U.S. patent application number 12/349584 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for accessory case for handheld electronic device.
Invention is credited to Mitchell Vicera Calayo.
Application Number | 20090120980 12/349584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40622774 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090120980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calayo; Mitchell Vicera |
May 14, 2009 |
Accessory Case for Handheld Electronic Device
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a cover structured and dimensioned to
house an electronic handheld device. A clip is attached in relation
to the cover. The clip comprises first and second portions with a
hinged connection therebetween. The second portion is movable in
relation to the first portion at the hinge connection. The clip
further comprises a stop that limits the travel of the second
portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the
stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover
leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a
supporting surface.
Inventors: |
Calayo; Mitchell Vicera;
(Virginia Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOODMAN, ALLEN & FILETTI PLLC
4501 HIGHWOODS PARKWAY, SUITE 210
GLEN ALLEN
VA
23060
US
|
Family ID: |
40622774 |
Appl. No.: |
12/349584 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11937540 |
Nov 9, 2007 |
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12349584 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/257 ;
150/165; 224/267 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0508 20130101;
A45F 2005/006 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101;
A45F 2200/0516 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 2005/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/257 ;
150/165; 224/267 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20060101
A45F003/14; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for use with an electronic handheld device,
comprising: a cover structured and dimensioned to house the device,
and a clip attached in relation to the cover, the clip comprising
first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween,
the second portion being movable in relation to the first portion
at the hinge connection, the clip further comprising a stop that
limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the
second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as
a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an
upright position on a supporting surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises a
releasable lock formed between the first and second portions of the
clip for holding the first and second portions in a closed relation
to one another to form a belt clip, the lock being structured and
configured to be releasable to allow the second portion to move in
an open relation to the first portion at the hinge connection to
form the stand.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second
portions of the clip has an opening and the other one of the first
and second portions has a hook that engages the opening to hold the
first and second portions in a closed relation to one another.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lock is further structured
and configured to require a predetermined amount of force to
release the hook from the opening.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover and the clip are
structured to cooperate with one another so that the clip is
releasably attached in relation to the cover.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of the cover and clip has
at least one opening and the other one of the cover and clip has at
least one protrusion that cooperates with the opening to hold the
clip in relation to the cover.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one of the cover and the clip
has positive structure and the other one of the cover and the clip
has negative structure that cooperates with the positive structure
to form a snap fit when the protrusion cooperates with the opening
to hold the clip in relation to the cover.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the clip
is structured to swivel in relation to the cover so that the stand
may be selectively oriented longitudinally and laterally in
relation to the cover, thus permitting the cover to be selectively
supported upright in a first position and a second position
transverse to the first position in relation to the supporting
surface.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprises discretely
interlocking surfaces that allow the clip to swivel to a desired
position, including the first and second positions, and then
maintain the desired position.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the discretely interlocking
surfaces are configured to require a predetermined amount of force
to swivel the clip.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the discretely interlocking
surfaces comprise annular surfaces having mating serrations or
undulations that cam in relation to one another so as to form a
clicking-type swivel connection therebetween.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a leash that is
releasably attached to one of the cover and the clip.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of the cover and the
clip has an opening and the leash has string that forms a loop that
may be passed at least partially through the opening so that the
leash may be feed through the loop and pulled to tighten the string
about a portion of the cover or clip defining at least a portion of
the opening.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of the cover and the
clip has an opening and the leash has a hook with a closure, which
may be biased in a closed direction upon engaging the hook with the
opening.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash includes a wrist
strap for attachment to a person's wrist.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash includes a neck
lanyard for attachment around a person's neck.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash is formed at least
in part from a material that glows in the dark.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is a hard shell
cover.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a
built-in, touch-through screen, which protects a touch screen of
the device while facilitating use of the touch screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/937,540, filed Nov. 9, 2007, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to handheld electronic
devices and more particularly accessories for handheld electronic
devices.
[0003] People of all ages now use a wide variety of handheld
electronic devices. Cellular telephones, including smart phones,
portable media players, personal digital assistants, handheld
computers, digital cameras and digital camcorders are just some of
the handheld electronic devices presently carried and used by many.
These devices quite often play media content, both in vertical and
horizontal views. The devices are often quite expensive and the
risk of damage to them from dropping is significant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to an apparatus for use with an
electronic handheld device. The apparatus comprises a cover
structured and dimensioned to house the device. A clip is attached
in relation to the cover. The clip comprises first and second
portions with a hinged connection therebetween. The second portion
is movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge
connection. The clip further comprises a stop that limits the
travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second
portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand
upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright
position on a supporting surface.
[0005] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the opaque phone case
(delivered overnight) with stand and leash.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the transparent media
player case (in photos) with stand and leash.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded, rear perspective view of the
case shown in FIG. 1 with the hinged back panel open and the clip
and leash removed.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an exemplary
hinge assembly for the hinged back panel shown in FIG. 3, assembled
in full and partially assembled in broken line.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an exemplary
lock for the hinged back panel shown in FIG. 3, locked in full and
unlocked in broken line.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a case showing a mounting
point for the clip.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view of mounting
point shown in FIG. 6 with a clip mounted thereto.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of mounting point and clip taken
along the lines 8-8 in FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the clip shown in full
in a horizontal position and in broken line in a vertical
position.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the clip
opened to form a stand, with a stop at the top of the clip limiting
the opening travel of the clip.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view in side elevation view
of the clip closed and locked in a closed position.
[0017] FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the leash
attachment to the clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 an apparatus, generally indicated at 10, for use with a device,
such as a telephone, such as a cellular telephone, including, for
example, a smart phone, such as the iPhone.RTM. manufactured by
Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. A similar apparatus, generally
indicated at 10', may be used with a device, such as a portable
media player, including, for example, an MP3 player, such as the
iPod.RTM. manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., shown in
FIG. 2. A similar apparatus may be used with a device, such as a
personal digital assistant, handheld computers, digital cameras,
digital camcorders, or like device.
[0019] The apparatus 10 may include a cover 12, a clip 14, and a
tether or leash 16, or the like, which may be removably or
releasably attached in relation to the cover 12. The cover 12 may
be provided for housing or covering at least a portion of the
device to provide protection for the device. The leash 16 may be
provided for attachment to a person so that the person can wear the
device and have it readily available.
[0020] The cover 12 may be substantially transparent or clear,
translucent or opaque, and may be colored or colorless. For
example, the cover 12 may be clear and colorless so that a colored
device, such as an iPod Nano Chromatic manufactured by Apple Inc.
of Cupertino, Calif., can be seen through the cover 12.
[0021] It should be appreciated that the cover 12 and the clip 14
may be of like appearance (e.g., substantially transparent or
clear, translucent or opaque, and colored or colorless) so as to
blend in or be substantially indiscriminate.
[0022] The cover 12 may be in the form of a hard shell case formed
from polycarbonate plastic or other suitable material. A similar
cover (not shown) may be in the form of a skin formed from
high-grade silicon rubber. Regardless of its form, the cover 12 may
be light, durable, and aesthetically appealing, and may provide an
assuring, soft gel, anti-slip feel, which may facilitate handling.
The cover 12 may have a slim protective design that does not add
any significant weight or volume to the device.
[0023] A hard shell case cover 12 may have a displaceable portion,
such as a slideable or hinged back panel 18, which, when displaced,
provides an opening, generally indicated at 20 in FIG. 3, or other
suitable access to the interior of the cover 12 for insertion of
the device therein.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover 12 may have a back panel
portion 18 that may be hinged in relation to a lower back portion
of the cover 12. This may be accomplished with a living hinge (not
shown), integrally formed, for example, by a weakened area of the
cover. Alternatively, the back panel portion 18 may be hinged in
relation to a lower back portion of the cover 12 by a mechanical
hinge 22, wherein the back panel portion 18 and the lower back
portion of the cover 12 form separate cooperating parts. The
illustrated hinge 22 may have a portion 24 that extends from the
back panel portion 18, and which cooperates with a recessed area or
a relief, generally indicated at 26, in the lower bottom portion.
For example, opposing ends of the extending portion 24 may be
provided with protrusions or nodules 28 that cooperate with
recesses or dimples 30 in the recessed area or relief 26, so as to
form pivot points of the hinge 22.
[0025] The hinge 22 may have a cam surface 32 that aids in assembly
of the back panel portion 18 in relation to the lower pack portion,
as illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, a first one of the nodules
28 may be inserted into a first one of the dimples 30, and while
pivoting the back panel portion 18 and the first nodule 28 in
relation to the first dimple 30, a second one of the nodules 28'
may engage the cam surface 32 and be guided, in the direction of
arrow A when viewing FIG. 4, into a second one of the dimples 28'
to form the hinge 22.
