Case And Mount System For Handheld Electronic Device
Patent No. US11775019 (titled "Case And Mount System For Handheld Electronic Device") was filed by Rokform Ip Llc on Dec 10, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’019 is related to the field of protective cases for handheld electronic devices. These devices are frequently used and thus prone to damage from drops or falls. The patent addresses the need for a robust protection system that also offers mounting and non-slip functionalities.
The underlying idea behind ’019 is to create a versatile case that not only protects a handheld device but also allows it to be easily mounted and prevents it from slipping. This is achieved through a combination of an interlocking mounting system , a non-slip insert with an embedded magnet , and a rigid shell.
The claims of ’019 focus on a case with a rear portion and a side portion, a non-slip region with a flexible non-slip member, an indentation within the non-slip member, and a magnet received within the indentation. Claim 9 focuses on a unitary structure of the rear wall and sidewall, and an exterior-facing member removably received in the rear wall, fully enclosing the magnet. Claim 15 adds an attachment region with an interlock area and access spaces for an interlocking member.
In practice, the case is designed to securely hold the handheld device. The interlocking mounting system allows the case to be attached to various mounts, such as bike mounts or tripods, by inserting and rotating an interlocking member. The non-slip member, made of a flexible material, provides a high-friction surface to prevent slipping, while the embedded magnet allows the case to be attached to magnetic surfaces.
The differentiation from prior approaches lies in the integration of multiple functionalities into a single case. Instead of separate accessories for mounting and slip prevention, ’019 combines these features with a protective shell. The magnet's placement within the non-slip member is also a key differentiator, as it allows for magnetic attachment without compromising the non-slip properties or scratching surfaces.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’019 was filed, handheld electronic devices were becoming increasingly prevalent, at a time when protective cases were typically implemented using rigid or semi-rigid materials to shield devices from impacts. At that time, attachment mechanisms for securing devices to various surfaces commonly relied on adhesives or friction-based clamps, when hardware or software constraints made complex interlocking mechanisms non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application was a continuation of several prior applications. Claims were amended and cancelled during prosecution. Some claims were rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by a prior art reference. Other claims were objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim. Claims 16-24 were allowed. The Office action was made final.
Claims
This patent contains 17 claims, with claims 1, 9, and 15 being independent. The independent claims generally focus on a mountable case for a handheld electronic device, including features such as a non-slip region with a magnet or an attachment region with an interlocking area. The dependent claims generally add specific details or limitations to the features described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
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Date
Description
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US11775019
- Application Number
- US17118371
- Filing Date
- Dec 10, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 1, 2032
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents