Accessory Carrier for Personal Digital Device

Abstract

An accessory carrier to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually any size of a personal electronic device in a soft, flexible case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation of a touch sensitive display on the enclosed device through a transparent protective panel of the carrier.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present U.S. patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/493,409 filed Jun. 3, 2011 and entitled HANGING POUCH FOR SMALL AUDIOVISUAL DEVICE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cases for supporting small appliances during use and more particularly to cases for enclosing personal digital devices and supporting them hands-free during viewing or protecting their screens from foreign substances.

2. Background of the invention and Description of the Prior Art: Carriers or carrying cases for small appliances such as personal electronic devices are typically designed for ease of carrying or ease of operation while enclosed within or supported by the case. Some devices are built into carrying cases (e.g., laptop computers). Some devices are more adapted to separate cases, primarily to protect the device while it is being transported. Other devices such as smart phones or tablet computers having touch sensitive displays also have characteristics peculiar to them—namely, the screens may both display video programs for viewing and provide an interface for entering commands and data or interacting with a game program, directly on the display screen. When viewing a video program, or listening to an audio program on such devices, it is usually not necessary to handle the device except when operating it before or after the content is played back. Thus, a hands-free mode of operation is presented, and the device is susceptible to being propped up on some surface or object so that the viewer can have the use of his or her hands. Such temporary support can often be inconvenient for the user as well as potentially harmful to the device if the temporary support is disturbed or tenuous or precarious.

When it is necessary to interact with the device by touching its screen to enter a command or data or to interact with the screen when playing a game, for example, it is recommended that the user's hands be clean to avoid fingerprint smudges on the screen or deposit of food or other substances on the screen that impair visibility or perhaps even be harmful to the surface of the screen, thereby adversely affecting its readability, responsiveness to touch, reliability, or even longevity. This operating condition can be avoided by using ordinary caution and attention to the need to use work habits that could soil or damage the screen. However, with young children this is more difficult to arrange and manage, especially when a device is left alone with a child and provided to the child to use and/or view as entertainment. With infant children, dribbles and drools, sneezes, or even spit up food place the device at risk of exposure to potentially damaging effects on the device.

When devices having touch-sensitive display screens are used by young children, toddlers, or even infants, these operating situations present certain additional challenges particularly while traveling or awaiting commencement of an appointed service or contact. A problem that often arises is how to support a small electronic device having a touch sensitive screen while traveling or waiting, or when a device is being used in the hands-free or direct interaction situations noted above.

Conventional devices heretofore available address these problems in part but are limited in significant ways. Some function only as carrying cases that do not permit use of the personal digital device while in the case. Others merely provide a means of supporting a device for hands-free viewing with the display screen at a suitable angle on a table.

One currently available product called “Apptivity™ Case” from Fisher-Price®, a division of Mattel, Inc., for use by infants and toddlers supports a limited number smart phone devices in a rigid tray but has a number of disadvantages. Importantly, this product is compatible with only one size of digital device—only a device having the exact dimensions of the tray can be installed in this product. The tray is inserted into the back side of a rigid frame and secured with a quarter-turn knob requiring a coin to turn the knob. The requirement of a coin to complete assembly is problematic for the very young because of the potential choking hazard and requires an adult to install the smart phone in the case. The hard structures of the tray and frame of the case provide no shock-absorbing capability. This product also appears designed to be held—and played with—by a child and lacks features designed for facilitating convenient support on other objects for hands-free viewing.

Other products provide a clear protective cover in a water proof case that requires opening the cover to operate the device. Still others having a fabric case completely enclose the device and require removal of the device to operate it. Another product is a stand that supports the device at a convenient viewing angle on a table top, for example, and includes a tether with a hook for hanging the stand, but provides no protection of the display screen surface from spills, grubby fingers, etc. while touching the screen.

What is needed is a simple, child-friendly and child-safe apparatus that overcomes the above deficiencies, is easy to use, provides support for virtually any size personal digital device, and permits operation of the touch sensitive screen while installed in the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, to solve the foregoing short comings of the prior art the present invention provides a carrier to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually all sizes of a personal electronic device in a soft, flexible and spacious case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation through a transparent protective panel over the screen. The invention is a simple, child-friendly and child-safe apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art, is easy to use, inexpensive, and readily adaptable to a variety of different conditions of use.

