U.S. patent application number 12/112631 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for functional protective cover for portable audio and video devices.
Invention is credited to Teel Montague COOK.
Application Number | 20080302456 12/112631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094758 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COOK; Teel Montague |
December 11, 2008 |
FUNCTIONAL PROTECTIVE COVER FOR PORTABLE AUDIO AND VIDEO
DEVICES
Abstract
Described herein is a protective cover composed of a semi-rigid
wrap that adheres to a handheld audio and/or video device. The
cover preserves the integrity of the design of the handheld device
as well as allows the end-user to operate the device without
removing the cover.
Inventors: |
COOK; Teel Montague;
(Fairburn, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARDNER GROFF GREENWALD & VILLANUEVA. PC
2018 POWERS FERRY ROAD, SUITE 800
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
40094758 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112631 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60933707 |
Jun 8, 2007 |
|
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|
61025865 |
Feb 4, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A45C 2011/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/154 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a handheld audio or video device
comprising a flexible, transparent material, wherein the cover is
designed to wrap around the device and adhere to the device.
2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a
cell phone, a MP3 player, or a digital camera.
3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an
iPod, an iPhone, or an iPod touch.
4. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the material comprises
a polyester, a cellulose acetate, high density polyethylene, or
polypropylene.
5. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the material comprises
polyvinyl chloride.
6. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the material comprises
a thickness of 5 gauge to 40 gauge.
7. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the material comprises
polyvinyl chloride comprising a 15 gauge to 25 gauge.
8. The protective cover of claim 6, wherein the material comprises
polyvinyl chloride comprising a thickness of 20 gauge.
9. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a
plurality of holes that are positioned over an audio component of
the device.
10. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an
opening for receiving an antenna.
11. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover consists
essentially of a flexible, transparent material, wherein the cover
is designed to wrap around the device and adhere to the device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority upon U.S. provisional
application Ser. Nos. 60/933,707, filed Jun. 8, 2007, and
61/025,865, filed Feb. 4, 2008. These applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties for all of their
teachings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the emergence of portable audio and video devices such
as cell phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras, there is a
growing need to protect these devices. A variety of covers and
protective cases are available. Most covers are designed to remain
on the device while in use. There are several disadvantages with
this approach. First, the covers are often bulky. Additionally, the
covers do not adequately protect the screen. At best, the screen is
protected by a separate clear sticker with adhesive, or a thin
slick clear plastic sheet that is held between the surface of the
screen and the cover. Finally, the covers may not provide adequate
protection when the device is exposed to undesirable conditions
(e.g., rain, physical contact). What is needed is a protective
cover for a portable audio or video device that permits the
end-user to use the device without removing the cover. The cover
should also preserve the aesthetic properties of the device as
well.
SUMMARY
[0003] Described herein is a protective cover composed of a
semi-rigid wrap that adheres to itself and/or the device. The cover
preserves the integrity of the design of the handheld device. The
cover is a single ply cover that wraps around the device. The cover
is not an assembly of materials or parts. It provides surface
protection and shock absorbency. In certain devices, the cover
permits full function of touch screen push buttons, clickwheels,
and other manual controls; thus, the end-user can operate the
device without removing the cover. The covers described herein are
easy to remove and apply to the device, and they do not require the
use of adhesives or solvents such as alcohol.
[0004] The advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in
the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described
below. The advantages described below will be realized and attained
by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out
in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects
described below. Like numbers represent the same elements
throughout the figures.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a cover of the present invention for applying
to an iPod.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a cover of the present invention with lines or
creases for aligning an iPod in the center of the cover.
[0008] FIGS. 3-5 show the steps for applying a cover of the present
invention to an iPod.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows the top-view of the folded cover of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows an iPod wrapped with a cover of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows a cover of the present invention with a
plurality of holes to be positioned over the earphone of an
iPhone.
[0012] FIGS. 9-12 show the steps for applying a cover of the
present invention to an iPhone.
[0013] FIG. 13 shows an iPhone wrapped with a cover of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 14 shows the steps for applying a cover of the present
invention to a cell phone.
[0015] FIGS. 15-18 show the steps for applying a cover of the
present invention to a cell phone.
[0016] FIG. 19 shows a cell phone wrapped with a cover of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 20 shows a cover of the present invention for applying
to a digital camera.
[0018] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a digital camera wrapped with a cover
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Before the present device and/or methods are disclosed and
described, it is to be understood that the aspects described below
are not limited to specific devices or methods, or uses as such
may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the
terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
[0020] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to "a polymer" includes one or more
polymers.
[0021] Described herein are protective covers for handheld devices.
