US20130001265A1

US20130001265A1 - Terminal device storing case

Info

Publication number: US20130001265A1
Application number: US13/635,322
Authority: US
Inventors: Haruto Uchida
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2010-03-18
Filing date: 2011-03-17
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: JP5439243B2; WO2011114735A1; JP2011199519A

Abstract

Disclosed is a terminal device storing case wherein a connection part can be attached or removed while a terminal device is stored, regardless of the position of an inlet for the connection part in the terminal device, so as to improve usability. The case comprises a case main body (101) which stores a communication terminal device and covers a part of the surface of the stored communication terminal device. A first holding belt (104) covers a portion of the surface of the communication terminal device stored in the case main body (101), the portion being the portion which is not covered by the case main body (101), and the belt can be removably attached to the case main body (101).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to terminal apparatus storing cases, and in particular to a terminal apparatus storing case that allows a connected component, such as an earphone cord, to be attached to and removed from a terminal apparatus stored in the case, regardless of the model of the terminal, apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Storing cases capable of storing portable communication units of different models have been known (see Patent Literature 1, for instance). A storing case disclosed by Patent Literature 1 has a space in a lower portion of side surfaces of the case, thereby permitting a connected component, e.g., an earphone cord, to be attached to and removed from a portable communication unit stored in the case.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

