US20080029413A1 - Portable digital media player case - Google Patents
Portable digital media player case Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080029413A1 US20080029413A1 US11/499,298 US49929806A US2008029413A1 US 20080029413 A1 US20080029413 A1 US 20080029413A1 US 49929806 A US49929806 A US 49929806A US 2008029413 A1 US2008029413 A1 US 2008029413A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- case
- digital media
- media player
- slider
- portable digital
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/027—Covers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B31/00—Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus
- G11B31/02—Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with automatic musical instruments
Definitions
- the invention relates to a portable digital media player case providing protection against damage.
- Portable digital media players such as the Apple iPod
- a case sold by Speck Products under the designation Flip Stand is clear, permitting the user of the portable digital media player to see through the case.
- cutouts are provided in the case for controls and display, such as the click wheel and display screen of an iPod.
- the Micro Shield case of the company XtremeMac is similarly clear and also has openings formed therein for controls.
- the Claro case by iskin again has openings in a clear case for operation of the controls.
- the company Agent 18 markets a case for the iPod Nano which also has an open control area.
- a common disadvantage of all of the prior art cases is that they do not protect all of the controls and displays against damage. Such damage may come from liquids or solids which may accidentally enter through openings or from shocks due to normal handling or unintended or accidental misuse that can affect the portable digital media player.
- a case for a portable digital media player comprises a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material.
- the transparent, flexible material may, for example, be polycarbonate.
- the substantially uninterrupted front surface protects the portable digital media player from damage due to handling and shocks and prevents liquids and debris from entering the case.
- the transparent, flexible material allows the portable digital media player to be operated with the case closed. Another way to explain the case according to the invention, is that the front surface which is substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material, completely covers the display and the control of the portable digital media player, such as the display screen and the click wheel of an iPod, during normal use of the portable digital media player and the case.
- the front surface is movable between a closed position and an open position.
- the front surface is interrupted in the open position and substantially uninterrupted in the closed position.
- the front surface is substantially uninterrupted, providing the advantageous protection from damage.
- a base and a slider engage one another at the front surface.
- the base and the slider are mutually separated in the open position and mutually sealed in the closed position.
- the base and slider provide access to the portable digital media player when separated, but protect it when sealed.
- the base and the slider are mutually sealed and separated at a parting line in the front surface.
- Materials such as polycarbonate effectively seal at the parting line, preventing entry of unwanted substances.
- the base has tracks and the slider has pins engaging and sliding in the tracks.
- the tracks each have an end with a stop preventing the slider from falling off the base in the open position.
- Tracks each have an L-shaped end permitting the slider to be lifted off the base.
- the slider is movable about the pins in the tracks into a pivoted position, permitting the portable digital media player to be inserted into and removed from the case. Therefore, great flexibility in opening and closing the case are provided, so that easy access to the portable digital media player is accomplished.
- the base and the slider are formed of the transparent, flexible material. This permits the display of the portable digital media player to be seen and permits the control of the portable digital media player, such as the click wheel of the iPod, to be operated, through the substantially uninterrupted front surface.
- top, bottom and side surfaces there are provided top, bottom and side surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has at least one opening formed therein for accessing a switch, a port or a jack of the portable digital media player, such as the hold switch and the headphone jack of the iPod.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front-elevational view of a portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a closed position;
- FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of the case in the closed position according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a bottom-plan view of the case in the closed position according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the case in the closed position according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case in the closed position according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a slid open position;
- FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view of the case in the slid open position according to FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the case in the slid open position according to FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a rotated open position.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention.
- the case 1 includes a slider 2 and a base 3 which abut and seal against each other at a parting line 13 in the closed position.
- the base 3 extends over the back, part of the sides and part of the front of the case, while the slider 2 extends over the remainder of the front and the remainder of the sides of the case.
- a finger grip 4 is provided for pushing the slider 2 open.
- the slider 2 and the base 3 together form a front surface 14 which is continuous, solid and unbroken when closed at the parting line 13 . More specifically, the front surface 14 is substantially uninterrupted in the closed position.
- substantially uninterrupted means not only that there are no openings for controls or displays in the front surface 14 , but that that no liquid or debris can enter through any part of the front surface, including the parting line 13 .
- FIG. 2 shows that a rectangular opening 10 is provided at the top of the base 3 to allow access to a hold switch of an iPod.
- FIG. 3 shows a U-shaped opening 11 in the slider is 2 for access to a headphone jack of an iPod. It is understood that the openings 10 and 11 can be provided in different locations or more or fewer openings can be provided as needed for the particular portable digital media player being used.
- An optional decorative indentation or crease 12 can be seen in FIG. 1 to extend from the slider 2 to the base 3 .
- FIGS. 6-8 show the case 1 with the front surface 14 having been moved into an open position. More specifically, the slider 2 has been pushed and slid downward on tracks 5 of the base 3 to open at the parting line 13 and reveal a click wheel 16 of an iPod 15 in the case 1 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates how the slider 2 can be pivoted upward after being slid open, such as for removal of the iPod 15 from the case 1 .
- a display screen 17 of the iPod 15 within the case 1 can also be seen in this figure.
- the slider 2 has been removed from the base 3 by disengaging pins 6 on the slider 2 from L-shaped portions 7 of the tracks 5 , along the direction of a broken line 8 . It is also noted that part of the L-shaped portions 7 form stops 9 preventing the slider 2 from being pushed down too far and accidentally removed from the base 3 .
- the case 1 is formed of a transparent, flexible material such as clear polycarbonate. This allows the user of the portable digital media player 15 to operate the click wheel 16 and view the display screen 17 while the case 1 is closed around the portable digital media player.
- the case is therefore able to protect the portable digital media player from damage due to handling, shocks and harmful substances, such as liquids and solids which may accidentally impinge on the case.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
A case for a portable digital media player includes a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material. Therefore, the front surface completely covers but allows use of a display and a control of the portable digital media player, during use.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to a portable digital media player case providing protection against damage.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Portable digital media players, such as the Apple iPod, have become increasingly popular and therefore a number of cases have been proposed to protect such devices.
- A case sold by Speck Products under the designation Flip Stand is clear, permitting the user of the portable digital media player to see through the case. However, cutouts are provided in the case for controls and display, such as the click wheel and display screen of an iPod. The Micro Shield case of the company XtremeMac is similarly clear and also has openings formed therein for controls. The Claro case by iskin again has openings in a clear case for operation of the controls. Finally, the company Agent 18 markets a case for the iPod Nano which also has an open control area.
- A common disadvantage of all of the prior art cases is that they do not protect all of the controls and displays against damage. Such damage may come from liquids or solids which may accidentally enter through openings or from shocks due to normal handling or unintended or accidental misuse that can affect the portable digital media player.
- It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a portable digital media player case, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which completely encloses all sensitive portions of a portable digital media player, such the controls and display.
- With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a case for a portable digital media player. The case comprises a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material. The transparent, flexible material may, for example, be polycarbonate.
- The substantially uninterrupted front surface protects the portable digital media player from damage due to handling and shocks and prevents liquids and debris from entering the case. The transparent, flexible material allows the portable digital media player to be operated with the case closed. Another way to explain the case according to the invention, is that the front surface which is substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material, completely covers the display and the control of the portable digital media player, such as the display screen and the click wheel of an iPod, during normal use of the portable digital media player and the case.
- In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the front surface is movable between a closed position and an open position. The front surface is interrupted in the open position and substantially uninterrupted in the closed position. Thus, during normal use, when the case is closed, the front surface is substantially uninterrupted, providing the advantageous protection from damage.
- In accordance with an added feature of the invention, a base and a slider engage one another at the front surface. The base and the slider are mutually separated in the open position and mutually sealed in the closed position. The base and slider provide access to the portable digital media player when separated, but protect it when sealed.
- In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the base and the slider are mutually sealed and separated at a parting line in the front surface. Materials such as polycarbonate effectively seal at the parting line, preventing entry of unwanted substances.
- In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the base has tracks and the slider has pins engaging and sliding in the tracks. The tracks each have an end with a stop preventing the slider from falling off the base in the open position. Tracks each have an L-shaped end permitting the slider to be lifted off the base. The slider is movable about the pins in the tracks into a pivoted position, permitting the portable digital media player to be inserted into and removed from the case. Therefore, great flexibility in opening and closing the case are provided, so that easy access to the portable digital media player is accomplished.
- In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the base and the slider are formed of the transparent, flexible material. This permits the display of the portable digital media player to be seen and permits the control of the portable digital media player, such as the click wheel of the iPod, to be operated, through the substantially uninterrupted front surface.
- In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, there are provided top, bottom and side surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has at least one opening formed therein for accessing a switch, a port or a jack of the portable digital media player, such as the hold switch and the headphone jack of the iPod.
- Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
- Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a portable digital media player case, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
- The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front-elevational view of a portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a closed position; -
FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of the case in the closed position according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a bottom-plan view of the case in the closed position according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the case in the closed position according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case in the closed position according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a slid open position; -
FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view of the case in the slid open position according toFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the case in the slid open position according toFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention, in a rotated open position; and -
FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of the portable digital media player case according to the invention. - Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
FIGS. 1-5 thereof, there is seen a portable digitalmedia player case 1 according to the invention in a closed position. Thecase 1 includes aslider 2 and abase 3 which abut and seal against each other at aparting line 13 in the closed position. Thebase 3 extends over the back, part of the sides and part of the front of the case, while theslider 2 extends over the remainder of the front and the remainder of the sides of the case. Afinger grip 4 is provided for pushing theslider 2 open. - As is seen in
FIG. 1 , theslider 2 and thebase 3 together form afront surface 14 which is continuous, solid and unbroken when closed at theparting line 13. More specifically, thefront surface 14 is substantially uninterrupted in the closed position. The term “substantially uninterrupted” means not only that there are no openings for controls or displays in thefront surface 14, but that that no liquid or debris can enter through any part of the front surface, including theparting line 13. -
FIG. 2 shows that arectangular opening 10 is provided at the top of thebase 3 to allow access to a hold switch of an iPod.FIG. 3 shows a U-shaped opening 11 in the slider is 2 for access to a headphone jack of an iPod. It is understood that theopenings crease 12 can be seen inFIG. 1 to extend from theslider 2 to thebase 3. -
FIGS. 6-8 show thecase 1 with thefront surface 14 having been moved into an open position. More specifically, theslider 2 has been pushed and slid downward ontracks 5 of thebase 3 to open at theparting line 13 and reveal aclick wheel 16 of aniPod 15 in thecase 1. -
FIG. 9 illustrates how theslider 2 can be pivoted upward after being slid open, such as for removal of theiPod 15 from thecase 1. Adisplay screen 17 of theiPod 15 within thecase 1 can also be seen in this figure. - In the view shown in
FIG. 10 , theslider 2 has been removed from thebase 3 by disengagingpins 6 on theslider 2 from L-shapedportions 7 of thetracks 5, along the direction of abroken line 8. It is also noted that part of the L-shapedportions 7 form stops 9 preventing theslider 2 from being pushed down too far and accidentally removed from thebase 3. - The
case 1 is formed of a transparent, flexible material such as clear polycarbonate. This allows the user of the portabledigital media player 15 to operate theclick wheel 16 and view thedisplay screen 17 while thecase 1 is closed around the portable digital media player. The case is therefore able to protect the portable digital media player from damage due to handling, shocks and harmful substances, such as liquids and solids which may accidentally impinge on the case.
Claims (12)
1. A case for a portable digital media player, the case comprising:
a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material.
2. The case according to claim 1 , wherein said front surface is movable between a closed position and an open position, said front surface being interrupted in said open position and substantially uninterrupted in said closed position.
3. The case according to claim 2 , which further comprises:
a base and a slider engaging one another at said front surface;
said base and said slider being mutually separated in said open position and mutually sealed in said closed position.
4. The case according to claim 3 , wherein said base and said slider are mutually sealed and separated at a parting line in said front surface.
5. The case according to claim 3 , wherein said base has tracks and said slider has pins engaging and sliding in said tracks.
6. The case according to claim 5 , wherein said tracks each have an end with a stop preventing said slider from falling off said base in said open position.
7. The case according to claim 5 , wherein said tracks each have an L-shaped end permitting said slider to be lifted off said base.
8. The case according to claim 5 , wherein said slider is movable about said pins in said tracks into a pivoted position, permitting the portable digital media player to be inserted into and removed from the case.
9. The case according to claim 1 , which further comprises:
a base and a slider engaging one another at said front surface;
said base and said slider being formed of said transparent, flexible material, permitting a display of the portable digital media player to be seen and permitting a control of the portable digital media player to be operated, through said substantially uninterrupted front surface.
10. The case according to claim 1 , which further comprises top, bottom and side surfaces, at least one of said surfaces having at least one opening formed therein for accessing a switch, a port or a jack of the portable digital media player.
11. The case according to claim 1 , wherein said transparent, flexible material is polycarbonate.
12. A case for a portable digital media player having a display and a control, the case comprising:
a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material completely covering but allowing use of the display and the control.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/499,298 US20080029413A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2006-08-04 | Portable digital media player case |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/499,298 US20080029413A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2006-08-04 | Portable digital media player case |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080029413A1 true US20080029413A1 (en) | 2008-02-07 |
Family
ID=39028094
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/499,298 Abandoned US20080029413A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2006-08-04 | Portable digital media player case |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20080029413A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070164036A1 (en) * | 2006-01-13 | 2007-07-19 | Marware, Inc. | Portable digital media player case |
US20080108387A1 (en) * | 2006-11-06 | 2008-05-08 | Jason Entner | Carrying case with integrated input-output device |
US20080283164A1 (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2008-11-20 | Mark Noonan | Roll-On Protective Covers for Hand-Held Consumer Electronic Devices |
US20090050499A1 (en) * | 2006-01-24 | 2009-02-26 | Calco Wayne A | Protective assembly for portable digital device |
US20100243516A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Marware, Inc. | Protective Carrying Case for a Portable Electronic Device |
US20120241330A1 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-09-27 | Still Russell F | Protective Coverings and Methods of Making and Using the Same |
US8910787B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2014-12-16 | Mattel, Inc. | Protective case for portable electronic device |
US9141138B2 (en) | 2013-01-04 | 2015-09-22 | Mattel, Inc. | Protective case for portable electronic device |
US9370230B1 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2016-06-21 | Kar Ming So | Waterproof electronic device holder having rotating and hinged lock |
US11202723B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2021-12-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Absorbent articles with improved topsheet dryness |
Citations (4)
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US20020185395A1 (en) * | 2001-06-06 | 2002-12-12 | Kirk Lindamood | Pop-up electronic equipment enclosure |
US20050098456A1 (en) * | 2003-11-12 | 2005-05-12 | Hodges Richard P. | Cover for remote control device |
US20050173276A1 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2005-08-11 | Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation | Housing device for hand-held electronic product |
US20070261978A1 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2007-11-15 | David Sanderson | Waterproof case for electronic devices |
-
2006
- 2006-08-04 US US11/499,298 patent/US20080029413A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020185395A1 (en) * | 2001-06-06 | 2002-12-12 | Kirk Lindamood | Pop-up electronic equipment enclosure |
US20050098456A1 (en) * | 2003-11-12 | 2005-05-12 | Hodges Richard P. | Cover for remote control device |
US20050173276A1 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2005-08-11 | Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation | Housing device for hand-held electronic product |
US20070261978A1 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2007-11-15 | David Sanderson | Waterproof case for electronic devices |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070164036A1 (en) * | 2006-01-13 | 2007-07-19 | Marware, Inc. | Portable digital media player case |
US20090050499A1 (en) * | 2006-01-24 | 2009-02-26 | Calco Wayne A | Protective assembly for portable digital device |
US20080108387A1 (en) * | 2006-11-06 | 2008-05-08 | Jason Entner | Carrying case with integrated input-output device |
US20080283164A1 (en) * | 2007-05-16 | 2008-11-20 | Mark Noonan | Roll-On Protective Covers for Hand-Held Consumer Electronic Devices |
US20100243516A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Marware, Inc. | Protective Carrying Case for a Portable Electronic Device |
US8167127B2 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2012-05-01 | Marware Inc. | Protective carrying case for a portable electronic device |
US8910787B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2014-12-16 | Mattel, Inc. | Protective case for portable electronic device |
US20120241330A1 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-09-27 | Still Russell F | Protective Coverings and Methods of Making and Using the Same |
US8584835B2 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2013-11-19 | Russell F. Still | Protective coverings and methods of making and using the same |
US9141138B2 (en) | 2013-01-04 | 2015-09-22 | Mattel, Inc. | Protective case for portable electronic device |
US9370230B1 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2016-06-21 | Kar Ming So | Waterproof electronic device holder having rotating and hinged lock |
US11202723B2 (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2021-12-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Absorbent articles with improved topsheet dryness |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |