Electronic device case and method of use

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved protective cases for hand-held electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to cases that protect and modify the functionality of an electronic device.

1 . An electronic device case comprising:
 a lower portion having a front edge, a rear edge, and two substantially parallel side edges and including an inner surface located between the edges, the inner surface having:
 i. a planar portion; 
 ii. a depression portion adjacent the planar portion for receiving an insert so that upon placement of the insert within the depression portion the insert is positioned flush with the planar portion; 
 wherein the planar portion is located adjacent more than one edge of the depression portion and at least one edge of the depression portion is located adjacent at least one of the side edges of the lower portion; 
   an upper portion connected to the lower portion, the upper portion including:
 i. a frame portion having one or more edges; 
 ii. a recessed area for receiving an electronic device located within the confines of the frame portion; 
 iii. a pocket for receiving an edge of the electronic device, the pocket located substantially parallel to at least one edge of the one or more edges of the frame portion; 
   a hinge portion including one or more pin structures;   wherein the one or more pin structures include a means for attaching the hinge portion to the lower portion and upper portion of the case.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion includes a substantially planar front face and a substantially planar rear face opposing the front face. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge portion includes a first inner plate adjacent the front face for receiving an attachment means and including one or more indentations for receiving one or more pin structures and a second inner plate adjacent the rear face and opposing and attached to the first inner plate by the attachment means, the second inner plate including one or more indentations for receiving the one or more pin structures. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more pin structures each include a rounded end for placement into the indentations of the second inner plate and a substantially planar end including one or more apertures for receiving an attachment means for attaching the pin structures to the lower portion and upper portion of the case. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion includes four pin structures so that two upper pin structures are attached to the lower portion of the case and two lower pin structures are attached to the upper portion of the case. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 4 , wherein the rounded end of the one or more pin structures is contacted with one or more clip portions that conform to the shape of the indentations within the first and second inner plates to facilitate rotation of the one or more pin structures within the indentations 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 4 , wherein the rounded end of one or more pin structures rotates within the indentations when the upper portion of the case is moved. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment means for attaching the first inner plate to the second inner plate includes a plurality of screws located between the upper pin structures and the lower pin structures. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion allows for about 360° movement of the upper portion about the hinge portion. 
     
     
         10 . A method for modifying an electronic device comprising the steps of:
 providing a lower portion having:
 i. at least one edge; 
 ii. an inner surface located within the at least one edges, the inner surface having a planar portion and a depression portion; and 
 iii. one more or apertures located along a portion of the at least one edge; 
   providing an upper portion having:
 i. at least one edge and one more or apertures located along a portion of the at least one edge; 
 ii. a recessed area for receiving an electronic device; 
 iii. a pocket for receiving an edge of the electronic device, the pocket located substantially parallel to at least one edge of the upper portion; 
   providing a hinge portion including one or more pin structures each having a rounded end and a substantially planar end, the planar end including one or more apertures, each aperture corresponding to an aperture along an edge of the lower portion or an edge of the upper portion;   attaching the hinge portion to the lower portion and upper portion by locating an attachment means within each aperture of the one or more pin structures and each corresponding aperture along an edge of the lower portion or an edge of the upper portion;   locating a keyboard insert within the depression portion of the lower portion so that at least a portion of the keyboard insert is flush with the planar portion;   locating an electronic device within the recessed area of the upper portion so that an edge of the electronic device contacts the pocket for receiving an edge of the electronic device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including a step of moving the upper portion toward the lower portion so that the electronic device is located between and substantially parallel to the upper portion and the lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , including a step of moving the upper portion toward the lower portion so that the top portion is located between and substantially parallel to the electronic device and the lower portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , including a step of removing the electronic device from the upper portion of the case. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , including a step of moving the upper portion away from the lower portion so that the upper portion is maintained at an angle of greater than 15° but less than 150° in relation to the lower portion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including a step of locating the planar portion of the lower portion onto a surface so that the electronic device can be viewed by a user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , including a step of locating at least one edge of the lower portion and at least one edge of the upper portion on a surface so that the electronic device can be viewed by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , including a step of providing a wireless connection between the keyboard insert and the electronic device so that any data entered via the keyboard insert is received by the electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , including a step of contacting the electronic device through an opening along an edge of the upper portion and placing pressure on the electronic device in order to dislodge the electronic device from within the upper portion. 
     
     
         19 . An electronic device case comprising:
 a lower portion;   an upper portion connected to the lower portion;   a hinge portion including one or more pin structures;   wherein the one or more pin structures include a means for attaching the hinge portion to the lower portion and upper portion of the case.   
     
     
         20 . The electronic device case of  claim 19 , wherein the hinge portion includes four pin structures, each pin structure including a rounded end for receiving one or more clips and a substantially planar end for attaching to either the upper portion or lower portion.