U.S. patent application number 11/331984 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for portable digital media player case.
This patent application is currently assigned to Marware, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kyle Brandenburg, Edward Martin.
Application Number | 20070163904 11/331984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38262136 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070163904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Edward ; et
al. |
July 19, 2007 |
Portable digital media player case
Abstract
A portable digital media player case includes a jacket for
holding a portable digital media player. A mounting is connected to
the jacket. A flap has a window formed therein for attachment of a
clip through the window to the mounting. A cover pivots on the flap
between a closed position and an open position for covering and
uncovering the jacket.
Inventors: |
Martin; Edward; (Hollywood,
FL) ; Brandenburg; Kyle; (Plantation, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Assignee: |
Marware, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38262136 |
Appl. No.: |
11/331984 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/316.1 ;
206/722; 224/191 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/001 20130101;
A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0508 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/316.1 ;
206/722; 224/191 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/38 20060101
B65D085/38 |
Claims
1. A portable digital media player case, comprising: a jacket for
holding a portable digital media player; a mounting connected to
said jacket for attachment of a clip; a flap having a window formed
therein for optional attachment of the clip through said window to
said mounting; and a cover pivotal on said flap between a closed
position and an open position for covering and uncovering said
jacket.
2. The case according to claim 1, wherein said jacket has surfaces
including a rear surface, and said cover has a concave inner
surface covering all of said surfaces except said rear surface, in
said closed position.
3. The case according to claim 1, wherein said jacket has an
opening formed therein for accessing a component of the portable
digital media player, and said cover has a cutout portion exposing
said opening in said closed position.
4. The case according to claim 1, wherein said jacket has a front
surface with a window for accessing components of the portable
digital media player, and said jacket has a rear surface with said
mounting.
5. The case according to claim 1, wherein said jacket has a window
for accessing components of the portable digital media player.
6. The case according to claim 1, wherein said jacket is formed of
neoprene.
7. The case according to claim 1, wherein said cover is formed of
PVC.
8. The case according to claim 1, wherein said flap is formed of
rubber.
9. The case according to claim 1, wherein the clip is a belt
clip.
10. The case according to claim 1, wherein the clip is connected to
an arm band.
11. The case according to claim 1, wherein said cover is hinged to
said flap.
12. The case according to claim 1, wherein said cover has an edge
with an encompassing bead.
13. The case according to claim 1, wherein said cover has
relatively longer sides and relatively shorter top and bottom, and
said cover pivots on said flap between said closed position and
said open position at one of said relatively longer sides.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a case for a portable digital media
player.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Portable digital media players, such as the Apple ipod, have
become indispensable items for large segments of the population.
Therefore, the desire is to be able to use the portable digital
media player during various activities, such as walking, jogging,
working out, driving an automobile or riding a bicycle, etc. The
portable digital media player also should be protected from shock.
Accordingly, there is a need for a versatile mounting and
protective case.
[0005] One such case produced by Marware is formed of neoprene and
has a large opening for the display screen and click wheel and a
flip-top which will flip closed if released when holding the case
upright. Another neoprene case produced by Incase has separate
openings for the display screen and click wheel and a zipper
closure. The case fits loosely around the ipod and does not follow
the contour thereof.
[0006] A case which is manufactured by Speck is formed of
KRATON.RTM. and has a dimpled exterior and an opening for various
ports on the ipod. Silicone rubber cases made by iSkin, Xtreme Mac
and Elecom fit tightly over the ipod and have separate openings for
the display screen and the click wheel. The Elecom case has a
winder projection at the side for winding an earbud headphone
cord.
[0007] None of the prior art cases provide the option of wearing or
mounting the portable digital media player with only a protective
jacket or with a cover fully protecting the portable digital media
player and none pivot open from the side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
portable digital media player case, which overcomes the herein
afore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of
this general type and which can be used both with and without a
cover.
[0009] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a portable digital
media player case. The case comprises a jacket for holding a
portable digital media player. A mounting is connected to the
jacket for attachment of a clip. A flap has a window formed therein
for optional attachment of the clip through the window to the
mounting. A cover pivots on the flap between a closed position and
an open position for covering and uncovering the jacket. Thus, a
convertible case is provided which can be used with or without a
cover. The case has a cover covering the jacket containing the
portable digital media player. However, since the mounting is
disposed on the jacket, it can be used without the cover.
[0010] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the
jacket has surfaces including a rear surface with the mounting and
a front surface with a window for accessing components of the
portable digital media player, such as a display screen and a click
wheel of an Apple iPod. The cover has a concave inner surface
covering all of the surfaces except the rear surface, in the closed
position. Therefore, the jacket is mounted at the rear, leaving the
front accessible for operating components of the portable digital
media player.
[0011] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the
jacket has an opening formed therein for accessing a component of
the portable digital media player, and the cover has a cutout
portion exposing the opening in the closed position. It is
therefore possible to insert a plug for earbud headphones through
the opening and the cutout portion. Of course, any number or
location of openings, slots or windows are possible in the jacket
with corresponding cutout portions in the cover, depending on the
type and generation of the portable digital media player being
used.
