US20230225473A1

US20230225473A1 - Mobile Device Case

Info

Publication number: US20230225473A1
Application number: US17/576,194
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Lietzke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-01-14
Filing date: 2022-01-14
Publication date: 2023-07-20

Abstract

A foldable wallet-style mobile phone case is disclosed. The case includes a first flap and a second flap separated from the first flap by a central portion. The central portion allows the first flap to be folded onto the second flap along a fold axis. The first flap includes at least one card slot therein, and a retainer having a first end coupled to the first flap and a second end that is free. The second end of the retainer includes a securing structure that is able to be coupled to a mating securing structure on the second flap. At least a portion of the retainer is located in a blocking arrangement over top the at least one card slot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones have continued to see dramatic increase in usage since their introduction, never more rapid than in recent years. Indeed, according to some sources, including the online research of Statista, as of December 2021 there were over 6 billion smartphone users in the world. This means that over 80% of the world's population owns a smart phone. In the United States, according to the Pew Research Center, over 97% of Americans now own a cellular phone of some kind. The relative percentage of those cellular phones classified as smart phones has risen from 35% in 2011 to over 85% in 2021.
Accompanying such dramatic increase in popularity of cell phones has also been the desire, indeed the need, to carry the cell phone with the owner during the large majority of a person's day. In fact, most cell phone owners keep their cell phones with them nearly at all times during the day. Moreover, as cell phones have become more sophisticated, they have become capable of doing things that were not possible even just a short time in the past. Nowadays, a smart phone can not only communicate via text message and voice call, but can also send and receive electronic mail, make video calls, take photos and videos of extremely high quality, translate speech in real time, interface with any web site available, and conduct personal and business transactions online, including acting as a payment source. As a result, users tend to always carry their phones with them. As a further result, users sometimes desire to only carry their phones with them, to the exclusion of their wallets, but still desire to carry with them other items, such as their driver's license, credit cards, identification cards, secure-access cards, insurance cards, and the like (all of these types of items, and all similar items commonly carried in wallets and mobile device cases, are hereinafter referred to simply as “cards”). Users tend to prefer that such cards be placed inside a card-holding device to protect the cards, and to prevent losing the cards. Obviously, wallets have been used for such purposes for decades, if not hundreds of years. However, as stated above, a growing trend is that people tend to only want to carry with them one item, and that item tends to be the smart phone.
As such, some smart phone products have been developed to house these cards. These products tend to fall into two categories. A first category is a wallet or portfolio-style (that is, a “folding” case) cell phone holder that houses a cell phone on one side and credit cards on the opposite side. An example of this prior art device is shown in FIG. 1 . A second category is a pouch style attachment for the back side of a cell phone. The pouch is attached to the back of a cell phone case (typically with adhesive), and the pouch includes one or more slots for cards. Some pouches themselves have an internal sliding mechanism with a pull tab attached thereto. When the user needs to retrieve a card, the user pulls the pull tab to slide out the card holders. Once the user is finished, the card can be returned to the card holder, and the card holder is slid back into the pouch, with the pull tab remaining accessible to pull the card holder again when needed.
One of the many problems with products of the first category is that cards tend to fall out of the card slots. This is especially problematic where the card slots are open in a direction that is not blocked by some physical structure. And, because many of the wallet-style cell phone holders are made of leather, the tendency of cards to fall out of the holder increases over time and with use, as the slots for the cards get broken in, worn, and tend to expand. Further, many cards are of different sizes and thicknesses, and thicker cards tend to stretch the slots and enclosures more so than thinner cards. Then, when a thinner card is placed in a slot that has previously housed a thicker card, the thinner card tends to escape more easily. Although wallet-style phone holders have many benefits, including the general ability to provide more space for cards, cash, and the like, many users have lamented the loss of cards that have slipped out of their slots. Similar problems exist for the pouch category as well, especially if the slots wear or break-in over time and therefore become loose. And, pouches that are adhered to the back side of a phone provide no protection or cover for the phone itself.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art to provide a phone case, and in particular, a wallet-style phone case, that also carries multiple card-like items, yet prevents the cards from falling out.

