Case for portable electronic device

Abstract

A case for an electronic device protects the electronic device. The case has a back of a first material that is relatively rigid and a frame structure with sides of a second material that is relatively elastic and flexible, which absorb shock. In a specific implementation, the first material is a polycarbonate and the second material is a thermoplastic polyurethane, formed together by a co-molding plastic injection process. The thermoplastic polyurethane extends around a perimeter of the case. To insert the device, the sides of the case elastically stretch over sides of the device, and then elastically contract to their original size and shape to retain the device in the case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 a frame structure comprising a side border having an exterior edge and an interior edge, the exterior and interior edges being separated by a side border width, wherein the frame structure comprises a first material, and the interior edge surrounds a perimeter of a compartment for the portable electronic device; and   a back panel coupled to a first side of the side border, wherein the back panel comprises a second material different from the first material, and wherein the first material has a shock absorption characteristic that is different from that of the second material.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein sides of the portable electronic device are cushioned against side impacts by the first material having a thickness of the side border width. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the first material comprises at least a thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises a polycarbonate material, and the second material is translucent, and the first material is opaque. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the frame structure comprises a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and the back panel is between the first and second extension portions. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein an inside surface of the frame structure comprises a plurality of raised regions and grooves. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the frame structure comprises an edging comprises raised rings that is against a back of the portable electronic device when in the case. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a camera-flash ring, formed into the frame structure, that is positioned so a camera lens and flash of the camera is visible through the camera-flash ring from a back of the case. 
 
     
     
         10 . A case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 a frame structure comprising a side border having an exterior edge and an interior edge, the exterior and interior edges being separated by a side border width, the frame structure further comprising an edging extending from an inside surface of the frame structure and substantially perpendicular to the side border, the edging comprising a plurality of raised rings, wherein the frame structure comprises a first material; and   a back panel positioned between the first and second extension portions and coupled to a first side of the side border, wherein the back panel comprises a second material different from the first material, and wherein the first material has a shock absorption characteristic that is different from that of the second material.   
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the first material comprises at least a thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the second material comprises a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the second material comprises a polycarbonate material, and the second material is translucent, and the first material is opaque. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the inside surface of the frame structure further comprises a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the raised rings are formed along the entire edging. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein a cross section of the frame structure comprises a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and the back panel is between the first and second extension portions. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16 , wherein the raised rings are extended from the first extension portion. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a camera-flash ring, formed into the frame structure, that is positioned so a camera lens and flash of the camera is visible through the camera-flash ring from a back of the case.