Carrying case with selectively adjustable stand

• US 6,729,518 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Designs 2000 Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Designs 2000 Corporation
• Inventors: Case, Richard N., Badillo, Paul, Martinez, Sandra
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brevard, Maerena W.
• Application Number:
  US09/902,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20020017545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 224/572, 224/930, 224/584, 224/586, 224/191, 224/194, 224/195, 224/199, 224/223, 224/230, 224/235, 224/236, 224/237, 224/240, 224/241, 224/246, 224/563, 224/675, 224/583, 224/673, 224/578, 224/674
• US Class Current: 224/578
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/38 Camera cases, e.g. of ever-ready type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/002 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of a single strap passing around the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/027 with a horizontal and parallel rotation axis, i.e. the axis being parallel to the surface of the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0533 Cameras, e.g. reflex, digital, video camera
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0566 Tubular, rod-shaped articles, e.g. batons
• 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: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 : carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/904 : Tool holder carried by belt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 : Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 : Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

This invention relates to a portable case adapted for holding hand held devices such as phones, cameras, camcorders, radios and other products as well as non-electronic devices such as flashlights. The case is supported by a selectively bendable stand which may be altered in any variety of positions to provide a support for the case and associated electronic equipment. The case may also include an elastic cord element to removably interconnect the electronic device on an exterior surface of the case during use.

Claims

1. A carrying case adapted for carrying and protecting a handheld apparatus, comprising:

a flexible sheath having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said flexible sheath comprised of a sewn and stitched material;

a substantially rigid support member having a first end, a second end and perimeter edges positioned therebetween, said substantially rigid support member interconnected to said lateral edges of said sheath at least substantially along said perimeter edges and having at least a portion comprised of a bendable metallic material extending between said first end and said second end, wherein said substantially rigid support member is reversibly bendable and positionable to independently support or hang said carrying case in a plurality of distinct positions; and

a securing means interconnected to at least one of said sheath and said support member for supporting said handheld electronic apparatus on an exterior surface of said sheath, wherein said handheld electronic apparatus can be used while secured to an exterior surface of said sheath.

2. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said support member has a hinge point positioned substantially at a mid-point between said first end and said second end.

3. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising interconnection means to selectively secure a first end of said support member to said second end.

4. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises at least one of an elastic cord, a resilient mesh material, a flexible cover, a hook and loop closure material, and combinations thereof.

5. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a flap which is interconnected proximate to said upper end of said flexible sheath.

6. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said flexible sheath comprises an aperture for receiving an electronic attachment which is compatible with the apparatus positioned in said carrying case.

7. A carrying case adapted for carrying and protecting a handhold apparatus, comprising:

a flexible sheath having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said flexible sliest comprised of a sewn mud stitched material, and a flap which is interconnected proximate to said upper end of said flexible sheath;

an aperture positioned proximate to a lower end of said flexible sheath for receiving an electronic attachment which is compatible with the apparatus positioned in said carrying case;

a substantially rigid support member having a first end, a second end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said substantially rigid support member interconnected to said lateral edges of said sheath at least substantially along said lateral edges, and having at least a portion comprised of a bendable metallic material extending substantially between said first end and said second end, wherein said substantially rigid support member is reversibly bendable to support or hang said carrying case in a plurality of distinct positions and has a hinge point positioned substantially at a mid-paint between said first end and said second end; and

a securing means interconnected to at least one of said sheath and said support member for supporting said handheld apparatus on an exterior surface of said sheath.

8. A carrying vase adapted for carrying end protecting a handheld apparatus, comprising:

a flexible sheath having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said flexible sheath comprised of a sewn and stitched material;

a substantially rigid support member having a first end, a second end and lateral edges;

positioned therebetween, said substantially rigid support member interconnected to said lateral edges of said sheath at least substantially along said lateral edges, and having at learnt a portion comprised of a bendable metallic material extending substantially between said first end and said second end, wherein said support member is reversibly bendable to support or hang said carrying case in a plurality of distinct positions;

a securing means interconnected to at least one of said sheath and said support member for supporting said handheld apparatus on an exterior surface of said sheath; and

a flap which is interconnected proximate to said upper end of said flexible sheath, wherein at least a portion of said handheld apparatus may be covered.

9. A carrying case adapted for carrying and protecting a handheld apparatus, comprising:

a flexible sheath having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said flexible sheath comprised of a sewn and stitched material and said lower end comprising an aperture for receiving an electronic attachment which is compatible with the handheld apparatus positioned within said flexible sheath;

a substantially rigid support member having a first end, a second end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said substantially rigid support member interconnected to said lateral edges of said sheath and having at least a portion comprised of a bendable metallic material extending in a longitudinal direction defined by said first end and said second end, wherein said support member is reversibly bendable to support or hang said carrying case in a plurality of distinct positions; and

a securing means interconnected to at least one of said sheath and said support member for supporting said handheld apparatus on an exterior surface of said sheath.

10. A carrying case adapted for carrying and protecting a handheld apparatus, comprising:

a flexible sheath having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges positioned therebetween;

said flexible sheath comprised of a sewn and stitched material; and

a substantially rigid support member having a first end, a second end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said substantially rigid support member interconnected to said sheath at least substantially along said lateral edges and baying at least a portion comprised of a bendable metallic material extending substantially between said lint end and said second end, wherein said support member is reversibly bendable and positionable to independently support or hang said carrying case in a plurality of distinct positions, and

an interconnection means interconnected to said substantially rigid support member for selectively interconnecting said substantially rigid support member to said flexible sheath, wherein said carrying case can be selectively secured and released from an object such as a user'"'"'s belt.

11. The carrying case of claim 10, further comprising a flap interconnected to said upper end of said flexible sheath.

12. The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said lower end of said flexible sheath comprises an aperture for receiving an electronic attachment which is compatible with the apparatus positioned within said case.

13. The carrying case of claim 10, further comprising a stretchable material interconnected to at least one of said sheath and said support member for supporting said handheld apparatus on an exterior surface of said sheath, wherein said handheld apparatus can be used while secured to an exterior surface of said sheath.

14. The carrying case of claim 13, wherein said stretchable material comprises at least one of an elastic cord, a rubber material and a nylon.