A better way to protect your “case-less” devices
For over two decades, I've used corner-mounted bumpers on the backside of my devices to prevent slipping, minimize damage by slightly elevating them, and reduce contact noise. However, current bumper designs have shortcomings in shape, material, and adhesion that I aim to address with my "Tech Feet."
Shape
Traditional circular and square bumpers are inefficient in their surface area and coverage. Circular bumpers don't fit into device corners, the primary point of contact, while square bumpers use more material than necessary for the same coverage. Tech Feet's unique "L" shape fits perfectly into device corners, offering the same coverage as a square bumper in a smaller, less obtrusive, and more efficient design.
An additional shape improvement is the bull-nosed corners. This creates a smooth transition between the device and Tech Feet, making them almost imperceptible to the touch. This design also allows devices to slide easily in and out of bags and cases without snagging and potentially detaching the protection.
Material
The materials used in traditional bumpers vary widely, even within a single manufacturer's product line. This suggests a reliance on readily available materials rather than consistent quality standards. For instance, I've experienced inconsistencies in material and adhesion even when purchasing the same brand of bumpers from the same store in consecutive months. I want to establish certainty and consistency in the material selection, explaining the rationale behind each choice.
My ideal material would be soft enough to dampen sound yet rigid enough to remain stable under pressure. It should also possess enough tack to keep the device in place without feeling sticky, ensuring smooth sliding in and out of bags and cases.
Adhesion
The adhesion of tablet feet is also a crucial consideration. On numerous occasions, I’ve observed the adhesive from Bumpers sticking to the device rather than staying attached to the Bumper itself when trying to reposition them. I’ve also experienced this in other situations as well. To solve this issue, an adhesive with two sides is needed. Each side needs different strengths of adhesion. A stronger, more permanent solution is needed on the side that attaches to the Bumper. This should be paired with a semi-permanent solution for the side that attaches to the tablet. This would allow for easy repositioning of the Bumpers while preventing the adhesive from being left behind on the device.
