U.S. patent application number 13/401131 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for cellular telephone case.
The applicant listed for this patent is Reiko Zhang, Yu Long Zhang. Invention is credited to Reiko Zhang, Yu Long Zhang.
Application Number | 20130214018 13/401131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48981513 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130214018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang; Yu Long ; et
al. |
August 22, 2013 |
Cellular Telephone Case
Abstract
A cellular telephone case having an integrated clip is provided.
The case has body, a clip extending from the body and a sidewall
that forms a cavity to receive the cellular telephone. The clip
applies pressure to a surface of the cellular telephone, and may
clip the phone to various objects. Further the clip may receive
cards such as credit cards and licenses.
Inventors: |
Zhang; Yu Long; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Zhang; Reiko; (Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zhang; Yu Long
Zhang; Reiko |
Brooklyn
Brooklyn |
NY
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48981513 |
Appl. No.: |
13/401131 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/055 20130101;
A45F 2200/0516 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45C 11/182 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A cellular telephone case comprising: a body; a clip, integrally
formed with the body and extending substantially parallel from the
body; a sidewall, extending from the body and forming a cavity of
the case, the cavity sized to receive and secure a cellular
telephone; wherein the clip is formed such that at least part of an
inner surface of the clip exerts a force on the cellular telephone
when received in the cavity; and wherein the clip comprises a first
rigid material, and a second flexible material, the second flexible
material disposed over an outer surface of the clip.
2. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the clip forms a
first outwardly curved section and a second inwardly curved
section, the first outwardly curved section being at an approximate
middle of a length of the clip, the second inwardly curved section
being at a distal end of the length of the clip.
3. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the body is
formed of the first rigid material.
4. The cellular telephone case of claim 3 wherein the sidewall is
at least partially formed of the first rigid material.
5. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the sidewall
further comprises a first flange extending perpendicularly from a
top edge of the sidewall.
6. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the sidewall
forms a touch screen aperture at a front of the case.
7. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the body has a
thickness greater than a thickness of the clip.
8. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the sidewall and
body form a rear aperture, the rear aperture allowing direct
contact between the cellular telephone received within the case and
the clip, the rear aperture sized to receive a credit card between
the cellular telephone and the clip.
9. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the body is
constructed of the first rigid material, and the second flexible
material, the second flexible material disposed over an outer
surface of the body.
10. The cellular telephone cover of claim 1 further comprising a
circular protrusion extending from the at least part of the inner
surface of the clip that exerts a force on the cellular telephone
when received in the cavity.
11. The cellular telephone case of claim 10 wherein the circular
protrusion is formed by the second flexible material.
12. The cellular telephone cover of claim 1 wherein the sidewall
forms an aperture, the aperture sized to allow access to a cellular
telephone element on a side of the cellular telephone.
13. The cellular telephone case of claim 1 wherein the sidewall
forms a button, the button sized and configured to be positioned
over a button of a cellular telephone when the cellular telephone
is received by the case, the button of the sidewall configured to
depress the button of the cellular telephone when the button of the
sidewall is in a depressed position.
14. A cellular telephone case comprising: a body, formed of a first
rigid material; a clip, integrally formed with the body and
extending substantially parallel to an inner face of the body; a
sidewall, extending from the body substantially perpendicular to
the inner face of the body and forming a cavity of the case, the
cavity sized to receive and secure a cellular telephone, wherein
the sidewall forms a touch screen aperture at a front of the case;
a first flange extending perpendicularly from a top edge of the
sidewall; wherein the clip is formed such that at least part of an
inner surface exerts a force on the cellular telephone when
received in the cavity, the clip comprising a first outwardly
curved section and a second inwardly curved section, the first
outwardly curved section being at a middle of a length of the clip,
the second inwardly curved section being at a distal end of the
length of the clip; and wherein the clip is constructed of the
first rigid material, and a second flexible material, the second
flexible material disposed over an outer surface of the clip;
wherein the sidewall and body form a rear aperture, the rear
aperture allowing direct contact between a cellular telephone and
the clip, the rear aperture sized to receive a credit card between
the cellular telephone and the clip; a circular protrusion
extending from the at least part of the clip inner surface that
exerts a force on the cellular telephone when received in the
cavity; the sidewall forming a headphone aperture at a top of the
case, a ring adjust aperture on a side of the case, and a power
input aperture at a bottom of the case; and the base forming a
camera aperture on a rear of the case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to cases. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a case for a
cellular telephone.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Cellular telephones have become pervasive in society, with a
large percentage of the population having one. As such, cellular
telephone technology has developed rapidly because of the high
demand of such devices. This technological advance has resulted in
fairly fragile, expensive devices. Moreover, many of these cellular
telephones are heavily used, experience a good deal of wear and
tear, and are in constant danger of being dropped.
