IP Library Granted Patent US 11,745,670
Granted Patent B2
US 11,745,670 · App. 17/168,258 · Granted Sep 5, 2023

Protective case system for use with electronic device

Inventors: Shanshan Li (Fort Collins, CO); Joseph A. Prizzi (Vista, CA); Kevin M. Malak (San Diego, CA); Jeffrey C. Wicks (Fort Collins, CO); Andrew J. Walla (Aurora, CO)
Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
B60R11/0241A45C11/00F16M13/02H04B1/3888A45C2011/002
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 11,745,670
App. No.
17/168,258
Granted
Sep 5, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A protective case system for use with an electronic device includes a protective case, a handle, and an adapter. The protective case removably receives the electronic device and a display screen of the electronic device remains accessible when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The handle is attached to and extends outward from a back surface of the protective case. The handle is configured for carrying the protective case and the installed electronic device. The adapter is configured to be removably attachable to the handle and bendable by a user to a plurality of positions. The adapter is configured to function as a multi-position stand for the protective case and the installed electronic device. The adapter is further configured to removably affix the protective case and the installed electronic device to headrest posts of a seat.

Claims (29)

1. A protective case system for use with an electronic device, the protective case system comprising:

a protective case for removably receiving the electronic device, wherein a display screen of the electronic device remains accessible when the electronic device is installed in the protective case;

a handle attached to and extending outward from a back surface of the protective case, wherein the handle is configured for carrying the protective case and the installed electronic device; and

an adapter configured to be removably attachable to the handle, wherein the adapter is configured to be bendable by a user to a plurality of positions and is configured to function as a multi-position stand for the protective case and the installed electronic device, and wherein the adapter is further configured to removably affix the protective case and the installed electronic device to headrest posts of a seat.

2. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the adapter includes two post receivers configured for each receiving a respective one of the headrest posts.

3. The protective case system of claim 2 wherein the two post receivers of the adapter are spaced apart a same distance as a distance between the headrest posts.

4. The protective case system of claim 2 wherein each post receiver comprises a slot for accommodating, alternately, two or more sets of headrest posts having differing spacing.

5. The protective case system of claim 2 wherein a portion of the adapter including the two post receivers is formed from a flexible material.

6. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the handle is removably attached to the protective case.

7. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the handle is permanently attached to the protective case.

8. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the adapter removably attaches to the handle with an interference fit.

9. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the adapter removably attaches to the handle with a friction fit.

10. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the attached adapter is rotatable relative to the protective case.

11. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the adapter is bendable to at least a stowed position and two different stand positions.

12. The protective case system of claim 1 wherein the adapter is bendable to change a viewing angle of the installed electronic device when the protective case system and the installed electronic device are removably attached to the headrest posts of the seat.

13. A protective case system for use with a tablet computer, the protective case system comprising:

a protective case configured for covering at least a portion of the tablet computer and removably retaining and protecting the tablet computer;

a handle attached to and extending outward from a back surface of the protective case, wherein the handle is configured for holding or carrying the protective case and the tablet computer when the tablet computer is installed in the protective case; and

an adapter configured to be removably attachable to the handle, wherein the adapter is bendable by a user to a plurality of positions and is configured to function as a stand for the protective case and the installed tablet computer, and wherein the adapter is further configured to removably attach the protective case and the installed tablet computer to a seat.

14. The protective case system of claim 13 wherein the attached adapter is rotatable relative to the protective case.

15. The protective case system of claim 13 wherein the adapter is bendable to at least a stowed position and two different stand positions, wherein each of the two different stand positions provides a different viewing angle for the installed tablet computer.

16. The protective case system of claim 13 wherein the seat is an automobile seat.

17. The protective case system of claim 16 wherein the adapter attaches to headrest posts of the automobile seat and the adapter is bendable to change a viewing angle of the installed tablet computer when the protective case system is attached to the headrest posts of the seat.

18. An accessory for use with a tablet computer, the accessory comprising:

a case for removably retaining and protecting the tablet computer;

a handle attached to and extending outward from a back surface of the case, wherein the handle is adapted for holding or carrying the case and the tablet computer when the tablet computer is installed in the case; and

an arm adapted to be removably attachable to the handle, wherein the arm is bendable by a user to a plurality of positions in which the arm remains after the user releases the arm, wherein the arm is adapted to function as a multi-position stand for the case and the installed tablet computer, and wherein the arm includes two slots adapted to removably affix the case and the installed tablet computer to headrest posts of an automobile seat.

19. The accessory of claim 18 wherein the arm includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to attach the arm to the headrest posts.

20. The accessory of claim 18 wherein the arm removably attaches to the handle with an interference fit.

Assignments (4)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 20, 2026
From: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 075611/0291 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 59554/0930 Recorded May 20, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 075613/0276 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 31, 2022
From: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059554/0930 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2021
From: LI, SHANSHAN; PRIZZI, JOSEPH A.; MALAK, KEVIN M.; WICKS, JEFFREY C.; WALLA, ANDREW J.
To: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 055260/0183 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63020619 · May 6, 2020
Related Publication 20210347312A1 · Nov 11, 2021