US20120012579A1

US20120012579A1 - Device cover

Info

Publication number: US20120012579A1
Application number: US12/836,778
Authority: US
Inventors: Kemal Kaya Kaplancali
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-15
Filing date: 2010-07-15
Publication date: 2012-01-19

Abstract

A device cover for covering a device is provided. The device cover comprises a substantially planar surface, at least one pair of opposite side walls and a plurality of protruding members. The at least one pair of opposite side walls extend substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges of the planar surface. The plurality of protruding members is configured on one or more side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls. Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured to extend outwardly to the planar surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to device accessories, and more particularly to, a device cover for covering a device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Assortment of accessories is now available for devices, such as mobile phones and media players. Examples of such accessories may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth headsets, earphones, memory cards, universal serial bus (USB) cables, protective cases and the like. Such accessories serve one or more purposes and, in general, provide an ease of use to a user of such devices.
Further, the devices are being increasingly equipped with multiple functionalities. For example, a device such as a mobile phone may be equipped with at least one of an in-built camera and a multimedia player. On account of the multiple functionalities, a usage of such devices has exponentially increased and with the increased usage, a need to cover and protect such devices has increased. For example, a user of such a device may occasionally place the device on an external surface, such as a table-top or flooring after using the device. The external surface may be covered with dust or may be hard or relatively uneven or may even be at a relatively higher temperature or a lower temperature, and as such, may be unsuitable for delicate parts of the device, such as a display screen of the device. Further, a body or a shell of the device may be composed of plastic or metallic materials with smooth surfaces that are typically prone to showing scratches and wear and tear within a relatively short period of time. Furthermore, body or the shell of the device is prone to damage on account of bumps, hits, shocks and falls. Accordingly, there is a need for covering the device for protecting the device.
Typically, protective cases are provided for covering such devices and thereby providing the requisite protection. The protective cases are designed to receive such devices in its entirety. A user may be required to retrieve a device from a protective case for using the device thereafter. Such protective cases, however, cause various hassles to a user of the device. For example, the user of a mobile phone (device) may not be able to identify an identity of a person for receiving an incoming call without having to retrieve the mobile phone from the protective case. Further, a user of a media player (device) may not be able to view a display screen for identifying a song play list without having to retrieve the media player from the protective case. As a result, the user of the device is forced to perform the cumbersome activity of retrieving the device from the protective case for using the device thereafter. Retrieving the device may especially be cumbersome if hands of the user are pre-occupied with another task, for example, holding one or more articles.
Protective cases, with transparent films as surfaces preclude some hassles explained above. In addition to covering the device and protecting the device from the external surfaces, such protective cases expose the display screen of the device for enabling the user to view the display screen of the device which provides inherent advantages. More specifically, in case of a mobile phone, the user may be able to identify the identity of the person for receiving an incoming call, or, in the case of the media player, the user may be able to view the song play list without retrieving the device. However, a user of such devices may still have to retrieve the device from the protective case for using the device, such as for example, making a phone call. Moreover, the device may typically be placed on the external surfaces with the exposed display screen facing in a direction opposite to the external surfaces for precluding damage to the display screen. Placing the device in such a manner may compromise a privacy of content being displayed on the display screen as the display screen may be viewed by people in vicinity of the device. Accordingly, there is a need for covering a device while protecting a privacy of content being displayed on the device.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for covering a device for precluding a contact of the device from an external surface for avoiding damage to delicate parts, such as a display screen of the device. Further, there is a need for covering the device while allowing a use of the device in a hassle-free manner. Furthermore, there is a need for covering the device while ensuring that a privacy of the user is not compromised. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the device cover according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of covering a device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved device cover, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved device cover and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a device cover which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
An object of the present invention is to cover a device for precluding a contact of the device from an external surface for avoiding damage to delicate parts, such as a display screen of the device.
Another object of the present invention is to cover the device and to preclude hassles like retrieving of the device for using the device thereafter.
Yet another object of the present invention is to cover the device and to ensure that a privacy of the user of the device is not compromised.
To achieve the objects of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device cover for covering a device. The device cover comprises a substantially planar surface, at least one pair of opposite side walls and a plurality of protruding members. The at least one pair of opposite side walls extend substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges of the planar surface. The plurality of protruding members is configured on one or more side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls. Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured to extend outwardly to the planar surface.
In another embodiment of the present invention, device cover for covering a device is provided. The device includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The device cover comprises a first pair of opposite side walls, a second pair of opposite side walls and a plurality of protruding members. Each side wall of the second pair of opposite side walls connects the first pair of opposite side walls. Further, the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, receive the device. The plurality of protruding members is configured on at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls. At least one of the plurality of protruding members is substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
