US20140166707A1

US20140166707A1 - Apparatus with rotating disc for electronic devices and the like

Info

Publication number: US20140166707A1
Application number: US14/180,891
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip J. Leisey-Bartsch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-17
Filing date: 2014-02-14
Publication date: 2014-06-19

Abstract

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a novel case apparatus designed for portable electronic devices and the like. In preferred embodiments, a strap is configured to secure the apparatus to the hand or other body part of a user while allowing the user rotate the electronic device and apparatus 360 degrees and slide the device back and forth in at least one direction. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a bottom case configured to contact an electronic device; a top case wherein the top case comprises an access aperture; an engagement cavity located between and bounded by the top case and the bottom case; and a disc secured in the cavity and connected to a strap wherein the disc is configured to rotate and slide while being secured in the channel thereby providing a means for the apparatus to rotate 360 degrees.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, co-pending non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/109,180 filed on Dec. 17, 2013, and entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE WITH ROTATING AND SLIDING STRAP” which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/737,875 filed Dec. 17, 2012, and entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE WITH ROTATING AND SLIDING STRAP” the entire contents of both above-referenced patent applications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of portable electronic device cases. More specifically, the invention relates to portable electronic device case apparatuses capable of securing to various parts of the hand such as the finger.

BACKGROUND

Since the early 2000s there has been an influx of portable electronic devices, more commonly referred to as portable cellular phones, smart phones, small computers, and the like that are designed with a proportionally large glass viewing screen and interface areas. With technology advancing at great leaps and bounds, the internal components of these devices are decreasing in size thus making portable electronic devices very thin in design.
Concurrent with the influx of new portable electronic devices, there has also been a need for new carrying and protective cases for each make and model of electronic device introduced. These cases are made from a wide range of material including hard plastics, soft plastics, metal alloys, wood, rubber, silicone, and even leather. These cases are configured to conform tightly around the devices and preferably with one or more openings at appropriate locations for operation of the device, connections ports for external communications, speaker openings, power supply connections, as well as head phone connections.
Unfortunately, if the user happens to drop the portable electronic device and the glass interface breaks or shatters, the user can expect to spend a significant amount of time and money to get the portable electronic device's screen replaced and in many cases the cost of repair may exceed the purchase price of a new device. For this reason, cases for portable electronic devices are often marketed to the consumer as protection against scratches, chips, and breakage to the glass interface and other surfaces. These cases may also be securable to holsters with clips that allow attachment to clothing, belts, purses, and the like. When the user releases the portable electronic device from the holster for operation, the case is now in the hands of the user where the chance of dropping the device increases. However, small computers and other larger electronic devices are often too big for the holster, so the preferred method of carrying the device is under the arm or like a book. This method of carrying tends to produce a greater chance of dropping the portable electronic device thus leading to probable breakage when the device hits the ground.
In recent years there has been a new trend in portable electronic devices which are typically larger than cell phones and are commonly referred to as tablets. The typical design of a tablet is very thin. Tablets offer an interactive computer screen with a touch operated interface and on screen QWERTY keyboard display as one of several means of interacting with the tablet. The configuration of the tablet allows the tablet to be held in the hand(s) in either a vertical or horizontal position for operation.
One of the more common ways the user is able to hold and interact with modern portable electronic devices is by using their hands. For example, the smart phone and other portable electronic devices allow for modes of communication via talking into a microphone or via texting messages using the on screen QWERTY keyboard. Optionally, the user may hold the portable electronic device upright in a vertical position to enter the phone number through an on screen numeric keypad, and then rotate the phone to a horizontal position to communicate via the QWERTY keyboard to enter text messages and other information. Rotation of the portable electronic device with the hands between horizontal positions and vertical positions will increase the probability the user will lose their grip on the portable electronic device and drop the device to the ground resulting in possible damage.
Therefore, a need exists for a novel portable electronic device case that is able to protect the device from damage such as scratches, chips, and breakage to the glass interface and other surfaces. There is a further need for the case to be able to rotate the portable electronic device between horizontal and vertical positions while remaining secured to the user's hand. Finally, there exists a need for a case which allows the user to reposition or slide the portable electronic device relative to the user's hand while at the same time being able to rotate the case to change the viewing angle of the electronic device screen and onscreen keyboard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a novel case apparatus designed for securing portable electronic devices and the like and providing a secure grip via a strap. The strap is configured to secure to the hand or other body part while allowing the user the ability to rotate the electronic device 360 degrees and slide the device back and forth in a bi-directional manner.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus for securing and selectively positioning a portable electronic device, comprising: a bottom case configured to contact an electronic device; a top case wherein the top case comprises an access aperture; an engagement cavity located between and bounded by the top case and the bottom case; and a disc secured in the engagement cavity and connected to a strap wherein the disc is configured to rotate and slide while being secured in the engagement cavity thereby providing a means for the apparatus to rotate 360 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1—FIG. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of an example of an electronic device case apparatus secured to the hand of a user according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2—FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an example of an electronic device case apparatus according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3—FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the front of an example of a bottom case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4—FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the back of an example of a bottom case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5—FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the front of an example of a top case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6—FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the back of an example of a top case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7—FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the front of an example of a top disc according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8—FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the back of an example of a bottom disc according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9—FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an example of a sliding member according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10—FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the back of an example of an electronic device case apparatus according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 11—FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the back of an example of an electronic device case apparatus according to various alternative embodiments described herein.

FIG. 12—FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view along the plane 12 indicated in FIG. 10 of an example of an electronic device case apparatus according to various alternative embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It should be understood that for the purposes of understanding the orientation of individual elements of the invention, the terms “front” and “front face” shall generally be used to indicate a surface of an element that when assembled in an electronic device case apparatus is orientated toward the primary display screen of the electronic device. Conversely, for the purposes of understanding the orientation of individual elements of the invention, the terms “back”, “back face”, and “rear” shall generally be used to indicate a surface of an element that when assembled in an electronic device case apparatus is orientated away from (i.e. faces away from) the primary display screen of the electronic device.
It should also be understood that the terms “right” and “left” are used solely to denote opposite sides of an element and should not unnecessarily be construed as limiting the position or orientation of said element.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
New electronic device cases and apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electronic device case apparatus (“the apparatus”) 100 secured to a user's hand 300 according to various embodiments. In this example, the apparatus 100 comprises a strap 190 configured to secure to one finger. In other embodiments, the strap 190 may be configured to secure to any number of fingers and even to other body parts such as to a user's palm. The strap 190 may be made from any elastic material, non-elastic material, woven material, fabric or cloth material, natural webbing such as cotton webbing, synthetic webbing such as nylon webbing, other non-fabric materials such as silicone, rubber, plastics, or any other suitable material. In some alternative embodiments, a handle or finger hold may be used in place of, or in addition to, the strap 190. In preferred embodiments, the strap 190 is made from elastic material such as a polyester woven elastic. A camera sensor 201 typically found on the back of a portable electronic device (“the electronic device”) 200 can be seen through the sensor aperture 80 (FIGS. 3-4) located on the back of the apparatus 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an example of an electronic device case apparatus 100 according to various embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a rotating disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11) preferably comprising a top disc 160 and a bottom disc 90 which are rotatably attached to each other and rest within a sliding member 120. The top disc 160 and the bottom disc 90 are configured to attach to each other and fit through the sliding member aperture 130 thereby allowing top disc 160 and bottom disc 90 to rotate while being located within the sliding member aperture 130.
In preferred embodiments, the sliding member 120 comprises a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 which are configured to slidably engage with the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 respectively and with said left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 located on the left and right perimeter sides of the bottom case 35. The top case 20 is configured to fit over bottom case 35 and attach to the electronic device 200 thereby securing the left rail 140 and a right rail 150 of the sliding member 120 between the top case 20 and bottom case 35 and preferably into recesses located within the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60.
The rotating disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11), top disc 160, bottom disc 90, sliding member 120, top case 20, and bottom case 35 may be made from durable materials such as hard plastics, metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, carbon fiber, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, durable and slightly flexible materials may be used such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In preferred embodiments, hard plastics are used to fabricate the apparatus 100.
In preferred embodiments, the strap 190 is configured to attach to the top disc 160, for example by passing through two strap passages 185 with both ends of the strap 190 optionally secured between the top disc 160 and bottom disc 90 within the bottom disc strap recess 112. In some embodiments, the two ends of the strap 190 may be secured to each other to prevent the strap 190 from exiting the strap passages 185. The two ends of the strap 190 may be secured to each other with a spur washer, stitching, glue, chemical bonding, heat bonding, or other suitable joining technique. In other embodiments, the two ends of the strap 190 may contain a blocking element larger than the strap passages 185 to prevent the ends of the strap 190 from exiting the strap passages 185. In further embodiments, the top disc 160 may comprise one, three, or more strap passages 185 configured to secure one or more straps 190. In still further embodiments, the strap 190 may be attached to the top disc 160 with glue, chemical bonding, heat bonding, or other suitable bond or through a fastener such as screw type fastener.
Turning now to FIG. 3 a perspective view is shown of the front of an exemplary bottom case 35. In this example, the front of the bottom case 35 is configured to contact the back of an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) which typically comprises a camera sensor 201 (FIG. 1) so that the front of the bottom case 35 is facing the same direction as the front of an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) which typically comprises a touch screen display. To allow for operation of camera sensors, flashes, microphones, and the like, one or more sensor apertures 80 may be positioned on the bottom case 35.
One or more optional device skirts 27 may be positioned along the perimeter portions of the bottom case 35 which are configured to contact an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) and/or to maintain the position of the bottom case 35 on the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the device skirt 27 may be configured to secure to an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) by partially or fully wrapping around the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) proving a layer of protection to the device 200 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the back of an exemplary bottom case 35 according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments and in the present example, one or more female shaped slots 40 may be placed on the bottom case 35 which are configured to mate with one or more optional complementary male shaped tabs 30 (FIG. 5) which may be used to maintain the positions of the top case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom case 35 in relation to each other.
In some embodiments, an optional bottom case depression 70 which forms a recessed area on the back side of the bottom case 35 may be configured to allow the sliding member 120, top disc 160, and bottom disc 90 (FIG. 2) to slide and rotate freely between the top case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom case 35. In some embodiments, one or more bottom case depressions 70 are configured to form an engagement cavity 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and slidably secure the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2) between the top case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom case 35. In alternative embodiments, one or more bottom case depressions 70 are configured to form one or more engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and slidably and rotatably secure the top disc 160 (FIG. 2) between the top case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom case 35. In other embodiments, the bottom case 35 may not comprise a bottom case depression 70. In further embodiments, the bottom case 35 may comprise two or more bottom case depressions 70 which may be used to form two or more engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and guide the sliding travel movement of the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2) and/or the sliding travel movement and rotational movement of a rotating disc, the top disc 160 (FIG. 2) and/or bottom disc 90 (FIG. 2).
Still referring to FIG. 4, in preferred embodiments, the bottom case further comprises a slider channel such as a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60 which are configured to form two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) at the side perimeter edges of the bottom case 35. Left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 are preferably recessed and configured to receive and slidably engage the left rail 140 and a right rail 150, respectively, of the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 comprise a substantially recessed concave shape which slidably engages a complementary convex shaped terminal end 140A of left rail 140 (FIG. 9) and a complementary convex shaped terminal end 150A of right rail 150 (FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 may be used to form two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) or tracks used to guide the sliding travel movement of the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2) or disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11) thus slidably engaging the sliding member 120 and disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11) between top case 20 and bottom case 35. In some embodiments, a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60 may be configured to form two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and slidably secure the sliding member 120 between the top case 20 (FIG. 2) and the bottom case 35. In other embodiments, a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60 may be configured to form two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) and slidably and rotatably secure the disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11) between the top case 20 and the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 11). In still other embodiments, the bottom case 35 may not comprise a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60. In some alternative embodiments, top case 20 may comprise slider channels such as or similar to a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60.
As perhaps best shown by FIG. 5, a side perspective view of the front of an example of a top case 20 according to various embodiments described herein is shown. The top case 20 is configured to contact the back side of the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) and may be removably attached to the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In this and preferred embodiments, the top case 20 may be configured to removably attach to the back side of the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) through the mating of one or more male shaped tabs 30 which may be placed on the top case 20 and are configured to mate with one or more complementary female shaped slots 40 (FIG. 4) both of which may be used to maintain the positions of the top case 20 and the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) in relation to each other.
One or more optional device skirts 27 may be positioned along the perimeter portions of the top case 20 which are configured to maintain the position of the top case 20. In some embodiments, the device skirts 27 may be configured to secure to an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) by partially wrapping around the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) and may provide added protection for the device against wear and abuse. In other embodiments, one or more of the device skirts 27 may contact a portion of the electronic device 200 directly or the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) in order to maintain the position of the top case 20 on the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) and bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In further embodiments, one or more of the device skirts 27 may be configured to secure to the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) by partially wrapping around the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4).
In preferred embodiments and still referring to FIG. 5, the top case 20 comprises two top case depressions 250 which are located on opposite sides of the access aperture 230 and thus form two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12). The top case depressions 250 may be configured function as engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) to allow the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2) to slide freely between the top case 20 and the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In some embodiments, the top case depressions 250 may be configured as engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) to slidably secure the sliding member 120 (FIG. 2) between the top case 20 and the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In other embodiments, the top case depressions 250 may be configured as engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) to slidably and rotatably secure the disc 400 (FIG. 11) between the top case 20 and the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In still other embodiments, the top case 20 may be configured without top case depressions 250.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the back of an example of a top case 20 according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top case 20 comprises two device skirts 27, an access aperture 230 which passes completely through the top case 20 and occupies about 50-90% of longitudinal surface area but preferably about 60-80% of longitudinal surface area of the top case 20. In preferred embodiments, the access aperture 230 comprises two opposite rounded ends providing a means for disc 400 to slide and rotate back and forth within the access aperture 230.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the front of an example of a top disc 160 according to various embodiments of the present invention is depicted. In preferred embodiments, top disc 160 and bottom disc 90 (FIG. 8) are configured to mate and form disc 400 (FIGS. 10 and 11). In this example, the top disc 160 comprises two strap passages 185 or slits which allow portions of the strap 190 (FIG. 2) to pass through the top disc 160 and be retained in the optional top disc strap recess 170. In this example, four support arcs 175 are configured to receive and be secured to two complementary shaped bottom disc raised reinforcements 110 (FIG. 8) positioned on the back of the bottom disc (FIG. 8). Also depicted in this embodiment are two top disc alignment slots 180 which may be configured to receive and be secured to two complementary shaped bottom disc alignment keys 105 (FIG. 8) positioned on the back of the bottom disc (FIG. 8). The top disc 160 may further comprise one or more fastener apertures 165 which may receive and secure one or more fasteners, such as screw type fasteners, in order to attach the top disc 160 to the bottom disc 90 (FIG. 8). In some embodiments, the top disc 160 and bottom disc 90 may be attached together with glue, chemical bonding, heat bonding, snap-fit, snap-it, or other suitable bond including being substantially molded together. In other embodiments, the top disc 160 may comprise one, two, three, five, or more support arcs 175. In still other embodiments, the top disc 160 may not comprise support arcs 175. In further embodiments, the top disc 160 may comprise one, three, or more top disc alignment slots 180. In still further embodiments, the top disc 160 may not comprise top disc alignment slots 180.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the back of an example of a bottom disc 90 comprising an optional bottom disc strap recess 112 which is configured to align with the top disc strap recess 170 (FIG. 7) thereby providing a space for the ends of the strap 190 (FIG. 2) to reside between the bottom disc 90 and top disc 160 (FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the bottom disc 90 comprises two bottom disc raised reinforcements 110 which are configured to receive and be secured to one or more support arcs 175 (FIG. 7) positioned on the front of the top disc (FIG. 7). Also depicted in this embodiment are two bottom disc alignment keys 105 which are configured to receive and be secured to two complementary shaped top disc alignment slots 180 (FIG. 7) positioned on the front of the top disc 160 (FIG. 7). The bottom disc 90 may comprise one or more fastener apertures 165 which may receive and secure one or more fasteners, such as screw type fasteners, in order to attach the bottom disc 90 to the top disc 160 (FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the bottom disc 90 may comprise one, two, three, five, or more bottom disc raised reinforcements 110. In still other embodiments, the bottom disc 90 may not comprise bottom disc raised reinforcements 110. In further embodiments, the bottom disc 90 may comprise one, three, or more bottom disc alignment keys 105. In still further embodiments, the bottom disc 90 may not comprise bottom disc alignment keys 105.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective view of an example of a sliding member 120 according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the sliding member 120 comprises a sliding member aperture 130 with a diameter which is preferably slightly smaller than the largest diameter of bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) and top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) thereby preventing bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) and connected top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) from escaping and disengaging from sliding member 120. In preferred embodiments, the sliding member 120 aperture 130 is configured to be slightly larger than the largest diameter of the top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) supporting arcs 175 and bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) raised plateau 110 allowing the bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) and connected top disc (FIGS. 2 and 7) to freely rotate inside the aperture 130 of the sliding member 120 thereby preventing bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) and connected top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) from escaping and disengaging from sliding member 120. In other preferred embodiments, sliding member aperture 130 is further configured to be large enough to facilitate the connection between support arcs 175 (FIG. 7), top disc alignment slots 180 (FIG. 7), bottom disc raised reinforcements 110 (FIG. 8), and bottom disc alignments keys 100 (FIG. 8) so that all four of these elements are able to be rotatably positioned inside the sliding member aperture 130. In this manner, the bottom disc 90 (FIG. 8) may be aligned and joined to the top disc 160 (FIG. 7) with the sliding member 120 rotatably secured in between so that the bottom disc 90 (FIG. 8) and the top disc 160 (FIG. 7) may slidably rotate as one unit as a disc 400 in the sliding member aperture 130 and are held in place, in some embodiments, by the by the depression 70 of the bottom case 35.
Still referring to FIG. 9, in preferred embodiments, sliding member 120 is slidably secured between top case 20 and bottom case 35 by a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 which may preferably contain a convex shaped terminal end 140A of left rail 140 and a convex shaped terminal end 150A of right rail 150 although other shapes for the terminal end may be used. In preferred embodiments, a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 are configured to be slidably secured in two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) formed between the top case 20 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) by a left slider channel 50 and a right slider channel 60 positioned in the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). In other embodiments, a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 are configured to be further slidably secured in two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) formed between the top case 20 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) by two top case depressions 250 positioned in the top case 20 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6). In further embodiments, a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 are configured to be slidably secured in two engagement cavities 15 (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) formed between the top case 20 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) by two top case depressions 250 positioned in the top case 20 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and a complementary positioned left slider channel 50 and a complementary positioned right slider channel 60 positioned in the bottom case 35 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4).
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the back of an example of an electronic device case apparatus 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a disc 400 which may be made up of a top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) and bottom disc 90 (FIGS. 2 and 8) both of which are rotatably positioned within a sliding member aperture 130 of a sliding member 120. A bottom case depression 70 prevents the bottom disc 90 and optionally portions of the sliding member 120 from excessive frictional contact with the bottom case 35. In this embodiment, the sliding member 120 is slidably secured in two engagement cavities 15 formed between a top case 20 and bottom case 35. In this embodiment, the engagement cavities 15 are created and bounded by a top case depression 250 located on the left side and a top case depression 250 located on the right side of the access aperture 230 in the top case 20. In this example, a strap 190 is mounted to the top disc 160 (FIGS. 2 and 7) or disc 400 through two strap passages 185. In this manner, the strap 190 of the apparatus 100 may be secured to a user's hand 300 (FIG. 1) allowing the strap 190 to rotate 360 degrees and slide back and forth within the access aperture 230. The rotating and sliding ability allows portions of the apparatus 100 securing an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) to rotate and slide the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) in a plurality of orientations while the strap 190 and therefore the apparatus 100 and electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) remain secured to the user's hand 300 (FIG. 1). Plane line 12 is shown as a dotted line and serves as the point of view for the side cross sectional illustration of FIG. 12.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the back of an example of an electronic device case apparatus 100 according to various alternative embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the apparatus 100 comprises a disc 400 which is rotatably and slidably secured in two engagement cavities 15 located between the top case 20 and bottom case 35. In this embodiment, the engagement cavities 15 may comprise two top case depressions 250 located on the right side and left side of the access aperture 230 of the top case 20. The diameter of the disc 400 is larger than the diameter of the access aperture 230 and slightly smaller than the dimensions of the two top case depressions 250 so that the disc 400 may rotate and slide toward and away from the sensor aperture 80 while remaining secured within the engagement cavities 15 of the apparatus 100. A strap 190 is mounted to the top of disc 400 through two strap passages 185 or by other suitable means. In this manner, the strap 190 of the apparatus may be secured to a user's hand 300 (FIG. 1) allowing the strap 190 to rotate and slide relative to the apparatus 100. The rotating and sliding ability allows portions of the apparatus 100 securing an electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) to rotate and slide the electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) in a plurality of orientations while the strap 190 and therefore the apparatus 100 and electronic device 200 (FIG. 1) remain secured to the user's hand 300 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 12 illustrates a cut away side profile cross sectional view of an example of an apparatus 100 according to various embodiments cut along a plane 12 (illustrated in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the strap 190 is attached to the top disc 160 and the top disc 160 is attached to the bottom disc 90. Sliding member 120 is preferably located between top disc 160 and bottom disc 90. As shown by this example, bottom case depression 70 helps guide the bottom disc 90 straight on the bottom case 35. Sliding member 120 comprises a left rail 140 and a right rail 150 which are slidably engaged in the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60, respectively, of the bottom case 35 and configured to slide back and forth in two directions within the channels. Two top case depressions 250 are preferably located above left rail 140 moveably engaged in the left slider channel 50 and the right rail 150 moveably engaged in the right slider channel 60. Therefore in this example, two engagement cavities 15 are formed by two top case depressions 250 and the left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60 which function to slidably secure the sliding member 120 between the top case 20 and bottom case 35. Sliding member 120 is configured to slide back and forth in two directions while being movably engaged in left slider channel 50 and right slider channel 60.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus capable of securing a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a top case wherein the top case comprises an access aperture;

a bottom case wherein the bottom case is configured to contact a portable electronic device;

an engagement cavity between top case and bottom case; and

a disc configured to spin while slidably secured with the access aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disc comprises a strap.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the disc comprises a strap passage.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the strap is made from elastic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the disc comprises a top disc and a bottom disc.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the disc comprises a strap passage.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the strap is made from elastic material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disc comprises a top disc and a bottom disc.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the disc comprises a strap.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the top disc comprises a strap passage.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the strap is made from elastic material.

12. An apparatus capable of securing a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a top case wherein the top case comprises an access aperture;

an engagement cavity between top case and bottom case wherein the engagement cavity is bounded by a top case depression located on the top case and two slider channels located on the bottom case;

a sliding member wherein the sliding member is slidably secured within the engagement cavity; and

a disc configured to rotate within a sliding member aperture.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sliding member comprises a left rail and a right rail configured to be slidably secured within the engagement cavity.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the disc comprises a strap.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the strap is made from elastic material.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the disc comprises a top disc and a bottom disc.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the top disc comprises a strap passage.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the left rail is adapted to moveably engage in a left slider channel the right rail is adapted to moveably engage in right slider channel, said left slider channel and right slider channel formed in the bottom case.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the disc comprises a strap.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the disc comprises a top disc and a bottom disc and said top disc comprises a strap passage.