Combination media and media playstation storage unit

• US 6,522,613 B1
• Filed: 01/05/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lisa Elena Brown, Richard Francis Frankeny
• Original Assignee: Lisa Elena Brown, Richard Francis Frankeny
• Inventors: Frankeny, Richard Francis, Brown, Lisa Elena
• Primary Examiner(s): KLIMOWICZ, WILLIAM JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/478,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: D 3/201, D 3/204, D 3/215, D 3/218, D 3/224, D 3/283-287, 206/308.1, 206/310, 206/312, 206/579, 206/701, 224/578, 224/579, 224/197, 224/199, 224/929, 224/930, 224/646, 224/253, 224/241, 369/75.1, 369/292, 493/82, 162/30, 162/32, 312/324
• US Class Current: 720/655
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1076 with a snap action A45C13/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 33/22 Containers with lids or covers at the top and the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/006 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of straps passing around an arm or a leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/02 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of one strap passing over the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/02 Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0405 for storing discs anti-theft cases with locking means E05B73/0023
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a combination media and media station storage unit for storing a multiplicity of media elements along with a media station for the media elements. The combination unit allows a media station to be stored and secured for protection while allowing connections for signals and allowing controls for the media station to be accessed while it is in a stored and secure position. The combination media and media station storage unit also has removable lids that may contain optional features for adding functionality to the combination media and media station storage unit. These features include but are not limited to speakers, electronics for remote broadcast of playback information, electronics for remote control of the media station, batteries, windows for observing media station status, etc. The combination unit also includes features for attaching a shoulder strap and a leg strap that enables a user to walk or jog while playing media and keeping the combination unit secure and stationary. The shoulder strap also has the audio cable for the headset integrated eliminating long headset cabling.

Claims

1. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said first storage unit comprises a first cavity, and a first lid, said first lid disposed to cover said first cavity of said first storage unit,

wherein said first lid comprises a covering section and opposing first hinge and first latch, said first lid pivoting about said first hinge to open and close said first lid and said first latch operable to secure said first lid from pivoting about said first hinge when in a locked position, and

wherein said first hinge has features that allow said first hinge to operate as either a hinge or a latch and said first latch has features that allow said first latch to operate as either a hinge or a latch.

2. The portable combination storage unit of claim 1 further comprising features allowing external devices to be coupled to said media station and allowing controls of said media station to be manipulated while said second storage unit is closed and secured protecting said media station.

3. The portable combination storage unit of claim 1, wherein said first storage unit is disposed back-to-back and opposing said second storage unit.

4. The portable combination storage unit of claim 1 wherein said first storage unit houses a media storage device, said media storage device further comprising features allowing said media storage device to be attached to and detached from said first lid.

5. The portable combination storage unit of claim 4, wherein said media storage device is expandable exposing segmented storage features for storing said media elements and compressible for storing within said first cavity.

6. The portable combination storage unit of claim 4, wherein said first lid is removable from said combination storage unit by opening said first latch, removing said first hinge and detaching said media storage device from said lid if attached.

7. The portable combination storage unit of claim 1, wherein said second storage unit comprises a second cavity, and a second lid, said second lid disposed to cover said second cavity of said second storage unit.

8. The portable combination storage unit of claim 7, wherein said second lid comprises a covering section and opposing second hinge and second latch, said second lid pivoting about said second hinge to open and close and said second latch operable to secure said lid from pivoting about said second hinge when in a locked position.

9. The portable combination storage unit of claim 7, wherein said media station further comprises features allowing said media station to be attached to and detached from a bottom of said second cavity, said media station removable from said second cavity.

10. The portable combination storage unit of claim 7, wherein said second cavity has features that enable said media station to be operable and enabling said media elements, once loaded into said media station, to be recorded or played in said media station when said second lid is closed.

11. The portable combination storage unit of claim 10, wherein said second cavity features comprise openings for manipulation of manual controls on said media station.

12. The portable combination storage unit of claim 11, wherein attachment elements are disposed so the openings for manipulation of manual controls face toward a user when said combination storage unit is hung from a user shoulder, said controls visible and operable.

13. The portable combination storage unit of claim 7, wherein said second cavity has features operable for allowing selective communication of record, play and control signals to said media station enabling said media elements, once loaded into said media station, to be recorded or played when said second lid is closed.

14. The portable combination storage unit of claim 13, wherein said second cavity features comprise openings allowing electrical connectors to mate.

15. The portable combination storage unit of claim 13, wherein said second cavity features comprise sections with optical transparency at selected optical frequencies for coupling signals to or from optical sensors on said media station.

16. The portable combination storage unit of claim 13, wherein said second cavity features comprise sections with electromagnetic transmissibility at selected frequencies for coupling transmitted electrical signals to or from said media station.

