RF-Transparent Case with Integral Clip

Abstract

A case for a mobile device, including a first RF-transparent layer forming a pocket or recess for a mobile device, and a clip portion extending from a first wall of the pocket or recess. The clip portion extends away from a first wall of the pocket or recess, with the clip portion and the first wall forming a ring. The clip portion includes an external clip portion, an internal clip portion arranged inside the external clip portion, and a hinged gate. The internal clip portion is separate and distinct from the eternal clip portion. The hinged gate is rotatable around a hinge portion between a closed position in which the ring is closed, and an open position in which the ring is open. The first RF-transparent layer and the external and internal clip portions are formed from materials such that radio frequency (“RF”) transmissions can be transmitted through them.

1 . A case for a mobile device, comprising:
 a first RF-transparent layer that forms a pocket or recess in which the mobile device can be arranged, the first layer being formed from a first material such that radio frequency (“RF”) transmissions can be transmitted through the first layer; and   a clip portion that extends from a first wall of the pocket or recess in a direction away from the pocket or recess, the clip portion and the first wall forming a ring, the clip portion comprising:
 an external clip portion formed from a second material such that RF transmissions can be transmitted through the external clip portion; 
 an internal clip portion that is arranged inside the external clip portion, is formed from a third material such that RF transmissions can be transmitted through the internal clip portion, the internal clip portion being separate and distinct from the eternal clip portion; and 
 a hinged gate that is rotatable around a hinge portion between a closed position in which the ring is closed, and an open position in which the ring is open; 
   wherein the first, second, and third materials are the same, different, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first layer forms the external clip portion.   
     
     
         3 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the internal clip portion is permanently attached to the external clip portion.   
     
     
         4 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the ring is rectangular in shape.   
     
     
         5 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first, second, and third materials are nonmetallic materials.   
     
     
         6 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the hinged gate comprises at least one metal.   
     
     
         7 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 6 ;
 wherein the case includes no metal or RF-blocking components or materials other than the hinged gate.   
     
     
         8 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the case includes no metal or RF-blocking components or materials.   
     
     
         9 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second RF-transparent layer that is arranged inside the pocket or recess of the first layer, and which is formed from a fourth material such that RF transmissions can be transmitted through the second layer, the fourth material being different from the first material.   
     
     
         10 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 9 ;
 wherein the second layer is permanently attached to the first layer.   
     
     
         11 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 9 ;
 wherein the fourth material is a nonmetallic material.   
     
     
         12 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 9 ;
 wherein the fourth material is a soft elastomeric material.   
     
     
         13 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 12 ;
 wherein the soft elastomeric fourth material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”), thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”), polyolefins, silicone, rubber, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 9 ;
 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth materials is translucent, transparent, or clear, so that one or more sides of the mobile device can be seen through the one or more respective sides of the case when the mobile device is arranged inside the case.   
     
     
         15 . The case ( 1 ) for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first material is a hard or rigid material.   
     
     
         16 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 15 ;
 wherein the hard or rigid first material is selected from the group consisting of hardened plastic material, a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, a rigid/hard rubber material, a polycarbonate material, a para-aramid material, wood, glass, quartz, thermosetting plastics with a hard durometer having shore 30D to shore 100D, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), high durometer thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (“TPUs”) having shore 30D to shore 100D, and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first layer forms:
 a rear side that forms at least part of a rear wall of the pocket or recess; 
 a first side that extends from the rear side and forms at least part of the first wall of the pocket or recess; 
 a second side opposite to the first side, the second side extending from the rear side and forming at least part of a second wall of the pocket or recess; 
 a third side that extends from the rear side between the first and second sides, and which forms at least part of a third wall of the pocket or recess; and 
 a fourth side opposite to the third side, the fourth side extending from the rear side between the first and second sides and forming at least part of a fourth wall of the pocket or recess. 
   
     
     
         18 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein a thickness of the internal clip portion in a radial direction of the ring is greater than a thickness of the external clip portion in the radial direction of the ring.   
     
     
         19 . A case for a mobile device, comprising:
 a first layer that forms a pocket or recess in which the mobile device can be arranged, the first layer being formed from a first material; and   a clip portion that extends from a first wall of the pocket or recess in a direction away from the pocket or recess, the clip portion and the first wall forming a ring, the clip portion comprising:
 an external clip portion formed from a second material; 
 an internal clip portion that is arranged inside the external clip portion, is formed from a third material, and is separate and distinct from the eternal clip portion; and 
 a hinged gate that is rotatable around a hinge portion between a closed position in which the ring is closed, and an open position in which the ring is open; 
   wherein a thickness of the internal clip portion in a radial direction of the ring is greater than a thickness of the external clip portion in the radial direction of the ring.   
     
     
         20 . The case for a mobile device according to  claim 18 ;
 wherein the first layer forms the external clip portion.