One-piece protective case

Abstract

A carrying case for a portable electronic device is disclosed. Generally speaking, the protective case for a portable electronic device comprises a body section having a back surface and upturned sides, and a rim affixed to an edge of the upturned sides of the body sections, the rim defining an open area. Preferably, the body section is comprised of contrasting colors and forms a cavity defined by the back surface and the upturned sides. Further, the body section and the rim are preferably formed of the same material. A second protective section may be used to form a protective shell-like structure about the electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 a body section formed of a first material and having a back surface and upturned sides extending from the back surface, the back surface and upturned sides being configured to maintain contact with an outer surface of a the portable electronic device positioned within a cavity defined by the back surface and upturned sides; 
 a distinct rim separately formed of a second material and attached to the body section; and 
 a bond formed between the first material of the body section and the second material of the rim; 
 wherein at least a portion of the distinct rim forms an overhang to the cavity to maintain continuous contact with an the outer surface of the electronic device and facilitate securing of the electronic device positioned within the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the first material of the body section and the second material of the rim integrate to form the bond. 
     
     
       3. The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening positioned on an upturned side of the body section. 
     
     
       4. The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising a second molded body section configured to conceal a surface of an electronic device secured within the case other than a surface already covered by the body section. 
     
     
       5. The protective case of  claim 4 , wherein the body section and the second molded body section have contrasting colors. 
     
     
       6. The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising a passage having an opening on each of a back surface and an inner surface of the body section, the openings being connected by a sidewall. 
     
     
       7. The protective case of  claim 6 , wherein the passage opening on the back surface of the body section has a diameter greater than a diameter of the passage opening on the inner surface of the body section. 
     
     
       8. The protective case of  claim 6 , wherein the passage sidewall is sloped inward from the opening on the back surface to the opening on the inner surface. 
     
     
       9. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 a molded body section formed of a first material and having a back surface and upturned sides extending from the back surface, the back surface and upturned sides being configured to maintain contact with an outer surface of a the portable electronic device positioned within a cavity defined by the back surface and upturned sides; 
 an image transferred onto at least a portion of the molded body section including the upturned sides; 
 a distinctly molded rim formed of a second material affixed to an edge of at least one of either the back surface and the upturned sides of the body section to mask imperfections at the edge caused by the image being transferred; and 
 a bond formed between the first material of the body section and the second material of the rim; 
 wherein at least a portion of the rim forms an overhang at a periphery of the cavity to maintain continuous contact with an the outer surface of the electronic device and facilitate securing of the electronic device positioned within the cavity. 
 
     
     
       10. The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the first material of the body section and the second material of the rim integrate to form the bond. 
     
     
       11. The protective case of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one opening positioned on an upturned side of the body section. 
     
     
       12. The protective case of  claim 9 , further comprising a second molded body section configured to conceal a surface of an electronic device secured within the cavity other than a surface of the device already covered by the molded body section. 
     
     
       13. The protective case of  claim 12 , wherein the molded body section and the second molded body section have contrasting colors. 
     
     
       14. The protective case of  claim 9 , further comprising a passage having an opening on each of a back surface and an inner surface of the body section, the openings being connected by a sidewall. 
     
     
       15. The protective case of  claim 14 , wherein the passage opening on the back surface of the body section has a diameter greater than a diameter of the passage opening on the inner surface of the body section. 
     
     
       16. The protective case of  claim 14 , wherein the passage sidewall is sloped inward from the opening on the back surface to the opening on the inner surface. 
     
     
       17. The protective case of  claim 9 , further comprising a second molded body section of the first material having a back surface and upturned sides extending from the back surface, the back surface and upturned sides being configured to maintain contact with a portable electronic device positioned within the cavity of a first molded body section. 
     
     
       18. A protective case for a portable electronic device having a plurality of first corners, the case comprising:
 a body section formed of a first material having a back surface with upturned sides at least at corners extending from the back surface defining a cavity configured to maintain contact with an outer surface of the portable electronic device, the upturned side being configured to cover a portion of the device;   a distinct rim, formed of a second material, at least a portion of the rim forming a portion of a periphery of the cavity and providing an overhang to the cavity to facilitate securing of the portable electronic device by maintaining continuous attachment to the portable electronic device held within the cavity; and   wherein the first material of the body section is bonded to the second material of the rim.    
     
     
       19. The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the device includes a display, and wherein at least a portion of the overhang of the rim frame an open area for the display of the portable electronic device.  
     
     
       20. The protective case of  claim 19 , wherein the second material is a thermoplastic polymer deformable to permit insertion of the portable device into the cavity through the open area.  
     
     
       21. The protective case of  claim 19 , wherein the rim is continuous about the open area.  
     
     
       22. The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the body section further comprises at least one upturned side extending away from the back surface.  
     
     
       23. The protective case of  claim 22 , wherein the back surface transforms along a radiused edge into the upturned side.  
     
     
       24. The protective case of  claim 22 , wherein the case includes three upturned sides.  
     
     
       25. The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the body section is formed in a first color and the rim is formed in a second color contrasting with the first color.  
     
     
       26. The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the rim is bonded to a portion of the back surface.