Attachable device accessory case cover with interchangeable components

• US 20080310094A1
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Allen Burns
• Original Assignee: James Allen Burns
• Inventors: Burns, James Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/683
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/00 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/001 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

One embodiment of case (10) is a thin flexible presentation panel (18a) approximately the size of device (17a) having tabs which wrap over and around device (17a) and attach using hook-and-loop fasteners. A second embodiment is a case body comprising interchangeable components including a case utility panel (24) to which other case components are attached. A retaining strap (26a and 26b) joining means which wraps around device (17b) and may be held stationary with the aid of repeatable instances of repositionable sticker (27) and is grasped, drawn, and stabilized with the aid of clasps (34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d) which are attached to panel (24). Device utility panels (32a and 32b) are attached to panel (24) for containment of articles. Compartment utility panels (30a and 30b) retain compartment enclosures (28a and 28b) which cover any articles contained by panels (32a and 32b). A USB hub (22) for directing power and communicative connectivity is attached to panel (24) and connected to device (17b). An emblem (12) implemented as one of a plurality of USB powered interchangeable LED assembly (60a) in a flexible housing (62) for positioning is inserted into a thin flexible presentation panel (18b) having openings to access enclosures (28a and 28b). A third embodiment similar to the second, implements a clip joining means which, like the clasps (34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d), attach to panel (24). Instead of retaining device (17b) using straps, clips (35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d) are inserted into and fastened to fittings (50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d) integrated into adapted device (17c). Clip (35d) and fitting (50d) implement integrated power and communication connectivity.

Claims

1. For a portable device having at least one body enclosure member to house working components and human interfacing components, the improvement comprising:

a case body of predetermined composition which substantially conforms to the size and shape of at least one implementation of said body enclosure members and

means for controllably joining said case body with at least one of said body enclosure members wherein said means substantially conforms to an attachable feature of at least one implementation of said body enclosure members and said case body

whereby said case can be securely attached to compatible implementations of said device with minimal adaptation.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said case body comprises attachable components whereby varying implementations of said case body can be interchanged onto an implementation of said device with minimal manipulation.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means of joining is interchangeable among varying implementations of said means of joining whereby said case body can be securely attached to varying implementations of said device with minimal adaptation.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said means of joining comprises at least one retaining strap made of a thin flexible material sized to span a section of said device and shaped to accommodate the surface features of the spanned section of said device and a clasp means attached to said case body to securely grasp and uniformly draw said retaining strap toward a surface of said device and said case body ultimately stabilizing into a position suitably stationary to secure retaining strap and said case body to said device.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means of joining comprises at least one fastener which attaches to said case body and a corresponding fitting on at least one of said body enclosure members.

6. The device of claim 1 further including containment features which facilitate the storage and transport of various articles on or within said case body.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said containment features comprise apparatuses that can be removably attached and are interchangeable with other containment apparatuses of varying facilities.

8. The device of claim 1 further including at least one means of connectivity selected from the group consisting of power and communication.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means of connectivity is integrated into said means of joining whereby connectivity occurs simultaneously with the joining of said case body to said device.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said means of connectivity is derived from connective means generated by or passing through said device.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said means of connectivity is derived from connection to a Universal Serial Bus of said device.

12. The device of claim 1 further including at least one case feature enabled by at least one means of connectivity selected from the group consisting of power and communication whereby functionality and appearance of said case can be facilitated or assisted by a connected and appropriately enabled source.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said enabled case feature comprises a means of illumination whereby said case is enhanced with novelty, promotional or informational facility.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said means of illumination is a Universal Serial Bus powered light emitting diode.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said means of illumination is interchangeable with varying implementations of said means of illumination.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein said means of illumination is repositionable to direct said illumination onto any location that is illuminable by the implementation of said illumination.

17. In a portable device having at least one body enclosure member to house working components and human interfacing components, the improvement comprising:

an integrated means for controllably joining said body enclosure member with an external structure

whereby an external structure may be securely attached to said device with minimal adaptation.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said means for joining comprises at least one fitting integrated into said body enclosure member to which an external fastener can be attached.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said means for joining comprises a plurality of slotted openings behind each of which is a fitting that would accept the insertion of a thin rigid rectangular-parallelepiped shape form.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein said means for joining integrates a means of connectivity selected from the group consisting of power and communication.