[0026] The back panel portion 18 may be held in a closed position
in relation to an upper portion of the cover 12, for example, by a
latch or lock, generally indicated at 34. For example, either one
of the cover 12 or the back panel portion 18 may be provided with a
cantilevered portion 36 that supports a button 38, and the other
one of the cover 12 or the back panel portion 18 may be provided
with a recess or opening 40 for receiving the button 38. Upon
closing the back panel portion 18, for example, in the direction of
Arrow B shown in FIG. 5, the button 38 may cam on against a surface
structure adjacent the recess or opening 40, deflecting the
cantilevered portion 36. When the button 38 reaches the recess or
opening 40, the cantilevered portion 36 may bias the button 38 into
engagement with the recess or opening 40. In this position, the
button 38 may be substantially flush and unobservable with the
surface structure about the opening 40, as shown.
[0027] A skin may have an opening and may be sufficiently resilient
or pliable to allow the skin to be stretched to allow the device to
be inserted into the skin through the opening.
[0028] The cover 12 may be formed, or may define an interior that
may be formed substantially in the shape of the device, and be
sized to fit substantially snuggly or tightly about the device.
This may permit the device to be held substantially firmly within
the cover 12, so that the device does not encounter substantial
movement with the cover 12, which may cause chaffing or rattling of
the device therein.
[0029] The cover 12 may have holes, slots, slits, reliefs,
perforations, or other suitable openings or recesses to facilitate
unhindered use of one or more functions of the device, such as, for
example, the functions of screens or pads, which may include, for
example, touch screens or touch pads, or the functions of speakers
or headset jack, microphones, connectors or connections, camera, IR
beaming, or other functions of the device.
[0030] The cover 12 may be ergonomically sized and/or shaped, for
example, with curved or rounded edges and/or corners, to fit
comfortably in a person's hand.
[0031] The front of the cover 12 may have a built-in, touch-through
screen 42, which may be provided for protecting a touch screen or a
touch pad of the device while facilitating use of the touch screen
or the touch pad. The screen 42 may be substantially clear or
transparent, and may be colored or colorless, and/or function to
provide antiglare or ultraviolet (UV) for the screen or pad of the
device. The cover screen 42 may be formed from polycarbonate
plastic or other suitable material.
[0032] The back of the cover 12, opposite the front of the cover
12, may be provided with raised or protruding surfaces, nodules,
feet or the like, which may include resting points 44 for making
minimal contact with a supporting surface, such as a desktop or
table top, or mounting points, such as a mounting point 46 for the
clip 14 or other suitable mountable features.
[0033] A mounting point 46 for the clip 14 may take on any suitable
form. For example, the mounting point 46 may include a transverse
recess or relief 48 and/or one or more recesses or openings 50,
such as those axially spaced in FIG. 6. The recesses or openings 50
may be substantially T-shaped, so as to include a first portion 52
and a second portion 54, which is reduced in dimension in relation
to the first portion 52.
[0034] The back of the clip 14 may support features that cooperate
with the transverse recess or relief 48 and/or T-shaped recesses or
openings 50. For example, the back of the clip 14 may include a
transverse protrusion 58 that may engage, or otherwise cooperate
with the transverse recess or relief 48 and/or one or more
protrusions 58 that may engage, or otherwise cooperate with the
T-shaped recesses or openings 50, as shown in FIG. 7. The
protrusions 58 may have an enlarged dimension portion 60 that may
engage the first portion 52 of the T-shaped recesses or openings 50
and a reduced dimensioned, or necked down portion 62 that may
slideably engage the second reduced dimension portion 54 of the
T-shaped recesses or openings 50, as shown in FIG. 8. Upon sliding
the necked down portion 62 into engagement with the second reduced
dimension portion 54 of the T-shaped recesses or openings 50, the
transverse protrusion 58 may engage the transverse recess or relief
48, thus forming a snap fit. The enlarged dimension portion 60 may
be held captive by the reduced dimension portion 54. In this way,
the clip 14 may be releasably held or attached in relation to the
cover 12.
