Edge retention for flexible cover

Abstract

A two component case may have a removable flexible component and a rigid plastic component. The flexible component may be secured to the rigid component by an interlocking feature where a tab or blade from the flexible component fits into a corresponding recess in the rigid component. The feature may extend along an edge of the flexible component and may be installed by engaging one portion of the feature and sliding a finger along the feature to press the components together. In some embodiments, the flexible component may be sized to have a slight interference fit within the corresponding feature of the rigid component. Some embodiments may also have a protruding feature over which the flexible component may also engage.

1 . A case for a device comprising:
 a rigid component having an external surface comprising an exposed surface and a covered surface, and an interface edge defined between said exposed surface and said covered surface;   a flexible component conforming to and configured to cover said covered surface, said flexible component being removable from said rigid component;   said rigid component having a receiving feature parallel to said interface edge, said receiving feature having a receiving width and a receiving depth;   said flexible component having a tab parallel to said interface edge and having a tab width and a tab depth, said tab having an external surface facing said interface edge;   said tab having a length along said interface edge at least ten times said tab width.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , said tab having said length being at least 50 times said tab width. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , said external surface of said tab being coincident with said interface edge. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , said tab height being at least two times said tab width. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 4 , said tab height being at least four times said tab width. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 4 , said receiving width being less than said tab width, comprising an interference fit. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 6 , said interference fit being no more than a 0.010 in nominal interference fit. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 1 , said receiving feature comprising a draft angle along said height. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , said receiving depth being greater than said tab height. 
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 1 , said case being a removable case for said device. 
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 10 , said device comprising a touchscreen. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11 , said external surface of said rigid component forming an edge next to said touchscreen of said device when said device is installed in said case. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12 , said external surface not exceeding 0.150 in from said edge to said interface edge. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13 , said external surface not exceeding 0.075 in from said edge to said interface edge. 
     
     
         15 . A case for a device comprising:
 a rigid inner component having an external surface comprising an exposed surface and a covered surface, and an interface edge defined between said exposed surface and said covered surface, said rigid inner component comprising an opening;   a flexible outer component being stretchable and adapted to conform over said rigid inner component over said covered surface but not over said exposed surface;   said rigid inner component comprising a recessed feature parallel to said interface edge, said recessed feature comprising an inner wall and outer wall, said inner wall being closer to said interface edge than said outer wall and substantially parallel to said outer wall, said recessed feature further comprising a width defined by a distance between said inner wall and said outer wall;   said recessed feature having a length parallel to said interface edge of at least twenty times said width; and   said flexible outer component comprising a tab feature adapted to fit into said recessed feature, said tab feature comprising a width and a height.   
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 15 , said rigid inner component comprising at least two pieces of injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16 , said case being adapted to cover a portion of said device, said case being adapted to expose said device in an area defined by said opening. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 17 , said area defined by said opening being an access area for a touchscreen on said device. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 18 , said device having a top surface and a bottom surface, said flexible outer component covering at least a portion of said top surface and at least a portion of said bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 19 , said width not exceeding 0.050 in.