In one embodiment an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device is provided, comprising an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge; a front panel of the envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet; a back panel of said envelope formed of first (inner) and second (outer) layers of fabric enclosing there between a third reinforcing layer; and at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

In one aspect the invention includes a closure flap extending from a top edge of the back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of the front panel of the envelope; wherein the closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective the side edges of the envelope.

In another aspect the invention includes a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

In another aspect the invention includes at least one child-safe link for attaching a the button loop to a supporting object.

In another aspect the invention includes the third reinforcing layer is a thin sheet of closed-cell foam having a thickness exceeding 0.1 inch.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device is provided, comprising an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge; a front panel of the envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet; a back panel of the envelope formed of at least one layer of medium weight fabric; and at least one pair of button loops, each loop of the pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite, wherein this alternate embodiment may include any of the various aspects noted in the preceding paragraphs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view along the longitudinal centerline of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention and one example of the use of an associated supporting device;

FIG. 4 illustrates, in several alternate views, A, B, C, D, and E, a group of alternative supporting devices that may be used in association with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first example of use of the invention as supported from headrest posts of an automobile seat;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the use of the invention as supported from an airplane seat;

FIG. 7 illustrates a third example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a grocery cart;

FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a toddler's car seat;

FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a child's stroller;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a baby crib or play pen; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the free-standing use of the invention by a child without using any supporting device as shown in FIGS. 5 through 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A personal digital device for the purpose of the following description includes but is not limited to portable computing and/or communication devices having a display screen that responds to touching its surface to enter commands or data or otherwise interact with it. Examples include tablet computers, and the broad categories of smart telephones and hand-held video games and the like. Such devices typically communicate with networks and other devices by wireless links and interfaces and thus normally require no cords or cables attached to them during operation. The accompanying drawings are intended to be viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description. The various figures depict the invention and identify its features with reference numbers associated with the written description. The same reference numbers appearing in more than one view refer to the same structural element or feature. Further, the embodiment shown and described is provided to illustrate the principles of the present invention and not intended to limit the ways the invention may be implemented. For example, while the devices illustrated are adapted to use primarily by children, the invention is not limited solely to their use. Adaptations of the basic concept may easily be adapted for other similar uses and may be implemented in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow the detailed description. Further, in the description following, both personal digital devices (of several types) and supporting objects—seats or chairs in cars, airplanes, waiting rooms, households; or strollers or car seats for infants or toddlers, or grocery carts, etc.—are items in the environment of the invention, which, though some of these are indicated or shown in partial form in the drawings, are not part of the invention.

When personal digital devices having touch-sensitive display screens are used by young children, toddlers, or even infants, such devices are at risk of damage or impairing their performance by soiling the display surface, etc. A problem that often arises is how to support a small electronic device having a touch sensitive screen while traveling or waiting for an appointment, or when a device is being used in the hands-free or direct interaction situations noted above. In addition to providing convenient means of supporting the device for hands-free viewing, and providing access to the surface of the screen, a device for supporting a personal digital device must accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of personal digital devices, and be child-friendly and child-safe—i.e., easy for children to use and soft to the touch, without hard edges or surfaces. Preferably, the solution should also provide some protection against breakage if dropped, and be easily cleaned.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side view of one embodiment of a carrier for a personal digital device according to the present invention. In its basic form the invention is an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device configured as an envelope made of soft, flexible materials that has a transparent front panel to permit operation of a touch screen through it, and at least one pair of resilient button loops extending from the sides of the envelope. These resilient loops enable hanging or supporting the envelope from supporting objects such as seats or chairs in cars, airplanes, waiting rooms, households, etc. to allow hands-free viewing of images or video programs appearing on the display screen. The carrier is spacious and can be produced in a variety of sizes to accommodate virtually any size of personal digital device that is or becomes available, thus eliminating any compatibility issues. The construction of the carrier from quilting fabric, closed cell foam, and a vinyl front panel, and the resilient button loops that support the carrier, together provide shock-absorbing properties while retaining the ease of inserting or removing the personal digital device and the ability to operate the device while it is inside the carrier. This is a combination of features not known to exist prior to the present invention, which provides an advancement in the state of the art in such accessory devices.