[0005] Further, the advance in technology of newer cellular
telephones has led to an enhanced desire to easily access phones.
Often, the phones can be cumbersome to access when in a pocket,
purse, or bag.
[0006] Therefore, what is needed is a cellular telephone case that
may protect valuable and fragile cellular telephones. Further there
is needed a cellular telephone case that allows the telephone to be
stored and be easily accessible to a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The subject matter of this application may involve, in some
cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular
problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or
article.
[0008] In one aspect, a cellular telephone case is provided. The
cellular telephone case may comprise a body, a clip integrally
formed with the body that extends substantially parallel from the
body, and a sidewall extending from the body. The sidewall may
extend substantially perpendicular to the inner face of the body.
The sidewall may also form a cavity of the case configured to
receive a cellular phone. The clip may be constructed such that it
exerts a force on the cellular phone when received in the case.
Further, the clip may be constructed of a first rigid material and
a second flexible material disposed over an outer surface of the
clip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the
cellular telephone case.
[0010] FIG. 2 provides a front view of an embodiment of the
cellular telephone case.
[0011] FIG. 3 provides a rear view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case.
[0012] FIG. 4 provides a top view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case.
[0013] FIG. 5 provides a bottom view of an embodiment of the
cellular telephone case.
[0014] FIG. 6 provides a side view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case.
[0015] FIG. 7 provides a side view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the
only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or
utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence
of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection
with the illustrated embodiments.
[0017] Generally, the present invention concerns a case for a
cellular telephone (hereinafter "cell phone"). The case may
comprise a body, a clip extending from the body, and a sidewall
extending from the body and forming an outer perimeter of the case.
In varying embodiments, the case may form apertures to accommodate
features of an outer surface of the cell phone itself, such as an
aperture for a headphone jack.
[0018] The case contemplated herein may be constructed and arranged
to receive various types of cell phones in various embodiments. For
example, one embodiment of the case contemplated herein may be
configured to receive an iPhone.RTM. 4 or 4S. Other embodiments of
the case may be sized to receive Droid.RTM. or Samsung.RTM. phones.
It should be understood that while the case herein is generally
contemplated to be used for touch screen based "smart phones," its
scope is not limited to any particular cell phone model, style, or
configuration.
[0019] The body of the case may provide a central support for a
clip and/or a sidewall of the case. In one embodiment, the body may
form a top rear portion of the case. The body may be constructed of
any material suitable for cellular phone case usage. For example,
the body may be constructed of plastic or other synthetic material,
rubber, composite materials, and the like.
[0020] In another embodiment, the body may be formed from a rigid
plastic layer to provide rigidity to the case. In a further
embodiment this rigid layer may have a softer flexible layer
disposed over its surface on an exterior of the case, forming a
multi-layered body.
[0021] The body may form a clip that extends from the body, along
the length of the case. The clip may be configured to be
substantially parallel with the body and in substantially the same
plane as the body, with a width less than a width of the case. When
a phone is inserted within the case, the clip may be configured to
be approximately parallel to a rear of the phone, and configured to
apply a force against the rear of the phone with at least part of
its surface.
[0022] In one embodiment, the clip may be comprised of a
substantially rigid material. This material may be constructed to
apply sufficient force against the phone to hold the case in place
when clipped to an object, but not so rigid as to prevent clipping
of the case to an object. In a further embodiment the clip may be
constructed of the same material as the body. In still another
embodiment the body may be thicker than the clip, allowing the clip
to be more flexible than the body.
[0023] In another embodiment, the clip may be formed from a
substantially rigid plastic layer and may have a softer, flexible
layer disposed over its exterior surface, forming a multi-layered
clip.
[0024] In a further embodiment, a surface of the clip configured to
contact a phone when inserted into the case may comprise a section
of padding material. This material may pad the phone against force
exerted by the clip. The padding material may also increase
friction between the phone and the clip. In one embodiment, the
padding material may be positioned at a center of the width of the
clip. In another embodiment, the padding material may be formed as
a small circular pad.
[0025] The clip may be formed in any way that allows at least a
portion of the clip surface to exert a force on a phone inserted
within the case. As such, varying clip curvatures, shapes, lengths
and sizes are contemplated by this invention. In one embodiment,
the clip may extend from the body at a top portion of the case to
nearly the end of the case, but not to the end. In this embodiment,
clipping may be facilitated because a spacing is provided between
the clip and the end of the case to insert the clipped item.
[0026] In another embodiment, the clip may comprise a curvature
along its length. In one such embodiment, the clip may curve
outwardly, bringing its surface away from a phone surface at a
middle portion. At an end portion of the clip, the clip may curve
inwardly, towards the phone. In a further embodiment, this clip may
again curve outwardly at its distal end providing a spacing between
its surface at the distal end and the phone.
[0027] A sidewall may extend from an outer perimeter of the body
and form an exterior perimeter of the case. The sidewall may extend
from the body such that a bottom edge of the sidewall is attached
to the body. The sidewall may be configured to snugly wrap around a
cell phone that is inserted within the case. In one embodiment, the
sidewall may be configured to be substantially perpendicular to an
inner surface of the body and clip. In another embodiment, a height
of the sidewall may be greater than the height of the cell phone
intended to be inserted within the case.
[0028] The sidewall may be constructed of any material capable of
surrounding and containing a cell phone. For example, materials of
which the sidewall may be made include synthetics such as silicone,
plastics and the like, rubber, and foam rubber, among others. In
one embodiment, the sidewall may be formed from a material
different from the material of the body. In another embodiment, the
sidewall may be formed of a soft flexible material that may also be
disposed over an exterior surface of the body.
[0029] In one embodiment, the body and sidewall may form an
aperture into which the clip may pass to allow the clip to directly
contact a rear of a phone inserted into the case.
[0030] In another embodiment, the rigid material of the body may
extend into a portion of the sidewall.
[0031] A first flange may extend from a top edge of the sidewall.
The flange may be substantially perpendicularly to the sidewall,
and substantially parallel to the body and clip. Further, the
flange may be formed to cover a small portion of a front of a cell
phone inserted into the cover. In one embodiment, the first flange
may extend from the entire top edge of the sidewall.
[0032] A second flange may extend from at least part of a bottom
edge of the sidewall. The second flange may form an inner surface
substantially parallel to a top surface of the body and clip.
Further, the flange may be formed to cover a small portion of a
rear of the cellular phone inserted into the cover.
[0033] A plurality of apertures may be formed by the base, clip
and/or sidewall depending on portions of the cell phone that need
to be accessed directly by a user.
[0034] In one embodiment, a central rear aperture may be formed to
allow viewing of a logo of a phone manufacturer. Depending on the
location of the logo, the central rear aperture may be formed by
the body, the clip, or partially by the body, and partially by the
clip. In a further embodiment, the rigid material of the body
and/or clip may be exposed about a perimeter case forming the
central rear aperture.
[0035] In another embodiment, the body may form a camera aperture.
The camera aperture may be positioned about a camera lens of the
cell phone to allow functioning of the camera. In one embodiment a
glossy finish may be applied to an inner surface of the part of the
body forming the camera aperture.
[0036] In another embodiment, the case may form a headphone
aperture. Typically this headphone aperture may be formed by the
sidewall, however other portions of the case may form it depending
on configuration of the phone to be covered by the case. The
headphone aperture may be sized to allow passage of a male
headphone plug through the aperture to be received by the
corresponding female jack.
[0037] In yet another embodiment, the case may form a ring
adjustment aperture for phones having external controls for a
ringer. Typically this ring adjustment aperture may be formed by
the sidewall, however other portions of the case may form it
depending on configuration of the cell phone to be received by the
case. The ring adjustment aperture may be sized to allow manual
manipulation of the external control of the phone.
[0038] In still another embodiment, the case may form a power input
aperture to allow charging of a battery of the phone. Typically
this power input aperture may be formed by the sidewall, however
other portions of the case may form it depending on configuration
of the phone to be covered by the case. The power input aperture
may be sized to allow passage of a power input plug for mating with
a power inlet port of the phone. In some further embodiments, the
power input plug may further be sized to not cover a speaker
positioned on an outer surface of the phone, the speaker being
adjacent to the power inlet port of the phone.
[0039] In yet another embodiment, the case may form a touch screen
aperture to allow manipulation of a touch screen of the phone. The
touch screen aperture may be formed by the sidewall and may leave
nearly the entire front face of a touch screen phone open and
accessible by a user. The touch screen aperture may be formed by
the sidewall in one embodiment, or by the sidewall and first flange
in another embodiment.
[0040] In still another embodiment, the case may form a rear
aperture between the body, clip and sidewall. The rear aperture may
allow the clip to contact at least a portion of a rear of the cell
phone directly. In a further embodiment, the rear aperture may be
sized to receive a credit card, driver's license, or other
similarly sized card. In this embodiment, the card may be secured
by the case by being disposed between the clip and cell phone,
through the aperture, and may be held in place by frictional forces
between the clip and the cell phone.
[0041] In further embodiments, the case may contain a plurality of
buttons to manipulate phone buttons on an exterior of a phone while
still covering the phone and phone buttons. These buttons may be
formed into the case in any manner that allows force to be applied
from the case button onto the phone button. In embodiments where
the case is relatively soft, the case may simply be marked with an
indicator of where to push, and the buttons may be activated
through the case upon application of sufficient force. In
embodiments where the case is harder, a flexible portion may be
disposed around a case button to connect the button to the case,
the flexible portion may allow the case button to be moved in and
out. When the case button is positioned over the phone button,
activation of the case button may in turn activate the phone
button.
[0042] In one embodiment, the case may comprise a volume adjust
button for a phone having exterior buttons for adjustment of
volume. The volume adjust button of the case may be configured to
interact with the volume adjust button of the phone. Typically the
volume adjust button may be formed by the sidewall, however other
portions of the case may form it depending on configuration of the
phone to be covered by the case. In some embodiments, there may be
two or more volume adjust buttons.
[0043] In another embodiment, the case may comprise a power button
for a phone having an exterior button for turning the power of the
phone on and off. The power button of the case may be configured to
interact with the power button of the phone. Typically the power
button may be formed by the sidewall, however other portions of the
case may form it depending on configuration of the phone to be
covered by the case.
[0044] In one embodiment of operation, a cell phone may be inserted
through a touch screen aperture formed by the sidewall, and may be
adjusted into place such that the sidewall fits snugly about the
outer perimeter of the cell phone. In another embodiment of
operation, a cell phone may be inserted through a rear aperture
formed by the body and sidewall, and may be adjusted into place
such that the sidewall fits snugly about the outer perimeter of the
cell phone.
[0045] A stand may further be provided to allow support and display
of the phone. The stand may be designed to mate with the clip of
the case to support and display the phone.
[0046] In one embodiment, the stand may comprise a base, a first
and second foot formed into the base, and a face extending upwardly
from the base.
[0047] The first foot may be positioned at a rear of the base, away
from the face. The first foot may extend from the base and may
provide support for the stand.
[0048] The second foot may be positioned at a front of the base,
near the face. The second foot may extend from the base, slightly
past the face and provide support for the stand.
[0049] The face of the stand may be integrally formed into the
base, and extend upwardly from the base. The face is configured to
mate with the clip of the case to support the case and phone
therein. In one embodiment, the face may have a width greater than
the case and a height narrow enough to slide under the clip, such
that the face is held between the clip and the case. In another
embodiment, the face may have a width less than the case and a
height narrow enough to slide under the clip, such that the face is
held between the clip and the cell phone rear. The face may be
curved. In one embodiment the curvature of the face provides proper
positioning of the case and phone to balance and stabilize the
stand as well as providing a desirable display angle.
