Providing a Rail Mounting System for a Mobile Device Case

Abstract

A rail mounting system apparatus and method for a mobile device case and accessory is provided, which includes at least one case rail, at least one case slot configured to receive an accessory rail. The rail mounting system also includes a locking mechanism to secure the mobile device case and the accessory. The locking mechanism may be disengaged through use of a release mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rail mounting system for a mobile device case comprising:
 at least one case rail;   at least one case slot configured to receive at least one accessory rail on an accessory, in which the at least one case rail is received by at least one accessory slot such that the at least one case rail and the at least one accessory rail are configured to slide with respect to each other; and   a locking mechanism that fixes a position of the at least one case rail with respect to the accessory when the locking mechanism is engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The rail mounting system of  claim 1 , in which the at least one case rail and the at least one case slot are located on a back side of the mobile device case. 
     
     
         3 . The rail mounting system of  claim 1 , in which the locking mechanism comprises at least one case cavity configured to receive at least one tooth. 
     
     
         4 . The rail mounting system of  claim 3 , in which the at least one case cavity is an indentation on an inner surface of the at least one case slot. 
     
     
         5 . The rail mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a release mechanism, in which the release mechanism releases the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is engaged such that the at least one case rail and the at least one accessory rail slide with respect to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The rail mounting system of  claim 5  in which the release mechanism releases the locking mechanism by disengaging at least one tooth from at least one corresponding case cavity. 
     
     
         7 . An accessory for a rail mounting system for a mobile device case comprising:
 at least one accessory rail;   at least one accessory slot configured to receive at least one case rail on the mobile device case, in which the at least one accessory rail is received by at least one case slot such that the at least one case rail and the at least one accessory rail are configured to slide with respect to each other; and   a locking mechanism that fixes a position of the at least one accessory rail with respect to the mobile device case when the locking mechanism is engaged.   
     
     
         8 . The accessory of  claim 6 , in which the locking mechanism comprises at least one tooth configured to be inserted into at least one corresponding case cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory of  claim 6  further comprising at least one accessory nub, in which the at least one accessory nub is a protrusion on the at least one accessory rail. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory of  claim 6  further comprising a release mechanism, in which the release mechanism releases the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is engaged such that the at least one accessory rail and at least one case rail slide with respect to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory of  claim 9  in which the release mechanism releases the locking mechanism by disengaging at least one accessory tooth from at least one corresponding case cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory of  claim 9  in which the accessory further comprises an extension configured to allow attachment of the accessory to an appendage. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory of  claim 11 , in which the appendage comprises a base, a hinge portion, and a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory of  claim 12 , in which the hinge portion is configured to be coupled to the hinge and the hinge is configured to be coupled to the hinge portion to complete a hinge accessory. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory of  claim 13 , in which the hinge accessory is configured to be attached to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory of  claim 12 , in which the base comprises a fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The accessory of  claim 6 , in which the accessory comprises a tripod having a three-legged frame. 
     
     
         18 . The accessory of  claim 6 , in which the accessory comprises a chest mount. 
     
     
         19 . A method for securing an accessory to a mobile device case comprising:
 inserting at least one case rail on the mobile device case in at least one accessory slot on the accessory;   sliding at least one accessory rail on the accessory in at least one case slot on the mobile device case to a desired position; and   locking the position of the at least one case rail with respect to the accessory when the locking mechanism is engaged.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , in which the at least one case rail and the at least one case slot are located on a back side of the mobile device case.