The device cover is configured to expose at least a first surface of the device received therein for enabling the user to utilize the device in a hassle-free manner and without performing the cumbersome activity of retrieving the device from a protective covering. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions. A body portion or a shell portion of the device may also be protected on account of receiving the device therein. Further, the device cover enables the user to place the device on an external surface while protecting the device from the external surface. Accordingly, the device cover may be placed in an upturned position to rest on the plurality of protruding members which provides the necessary elevation of the device from the external surface, thereby protecting the device. Further, placing the device cover on the plurality of protruding members enables a user to preclude a public view of the first surface (such as a display screen) of the device, thereby enabling the user to maintain the privacy of the content displayed on the first surface of the device.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device cover that has all of the advantages of the prior art covers and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device cover that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device cover that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such device cover economically available to the buying public.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new device cover that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing provided to illustrated and not to limit the invention, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exploded view and an assembled view of a device cover, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover with a device received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an upturned position of the device cover with the device received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of exemplary configurations of plurality of protruding members on the pair of opposite side walls of the device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the device cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover for covering a device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a device cover for covering a device, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The embodiments of the invention provide a device cover for covering a device. The device cover protects the device from an external surface and precludes damage to delicate parts of the device, such as a display screen of the device. A body portion or a shell portion of the device may also be protected on account of receiving the device therein. Further, the device cover precludes the user from performing any cumbersome activity, such as retrieving the device for using the device thereafter. The exposed first surface enables the user to utilize the device without retrieving the device from the device cover. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions. Furthermore, the device cover protects the device without compromising a privacy of the user of the device.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an exploded view and an assembled view of a device cover 100 are illustrated, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the device cover 100 includes a substantially planar surface 102, at least one pair of opposite side walls, such as a pair of opposite side walls 104 a and 104 b, and a plurality of protruding members, such as a protruding member 106 a, a protruding member 106 b, a protruding member 106 c and a protruding member 106 d. The pair of opposite side walls 104 a and 104 b will hereinafter be collectively referred to as pair of opposite side walls. The protruding members such as the protruding members 106 a, 106 b, 106 c and 106 d will be hereinafter be collectively referred to as plurality of protruding members.
The planar surface 102 is depicted to include an aperture 102 a. Further, the side wall 104 a is depicted to include an aperture 110. Though only the side wall 104 a is depicted to include the aperture 110, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that one or more apertures, such as the aperture 110, may be provided on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. The apertures 102 a and 110 will be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 1B, an assembled view of the device cover 100 is depicted. In FIG. 1B, the side walls 104 a and the side walls 104 b are depicted to be moulded to peripheral edges 108 a and 108 b, (the peripheral edges 108 a and 108 b are depicted as dotted in FIG. 1B), respectively, of the planar surface 102. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the pair of opposite side walls may be attached or fastened to the peripheral edges 108 a and 108 b. In FIG. 1B, the pair of opposite side walls is configured to extend substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges 108 a and 108 b of the planar surface 102.
Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured on the pair of opposite side walls. More specifically, the protruding member 106 a and the protruding member 106 b are configured on the side wall 104 a and the protruding member 106 c and the protruding member 106 d are configured on the side wall 104 b. Further, the plurality of protruding members is configured to extend outwardly to the planar surface 102.
In FIG. 1B, the plurality of protruding members is depicted to be moulded to the side walls 104 a and 104 b. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the plurality of protruding members may be affixed to the pair of opposite side walls by a variety of means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of protruding members is configured to be fastened to one or more side walls of the pair of opposite side walls. In another embodiment, the plurality of protruding members is configured to be attached to the one or more side walls of the pair of opposite side walls. In various embodiments, the plurality of protruding members may be configured to be attached to the one or more side walls of the pair of opposite side walls by at least one of a hook and loop attachment, an adhesive attachment and a sewing attachment.
