U.S. patent application number 14/929709 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-04 for convertible lanyard case for personal electronics.
The applicant listed for this patent is Curtis Williams. Invention is credited to Curtis Williams.
Application Number | 20170119118 14/929709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58638439 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170119118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Curtis |
May 4, 2017 |
Convertible Lanyard Case for Personal Electronics
Abstract
A convertible lanyard case tor a personal electronics item
includes a top end, a bottom end, a front side, and a back side.
The front side is configured for viewing and accessing the personal
electronics item. The back side includes a tab assembly adjacent
the bottom end, having a movable tab with a hole for engaging a
lanyard and clip. The tab slides between a first, position wherein
the hole is obscured and a second position wherein the tab extends
from the case for attaching a lanyard to the hole. To preserve the
tab in position stops with a biasing mechanisms seat in notches on
the frame.
Inventors: |
Williams; Curtis; (Palmdale,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Williams; Curtis |
Palmdale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58638439 |
Appl. No.: |
14/929709 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
A45C 2011/003 20130101; A45F 2005/006 20130101; A45C 2011/002
20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; A45F 5/00 20060101 A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A convertible lanyard case for a personal electronics item, the
convertible lanyard case comprising: a top end, a bottom end, a
front side and a back side, together configured to conform to the
personal electronics item; the front side configured for viewing
and accessing a screen of the personal electronics item; the back
side having a tab assembly adjacent the bottom end; wherein the tab
assembly comprises a tab having a hole, the tab movable between a
first position wherein the hole is obscured by the back side and a
second position wherein the tab extends from the convertible
lanyard case, thereby unblocking the hole.
2. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the tab travels
in a frame, confining it to linear movement coaxial with a linear
axis formed by the top end and the bottom end.
3. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the tab includes
a stop having a biasing mechanism that seats the stop in a notch on
the frame.
4. The convertible lanyard case of claim 3 wherein the tab includes
a finger grip.
5. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the tab includes
a rail and the frame includes a guide, wherein the guide and the
rail hold the tab against the back side.
6. The convertible lanyard case of claim 5 including two parallel
and linear rails that engage two parallel and linear guides.
7. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the front side
forms a frame.
8. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the front side
comprises a peripheral edge of the case, the peripheral edge
configured to retain the personal electronics item;
9. The convertible lanyard case of claim 3 wherein the back side
and the front side share a common peripheral edge.
10. The convertible lanyard case of claim 1 wherein the back side
includes a camera window.
11. The convertible lanyard case of claim 5 wherein the camera
window is proximal to the top end;
12. A convertible lanyard case tor a personal electronics item, the
case comprising: a top end, a bottom end, a front side and a back
side, together configured to conform to the personal electronics
item; the front side configured for viewing and accessing a screen
of the personal electronics item; the back side having a tab
assembly, slidably attached to and adjacent the bottom end; the tab
having a first position and a second position in linear series
coaxial to a linear axis formed by the top end and the bottom end;
and wherein the tab assembly comprises a tab having a hole, the tab
movable between the first position wherein the hole is obscured by
the back side and the second position wherein the tab extends from
the case, thereby unblocking the hole.
13. The convertible lanyard case of claim 12 wherein the tab
includes a stop and the frame includes a notch into which the stop
is biased to seat.
14. A method of using a personal electronic device using a
convertible lanyard case, comprising the steps of: providing a
personal electronic device providing a case for the personal
electronic device; providing a sliding lab mechanism on a back side
and a bottom end of the case; inserting the personal electronic
device into the case, thereby holding it securely therein; sliding
a tab of the tab mechanism toward the bottom end, such that a hole
is revealed on the tab; attaching a lanyard to the case by clipping
the lanyard to the hole; and wearing the lanyard.
15. The method of claim 14 including the step of lifting the
personal electronic device, to a user's ear, thereby inverting the
personal electronic device.
16. The method of claim 14 including the step of releasing the
personal electronic device, thereby allowing it to dangle from the
lanyard;
17. The method of claim 14 including the step of removing the
lanyard, and sliding the tab toward the top end, thereby obscuring
the hole.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Personal electronics such as cell phones, mini-tablet
computers and similar handheld communication and computing
apparatus are known in the art. These apparatus are generally
expensive, multifunctional electronics, which are sensitive to
temperature, fluid emersion, and impact shock. Despite their
fragile nature, such apparatus are frequently manufactured with
housings inadequate to protect them from impact shock occurring
through normal, daily use. These events include dropping an
apparatus, or inadvertently banging it against a surface while held
in a user's hand.