SUMMARY

The herein-described embodiments address these and other problems associated with the art by providing a phone case with a locking feature to prevent credit cards from falling out.
A mobile device case embodiment is disclosed comprising a first flap having at least one card slot therein, wherein the at least one card slot is configured to receive at least one card insertable into the at least one card slot in an insertion direction; a second flap configured to receive a mobile device; a central portion connecting the first flap to the second flap in a foldable arrangement in which the first flap can be folded about a fold axis and can be moveable through a range of positions from at least a first, unfolded position to at least a second, folded position; and a retainer configured to be coupled to each of the first flap and the second flap, wherein when the retainer is coupled to both the first flap and the second flap, at least a portion of the retainer is in blocking alignment over the at least one card slot in the insertion direction, wherein the insertion direction is parallel to said fold axis.
A mobile device case embodiment is disclosed comprising: a first flap; a second flap; a central portion foldably connecting the first flap to the second flap along a fold axis; and a retainer having a first end fixedly coupled to the first flap and a second end removably coupled to the second flap; wherein the first flap includes at least one card slot oriented in a direction that is not parallel to the fold axis and is configured to receive a card; and wherein the second end of the retainer further comprises a first securement structure that is engageable to a second securement structure that is coupled to the second flap; and wherein at least a portion of the retainer is physically situated over at least a portion of the at least one card slot.
A method of preventing a credit card from escaping a mobile device case is disclosed, the method comprising: providing a foldable wallet-style mobile device case, wherein the case includes a first flap and a second flap separated from the first flap by a central portion along a fold axis, and wherein the first flap includes at least one card slot oriented in a direction that is not parallel to the fold axis, and wherein the first flap includes a retainer having a first end coupled to the first flap and a second end not coupled to the first flap, and wherein the retainer is situated on the first flap above the at least one card slot in a direction parallel to the fold axis; coupling a mobile device to the second flap; inserting a card into the at least one card slot; closing the case by folding the first flap onto the mobile device; and securing the second end of the retainer to the second flap.
A mobile device case is disclosed comprising: a first flap having a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge; a second flap having a first edge, an second edge, and a third edge; a central portion foldably connecting the first flap to the second flap along a fold axis, the fold axis being between the third edge of the first flap and the third edge of the second flap; wherein the first flap includes at least one card slot oriented in a direction that is not parallel to the fold axis and is configured to receive a card; and wherein a card is inserted into the card slot from a first position closer to the central portion to a second position closer to the third edge of the first flap.
These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto. For a better understanding of the invention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments of the invention. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows a prior art wallet-style cell phone holder.

FIG. 1B shows a prior art pouch style cell phone holder.

FIG. 1C shows a second prior art pouch style cell phone holder.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mobile device case according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the case in an open configuration, and with the phone having been removed for better viewing.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the mobile device case of FIG. 2 , showing the case in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile device case of FIG. 2 , with the phone having been removed for clarity, showing a card being prevented from exiting the case by the retainer.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a second embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a first configuration.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a second embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a second configuration.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a third embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a first configuration.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a third embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a second configuration.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a fifth embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a first configuration.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the mobile device according to a fifth embodiment, showing the card slots arranged in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the invention should limited only by the claims appended hereto. However, various embodiments have been selected to be discussed herein to illustrate exemplary, non-limiting implementations of the inventive concepts. The embodiments discussed hereinafter are directed in part to a case for a mobile device having a retainer to prevent loss of cards therefrom.
FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate representative prior art mobile device cases or holders. With regard to FIG. 1A, the case is a typical wallet-style case, and includes a plurality of card slots on the left side of the case to house credit cards, etc., and a phone holding section on the right side of the case. The card slots are oriented in a horizontal direction when a user is holding the case, such that the cards are inserted into the slots vertically. The cards, which are typically longer than they are tall (that is, they are in a “landscape” orientation when viewing the face of the card), are inserted into the slots in a downward vertical direction. The card slots are open at the top, which allows top access to the cards. A separate long slot, or pouch, is also present, and has its opening along a side, not the top. Such long slot is commonly used for things like cash, as well as additional cards, etc. As can be seen, the opening to this area, being on the side, is such that when the phone case is closed, the opening is blocked by the material in the fold of the case itself.
FIG. 1B shows a common phone case that has one or more slots on a back side of the phone case itself. Because of the size of most common mobile devices, the slots typically hold cards in portrait orientation, with openings at the top.
FIG. 1C shows a different pouch style card holder. This holder is not a mobile device case at all, and is instead a separate item that attaches itself to the back of a phone or a phone case. This holder includes a sliding “tray” of card slots that, again, typically hold cards in a portrait orientation. These slots are hidden, however, and are contained on a sliding card tray. The entire card tray is moveable from a first position (in which the cards are contained fully within the pouch, as shown in FIG. 1C) to a second position (in which the cards are accessible and able to be removed from their slots). The device that allows a user to move the card tray from the first position to the second position is a tab or flap.
Turning now to the embodiments disclosed and claimed herein, FIG. 2 depicts a mobile device case 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The case 10 shown in this embodiment is a folding wallet or portfolio-style case. The case 10 includes a first flap 20, a second flap 40, and a central portion 50 connecting the first flap 20 to the second flap 40. The first flap 20 includes an outer flap surface 21 and an inner flap surface 22. The second flap 40 also includes an outer flap surface 41 and an inner flap surface 42. In the embodiment shown, the first flap 20 is located on the left and is the portion of the case 10 that receives one or more cards or cash, and the second flap 40 is located on the right and is the portion of the case 10 that receives the mobile device (not shown). Obviously, these could be reversed, with the second flap 40 on the left side and the first flap 20 with card slots 26 on the right side.
The inner flap surface 22 of the first flap 20 includes a pouch surface 23. Pouch surface 23 is mated to the inner flap surface 22 about three sides: along a top 22 a, an outer edge 22 b, and a bottom 22 c. In this manner, a pouch opening 24 exists, creating an interior space 25 between the inner flap surface 22 and the pouch surface 23, bounded by the top 22 a, outer edge 22 b, and bottom 22 c, but open at the pouch opening 24. This interior space 25 is preferably larger than the interior spaces for the various cards (described below). Items such as cash, receipts, other paper items, or even other or additional cards, for example, can be placed within the interior space 25.
Additionally, the pouch surface 23 (or, if no pouch exists, then alternatively the inner flap surface 22) further includes one or more card slots 26 therein. Each card slot 26 is an opening into a card interior space 27. The card slot 26 shown in this embodiment is sized to accept standard forms of cards, but could be altered in dimension for custom or different items, if desired.
The second flap 40 includes a top edge 40 a, an outer edge 40 b, and a bottom edge 40 c. These first, second, and third edges are shown in FIGS. 2-4 in a portrait orientation, as one example. The fourth edge of the embodiment is coupled to the central portion 50. As stated above, the second flap 40 in this embodiment receives and retains the mobile device. Various methods of retaining the mobile device on, to, or in the inner flap surface 42 of the second flap 40 are known. Such methods include, but are not limited to, magnetic connections, adhesives, hook and loop material, retaining clips, retaining ledges, friction fit, geometric retention mechanisms, slidable or movable arms that can movably overlie the mobile device, and so forth. The second flap 40 preferably (but this is not required) additionally includes one or more cutouts 43 in its perimeter. The cutout 43 provides an opening or free space to line up with various portions of the mobile device. As an example, the cutout 43 can be sized and located to align with the camera that is part of the mobile device in order to allow the camera to be used while the mobile device is retained by the second flap 40. The location, size, shape, and number of cutouts 43 is variable, depending on user preference, brand, and style of mobile device. As stated above, the cutout 43 may indeed be absent from the second flap 40 altogether.
The central portion 50 in the embodiment shown is generally of a relatively flexible material to allow the first flap 20 to fold over top the second flap 40. The central portion 50 can be (but need not be) of the same material as the first flap 20 and second flap 40, and can be continuous (that is, the same material can comprise the first flap 20, central portion 50, and second flap 40, all in one piece), or it can be separately joined to the first flap 20 and second flap 40 (such as, for example, at seams). The central portion 50 also can be of a different material than that of the first flap 20 or second flap 40. This might be the case, as one example, where the first flap 20 and/or second flap 40 is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material. In such case, a flexible material will comprise the central portion 50, and the central portion 50 will be joined to the first flap 20 at a first seam 51, and will be joined to the second flap 40 at a second seam 52. As stated above, the case 10 shown in FIGS. 2-4 is a folding case, and the folding occurs via the central portion 50. The flexible central portion 50 allows the first flap 20 to fold about an imaginary fold axis 53. This foldability enables the case 10 to occupy a range of positions, from open to closed. Additional embodiments described below locate the central portion 50 (and therefore the fold axis 53) in different locations and orientations.
In the open position as shown in FIG. 2 , the first flap 20 is located on the left side of the second flap, where the mobile device would be retained. In this open position, it can be seen that the one or more card slots 26 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the fold axis 53. Also, the pouch opening 24 is oriented substantially parallel to the fold axis 53. In this open position, one or more cards can be place into the card interior spaces 27 by inserting the card vertically downwardly from the top and in a direction parallel to the fold axis through the card slot 26. It can be seen that, to remove a card, a user pulls the desired card vertically upwardly until such card leaves the card interior space 27 by exiting the card slot 26.
Also in the open position of this embodiment, items can be placed inside the interior space 25 of the pouch between the inner flap surface 22 and the pouch surface 23. Placing items therein is accomplished by inserting them horizontally from the right to the left (as viewed in FIGS. 2-4 ), in a direction perpendicular to the fold axis 53, through the pouch opening 24. Once inside interior space 25, the cards are secured because the material of the central portion 50 occludes pouch opening 24, therefore preventing the cards from exiting. Removing items is accomplished by purposefully pulling them horizontally from the left to the right in a direction perpendicular to the fold axis 53 through the pouch opening 24 (as viewed in FIGS. 2-4 ).
FIG. 3 shows the case of the embodiment in a closed position. In this position, the material that makes up the central portion 50 provides a physical barrier to the removal of items within the interior space 25. That is, any card or paper currency residing in the interior space 25 is not able to fall out of the interior space 25, due to the presence of the material that makes up the central portion 50.
With reference again to FIG. 2 , the structure that prevents loss of cards from the card interior space 27 will now be described. The first flap 20 additionally includes a retainer 30. The retainer 30 of the embodiment shown includes a strap portion 31 having a first end 32 and a second end 33. The first end 32 is coupled to the first flap 20. The method of coupling includes all known methods, and, for example, could involve stitches, welding, rivets, magnets, and the like, and could even be simply an extension of the outer flap surface 21 or the inner flap surface 22. The second end 33 includes a securement portion 34, to which a first securement structure 35 is coupled. The first securement structure 35 is designed to be coupled to a complementary second securement structure 44 of the second flap 40. Various structures for the first securement structure 35 and second securement structure 44 are possible, with the idea being that they work together to retain the first flap 20 in a closed relationship with the second flap 40 when activated. Non-limiting examples of the removably securable structures of the first securement structure 35 and the second securement structure 44 include: a magnet and a metallic surface; hook and loop fasteners; male and female portions of snaps; button and button hole; post and hole; strap and post; geometric closures; and the like. The preferred form, as shown in the figures, involves a magnet 36 attached to or within the securement portion 34 of the strap portion 31, and a magnetic metal located on or in the second flap 40.
The strap portion 31 has a length that is dimensioned so as to adequately span the necessary thickness of the case 10 during use, accounting for the thicknesses of the material of the first flap 20 and second flap 40, the mobile device, the cards, and anything else desired to be housed in the card interior space 27 and the interior space 25. In the embodiment shown, the strap portion 31 has a length of approximately 1.25 to 1.5 inches. Obviously, the strap portion 31 could be any length between approximately one half inch to approximately 9 inches, but preferably would be between approximately 1 inch to approximately 6 inches, and more preferably would be between approximately 1 inch to approximately 2 inches. Similarly, the strap portion 31 theoretically could be larger than 9 inches, for example if the retainer 30 were desired to not just lap over the top portion of the case 10 (as shown in FIGS. 2-4 ), but were desired to wrap completely around the case 10 (analogous, e.g., to the wrap-around leather tie of an old-style journal). However, such an arrangement would not be preferred, and indeed would defeat the spirit of the ease with which the retainer 30 of the present embodiment is used.
With additional reference to FIG. 4 , in order to prevent losing the cards from the case 10 when the case 10 is in a closed position, the location of the retainer 30 is important. FIG. 4 shows the case 10 in a closed position, with the retainer 30 having its first securement structure 35 engaged with the second securement structure 44 of the second flap 40. In this embodiment, the second securement structure 44 is a magnetic metal thin plate embedded within the second flap 40. As shown in the figures, and especially in FIG. 4 , all or at least a portion of the retainer 30 is situated vertically above at least a portion of the card slot 26. In this manner, the vertical travel of a card upwardly and out of the card slot 26 is impeded by all or a portion of the strap portion 31 of the retainer 30. In FIG. 4 , a credit card is shown having moved vertically within the card interior space 27 in an exiting direction that is upwards in the figure, parallel to the fold axis 53. As the vertical distance between the top-most card slot 26 and the strap portion 31 is less than the size of a standard card, the card cannot escape the card slot 26, and thus is prevented from exiting the case 10 and being lost.
To use the case 10 of the embodiment shown, the retainer 30 is disengaged, if previously engaged, from the second flap 40, and the case 10 is folded to an open position. As described above, the method of disengagement depends on the type of securement structures 35, 44 employed for the case 10. A mobile device is secured to the second flap 40 in a manner that is common in the industry for wallet-style mobile device cases, as described above. Preferably, the case 10 includes one or more cutouts 43 that correspond with the camera that is part of the mobile device. One or more cards is inserted into the card slots 26 by engaging an edge of the card into the card slot 26 and then moving the card in a direction parallel to the fold axis 53 until the card is fully seated within the card interior space 27. If desired, one or more cards, or cash, is inserted into pouch opening 24 by moving the card or cash in a direction perpendicular to the fold axis 53 until the card or cash is adequately contained within the interior space 25. Then, once the desired cards and other items have been inserted into the respective locations of the first flap 20, the case 10 is folded to a closed position. In this position, the cards within the card slots 26 make surface contact with the face of the mobile device that is secured on second flap 40. Now, the retainer 30 is engaged to the second flap 40 by bringing the second end 33 of the strap portion 31 onto the outer flap surface 41. The securement portion 34 is then brought into proximity to the second securement structure 44 to engage or couple the first securement structure 35 to the second securement structure 44. Once secured in this manner, the cards are prevented from inadvertently falling out of the case 10, even when case 10 is held upside down.
As stated above, additional embodiments of the case 10 are also contemplated. As described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the retainer 30 includes a strap portion 31 having a first securement structure 35 that, when coupled to the second securement structure 44, occupies a position above the card slots 26 such that a portion of the strap portion 31 overlies the direction of travel of the card, thus preventing its unintended escape. Also as described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the central portion 50 defines a fold axis 53, and, because the fold axis 53 is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cards or other items in the interior space 25 of the pouch opening 24, the central portion 50 itself blocks unintended escape of items from the card interior space 27. Other arrangements of the central portion 50, fold axis 53, and retainer 30 (in embodiments having a retainer 30) can also be employed to perform adequate card loss prevention of the case 10. In particular, the fold axis 53 can be located at the top (for flip up style opening), the bottom (for flip down style opening), or on the opposite side from that shown in FIGS. 2-4 . In general, where card slots 26 are parallel to the fold axis 53, the central portion 50 can serve as a physical barrier to card exit.
In a second embodiment of the case 10, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the central portion 50 could be located at the top of the folio style case 10, such that the first flap 20 opens in a “flip-phone” manner from the second flap 40. In this embodiment, the fold axis 53 is now oriented in a horizontal direction, as opposed to the vertical direction shown in FIGS. 2-4 . This embodiment also includes one or more card slots 26 creating card interior spaces 27. FIG. 5A depicts such a case wherein the card slots 26 are disposed in a first configuration, wherein the cards can be inserted into the card slots 26 vertically from above the card slots 26 in a direction from the top 22 a of the first flap 20 toward the central portion 50. In this configuration, the fold axis 53 is perpendicular to the travel direction of the cards into and out of the slots 26. When this case is opened (i.e., first flap 20 is flipped upwardly about the fold axis 53), cards are able to be inserted into and removed from the card slots 26 from above the card slots 26. When this case is closed, first flap 20 is placed overtop the mobile device (if present) and the second flap 40, and the retainer 30 is wrapped around the bottom edge 40 c of the second flap 20. The first securement portion 34 is coupled with the second securement portion 44. The retainer of this embodiment serves to prevent card loss because at least a portion of the strap portion 31 blocks the line of travel of a card out of a slot 26, in a fashion that is similar to that of the first embodiment.
A second variation of this second embodiment, shown in FIG. 5B, can alternatively include card slots 26 that are oriented in the same direction as that of the first variation just described; however, the cards can be loaded from below the card slots 26 in a direction from the central portion 50 toward the top 22 a of first flap 20. When this case is opened (i.e., first flap 20 is flipped upwardly about the fold axis 53), cards are able to be inserted into and removed from the card slots 26 from below the card slots 26. When this case is closed, first flap 20 is placed overtop the mobile device (if present) and the second flap 40, and the retainer 30 (if present) is wrapped around the bottom edge 40 c of the second flap 20. However, because in this second variation the cards are loaded into the card slots 26 from below the card slots 26, the central portion 50 itself provides a physical barrier to inadvertent exit of the cards. That is, there is no need for a separate retainer 30 to prevent card loss. A retainer 30 can still be used, if desired, and would beneficially keep the case 10 in a closed manner.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show two variations of a third embodiment of the case 10. In both variations shown, the fold axis 53 is oriented in a horizontal direction, as was the case with the second embodiment, but in these variations the fold axis is below the mobile device instead of above it. Therefore, in this third embodiment, the case 10 is a bottom-flip-style opening case. This embodiment also includes one or more card slots 26 in first flap 20 creating card interior spaces 27. FIG. 6A depicts such a case wherein the card slots 26 are disposed in a first configuration, wherein the cards can be inserted into the card slots 26 vertically from above the card slots 26, in a direction from the central portion 50 toward the bottom 22 c of the first flap 20. In this configuration, the fold axis 53 is perpendicular to the travel direction of the cards into and out of the slots 26. When this case is opened (i.e., first flap 20 is flipped downwardly about the fold axis 53), cards are able to be inserted into and removed from the card slots 26 from above the card slots 26. In this third embodiment, the central portion 50 is also located above the card slots 26. When this case is closed, first flap 20 is placed overtop the mobile device (if present) and the second flap 40, and the retainer 30 (if present) is wrapped around the top edge 40 a of the second flap 20. However, because in this variation the cards are loaded into the card slots 26 from above the card slots 26, and because the central portion 50 is also located above the card slots, the central portion 50 itself provides a physical barrier to inadvertent exit of the cards. That is, there is no need for a separate retainer 30 to prevent card loss. A retainer 30 can still be used, if desired, and would beneficially keep the case 10 in a closed manner.
A second variation of this second embodiment, shown in FIG. 6B, can alternatively include card slots 26 that are oriented in the same direction as that of the first variation just described; however, the cards can be loaded from below the card slots 26, in a direction from the bottom 22 c of the first flap 20 toward the central portion 50. When this case is closed, first flap 20 is placed overtop the mobile device (if present) and the second flap 40, and the retainer 30 is wrapped around the top edge 40 a of the second flap 20. The first securement portion 34 is coupled with the second securement portion 44. The retainer of this embodiment serves to prevent card loss because at least a portion of the strap portion 31 blocks the line of travel of a card out of a slot 26.
A fourth embodiment (not shown) exists that is a mirror image of the first embodiment (FIGS. 2-4 ), where basically the first flap 20 and the second flap 30, along with all the structures thereof described with respect to the first embodiment, are swapped. This places the mobile device on the left of the case 10 when the case 10 is in an open configuration.
A fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The embodiment in FIGS. 7A and 7B arranges the card slots 26 vertically, that is, parallel to the fold axis 53. As a result, the direction of entry into and exit from the card slots 26 is perpendicular to the fold axis 53. And, more specifically, the cards are inserted into the slots from the central portion 50 toward the outer edge 22 b. As a result, when the case 10 is folded closed, the central portion 50 itself poses a physical barrier to the cards escaping the card slots 26. As with other embodiments described above, a retainer 30 could be used, but is not required in this fifth embodiment. In a variation of this fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the direction of card insertion could be from the outer edge 22 b toward the central portion 50. In this variation, one or more retainers 30 could then be located on the outer edge 22 b or 40 b, depending on whether the case 10 is a left-hand open case or a right-hand open case.
While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.
It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile device case comprising:

a first flap having at least one card slot therein, said at least one card slot configured to receive at least one card insertable into said at least one card slot in an insertion direction;

a second flap configured to receive a mobile device;

a central portion connecting said first flap to said second flap in a foldable arrangement in which said first flap can be folded about a fold axis and can be moveable through a range of positions from at least a first, unfolded position to at least a second, folded position; and

a retainer configured to be coupled to each of said first flap and said second flap, wherein when said retainer is coupled to both said first flap and said second flap, at least a portion of said retainer is in blocking alignment over said at least one card slot in said insertion direction, wherein said insertion direction is parallel to said fold axis.

2. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein said in said first position a mobile device is accessible for use on said second flap.

3. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein in said second position a mobile device is not accessible for use on said second flap.

4. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein retainer further comprises a strap portion having a first end and a second end.

5. The mobile device case of claim 4, wherein said first end of said strap portion is coupled to said first flap.

6. The mobile device case of claim 5, wherein said second end of said strap portion is removably coupled to said second flap.

7. The mobile device case of claim 6, wherein said second end of said strap portion further comprises a securement portion.

8. The mobile device case of claim 7, wherein said securement portion further comprises a first securement structure and said second flap further comprises a second securement structure complementary to said first securement structure.

9. The mobile device case of claim 8, wherein said first securement structure is selected from the group consisting of magnets, magnetic metal, hook material, loop material, snaps, buttons, posts, holes, straps, string, and rope.

10. The mobile device case of claim 9, wherein said second securement structure is selected from the group consisting of magnetic metal, magnets, loop material, hook material, snaps, holes, buttons, posts, straps, string, and rope.

11. The mobile device case of claim 10, wherein where said first securement structure is a magnet and said second securement structure is a magnetic metal embedded within second flap.

12. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein said retainer is an extension of said first flap.

13. The mobile device case of claim 5, wherein said strap portion is coupled to said first flap in a manner selected from the group consisting of adhesives, sewing, stitching, rivets, seam welding, and geometric retainers.

14. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein said second flap further comprises a cutout configured to align with a camera of a smartphone.

15. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein movement of a card in said insertion direction begins at a position closer to said central portion and ends at a position farther from said central portion.

16. A mobile device case comprising:

a first flap;

a second flap;

a central portion foldably connecting said first flap to said second flap along a fold axis; and

a retainer having a first end fixedly coupled to said first flap and a second end removably coupled to said second flap;

wherein said first flap includes at least one card slot oriented in a direction that is not parallel to said fold axis and configured to receive a card;

and wherein said second end of said retainer further comprises a first securement structure that is engageable to a second securement structure that is coupled to said second flap;

and wherein at least a portion of said retainer is physically situated over at least a portion of said at least one card slot.

17. The mobile device case of claim 16, wherein insertion of a card into one of said at least one card slots begins at a position closer to said central portion and ends at a position farther from said central portion.

18. A method of preventing a credit card from escaping a mobile device case comprising:

providing a foldable wallet-style mobile device case, wherein said case includes a first flap and a second flap separated from said first flap by a central portion along a fold axis, and wherein said first flap includes at least one card slot oriented in a direction that is not parallel to said fold axis, and wherein said first flap includes a retainer having a first end coupled to said first flap and a second end not coupled to said first flap, and wherein said retainer is situated on said first flap above said at least one card slot in a direction parallel to said fold axis;

coupling a mobile device to said second flap;

inserting a card into said at least one card slot;

closing said case by folding said first flap onto said mobile device; and

securing said second end of said retainer to said second flap.

19. A mobile device case comprising:

a first flap having a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge;

a second flap having a first edge, an second edge, and a third edge;

a central portion foldably connecting said first flap to said second flap along a fold axis, said fold axis being between said third edge of said first flap and said third edge of said second flap;

and wherein a card is inserted into said card slot from a first position closer to said central portion to a second position closer to said third edge of said first flap.

20. The mobile device case of claim 19, further comprising a retainer coupled to said first flap and releasably coupled to said second flap.