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, two protruding members are depicted to be configured on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that at least two, i.e. two or more protruding members may be configured on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Further, the plurality of protruding members may be configured at a variety of positions (explained in conjunction with FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5). For example, at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members may be configured at each end portion of side walls of the pair of opposite side walls (shown in FIG. 4A). The at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members may also be configured on a middle portion of each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Further, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that a variety of combinations of configurations of the plurality of protruding members on the pair of opposite side walls may be possible. For example, at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding member may each be configured on the middle portion as well as on the end portion of each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Details corresponding to the embodiment have been explained in conjunction with FIG. 7. In various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of protruding members may be present at a predefined distance from each other.
The planar surface 102, the pair of side opposite side walls and the plurality of plurality of protruding members may be composed of variety of materials. In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the planar surface, the pair of opposite side walls and the plurality of protruding members is made of metal, plastic, biodegradable material, bioplastic, wood, composite material a clothing material.
The planar surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls 104 are configured to, at least partially, to receive a device. Examples of the device may be, but are not limited to, a mobile communications device such as a cellular phone, a smart phone or personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand phone, hand held device, touch pad, tablet PC, a media playing device such as an Apple™ Ipod™, and a computing device such as a gaming console or a calculator, and a camera. The examples for the device are provided for exemplary purposes and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the device may include similar hand-held devices. A reception of the device in the device cover 100 is depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 illustrates the device cover 100 with a device 112 received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, the planar surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls 104 are configured to, at least partially, receive the device 112. Further, the planar surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, expose a first surface 112 a of the device 112 as shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first surface 112 a may be configured to include a display screen of the device 112. The planar surface 102 supports the rear side of the device 112. The planer surface 102 and the pair of opposite side walls are adapted to be gripped by a user wherein the surface reduces slippage at the user's hand. In an embodiment, the gripping of may be increased by providing protrudance on the planar surface 102 and/or the pair of opposite side walls.
In FIG. 2, the height of the pair of opposite side walls 104 may be configured in a manner that the pair of opposite side walls 104 may be equal to or may not exceed the first surface 112 a when the device 112 is included in the device cover 100.
Accordingly, on receiving the device 112 in the device cover 100 in a manner wherein the first surface 112 a is positioned to be facing in a direction opposite to the planar surface 102, the display screen of the device 112 may be exposed. A user of the device 112 may use the device 112 thereafter by utilizing the exposed display screen of the device 112. Also, the exposed first surface 112 a promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first surface 112 a, as the exposed first surface 112 a allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device 112 may include an in-built camera with a camera lens configured on a second surface opposite to the first surface 112 a. The aperture 102 a may be configured to coincide with the camera lens on receiving the device 112 within the device cover 100, thereby exposing the camera lens for providing an unobstructed view to a viewfinder function of the in-built camera function. The user of the device 112 may utilize the in-built camera by positioning the camera lens exposed through the aperture 102 a to point towards a subject to be captured by the user and depressing a capture key configured on the exposed first surface 112 a of the device.
The aperture 110 configured on the side wall 104 a provides an opening in the device cover 100 which may be utilized for connecting the device 112 received in the device cover 110 to one or more accessories, such as the Bluetooth headset, earphones, universal serial bus (USB) cables, memory cards, data communication interfaces, power inlet/outlet interfaces and the like. As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1A, one or more apertures such as the apertures 110 may be provided on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls for enabling access to the device 112 and use various functionalities of the device 112.
Upon completing a utilization of the device 112, the device cover 110 with the device 112 received therein may be placed on an external surface by upturning the device cover 100, such that the first surface 112 a of the device 112 faces the external surface. An upturned position of the device cover 100 with the device 112 received therein is depicted in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 depicts an upturned position of the device cover 100 with the device 112 received therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the device cover 100 may be designed to snugly receive the device 112 therein and the device 112 may not be released in the upturned position. In the upturned position, the device cover 100 may contact an external surface 114. More specifically, the plurality of protruding members of the device cover 100 may contact the external surface 114. Examples of the external surface may include a table top, a ground plane, flooring and the like. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that examples of the external surface 114 are provided for exemplary purposes only and that the external surface 114 may be any surface which may be relatively harsh to the first surface 112 a with regard to hardness or a temperature of the external surface 114.
The plurality of protruding members is configured to raise the first surface 112 a from the external surface 114 on contacting the external surface for precluding a direct contact between the first surface 112 a and the external surface 114. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of protruding members is capable of raising the first surface 112 a by about one millimeter (mm) from the external surface 114 for precluding a direct contact between the first surface 112 a and the external surface 114. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that raising the first surface 112 a by one mm from the external surface 114 is provided for exemplary purposes only and may not be considered limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the first surface 112 a may be raised from the external surface 114 by a variety of elevation ranges.
