Accessory Case for Handheld Electronic Device

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a cover structured and dimensioned to house an electronic handheld device. A clip is attached in relation to the cover. The clip comprises first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween. The second portion is movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge connection. The clip further comprises a stop that limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a supporting surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/937,540, filed Nov. 9, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to handheld electronic devices and more particularly accessories for handheld electronic devices.

People of all ages now use a wide variety of handheld electronic devices. Cellular telephones, including smart phones, portable media players, personal digital assistants, handheld computers, digital cameras and digital camcorders are just some of the handheld electronic devices presently carried and used by many. These devices quite often play media content, both in vertical and horizontal views. The devices are often quite expensive and the risk of damage to them from dropping is significant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for use with an electronic handheld device. The apparatus comprises a cover structured and dimensioned to house the device. A clip is attached in relation to the cover. The clip comprises first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween. The second portion is movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge connection. The clip further comprises a stop that limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a supporting surface.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the opaque phone case (delivered overnight) with stand and leash.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the transparent media player case (in photos) with stand and leash.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded, rear perspective view of the case shown in FIG. 1 with the hinged back panel open and the clip and leash removed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an exemplary hinge assembly for the hinged back panel shown in FIG. 3, assembled in full and partially assembled in broken line.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an exemplary lock for the hinged back panel shown in FIG. 3, locked in full and unlocked in broken line.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a case showing a mounting point for the clip.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view of mounting point shown in FIG. 6 with a clip mounted thereto.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of mounting point and clip taken along the lines 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the clip shown in full in a horizontal position and in broken line in a vertical position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the clip opened to form a stand, with a stop at the top of the clip limiting the opening travel of the clip.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view in side elevation view of the clip closed and locked in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the leash attachment to the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an apparatus, generally indicated at 10, for use with a device, such as a telephone, such as a cellular telephone, including, for example, a smart phone, such as the iPhone® manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. A similar apparatus, generally indicated at 10′, may be used with a device, such as a portable media player, including, for example, an MP3 player, such as the iPod® manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., shown in FIG. 2. A similar apparatus may be used with a device, such as a personal digital assistant, handheld computers, digital cameras, digital camcorders, or like device.

The apparatus 10 may include a cover 12, a clip 14, and a tether or leash 16, or the like, which may be removably or releasably attached in relation to the cover 12. The cover 12 may be provided for housing or covering at least a portion of the device to provide protection for the device. The leash 16 may be provided for attachment to a person so that the person can wear the device and have it readily available.

The cover 12 may be substantially transparent or clear, translucent or opaque, and may be colored or colorless. For example, the cover 12 may be clear and colorless so that a colored device, such as an iPod Nano Chromatic manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., can be seen through the cover 12.

It should be appreciated that the cover 12 and the clip 14 may be of like appearance (e.g., substantially transparent or clear, translucent or opaque, and colored or colorless) so as to blend in or be substantially indiscriminate.

The cover 12 may be in the form of a hard shell case formed from polycarbonate plastic or other suitable material. A similar cover (not shown) may be in the form of a skin formed from high-grade silicon rubber. Regardless of its form, the cover 12 may be light, durable, and aesthetically appealing, and may provide an assuring, soft gel, anti-slip feel, which may facilitate handling. The cover 12 may have a slim protective design that does not add any significant weight or volume to the device.

A hard shell case cover 12 may have a displaceable portion, such as a slideable or hinged back panel 18, which, when displaced, provides an opening, generally indicated at 20 in FIG. 3, or other suitable access to the interior of the cover 12 for insertion of the device therein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover 12 may have a back panel portion 18 that may be hinged in relation to a lower back portion of the cover 12. This may be accomplished with a living hinge (not shown), integrally formed, for example, by a weakened area of the cover. Alternatively, the back panel portion 18 may be hinged in relation to a lower back portion of the cover 12 by a mechanical hinge 22, wherein the back panel portion 18 and the lower back portion of the cover 12 form separate cooperating parts. The illustrated hinge 22 may have a portion 24 that extends from the back panel portion 18, and which cooperates with a recessed area or a relief, generally indicated at 26, in the lower bottom portion. For example, opposing ends of the extending portion 24 may be provided with protrusions or nodules 28 that cooperate with recesses or dimples 30 in the recessed area or relief 26, so as to form pivot points of the hinge 22.

The hinge 22 may have a cam surface 32 that aids in assembly of the back panel portion 18 in relation to the lower pack portion, as illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, a first one of the nodules 28 may be inserted into a first one of the dimples 30, and while pivoting the back panel portion 18 and the first nodule 28 in relation to the first dimple 30, a second one of the nodules 28′ may engage the cam surface 32 and be guided, in the direction of arrow A when viewing FIG. 4, into a second one of the dimples 28′ to form the hinge 22.

