U.S. patent application number 12/376386 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a monitor.
Invention is credited to Karl Winsche.
Application Number | 20100012536 12/376386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38895806 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100012536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winsche; Karl |
January 21, 2010 |
Accommodation Device For An Electronic Apparatus With a Monitor
Abstract
An accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a
monitor on a flat side, wherein the accommodation device has an
accommodation area for the apparatus which features a wall section,
destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus,
wherein a flat plug in element is provided, which is provided with
a soft surface on at least one flat side and which sits close to
the wall section in the plugged in condition.
Inventors: |
Winsche; Karl;
(Grosshansdorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
SUITE 400, 6640 SHADY OAK ROAD
EDEN PRAIRIE
MN
55344
US
|
Family ID: |
38895806 |
Appl. No.: |
12/376386 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 26, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP07/08349 |
371 Date: |
February 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/316.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/1069 20130101;
A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C 11/38 20130101; A45C 2011/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/316.2 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/38 20060101
A45C011/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 26, 2006 |
DE |
102006046394.3 |
Claims
1. An accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a
monitor on a flat side, wherein the accommodation device has an
accommodation area (12) for the apparatus which features a wall
section (20), destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the
apparatus, characterised in that a flat plug in element (22) is
provided, which is provided with a soft surface on at least one
flat side and which sits close to the wall section (20) in the
plugged in condition.
2. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the plug in element (22) is made to be stiffer than the walls
in the area for the accommodation (12) of the apparatus.
3. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the plug in element (22) features an essentially rectangular
shape.
4. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the flat side features a microfibre tissue on the soft
surface.
5. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the plug in element (22) has holding elements in order to be
held in the accommodation area in the inserted state.
6. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the accommodation area can accommodate the apparatus
completely.
7. An accommodation device according to claim 6, characterised in
that the collapsible cover (12) has a lock (34).
8. An accommodation device according to claim 6, characterised in
that the accommodation area can be closed by a zip- or sliding
lock.
9. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the plug in element is formed such that it can be taken out of
the accommodation device.
10. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in
that the plug in element is formed as a cleaning element for the
monitor in the taken out condition.
Description
[0001] The present invention is related to an accommodation device
for an electronic apparatus with a monitor. Such an electronic
apparatus may be a camera, a PDA, a telephone, a mobile gaming
console, a MP3 player or a portable computer, for instance.
[0002] From DE 202 05 836 U1, a cellular phone pocket made of an
elastic material is known, whose walls are made of a shock- and
impact proof material. For this purpose, it is proposed to
incorporate the shock- and impact proof material into the wall of
the pocket. Alternatively, it is also mentioned to thrust a
break-proof plastic material insert into the pocket and to provide
the inner surface thereof with a cladding of a soft, elastically
resilient material.
[0003] From U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,655, a spectacle box with an
insertable U-shaped stiffening element is known. The stiffening
element consists of a rigid material, which is bent in a U-shape.
In the inserted condition, the legs of the U-shaped stiffening
element are pressed together by the spectacle box, so that the
stiffening element presses against the spectacle box and is held on
the inner side of the spectacle box with its outer side by
frictional engagement. The inner sides of the U-shaped stiffening
element are clad with a thin and flexible material, in order to
avoid damage of the spectacle lenses.
[0004] Today, portable electronic apparatuses are equipped with
monitors of always increasing magnitude. In the meantime, the
monitors often have a visible diagonal of several inches. In the
storage and the transportation of these electronic apparatuses, the
problem frequently occurs that the monitor is scratched or damaged
by external effects in an accommodation device like a pocket, for
instance. Further, it cannot always be avoided in the handling of
these apparatuses that a user touches the monitor, through which
perturbing dots and impressions are generated on the monitor.
[0005] The present invention is based on the objective to provide
an accommodation device for an electronic apparatus, which protects
the apparatus in the transportation and permits cleaning of the
monitor with simple means at the same time.
[0006] According to the present invention, the objective is
resolved by an accommodation device according to claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the
subclaims.
[0007] The accommodation device of the present invention serves for
the accommodation of an electronic apparatus which has a monitor on
a flat side. The accommodation device has an accommodation area,
into which the apparatus is plugged in, laid in or otherwise put
in. The accommodation area for the apparatus has a wall section,
which is destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the
apparatus. When the electronic apparatus is received in the
accommodation device, the wall section which is destinated to take
its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus sits close to the
monitor. According to the present invention, the accommodation
device has a flat plug in element, which is provided with a soft
surface on at least one flat side and which sits close to that wall
section which points towards the monitor of the apparatus in the
plugged in condition. In relation to the dimensions of the
accommodation device, the plug in element has a significantly
smaller height, and therefore it is also designated as a flat plug
in element. The plug in element is envisioned as a separate,
form-stable element, which is plugged into the accommodation device
and can be removed from the same. In the plugged-in condition, the
plug in element bears flatly against the wall section of the
accommodation area. When the electronic apparatus is arranged in
the accommodation area also, the soft surface of the plug in
element points towards the monitor of the apparatus and sits close
to the same. The soft surface makes sure during the transportation
and upon shocks of the apparatus in particular that the monitor
surface is not scratched and shocks are damped. In addition, the
monitor surface is cleaned on the soft surface when the apparatus
is set in and pulled out. An additional advantage of the separately
formed plug in element is that the same can be taken out of the
accommodation device and the monitor can be cleaned with the soft
surface thereof. Thus, the plug in element fulfils a double
function, it serves for the protection of the electronic apparatus
and for cleaning the monitor at the same time, wherein the storage
of the plug in element makes sure in addition that the same is not
inadvertently contaminated or lost.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the plug in element is made to be
stiffer than the accommodation area for the apparatus. Thus,
through the stiff plug in element, the entire accommodation device
can be additionally stiffened and stabilised. By using the plug in
element, the rest of the accommodation device and its wall can be
made less shape-retaining, without any loss of overall stability,
for instance in order to make the same more lightweight or to
produce it with less material.
