FR3094973A1 - Protective case for wireless earphone charger - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective case for a wireless headphone charger, said charger comprising a housing incorporating a battery and housings for each of said earphones, said housing carrying a hinged cover, a contact edge of which is flush with a corresponding edge of said one. housing, when said cover is closed, said protective case comprising a lower half-shell covering said housing and an upper half-shell covering said cover. Said upper half-shell carries at least one suction cup, securing said upper half-shell to said cover. Figure for the abstract: Fig 5A

Description

Protective case for wireless headphones charger

Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of the protection of mobile telephony equipment, and, more particularly, recharging devices, or chargers, for wireless headphones, capable of communicating, for example, with a smart telephone ("smartphone"). " in English).

Prior art

An example of such headphones is the product “Airpod” (registered trademark) marketed by the company Apple (registered trademark).

Such headphones are capable of communicating with the smart telephone with which they are paired, via wireless communication, for example according to a protocol of the “Bluetooth” (registered trademark) type. They therefore include means of sound reproduction, means of communication, and a battery, which should therefore be recharged regularly.

For this, a charger is offered, in the form of a mobile box, itself containing a battery, and two slots in which the two headphones can be placed. Thereafter, the case is called the lower part of this charger, comprising the battery and the housings, as well as a socket allowing it to be connected to a power supply and an activation button. The case carries a hinged lid allowing the charger to be closed so that it has an essentially parallelepiped shape (usually with rounded corners) and open to allow the insertion or removal of headphones.

For a particularly aesthetic reason, the lid and the box form, when the lid is in the closed position, a flush assembly, the edges of the lid and of the box coming into contact against one another.

The presence of a battery in the case allows it to be used in a mobile way, for example, in a pocket or attached to the belt. This makes it possible to recharge the earphones simply and quickly, even when the user is on the move, playing sports, or more generally when he cannot have a connection to the electrical network.

This solution is of course comfortable, but it also introduces a risk of falling and/or impact on the charger, which can lead to damage, malfunctions or, at the very least, an alteration of the aesthetic appearance of the charger. For this reason, it has been proposed, as well as for mobile phones, protective devices or cases, in which the charger can be placed, to cushion the effects of a shock and protect the outer faces of the charger.

There are currently several solutions, including cases, for example made of plastic or silicone, comprising a lower half-shell in which the case is inserted and an upper half-shell, covering the cover. In use, however, these devices prove to be impractical and relatively inefficient.

In particular, the upper half-shell tends to separate from the cover when you want to open it. The user is therefore forced to open the upper half-shell first, then the lid. Two successive operations are also necessary for closing. The upper half-shell can also, in certain circumstances, become detached from the cover inadvertently, impairing the protection.

It is of course not possible to provide a slight return on the edges of the upper half-shell, which would cover the edges of the cover (taking inspiration, for example, from the protections for telephones which overlap the edges of the side carrying the screen), because this cover is flush with its housing: it is therefore appropriate, for simplicity, efficiency and/or reliability, that the upper half-shell is also flush with the lower half-shell.

Furthermore, unless very thick protection is provided, the protection may, in some cases, be insufficient. There is therefore a need to improve these protective cases, to offer better ergonomics, better reliability and/or better protection against falls and shocks.

The invention provides a new and inventive solution, meeting at least some of these objectives, according to the embodiments, in the form of a protective case for a wireless earphone charger, said charger comprising a housing incorporating a battery and housings for each of said earphones, said housing carrying a hinged cover, one contact edge of which is flush with a corresponding edge of said housing, when said cover is closed, said protective case comprising a lower half-shell covering said housing and a upper half-shell covering said lid. According to the invention, said upper half-shell carries at least one suction cup, securing said upper half-shell to said lid.

The presence of a suction cup allows simple and effective securing, without any particular action by the user, and without damaging or altering the charger. The assembly formed by the charger and the case opens and closes like the charger alone, without manipulation or additional action, which allows the ergonomics and simplicity of the charger to be maintained.

Several suction cups can be provided. However, according to a particular embodiment, a single suction cup is provided, in the central position.

In particular, according to this particular embodiment, said upper half-shell carries a suction cup extending substantially perpendicular to the main plane of said housing, when said lid is closed.