The back panel portion 18 may be held in a closed position in relation to an upper portion of the cover 12, for example, by a latch or lock, generally indicated at 34. For example, either one of the cover 12 or the back panel portion 18 may be provided with a cantilevered portion 36 that supports a button 38, and the other one of the cover 12 or the back panel portion 18 may be provided with a recess or opening 40 for receiving the button 38. Upon closing the back panel portion 18, for example, in the direction of Arrow B shown in FIG. 5, the button 38 may cam on against a surface structure adjacent the recess or opening 40, deflecting the cantilevered portion 36. When the button 38 reaches the recess or opening 40, the cantilevered portion 36 may bias the button 38 into engagement with the recess or opening 40. In this position, the button 38 may be substantially flush and unobservable with the surface structure about the opening 40, as shown.

A skin may have an opening and may be sufficiently resilient or pliable to allow the skin to be stretched to allow the device to be inserted into the skin through the opening.

The cover 12 may be formed, or may define an interior that may be formed substantially in the shape of the device, and be sized to fit substantially snuggly or tightly about the device. This may permit the device to be held substantially firmly within the cover 12, so that the device does not encounter substantial movement with the cover 12, which may cause chaffing or rattling of the device therein.

The cover 12 may have holes, slots, slits, reliefs, perforations, or other suitable openings or recesses to facilitate unhindered use of one or more functions of the device, such as, for example, the functions of screens or pads, which may include, for example, touch screens or touch pads, or the functions of speakers or headset jack, microphones, connectors or connections, camera, IR beaming, or other functions of the device.

The cover 12 may be ergonomically sized and/or shaped, for example, with curved or rounded edges and/or corners, to fit comfortably in a person's hand.

The front of the cover 12 may have a built-in, touch-through screen 42, which may be provided for protecting a touch screen or a touch pad of the device while facilitating use of the touch screen or the touch pad. The screen 42 may be substantially clear or transparent, and may be colored or colorless, and/or function to provide antiglare or ultraviolet (UV) for the screen or pad of the device. The cover screen 42 may be formed from polycarbonate plastic or other suitable material.

The back of the cover 12, opposite the front of the cover 12, may be provided with raised or protruding surfaces, nodules, feet or the like, which may include resting points 44 for making minimal contact with a supporting surface, such as a desktop or table top, or mounting points, such as a mounting point 46 for the clip 14 or other suitable mountable features.

A mounting point 46 for the clip 14 may take on any suitable form. For example, the mounting point 46 may include a transverse recess or relief 48 and/or one or more recesses or openings 50, such as those axially spaced in FIG. 6. The recesses or openings 50 may be substantially T-shaped, so as to include a first portion 52 and a second portion 54, which is reduced in dimension in relation to the first portion 52.

The back of the clip 14 may support features that cooperate with the transverse recess or relief 48 and/or T-shaped recesses or openings 50. For example, the back of the clip 14 may include a transverse protrusion 58 that may engage, or otherwise cooperate with the transverse recess or relief 48 and/or one or more protrusions 58 that may engage, or otherwise cooperate with the T-shaped recesses or openings 50, as shown in FIG. 7. The protrusions 58 may have an enlarged dimension portion 60 that may engage the first portion 52 of the T-shaped recesses or openings 50 and a reduced dimensioned, or necked down portion 62 that may slideably engage the second reduced dimension portion 54 of the T-shaped recesses or openings 50, as shown in FIG. 8. Upon sliding the necked down portion 62 into engagement with the second reduced dimension portion 54 of the T-shaped recesses or openings 50, the transverse protrusion 58 may engage the transverse recess or relief 48, thus forming a snap fit. The enlarged dimension portion 60 may be held captive by the reduced dimension portion 54. In this way, the clip 14 may be releasably held or attached in relation to the cover 12.

The clip 14 may function as a belt clip and a stand, and may swivel to allow the clip 14 to be selectively oriented longitudinally (i.e., lengthwise) and laterally (i.e., widthwise) in relation to the cover 12, as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, the device may be selectively supported upright in a first position (e.g., vertically) and a second position (e.g., horizontally) traverse to the first position in relation to a supporting surface, such as a desktop or table top, allow content to be viewed vertically and horizontally on the display screen.

The clip 14 may swivel in any suitable manner, such as by the provision of cooperating surfaces, such as discretely interlocking surfaces, which may allow the clip 14 to swivel to a desired position and then maintain its place. For example, a predetermined amount of force may be required to displace (i.e., swivel) the clip 14. This may be accomplished is any suitable manner. For example, the clip 14 may be provided with a first part 64 that may be mounted to the cover 12 and a second part 66 that may swivel in relation to the first part 64. The first and second parts 64, 66 may include annular surfaces (not shown) having mating serrations, teeth, undulations, or the like that may cam in relation to one another, so as to form a clicking-type swivel connection therebetween.

The clip 14 may form a stand in any suitable manner, such as by the provision of a hinged connection, generally indicated at 68 in FIG. 10, on the second part 66 of the clip 14, thus forming two second part portions 70, 72. The hinge connection may be a living hinge or a mechanical hinge. The clip 14 may have a stop 74, such as a protruding member, which when engaged, limits the hinged travel of one of second part portions 72, for example, by cooperating with the other one of the second part portions 70 of the clip 14. The stand may be applied by opening the clip 14, that is, by moving one of the second part portions 72 in relation to the other portion 70. The clip 14 may be held in the open position by the weight of the cover 12 and/or device against the two second part portions 70, 72 and the stop 74. In this way, the clip 14 functions as a stand upon which the cover 12 leans for supporting the cover 12 and device in an upright position on a supporting surface.

The clip 14 may further be provided with a lock, generally indicated at 76 in FIG. 11, for holding the two second part portions 70, 72 in a closed relation to one another. The lock 76 may take on any suitable form. For example, a first one of the two second part portions 70, 72, particularly a free end thereof, may have a partial fold or a lateral groove 78, and a central opening 80 in the groove 78. A second one of the two second part portions 70, 72, may have a central hook 82 extending therefrom, and raised parts 84 extending therefrom, next to opposing sides of the central hook 82.

Upon closing the two second part portions 70, 72 in relation to one another, the hook 82 may enter the opening 80 and the raised parts 84 may engage the groove 78 to hold the hook 82 in snap-fit relation to surface structure defining the opening 80. Upon application of a predetermined amount of force, the hook 82 may be released from the opening 80 and the clip 14 may be opened.

The leash 16 may be attached to the cover 12 or the clip 14 in any suitable manner. For example, the cover 12 and/or clip 14 may be provided with a hole, slot, slit or other suitable opening, for attachment of a string 86, which may form a part of the leash 16. The illustrated clip 14 has such an opening 88. The string 86 may be in the form a loop that may be passed at least partially through the opening 88 and the leash 16 may be feed through the loop, as shown in FIG. 12. Pulling the leash 16 tightly may tighten the string 86 about a portion of the clip 14 defining at least a portion of the opening 88. Other forms of attachment may be suitable for attaching the leash 16, including for example, a hook with a closure (not shown), which may be biased in a closed direction upon engaging the hook with the opening 88.

The leash 16 may include a wrist strap, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/937,540, filed Nov. 9, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, for attachment to a person's wrist, and/or a neck lanyard for attachment around a person's neck, so that a person can wear the device and have it readily available. The wrist strap and the neck lanyard may form two separate leashes or the leash 16 may be adjustable, for example, by a sliding feature, to form the wrist strap and the neck lanyard.

The leash 16 may be formed at least in part of a material that glows in the dark. For example, the leash may include a light absorbent and discharging material, which upon exposure to light, may glow in the dark. This may be accomplished with the use of phosphors or other materials that radiate visible light after being energized. The leash may be formed from polyester fabric, or other suitable materials, and materials, such as phosphors, that radiate light, and may do so in various colors.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an electronic handheld device, comprising:

a cover structured and dimensioned to house the device, and

a clip attached in relation to the cover, the clip comprising first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween, the second portion being movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge connection, the clip further comprising a stop that limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a supporting surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises a releasable lock formed between the first and second portions of the clip for holding the first and second portions in a closed relation to one another to form a belt clip, the lock being structured and configured to be releasable to allow the second portion to move in an open relation to the first portion at the hinge connection to form the stand.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second portions of the clip has an opening and the other one of the first and second portions has a hook that engages the opening to hold the first and second portions in a closed relation to one another.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lock is further structured and configured to require a predetermined amount of force to release the hook from the opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover and the clip are structured to cooperate with one another so that the clip is releasably attached in relation to the cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of the cover and clip has at least one opening and the other one of the cover and clip has at least one protrusion that cooperates with the opening to hold the clip in relation to the cover.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one of the cover and the clip has positive structure and the other one of the cover and the clip has negative structure that cooperates with the positive structure to form a snap fit when the protrusion cooperates with the opening to hold the clip in relation to the cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the clip is structured to swivel in relation to the cover so that the stand may be selectively oriented longitudinally and laterally in relation to the cover, thus permitting the cover to be selectively supported upright in a first position and a second position transverse to the first position in relation to the supporting surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprises discretely interlocking surfaces that allow the clip to swivel to a desired position, including the first and second positions, and then maintain the desired position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the discretely interlocking surfaces are configured to require a predetermined amount of force to swivel the clip.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the discretely interlocking surfaces comprise annular surfaces having mating serrations or undulations that cam in relation to one another so as to form a clicking-type swivel connection therebetween.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a leash that is releasably attached to one of the cover and the clip.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of the cover and the clip has an opening and the leash has string that forms a loop that may be passed at least partially through the opening so that the leash may be feed through the loop and pulled to tighten the string about a portion of the cover or clip defining at least a portion of the opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of the cover and the clip has an opening and the leash has a hook with a closure, which may be biased in a closed direction upon engaging the hook with the opening.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash includes a wrist strap for attachment to a person's wrist.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash includes a neck lanyard for attachment around a person's neck.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the leash is formed at least in part from a material that glows in the dark.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is a hard shell cover.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a built-in, touch-through screen, which protects a touch screen of the device while facilitating use of the touch screen.