U.S. patent application number 10/836430 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for carrying case with a selectively accessible compartment.
Invention is credited to Hassett, Eric S..
Application Number | 20050241972 10/836430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35185982 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hassett, Eric S. |
November 3, 2005 |
Carrying case with a selectively accessible compartment
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a carrying case that
is adapted to secure a electronic device or other small item. More
specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a
compartment with a resiliently deflectable tab that is adapted to
support the electronic device. To remove the electronic device, a
user simply deflects the tab out of the compartment, thus forcing
the electronic device partially out of the compartment for easy
extraction.
Inventors: |
Hassett, Eric S.; (Golden,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce A. Kugler, Esq.
SHERIDAN ROSS P.C.
Suite 1200
1560 Broadway
Denver
CO
80202-5141
US
|
Family ID: |
35185982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/836430 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/06 20130101; A45C
2011/002 20130101; H04B 1/3888 20130101; A45C 13/1053 20130101;
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A carrying case adapted for securing an electronic device,
comprising: a compartment defined by at least a front panel, a rear
panel, and opposing lateral panels interconnected thereto; an
opening defined by said front panel, said rear panel and said
opposing lateral panels, said opening adapted to receive the
electronic device; a retraction means having an upper end, a lower
end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said lower end
of said retraction means extending into a lower portion of said
compartment and interconnected to at least one of said front panel
and said rear panel, and said upper end extending beyond said
opening, wherein when an upward force is applied to said retraction
means, the electronic device travels upwardly to facilitate
grasping of the electronic device.
2. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said retraction means
comprises a strap.
3. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said upward force causes
said upper end of said retraction means to travel at least about
1.0 inches.
4. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said retraction means
travels between a first storage position and a second retracted
position, wherein in said first storage position said compartment
has a first storage volume, and in said second retracted position
said compartment has a second storage volume that is less than said
first storage volume.
5. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a secondary
compartment interconnected to said rear panel.
6. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said retraction means
comprises a strap that includes an interconnection means adjacent
to said upper end, wherein said front panel includes a mating
interconnection means that is adapted to selectively interconnect
with said interconnection means of said upper end of said
retraction means, thus positioning said strap over a portion of the
electronic device.
7. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said rear panel is adapted
for interconnection to a larger carrying case.
8. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein said a larger carrying case
is a suitcase, a briefcase, a purse, or a backpack.
9. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said electronic device is
a cellular phone or a PDA.
10. A carrying case, comprising: a compartment with a first panel
interconnected to a second panel, said first panel having an upper
edge and a lower edge; a resiliently deflectable tab with a first
end and a second end, wherein said first end is interconnected to
said first panel and said second end is operably interconnected to
said second panel, said resiliently deflectable tab having a first
position of use wherein a portion of said predetermined length
forms a support surface a predetermined distance from said upper
edge of said first panel, and a second position of use wherein said
predetermined distance between said support surface and said upper
edge of said first panel is reduced; and wherein said compartment
is adapted for securing an item therein such that the item is
adapted to rest on said support surface of said resiliently
deflectable tab when secured in said compartment, and wherein
access to the item is achieved by transitioning said resiliently
deflectable tab from said first position of use to said second
position of use.
11. The carrying case of claim 9, wherein a said resiliently
deflectable tab includes an interconnection means adjacent to said
second end of said resiliently deflectable tab, and wherein said
first panel includes a mating interconnection means such that said
interconnection means of said resiliently deflectable tab is
adapted for selective interconnect thereto, thus creating an upper
surface with said resiliently deflectable tab to secure an
item.
12. The carrying case of claim 11, wherein said interconnection
means of said resiliently deflectable tab and said front panel is a
hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button, a magnet, a clasp, or a
latch.
13. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said second panel is
interconnected to secondary compartment that is adapted to secure
additional items.
14. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said second panel is
adapted for interconnection to a larger carrying case.
15. The carrying case of claim 14, wherein said larger carrying
case is a suitcase, a briefcase, a purse, or a backpack.