In general, the protective cover is composed of a flat, smooth,
transparent, semi-rigid, slightly flexible film with dimensions
suitable for wrapping around the device. For example, when the
device is an iPod, the protective cover is a film having a length
sufficient to wrap around the girth of the device and then overlap
in back of the device so that the overlapping portion does not
extend past the sides of device, and a width that equals or
slightly exceeds the height of device. Exemplary shapes and designs
of the protective cover are shown in FIGS. 1-22.
[0022] The material is slightly flexible so that the material grips
the smooth surface of the device and adheres to the device.
Additionally, the material can adhere to itself. Thus, the
protective cover can be designed so that the ends of the protective
cover overlap and adhere to one another. The adhesion of the
material to itself and the device secures the device within the
protective cover. Thus, the use of snaps, Velcro, adhesives,
solvents, and other securing means is not necessary when using the
protective covers described herein. The protective covers provide
good shock absorbency, which is important due to the fact that
handheld devices are generally exposed to a variety of undesirable
conditions.
[0023] In addition to protecting the handheld device, the
protective cover permits the user to operate the device while the
protective cover is secured to the device. In general, the
protective cover is composed of a material that is thin and smooth,
which allows the user-interface of the device to be fully
functional. Thus, the thickness of the material is selected so that
buttons and other command functions on the device are sensitive to
the touch by the end-user. The material can be translucent or
transparent depending upon the selection of the handheld device. In
devices where a video screen is present, the material is preferably
transparent.
[0024] The protective cover is composed of a semi-rigid material.
The term "semi-rigid" is defined herein as the ability of the cover
to maintain its shape. For example, a semi-rigid material is
substantially resistant to wrinkling or creasing. The semi-rigid
material is durable and resistant to tearing. The semi-rigid
material can be composed of a variety of different polymers. In one
aspect, the material includes a polyester, a cellulose acetate,
high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride. In
another aspect, the material is transparent marine grade polyvinyl
chloride. The thickness of the material can vary depending upon the
material selected and the device to be protected. In one aspect,
the material has a thickness greater than 4 gauge. In another
aspect, the material has a thickness of 4 gauge, 6 gauge, 8 gauge,
10 gauge, 12 gauge, 14 gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge, 20 gauge, 22
gauge, 24 gauge, 26 gauge, 28 gauge, 30 gauge, 32 gauge, 34 gauge,
36 gauge, 38 gauge, or 40 gauge. In another aspect, the material
can be polyvinyl chloride having a thickness of 15 gauge to 25
gauge, or 20 gauge.
[0025] Other properties of the material include tensile strength,
elongation, tear strength, and heat shrinkage. In one aspect, the
material is polyvinyl chloride having as tensile strength of 2,500
to 3,500 psi as measured by ASTM-D-882. In another aspect, the
material has an elongation of 200 to 300% as measured by
ASTM-D-882. In a further aspect, the material has a tear strength
of 300 to 400 lbs/in as measured by ASTM-D-1004. In another aspect,
the material has a heat shrinkage of -10 to 5% as measured by
ASTM-D-1004. In one aspect, the material can be VERILON.RTM. clear
vinyl.
[0026] The material can be cut into a variety of different shapes
and sizes using techniques known in the art. For example, the
material can be shaped and sized by die cutting techniques. It is
also contemplated that material can be embossed or debossed with
product information at the time of die cutting to simplify
production. The material used for the protective cover can be
colorless or tinted with a variety of different colors.
[0027] FIGS. 1-22 show several embodiments of the present
invention. FIGS. 1-7 show cover 1 and its application to an iPod.
FIG. 1 shows cover 1 fully extended in the absence of the device.
Although the shape of the cover 1 is that of a ghost, the cover 1
can be cut into a variety of different designs and shapes. FIGS.
3-6 show sequentially how the cover is applied to an iPod. In
general, cover 1 is laid on a flat surface (e.g., a table or the
palm of the user's hand). The iPod 2 is next placed in the center
of cover 1 (FIG. 3), where the iPod is laid face down on top of the
cover 1. Although the iPod does not have to be perfectly centered
with cover 1, it is desirable so that the iPod will be fully
covered by the cover. In certain aspects, the cover 1 can be marked
with lines or creases to help the user align the iPod with the
cover. This optional feature is depicted in FIG. 2 by dashed lines
6-9. The iPod is also positioned such that the iPod does not extend
past the edge of cover 1. In certain aspects, the cover extends
past the upper and lower edges of the iPod to ensure that the edges
are protected. With the iPod positioned face down on cover 1, the
backside 3 of the iPod is exposed (FIG. 3).
[0028] By placing the iPod on the cover, flaps 4 and 5 are created
(FIG. 3). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, flap 4 is folded over the
backside 3 of the iPod so that flap 4 is in contact with the
backside of the iPod. Due to the material of the cover, the flap 4
self-adheres to the backside of the iPod without the need of
additional adhesives. Although the material of the backside of the
iPod is generally metallic, the material of the cover can also
adhere to other materials such as, for example, plastic or glass.