[0012] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the
jacket is formed of neoprene, the cover is formed of PVC and the
flap is formed of rubber. The jacket material makes it possible to
fit tightly around the portable digital media player, the cover
material permits it to retain its shape and the flap material
provides the necessary flexibility.
[0013] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the clip is a belt clip or is connected to an arm band. Thus, the
case can be worn or used by a user of the device in different
ways.
[0014] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
cover is hinged to the flap and has an edge with an encompassing
bead. The cover therefore has flexibility and rigidity where
needed.
[0015] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention,
the cover has relatively longer sides and relatively shorter top
and bottom. The cover pivots on the flap between the closed
position and the open position at one of the relatively longer
sides. Since the cover opens horizontally, it will not flip closed
if released when mounting or holding the case upright. This is
especially convenient when operating the portable digital media
player with one hand.
[0016] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the claims which are appended
hereto.
[0017] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a portable digital media player case, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown.
[0018] Various modifications and structural changes may be made in
the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention
and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0019] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front-elevational view of a
portable digital media player case according to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of the case of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom-plan view of the case of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a left side-elevational view of the case of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a right side-elevational view of the case of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a rear-elevational view of the case of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded front and right side-perspective view
of the case of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a rear-perspective view of the case of the
invention with a mounting flap in an open position;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a rear-perspective view of the case of the
invention with the mounting flap in a closed position and a belt
clip before mounting;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a rear-perspective view of the case of the
invention with the mounting flap in the closed position and the
belt clip after mounting;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a side-perspective view of the case of the
invention having an arm band and a cover in an open position;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a front-elevational view of the case of the
invention with the arm band and with the cover in a closed
position; and
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the arm band with a
mounting clip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a portable
digital media player case 1 having a cover 2. It can be seen
especially clearly in FIGS. 2-6 that the cover 2 has an
encompassing bead 3 at an outer edge thereof. FIG. 3 shows that the
cover 3 has a cutout portion 4, which is also encompassed by the
bead 3. FIG. 3 and especially FIG. 6 additionally show that a
jacket 21 is disposed in the cover 2. The jacket 21 holds a
portable digital media player. The cutout portion 4 provides access
to an opening 20 in the jacket 21 which in turn provides access to
a port of the portable digital media player. A flap 10 attached to
the cover 2 of the case 1 is shown in a closed position in FIG. 6.
The flap 10 has a window 11, through which a mounting 30 for a belt
clip can be seen. The mounting 30 is attached to a rear surface of
the jacket 21.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the case 1 and the jacket 21 in an exploded
view. The jacket 21 has a window 22 formed in a front surface
thereof providing access to components of the portable digital
media player to be placed in the case, for example a display screen
and a click wheel of an Apple iPod. The window 22 may be covered by
a material, such as clear or translucent plastic. The jacket 21
also has a non-illustrated opening and tuck-in closure at the
bottom for insertion and removal of the portable digital media
player. The closure also provides access to a dock connector port
which may be located at the bottom of the portable digital media
player, without removing the jacket.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates the flap 10 in an open position. The flap
can be pivoted on the cover 2 between the closed position shown in
FIG. 6 and the open position shown in FIG. 8 by virtue of a live
hinge. FIGS. 9 and 10 show that the window 11 in the flap 10 allows
a belt clip 31 to be attached to the mounting 30 on the jacket 21
through the window 11. The belt clip 31 has an outer arm 32 and an
inner arm 33 pivoted about a pin 34 having a non-illustrated spring
for biasing the arms together to grip a belt. Therefore, the jacket
21 along with the cover 2 can be attached to a non-illustrated
belt. However, the belt clip 31 can also be attached to the
mounting 30 without using the cover 2.
[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates the case 1 mounted on an arm band 40
through the use of a non-illustrated arm band clip. The cover 2 is
in the open position so that the jacket 21 can been seen as well.
FIG. 12 shows the case 1 on the arm band 40, but with the cover 2
in the closed position. The cover 2 has relatively longer sides and
relatively shorter top and bottom, and the cover 2 pivots on the
flap 10 between the closed position and the open position at one of
the relatively longer sides. When the case is attached to a belt
with the belt clip or mounted to any surface, such as in an
automobile or on a bicycle, the cover pivots in the same way as it
does on the arm band in FIGS. 11 and 12, that is at a long side as
seen in FIG. 12. Since the cover opens horizontally, it will not
flip closed if released when holding the case upright. In both
figures, a plug 35 is inserted in the opening 20, which cannot be
seen in the figures. A cord 36 connects the plug 35 to
non-illustrated earbuds. FIG. 13 shows the arm band 40 with a
mounting clip 41 to be latched to the mounting 30.
[0037] Thus, a case is provided which is convertible between use
with the jacket alone mounted on a belt or an arm band, and use
with the cover attached to the jacket through the window. The
jacket may be formed of soft neoprene whereas the cover may be
formed of a PVC material which is more rigid than the jacket. The
flap may be formed of rubber and the clip and mounting of hard
plastic and/or metal. The arm band may also be formed of neoprene
with a hook and eye closure 42, such as VELCRO.RTM.. The various
clips and mounting are manufactured by Krusell under the
designation MULTIDAPT.RTM..
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