According to a particular embodiment, said suction cup(s) create a free space for shock absorption between an upper surface of said lid and an inner face of said upper half-shell.

The use of a suction cup makes it possible to improve the effectiveness of the protection, by providing a slight space and a slight play ensuring shock absorption, by deformation of the suction cup allowing if necessary a slight movement of the charger in its case (in the event of strong acceleration, due for example to a fall).

According to a particular embodiment, said suction cup(s) comprise(s) an attachment cap, able to be attached to said lid and a holding base, extending over an outer face of said upper half-shell, said cap and said base being connected by a shaft passing through a slot provided for this purpose in said upper half-shell.

In this case, said base can fit into a housing provided for this purpose on said outer face of said upper half-shell. In particular, said base and said housing may have shapes adapted to oppose rotation of said suction cup.

This makes it possible to optimize the connection, and in particular its reliability over time, and to ensure a good aesthetic appearance of the base, which can serve as a communication medium, for example by bearing a word mark or a logo.

According to another particular aspect, said shaft can carry at least one retaining slat, extending along an inner face of said upper half-shell.

In this case, said retaining slat(s) cooperate with a retaining housing provided for this purpose on said inner face of said upper half-shell.

This ensures effective holding of the suction cup.

According to another particular characteristic of the invention, said upper half-shell is hinged on a tongue inserted in a slideway formed in said lower half-shell.

In this case, said tab carries a securing pin, cooperating with a slot provided for this purpose in said lower half-shell.

This pawn can in particular be placed next to an activation button of the loader.

Presentation of figures

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

illustrates the charger and the protective case according to one embodiment of the invention, placed one beside the other before assembly;

illustrates the two half-shells forming the case according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a view of the upper half-shell of Figure 1;

is another view of the upper half-shell of Figure 1;

is a front view of the protective case of Figure 1;

is a rear view of the protective case of Figure 1;

is a first perspective view of the protective case of Figure 1;

is a second perspective view of the protective case of Figure 1;

is a view of the protective case of Figure 1 before insertion of the charger;

is a view of the protective case of FIG. 5A, once the charger has been inserted;

illustrates the joint opening of the magazine cover and the upper half-shell of the case.

Description of a particular embodiment

The invention therefore relates to a protective case for a mobile charger for wireless headphones. The embodiment described below relates to a case adapted to receive a charger for Airpod earphones (registered trademark). The dimensions and shape of the case can of course be adapted, depending on the dimensions and shape of another charger, or an evolution of the volume of the charger marketed by Apple (registered trademark).

Figure 1 thus illustrates an example of protective case 1, according to the invention, placed next to a charger 2 which will be installed in the case.

Charger 2 is presented in the closed position. It comprises a box 21, containing a battery and housings for each of the headphones (not visible), and a cover 22. The protective case 1 is presented in the open position, which will allow the insertion of the charger. It comprises two half-shells 11 and 12, a lower half-shell 11 adapted to receive the box 21 and an upper half-shell 12 adapted to receive the cover 22.

In this example, an optional hook 13 is provided, for example for hanging on a belt or a bag. It is secured to a ring 111 formed on the lower half-shell 11 (see FIGS. 4A to 4D).

The half-shells 11 and 12 are, for example, made of plastic or silicone, or more generally any material suitable for protecting the charger. In the illustrated embodiment, the walls are transparent, or translucent, and the sides have a honeycomb structure. Other aspects are of course possible, depending on the implementations.

According to the embodiment described, and as illustrated in Figure 2, the two half-shells are manufactured independently, and are assembled using a tab 121 formed in the extension of the half-shell 12, and here presenting a trapezoidal shape, facilitating assembly with a corresponding groove 111, formed on an inner face of the lower half-shell 11.

In its lower region, the tongue carries a pin 122 (which can be better distinguished in FIGS. 3A and 3B), which is placed in a slot 113 provided for this purpose in the groove 111 to ensure the joining of the two half- hulls. They can, if necessary, be separated, by pushing the pin 122 out of the housing 113.

This pin is placed so as to be opposite an actuating button (not shown) provided on the charger 2, so that pressing this pin 122 makes it possible to actuate the button of the charger.

The upper part of the tongue 123 is flexible, and forms an articulation, or hinge, allowing the opening of the upper half-shell 12 with respect to the lower half-shell 11.

According to the invention, the upper half-shell 12 carries a suction cup 15 comprising a fixing cap, by suction, placed on the bottom of the half-shell, inside the latter (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and a base 152, extending outside the half-shell 12, and ensuring the maintenance of the suction cup.

The shape of this base 152 can be arbitrary, but preferably non-circular, to prevent rotational movement. Here, it has the general shape of a cross, which comes into position in a corresponding housing 123 provided for this purpose on the outer face of the upper half-shell 12. The surface of this base 152 can receive a marking, for example, a brand or logo. The color of the suction cup can also be a decorative or characteristic element.

The base 152 and the cap 151 are connected by a shaft (not visible in the figures), passing through a slot (not visible in the figures) made in the upper half-shell.

This shaft also carries two slats 153 and 154, which are pressed into housings provided for this purpose on the inner face of the upper half-shell 12.

The inner face of the cap 151 is adapted to provide sufficient hooking force with the cover 22 of the charger, once the assembly is assembled. It can be slightly sticky.

Figures 4A to 4D illustrate the case 1 assembled from the front (Figure 4A), from behind (Figure 4B) and in perspective (Figures 4C and 4D). Note that the respective edges of the lower 11 and upper 12 half-shells join one against the other flush, in particular on the side edges. A space is provided at the rear, at the level of the joint 123. Steps 14 can also be provided on the front face to facilitate gripping and opening.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the assembled case 1, respectively empty then into which the charger 2 has been inserted. The position of Figure 5B corresponds to the installation: the cover 22 and the upper half-shell 12 are not yet assembled. The user will then close the upper half-shell 12 on the cover 22 and, consequently, place the cap 151 of the suction cup on this cover 22, this operation therefore securing the cover 22 to the upper half-shell 12.

Thus, as illustrated in Figure 6, during the following opening operations the opening of the upper half-shell 12, performed by the user, automatically causes, without additional operation, the opening of the cover 22, it is the same goes for closing.

In other words, the presence of the protective case does not add any additional manipulation to access the interior of the charger. The activation of the charger is possible via the pin 122. The charging of the charger 2, via a suitable electrical connector and the corresponding socket based at the base of the box 21 (not visible) is possible without removing the charger from its case, via the slot 114 (FIG. 2) provided at the base of the lower half-shell 11.

Thus, there is a simple and effective protective case, retaining the ergonomics of the charger (same opening in particular), requiring no operation of multiple openings of the case and then of the charger, nor the presence of means of particular closing of the case (hook, pressure, Velcro (registered trademark)…). The case does not damage the charger and does not affect its operation.

Furthermore, the protection of the charger is ensured by the combination of two aspects, the half-shells themselves, made of a suitable protective material, and the suction cup 15, which ensures, by its flexibility and the light play that it introduces a damping effect in the event of an impact.

Claims (9)

Protective case for a wireless headphone charger, said charger comprising a housing incorporating a battery and housings for each of said earphones, said housing carrying a hinged cover, a contact edge of which is flush with a corresponding edge of said housing, when said cover is closed,
said protective case comprising a lower half-shell covering said housing and an upper half-shell covering said cover,
characterized in that said upper half-shell carries at least one suction cup, securing said upper half-shell to said cover. Protective case according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said suction cup or cups leave a free space for shock absorption between an upper surface of said cover and an internal face of said upper half-shell. Protective case according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the said suction cup (s) comprise a securing cap, able to be secured to said cover and a retaining base, extending over an outer face of said half. upper shell, said cap and said base being connected by a shaft passing through a slot provided for this purpose in said upper half-shell. Protective case according to claim 3, characterized in that said base fits into a housing provided for this purpose on said outer face of said upper half-shell. Protective case according to claim 4, characterized in that said base and said housing have shapes adapted to oppose rotation of said suction cup. Protective case according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said shaft carries at least one retaining strip, extending along an inner face of said upper half-shell. Protective case according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said holding strip (s) cooperate with a holding housing provided for this purpose on the said inner face of the said upper half-shell. Protective case according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said upper half-shell is articulated on a tab inserted in a slide formed in said lower half-shell. Protective case according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said tongue carries a securing pin, cooperating with a slot provided for this purpose in the said lower half-shell.