IP Library Granted Patent US 9,402,325
Granted Patent B2
US 9,402,325 · App. 13/988,374 · Granted Jul 26, 2016

Portable electronic device and method of protecting portable electronic device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,402,325
App. No.
13/988,374
Granted
Jul 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a portable electronic device with excellent shock resistance without reducing design property. A portable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a case including a device (e.g., a speaker), a covering member that covers the device, a protrusion that is formed on the case, and a protective member that protects the covering member. The protective member is formed to protrude from the covering member and also with a substantially equivalent height to that of the protrusion. It is preferable that the protrusion is formed at facing edges of the case, and the protective member is formed between the protrusion.

Claims (21)

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a case comprising first and second cases, the first and second cases enclosing a speaker, a sensor, and a light source mounted inside the case;

a covering member that covers the speaker, the sensor, and the light source mounted in a front part inside the case, the covering member being adapted to let light from the light source pass through and formed by a flexible member such as an acrylic member;

a protrusion formed on the case, the protrusion protruding upward and forward from the case in a state where the first and second cases are closed; and

a protective member that protects the covering member,

wherein the protective member protrudes upward and forward from the case beyond the covering member and an upward height of the protective member is roughly equal to an upward height of the protrusion.

2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein

the protrusion is formed on facing edges of the case, and

the protective member is disposed between the protrusion.

3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein

the covering member is disposed near an edge of the case, and

the protective member is disposed on the edge of the case where the covering member is disposed.

4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member includes a round surface.

5. The portable electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein

the protective member is fixed to the case, and

the round surface of the protective member is formed continuous with a side surface of the case.

6. A method of protecting a portable electronic device comprising:

forming a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device comprising a case comprising first and second cases, the first and second cases enclosing a speaker, a sensor, and a light source mounted inside the case, a covering member that covers the speaker, the sensor, and the light source mounted in a front part inside the case, the covering member being adapted to let light from the light source pass through and formed by a flexible member such as an acrylic member, a protrusion that is formed on the case and protrudes upward and forward from the case in a state where first and second cases are closed, and a protective member that protects the covering member,

wherein the protective member is disposed to protrude upward and forward from the case beyond the covering member and so that an upward height of the protective member is roughly equal to an upward height of the protrusion.

7. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is a member distinct from the protrusion member, and is affixed to a cutout of the covering member and a depression of the case.

8. The method of protecting a portable electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the protective member is affixed to a cutout of the covering member and a depression of the case, the protective member being distinct from the protrusion member.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2015
From: NEC MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036037/0476 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 9, 2015
From: NEC CASIO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
To: NEC MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 035866/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2013
From: OKANO, MASATO
To: NEC CASIO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 030463/0676 →