Protective case for mobile electronic device with storage compartment

Abstract

A protective case for a mobile device having a front cover and a storage compartment for storage of personal items such as credit cards, personal identification cards, and/or cash is disclosed. The protective case includes a main body and a detachable panel configured to cover an aperture through the shell of the protective case providing access to the storage compartment via a hinged connection. The shell, panel, and front are secured to flexible layers, which allow the case to be positioned in one or more viewing/operating positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A user-removable protective case for retaining and protecting a mobile electronic device and containing a personal item, the protective case comprising:
 an inner layer;   an outer layer;   a shell formed by a main body and a subpanel, wherein at least a portion of the main body and the subpanel are positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, the subpanel is coupled to the main body through a hinge, and a cavity dimensioned to retain the mobile electronic device is formed by the shell; and   a front cover formed by a cover panel that is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the cover panel is coupled to the subpanel of the shell through a flexible spine;   wherein a compartment dimensioned to retain a personal item is formed into the inner layer of the shell, and wherein an aperture positioned and dimensioned to enable the personal item to be inserted into and removed from the compartment when the subpanel is hingedly rotated away from the main body.