[0002] To protect these personal electronic and communication
apparatus, many different case designs have been developed to
shield them against impact. The most effective cases surround the
edges of an apparatus, while preserving access to its screen and
controls such as volume and power interfaces, and features such as
an audio jack and camera. While cases in the art are usually
sufficient for protecting against damage and malfunction from
inadvertent impact damage, other problems inherent with small
electronics persist, such as the difficulty with retrieving an
apparatus from a bag or other location filled with other items, and
loss of an apparatus by inadvertently abandoning it in a location,
or intentional loss through theft.
[0003] There is therefore a need for a case for personal
electronics apparatus that protects an apparatus from inadvertent
impact. There is also a need for a case that helps prevent an
apparatus from getting lost, either temporarily among other
possessions, or lost entirely through abandonment or theft. There
is also a need for a case that preserves the apparatus at hand,
allowing a user to easily and quickly retrieve the apparatus when
needed. There is also a need for a case which is convertible,
allowing a user to convert the apparatus from a configuration
wherein it can be worn around the user's neck, to a configuration
more similar to a traditional personal electronics case.
[0004] These and other needs are addressed by an invention, the
objects and details of which are discussed in the following
summary, description, and claims.
SUMMARY
[0005] A convertible lanyard case for a personal electronics item
is disclosed. The case is defined by a top end, a bottom end, a
front side, and a back side. Together, these ends and sides are
configured to conform to the personal electronics item, generally
surrounding it and acting as a buffer between an impacting surface
and the item's manufactured housing. The front side is configured
for viewing and accessing a screen of the personal electronics
item, including an interactive touch screen. The back side includes
a tab assembly adjacent the bottom end.
[0006] The tab assembly includes a movable tab, which has a hole
for engaging a lanyard and clip. The tab is movable, in one
embodiment a sliding movement, between a first position wherein the
hole is obscured by the back side with the tab held against the
back side, and a second position wherein the tab extends front the
case thereby unblocking the hole in a position proximal the bottom
end.
[0007] In order to govern movement, the tab preferably travels in a
frame confining it to linear (i.e., back-and-forth) movement
coaxial with the top end and bottom end. To preserve the tab in the
first position and in the second position, the tab includes a stop
with a biasing mechanism causing the stop to seat in a notch on the
frame. The stop may be a member that slides laterally in relation
to the tab, and the biasing mechanism may be a spring configured to
push the stop into the notch. Preferably the tab includes a finger
grip to facilitate movement by a user.
[0008] To allow free linear movement, yet preserve the tab against
the back side, the tab may include one or more rails corresponding
to one or more guides on the frame. The rails seat under the
guides, thereby holding the tab against the back side. In one
preferred embodiment, the case includes two parallel and linear
rails on the tab for engaging two parallel and linear guides on the
frame.
[0009] To facilitate using the personal electronics device, the
front side of the case preferably frames the screen, thereby
allowing users access to touch screen functionality. In one
alternative embodiment, the front side may comprise a peripheral
edge of the case, with the peripheral edge configured to retain the
personal electronics item therein, and allowing the user access to
the entire screen side of the personal electronics device.
[0010] To confer an added measure of protection, the peripheral
edge may be made contiguous around the back side. In such an
embodiment, the back side preferably includes a camera window or
other portals for functionality incorporated into the hack side of
the personal electronics device. Typically the camera window will
be disposed proximal to the top end to avoid contact with the
user's finger.
[0011] To use the case, a user obtains a personal electronics
device and the case disclosed herein. A sliding tab mechanism on a
back side and a bottom end of the case is incorporated into the
case. The user inserts the personal electronic device into the
case, thereby causing it to be held securely therein. The user may
then slide a tab of the tab mechanism toward the bottom end,
causing a hole to be revealed on the tab overhanging the case, and
enabling the user to attach a lanyard to the case by clipping the
lanyard to the hole and wearing the lanyard.
[0012] The case, when worn on the lanyard, preserves the personal
electronics device around the user's neck, preventing the user from
dropping or losing it. In the instance of a phone, when the user
needs to use the phone, the user simply picks it up and places it
against the user's ear, naturally inverting it by normal movement
without the lanyard getting in the way. When a call or other
interaction is concluded, the user may simply (gently) release the
device, thereby allowing it to once again dangle from the
lanyard.
