U.S. patent application number 12/127005 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for protective assembly for portable digital device.
Invention is credited to Wayne A. Calco, Garey De Angelis, Jeff Grady, Andrew Green.
Application Number | 20090050499 12/127005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40381151 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090050499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calco; Wayne A. ; et
al. |
February 26, 2009 |
PROTECTIVE ASSEMBLY FOR PORTABLE DIGITAL DEVICE
Abstract
A protective case for a portable digital media device includes a
hinged element and an aperture registered with an input element for
such device, to provide protection against inadvertent damage to
the device, to selectively operate as a stand to maintain the
device in an upright position, and enable user access to the input
element when the case is closed.
Inventors: |
Calco; Wayne A.; (Laguna
Hills, CA) ; De Angelis; Garey; (Charleston, SC)
; Grady; Jeff; (Charleston, SC) ; Green;
Andrew; (Mount Pleasant, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY / TECHNOLOGY LAW
PO BOX 14329
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK
NC
27709
US
|
Family ID: |
40381151 |
Appl. No.: |
12/127005 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
29252488 |
Jan 24, 2006 |
D569607 |
|
|
12127005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2200/1633 20130101;
G06F 1/165 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A protective case for a portable digital media device having at
least one associated input element controllable by a user, the
protective case defining a cavity sized and shaped to conform to at
least a portion of a portable digital media device, wherein: the
case comprises a hinged element selectively moveable between an
open position and a closed position; the hinged element is adapted
to support (i) the case, and (ii) a portable digital media device
containable in the cavity thereof, in an upright position relative
to an underlying support surface when said hinged element is
disposed in an open position; and the case defines at least one
aperture registered with said at least one input element to permit
user access to said at least one input element when said hinged
element is disposed in a closed position.
2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the at least one
aperture is defined in the hinged element.
3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein at least one input
element comprises a click wheel, and said at least one aperture
includes an aperture registered with said click wheel.
4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said case comprises a
substantially transparent material arranged to cover at least a
portion of a display screen of said portable digital media device
when said portable digital media device is contained in said
cavity.
5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
said hinged element is substantially transparent.
6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said hinged element is
substantially rigid.
7. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising a travel stop
adapted to restrain movement of the hinged element to maintain the
protective case in an upright position.
8. The protective case of claim 7, wherein the travel stop
comprises at least one recess adapted to selectively receive a
portion of the hinged element to maintain the protective case in an
upright position.
9. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said cavity is sized and
shaped to conform to a portable digital media storage and playback
device adapted to store and play back digital media files.
10. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said portable digital
media storage and playback device is further adapted to provide
wireless communication utility.
11. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising at least one
closure element adapted to resist opening of the case when the case
in a closed position.
12. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising a male
electrical connector adapted mate with a socket defined in a
portable digital media device reposable within the cavity.
13. The protective case of claim 12, further comprising a female
electrical connector permitting electrical communication with the
portable digital media device via the male electrical
connector.
14. A protective case for a portable digital media device having at
least one associated input element controllable by a user, the
protective case defining a cavity bounded at least in part by a
hinged element and an opposing base element, and adapted to receive
a portable digital media device, wherein: the hinged element is
arranged to pivot relative to the base element between an open
position and a closed position; the hinged element is adapted to
support (i) the case, and (ii) a portable digital media device
containable in the cavity thereof, in an upright position relative
to an underlying support surface when said hinged element is
disposed in an open position; and the case defines at least one
aperture registered with said at least one input element to permit
user access to said at least one input element when said hinged
element is disposed in a closed position.
15. The protective case of claim 14, wherein the at least one
aperture is defined in the hinged element.
16. The protective case of claim 14, wherein at least one input
element comprises a click wheel, and said at least one aperture
includes an aperture registered with said click wheel.
17. The protective case of claim 14, wherein said case comprises a
substantially transparent material arranged to cover at least a
portion of a display screen of said portable digital media device
when said portable digital media device is contained in said
cavity.
18. The protective case of claim 14, further comprising at least
one recess adapted to selectively receive a portion of the hinged
element to maintain the protective case in an upright position.
19. The protective case of claim 14, further comprising a travel
stop adapted to restrain movement of the hinged element to maintain
the protective case in an upright position.
20. The protective case of claim 14, wherein said cavity is sized
and shaped to conform to a portable digital media storage and
playback device adapted to store and play back digital media
files.