The view in FIG. 1 includes several features, some of them optional, as follows. The carrier 10, which in one embodiment may be called a “Car Seat Cinema™” a name that reflects one of the many uses of the carrier 10, includes an envelope 12 having a front panel 14 and a rear panel 16. The carrier may further be equipped with resilient button loops 18, 19 extending from the side edges 28, 30 of the envelope 12. In some embodiments additional resilient button loops 20, 21 may be included. In still other embodiments resilient button loops 22, 23, and/or 24, 25 may also be included. In a preferred embodiment, button loops 18 and 19 provide for supporting the envelope 12 in a vertical or “portrait” orientation. In another preferred embodiment, the added pair of button loops 20, 21 may be included to provide the option to a user to support the envelope in a “landscape” orientation from one of the side edges of the envelope. Embodiments having double button loops, as for button loops 18, 22 and 19, 23, for example, may be included to provide additional support of the envelope 12 and its contents. Preferred embodiments will have one (18, 19) or two (18, 19 and 20, 21) pairs of resilient button loops. Of course, the choice of numbers of pairs of the button loops to include is optional. It is preferred that the material for the button loops be resilient—i.e, so that they will stretch somewhat when a child pulls on the carrier 10. The resilient property also provides some shock-absorbing capability to minimize jarring forces imparted to the personal digital device when it is attached to strollers, grocery carts, etc.

The material suggested for the button loops 18, 19 and 20, 21 (as well as the loops 22-25 shown in FIG. 1) is an elastic cord approximately 5 mm (millimeters) in width (for flat elastic cord) or diameter (for round elastic cord). Typical elastic cord includes a rubber band material within a fabric sleeve and is readily available in a variety of colors. Braided elastic cord is also suitable. The cord is elastic to provide some shock-absorbing capability and to facilitate securing the carrier to the supporting objects and providing moderate “give” as the button loops are stretched to reach a tie point or to absorb efforts to grab or pull on the carrier, etc. The elastic material also permits some adjustment of viewing angles, etc. Further, having four loops provides some versatility in supporting the carrier in a secure and convenient orientation. For example, the uppermost loops (in either the portrait or landscape orientation) can be used to support the carrier and its contents while the lower most pair can be used for attaching ballast to keep the carrier from shifting about too readily.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the envelope 12 has a bottom edge or side 26 and a top edge or side 32. Attached to the top edge 32 of the rear panel 16 is a short flap 34 having a free edge 36. The flap 34 may be sewn to the top edge 32 of the rear panel 16 (or it can be an extension of the rear panel 16). The ends of the flap 34 aligned with the sides 28 and 30 are preferably sewn along the sides 28 and 30 at the locations 38 and 40 as shown. The front 14 and rear 16 panels may be sewn together along the side 28 and 30, bottom edge 26, and top edge 32 with a strong thread at seams 44. The flap 34 may be sewn to the upper portion of the envelope 12 at the seam 46. The upper edge of the front panel, not visible in FIG. 1, but shown in detail in FIG. 2, is disposed just under the flap 34 between the lower edge 36 of the flap 34 and the seam 46. Also shown in FIG. 1 in dashed lines 42 is the location of a fastening device for securing the flap 34 to the front panel 14. The fastening device 42 to be described may be positioned between the underside of the flap 34 and the upper portion of the front panel 14. A separate fastening device 42 is typically not required on smaller versions of the carrier 10, 62. For example, a size of carrier 10, 62 suitable for a small device such as a smart phone 100 is small enough that the flap 34 will remain closed over the upper edge of the transparent front panel 14 by virtue of the relatively small dimensions of the carrier 10, 62 after the device 100 is inserted into the carrier.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the envelope depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 may be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate various sizes and kinds of personal digital devices having touch-sensitive (or, “touch”) screens. The front panel 14 is formed of a thin, transparent, preferably clear material to permit operation of the touch sensitive display screen of a personal digital device enclosed within the accessory carrier envelope. The back panel 16 of the carrier envelope may be constructed of one or more layers of fabric or similar material One layer of material for the back panel is feasible in some applications, for example, in smaller carriers. However, in most units three layers are preferred as will be described. Further, the shapes of the panels 14, 16 and flap 34 may vary from that shown in FIG. 1 and still provide all of the intended features and functionality of the invention. Moreover, all of the materials used in the construction of the carrier 10, in all of its embodiments must be chosen to be safe for young children to use and handle.

Turning now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a cross section view of the carrier 10 along the longitudinal centerline of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This view is not to scale but is shown with the thickness of the envelope 12 expanded and the overall length contracted to better illustrate the details of construction. FIG. 2 also depicts the flap 34 extended, before it is folded against the front of the envelope 34 to be sewn along the sides of the envelope 38, 40 along the seam 46. The front panel 14 may preferably be a thin 15 Gauge sheet of transparent (or “clear”) double polished vinyl, designated herein as transparent plastic sheet 50. This material is selected because it is optically very clear, is thin enough and flexible enough to permit an undistorted view of the display screen of the device placed within the envelope 12. This gauge also permits operation of the touch screen through the front panel 14 made of the transparent sheet 50. Contact with the display screen is through a “tap” or “finger swipe” gesture on the front panel 14. Thicknesses other than 15 gauge may be used although the 15 Gauge thickness is preferred. Generally, a thickness of 20 Ga. or less may be used. It is suggested that gauges less than 10 are not recommended as being too thin to provide sufficient reliability. To prepare the transparent sheet 50 for assembly with the back panel 16, a bias tape edging 58 may be sewn to the upper edge of the transparent sheet 50 and a fastening device 42B may be affixed to the transparent sheet 50 just below the upper edge of the transparent sheet 50 and the bias tape edging 58.

Continuing with FIG. 2, the envelope 12 includes a back panel 16 formed, in this illustrated embodiment, of three layers. The first (inner) and second (outer) layers 52, 54 may be formed of a fabric material such as cotton quilting material and enclose a third layer 56 of closed cell polyurethane foam approximately 0.125 inch thick. The third (intermediate) layer 56 provides some moderate stiffness to the back panel 16 that makes it easier to insert and remove a personal digital device, and to give the envelope 12 a body or “heft” that is easier to handle. The third (intermediate) layer 56 of closed cell foam also provides some cushioning of the personal digital device 100 enclosed within the carrier 10, 62. In some applications the closed cell foam may be 0.1 to 0.3 inch thick. The outer layers are preferably 100% cotton quilting fabric or equivalent having a suggested weight of 5 to 5½ oz./yd. for a standard 45 inch width. This weight is not critical, however. All of the materials chosen for the carrier 10 are selected for being washable and child-friendly as well as easily handled during manufacture of the envelope 12 of the carrier 10.

In some embodiments the back panel 16 may employ a laminated material that has the same properties as the three-layer composition described in the preceding paragraph, including the body, stiffness, cushioning, washability, etc. It is even possible to use a single layer material of suitable weight, or even light weight leather of medium stiffness and having the combination of characteristics described above. As is well known, fabrics are available in a wide range of weights in ounces (oz.) or grams (gr.) per square yard or square meter. For the application described herein a medium weight fabric having a medium stiffness or “body” or “heft” or “drape” may be used. For example, denim (e.g., 16 oz./sq.yd.) or canvas (ranging up to 12 oz./sq.yd.) are relatively heavy and stiff fabrics, while quilting fabric is lighter and less stiff than either but not as light or stiff as cotton sheeting or shirt cloth fabrics. Thus, quilting fabric is representative of medium weight fabrics having some stiffness. Other examples might include furniture fabrics although they would tend to be closer to heavier weights and stiffness than quilting. The heavier weights are less suitable because of the difficulty of sewing them in seams that are not bulky, etc. For these reasons, the 5 to 5½ oz./sq.yd. is a suitably medium weight fabric for the embodiment having first and second layers and an intermediate third layer of closed cell foam. For a single layer, a heavier weight fabric of 10 oz./sq.yd. to 12 oz./sq.yd., or a light weight leather of medium stiffness may be suitable, although some experimentation may be necessary to suit the particular application. Thus, the embodiment in FIG. 2 may be modified for some applications, for example, accessory carriers for smaller personal digital devices, by deleting the inner layer 52 and the intermediate (stiffener) layer 56. In this modification, the hemmed edge 32 is formed of the edge of the single layer 54.