17. The portable combination storage unit of claim 7, wherein said second lid has features allowing observation of displays, said displays indicating status of said media station.

18. The portable combination storage unit of claim 1, said combination storage unit further comprising a first and a second attachment elements, said first attachment element for attaching a shoulder strap and said second attachment element for attaching a leg strap.

19. The portable combination storage unit of claim 18, wherein said shoulder strap comprises a strap for holding said combination storage unit and an integrated headset with a headset connector for electrically coupling a headset to said media station while said media station is stored and operable in said second storage unit of said combination storage unit.

20. The portable combination storage unit of claim 18, wherein said first and second attachment elements are diagonally disposed and allow said combination storage unit to be hung from a users shoulder and simultaneously strapped to said user'"'"'s leg keeping said combination storage unit secured when said user is walking or jogging, allowing said user to play a recorded media element in said stored and operable media station.

21. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said first storage unit comprises a first cavity, and a first lid, said first lid disposed to cover said first cavity of said first storage unit,

wherein said first lid comprises a covering section and opposing first hinge and first latch, said first lid pivoting about said first hinge to open and close said first lid and said first latch operable to secure said first lid from pivoting about said first hinge when in a locked position, and

wherein said first hinge and said first latch are a combination hinge/latch.

22. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said lid comprises a covering section and opposing hinge and latch, said lid pivoting about said hinge to open and close and said latch operable to secure said lid from pivoting about said hinge when in a locked position, and

wherein said hinge has features that allow said hinge to operate as either a hinge or a latch and said latch has features that allow said latch to operate as either a hinge or a latch.

23. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said lid comprises a covering section and opposing hinge and latch, said lid pivoting about said hinge to open and close and said latch operable to secure said lid from pivoting about said hinge when in a locked position, and

wherein said hinge and said latch are combination hinge/latch units.

24. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said lid comprises a covering section and opposing hinge and latch, said lid pivoting about said hinge to open and close and said latch operable to secure said lid from pivoting about said hinge when in a locked position, and

wherein said lid is removable from said cavity.

25. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said cavity has features operable for allowing selective communication of record, play and control signals to said media station enabling said media, once loaded into said media station, to be recorded or played when said lid is closed, and

wherein said cavity features comprise optical pickup sensors for coupling signals to or from said media station.

26. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said cavity has features operable for allowing selective communication of record, play and control signals to said media station enabling said media, once loaded into said media station, to be recorded or played when said lid is closed, and

wherein said cavity features comprise sections for magnetic coupling, said magnetic coupling enabling controls to be manipulated by the force of a magnetic field.

27. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit,

wherein said cavity has features operable for allowing selective communication of record, play and control signals to said media station enabling said media, once loaded into said media station, to be recorded or played when said lid is closed, and

wherein said cavity features comprise an antennae for coupling signals to or from said media station.

28. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said second storage unit comprises a cavity, and a second lid, said lid disposed to cover said cavity of said second storage unit, and

wherein said lid may be removed and replaced selectively by one of a multiplicity of option lids, said option lids containing features operable to enhance the functionality of said media station.

29. The portable combination storage unit of claim 28, wherein said features of said option lid comprise, a speaker for broadcasting sound created from audio signals from said media station when playing said media elements.

30. The portable combination storage unit of claim 28, wherein said features of said option lid comprise a display screen for images generated by said media station when playing said media elements.

31. The portable combination storage unit of claim 28, wherein said features of said option lid comprise a transmitter, receiver or transceiver for controlling said media station or sending playback signals to and from said media station.

32. The portable combination storage unit of claim 28, wherein said option lid further comprises connectors for electrically coupling signals to and from said media station stored in said seeend cavity.

33. The portable combination storage unit of claim 28, wherein said option lid further comprises connectors for electrically coupling signals to and from said media station stored in said cavity.

34. A portable combination storage unit comprising:

a first storage unit adaptable for housing one or more media elements and a second storage unit connected to said first storage unit adaptable for housing a media station for said media elements, said media station operable for playing said media elements while housed in said second storage unit,

wherein said first storage unit comprises a first cavity, and a first lid, said first lid disposed to cover said first cavity of said first storage unit, and

wherein said first lid may be removed and replaced selectively by one of a multiplicity of option lids, said option lids containing features operable to enhance the functionality of said media station.

35. The portable combination storage unit of claim 34, wherein said features of said option lid comprise, a speaker for broadcasting sound created from audio signals from said media station when playing said media.

36. The portable combination storage unit of claim 34, wherein said features of said option lid comprise a display screen for images generated by said media station when playing said media elements.

37. The portable combination storage unit of claim 34, wherein said features of said option lid comprise a transmitter, receiver or transceiver for controlling said media station or sending playback signals to and from said media station.