Cell Phone Case

Abstract

A modular case for a mobile device is formed by providing a hard shell layer within a soft overmold layer. The soft overmold layer preferably lines both an inner and an outer surface of the hard shell layer so as to both protect the mobile device from scratches and to distribute any impact forces to the case across the surface of the soft overmold layer. The hard shell layer generally has multiple sets of injection mold ports so that when the soft overmold layer is formed over the hard shell layer, the soft overmold layer threads through the injection ports, providing an interlocking union of the two layers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile device case comprising:
 a hard shell layer sized and dimensioned to at least partially encase a mobile device, and having injection mold ports disposed about surfaces of the hard shell layer;   a soft overmold layer comprising an elastomeric material and mechanically coupled with the hard shell layer via injection molded protrusions of the soft overmold layer extending through at least two different sets of the injection mold ports; and   wherein the least two sets of the injection mold ports are disposed on two different orthogonal surfaces of the hard shell layer.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the molded protrusions of the soft overmold layer extend through a third, different set of injection mold ports and wherein the third set of injection mold ports are disposed on a third surface orthogonal to the two different orthogonal surfaces of the hard shell layer. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , further comprising a ferromagnetic plate coupled with the hard shell layer and at least partially exposed via a recess within a rear surface of the hard shell layer. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device case of  claim 3 , further comprising a magnetic mounting system comprising a rear magnetic plate and a front magnetic plate configured to magnetically couple with each other through an intervening a non-ferromagnetic material, wherein the front magnetic plate is configured to couple with the ferromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device case of  claim 4  wherein the front plate is sized and dimensioned to mate with the recess within the rear surface of the hard shell layer. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device case of  claim 4 , wherein the front plate is configured to magnetically attract the ferromagnetic plate with a force less than a coupling force between the front plate and the rear plate when the front plate and rear plate are separated by less than 0.5 centimeters of the non-ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device case of  claim 3 , wherein the ferromagnetic plate substantially shields the mobile device from magnetic fields. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the hard shell layer comprises a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a thermal plastic elastomer. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a Durometer rating of no greater than 40 A. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device case of  claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a Durometer rating of no greater than 25 A. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the soft overmold layer covers corners of the mobile device and comprises a raised rib at a corner of the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , further comprising a kickstand coupled with a rear surface of the hard shell layer. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device case of  claim 13 , wherein the kick stand comprises polypropylene and a living hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device case of  claim 1 , wherein the hard shell layer comprises a lanyard connector.