Pad for protective cover

Abstract

A pad is provided that includes a support portion and a head portion. The support portion includes a base portion having at least one aperture formed therein, a ring extending around a surface of the base portion and bridges the at least one aperture, and an outer rim that radially extends outward from the base portion. The head portion has a first side including at least one protrusion that corresponds to the apertures of the support portion and a second side having a rounded convex surface. The at least one protrusion extends through the corresponding aperture and encompasses a portion of the ring bridging the aperture, thereby coupling the head portion with the support portion. When coupled, the ring separates the support portion and the head portion thereby forming a waist.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pad comprising:
 a support portion comprising:
 a base portion having at least one aperture formed therein; 
 a ring positioned on a surface of the base portion, wherein the ring bridges the at least one aperture; and 
 an outer rim that radially extends outward from and surrounds the base portion; and 
   a head portion having a first side comprising at least one protrusion that corresponds to the at least one aperture of the support portion, and a second side having a rounded convex surface,   wherein the at least one protrusion extends through the corresponding aperture and encompasses a portion of the ring bridging the aperture, thereby coupling the head portion with the support portion, and   wherein when coupled, the ring separates the support portion and the head portion thereby forming a waist.   
     
     
         2 . The pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the head portion further comprises a groove that receives the ring. 
     
     
         3 . The pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support portion further comprises an inner ring extending from the base portion; and the head portion further comprises an inner groove that receives the inner ring. 
     
     
         4 . The pad as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the pad is coupled with a bottom cover having a plurality of pad apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The pad as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the head portion of the pad is inserted through the plurality of pad apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The pad as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the bottom cover comprises one or more protrusions that extend into the plurality of pad apertures, wherein the waist of the pad receives the protrusions of the bottom cover. 
     
     
         7 . The pad as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the bottom cover has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the pad apertures for receiving the outer rim of the support portion. 
     
     
         8 . The pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support portion is made of hardened thermoplastic polyurethane; and
 the head portion is made of softened thermoplastic polyurethane.   
     
     
         9 . The pad as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the head portion is fused onto the support portion by plastic compounding. 
     
     
         10 . A cover for an electronic device comprising:
 a bottom cover having a plurality of pad apertures; and   a plurality of pads comprising:
 a support portion comprising:
 a base portion having at least one aperture formed therein; 
 a ring positioned on a surface of the base portion, wherein the ring bridges the at least one aperture; and 
 an outer rim that radially extends outward from and surrounds the base portion; and 
 
 a head portion having a first side comprising at least one protrusion that corresponds to the at least one aperture of the first portion, and a second side having a rounded convex surface, 
 wherein the at least one protrusion extends through the corresponding aperture and encompasses a portion of the ring bridging the aperture, thereby coupling the head portion with the support portion, 
 wherein when coupled, the ring separates the support portion and the head portion thereby forming a waist, and 
 wherein the head portion extends through the pad apertures of the bottom cover. 
   
     
     
         11 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the head portion further comprises a groove that receives the ring. 
     
     
         12 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the support portion further comprises an inner ring extending from the base portion; and
 the head portion further comprises an inner groove that receives the inner ring.   
     
     
         13 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the bottom cover comprises one or more protrusions extending into the plurality of pad apertures, wherein the waist of the pad receives the protrusions of the bottom cover. 
     
     
         14 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the bottom cover has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the pad apertures for the outer rim of the support portion. 
     
     
         15 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the support portion is made of hardened thermoplastic polyurethane; and
 the head portion is made of softened thermoplastic polyurethane.   
     
     
         16 . The cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the head portion is fused onto the support portion by plastic compounding. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a pad comprising:
 providing a support portion comprising:
 a base portion having at least one aperture formed therein; 
 a ring positioned on a surface of the base portion, wherein the ring bridges the at least one aperture; and 
 an outer rim that radially extends outward from and surrounds the base portion; 
   providing a head portion having a first side comprising at least one protrusion that corresponds to the at least one aperture of the support portion, and a second side having a rounded convex surface;   extending the at least one protrusion through the corresponding aperture in a softened state; and   hardening the at least one protrusion to form around and encompassing the portion of the ring bridging the aperture, thereby coupling the head portion with the support portion;   wherein when coupled, the ring separates the support portion and the head portion forming a waist.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a bottom cover having a plurality of pad apertures,   wherein the bottom cover has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the pad apertures for the outer rim of the support portion.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 inserting the head portion through the pad apertures,   wherein the receiving surfaces receive the outer rim of the support portion.   
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 fusing the head portion onto the support portion by plastic compounding,   wherein the support portion is made of hardened thermoplastic polyurethane; and the head portion is made of softened thermoplastic polyurethane.