21. The protective case of claim 14, wherein said portable digital
media storage and playback device is further adapted to provide
wireless communication utility.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This utility patent application is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/252,488 filed on Jan.
24, 2006, and issuing as U.S. Design Pat. No. D569,607 on May 27,
2008. The entire disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes, and the
priority of such application is hereby claimed under the provisions
of 35 U.S.C. 120.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to accessories for portable
digital devices, including portable digital media storage and
playback devices used for on-line downloading, storing and playing
digital media files such as, for example, MP3 (i.e., MPEG-1 audio
layer 3) audio, WMA (Windows Media Audio) audio, MPEG-4 multimedia,
QuickTime multimedia files, and the like. More specifically, the
invention relates to a protective assembly that protects the
exterior of a portable digital device without impairing access to
primary controls for such a device, with the protective assembly
also being selectively operable as a stand to maintain the
protective assembly and portable digital device disposed therein in
an upright position for enhanced user access.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Media players of various types are ubiquitous, and have
evolved through various forms over the years, from tape cassette
players, to compact disc players, and more recently to portable
digital media storage and playback devices that enable a user to
obtain digital media files (e.g., by download from an Internet
site) and store same in a storage medium of a player in various
file formats for subsequent selective playback. Preferred digital
media storage and playback devices utilize flash memory and/or hard
drives to store digital media files. Audio file storage is
commonplace. Increasingly, models having sophisticated displays are
further able to store and playback image and/or video files. More
recently, portable telephone, personal digital assistant, and
digital media (e.g., audio, video, and/or image) storage and
playback functionalities have converged in versatile devices such
as the Treo.RTM. family of products made commercially available by
Palm, Inc. and the iPhone.TM. family of products made commercially
available by Apple Computer.
[0004] As more and more features are integrated into modern
portable digital media devices, the cost of such devices has
increased substantially. Given the high cost and relative fragility
of such devices, users often desire to continuously keep such
devices in protective cases to provide protection against
damage.
[0005] Users of portable digital media devices often desire to keep
such devices available for use at times, in a variety of different
environments. While exercising or commuting via public transit, a
user may desire to discreetly keep a portable digital media device
within a clothing pocket and listen to music via headphones. While
at work, a user may desire to maintain a portable digital media
device in an upright position to facilitate easy access to
interfaces such as displays and control elements. Dedicated
protective cases and stands/mounts to independently provide the
foregoing utilities are commonplace; however, certain types of
cases are incompatible in character with certain types of
stands/mounts, and it is cumbersome for users to frequently swap
portable digital media devices in and out of protective cases.
[0006] It would be desirable to provide a case or mounting device
that would confer a desired level of protection against inadvertent
damage to a portable digital media device, and yet be selectively
adapted for use in various environments without requiring removal
of a portable digital media device contained therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates in various aspects to a
protective case for a portable digital media device, with the
protective case providing protection against inadvertent damage to
a portable digital media device, being selectively operable as a
stand to maintain a portable digital media device in an upright
position, and enabling user access to at least one input element of
the portable digital media device when the case is closed.
[0008] In one aspect, the invention relates to a protective case
for a portable digital media device having at least one associated
input element controllable by a user, the protective case defining
a cavity sized and shaped to conform to at least a portion of a
portable digital media device, wherein: the case comprises a hinged
element selectively moveable between an open position and a closed
position; the hinged element is adapted to support (i) the case,
and (ii) a portable digital media device containable in the cavity
thereof, in an upright position relative to an underlying support
surface when said hinged element is disposed in an open position;
and the case defines at least one aperture registered with said at
least one input element to permit user access to said at least one
input element when said hinged element is disposed in a closed
position.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention relates to a protective
case for a portable digital media device having at least one
associated input element controllable by a user, the protective
case defining a cavity bounded at least in part by a hinged element
and an opposing base element, and adapted to receive a portable
digital media device, wherein: the hinged element is arranged to
pivot relative to the base element between an open position and a
closed position; the hinged element is adapted to support (i) the
case, and (ii) a portable digital media device containable in the
cavity thereof, in an upright position relative to an underlying
support surface when said hinged element is disposed in an open
position; and the case defines at least one aperture registered
with said at least one input element to permit user access to said
at least one input element when said hinged element is disposed in
a closed position.
[0010] Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention
will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective assembly for a
portable digital device, with the protective assembly disposed in a
closed position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the protective assembly
of FIG. 1, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the protective assembly
of FIGS. 1-2, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the protective
assembly of FIGS. 1-3, with the protective assembly disposed in a
closed position.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the protective
assembly of FIGS. 1-4, with the protective assembly disposed in a
closed position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the protective assembly of
FIGS. 1-5, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the protective assembly of
FIGS. 1-6, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the protective assembly
of FIGS. 1-7, with the protective assembly disposed in an open
position to serve as a stand.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of the protective
assembly of FIGS. 8, with the protective assembly disposed in an
open position to serve as a stand.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the protective
assembly of FIGS. 8-9, with the protective assembly disposed in an
open position to serve as a stand.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the protective assembly of
FIGS. 8-10, with the protective assembly disposed in an open
position to serve as a stand.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the protective assembly
of FIGS. 1-10, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position, and further showing in broken lines a portable digital
media storage and playback device disposed within a cavity of the
protective assembly.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a right side elevation view of the protective
assembly and portable digital media storage and playback device of
FIG. 12, with the protective assembly disposed in an open position
to serve as a stand.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view of the protective
assembly and portable digital media storage and playback device of
FIGS. 12-13, with the protective assembly disposed in a closed
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
THEREOF
[0025] The present invention relates to protective cases for
portable digital media devices. The term "portable digital media
device" as used herein may encompass various devices adapted to
store and playback digital media files. Such devices may further
provide mobile computing and wireless communication utilities.
[0026] In one embodiment, a protective case comprises at least one
substantially rigid material, such as rigid plastics, metals,
composites, and the like. In another embodiment, at least a portion
of a protective case comprises a substantially non-rigid material,
such as pliable (e.g., thin) plastics, silicone, leather, animal
skin, fabric, and the like. Rigid and nonrigid materials may be
utilized in combination for different portions of a protective
case. Owing to the fragility of display elements associated with
portable digital media devices, at least portions of a protective
case arranged to cover such a display preferably comprise
substantially rigid and transparent materials. Any desirable
fabrication technique known in the art may be used to fabricate a
protective case with desired materials.
[0027] The term "hinged element" as used herein refers to a portion
of a protective case arranged to move in pivotal fashion relative
to another portion of such a protective case. A hinge provided
along an interface between such portions may include a hinge pin, a
rotatable (e.g., circular) protrusion mated with a corresponding
hole, a pliable joint, or the like.
[0028] The term "upright position" as used herein refers to a
generally non-horizontal position relative to an underlying support
surface. Such position may or may not be vertical. An upright
position is preferably inclined at an angle relative to an
underlying support surface, and such angle is preferably at least
about 45 degrees, more preferably at least about 55 degrees, and
still more preferably at least about 60 degrees.
[0029] An example of a protective case that is selectively operable
as a stand to maintain a portable digital media device in an
upright position, and that enables user access to at least one
input element of the portable digital media device when the case is
closed, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-14. FIGS. 1-5 show perspective,
front elevation, rear elevation, left side elevation, and right
side elevation views, respectively, of the protective case 10 in a
closed position. Top and bottom views of the protective case 10 in
a closed position are shown in FIGS. 6-7. FIGS. 8-11 show front
elevation, right side elevation, left side elevation, and rear
elevation views, respectively, of the protective case 10. The
protective case 10 is further shown with an associated portable
digital media device (i.e., an iPod device, sold by Apple Inc.,
Sunnyvale, Calif. USA) disposed therein in FIGS. 12-14, which show
front elevation (closed), right side (open), and left side (closed)
views, respectively.
[0030] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-11, the protective case 10
includes a hinged (cover) element 12, a rear support element 40,
and a lower support portion 50 that extends from the rear support
element 40. The hinged element 12 includes an upper edge 13, a
lower edge 14, a face portion 16, and a sidewall 18 that extends
inwardly from the face portion 16 along three sides thereof. The
face portion 16 of the hinged element 12 defines an aperture 30
registered with, and arranged to permit user access to, at least
one input element (e.g., a click wheel) of a portable digital media
device when such device is reposed within a cavity 60 of the
protective case 10. As further portions of the hinged element 12,
sidewall extensions 20A, 20B extend beyond the lower edge 14 to
engage the lower support portion 50 at a hinge 21. Optional pads
26A, 26B may be divided along an inner portion of the phase 16 to
cushion or otherwise protect a portable digital media device (not
shown) when disposed inside the protective case 10.