[0050] The stand may further comprise a support post extending from
the face to an opposite side of the base from the face. The support
post may provide rigidity to the stand and support the face of the
stand.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of
the cellular telephone case is provided. The case has a body 101
positioned at a top rear of the case. The clip 102 is integrally
formed with, and extends from the body 101. The clip 102 may extend
substantially parallel to the body 101 but may be curved slightly.
A sidewall 103 extends substantially perpendicularly from the body
101. The sidewall 103 extends beyond the body 101 to form a
substantially rectangular outer perimeter of the case. The sidewall
103 forms a cavity 106 into which a cellular phone (not shown) may
be received by the case. The sidewall 103 configuration, size, and
shape may vary depending on the particular cellular telephone
intended to fit within the case.
[0052] A flange 107 extends perpendicularly from a rear edge of the
sidewall 103. The flange 107 may aid in defining the cavity 106
into which the cellular phone may be received. A camera aperture
108 is formed by the body 101. The camera aperture 108 is
positioned to allow operation of a camera of an exterior of a
cellular telephone (not shown). A power button 104 may be
positioned on the sidewall 103. The power button 104 is positioned
on the sidewall 103 to interact with a power button of the cellular
telephone (not shown). A headphone aperture 105 is formed by the
sidewall 103. The headphone aperture 105 is positioned to allow
access to a headphone jack of a cellular phone (not shown) and
sized to allow passage of a head phone plug into the headphone
jack.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case. A front face of the body 201 can be seen. Extending
from the front face of the body 201 is a front face of the clip
202. A camera aperture 108 is formed by the body 201. A front
flange 207 extends from a top edge of a sidewall (not shown). The
flange 207 is sized and configured to extend slightly over a front
surface of a cellular telephone inserted within the cavity 106
formed by the case. A portion of a rear sidewall 107 extends from a
rear edge of the sidewall (not shown), extending into the cavity
106 to stabilize the case on a phone inserted within the cavity
106.
[0054] FIG. 3 provides a rear view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case. The case has a body 101 positioned at a top rear of
the case. The clip 102 is integrally formed with, and extends from
the body 101. The clip 102 may extend substantially parallel to the
body 101 but may be curved slightly. A sidewall (not shown) forms a
cavity 106 into which a cellular phone (not shown) may be received
by the case. The cavity 106 size and shape may vary depending on
the particular cellular telephone intended to fit within the case.
A flange 107 may extend perpendicularly from a rear edge of the
sidewall 103. The flange 107 may aid in defining the cavity 106
into which the cellular phone may be received. A camera aperture
108 is formed by the body 101. The camera aperture 108 is
positioned to allow operation of a camera of an exterior of a
cellular telephone (not shown).
[0055] FIG. 4 provides a top view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case. A sidewall 103 of the case forms a power button 104
and a headphone aperture 105. The power button 104 and headphone
aperture 105 are sized and positioned to match up with
corresponding power buttons and headphone jacks of a cellular phone
intended to fit within the case. A portion of the clip 102 can be
seen extending away from the case.
[0056] FIG. 5 provides a bottom view of an embodiment of the
cellular telephone case. A sidewall 103 of the case forms a power
input aperture 501. The power input aperture is sized and
positioned to allow access to a power input jack of a cellular
telephone intended to fit within the case. A portion of the clip
102 can be seen extending away from the case.
[0057] FIG. 6 provides a side view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case. A sidewall 103 extends across the length of the
case. A portion of the clip 102 can be seen extending away from the
case.
[0058] FIG. 7 provides a side view of an embodiment of the cellular
telephone case. A sidewall 103 forms volume adjustment buttons 701.
The volume adjustment buttons 701 are sized and positioned to align
with volume adjustment buttons of a cellular telephone received
within the case (not shown). A portion of the clip 102 can be seen
extending away from the case.
[0059] While several variations of the present invention have been
illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular
embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be
developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or
the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly
understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the
spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but
not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
* * * * *