FIG. 4 shows the flap 4 folded over and self-adhered to the
backside of the iPod. After flap 4 has been adhered to the backside
of the iPod, flap 5 is folded over the iPod such that flap 5 comes
into contact with flap 4. This is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. Flap 5
adheres to flap 4 without the need of any adhesives. The order of
folding the flaps is not critical. Thus, flap 5 can be folded over
the iPod first followed by flap 4.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows an iPod with the cover 1 applied to it. As
shown in FIG. 7, the cover extends beyond the upper and lower edges
of the iPod (60 and 61, respectively) to protect the edges of the
iPod. However, it is contemplated that the height 62 of the cover
can be varied as needed. With the cover affixed to the iPod,
openings 63 and 64 are created at the top and bottom of the iPod,
respectively. The openings permit easy access to any of the iPod's
ports, switches or connectors. With the cover in place, the control
wheel 65 can be used as if the cover were not present. The screen
66 is clearly visible due to the fact that the material of the
cover is transparent.
[0030] Similar to the iPod, the covers described herein can also be
used to protect cell phones such as, for example, an iPhone. FIGS.
8-13 depict this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, cover 80 is
similar in design to cover 1 in FIG. 1 with the exception of the
plurality of holes 81 in cover 80. The holes are designed to be
placed over the earphone of the iPhone. Although not shown in FIG.
8, additional holes can be positioned in cover 80 for the
microphone as well as the viewing lens for the digital camera. The
number, position, and design of the holes can vary.
[0031] FIGS. 9-13 show the cover 80 applied to an iPhone 90. The
process is identical to that as described above for iPod with one
significant difference. Referring to FIG. 9, the earphone of the
iPhone (not shown) is aligned with holes 81. In addition to
ensuring that the iPhone can be used properly, the holes 81 help
align and center the iPhone 90 with cover 80 without the use of any
markers or creases. Once the iPhone 90 is positioned on the cover
80, flaps 100 and 101 can be folded over the iPhone in a manner as
described above for the iPhone (FIGS. 10-12). Once again, the
backside of the iPhone is completely wrapped by the cover (FIG.
12).
[0032] FIG. 13 shows the front-view of the iPhone wrapped by cover
80. Holes 81 are positioned over the earphone. Touchscreen 91 is
clearly visible through cover 80. Additionally, touchscreen 91 is
fully functional as if no cover was present on the iPhone. Similar
to the iPod, the top and bottom of the iPhone are exposed so that
ports, switches or connectors are readily accessible. Although an
iPhone is depicted in FIGS. 9-13, the protective cover can be
applied to an iPod touch in a similar manner.
[0033] The covers described herein can be designed to protect cell
phones having a variety of different shapes and sizes. FIGS. 14-20
depict a cover described herein applied to a cell phone. Referring
to FIG. 14, cover 140 has a number of different openings. Opening
141 is where the antenna is inserted. Opening 142 provides access
to the keypad of the phone, and opening 143 provides access to the
space key of the keypad. Opening 144 provides access to the control
wheel, while opening 145 is a port or jack. It is contemplated that
the number, size, and position of the openings in the cover 140 can
vary depending upon the make and model of the cell phone.
[0034] FIGS. 15-19 show the cover 140 applied to cell phone 150.
Referring to FIG. 15, antenna 151 is inserted in opening 141
followed by laying the cell phone face-down on cover 140. The
keypad and space button of the cell phone (not shown in FIG. 15),
will line up with openings 142 and 143, respectively. Referring to
FIGS. 16-18, once the cell phone 150 is positioned over cover 140,
flaps 147 and 148 are folded over the cell phone in a manner
described above. In the case of flap 148, openings 144 and 145 of
cover 140 are aligned with control wheel 152 and port 153,
respectively, of cell phone 150. Once cover 140 has been affixed to
cell phone 150, the keypad 154 and space key 156 are accessible and
not covered by cover 140 (FIG. 19). Screen 158 is covered by cover
140 and readily visible through cover 140.
[0035] The covers described above are intended to be applied to a
device such that the device can function with the cover in place.
In certain aspects, the covers described herein can be placed on a
device to protect the device and when it is time to use the device,
the cover can be removed. FIGS. 20-22 depict such an embodiment.
FIG. 20 shows cover 200, and FIGS. 21 and 22 show cover 200 applied
to digital cameral 210. The size and shape of cover 200 can vary
depending upon the camera or other device that is selected.
[0036] Various modifications and variations can be made to the
devices described herein. Other aspects of the devices described
herein will be apparent from consideration of the specification and
practice of the devices disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary.
* * * * *