Thus, the device cover 100 is capable of protecting the device 112 and especially the first surface 112 a of the device. Moreover, a user may place the device cover 100 with the device 112 received therein in the upturned position, as depicted in FIG. 3, for ensuring that the first surface 112 a may not be visible to people in vicinity of the user. The user may perform such an action, in order to maintain a privacy of a content being displayed on the first surface 112 a of the device 112. Thus, the device cover 100 may also enable a user to maintain privacy while utilizing the device 112.
As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, the plurality of protruding members may be positioned at a variety of positions on the pair of opposite side walls. Exemplary configurations of the plurality of protruding members on the pair of opposite side walls are depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of exemplary configurations of the plurality of protruding members on the pair of opposite side walls of the device cover 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, two protruding members are depicted to be configured on each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls of the device cover 100 with each protruding member configured at each end portion of the each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls. Accordingly, the protruding member 106 a and the protruding member 106 b are configured at each end portion of the side wall 104 a, and, the protruding member 106 c and the protruding member 106 d are configured at each end portion of the side wall 104 b.
In FIG. 4B, one protruding member is depicted to be configured on a middle portion of each side wall of the pair of opposite side walls of the device cover 100. Accordingly, the protruding member 106 a is depicted to be configured on a middle portion of the side wall 104 a, and, the protruding member 106 c is depicted to be configured on a middle portion of the side wall 104 b.
In an alternate embodiment, the protruding member 106 a and 106 b may be present on the side wall 104 a and the protruding member 106 c may be present on the middle portion of the side wall 104 a. Similarly, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art to prepare other combinations of placing the protruding members on the side walls of the device cover.
Further, a size of protruding members of the plurality of protruding members may vary and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that different configurations of sizes of the plurality of protruding members may be designed for stably supporting the device cover 100 in the upturned position depicted in FIG. 3 and, further, for sufficiently raising the first surface 112 a of the device 112 in the upturned position.
Further, various configurations of side walls and the plurality of protruding members may be designed for configuring a device cover, such as the device cover 100. Further, a shape of each protruding member of the plurality of protruding members may also vary for configuring the device cover. An exemplary configuration of a device cover, such as the device cover 100 is depicted in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the device cover 100 for covering a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 depicts a device cover 200 which includes a substantially planar surface 502, such as the planar surface 102, a first pair of opposite side walls 504 a and 504 b, such as the pair of opposite side walls of FIG. 1A, a second pair of opposite side walls 504 c and 504 d, and a plurality of protruding members 506 a and 506 b configured on the second pair of opposite side walls 504 c and 504 d. The first pair of opposite side walls 504 a and 504 b will hereinafter be collectively referred to as first pair of opposite side walls. The second pair of opposite side walls 504 c and 504 d will hereinafter be collectively referred to as second pair of opposite side walls. The protruding members 506 a and 506 b will be hereinafter collectively referred to as plurality of protruding members in FIG. 5. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the device cover 200 may be assembled in a same manner as the device cover 100 is depicted to be assembled in FIG. 1B from individual parts depicted in FIG. 1A.
The planar surface 502, the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are capable of receiving, at least partially, a device, such as the device 112. Further, the device may be snugly received within the planar surface 502, the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls, such that, the device may not be released on upturning the device cover 200 to assume an upturned position, such as the upturned position of the device cover 100 as depicted in FIG. 3. In the upturned position, the device cover 200 may contact an external surface, such as the external surface 114 explained in conjunction with FIG. 3, i.e. in the upturned position, the plurality of protruding members of the device cover 200 may contact the external surface.
In FIG. 5, the protruding member 506 a is depicted to be configured on a middle portion of side wall 504 c of the second pair of opposite side walls. Further, the protruding member 506 b is depicted to be configured on a middle portion of side wall 504 d of the second pair of opposite side walls.
In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4B, the plurality of protruding members are depicted to extend perpendicularly outward from the planar surface 102. Further, the plurality of protruding members is depicted to include a curved edge portion for contacting the external surface. However, such a shape of the plurality of protruding members may not be considered to be limiting. Various shapes of the plurality of protruding members may be envisioned for supporting device covers, such as the device cover 100 and the device cover 200, in the upturned position. One such exemplary shape is depicted in FIG. 5.
In FIG. 5, a shape of the protruding members 506 a and 506 b is depicted to include a flat peripheral edge running parallel to respective parallel edges of the side walls 504 c and 504 d. The device cover 200 may rest on the flat peripheral edges of the protruding members 506 a and 506 b for supporting the device cover 200 in the upturned position, thereby protecting a first surface, such as the first surface 112 a, of the device and further ensuring that a privacy of the user is maintained.
FIG. 6 illustrates a device cover 600, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The device cover 600 may be utilized for covering a device, such as the device 112 explained in conjunction with the FIG. 1. The device may include a first surface, such as the first surface 112 a of the device 112 of FIG. 1, and a second surface opposite to the first surface.
The device cover 600 includes a first pair of opposite side walls 602 a and 602 b,a second pair of opposite side walls 602 c and 602 d, and a plurality of protruding members, such as a protruding member 604 a, a protruding member 604 b, a protruding member 604 c and the protruding member 604 d. Each of the second pair of opposite side walls 602 c and 602 d, connects end portions of first pair of opposite side walls 602 a and 602 b. More specifically, side wall 602 c of the second pair of opposite side walls connects a first end portion of the side wall 602 a and side wall 602 b, and, similarly, side wall 602 d connects a second end portion opposite to the first end portion of the side wall 602 a and the side wall 602 b.