[0031] The rear support element 40 includes an inner face 41, an
outer face 42 and a lateral edge 43. The lateral edge 43 defines
recesses 45A, 45B along lower portions thereof to serve as a travel
stop for the hinged element 12 when the hinged element 12 is
disposed in an open position to cause the protective case 10 to
serve as a stand. The lateral edge defines additional recesses 46A,
46B along upper portions thereof to receive protruding closure
elements or tabs 22A, 22B extending from the sidewall 18 and
adapted to resist opening of the protective case 12 when the
protective case 12 is in a closed position. The lateral edge 43
further includes buttons 44A, 44B, 46A, 46B, 46C to control various
functions that may optionally be provided by the case 10.
[0032] Extending downward from the rear support element 40 is a
lower support portion 50 that includes a front face 51, a rounded
lower edge 52, and an upper edge 55. The upper edge 55 is intended
to mate with a lower edge of a portable digital media device (such
as the device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 12-14) reposable within a
cavity 60 defined between the inner surface 41 of the rear support
element 40, the upper edge 55 of the lower support portion 51, the
face 16 of the hinged element 12, and the sidewall 18 of the hinged
element 12.
[0033] An optional male electrical connector 56 protrudes upward
from the upper edge 55. An optional female electrical connector 57
is provided along the lower edge 52. Preferably, the male
electrical connector 56 adapted to mate with a socket (not shown)
defined in a portable digital media device reposable within the
cavity 60. The female electrical connector 57 preferably permits
electrical communication with the portable digital media device via
the male electrical connector 56. Optional electronics (not shown)
may be provided within the lower support portion 50 and/or the rear
support element 40. Such electronics may include, for example, (a)
an FM transmitter adapted to permit local broadcast of media files
played by a portable digital media device disposed within the
protective case 12; (b) an FM receiver adapted to permit reception
of broadcast radio signals; (c) interface to a remote controller
(not shown) adapted to enable remote control of the portable
digital media device; and/or (d) a signal amplifier. The buttons
44A, 44B, 46A, 46B, 46C disposed along the edge 43 of the rear
support element 40 may be used to control any of the foregoing
functions. The lower support portion 50 may further include an
optional display 58, such as may be used to provide
user-perceptible signals relating to device status, FM transmitter
or receiver frequency, volume, or the like.
[0034] To manipulate the protective case 10 into an open position,
a user may grasp and upper portion of the hinged element 12,
preferably adjacent to the protruding tabs 22A, 22B, and pull the
hinged element 12 forward to pivot about the hinge 21. The hinged
element 12 may swing through an angle of approximately three
hundred degrees until travel of the sidewall extensions 20A, 20B is
stopped against upper edges of the recesses 45A, 45B. The hinged
element 12 is then placed atop an underlying support surface (not
shown). In such open state, the rear support element 40, together
with any portable digital media device disposed therein or thereon,
is adapted to maintain an upright position. The protective case 10
is shown in such an upright position in FIGS. 8-11. With the
protective case 10 in an open state, a portable digital media
device may be inserted into the case 10 against the inner surface
41 of the rear support element 40 and against the upper surface 55
of the lower support portion 50.
[0035] The protective case 10 is shown with a portable digital
media device 100 disposed in a cavity 60 thereof in FIGS. 12-14. As
shown in FIG. 12, the display 104 of the portable digital media
device 100 is visible through the transparent face 16 of the hinged
element 12, and the click wheel 102 of the portable digital media
device 100 is accessible through the aperture 30 when the
protective case 10 is disposed in a closed position. Thus, the
protective case 10 provides protection against damage to the
portable digital media device 100, enables easy user access to
inputs for the portable digital media device 100, and further
enables the portable digital media device 100 to be supported in an
upright position when desired. The functions of a case and a stand
are therefore integrated in a unitary package with maximum
convenience to the user.
[0036] While the invention has been has been described herein in
reference to specific aspects, features and illustrative
embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the
utility of the invention is not thus limited, but rather extends to
and encompasses numerous other variations, modifications and
alternative embodiments, as will suggest themselves to those of
ordinary skill in the field of the present invention, based on the
disclosure herein. Correspondingly, the invention as hereinafter
claimed is intended to be broadly construed and interpreted, as
including all such variations, modifications and alternative
embodiments, within its spirit and scope.
* * * * *