Personal Device Case
A personal device case for the secure containment and ergonomic manipulation of an electronic device is provided. The device case includes a vertically oriented, uninterrupted slot traversing from a bottom of the case, along an anterior side, and through to a top opening of the case. When closed, a top flap extends downward and substantially covers the slot at the anterior side. The slot forms two panels in the anterior side, which may each include stiffening members to support the electronic device. The device case may be secured to a part of a user and facilitates the insertion and removal of an electronic device without comprising a grip or damaging a display screen. The device case may assist users with disabilities and/or poor coordination.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/640,819, titled PERSONAL DEVICE CASE, filed May 1, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYThe reduction of electronic packaging sizes and improvements in semiconductor manufacturing have led to small but extremely powerful electronic devices. Such devices, however, are often expensive and fragile, driving a demand for protective cases. In order to sufficiently protect the electronic device, protective cases must cover a significant portion of the device and provide a snug compartment in which the device may be secured. However, such cases often make inserting and removing a device awkward and difficult, requiring a user to modify their grasp on the electronic device which may cause the user to mishandle, drop, or even damage the device. Many protective cases also require the use of two hands, as one is needed to handle the electronic device and the other to open the case for insertion or removal.
A protective device case for facilitating the secure, ergonomic, and easy insertion and removal of a handheld electronic device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the protective case comprises a vertically oriented, uninterrupted slot traversing from a bottom of the case, along an anterior side, and through to a top opening of the carrying case. The protective case may further comprise a top flap that, when closed, extends downward and substantially covers the slot at the anterior side. The slot in turn forms two panels in the anterior side of the protective case, the panels including embedded stiffening members configured to provide structural support to the case, and to support the electronic device. A flap panel may be further included and configured to releasably secure the electronic device in the protective case. In some embodiments, the protective case also includes a posterior panel with an interior side attachable to a part of a user.
The protective case allows a user to install and remove an electronic device without modifying, compromising, or releasing their grasp on the electronic device, significantly reducing the chances of mishandling the device, which might otherwise lead to damaging the device and/or smudging/scratching its screen. The protective case also assists users with arthritis, disabilities, and/or poor coordination in handling and securing electronic devices in the protective case.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
A personal device case for securely holding an electronic device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protective case comprises a vertically oriented, uninterrupted slot traversing from a bottom of the case, along an anterior side, and through to a top opening of the case. The top opening is sized to accept a handheld device into the protective case. A top flap is further included that, when closed, extends downward and substantially covers the slot at the anterior side. The slot forms two panels in the anterior side, the panels each having stiffening members supporting the electronic device. The protective case may be secured to a part of a user (e.g., the hip). The protective case allows a user to insert and remove an electronic device without modifying, compromising, or releasing their grasp on the electronic device, significantly reducing the chances of damaging the device and smudging and/or scratching its screen. The protective case also assists users with arthritis, disabilities, and/or poor coordination in handling and securing electronic devices in the protective case.
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A variety of materials may be used in the formation of PDC 100, including leather, rubber, plastic, metals, metallic alloys, etc., where a combination of such materials may be used alternately in particular regions of the PDC. For example, an interior surface 108 of PDC 100 may comprise a first material while an exterior surface 110 of the PDC may comprise a second material. Interior surface 108 may be a surface which contacts the surface of a device inserted into PDC 100 and may be substantially imperceptible (e.g., less than 10% of visible surface area) when such a device occupies the PDC. As such, interior surface 108 may comprise a soft, non-abrasive material configured to prevent the formation of scratches and other damage to an inserted device and, for some devices, their display screens. Interior surface 108, for example, may be bounded by a seam 112 and span the interior region of PDC 100 inside seam 112, while exterior surface 110 may span the region outside seam 112, corresponding in part to a posterior side 113 of the PDC shown in
Regardless of the materials used, PDC 100 is rigid enough to maintain its shape and support devices inserted therein, yet is flexible enough to be manipulated and withstand the physical forces and stress of frequent use. As described in further detail below, the supportive structure and stiffness of PDC 100 may be enhanced by the inclusion of an insert.
Individual portions of the PDC 100 may be attached to one another by a variety of methods (e.g., sewing, gluing, etc.). For example, PDC 100 may comprise two layers which may be bonded together via sewing or gluing, where the two layers may correspond to interior and exterior surfaces 108 and 110. Embodiments in which portions of PDC 100 are attached to one another via sewing, for example, may reduce or eliminate adverse environmental effects due to the omission of certain types of adhesives. Conversely, embodiments in which portions of PDC 100 are attached to one another via adhesion, for example, may reduce manufacturing cost and complexity. Hybrid approaches are further possible in which portions of PDC 100 are attached to one another via a first method, while other portions are attached to one another via a second method. For example, interior surface 108 may be bonded to exterior surface 110 via application of an adhesive between the surfaces, while side panels described below may be joined to the body of PDC 100 via sewing. Alternatively, PDC 100 may be integrally formed as one unit. The integrally formed PDC may include a structurally supportive insert and other elements configured to enhance the structure and functionality of the PDC, described in further detail below.
As shown in
Slot 114 includes an expanded opening region 128 at bottom side 122 of PDC 100, which is configured to aid a user in inserting and removing an electronic device from the protective case by providing an open region in which a user's digits may be inserted and abutted against a bottom surface of a device. Once the user's digits are abutted against the bottom device surface, the device may be removed, allowing the device to be gripped and removed in substantially one motion. Conversely, the device may be easily and securely inserted in PDC 100, as expanded opening region 128 allows a user's digits to move vertically downward along vertical direction 120 past bottom side 122, allowing the user to be confident in device placement via tactile input alone.
In the embodiment shown in
As described above, slot 114 at least partially separates and forms first anterior panel 116 and second anterior panel 118. Outer edges of slot 114, which extend vertically along vertical direction 120 from bottom side 122 to top side 124, are in turn defined by inner edges of anterior panels 116 and 118 proximate the slot. The anterior panels may be substantially rectangular with filleted corners, as shown in
Depending on the material chosen in the formation of the protective case, the case may exhibit a high degree of plasticity which may benefit from support provided by the stiffening members (e.g., stiffening member 132). The stiffening members themselves may be formed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to metal, metallic alloys, and plastic. Plastic, for instance, may help reduce the weight of the protective case, while metal may enhance the support provided to the housed electronic device and help maintain the overall structure of the protective case. In some embodiments, the stiffening members (e.g., member 132) and portions of anterior panels 116 and 118 (e.g., exterior surfaces and interior linings) may comprise one or more substantially transparent materials, allowing a device to be perceived even when inserted in PDC 100. If, as described above, PDC 100 is integrally formed as a single unit, the device case may be formed around previously-formed stiffening members. Alternatively, stiffening members may be inserted following formation of PDC 100, for example by creating openings between exterior surface 110 and inner linings (e.g., interior surface 108) and inserting the stiffening members therein. While
In the depicted example, bottom edges of anterior panels 116 and 118 are attached to bottom panel 130, and may be done so by a variety of suitable methods described above. More particularly, anterior panels 116 and 118 are attached to bottom panel 130 substantially along their lengths (e.g., as measured along the direction of length 102 of PDC 100), though attachment may be carried out along a reduced portion of the lengths of the anterior panels. The depicted attachment between the anterior and bottom panels yields a junction 134 that is curved. In an embodiment in which PDC 100 is integrally formed, for example, bottom panel 130 may join anterior panels 116 and 118 in a gradual curve, transitioning from alignment along an axis substantially perpendicular to vertical direction 120 to alignment along an axis substantially parallel to the vertical direction. Moreover, anterior panels 116 and 118 may be attached to bottom panel 130 along their exterior surfaces, interior surfaces, or anywhere therebetween. In this way, width 106 of PDC 100 may be adjusted and selected based on the physical characteristics of devices to be held in the protective case. In other embodiments, however, the panels may meet at junctions that are substantially perpendicular (e.g., 90°+/−5°, creating a perceptible region of attachment.
As shown, bottom panel 130 extends along the entire length 102 of PDC 100, and has a width 106 greater than a width of the class of devices intended to be received. Thus, a snug but non-restrictive fit may be obtained when inserting a device into PDC 100. Bottom panel 130 provides support to a housed electronic device in addition to defining bottom side 122 of PDC 100, from which slot 114 extends vertically upward along vertical direction 120. Bottom panel may extend in a substantially straight direction, which may be perpendicular to directions in which anterior panels 116 and 118 extend (e.g., vertical direction 120). Variations are possible, however, in which bottom panel 130 forms angles other than 90° with the anterior panels. Further, bottom panel 130 may be outwardly curved in a convex manner, being extruded in a direction opposite vertical direction 120. As described above, in some embodiments expanded opening region 128 may extend to and terminate at posterior side 113, dividing bottom panel 130 into two separate bottom panels each corresponding respectively to anterior panels 116 and 118. Thus, two or more bottom panels may be provided depending on the placement and geometry of one or more expanded opening regions.
PDC 100 further includes a first side panel 136 and a second side panel 138. The anterior sides of side panels 136 and 138 are respectively connected to anterior panels 116 and 118. The posterior sides of side panels 136 and 138 are each connected to a posterior panel 140. Side panels 136 and 138 provide support to the top and bottom of an inserted electronic device, and, due to the plasticity of their constituent materials, allow the protective case to be flexible. The distance between anterior panels 116 and 118, and the posterior panel 140, occupied by side panels 136 and 138, is greater than the thickness of the class of devices intended to be housed by PDC 100, ensuring a snug but non-restrictive fit, and may correspond to width 106. In the depicted embodiment, two gaps are interposed between the side panels and bottom panel 130, one between first side panel 136 and bottom panel 130, and a second between second side panel 138 and bottom panel 130. Alternative embodiments are possible, however, in which no gaps are provided and side panels 136 and 138 extend toward and are flush with bottom panel 130. Such dimensions may adjusted to balance flexibility of the PDC and protection afforded to inserted devices.
As shown, side panels 136 and 138 are each integrally formed as a single, contiguous panel, though other approaches are possible in which the side panels comprise two or more subpanels which are joined together (e.g., via sewing). Side panels 136 and 138 may include stiffening members similar to stiffening member 46 described above. As shown, the middle of side panels 136 and 138 are substantially aligned (e.g., +/−5 mm) with the middle of respective anterior panels 116 and 118, though the side panels may be equally or unequally aligned to any suitable portion of the anterior panels, which in turn may adjust the size of gaps between the side panels and bottom panel 130. It will be appreciated that in the views illustrated in
Side panels 136 and 138 connect to posterior panel 140, which provides a supportive structure to the anterior or posterior surface of a device, depending on its orientation when inserted in PDC 100. Side panels 136 and 138 may be attached to bottom panel 130 at their respective bottom edges, though attachment may be carried out at other locations—e.g., bottom panel 130 may be attached to side panels 136 and 138 at an upward distance along vertical direction 120 such that a portion of the side panels overhangs the bottom panel.
Posterior panel 140 includes a flexure 142 about which the panel may bend inwardly (e.g., toward the exterior surfaces of anterior panels 116 and 118) and outwardly (e.g., away from anterior panels 116 and 118 toward vertical direction 120), which causes PDC 100 to be in the closed and open states referred to above. As measured from bottom side 122 to flexure 142 along vertical direction 120, for example when PDC 100 is in the closed configuration and holding a device, posterior panel 140 may have a height approximately 33% of height 104—e.g., 3 inches, or any other suitable height larger than that of the types of devices to be inserted in the PDC. Height 104 may correspond to the height of the PDC when in the open position, as measured from bottom side 122 to the uppermost point along vertical direction 120 of a flap panel described in further detail below. When folded about flexure 142 to put PDC 100 in the closed configuration, posterior panel 140 may form a flat or partially outwardly curved, convex ridge.
Turning briefly to
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In this embodiment, flap panel 150 includes a connection device having a first portion, arranged on the exterior surface 110 of PDC 100 (e.g., on the exterior surfaces of first and second anterior panels 116 and 118) or embedded within the first and second anterior panels, and a second portion disposed on the interior or exterior surface (e.g., surfaces 108 and 110) of or embedded within flap panel 150. The connection device may comprise a variety of elements allowing the first and second portions to be realeasably engageable with one another, including but not limited to Velcro, snaps, and magnets. FIG. lA shows an embodiment in which flap magnets 152 and 154 provide a releasable connection mechanism. In this example, two additional anterior magnets 156 and 158 are embedded within anterior panels 116 and 118, and are configured to releasably engage flap magnets 152 and 154 as posterior panel 140 and flap panel 150 is folded over toward anterior panels 116 and 118. If, for example, the connection device instead comprises Velcro, strip sections are provided where magnets 152 and 154 are shown, and on the exterior surfaces of one or both anterior panels. Further, if snaps are chosen, a male pair may be similarly included at the positions of magnets 152 and 154, and a female pair included on the exterior surface of or embedded within anterior panels 116 and 118. It will be appreciated that the attachment devices shown (magnets 152, 154, 156, and 158) are shown for the sake of illustration. In some embodiments in which the attachment devices are embedded within flap panel 150 and anterior panels 116 and 118, the attachment devices may be imperceptible by a user as PDC 100 is used, due for example to their small size or a thickness of the panels which sufficiently and inconspicuously obscures the attachment devices. Such obscuration may enhance the appearance of the protective device case.
Flap panel 150 further includes an arch 160. Arch 160 is a raised, convex protrusion extending outwardly from the exterior surface of flap panel 150 and PDC 100 (e.g., from exterior surface 110) that reduces the difficulty of opening the protective case and assists a user in aligning their fingers and an electronic device with slot 114 during insertion and removal of the device by providing tactile feedback. In some embodiments, arch 160 is curved and protrudes substantially in two directions; as seen in
By providing tactile feedback, users may easily and securely manipulate PDC 100 via arch 160 without altering their gaze. In particular, arch 160 may serve as a tactile guide to a user's digits; as a user's digit moves downward opposite vertical direction 120 and along closed flap panel 150 (when PDC 100 is in a closed state), the user will receive tactile feedback indicating that the digit is placed on arch 160 and that the bottom portion of slot 114, and expanded opening region 128, is nearby and downward. As the digit is moved an additional downward distance, the user will feel a side of the inserted device, which may then be gripped and pulled upward along vertical direction 120 such that flap panel 150 and PDC 100 are opened and the device is released for subsequent manipulation. Arch 160 may similarly guide a user in inserting a device into PDC 100 via tactile feedback.
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Extending opposite direction 162, bottom sections 170 join anterior flanks or sections 172, which at least partially span portions of anterior panels 116 and 118 and extend upwardly along vertical direction 120. Anterior sections 172 may be centrally aligned to anterior panels 116 and 118, parallel with lengthwise section 168, and may be symmetric in some embodiments and asymmetric in others. Thus the supportive structure and stiffness of anterior panels 116 and 118 may be enhanced by anterior sections 172, in turn increasing protection afforded to inserted devices as a plurality of potentially damaging forces may strike PDC 100 along the surfaces of the anterior panels.
Insert 166 may be formed by joining sections 168, 170, and 172 by a suitable process (e.g., welding). Alternatively, insert 166 may be formed as a unitary, contiguous insert, which may reduce manufacturing cost and complexity. In this case, PDC 100 may be integrally formed around insert 166 in a relatively simple manufacturing process which facilitates the formation of a PDC having sufficient structural stiffness yet flexibility while providing sufficient protection to inserted devices. Formation of a unitary, contiguous insert may increase the longevity and durability of PDC 100, as forces applied to portions (e.g., exterior surface 110) of the PDC may be increasingly absorbed by insert 166 and diverted away from the internal cavity in which a device may be held. Further, insert 166 may facilitate replacement of the insert should the supportive structure and stiffness of the insert and PDC decrease below desired levels, as the insert may be removed and a new insert disposed in the device case. Such an approach may be advantageous compared to those in which an insert comprises a plurality of sections joined together, or approaches in which a supportive structure and stiffness is disposed in the body of the device case, as cracks in the multi-section insert or case may make repair and/or replacement difficult or infeasible. It will be noted that the stiffening members in anterior panels 116 and 118 (e.g., stiffening member 132) are omitted for the sake of clarity and that the stiffening members may be included in PDC 100 along with insert 166. However, embodiments are possible in which insert 166 is included in PDC 100 while omitting the anterior panel stiffening members, which may reduce cost and manufacturing complexity of the PDC while providing sufficient structural stiffness and device protection via the insert.
In some embodiments, portions of PDC 100 may exhibit material properties (e.g., stiffness, flexibility, etc.) which allow the PDC to be reshaped, as some portions may retain an amount (e.g., 50%) of deformation applied, for example, to better suit a device to be held. For example, one or more of panels 116, 118, 130, 136, 138, and 140, stiffening members 132, and insert 166 may comprise materials facilitating retaining such deformation, allowing PDC 100 to be flexible, dynamically shaped, and customized to the geometry of a device to be held.
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Thus, with the claimed configuration, a user may use the protective case to insert and remove an electronic device completely, safely, and ergonomically without forcing the user to release, compromise, or even alter their grasp on the device. When the protective case is in an open configuration (e.g., the flap panel is open), a user may use the slot (e.g., slot 114 in
It will be appreciated that the configurations disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.
The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application.
Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A device, comprising:
- a protective carrying case including at least an uninterrupted slot traversing from a bottom of the case, along an anterior side, and through to a top opening of the carrying case; and
- a stiffening insert flanking the uninterrupted slot at the anterior side in a parallel plane, with flanks of the stiffening insert extending from the anterior side, along the bottom, and further along an posterior side of the carrying case, the flanks joined by a lengthwise section, the lengthwise section parallel to the flanks positioned in the anterior side.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot is vertically oriented.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot is at least as wide as a user's single finger.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot further includes an expanded opening region at the bottom of the carrying case.
5. The device of claim 1 further including a top flap that, when closed, extends downward substantially covering the slot at the anterior side.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot forms at least two panels in the anterior side of the carrying case.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the carrying case is shaped to hold a handheld device, the carrying case further comprising stiffening members in the respective panels such that the panels support the handheld device, where edges of the slot are defined by edges of the panels.
8. The device of claim 5 further comprising a connection device having respective first and second portions on the anterior side and the top flap, the first and second portions releasably engageable with one another.
9. The device of claim 8 further comprising an arch vertically aligned with the slot and arranged at an outer brim perimeter of the top flap.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein the first portion is a first magnet and the second portion is a second magnet.
11. The device of claim 8 wherein the first portion is a first Velcro section, and the second portion is a second Velcro section.
12. The device of claim 8 wherein the first portion is a male snap section, and the second portion is a female snap section.
13. A protective carrying case for holding a handheld device, comprising:
- a body having two separated anterior panels, side panels, a posterior panel and a top flap, the body defining a cavity, the top flap extending over the cavity and downward along at least a portion of both of the separated anterior panels, the top flap releasably secured to at least one of the separated anterior panels; and
- a rigid member embedded within said case to provide a stable support structure for the separated anterior panels, the rigid member formed as a unitary component and having at least section within the posterior panel.
14. The protective carrying case of claim 13 wherein said releasably securing includes one or more of Velcro, snaps, and magnets.
15. The protective carrying case of claim 13 further comprising an interior lining, the rigid member formed between an outer layer and the interior lining.
16. The protective carrying case of claim 13 wherein an opening is positioned between the anterior panels, the opening shaped to allow a user to both:
- install the device into the protective carrying case by allowing the user's fingers to pass through the opening and between the separated panels without releasing the user's grasp of the handheld device until the device is completely installed within the protective case; and
- remove the device from the protective carrying case by allowing the user's fingers to pass through the opening and between the separated panels without releasing the user's grasp of the handheld device until the device is completely removed from the case.
17. A device configured to be affixed to a user, comprising:
- a protective carrying case including at least an anterior side facing away from the user and a posterior panel with an interior side adjacent to, and affixable to, a hip of the user, and a bottom side, the anterior side including a centrally positioned uninterrupted slot, the slot having a first end in the bottom and traversing from the bottom, and then upward along the anterior side, and through to a top opening of the carrying case such that the uninterrupted slot extends uninterruptedly from the first end to the top opening, the top opening sized to accept a handheld device into the carrying case; and
- a stiffening insert having a rectangular u-shape comprising a lengthwise bracket section at least partially spanning the posterior panel, a pair of bottom sections at least partially spanning a bottom panel, and a pair of anterior sections at least partially spanning respective anterior panels, the pair of bottom sections symmetric, the pair of anterior sections symmetric, the lengthwise bracket section joining the pair of bottom sections convexly, the pair of bottom sections joining the pair of anterior sections convexly, the pair of anterior sections and the pair of bottom sections having an equal length, the pair of bottom sections having an equal width and an equal length, the lengthwise bracket section and the pair of anterior sections terminating at equal first and second ends, the lengthwise bracket section vertically terminating below a flexure of the posterior panel, the pair of anterior sections having an equal height, the pair of anterior sections centrally aligned with the respective anterior panels, the pair of bottom sections centrally aligned with respective portions of the bottom panel, the lengthwise bracket section vertically aligned with the posterior panel, and the stiffening insert disposed between an exterior surface and an interior surface of the carrying case.
18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a top flap that, when closed, extends downward substantially covering the slot at the anterior side.
19. The device of claim 17 wherein the uninterrupted slot defines the respective anterior panels, the panels being separated and including one or more stiffening members such that the panels support the handheld device, where edges of the slot are defined by edges of the panels.
20. The device of claim 17 further comprising an arch vertically aligned with the slot and arranged at an outer brim perimeter of the top flap.
Type: Application
Filed: May 1, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 7, 2013
Inventor: Joseph Basmaji (Waterford, MI)
Application Number: 13/874,969
International Classification: A45C 11/00 (20060101);