PTL1
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open. No. 2001-60997

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, the position of an inlet for connected components on a portable communication unit differs from model to model. Thus, for a model provided with no inlet for connected components at a position exposed to outside from the space provided in the lower portion of the side surface of the case, the storing case of Patent Literature 1 does not allow a connected component to be attached to/removed from a portable communication unit stored in the case.
An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal apparatus storing case that can improve usability by allowing easy attachment and removal of a connected component to and from a terminal apparatus stored in the case, regardless of where the inlet for connected components is positioned on the terminal apparatus.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the aforementioned object, a terminal apparatus storing case reflecting one aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration that includes: a case main body section that stores a terminal apparatus and covers some of surfaces of the terminal apparatus stored therein; and holding belts that are removably fastened to the case main body section, the holding belts covering portions of the surfaces not covered by the case main body section.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention can improve usability by allowing attachment and removal of a connected component to and from a terminal apparatus stored in the case, regardless of where the inlet for connected components is positioned on the terminal apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a communication terminal apparatus storing case according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side of its attachment surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the communication terminal apparatus storing case according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side opposite to the attachment surface; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a communication terminal apparatus that is stored in the communication terminal apparatus storing case according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side of its attachment surface. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side opposite to the attachment surface. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of communication terminal apparatus 300 that is stored in communication terminal apparatus storing case 100.
Communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 mainly includes case main body section 101, storing section 102, fitting belt 103, first holding belt 104, and second holding belt 105. The individual components will be described in detail below.
Case main body section 101 can be opened from the position of FIGS. 1 and 2 and also bent at a predetermined portion. Storing section 102 is formed inside case main body section 101 by bending case main body section 101 from the open position to a certain position at which corresponding surfaces face one another at a predetermined distance, i.e., the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the bent position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, case main body section 101 has first upper end part 113 and second upper end part 114. In the bent position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, case main body section 101 also has first side-end part 115, second side-end part 116, third side-end part 117, and fourth side-end part 118. Case main body section 101 is made of a fabric-like material having flexibility in the bottom portion in FIG. 1 (the shaded portion in FIG. 1). Case main body section 101 also internally contains plastic plates except the bottom portion in FIG. 1, the plastic plates being covered by the fabric-like material.
Case main body section 101 also has opening 106 that is defined by first upper end part 113 and second upper end part 114 and is open to outside. Case main body section 101 also has opening 107 that is defined by first side-end part 115 and second side-end part 116 and is open to outside. Case main body section 101 also has opening 108 that is defined by third side-end part 117 and fourth side-end part 118 and is open to outside. Case main body section 101 has protruding part 112 that protrudes outward from an outer surface. Case main body section 101 covers some of the surfaces of communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102. Specifically, when communication terminal apparatus 300 of a cuboid shape is stored in storing section 102, case main body section 101 covers three faces, namely front face 301, back face 302, and side face 306, among front face 301, back face 302, and four side faces 303, 304, 305 and 306 of communication terminal apparatus 300. On front face 301 of communication terminal apparatus 300, liquid crystal sub-screen 310 is provided, for example. On back face 302 of communication terminal apparatus 300, a battery pack housing section is provided, for example. Openings 106, 107, and 108 of case main body section 101 each communicate with storing section 102.
Case main body section 101 has fastener mating section 120 on an outer surface for removably attaching fitting belt 103 (described later) to case main body section 101. Case main body section 101 also has fastener mating section 122 on the outer surface for removably attaching first holding belt 104 (described later) to case main body section 101. Case main body section 101 also has fastener mating section 123 on the outer surface for removably attaching second holding belt 105 (described later) to case main body section 101. One ends of first holding belt 104 and second holding belt 105 are attached to an inner surface of case main body section 101. On case main body section 101, fitting belt 103 is removably attached to the outer surface on which fastener mating section 120, fastener mating section 122, and fastener mating section 123 are provided (the outer surface visible in FIG. 1) and to the opposite outer surface (the outer surface visible in FIG. 2). An approximate center of fitting belt 103 is fixed to case main body section 101. Fastener mating sections 120, 122, and 123 are provided on the outer surface that faces an attachment object such as a clothes belt (the outer surface visible in FIG. 1) when case main body section 101 is attached to the attachment object.
Storing section 102 stores communication terminal apparatus 300, which has a polyhedral shape. Storing section 102 communicates with openings 106, 107, and 108 of case main body section 101. Communication terminal apparatus 300 is stored in storing section 102 in the position shown in FIG. 3.
Fitting belt 103 is a strip-shaped and has fastener section 119, which can be removably attached to fastener mating section 120, at one longitudinal end. The longitudinal end of fitting belt 103 is removably fastened to fastener mating section 120, provided on the outer surface of case main body section 101, via fastener section 119. The other longitudinal end of fitting belt 103 is removably attached to the outer surface (the outer surface visible in FIG. 2) opposite to the outer surface on which the above-described end is fastened (the outer surface visible in FIG. 1). By fastener section 119 being fastened to fastener mating section 120, fitting belt 103 covers a part of opening 106 of case main body section 101, thereby preventing falling off of communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102. Also, by attaching fitting belt 103 to an attachment object such as the user's clothes, case main body section 101 can be attached to the attachment object. Fitting belt 103 is fixed to the outer surface of case main body section 101 (the outer surface visible in FIG. 1) at an approximate central portion of belt 103 in the longitudinal direction.
First holding belt 104 is strip-shaped and has fastener section 121, which can be removably attached to fastener mating section 122, at one longitudinal end. The longitudinal end of first holding belt 104 is removably fastened to fastener mating section 122, provided on the outer surface of case main body section 101, via fastener section 121. The other longitudinal end of first holding belt 104 is fixed to the inner surface of case main body section 101. By fastener section 121 being fastened to fastener mating section 122, first holding belt 104 covers a part of opening 107 of case main body section 101. In this position, first holding belt 104 covers a part of one side face 303, which is not covered by case main body section 101. First holding belt 104 can thereby prevent falling off of communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102.
Second holding belt 105 is strip-shaped and has fastener section 124, which can be removably attached to fastener mating section 123, at one longitudinal end. The longitudinal end of second holding belt 105 is removably fastened to fastener mating section 123, provided on the outer surface of case main body section 101, via fastener section 124. The other longitudinal end of second holding belt 105 is fixed to the inner surface of case main body section 101. By fastener section 124 being fastened to fastener mating section 123, second holding belt 105 covers a part of opening 108 of case main body section 101. In this position, second holding belt 105 covers a part of one side face 305, which is not covered by case main body section 101. Second holding belt 105 can thereby prevent falling off of communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102.
Protruding portion 112 has flat top part 112 a that protrudes outward from the outer surface of case main body section 101. Protruding portion 112 also has inclining part 112 b that inclines from top part 112 a toward second side-end part 116 (an edge side) of the outer surface on which fitting belt 103 of case main body section 101 is fastened (fastening surface). Protruding portion 112 also has inclining part 112 c that inclines from top part 112 a toward fourth side-end part 118 (an edge side) of the outer surface on which fitting belt 103 of case main body section 101 is fastened, Top part 112 a of protruding portion 112 has fastener mating section 120 provided thereon. Inclining part 112 b of protruding portion 112 has fastener mating section 122 provided thereon. Inclining part 112 c of protruding portion 112 has fastener mating section 123 provided thereon. Protruding portion 112 is provided on an outer surface on the attachment object side of case main body section 101 (the outer surface visible in FIG. 1) when case main body section 101 is attached to an attachment object, such as a clothes belt. Top part 112 a protrudes to the attachment object side farther than fastener mating sections 122 and 123.
Fastener mating sections 120, 122, 123, and fastener sections 119, 121, 124 may be made of magic tape (registered trademark), for example.
Thus far, the structure of communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 has been described.
Next, the usage of communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 will be shown.
The way of attaching communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 to the clothes or the like the user is wearing is described first.
First, fastener section 119 of fitting belt 103 is removed from fastener mating section 120 of case main body section 101.
Then, communication terminal apparatus 300 is placed in storing section 102.
The belt on the trousers the user is wearing is put between fitting belt 103 and protruding portion 112. Fastener section 119 of fitting belt 103 is then fastened to fastener mating section 120 of case main body section 101, thereby attaching communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 to the user's clothes or the like. The fitting belt need not necessarily be removable at protruding portion 112 if there is space allowing a trouser belt to be passed between protruding portion 112 and fitting belt 103.
The case is attached such that the outer surface including protruding portion 112 of case main body section 101 serves as the attachment surface. Top part 112 a of protruding portion 112 accordingly comes into contact with the clothes or the like the user is wearing, keeping a distance between. communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102 and the user's body. A distance is also kept between inclining parts 112 b, 112 c and the user's body while top part 112 a of protruding portion 112 is in contact with the user's clothes or the like.
Next, description will be given on how to connect a connected component, such as an earphone cord, to communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102, with communication terminal apparatus storing case 100 attached to the user's clothes or the like.
When the connected-component inlet of communication terminal apparatus 300 is positioned on side face 303 and thus exposed to outside from opening 107 of case main body section 101, fastener section 121 of first holding belt 104 is removed from fastener mating section 122 so as to fully expose opening 107 to outside.
This allows a connected component to be easily inserted into the inlet on communication terminal apparatus 300.
Then, fastener section 121 of first holding belt 104 is fastened to fastener mating section 122 so that communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102 can be prevented from falling from storing section 102.
When the connected-component inlet of communication terminal apparatus 300 is positioned on side face 305 and thus exposed to outside from opening 108 of case main body section 101, fastener section 124 of second holding belt 105 is removed from fastener mating section 123 so as to fully expose opening 108 to outside.
This allows a connected component to be easily inserted into the inlet on communication terminal apparatus 300.
Then, fastener section 124 of second holding belt 105 is fastened to fastener mating section 123 so that communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102 can be prevented from falling from storing section 102.
When the connected component inlet of communication terminal apparatus 300 is positioned on side face 304 and thus exposed to outside from opening 106 of case main body section 101, fastener section 119 of fitting belt 103 is removed from fastener mating section 120 so as to fully expose opening 106 to outside.
This allows a connected component to be easily inserted into the inlet on communication terminal apparatus 300.
Then, fastener section 119 of fitting belt 103 is fastened to fastener mating section 120 so that communication terminal apparatus 300 stored in storing section 102 can be prevented from falling from storing section 102. As mentioned above, case main body section 101 can be removably fastened to an attachment object, e.g., a trousers belt.
As described above, the present embodiment can improve usability by allowing a connected component to be attached to and removed from a communication terminal apparatus stored in the case, regardless of where the inlet for connected components is positioned on the apparatus. Also, since the present embodiment provides the protruding portion on the outer surface of the case main body section on the fastening side, a distance can be kept between the communication terminal apparatus stored in the storing section and the user's body when the communication terminal apparatus storing case is attached to the user's clothes or the like. This can prevent degradation of antenna performance of the communication terminal apparatus that can be caused by the user's body.
In addition, since the present embodiment positions the removable fastener sections and fastener mating sections on the outer surface of the case main body section on the fastening side, it can provide a favorable appearance and also prevent forced detachment between the fastener sections and the fastener mating sections due to external force. Specifically, because the fastener mating sections of the case main body section are located on the side of the user's body on which the communication terminal apparatus storing case is attached, the fastener sections and the fastener mating sections are less visible from outside and external force is difficult to be directly applied to the fastener mating sections. To achieve these effects, the fastener mating sections should be positioned on a case surface that faces the attachment object (the user's clothes or the like here). The surface that faces the attachment object includes inclining surface 112 b and the like described above. That is, of the outer surfaces of the case, any surface that faces the attachment object is referred to as a surface corresponding to the attachment object.
The present embodiment also allows the first holding belt and the second holding belt to be removably fastened to the inclining parts of the case main body section so that their fastening areas can be separated from the user's body, thereby permitting easy attachment and detachment of the two belts. To achieve this effect, top part 112 a of protruding portion 112 should protrude to the user side farther than the fastener mating sections of the holding belts. While protruding portion 112 of the present embodiment is shaped like a truncated pyramid, it may be configured in a shape made up of a curved surface, such as a hemisphere, or a shape made up of both curved and plane surfaces, such as a truncated cone. When protruding portion 112 is configured as a hemisphere or the like, the portion to come into contact with the user's body serves as top part 112 a and the remaining portion corresponds to inclining parts 112 b, 112 c. In other words, the surface extending from protruding portion 112 toward the edge sides of the case main body section corresponds to the inclining surface. An edge side of the case main body section is not limited to an edge itself of the case main body section but means any portion in the vicinity of an edge. Similarly, inclining parts 112 b, 112 c may also be configured with only a curved surface, both curved and plane surfaces, or a plurality of different curved surfaces, instead of being made up only by plane surfaces. Further, inclining part 112 b and inclining part 112 c may be different in shape, such as one of them being made up of a curved surface and the other being made up of a plane surface. Furthermore, the protruding portion may be a stepped protrusion in cross section by providing a step at some midpoint in inclining parts 112 b, 112 c.
Also, since the first holding belt and the second holding belt are fastened to the inclining parts of the case main body section in the present embodiment, it can prevent the first holding belt or second holding belt from coming off together with the fitting belt when the fitting belt is attached/detached. The present embodiment also allows a communication terminal apparatus to be inserted into or taken out from the communication terminal apparatus storing case with a connected component such as an earphone cord connected to the communication terminal apparatus. This can be done by removing the first holding belt or the second holding belt from the case main body section and inserting or taking out the communication terminal apparatus into or from the communication terminal apparatus storing case. Then, the first holding belt or second holding belt removed from the case main body section is fastened to the case main body section again.
While in the above-described embodiment an earphone cord is connected to a communication terminal apparatus with the apparatus stored in the storing section, the present invention is not limited thereto; any kind of connected component, such as an antenna and microphone cord, can be connected. While in the above-described embodiment one longitudinal end of the first holding belt and one longitudinal end of the second holding belt are fixed to the case main body section, the present invention is not limited thereto; both their longitudinal ends may be removably fastened to the case main body section. Also, in the present embodiment, the first holding belt and second holding belt may have any shape and size as long as they can cover the entire or part of the openings of the case main body section.
Also, while in the above-described embodiment the case main body section can be opened, the present invention is not limited thereto; the case main body section may be allowed to be only in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also, while in the above-described embodiment a cuboid-shaped communication terminal apparatus is stored in the case, the present invention is not limited thereto; the case can store a communication terminal apparatus of any shape as long as it is polyhedral. The case main body section according to the embodiment can also store a communication terminal apparatus that includes a curved surface or is made up only of a curved surface, such as a circular cylinder or egg shape. Also, while in the above-described embodiment the case is attached to the user's clothes or the like using the fitting belt, the present invention is not limited thereto; the case main body section may be attached to the user's clothes or the like without using the fitting belt used in the embodiment. For example, magic tape (registered trademark) that mates with magic tape (registered trademark) attached to the user's clothes or the like may be provided on the top part, or an attachment member having a shape that fits the case top may be provided for attachment to the user's clothes.
While in the above-described embodiment a communication terminal apparatus is the object to be stored into the case, the present invention is not limited thereto; any apparatus other than a communication terminal apparatus, without communication functions, such as a music player without communication functions, may be the object to be stored.
While in the above-described embodiment case only the bottom of main body section 101 is made of a material having flexibility, the present invention is not limited thereto; the whole of case main body section 101 may be made of a flexible material. In addition, the material forming case main body section 101 is not limited to the one shown in the above-described embodiment, and case main body section 101 may be fabricated from other material, such as leather or metal.
While in the above-described embodiment fitting belt 103 is fixed to the outer surface of case main body section 101 in its approximate center in the longitudinal direction and portions near its longitudinal ends can be removed from case main body section 101, the present invention is not limited thereto. Fitting belt 103 may be fixed to case main body section 101 at one longitudinal end without fixing its approximate center portion, and the other longitudinal end may be removable from case main body section 101.
The disclosed contents of the specification, drawings, and abstract included in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-63190 filed, on Mar. 18, 2010 are incorporated herein in their entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The terminal apparatus storing case of the present invention is suitable for enabling attachment and removal of a connected component such as an earphone cord to and from a terminal apparatus stored in the case, regardless of the model of the terminal apparatus.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 communication terminal apparatus storing case
101 case main body section
102 storing section
103 fitting belt
104 first holding belt
105 second holding belt
106, 107, 108 opening
112 protruding portion
112 a top part
112 b, 112 c inclining part
113 first upper end part
114 second upper end part
115 first side-end part
116 second side-end part
117 third side-end part
118 fourth side-end part
119, 121, 124 fastener section
120, 122, 123 fastener mating section

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. A terminal apparatus storing case comprising:

a case main body section that stores a terminal apparatus and covers some of surfaces of the stored terminal apparatus; and

a holding belt that is removably fastened to the case main body section, the holding belt covering a portion of the surfaces not covered by the case main body section, wherein

the case main body section is capable of being removably fastened to an attachment object, and comprises a fastener mating section which is provided on an outer surface that faces the attachment object when the case main body section is attached to the attachment object and onto which the holding belt is removably fastened; and the case main body section is attached to the attachment object by bringing a top part of a protruding portion into contact with the attachment object, the top part of the protruding portion protruding from an outer surface on the attachment article side and protruding to the attachment object side farther than the fastener mating section.

8. The terminal apparatus storing case according to claim 7, wherein

at least a part of side faces of the protruding part is an inclining part that inclines toward an edge side of the case main body section, and

the fastener mating section is positioned on the inclining part.