Electronic device case

Abstract

A protective storage device includes a front protective component that is configured to receive an electronic device. A back protective component is employed to interface with the front protective component and to form an enclosure that encloses the electronic device when the back protective component interfaces with a front of the front protective component. The case may also include a multi-directional hinge that couples the front protective component to the back protective component at a single location such that the front protective component is movable in multiple directions relative to the back protective component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective storage device, comprising:
 a front protective component that is configured to receive an electronic device;   a back protective component that is configured to interface with the front protective component and to form an enclosure that encloses the electronic device when the back protective component interfaces with a front of the front protective component; and   a multi-directional hinge that couples the front protective component to the back protective component at a single location such that the front protective component is movable in multiple directions relative to the back protective component.   
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-directional hinge comprises an arm and a ball, and a socket into which the arm and ball are received. 
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein the arm is coupled to one of the back protective component or the front protective component, and wherein the socket is coupled to the other of the back protective component or the front protective component. 
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the front protective component comprises a generally rectangular back, a top end, a bottom end and two sides. 
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 4 , wherein the two sides each include a resilient jaw that is configured to flex to permit the electronic device to be inserted into the front protective component through the bottom end, then released to bias against the electronic device to secure the electronic device within the front protective component. 
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the back protective component further comprises a biased latch that interfaces with the front protective cover when the case is placed in a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the back protective component further defines a storage compartment between a back of the back protective cover and the electronic device when the case is placed in a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 7 , further comprising at least one feature on the back protective component that is configured to interface with a generally flat item that is stored within the storage compartment. 
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-directional hinge is located near the top end of the front protective component. 
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-directional hinge is located near one of the sides of the front protective component. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 providing a protective device that comprises a back protective component, a front protective component that is configured to interface with the back protective component and to form an enclosure, and a multi-directional hinge that couples the front protective component to the back protective component at a single location such that the back protective component is movable in multiple directions relative to the front protective component;   inserting an electronic device into the front protective component;   manipulating the back protective component about the multi-directional hinge to place the back protective component against the front protective component, thereby enclosing the electronic device within the protective device.   
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the back protective component comprises a back, a top end, a bottom end and two sides, and further comprising operating a latch at a bottom end of the back protective component to latch the back protective component to the front protective component. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the back protective component comprises a back, a top end, a bottom end, and two sides, and further comprising operating a latch on one of the sides of the back protective component to latch the back protective component to the front protective component. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 12 , further comprising flexing a pair of jaws at the sides prior to inserting the electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 11 , further comprising separating at least a portion of the front protective component from the back protective component, and rotating the front protective component relative to the back protective component. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the back protective component defines a storage compartment between the electronic device and a back of the back protective device, and further comprising inserting a plastic card into the storage compartment. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 11 , further comprising placing the front protective component on a support surface, with the back protective component propping the electronic case at an elevated angle relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a protective storage device, comprising:   a front protective component defining a cavity;   a back protective component that is configured to interface with the front protective component and to form an enclosure that encloses the cavity when the back protective component interfaces with a front of the front protective component; and   a multi-directional hinge that couples the front protective component to the back protective component at a single location such that the front protective component is movable in multiple directions relative to the back protective component; and   an electronic device held within the cavity of the front protective component.   
     
     
         19 . A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a mobile phone, an electronic tablet, and an electronic reader. 
     
     
         20 . A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the multi-directional hinge comprises an arm and a ball, and a socket into which the arm and ball are received. 
     
     
         21 . A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the back protective component further defines a storage compartment between a back of the back protective cover and the electronic device when the case is placed in a closed position.