Further, plurality of protruding members is depicted to be configured on each of the first pair of opposite side walls. More specifically, two protruding members are depicted to be configured on each of the first pair of opposite side walls 602 a and 602 b. Accordingly, a protruding member 604 a and a protruding member 604 b are configured on the side wall 602 a, and, a protruding member 604 c and a protruding member 604 d are configured on the side wall 602 b. The protruding members 604 a, 604 b, 604 c and 604 d will hereinafter be collectively referred to as the plurality of protruding members. In an embodiment of the present invention, at least two, i.e. two or more protruding members of the plurality of protruding members are configured on each side wall of at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls. In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members is configured at each end portion of side walls of at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.
It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that though the plurality of protruding members are depicted to be configured on the first pair of opposite side walls, the plurality of protruding members may be also configured on the second pair of opposite side walls. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the plurality of protruding members depicted in FIG. 6 are similar in all respects to the plurality of protruding members described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to FIG. 5 and a manner of affixing, shapes and sizes of the plurality of protruding members are not described in FIG. 6 for sake of brevity of description.
The first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, receive the device. A body portion or a shell portion of the device may be protected on account of receiving the device therein. Further, the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, expose at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the device on receiving the device. The exposed first surface may enable the user of the device to utilize the device without retrieving the device from the device cover 600. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions.
Upon utilization of the device, the user may place the device cover 600 on the external surface, i.e. make a direct contact of the plurality of protruding members with the external surface. The user may place the device cover 600 in a manner that the device received therein may have the first surface facing the external surface thereby precluding a public view of the first surface.
Further, in FIG. 6, the plurality of protruding members is depicted to be substantially perpendicular to the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls for supporting the device cover 600 in the upturned position and raising the first surface of the device received within the device cover 600 from the external surface.
The device cover 600 represents an exemplary configuration of the device cover 100 explained in conjunction with FIG. 1. The device cover 600 precludes the planar surface 102 and thereby is capable of exposing both surfaces, i.e. the first surface and the second surface of the device 112. This may especially be beneficial for devices, such as a hand-held camera device, which may include user controls configured on both surfaces.
In embodiment, the protruding members (not shown in FIG. 6), similar to protruding members 602 a, 602 b, 602 c and 602 d, are present on the opposite side of the side walls 604 a, 604 b, 604 c and 604 d. These protruding members will protect the second surface of the device 112 from touching the external surface. All the embodiments discussed in FIG. 1-5 are also applicable to these protruding members.
FIG. 7 illustrates a device cover 700, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The device cover 700 may be utilized for covering a device, such as the device 112 explained in conjunction with the FIG. 1A. The device cover 700 includes planar surface 102, pair of opposite side walls 104 a and 104 b, and plurality of protruding members 106 a, 106 b, 106 c and 106 d. The pair of opposite side walls 104 a and 104 b will hereinafter be collectively referred to as the pair of opposite side walls 104. The plurality of protruding members 106 a, 106 b, 106 c and 106 d will hereinafter be collectively referred to as plurality of protruding members 106.
The protruding members 106 a and 106 b are depicted to be configured on a middle portion and an end portion of side wall 104 a respectively, and, protruding members 106 c and 106 d are depicted to be configured on a middle portion and end portion of side wall 104 b respectively.
As explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4B, the device cover 700 may be placed in upturned position on an external surface on completing a utilization of the device received within the device cover 700. The plurality of protruding members 106 may be capable of raising a first surface of the device from the external surface for precluding a contact of the first surface with the external surface, thereby protecting the first surface.
The present invention provides various embodiments of a device cover, such as the device cover 100, the device cover 200, the device cover 600 and the device cover 700. The device cover covers devices, such as mobile communication devices, media players, computing devices and the like. A body portion or a shell portion of the device may also be protected from bumps, hits, falls and the like on account of receiving the device therein. Moreover, the body portion or the shell portion of the device may also be protected from wear and tear on account on increased usage of the device.
The device cover is configured to expose at least a first surface of the device received therein for enabling the user to utilize the device in a hassle-free manner and without performing the cumbersome activity of retrieving the device from a protective covering. Also, the exposed first surface promotes an enhanced user experience, especially in case of devices with a touch screen user interface on the first surface, as the exposed first surface allows smoother and unobstructed finger swipe motions. Further, the device cover enables the user to place the device on an external surface while protecting the device from the external surface. Accordingly, the device cover may be placed in an upturned position to rest on the plurality of protruding members which provides the necessary elevation of the device from the external surface, thereby protecting the device. Further, placing the device cover on the plurality of protruding members enables a user to preclude a public view of the first surface (such as a display screen) of the device, thereby enabling the user to maintain the privacy of the content displayed on the first surface of the device.
While the principles of the disclosure have been illustrated in relation to the exemplary embodiments shown herein, the principles of the disclosure are not limited thereto and include any modification, variation or permutation thereof.
While a preferred embodiment of the device cover has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device cover comprising:

a substantially planar surface;

at least one pair of opposite side walls extending substantially perpendicular from peripheral edges of the planar surface; and

a plurality of protruding members configured on one or more side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls, wherein the plurality of protruding members are configured to extend outwardly to the planar surface.

2. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the planar surface and the one or more side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls define an aperture.

3. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding members is configured to be fastened to the one or more side walls.

4. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding members is configured to be attached to the one or more side walls.

5. The device cover of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protruding members is configured to be attached to the one or more side walls by at least one selected from the group consisting of a hook and loop attachment, an adhesive attachment, and a sewing attachment.

6. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the planar surface, the at least one pair of opposite side walls, and the plurality of protruding members is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, plastic, biodegradable material, bioplastic, composite material, and a clothing material.

7. The device cover of claim 1, wherein the planar surface and the at least one pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, receive a device.

8. The device cover of claim 7, wherein the planar surface and the at least one pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, expose a first surface of the device on receiving the device.

9. The device cover of claim 8, wherein the plurality of protruding members is capable of raising the first surface from an external surface on contacting the external surface for precluding a direct contact between the first surface and the external surface.

10. The device cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of protruding members is capable of raising the first surface by about one millimeter (mm) from the external surface.

11. The device cover of claim 7, wherein the device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a mobile communication device, a media playing device, and a computing device.

12. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least two protruding members of the plurality of protruding members are configured on each side wall of the at least one pair of opposite side walls.

13. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members is configured at each end portion of side walls of the at least one pair of opposite side walls.

14. The device cover of claim 1, wherein at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members is configured on a middle portion of each side wall of the at least one pair of opposite side walls.

15. A device cover for covering a device, the device having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the device cover comprising:

a first pair of opposite side walls;

a second pair of opposite side walls, wherein each side wall of the second pair of opposite side walls connects the first pair of opposite side walls, and, wherein the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, receive the device; and

a plurality of protruding members configured on at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls, wherein at least one of the plurality of protruding members is substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.

16. The device cover of claim 15, wherein the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls are configured to, at least partially, expose the first surface of the device on receiving the device.

17. The device cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality of protruding members is capable of raising at least one of the first surface and the second surface from an external surface on contacting the external surface for precluding a direct contact between at least one of the first surface and the second surface and the external surface.

18. The device cover of claim 17, wherein the plurality of protruding members is capable of raising the at least one of the first surface and the second surface by about one millimeter (mm) from the external surface.

19. The device cover of claim 15, wherein at least two protruding members of the plurality of protruding members are configured on each side wall of at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.

20. The device cover of claim 15, wherein at least one protruding member of the plurality of protruding members is configured at each end portion of side walls of at least one of the first pair of opposite side walls and the second pair of opposite side walls.