16. The carrying case of claim 10, further comprising, a secondary
compartment with means interconnected thereto for selective
interconnection to an article of clothing.
17. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said item is a cellular
phone, a PDA, or a MP3 player.
18. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said first panel and
said second panel are constructed of a compliant material.
19. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of
said first panel or said second panel are constructed of a rigid
material.
20. A carrying case, comprising: a compartment defined by at least
a front panel, a rear surface, and opposing lateral panels
interconnected thereto; an opening defined by an upper edge of said
front panel, said rear surface and said opposing lateral panels,
said opening adapted to receive an electronic device; a retraction
means having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis
extending therebetween, said lower end of said retraction means
extending into a lower portion of said compartment and
interconnected to at least one of said rear panel and said front
panel, and said upper end extending beyond said opening, wherein
when an upward force is applied to said retraction means, at least
a portion of the electronic device travels upwardly above said
upper edge of said opening to facilitate grasping of the electronic
device.
21. The carrying case of claim 20, wherein said carrying case is a
brief case, a purse, a suitcase, or a backpack.
22. The carrying case of claim 20, wherein said carrying case is a
briefcase, a purse, a suitcase, or a backpack, and wherein said
compartment is disposed therein such that said rear surface
constitutes an inner wall of said briefcase, purse, suitcase or
backpack.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a carrying case that
includes a storage compartment that is selectively accessible,
wherein an item carried therein may be easily and quickly obtained
when needed. More specifically, one embodiment of the present
invention includes a resiliently deflectable tab that supports a
bottom surface of the item, wherein deflection of the tab will
facilitate removal of the item from the compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Carrying cases for items, such as electronic devices, are
used to protect the delicate componentry of the electronic device
and to free a user's hands. For the purposes of this specification,
"electronic device" shall refer to cellular phones, calculators,
tape players, PDAs, CD players, MP3 players, etc. Further, as
technology advances, electronic devices are becoming smaller.
[0003] One disadvantage with carrying cases known in the art it is
often difficult to access smaller items. It is more distinctly
illustrated by the example of trying to find a small electronic
device inside a briefcase. Often carrying pockets in briefcases or
suitcases are constructed for larger items, wherein smaller
electronic devices, such as cellular phones, are easily misplaced,
thus making it difficult for the user of the briefcase to find the
item when needed. This problem may cause distractions to the
individual, for example when driving, that may be dangerous to the
public at large. Carrying cases do exist that are adapted to secure
small items. However, some of these cases are equipped with opening
pockets, wherein the entire containment area is exposed, thus
possibly allowing the items carried therein to fall out. In
addition, these cases often do not provide for a way to facilitate
removal of a single item.
[0004] Thus, it is a long felt need in the field of storage devices
to provide a carrying case that is equipped with a mechanism that
allows for the selective removal of a single item carried therein,
that is inexpensive to construct. The following disclosure
describes an improved method of facilitating removal of items
inside the carrying case that includes a resiliently deflectable
tab that aids in the extraction of items carried within the
carrying case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a
carrying case that is adapted to secure an electronic device and
provide easy access thereto. One embodiment of the present
invention includes a selectively accessible compartment that
facilitates the extraction of the electronic device held
therein.
[0006] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
method and mechanism for facilitating the removal of electronic
device stored within the selectively accessible compartment. More
specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a
resiliently deflectable tab interconnected to the selectively
accessible compartment, wherein the tab provides a resting surface
for the electronic device. Upon deflection of an end of the tab out
of the compartment the support surface is deflected or retracted
upward, thus forcing the item carried within to be at least
partially ejected from the compartment to provide easy access
thereto.
[0007] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide
a carrying case that is constructed from commonly used materials,
thus inexpensive to construct. More specifically, one embodiment of
the present invention is fabricated from nylon, cloth, leather, or
any other compliant material known in the art. In addition, the
carrying case of one embodiment of the present invention is
constructed by methods generally used in the art, preferably
stitching and gluing. Portions of the storage compartment may be
selectively interconnected together with a zipper, for example.