[0013] Sometimes a more conventional case may be desired. In such
an instance, the lanyard may be removed, and the case converted by
sliding the tab toward the top end, thereby bringing the tab
entirely onto the back side, and obscuring the hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a convertible lanyard case
for handheld personal electronics with an anchoring tab
extended;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the convertible lanyard case with the
anchoring tab retracted;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a frame portion of a tab mechanism of the
convertible lanyard case; and
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a tab portion of the tab mechanism of the
convertible lanyard case.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a convertible lanyard case 10 includes
a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a front side 16 and a back side 18.
A tab assembly 20 is located on the back side 18 near the bottom
end 14. The tab assembly 20 includes a tab 22 and a frame 24. The
tab 22 includes a hole 26 for attaching a lanyard (not shown). It
is contemplated that a typical looped lanyard, including a lanyard
having a standard swivel hook clip may be used to engage the hole
26. The frame 24 is a substantially u-shaped member bounding the
tab 22, and confining it to slide only in a linear direction
coaxially with the top end 12 and the bottom end 14.
[0019] Still referring to FIG. 1, the tab 22 includes a stop 28, in
the illustrated embodiment, two opposing stops 28. Each stop 28
includes a biasing mechanism 30 that urges the stop 28 laterally
with respect to the direction of travel of the tab 22. The tab 22
also includes a finger grip 34 for facilitating moving the tab 22
back and forth. The frame 24 includes a notch 32, in the
illustrated embodiment, four notches 32 for accommodating the stops
28 and for holding the tab 22 in an extended position as shown, or
in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated,
extended position, the tab 22 extends beyond the case 10, exposing
the hole 26 for lanyard attachment.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the tab assembly 20 is shown in a
retracted position, with the stops 28 biasing the tab 22 in place.
The stops 28 are sealed in the notches 32 preferably in a manner
allowing them to be dislodged under upward finger pressure on the
finger grip 34. With the tab 22 in a retracted position, the tab 22
is entirely adjacent the back side 18, with the hole 26 fully
occluded by the back side 18. In this position, the case 10
functions as a typical phone case with no lanyard attached.
Preferably, the frame 24 is sized so that when the stops 28 seat in
the notches 32 of the retracted position, the tab 22 adjoins the
entire frame 24, thereby preventing the tab 22 from moving past its
retracted position.
[0021] The frame 24 preferably terminates at a peripheral edge 36
for aesthetic appearance, and more specifically at the peripheral
edge near the bottom end 14 to avoid interfering with the user's
finger movements near controls and other functional features such
as a camera window 38, which may result in the user inadvertently
touching and dirtying the camera window 38.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 24 and the tab 22 are
shown independently. In addition to the notches 32, the frame 14
includes a linear guide 40, in the illustrated embodiment two
parallel linear guides 40, for retaining the tab 22. The tab 22
includes a linear rail 42, in the illustrated embodiment two
parallel linear rails 42, for engaging the guides 40. The rails 42
are preferably located below the stops 28, allowing the stops 28 to
move laterally, in and out of the notches 32 as the rails 42 travel
in the guides.
[0023] The structure of the convertible lanyard case for personal
electronics having been shown and described, its method of
operation will now be discussed.
[0024] To use the convertible lanyard case 10, a user inserts a
personal electronic item, such as a cell phone in the primary
embodiment, into the case 10 through the front side 16. In such a
configuration, the case 10 operates similar to typical phone cases.
To convert the case 10, the user slides the tab 22 on the back side
18 away from the top end 12, causing it to extend over the bottom
end 14, and exposing the hole 26. When the user slides the tab 22,
preferably using the finger grip 34, lateral pressure drives the
stops 28 out of notches 32 on the frame 14.
[0025] When the tab 22 is fully extended and the hole 26 fully
exposed, the stops 28 again arrive at notches 32 and click into
place, anchoring the tab 22 in an extended position. The user may
then clip a lanyard through, the hole 26, and wear the case 10
around the user's neck. Because the tab assembly 20 holds the case
10 upside down, using the phone is easily managed, as picking it up
naturally involves inverting it. The user may talk on the phone,
consult applications, take pictures, etc., as the user normally
would without a lanyard attachment. When the user is finished using
the phone, it can be gently released and once again remain
suspended around the user's neck. Should the user wish to remove
the lanyard, the clip is easily removed from the hole 26, and the
tab 22 slid back toward the top end 12 of the case 10.
[0026] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention is sufficient in detail to enable one skilled in the art
to make and use the invention. It is understood, however, that the
detail of the preferred embodiment presented is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, in as much as equivalents thereof
and other modifications which come within the scope of the
invention as defined by the claims will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reading this specification.
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