[0009] The plug in element features preferably an essentially
rectangular shape, which is adapted to the flat side of the
electronic apparatus in its dimensions. Besides to the essentially
rectangular shape, a rounded shape may also be provided, as long as
the same is adapted in its dimensions to the dimensions of the
electronic apparatus or the monitor thereof, respectively, or to
the interior dimension of the plug in element. Preferably, the flat
side is provided with a soft microfibre tissue. However, even other
soft tissues or nonwovens are conceivable, which clean the monitor
and keep it free of stripes. Preferably, that flat side of the plug
in element which is provided to bear against the monitor is
upholstered. The plug in element has a flat shape, in which one
side is formed planary and the opposing side is somewhat
upholstered. Even both sides of the plug in element can be
upholstered, wherein different stuffings are possible on the two
sides, for instance, one side for cleaning the monitor and the
other side for cleaning the objective lens.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the plug in element is provided
with holding elements in order to be held in the accommodation area
in the inserted state. As the holding means, a push button, a
Velcro tape, a magnetic button, magnets or the like can be
provided, for instance. In a preferred embodiment, the
accommodation area receives the plug in element completely. The
accommodation area can be covered up by a lid or a flap, which is
foldably connected to the accommodation area. Further, a lock is
preferably provided in order to close the accommodation area
securely. Alternatively to a lid or a flap, a zip- or sliding lock
may also be provided.
[0011] An example of the realisation of the accommodation device of
the present invention is explained in more detail in the
following.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a camera pocket with plug
in element, and
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the plug in element.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a pocket 10, which has an essentially
rectangular accommodation area 12, which is matched in its shape to
an electronic apparatus (not shown). The electronic apparatus can
be matter of any arbitrary apparatus having a display. Such
apparatuses are photographic cameras, mobile telephones, navigation
apparatuses and the like, for instance. The pocket 10 is closed by
a lid 14, which is pivotally articulated on the pocket along the
line 16. The lid 14 is held on the pocket by a pair of incorporated
magnets 34. Alternatively, even Velcro material, a magnetic or push
button or a latch lock can be provided.
[0015] The pocket can be made of a material like leather or plastic
material, for instance. Other possible materials are Nylon,
Polyurethane, Polyvinylchloride, hemp or cotton. The pocket may
also be provided with ears or loops at one side, for fastening it
on a neck- or shoulder strap or a belt.
[0016] The pocket is adapted to the dimensions of different camera
bodies in its geometry. The camera to be accommodated is put into
the accommodation area 12 and essentially fills the same. In this,
the camera bears against at least the front and the rear flat side
18, 20. The accommodation area 12 of the pocket can be stuffed with
different materials. As an inside lining, soft fabrics or
microfibre fabrics may be used for instance.
[0017] A plug in element 22 is provided on the rear wall of the
pocket 10, which has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The
dimensions are adapted to the rear wall 20 of the pocket, so that
the plug in element is held between the side walls 24, 26 of the
pocket 10. At its upper end, the plug in element has a loop 28,
which is provided for taking out the plug in element 22. The plug
in element 22 has a stable rear wall (not shown), which stabilises
the pocket additionally in the inserted condition. A microfibre pad
30 is provided on the plug in element 22.
[0018] The microfibre pad 30 is connected to the plug in element by
a circumferential seam 32 in the shown realisation example. Of
course, it is also possible to connect the pad to the plug in
element in another way.
[0019] A fixture for the plug in element 22 can be additionally
provided on the rear wall of the accommodation area 12 (not shown).
A Velcro connection can be provided here, for instance, in order to
keep the plug in element securely in the accommodation area even
without an electronic apparatus.
[0020] The particular advantage of the plug in element 22 is that
is serves as a protection for the monitor of a camera or another
electronic apparatus on the one hand, and can be taken out of the
pocket on the other hand, where it serves for cleaning the monitor
with its soft side. With cameras, even the objective lens or the
cover-up element thereof can be cleaned also. A further advantage
is that the plug in element is protected against contamination in
the pocket and cannot be lost also.
* * * * *