[0035] The clip 14 may function as a belt clip and a stand, and may
swivel to allow the clip 14 to be selectively oriented
longitudinally (i.e., lengthwise) and laterally (i.e., widthwise)
in relation to the cover 12, as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, the
device may be selectively supported upright in a first position
(e.g., vertically) and a second position (e.g., horizontally)
traverse to the first position in relation to a supporting surface,
such as a desktop or table top, allow content to be viewed
vertically and horizontally on the display screen.
[0036] The clip 14 may swivel in any suitable manner, such as by
the provision of cooperating surfaces, such as discretely
interlocking surfaces, which may allow the clip 14 to swivel to a
desired position and then maintain its place. For example, a
predetermined amount of force may be required to displace (i.e.,
swivel) the clip 14. This may be accomplished is any suitable
manner. For example, the clip 14 may be provided with a first part
64 that may be mounted to the cover 12 and a second part 66 that
may swivel in relation to the first part 64. The first and second
parts 64, 66 may include annular surfaces (not shown) having mating
serrations, teeth, undulations, or the like that may cam in
relation to one another, so as to form a clicking-type swivel
connection therebetween.
[0037] The clip 14 may form a stand in any suitable manner, such as
by the provision of a hinged connection, generally indicated at 68
in FIG. 10, on the second part 66 of the clip 14, thus forming two
second part portions 70, 72. The hinge connection may be a living
hinge or a mechanical hinge. The clip 14 may have a stop 74, such
as a protruding member, which when engaged, limits the hinged
travel of one of second part portions 72, for example, by
cooperating with the other one of the second part portions 70 of
the clip 14. The stand may be applied by opening the clip 14, that
is, by moving one of the second part portions 72 in relation to the
other portion 70. The clip 14 may be held in the open position by
the weight of the cover 12 and/or device against the two second
part portions 70, 72 and the stop 74. In this way, the clip 14
functions as a stand upon which the cover 12 leans for supporting
the cover 12 and device in an upright position on a supporting
surface.
[0038] The clip 14 may further be provided with a lock, generally
indicated at 76 in FIG. 11, for holding the two second part
portions 70, 72 in a closed relation to one another. The lock 76
may take on any suitable form. For example, a first one of the two
second part portions 70, 72, particularly a free end thereof, may
have a partial fold or a lateral groove 78, and a central opening
80 in the groove 78. A second one of the two second part portions
70, 72, may have a central hook 82 extending therefrom, and raised
parts 84 extending therefrom, next to opposing sides of the central
hook 82.
[0039] Upon closing the two second part portions 70, 72 in relation
to one another, the hook 82 may enter the opening 80 and the raised
parts 84 may engage the groove 78 to hold the hook 82 in snap-fit
relation to surface structure defining the opening 80. Upon
application of a predetermined amount of force, the hook 82 may be
released from the opening 80 and the clip 14 may be opened.
[0040] The leash 16 may be attached to the cover 12 or the clip 14
in any suitable manner. For example, the cover 12 and/or clip 14
may be provided with a hole, slot, slit or other suitable opening,
for attachment of a string 86, which may form a part of the leash
16. The illustrated clip 14 has such an opening 88. The string 86
may be in the form a loop that may be passed at least partially
through the opening 88 and the leash 16 may be feed through the
loop, as shown in FIG. 12. Pulling the leash 16 tightly may tighten
the string 86 about a portion of the clip 14 defining at least a
portion of the opening 88. Other forms of attachment may be
suitable for attaching the leash 16, including for example, a hook
with a closure (not shown), which may be biased in a closed
direction upon engaging the hook with the opening 88.
[0041] The leash 16 may include a wrist strap, as disclosed in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/937,540, filed Nov. 9, 2007, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, for
attachment to a person's wrist, and/or a neck lanyard for
attachment around a person's neck, so that a person can wear the
device and have it readily available. The wrist strap and the neck
lanyard may form two separate leashes or the leash 16 may be
adjustable, for example, by a sliding feature, to form the wrist
strap and the neck lanyard.
[0042] The leash 16 may be formed at least in part of a material
that glows in the dark. For example, the leash may include a light
absorbent and discharging material, which upon exposure to light,
may glow in the dark. This may be accomplished with the use of
phosphors or other materials that radiate visible light after being
energized. The leash may be formed from polyester fabric, or other
suitable materials, and materials, such as phosphors, that radiate
light, and may do so in various colors.
[0043] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been
explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it
must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing
from its spirit or scope.
* * * * *