Careful observers will note that, as illustrated, the transparent sheet 50 and the first 52 and second 54 layers of fabric, after cutting to size may be assembled with the transparent sheet 50 placed between the outward-facing sides of the first 52 and second 54 fabric layers. After aligning the respective edges of the layers, the bottom edge 26 and side edges 28 and 30 of the three layers 52, 54, and 50 (the first, second, and third layers respectively) may be sewn along the seam 44. Then the envelope 12 is turned “inside out” and the foam inner layer 56 inserted within the envelope 12 before the seam 46 is sewn. Also note that before the seam 46 is sewn, the edges of the first 52 and second 54 fabric layers are folded inward and bound to form the hemmed edge 32. The flap 34 (which may include both first 52 and second 54 layers) is folded over, along the upper edge of the foam layer 56 at the location indicated by the arrows 48, and against the front surface of the transparent sheet 50.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are two sides 42A and 42B of a fastening device that may be used on larger versions of the carrier 10. For smaller or simpler versions such as shown in FIG. 3, a separate fastening device is not needed. When the flap 34 is sewn along the sides 38, 40 it will be noted that both sides of the fastening device 42A and 42B will in juxtaposition with each other. The fastening device 42 may be any fastener that has two complementary halves such as a hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener, and the like. As assembled, the envelope 12 includes the flap 34 that is open along its free edge except at the ends thereof along the sides of the carrier 10 at 38 and 40. The flap 34, thus configured, permits a convenient opening to insert or remove a personal digital device 100.

In use, the personal digital device (not shown) is inserted between the front 14 and back 16 panels with its display facing outward through the transparent front panel 14 by lifting the flap 34 above the upper edge of the front panel 14 and inserting the device 100 between the panels 14, 16. The flap 34 is then restored to its initial position and the fastening device 42A, 42B secured if the carrier 10, 62 is so equipped.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention and one example of the use of an associated supporting device. This view is the same as FIG. 1 with several exceptions. First, two pairs of resilient button loops 18, 19 and 20, 21 are shown instead of two. Second, the location of a fastening means (42) is shown as depicted in FIG. 1. This is because in smaller embodiments of the carrier 10, such as for smart phone products, a separate fastening means (42) is not required. Third, child-safe links 64 are shown looped through the button loops 18, 20. Such links 64 may be supplied with the carrier 10 to enable supporting the carrier 10 by hanging it from the headrest posts in an automobile, the frame of a grocery cart, child's stroller or car seat, etc. The child-safe links 64 depicted in FIG. 3 are fabricated of a flexible, resilient material such as a thermoplastic which can resist either twisting or bending forces applied to a thin rod of the material. This property enables the separate, open ends 66 on the one side to be separated, either by forcing the ends 66 laterally with respect to each other or by pulling them apart slightly along their common axis so that the link 64 may be slipped around a shaft, pipe, rod, post, or frame member. When the ends 66 of the open side of the link 64 are released they return to an aligned position. The tension in the links 64 is sufficient to support the relatively light weight of the personal digital device enclosed within the carrier 10. Another required property of the material used for the child-safe links 64 is that they be non-toxic and safe for young children to handle. Alternative child-safe links are illustrated and described for FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in several alternate views and without limitation, a group of some alternative child-safe links. All of them are child-safe links in the broader sense in that they may be used in association with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 in place of the child-safe links 64 illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, it is important that the child-safe links chosen be sufficiently large to preclude a choking hazard for young children. For example, the links 64 shown in FIG. 3 are approximately 2½ to 3 inches long. Moreover, any link chosen must be safe for children to handle and have no sharp edges or parts that may removed easily, or be made of materials that are not safe for children to handle. It is to be understood that, while other objects may be used to support the carrier 10, 62, child-safe objects are preferred. In any case, It is intended that, for very young children, adults perform the task of installing the carrier 10, 62 to a supporting object using the child-safe links illustrated or their equivalent.

In FIG. 4A is shown a variant of the oval shaped child-safe link 64 illustrated in FIG. 3. The circular link 70 of FIG. 4A is otherwise identical with the oval shaped link 64, having the separate ends 72 that may be separated to install the link 70 around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and a button loop 18, 19, 20, or 21 of the carrier 10. FIG. 4B illustrates a device called a circular split ring 74, preferably also made of a thermoplastic material that can resist twisting forces applied to the ends 76 of the ring as they may be separated laterally to install the ring 74 around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and a button loop 18, 19, 20, or 21 of the carrier 10. The device depicted in FIG. 4C is called a carabiner 78. Carabiner 79 is typically made of a metal such as aluminum and has a swinging arm 80, usually held in a closed position against the fixed end 84 by a spring (not shown) within the hinged joint 82. To operate, the swinging arm 80 is pressed inward away from the fixed end 84 so that the carabiner 78 may be slipped around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and a button loop 18, 19, 20, or 21 of the carrier 10.

Continuing with FIG. 4D, the “S” hook 86 may also be used as a child-operable link 64. Constructed of metal or thermoplastic, one end 88 of the “S” 86 may be installed around a button loop 18, 19, 20, or 21 and the other end 90 installed around a shaft, pipe, or frame member of the supporting object. It is especially important that if an S hook 86 is chosen for supporting the carrier 10 it must be sufficiently large to preclude it being swallowed by an infant or young toddler, and have no sharp edges or points, or be made of a material that may be toxic to children. Another example of a child-safe link shown in FIG. 4E is an elastic loop 92 with a hook 94. As illustrated, the hook 94 is attached to one end 96 of the loop 92 with a ferrule 98 or other fastener. The elastic loop 92 may be used several ways by threading the loop through a button loop 18, 19, 20, or 21 of the carrier 10 and around a shaft, pipe, or frame member of the supporting object (not shown) and hooking the hook 94 to the loop 92. Alternatively the loop 92 may be hung around a protruding portion of a supporting object and the hook 94 threaded through a button loop and hooked around the loop 92 adjacent the ferrule 98 to secure the button loop to the supporting object.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first example of use of the invention as supported from headrest posts 102 of an automobile seat 104. To preface this description, note that either of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, or either of the sizes described herein (large for a tablet computer and small for a smart phone or a video game device) may be used in the same way in all depicted examples shown in FIGS. 5 through 11. The carrier 10, 62 is shown supported from the head rest posts 102 of an automobile seat 104 by the split links 64 shown in FIG. 3 although it could as well be supported with other types of links shown in FIG. 4, views A through E. The links 64 are hooked through the resilient button loops 18, 20 to support the device 100 in a landscape mode, although in some situations the links 64 could be hooked to the resilient button loops 18, 19 to orient the device 100 in a portrait mode. Inside the carrier 10, 62 is a personal digital device 100, supported therein for hands-free viewing. If it is necessary to interact with the device 100, one merely grasps the carrier 10, 62 with one hand and touches the front panel sufficient to press the transparent front panel against the display screen of the device 100 above the desired image on the display. The thin gauge transparent vinyl of the front panel enables the pressure of one's finger, whether a touch or a drag, to be transferred to the surface of the display screen to operate the device 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the use of the invention as supported from an airplane seat 108. As in FIG. 5, either of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, or either of the sizes described herein (large for a tablet computer and small for a smart phone or a video game device) may be used in the same way. The carrier 10, 62 is shown supported from the ends of an airplane fold-down tray 106 by an elastic loop 92 such as shown in FIG. 4E. The carrier 10, 62 could also be supported with other types of links shown in FIG. 4, views A through D or other similar ties (not shown), depending on the structure of the support that is available nearby. The elastic loops 92 are hooked through the resilient button loops 18, 20 to support the device 100 in a landscape mode. Inside the carrier 10, 62 is a personal digital device 100, that may be viewed hands-free or operated by touching the transparent front panel as described above for FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate other examples of how the carrier 10, 62 may be supported so that it has the same functionality as described for FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 7 illustrates a third example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame 112 of a grocery cart 110. The carrier 10, 62 is again supported by links 64 attached to the resilient button loops 18, 20 to support the device 100 in a landscape mode.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame 122 of a toddler's car seat 120. In this view, the back side of the carrier 10, 62 is visible, but the carrier 10, 62 is supported by links 64 attached to the resilient button loops 18, 20.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame 132 of a child's stroller 130, using the same links 64 as described in the previous views.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame 142 of a baby crib 140 or equivalent such as a play pen (not shown).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the free-standing use of the invention by a child without using any supporting device as shown in FIGS. 5 through 10. In this view the carrier 10, 62 with a device 100 inside is supported by the child, who is operating the device through the transparent front panel 14 by transferring his touch to interact with the device 100 through the thin and flexible transparent front panel 14 to the screen of the display on the personal digital device 100. The view in FIG. 11 also illustrates the soft, flexible character of the carrier 10, 62—a property made available by the use of fabrics and other thin and routinely soft materials.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, a carrier 10, 62 is provided to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually any size of a personal electronic device 100 in a soft, flexible case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation through a transparent protective panel over the screen. While the devices illustrated are adapted to use primarily by children, and are thus designed to be child-friendly and child-safe in use, the invention is not limited solely to their use. Adaptations of the basic concept may easily be adapted for other similar uses and may be implemented in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Variations in materials, sizes and shapes, supporting links, methods of closure, etc. for the carrier 10, 62 are contemplated to meet specific applications. Devices intended for use by children must employ materials and design features that are safe for children to handle.

