Universally Mounting Smart Phone Case

Chris Blaydon and Cody Hays

Back Story

Problem Statement

• There are many ways to attach your phone to many different objects. From Armbands to Tri pods but in order to mount to all of these applications you have to remove your case and use a different method for each. There is no universal case that attaches your phone to all these applications.

Product Research

Article Summary: This article advertises the Incipio SILICRYLIC case for iPhone 4. It describes it as a two part carrying case that uses a silicone interior with a hard plastic exterior. It also states that it provides easy access to features.

Article Critique: This article puts an emphasis on visual appeal as well as protective function. Not very many companies appear to have a focus n both in one product. This should be a good selling point. This shows the importance of developing a visually appealing case, as well as a functional one.

Incipio SILICRYLIC Case for iPhone 4 - Apple iPhone Hard Cases - EverythingiCafe Store. (n.d.). Apple iPhone Accessories at The Everything iPhone Store. Retrieved November 17, 2010, from http://store.everythingicafe.com/incipio-silicrylic-case/4A123A7070.htm

EverythingiCafe.com:SILICRYLIC Case for iPhone 4

Product Research

Article Summary: This is used you can attach your phone to a tripod for a quality picture or video.

Article Critique: It is only used to attach your phone to a tripod and provides no protective qualities.

iPhone Tri-Pod Mount

“Otterbox” Case-Pros -Cons

•Highly Protective•Durable•Relatively attractive appearance

•Bulky•Inconvenient to remove

Patent # D613282 Otter Productions LLC

iPhone Slider case

Pros Cons

•It protects the phone •not too thick

•It cannot attach to anything

Patent # d606751s Apple Inc.

Handle Bar Mount-Pros -Cons

•Can be viewed from riding position•Chin rest for comfort•3 phone configurations

•Bumps could hurt•Unattractive•Bulky

Patent # 7191924 George M. Kilmer

Current Solution

Article Summary: It is used to put on your arm so you can run without having it bounce around in your pocket. As well so you can easily access while run.

Article Critique: The case is only used while running and not meant to be worn when you are not exercising.

NikeStore. Shop the Official Nike Store for Shoes, Clothing & Gear. (n.d.). NikeStore. Shop the Official Nike Store for Shoes, Clothing & Gear. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-320973/pgid-320973

Nike Exercise Armband

Current Solution

Article Summary: This article advertises the Otterbox Commuter series iPhone case. It describes the case as being both sleek and effective in protecting your iPhone.

Article Critique: This article places an emphasis on protecting you iPhone from ant falls or other impacts that it might face. This is important to consumers because they would want to insure that their iPhone will be working for a long time.

OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 4 - Apple iPhone Hard Cases - EverythingiCafe Store. (n.d.). Apple iPhone Accessories at The Everything iPhone Store. Retrieved November 16, 2010, from http://store.everythingicafe.com/otterbox-commuter-series-case/4A123A7228.htm

EverythingiCafe.com:Otterbox Commuter Series

Current Solution

Article Summary: This product is used to mount to the grill of your air conditioning vent in your car so you don’t have to look so far away from the road when you need to look at a map or answer a call.

Article Critique: It is not used to just hold the phone when it is on the dash and not when it is in your pocket.

Swivel Tightening Air Vent Mount for Apple iPhone 3G and Original Apple iPhone - Mount for iPhone 3G/3GS. (n.d.). Semsons & Co. Inc. - Bluetooth GPS, GPS Data Loggers, Navigation software, GPS accessories and mounting solutions for Palm/Pocket PC/Smartphone/Laptop . Retrieved November 5, 2010, from http://www.semsons.com/swtia

Windshield Mount for iPhone

Must & Nice to have

Must haves• Protective case• Stable mounting system• Durable materials• Portrait and landscape

orientations• Phone completely operable

Nice to haves• Attractive design• Pivoting mounts• Rubber outer shell with

plastic skeleton• Light weight• Compact• Multiple designs

Three Proposed Solutions

Must Have Nice to have

Go-5 Good-5

No Go 0 4

3

2

Bad-1

Our Decision

• We decide to use the square which will pass every requirement must have and nice to have.

Math and Science

Math• We need to know the math

involved when using an injection mold.

• Calculating volume to determine slim fit.

Science• We will need to calculate

the forces on the case as it is dropped from approximately 6 feet

• Force=Mass*Acceleration (32 feet per second per second)

Based on the results we find on the forces we will determine a suitable material for the case.