DEVICE CASE AND APPARATUS USING SAME

• US 20100259144A1
• Filed: 11/02/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Minn, Kenneth, BEVIRT, JOEBEN
• Application Number:
  US12/610,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259144A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/237
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base

Abstract

A case for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The case may be adapted to be supported by a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod. The flexible tripod may include ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The flexible support apparatus allows the user to view the device in a variety of locations with enhanced ease, comfort, and allows for a variety of viewing or use angles.

Claims

1. A case assembly for an electronic device, said case assembly comprising:

a device case, said device case comprising;

a main body, said main body adapted to receive an electronic device, said main body comprising a rear floor; and

a clip, said clip attached to the rear floor of said main body, said clip adapted to clip into a mating receiver.

2. The case assembly of claim 1 wherein said main body further comprises:

a plurality of edge portions around said rear floor of said main body, said edge portions attached to said rear floor of said main body, wherein said edge portions combine with said rear floor to form a receptacle area for an object.

3. The case assembly of claim 2 wherein said edge portions comprise a lip curved towards said receptacle area, said lip adapted to capture said object.

4. The case assembly of claim 2 wherein said receptacle area is substantially rectangular.

5. The case assembly of claim 3 wherein said receptacle area is substantially rectangular.

6. The case assembly of claim 4 wherein the substantially rectangular receptacle area comprises rounded corners.

7. The case assembly of claim 2 further comprising a flexible tripod, said tripod comprising:

a body portion;

a clip receiver connected to said body portion, said clip receiver adapted to receive the clip attached to the main body of the device case; and

a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs comprising a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said body portion

8. The case assembly of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of flexible legs comprises a plurality of interconnected connectors, said connectors comprising:

a connector body, said connector body comprising;

a first end portion;

a second end portion;

a socket engaging surface at said first end portion, said socket engaging surface being the external surface at said first end portion; and

an internal socket receiving cavity at said second end portion.

9. The case assembly of claim 8 wherein said connectors further comprise a gripping portion, said gripping portion located around the outer periphery of said second end portion.

10. The case assembly of claim 9 wherein said clip receiver comprises a spring loaded tab adapted to capture said clip.

11. The case assembly of claim 10 wherein said clip comprises a recess in its bottom surface, said recess adapted to fit said spring loaded tab when said clip is attached to said clip receiver.

12. The case assembly of claim 10 further comprising an electronic device, said electronic device mounted into said device case.

13. The case assembly of claim 3 further comprising a flexible tripod, said tripod comprising:

a body portion;

a clip receiver connected to said body portion, said clip receiver adapted to receive the clip attached to the main body of the device case; and

a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs comprising a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said body portion

14. The case assembly of claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of flexible legs comprises a plurality of connectors, said connectors comprising:

a connector body, said connector body comprising;

a first end portion;

a second end portion;

a socket engaging surface at said first end portion, said socket engaging surface being the external surface at said first end portion; and

an internal socket receiving cavity at said second end portion.

15. The case assembly of claim 14 wherein said connectors further comprise a gripping portion, said gripping portion located around the outer periphery of said second end portion.

16. The case assembly of claim 15 wherein said clip receiver comprises a spring loaded tab adapted to capture said clip.

17. The case assembly of claim 16 wherein said clip comprises a recess in its bottom surface, said recess adapted to fit said spring loaded tab when said clip is attached to said clip receiver.

18. The case assembly of claim 17 further comprising an electronic device, said electronic device mounted into said device case.