Cantilevered snap fit case

Abstract

A case for holding an electronic device includes a body having a void for holding the electronic device. The void approximately replicates the shape of the electronic device such that a face of the electronic device is not substantially surrounded by the body. The body has tabs configured to contact a portion of the face of the electronic device and hold the electronic device in the void such that it is held in place. The body has a flexible body portion, the flexible body portion defined by a cut in the body, dividing the body into a hinge portion and a main body. The hinge portion is configured to be flexed away from the main body to provide a direction that the electronic device is slidably removed.

1 . A case for holding an electronic device, comprising:
 a semi-rigid body having a rear face, a top sidewall, a bottom sidewall, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall, the top, bottom, left, and right sidewalls forming an approximately rectangular shape, the rear face being approximately perpendicular to the top, bottom, left, and right sidewalls and spanning between the top, bottom, left, and right sidewalls, the left and right sidewalls having a first and second flexible body portion break, the first flexible body portion break beginning at a first edge of the right sidewall, the first edge distal from the rear face, the first flexible body portion break extending into the rear face through the right sidewall, the second flexible body portion break beginning at a second edge of the left sidewall, the second edge distal from the rear face, the second flexible body portion break extending into the rear face through the left sidewall, the first and second flexible body portion breaks forming a flexible body portion of the semi-rigid body including the top sidewall and having an attachment point that connects the flexible body portion to the semi-rigid body, configured to allow the flexible body portion to flex away from the rear face, and causing the top sidewall to un-align from the approximately rectangular shape.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid body includes top, bottom, left, and right tabs extending perpendicular from the top, bottom, left, and right sidewalls, respectively, distal from the rear face, the left and right tabs forming a guide configured to guide a first and second edge of the electronic device inserted into the case when the flexible body portion is flexed away from the rear face, the bottom tab configured to receive a third edge of the electronic device, the top tab configured to snap-fit over a fourth edge of the electronic device when the electronic device is placed in the case, and the flexible body portion is flexed back to align with the approximately rectangular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the semi-rigid body includes top, bottom, left, and right rear tabs extending perpendicular from the top, bottom, left, and right sidewalls, respectively, proximate to the rear face, the left and right tabs and the left and right rear tabs cooperating to form the guide. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the left and right tabs and the rear face cooperate to form the guide. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid body includes a plurality of apertures configured to provide access to parts of the electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid body is a single piece of material. 
     
     
         7 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A case for holding an electronic device, comprising:
 a body having a void for holding the electronic device, the void approximately replicating the shape of the electronic device such that a face of the electronic device is not substantially surrounded by the body, the body having tabs configured to contact a portion of the face of the electronic device and hold the electronic device in the void such that it is held in place, the body further having a flexible body portion, the flexible body portion defined by a cut in the body, dividing the body into a hinge portion and a main body, the hinge portion configured to be flexed away from the main body to provide a direction that the electronic device is slidably removed.   
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 14  wherein a first portion of the tabs are a part of the hinge portion of the body and are configured to snap-fit over the electronic device in order to secure the electronic device when the hinge portion is not flexed away from the main body. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 15  wherein a second portion of the tabs are part of the main body and form a guide for slidably removing the device. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16  wherein the second portion of the tabs cooperate with the main body to form the guide. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 16  wherein the body includes rear tabs wherein the second portion of the tabs cooperates with the rear tabs to form the guide. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 14  wherein the body is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         20 - 25 . (canceled)