US20110303579A1

US20110303579A1 - Carrying case for electronic devices

Info

Publication number: US20110303579A1
Application number: US12/813,737
Authority: US
Inventors: Brent P. Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-11
Filing date: 2010-06-11
Publication date: 2011-12-15

Abstract

A carrying case (1) for electronic devices (12) comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped sleeve (2) having an upper strap (16) attached to two corners (8) so that a user can wear the carrying case around his or her neck. The user may also attach a lower strap (17) to the two opposite corners of the sleeve so that the user can further secure the carrying case around his or her torso. The upper and lower straps ensure that the carrying case will lie flat against the user's chest. The user may attach the upper and lower straps to the carrying case so that the carrying case is worn vertically or horizontally. A video window (18) located on the carrying case allows a video lens (19) of an electronic device to record video through the sleeve. In addition, a microphone window (21) and a speaker window (23) may be located on the sleeve to allow for sound to pass through the sleeve to a microphone (22) of the electronic device or from a speaker (24) of the electronic device. A viewing window (25) is also located on the sleeve, which allows a user to view a video screen (26) on the electronic device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to carrying cases for electronic devices, more particularly, a carrying case for electronic devices having a four-point attachment system that allows a user to wear the carrying case in a horizontal or vertical position flat against the chest of the user.
Carrying case are commonly used for carrying and protecting electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, cameras, camcorders, MP3 players and other electronic storage devices. Carrying cases protect electronic devices from being scratched and/or damaged. In addition, some carrying cases allow users to carry electronic devices on their person, such as on a user's belt, on a user's arm or around a user's neck. The majority of conventional carrying cases are designed for electronic devices that store and play music, such as MP3 players. These carrying cases allow a user to carry the electronic device and listen to music while remaining hands free. However, conventional carrying cases are not designed for carrying electronic devices having video recording capabilities on a user's body. More specifically, conventional carrying cases do not allow users to attach electronic devices, such as an IPHONE®, cell phones, FLIP® video cameras, etc., to the user's chest for the purpose of videotaping or displaying videos while the user's hands remain free.
Therefore a need exists for a carrying case for electronic devices that allows a user to wear an electronic device carrying case flat against his or her chest in a vertical or horizontal position for the purpose of videotaping or displaying videos while the user's hands remain free.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:


Patent No.
(U.S. unless
stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

CA2,561,804	Ackloo	Mar. 29, 2008
2006/0144662	Hu	Jul. 06, 2006
7,051,910	Sprague et al.	May 30, 2006
6,962,277	Quintana et al.	Dec. 08, 2005
6,956,614	Quintana et al.	Oct. 18, 2005
WO2004/066014	Obrebski	Aug. 05, 2004
5,522,531	Quintana et al.	Feb. 18, 2003
6,019,264	Strieber	Feb. 01, 2000
5,829,652	Denzer et al.	Dec. 03, 1998
D382,286	Doran	Aug. 12, 1997
D378,163	Clissold	Feb. 25, 1997
4,298,149	Gottschalk et al.	Dec. 03, 1981
4,017,168	Brown	Apr. 12, 1977
3,053,299	Lang	Sep. 11, 1962

