Extendable Grip Protective Case for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices are susceptible to damage from dropping, impact, and scratching due to increased usage in various situations, and existing protective cases do not adequately address the need for versatile protection and holding solutions that accommodate different use models.

Innovation Solution

A protective case system with an extendable device grip and a protective case that includes a shell with a recessed area for attaching the grip, allowing the grip to be stowed when not in use, providing enhanced protection and usability by allowing the device to be held securely and visible in various orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective case is added to protect the electronic device, then the device is protected from damage, but the device becomes bulkier and less portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidcase size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device grip is nested within a recessed area of the protective case when not in use, allowing the grip to be stored inside the case structure. This nesting arrangement enables the grip to protrude only when needed, reducing the overall volume increase when the protective case is added to the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device grip is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable, allowing it to transition between a stowed position within the recessed area and an extended position for use. This dynamic capability enables the case to maintain a compact form when the grip is not needed while providing full functionality when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a device grip is added to improve holding, then the device is easier to hold, but the device becomes bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding easeVSAvoidoverall size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an extendable device grip is attached to the protective case, then the device can be held in various orientations, but the attachment mechanism increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding orientationsVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver in the protective case is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can accommodate various device grip types and configurations. This multi-functional receiver structure enables different gripping orientations and styles without requiring complex specialized mechanisms for each type, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10694835B2Protective case for use with device grip

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 OTTER PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A protective case system includes an extendable device grip and a protective case. The extendable device grip includes an attachment mechanism and has a stowed configuration and extended configuration. The protective case includes an inner shell having a receiver and an outer cushion layer. The inner shell is configured for receiving and removably retaining an electronic device. The extendable device grip is removably attachable to the receiver for removably attaching the extendable device grip to the inner shell. The outer cushion layer first over the inner shell and includes an aperture for accessing the device grip when the extendable device grip is attached to the inner shell.