Modular protective cover with accessory slot for portable electronic device

Abstract

A protective cover for a portable electronic device that includes a main body portion that is adapted to at least partially surround and enclose a portable electronic device. The main body portion includes a rear section that has an accessory slot defined therein. The accessory slot removably receives an accessory assembly that includes a base having an accessory mounted thereto.

1 . A protective cover for a portable electronic device and to couple to an accessory assembly having a base which has a plurality of tabs on the base and an accessory mounted thereto, the cover comprising:
 a main body portion adapted to at least partially surround and enclose the portable electronic device, wherein the main body portion has a rear section and a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines an accessory opening and defines a plurality of recessed portions, wherein each of the recessed portions is adapted to receive one of the plurality of tabs on the base of the accessory assembly to couple the accessory assembly to the protective cover.   
     
     
         2 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one ledge extending over the recessed portion, wherein one of the tabs is adapted to be fitted into the recessed portion under the ledge.   
     
     
         3 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ledges, wherein each of the ledges extends over one of the recessed portions, wherein the tabs are adapted to be fitted into the recessed portions under the ledges.   
     
     
         4 . The protective cover of  claim 3 , wherein each of the ledges includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface of the ledge couples with the tab fitted into the recessed portion and the upper surface is formed on a surface of the rear section. 
     
     
         5 . The protective cover of  claim 4 , wherein the upper surface of the ledge is flush is the surface of the rear section. 
     
     
         6 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein there are four recessed portions. 
     
     
         7 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein each of the recessed portions are located opposite another recessed portion in the accessory opening. 
     
     
         8 . The protective cover of  claim 7 , wherein the recessed portions located opposite each other are separated by an open space in the accessory opening. 
     
     
         9 . The protective cover of  claim 7 , wherein the tabs extend from the base and wherein the base is adapted to fit into the open space of the accessory opening. 
     
     
         10 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall defines the accessory opening to have a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         11 . An attachment assembly for a portable electronic device, comprising:
 an accessory assembly having a base and an accessory mounted thereto, wherein a plurality of tabs extend from the base; and   a protective cover for the portable electronic device, comprising:
 a main body portion adapted to at least partially surround and enclose the portable electronic device, wherein the main body portion has a rear section and a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines an accessory opening and defines a plurality of recessed portions, wherein each of the recessed portions is adapted to receive one of the plurality of tabs on the base of the accessory assembly to couple the accessory assembly to the protective cover. 
   
     
     
         12 . The attachment assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of ledges, wherein each of the ledges extends over one of recessed portions, wherein the tabs are adapted to be fitted into the recessed portions under the ledges.   
     
     
         13 . The attachment assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the ledges includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface couples with the tab fitted into the recessed portion and the upper surface is formed on a surface of the rear section. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each of the recessed portions are located opposite another recessed portion in the accessory opening. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the recessed portions located opposite each other are separated by an open space in the accessory opening. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the tabs extend from the base and wherein the base is adapted to fit into the open space of the accessory opening. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewall defines the accessory opening to have a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         18 . A protective cover for a portable electronic device and to couple to an accessory assembly having a base and an accessory mounted thereto, the cover comprising:
 a main body portion adapted to at least partially surround and enclose the portable electronic device, wherein the main body has a rear section and a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines an accessory opening and defines a plurality of recessed portions, wherein for at least one of the recessed portions a top surface of the sidewall extends over the recessed portion, wherein each of the recessed portions are adapted to receive one of a plurality of tabs on the base of the accessory assembly to couple the accessory assembly to the protective cover.   
     
     
         19 . The protective cover of  claim 18 , wherein the rear section includes an upper and inner surface, wherein the inner surface couples to the portable electronic device, and wherein the recessed portions extend from the top surface of the sidewall to the inner surface of the rear section. 
     
     
         20 . The protective cover of  claim 18 , wherein the portions of the top surface of the sidewall extending over the recessed portions extend from back walls of the recessed portions to a surface of the sidewall orthogonal with respect to the portions of the top surface.