced housing with improved torsional rigidity while having a reduced thickness and weight compared to conventional housings. The housing has a reinforcing structure that is joined to the bottom cover or top cover of the housing. The reinforcing structure has a flat portion, a rising wall member, and a joining portion. The joining portion is attached to the cover. The reinforcing structure reinforces the housing without adding much weight and bulk.
INCIPIO, LLC, 2018
Protective case for mobile devices with innovative integrated multi-layer construction that provides high level of protection, yet are low profile, lightweight and aesthetically appealing. The case has an inner rigid shell wrapped in a more elastic outer layer. The outer layer is molded around the shell to form a unitary case. This provides rigidity and impact protection from the inner shell, with a grippy, slim and responsive outer surface. The inner and outer layers are co-molded within a mold to integrate them into a single protective case.
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The phone case patents shown here demonstrate several approaches to making them lighter. These developments show how lightweight phone covers that are both safe and user-friendly are still being sought after. They range from multi-layered construction processes to integrated storage solutions and antimicrobial coatings.