Case for portable electronic devices having a magnetically shielded fastener

Abstract

A case for portable electronic devices having a magnetically shielded fastener is provided. The case includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity for slideably receiving a portable electronic device and a flap extending from at least one of the walls to enclose the device within the case. A fastener mechanism for retaining the flap in place includes a first fastener in a front wall of the case and a second fastener in the flap. The first fastener includes a magnet and a receiver configured for receiving the magnet and for redirecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet away from the device disposed within the case. The second fastener is configured from a magnetically attractive material. By shielding the magnet, the magnetic field generated by the magnet is redirected away from the device disposed in the case and focused towards the second fastener to maintain optimal pull force closure.

1 . A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a plurality of walls configured for defining a cavity for slideably receiving the portable electronic device;   a flap extending from at least one of the walls to enclose the portable electronic device within the case;   a first fastener disposed in a wall opposite the at least one wall including the flap, the first fastener including a magnet and a shielded receiver configured for receiving the magnet and for directing a magnetic field generated by the magnet away from the portable electronic device disposed within the case; and   a second fastener disposed in the flap configured from a magnetically attractive material which when aligned with the first fastener will be attracted to the magnet.   
   
   
       2 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the shielded receiver redirects the magnetic field generated by the magnet toward the second fastener to maintain optimal pull force closure between the magnet and the second fastener in the flap. 
   
   
       3 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls is formed from neoprene material, leather, rubber or textile fabric material. 
   
   
       4 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver substantially surrounds the magnet. 
   
   
       5 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the receiver is complementary to a shape of the magnet. 
   
   
       6 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein a dimension of the receiver is equal to or greater than a dimension of the magnet. 
   
   
       7 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls include a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and a bottom wall and the flap extends from the back wall. 
   
   
       8 . The case as in  claim 7 , wherein the first fastener is disposed in the front wall. 
   
   
       9 . The case as in  claim 8 , wherein the receiver is configured to substantially face the cavity for slideably receiving the portable electronic device and the magnet is disposed between the receiver and an outer surface of the front wall. 
   
   
       10 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the second fastener is a steel lug. 
   
   
       11 . The case as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending from the bottom wall exposing one surface of the magnet when disposed therein and wherein the second fastener is configured to mate with the at least one side wall to enclose the magnet and contain the magnetic field.