However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other
selectively interconnection devices, such as hook and loop
fasteners, buttons, clasps, latches, etc., may be employed without
departing from the scope of the invention. Further, one embodiment
of the present invention includes a device that is adapted for
selective interconnection to a users belt. In a related aspect of
the present invention, the storage compartment may be adapted for
interconnection to storage cases of a larger magnitude, wherein it
may be interconnected to the inner surface of a briefcase, for
example. As described herein, and which will be shown in more
detail below, the carrying case of one embodiment of the present
invention secures small electronic devices. However, as it will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be
scaled and used for any type of device that a resiliently
deflectable tab is capable of supporting.
[0008] Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a
carrying case which comprises:
[0009] a compartment defined by at least a front panel, a rear
panel, and opposing lateral panels interconnected thereto;
[0010] an opening defined by said front panel, said rear panel and
said opposing lateral panels, said opening adapted to receive the
electronic device;
[0011] a retraction means having an upper end, a lower end and a
longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said lower end of said
retraction means extending into a lower portion of said compartment
and interconnected to at least one of said front panel and said
rear panel, and said upper end extending beyond said opening,
wherein when an upward force is applied to said retraction means,
the electronic device travels upwardly to facilitate grasping of
the electronic device.
[0012] The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should
be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope
of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in
various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as
in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the
Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present
invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of
elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the general description of the
invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings
given below, serve to explain the principles of these
embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a left elevation view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a right elevation view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein a resiliently
deflectable tab is in first storage position of use;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a right elevation view of the embodiment of the
present shown in FIG. 1, wherein the resiliently deflectable tab is
shown in a second storage position of use that aids in the
extraction of a stored item;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein the resiliently
deflectable tab is in a first position of use;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-section of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein the resiliently
deflectable tab is in a second position of use which facilitates
removal of the stored item;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] To assist in the understanding of the present invention the
following list of components and associated numbering found in the
drawings is provided herein:
1 # Component 2 Carrying case 4 Selectively accessible compartment
6 First panel of the compartment 8 Second panel of the compartment
10 Electronic device 12 Resiliently deflectable tab 14 First end of
the deflectable tab 16 Second end of the deflectable tab 18
Secondary compartment 20 Securing mechanism 22 Support surface 24
Belt clip
[0025] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention or which render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It
should be understood, of course, that the invention is not
necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, one embodiment of a carrying
case 2 adapted to secure an electronic device 10 and facilitate
removal thereof is shown herein. One embodiment of the present
invention includes a selectively accessible compartment 4 that is
constructed of at least a first panel 6 and a second panel 8 that
define a storage area for an electronic device 10. In addition, a
resiliently deflectable tab 12 is included that has two ends
wherein a first end 14 is interconnected to the first panel 6 or
the second panel 8 of the compartment 4, and wherein a second end
16 is selectively interconnected to the opposite panel in order to
provide additional stability to the electronic device 10. To
facilitate removal of the electronic device 10 stored inside the
compartment 4, a user simply transitions the resiliently
deflectable tab 12 such that the electronic device 10 is partially
propelled out of the compartment 4.
[0027] The selectively accessible compartment 4 of one embodiment
of the present invention is interconnected to a secondary
compartment 18 that is adapted to secure other items generally used
with the electronic device 10. However, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that the selectively accessible compartment 4 may be
used alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the first panel 6 and the
second panel 8 generally define a storage volume for the electronic
device 10. Preferably, one embodiment of the present invention
employs a second panel 8 that is generally rectangular and is
defined by an exterior edge. This embodiment of the present
invention also employs a first panel 6 that is also generally
rectangular defined by an exterior edge, wherein the right, bottom,
and left edges of the two panels are interconnected, preferably by
stitching, to define a compartment with inner walls to secure the
electronic device 10. One skilled in the art will appreciate upon
review of this specification that a lower surface is not generally
required, because, as will be described below, the resiliently
deflectable tab 12 provides sufficient support to the electronic
device 10.
