Portable carrying case for mobile cellular phone kit

Abstract

A robust Transportable Voice and Data Communication Kit accommodating mobile Cellular and Satellite Telephone devices in conjunction enclosed in a protective container that is not significantly larger that the contents it encloses. The carry handle and light weight, compact features enable solo portability. The carry case container is composed of in combination, textile, vinyl, rubber, leather type materials, or polyurethane with positive buoyancy, water, dust, shock and vibration resistant properties. Means to monitor either outside the closed case or inside when the case is open, moisture levels, internal back up battery, external power or Solar Power levels and internal or external antenna transmission and reception levels. Antenna positioning is equally efficient via positioning inside or outside the unit. This kit easily adapts to technology evolution for example with fixed cables to connect fax machines and computers to Bluetooth and wireless devices connecting voice, data modems and remote monitoring communication devices.

Description

Cellular phones are often used in motor vehicles for facilitating communication. In recent years to facilitate a substantially greater range of communication, the use of satellites has been incorporated into many systems. A complete such system will include not only a cell phone but also an antenna for satellite communications, a speaker, a microphone, cables for interconnecting the components of the system, and other components as may be desired. To retain all of these components and to enable carrying the equipment from one vehicle to another or to a fixed location, carrying cases are employed such as the commercially available Kelley Portable Satellite Phone Kit, the Outback Satellite Phone Kit, the TAC PAK Satellite Phone Kit, and the Nav Com Portable Satellite Phone Kit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,947 in connection with FIGS. 5 and 11 describes such a carrying case.

Most of such prior art carrying cases tend to be of excessive weight and bulk. They further lack protection against moisture and dust and do not mount the equipment in a manner which provides adequate protection against impact. Exhibit “A” hereto describes these shortcomings in greater detail.

The device of the present invention overcomes these shortcomings. These improvements are described in Exhibit “B” hereto.

The Drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the casing of a first embodiment of the invention without the mounting components therein;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the panel frame mount of the first embodiment with mounting components attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the panel frame mount of the first embodiment showing components attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment without the operative components installed therein;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment with the operative components mounted therein;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment showing the operative components removed from the case;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention with the operative components mounted therein;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the second embodiment showing the operative components removed from the case;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the second embodiment with the operative components removed therefrom;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment with the panel frame disconnected from the case; and

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment with the panel frame disconnected from the container without an internal cellular antenna; and

FIG. 12 is top perspective view of the frame and flexible bracket of the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

A descriptive outline of the invention is contained in Exhibit “C” hereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The container or case 1 has a foam insert pad 2 fabricated of a high density convoluted foam which provides both vibration and impact protection to the operative components in the case. The container is made of a highly durable material and is made watertight, dust proof, chemical resistant, and corrosion proof. Metal inserts in the recess holes formed in padlocks 1c reinforce the padlock against wear and tear. Recessed within the foam pad is a hydrosorbent unit 3 which protects against moisture. The silica gel crystals in this unit turn from blue to pink when recharging of this unit is required. A neoprene “O” ring seal is provided to assure sealing of the container.

A molded panel frame 4 of copolymer is mounted around the inner rim of the container by means of molded lugs protruding from the inner walls of the container. A flexible bracket 17 for supporting operative components within the container is mounted on frame 4. The bracket may be fabricated of aluminum, stainless steel, or other material which is of light gauge and has flexibility. Plate 22 which may also be fabricated of aluminum is mounted on frame 4, this plate providing additional mounting space for the operative components in the container. A cover 19 for protecting the components from dust when the container is opened is mounted in the container above the components.

The various components mounted in the container are shown in FIG. 6. These include a cell/satellite phone 21, a satellite antenna 14, a power connector, a power connector and line 13 for connecting to the power source, which could be the battery of a vehicle, and a privacy handset 10. FIG. 5 shows these components mounted within the container. An indicator light which may be an LED indicates when power is being supplied to the components. A speaker is mounted on plate 22. Cradle 6 supports the cell/satellite phone 21. The cradle is supported on flexible support bracket 17. The privacy handset is mounted in hang-up cup 9. A satellite signal amplifier is mounted below the privacy handset, this amplifier amplifying signals at the satellite signal frequency.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This second embodiment has the same basic features except that the flexible support bracket 17, the cradle 6 and the phone 21 have different (configurations. Also, the mounted operative components are different. Elements corresponding in this embodiment to those of the first embodiment have been given the same numerals. As can best be seen in FIGS. 10 and 12, the support bracket 17 in this embodiment is in the form of a flexible plate of aluminum or other similar material which is attached to the frame 4 at only one end. The equipment support cradle 6 is attached to this support bracket. The operative components mounted in the container have the same general configuration as those of the first embodiment except for the satellite antenna and phone 21.

Claims

1. A portable phone carrying case, said case comprising, in combination, compact size and weight, moisture reduction means, phone power level monitoring and display means, impact protection means, vibration protection means, dust protection means, internal portable phone antenna means, means to attach enclosed portable phone to external power and signal with case closed, and positive buoyancy means.

2. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1 suitable for carrying cellular phone units.

3. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1 suitable for carrying satellite phone units.

4. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1 comprising size and dimensions that are not significantly larger than the dimensions of the portable phone and accessories enclosed in the case.

5. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1 containing moisture reduction means comprising in combination, an indicator displaying the level of moisture in the case a means to place the moisture reduction means in the inner lining of the case.

6. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising, in combination; means to monitor and indicate the level of power available to the portable phone being carried in the case and means to view the power level from the outside of the case.

7. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising, vibration protection means.

8. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising, impact resistance means.

9. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising, in combination; dust protection means, and means to obtain an airtight seal between the inside and the outside of the case.

10. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising an internal antenna means.

11. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 9, comprising an internal antenna means that can be activated and used from within the carrying case.

12. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising in combination external power means, and external transmission and reception means.

13. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 11, comprising in combination external power means, and external transmission and reception means while the case is closed.

14. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 1, comprising positive buoyancy and flotation means.

15. A portable phone carrying case as in claim 13, comprising positive buoyancy and flotation means that ensures the case floats above the water line.