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that allows a user to record and play video.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that may be worn flat against a user's chest in a vertical or horizontal position.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that may be worn in an angled position against a user's chest in a vertical or horizontal position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that allows a user to record video while remaining hands free.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that allows a user to watch video while remaining hands free.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for electronic devices that allows a user to display video to others while remaining hands free.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a carrying case for electronic devices comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped sleeve having a upper edge, a lower edge, two side edges, a front surface, a rear surface and an opening. Attachment means, such as grommets, clips, rings, etc., are located at each corner of the case. A user may attach an upper strap to the attachment means so that the user can wear the carrying case around his or her neck. In addition, the user may attach a lower strap to the attachment means so that the user can further secure the carrying case around his or her torso. The upper and lower straps ensure that the carrying case will lie flat against the user's chest. The user may attach the upper and lower straps to the carrying case so that the carrying case is worn vertically or horizontally. A video window preferably located on the rear surface of the carrying case allows a video lens of an electronic device to record video through the rear surface. A flap may also be located on the rear surface. The flap covers the video window and the video lens. The flap may be opened to expose the video lens while recording video. In addition, a microphone window is located on the front surface to allow for sound to pass through the front surface to a microphone located in the electronic device. A speaker window is also located on the front surface to allow sound to pass through the front surface from a speaker located in the electronic device. A viewing window located on the front surface allows a user to view a video screen on the electronic device. The viewing window may be an open space or be a clear material, such as plastic, to protect the video screen of the electronic device.
To use the carrying case for videotaping, a user first places an electronic device, such as an I PHONE®, in the carrying case. Then, the user attaches the upper strap around his or her neck. Then the user attaches the lower strap around his or her torso so that the rear surface is facing away from the user. The user can then use the electronic device to videotape everything in front of the user. Alternatively, the user can display video on his or her chest to others by wearing the carrying case with the front surface facing away from his or her chest. In addition, the user can lengthen the upper strap so that the carrying case will lie horizontal to the ground with the front surface facing upward, thereby allowing the user to watch video on the electronic device.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a vertical position with the front surface facing the body of a user;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a vertical position with the front surface facing away from the body of a user;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a horizontal position with the front surface facing the body of a user;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a horizontal position with the front surface facing away from the body of a user; and

FIG. 8 is a side top perspective view of a carrying case for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in an angled position in relation to a user's chest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:


1.	carrying case
2.	sleeve
3.	inner surface
4.	outer surface
5.	upper edge
6.	lower edge
7.	side edge
8.	corner
9.	front surface
10.	rear surface
11.	opening
12.	electronic device
13.	securing means
14.	hook and loop fastener
15.	strap attachment means
16.	upper strap
17.	lower strap
18.	video window
19.	video lens
20.	flap
21.	microphone window
22.	microphone
23.	speaker window
24.	speaker
25.	viewing window
26.	video screen
27.	grommet

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a front plan view, a rear plan view and a top view, respectively of a carrying case 1 for electronic devices of the present invention are shown. The carrying case 1 is a substantially rectangular-shaped sleeve 2 having an inner surface 3 an outer surface 4, an upper edge 5, a lower edge 6, two side edges 7, corners 8, a front surface 9 and a rear surface 10. An opening 11 is located along the top edge 5 to allow a user to insert an electronic device 12 into the carrying case 1, as shown in FIG. The opening 11 may be sealed shut using a securing means 13, such as a hook and loop fastener 14, a zipper, etc. Strap attachment means 15, such as grommets 27, clips, hooks, etc., are located at each corner 8 of the carrying case 1. A user may attach an upper strap 16 to the attachment means 15 and/or a lower strap 17 to the attachment means 15 so that the user can secure the carrying case around his or her neck and/or torso, as shown in FIGS. 4-8. A video window 18 located on the rear surface 10 of the carrying case 1 allows a video lens 19 of an electronic device 12 to record video. A flap 20 may also be located on the rear surface 10. The flap 20 covers the video window 18 and protects the video lens 19 while not in use. The flap 20 may be opened to expose the video lens 19 while recording video. The flap 19 may be held in a closed position by a securing means 13, such as a hook and loop fastener 14, a zipper and so forth. A microphone window 21 is located on the front surface 9 to allow for sound to pass through the front surface 9 to a microphone 22 located in the electronic device 12. A speaker window 23 is also located on the front surface 9 to allow sound to pass through the front surface 9 from a speaker 24 located in the electronic device 12. A viewing window 25 located on the front surface 9 allows a user to view a video screen 26 located on the electronic device 12. The viewing window may be an open space or a clear material, such as plastic, to protect the video screen 26 of the electronic device 12.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, front plan views of a carrying case 1 for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a vertical position with the front surface 9 facing the body of a user and the front surface 9 facing away from the body of a user, respectively, are shown. To use the carrying case 1 in a vertical position, a user attaches an upper strap 16 to the carrying case 1 via an attachment means 15, such as grommets 27 (as shown here), clips, hooks, etc., which are located at each corner 8 of the carrying case 1. The upper strap 16 is attached to the grommets 27 located at the corners 8 along the upper edge 5 of the carrying case 1. Then user may then place the upper strap 16 around his or her neck. Then a lower strap 17 may be attached to the grommets 27 located along the lower edge 6 of the carrying case 1. Then the user may secure the lower strap 17 around his or her torso. The upper strap 16 and lower strap 17 may be constructed of any strap or cord material, such as nylon webbing, shoe laces, etc. In addition, a user may wear the carrying case 1 with or without the lower strap 16. A user may wear the carrying case 1 with the rear surface 10 facing away from the user so that the user can then use the electronic device 12 to videotape everything in front of the user, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the user can display video on his or her chest to others by wearing the carrying case 1 with the front surface 9 facing away from his or her chest, as shown in FIG. 5.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, front plan views of a carrying case 1 for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a horizontal position with the front surface 9 facing the body of a user and the front surface 9 facing away from the body of a user, respectively, are shown. To use the carrying case 1 in a horizontal position, a user attaches an upper strap 16 to the carrying case 1 via an attachment means 15, such as grommets 27 (as shown here), clips, hooks, etc., which are located at each corner 8 of the carrying case 1. The upper strap 16 is attached to the grommets 27 located at one of the corners 8 along the upper edge 5 of the carrying case 1 and at one of the corners 8 along the lower edge 6 of the carrying case 1. Then user may then place the upper strap 16 around his or her neck. Then a lower strap 17 may be attached to the grommets 27 on the opposite side edge 7 of the carrying case 1. Then the user may secure the lower strap 17 around his or her torso. The upper strap 16 and lower strap 17 may be constructed of any strap or cord material, such as nylon webbing, shoe laces, etc. In addition, a user may wear the carrying case 1 with or without the lower strap 16. A user may wear the carrying case 1 with the rear surface 10 facing away from the user so that the user can then use the electronic device 12 to videotape everything in front of the user, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the user can display video on his or her chest to others by wearing the carrying case 1 with the front surface 9 facing away from his or her chest, as shown in FIG. 8.
Finally with reference to FIG. 8, a side top perspective view of a carrying case 1 for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in an angled position in relation to a user's chest is shown. The carrying case 1 allows users to view video on an electronic device 12 while remaining hands free. To position the carrying case 1 for personal viewing, a user first secures the upper strap 16 around his or her neck and then the lower strap 17 around his or her torso with the front surface 9 of the carrying case 1 facing the chest of the user. The user may then lengthen the upper strap 16 so that the carrying case 1 will lie angled outward from the user's chest or substantially horizontal to the ground with the front surface facing 9 upward, thereby allowing the user to watch video on the electronic device 12 through the viewing window 18.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts or use herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A carrying case for electronic devices comprising:

a sleeve having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, side edges, corners, a front surface and a rear surface;

an opening located on the sleeve for inserting an electronic device into the sleeve;

at least one attachment means located on the sleeve;

an upper strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means; and

a lower strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means.

2. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

a securing means located on the opening of the sleeve for securing the opening in a closed position.

3. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one video window located on the sleeve.

4. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 3 further comprising:

at least one flap located on the sleeve for covering the at least one video window.

5. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 4 further comprising:

a securing means located on the at least one flap for securing the at least one flap in a closed position over the at least one video window.

6. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one microphone window located on the sleeve.

7. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one speaker window located on the sleeve.

8. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one viewing window located on the sleeve.

9. A carrying case for electronic devices comprising:

a substantially rectangular shaped sleeve having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, side edges, four corners, a front surface and a rear surface;

an opening located on the sleeve for inserting an electronic device into the sleeve; and

at least one attachment means located on each corner of the sleeve.

10. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

an upper strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means.

11. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

a lower strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means.

12. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

13. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one video window located on the sleeve.

14. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 13 further comprising:

15. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 14 further comprising:

16. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one microphone window located on the sleeve.

17. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one speaker window located on the sleeve.

18. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one viewing window located on the sleeve.

19. A carrying case for electronic devices comprising:

at least one attachment means located on each corner of the sleeve;

a lower strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means.

20. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 19 further comprising:

at least one video window located on the sleeve.