[0028] The resiliently deflectable tab 12 of one embodiment of the
present invention is preferably a rectangular section of webbing of
a predetermined length that includes the first end 14 and the
second end 16. Preferably, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 also
includes a securing mechanism 20 that is adapted to selectively
interconnect with a mating securing mechanism on an outer surface
of the first panel 6. The other end of the resiliently deflectable
tab 12 is preferably interconnected to the inner surface of the
first panel 6, wherein a portion of the predetermined length of the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 is operably interconnected to the
inner surface of the second panel 8 of the compartment 4, thereby
ensuring that the resiliently deflectable tab 12 remains in the
center of the second panel 8. In use, the resiliently deflectable
tab 12 will define a support surface 22 for holding the electronic
device 10, wherein the first panel 6 and the second panel 8 provide
support in the other directions. In addition, to prevent the
electronic device 10 from slipping out of the compartment 4, the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 folds over the electronic device 10
and may be selectively interconnected to the outer surface of the
first panel 6. Thus, the storage compartment supports the
electronic device 10 in all directions. Although as shown herein,
the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is shown interconnected to the
inner surface of the first panel 6, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that the mechanism and design as shown and described
herein may be selectively interconnected to the second panel 8,
wherein a portion of the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is
interconnected to the front panel 6.
[0029] As shown herein, the selectively adjustable compartment 4 is
interconnected to a secondary compartment 18 that secures
batteries, cigarettes, pens, pencils, CDs, mini discs, tapes, keys,
for example. In addition, a mechanism for interconnection to a
user's belt 24 or other article of clothing may be provided.
However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the
selectively adjustable compartment 4 may be interconnected to
various other carrying devices, such as a briefcase to aid in the
access of smaller items carried therein, for example.
[0030] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the method of
using the carrying case 2 of one embodiment of the present
invention is shown and described herein. More specifically, when an
electronic device 10 is inserted into the compartment 4, the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 forms a loop around a substantial
portion thereof. In addition, a surface 22 is formed by the bottom
part of the U-shaped loop, thus providing sufficient support to the
electronic device 10. As shown herein, the first end 14 of the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 is interconnected to the inner
surface of the first panel 6 and the second end 16 of the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 is positioned out of the compartment
4. In addition, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 may be threaded
through apertures in the second panel 8 to ensure that the tab 12
remains preferably in the center thereof. The tab 12 of one
embodiment of the present invention is constructed of a material
that is resiliently deflectable to provide a spring-like mechanism,
wherein deflection of the second end 16 of the resiliently
deflectable tab 12 imparts a spring force on the resiliently
deflectable tab 12 such that it returns to a nominal U-shaped
position when released, as generally shown in FIG. 7.
[0031] In order to remove the electronic device 10, the user simply
deflects the second end 16 of the resiliently deflectable tab 12
such that a greater portion of a resiliently deflectable tab 12 is
situated outside of the compartment, thus deflecting the support
surface 22 to raise the electronic device out of the compartment 4.
Upon release of the tab 12, it returns back to its nominal
position.
[0032] Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, a manner of making one
embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein.
More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is
constructed of commonly used compliant materials, thus the carrying
case 2 is inexpensive to manufacture. Alternatively, all or a
portion of the storage compartment 4 may be constructed of a rigid
material to provide increased protection from damage to the
electronic device 10 carried within. As mentioned above, the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 may be constructed of a material
with a low elastic modulus such that it will return to its nominal
position after the second end 16 is released. In addition, the
resiliently deflectable tab 12 of one embodiment of the present
invention may include a securing mechanism 20 such as a snap,
fastener, latch, clasp, hook and loop fastener, button, magnet,
etc., to provide selective interconnection to the front surface of
the first panel 6, thus ensuring that the resiliently deflectable
tab 12 remains in a locked position when the electronic device 10
is stored therein.
[0033] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and
alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the
art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such
modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of
the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *