Protective case with device grip storage

Abstract

A protective case system for use with an electronic device includes a protective case and a flexible tether. The protective case includes a shell configured for receiving and removably retaining an electronic device. The flexible tether has a first end and a second end where the first end of the tether is attached to the protective case. The protective case system also includes a device grip mounting platform attached to the second end of the tether. The protective case system also includes a device grip configured to be removably attachable to the protective case and to the device grip mounting platform, alternatively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective case system for use with an electronic device, the protective case system comprising:
 a protective case comprising a shell configured for receiving and removably retaining the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case;   a flexible tether having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the tether is attached to the protective case;   a device grip mounting platform attached to the second end of the tether; and   a device grip configured to be removably attachable to the protective case and to the device grip mounting platform, alternatively.   
     
     
         2 . The protective case system of  claim 1  wherein the device grip includes a mounting interface. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case system of  claim 2  wherein each of the protective case and the device grip mounting platform includes a receiver configured for removably receiving the mounting interface of the device grip. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case system of  claim 1  wherein the device grip has an extended position and a stowed or compressed position. 
     
     
         5 . The protective case system of  claim 4  wherein the device grip is configured to assist a user in holding the protective case when the device grip is attached to the protective case and the device grip is in the extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case system of  claim 4  wherein the device grip includes a collapsible structure enabling movement between extended position and the stowed or compressed position. 
     
     
         7 . The protective case system of  claim 6  wherein the collapsible structure is an accordion structure. 
     
     
         8 . The protective case system of  claim 1  wherein the device grip is magnetically removably attachable, alternatively, to the protective case and to the device grip mounting platform. 
     
     
         9 . The protective case system of  claim 1  wherein the protective case includes a first attachment point at which the first end of the tether is attached to the protective case. 
     
     
         10 . The protective case system of  claim 9  wherein the protective case includes a second attachment point, wherein the first end of the tether is removable from the first attachment point and removably attachable to the second attachment point. 
     
     
         11 . The protective case system of  claim 1  wherein device grip mounting platform is removable from the second end of the tether. 
     
     
         12 . A protective case system for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case system comprising:
 a protective case comprising a shell adapted for receiving and removably retaining the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case, wherein the protective case includes a device grip mounting interface;   a tether having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the tether is attached to the protective case;   a device grip mounting platform attached to the second end of the tether, wherein the device grip mounting platform includes a device grip mounting interface; and   a device grip adapted to be alternatively attachable to each of the device grip mounting interface of the protective case and the device grip mounting interface of the device grip mounting platform.   
     
     
         13 . The protective case system of  claim 12  wherein the protective case includes a first attachment point at which the first end of the tether is attached to the protective case. 
     
     
         14 . The protective case system of  claim 13  wherein the protective case includes a second attachment point, wherein the first end of the tether is removable from the first attachment point and also removably attachable to the second attachment point. 
     
     
         15 . The protective case system of  claim 12  wherein device grip mounting platform is removable from the second end of the tether. 
     
     
         16 . The protective case system of  claim 12  wherein the device grip has an extended position and a compressed position. 
     
     
         17 . The protective case system of  claim 16  wherein the device grip is adapted to assist in holding the protective case when the device grip is attached to the protective case and the device grip is in the extended position. 
     
     
         18 . The protective case system of  claim 16  wherein the device grip includes a collapsible structure enabling movement between extended position and the compressed position. 
     
     
         19 . The protective case system of  claim 12  further comprising a wireless charging device adapted for wirelessly charging the installed portable electronic device through the back surface of the protective case when the device grip is not attached to the device grip mounting interface of the protective case. 
     
     
         20 . The protective case system of  claim 12  wherein the device grip mounting platform is removably dockable on a back surface of the protective case.