For example, the fabric for the back panel 17 may be any fabric-like material such as a light-weight leather or synthetic fabrics that have the properties provided from cotton quilting material. These materials, in combination with the inner layer 56 of closed cell foam, while soft and flexible, provide a balance between some shock-absorbing ability in case the carrier 10, 62 is dropped, for example, and sufficient “body” to enable an easily handled object. While clear, transparent, double polished vinyl sheet of 15 Gauge has been found a suitable material for the front panel 14 other materials having similar properties that may become available in the future may also be suitable. The child-operable links 64 or other suitable substitutes described above may have other alternatives that become available. As noted, the resiliency of the button loops 18, 19, 20, and 21 provides some protection from grabbing by youthful hands or from minor shocks. One alternative if resilient button loops are not available is to use child-safe links that are resilient, the principle being that the combination of the button loops and the child-safe links should be resilient.

Claims

1. An accessory carrier for a personal electronic device, comprising:

an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge;

a front panel of said envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet;

a back panel of said envelope formed of first (inner) and second (outer) layers of fabric enclosing there between a third reinforcing layer; and

at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

2. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a closure flap extending from a top edge of said back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of said front panel of said envelope; wherein

said closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective said side edges of said envelope.

3. The carrier of claim 2, further comprising:

a fastening device disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap and on and aligned with an outer surface of said top edge of said front panel.

4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein:

said third reinforcing layer is a thin sheet of closed-cell foam having a thickness exceeding 0.1 inch.

5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein:

said button loops are formed of elastic material.

6. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

7. The carrier of claim 1, wherein:

said front panel is formed of double polished clear vinyl sheet having a gauge thickness less than 20 gauge.

8. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said first and second layers of fabric each comprise:

a cotton quilting fabric having a weight less than 10 oz./sq.yd.

9. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one child-safe link for attaching a said button loop to a supporting object.

10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein;

said child-safe link is selected from the group consisting of a flexible open chain link, a flexible split ring, a carabiner, an “S” hook, and an elastic hook.

11. An accessory carrier for a personal electronic device, comprising:

an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge;

a front panel of said envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet;

a back panel of said envelope formed of at least one layer of medium weight fabric; and

at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

12. The accessory carrier of claim 11, wherein:

said back panel comprises first and second layers of medium weight fabric.

13. The accessory carrier of claim 12, wherein:

said back panel includes a third layer intermediate said first and second layers of open cell foam having a thickness between 0.1 and 0.3 inch.

14. The accessory carrier of claim 11, further comprising:

a closure flap extending from a top edge of said back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of said front panel of said envelope; wherein

said closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective said side edges of said envelope.

15. The accessory carrier of claim 14, further comprising:

a fastening device disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap and on and aligned with an outer surface of said top edge of said front panel.

16. The accessory carrier of claim 11, wherein:

said button loops are formed of elastic material.

17. The accessory carrier of claim 11, further comprising:

a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

18. The accessory carrier of claim 11, wherein:

said front panel is formed of double polished clear vinyl sheet having a gauge thickness less than 20 gauge.

19. The carrier of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one child-safe link for attaching a said button loop to a supporting object.

20. The carrier of claim 19, wherein;

said child-safe link is selected from the group consisting of a flexible open chain link, a flexible split ring, a carabiner, an “S” hook, and an elastic hook.