Molded mobile device case with storage compartment having hinged access

Abstract

A protective case for a mobile device having a molded multi-layered construction is disclosed. The case includes a mobile device cavity that is configured to receive and retain the mobile device and a storage cavity that extends internally from an upper portion of the case to a lower portion of the case. The lower and upper portions of the case are hinged to one another to facilitate access to the storage compartment. The exterior back surface of the case is configured to conceal the existence of the storage compartment. Other and various unique aspects relating to the construction, configuration and manufacture of the case are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective case for a mobile device configured to be user removable from said mobile device, said protective case comprising:
 an upper portion formed from a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the first material is harder than the second material, the first layer and the second layer are co-molded to one another, the upper portion further having an upper left sidewall, an upper right sidewall, an upper front face wall therebetween, and an upper interior facing surface, each of the sidewalls including an upper region entirely formed from the second material and a lower region formed from the first material enclosed within the second material;   a lower portion hingedly attached to the upper portion, said lower portion having a lower front face wall and a lower interior facing surface and formed from at least the second material;   a hinge region formed from the second material and positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion, the hinge region enabling the lower portion to pivot relative to the upper portion;   a mobile device compartment defined by the upper and lower interior facing surfaces; and   a storage compartment formed into the upper and lower interior facing surfaces and extending across both the upper and lower portions, wherein access to the storage compartment is provided by rotating the lower portion, at the hinge region, over the upper portion.   
     
     
         2 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is formed from the first and second co-molded layers. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the upper interior facing surface further includes a pattern of elevated support structures. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein the pattern of elevated support structures comprises a pattern of polygons. 
     
     
         5 . The protective case of  claim 4 , wherein the pattern of polygons comprises a pattern of hexagons. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion further comprises a third layer of a third material enclosed within the second material. 
     
     
         7 . The protective case of  claim 6 , wherein the third layer of the lower portion is not directly physically connected to the first layer of the upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The protective case of  claim 6 , wherein the third material is the first material. 
     
     
         9 . A protective case for a mobile device configured to be user removable from said mobile device, said protective case comprising:
 an upper portion formed from a first material and a co-molded second material, the upper portion further having an upper left sidewall, an upper right sidewall, an upper front face wall therebetween, and an upper interior facing surface, each of the sidewalls including an upper region entirely formed from the second material and a lower region formed from the first material enclosed within the second material;   a lower portion hingedly attached to the upper portion, said lower portion having a lower front face wall and a lower interior facing surface and formed from at least the second material;   a hinge region formed from the second material and positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion, the hinge region enabling the lower portion to pivot relative to the upper portion;   a mobile device compartment defined by the upper and lower interior facing surfaces;   a storage compartment formed into the upper and lower interior facing surfaces and extending across both the upper and lower portions, wherein access to the storage compartment is provided by rotating the lower portion, at the hinge region, over the upper portion; and   a flat surface region opposite the storage compartment that extends across the upper and lower portions.   
     
     
         10 . The protective case of  claim 9  further comprising a curved transition region that continuously extends to the perimeter of the case. 
     
     
         11 . The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the flat exterior region is configured to extend beyond the perimeter of the storage compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the lower portion is formed from the first and second co-molded materials. 
     
     
         13 . The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the upper interior facing surface further includes a pattern of elevated support structures. 
     
     
         14 . The protective case of  claim 13 , wherein the pattern of elevated support structures comprises a pattern of polygons. 
     
     
         15 . The protective case of  claim 14 , wherein the pattern of polygons comprises a pattern of hexagons. 
     
     
         16 . A protective case for a mobile device configured to be user removable from said mobile device, said protective case comprising:
 an upper portion formed from a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the first material is harder than the second material, the upper portion further having an upper left sidewall, an upper right sidewall, an upper front face wall therebetween, and an upper interior facing surface, each of the sidewalls including an upper region entirely formed from the second material and a lower region formed from the first material enclosed within the second material;   a lower portion hingedly attached to the upper portion, said lower portion having a lower front face wall and a lower interior facing surface and formed from at least the second material;   at least one gap separating the upper portion and the lower portion;   a hinge region formed from the second material and located in the at least one gap between the upper portion and the lower portion, the hinge region enabling the lower portion to pivot relative to the upper portion;   a mobile device compartment defined by the upper and lower interior facing surfaces; and   a storage compartment formed into the upper and lower interior facing surfaces and extending across both the upper and lower portions, wherein access to the storage compartment is provided by rotating the lower portion, at the hinge region, over the upper portion.   
     
     
         17 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one gap comprises two gaps. 
     
     
         18 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein the upper interior facing surface further includes a pattern of elevated support structures. 
     
     
         19 . The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the pattern of elevated support structures comprises a pattern of polygons. 
     
     
         20 . The protective case of  claim 19 , wherein the pattern of polygons comprises a pattern of hexagons.