초록 ▼

An outer cover for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, is disclosed. Since portable electronic devices are often portable, they can be damaged, such as scratched, dented, broken, and the like, when transported or used. The outer cover can serve to provide a protective member

An outer cover for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, is disclosed. Since portable electronic devices are often portable, they can be damaged, such as scratched, dented, broken, and the like, when transported or used. The outer cover can serve to provide a protective member over part of the housing for the electronic device. The protective member, when placed on the portable electronic device can serve to reduce damage to sides of the portable electronic device. While the outer cover can provide side and/or edge protection, the outer cover need not also provide front or rear protection.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A protective cover for a portable electronic device, comprising: a middle ring having at least one opening for access to an input component of the portable electronic device, the middle ring having a substantially flat side;a top ring integral with or attached to a top portion of the middle ring,

1. A protective cover for a portable electronic device, comprising: a middle ring having at least one opening for access to an input component of the portable electronic device, the middle ring having a substantially flat side;a top ring integral with or attached to a top portion of the middle ring, the top ring having a curved cross-section; anda bottom ring integral with or attached to a bottom portion of the middle ring, the bottom ring having a curved cross section wherein the top ring, the bottom ring, and the middle ring are aligned to secure the protective cover to a top surface and a bottom surface of the portable electronic device and so that the substantially flat side of the middle ring is substantially flush with an entire peripheral surface of the portable electronic device. 2. The protective cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the protective cover comprises at least one opening with a depressible actuator for use in activating a user input device of the portable electronic device while the portable electronic device is placed within the protective cover. 3. The protective cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the middle ring is formed from a plastic, and wherein the top ring and the bottom ring are formed from a thermoplastic. 4. The protective cover as recited in claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic comprises silicone. 5. The protective cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is able to be attached to the protective cover by inserting the portable electronic device into the protective cover from either a top side or a bottom side of the protective cover, and wherein the protective cover is configured to match the configuration of the portable electronic device so that the protective cover is removably securable thereto. 6. A protective cover as recited in claim 5, wherein the middle ring includes an alignment feature configured to maintain alignment with the top ring and the bottom ring in the protective cover. 7. A ring-shape cover having an opening configured to receive a portable electronic device, the ring-shaped cover comprising: a center band primarily formed of a first material, the center band having a substantially flat side;a top band formed of a second material and integral with a top portion of the center band; anda bottom band formed of the second material and integral with a bottom portion of the center band; wherein the top band, the bottom band, and the center band are aligned to secure the ring-shape cover to the portable electronic device and so that the substantially flat side of the center band is substantially flush with an entire peripheral surface of the portable electronic device. 8. The ring-shaped cover as recited in claim 7, wherein each of the center band, the top band and the bottom band surround the opening. 9. The ring-shaped cover as recited in claim 7, wherein the ring-shaped cover is able to be attached to the portable electronic device by inserting the portable electronic device into the opening, and wherein the portable electronic device is able to be inserted into the ring-shaped cover by way of either the bottom band or the top band. 10. The ring-shaped cover as recited in claim 7, wherein the first material is less compliant that the second material. 11. The ring-shaped cover as recited in claim 7, wherein the center band include an alignment feature configured to maintain alignment with the top band and the bottom band in the ring-shape cover. 12. The ring-shaped cover as recited in claim 7, wherein the center band include a compliant section that facilitates expansion. 13. An edge cover for an electronic device, comprising: a removable peripheral member that surrounds peripheral sides of an electronic device in order to protect the peripheral sides of the electronic device, the peripheral member having an opening extending through the peripheral member and configured to receive the electronic device, wherein the peripheral member forms a band configured to fit around the peripheral sides of the electronic device, and the peripheral member comprises a substantially flat middle portion that is substantially flush with all peripheral sides of the electronic device, the flat middle portion aligned with a curved top portion and a curved bottom portion, the curved top portion and the curved bottom portion configured to secure the edge cover to a top and a bottom surface of the electronic device. 14. The edge cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the removable member include a compliant section that facilitates expansion of the opening in the peripheral member for insertion of the electronic device therein. 15. An expandable edge cover for an electronic device, comprising: a first portion in the form of a middle band having a cut out section thereby making it non-continuous, the middle band comprising a substantially flat side; anda second portion integrally formed with the first portion, the second portion filling the cut out section and forming a continuous upper and lower band, the second portion being formed from a compliant material thereby allowing the edge cover to flex when the electronic device is inserted therein; wherein the middle band is aligned with the upper and lower band to secure the expandable edge to a top surface and a bottom surface of the electronic device and so that the substantially flat side of the middle band is substantially flush with an entire peripheral surface of the electronic device. 16. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the expandable edge cover serves to cover top, bottom and left and right sides of the electronic device. 17. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the thickness of the middle band is greater than the thickness of the upper band or the lower band. 18. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the cut out section includes an opening. 19. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the electronic device includes a middle portion and an upper and lower portion, and wherein the middle band substantially corresponds to the middle portion, and the upper and lower bands substantially correspond to the upper and lower portions, wherein the upper and lower portions are formed from ceramics or glass. 20. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the upper and lower bands include a flange section configured to cover front and rear face edges of the electronic device. 21. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the second portion is over molded relative to the first portion. 22. The expandable edge cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the first portion is done with a first shot and the second portion is done with a second shot in a double injection molding operation.