Carrying case with selectively adjustable stand

• US 7,270,255 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Designs 2000 Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Designs 2000 Corporation
• Inventors: Badillo, Paul, Martinez, Sandra
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse; Nathan J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanterpool; Lester L.
• Application Number:
  US10/839,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 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, 224/572, 224/577, 224/578, 224/583, 224/584, 224/586, 224/674, 224/675, 224/904, 224/929, 224/930, 224/647, 224/270
• US Class Current: 224/577
• 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 handheld 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 ejastic cord element to removably interconnect the electronic device on an exterior surface of the case during use.

Claims

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

a case body comprising a back panel, a front panel and opposing stretchable lateral surfaces positioned therebetween that define a flexible sheath adapted to receive the handheld device, said flexible sheath also comprising an upper end and a lower end;

at least one storage sleeve interconnected to at least one of said opposing lateral surfaces, wherein said flexible sheath and said at least one storage sleeve are both resiliently deflectable to allow the selective insertion and removal of the handheld device and to allow for the secondary storage of an accessory device in said at least one storage sleeve; and

wherein said front panel and said opposing stretchable lateral surfaces are generally comprised of a resiliently deflectable material of a first length that is folded upon itself, a crease resulting from said fold being a portion of said lower end of said flexible sheath, and wherein said at least one storage sleeve is defined by a conforming volume between the folded portion of said first length and said opposing stretchable lateral surfaces.

2. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said case body is further defined by at least one member interconnected to said lower end of said flexible sheet and said back panel for supporting the handheld device.

3. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said case body is further defined by at least one support member interconnected to said lower end and said back panel, said at least one support member having at least one aperture wherein removal of the handheld device is facilitated by pushing upwardly through the aperture on the handheld device.

4. The flexible case of claim 3, wherein the handheld device includes an antenna and said support member is capable of supporting the handheld device in an inverted orientation wherein at least a portion of the antenna extends through said aperture.

5. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary storage sleeve interconnected to said at least one storage sleeve, said at least one secondary storage sleeve comprising a resiliently deflectable material that is capable of assuming a generally tubular shape to retain at least one of a flashlight, a battery and a tool.

6. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising a support member having a free end, a connecting end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member being reversibly bendable along substantially an entire length and interconnected on said connecting end to said flexible sheath, wherein said support member can be maintained substantially adjacent to said flexible sheath or selectively bent to either support or hang said flexible case in a plurality of positions.

7. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said at least one storage sleeve is capable of resiliently deflecting to secure a handheld tool, a writing device, or a flashlight.

16. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising a support member having a free end, a connecting end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member being generally rigid along substantially an entire length and interconnected on said connecting end to said case body, wherein said support member can be maintained substantially adjacent to said case body or selectively rotated therefrom to support said flexible case.

8. A flexible sewn and stitched case adapted for storing and protecting a handheld device, comprising:

a case body comprising a back support, a front panel and opposing resiliently deflectable lateral surfaces positioned therebetween to define an interior space to receive the handheld device, said case body also comprising an upper edge and a lower edge;

at least one stretchable storage means interconnected to at least one of said opposing lateral surfaces, said at least one stretchable storage means defined by a resiliently deflectable material that is expandable to receive an object or tool having a variety of different diameters, wherein said lower edge is a crease such that said at least one stretchable storage means is defined by said opposing resiliently deflectable lateral surfaces and a second surface interconnected thereto such that said crease defines a bottom securing means for said storage means;

a support member having a free end, a connecting end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member being reversibly bendable along substantially an entire length and interconnected on said connecting end to said sheath, wherein said support member can be maintained closely adjacent to said sheath or selectively bent to either support or hang said case in a plurality of positions; and

at least one strap extending from at least one of said front panel and said opposing resiliently deflectable lateral surfaces to said back support that is adapted to support the handheld device, wherein access to the handheld device is facilitated by engaging the handheld device through an aperture positioned proximate to said at least one strap and pushing a portion of said handheld device above said upper edge.

9. The flexible case of claim 8, wherein said stretchable storage means may be deflected to define a generally tubular shape.

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

a case body comprising a front panel, a back panel and opposing lateral surfaces positioned therebetween that defines an interior space to receive the handheld device, said case body also comprising an upper end and a lower end;

at least one stretchable storage sleeve adapted for receiving and storing an accessory item which is interconnected to at least one of said opposing lateral surfaces, wherein said case body and said at least one storage sleeve are resiliently deflectable to allow the selective insertion and removal of the handheld device and wherein the at least one stretchable storage sleeve is accessible to a user while the flexible case is positioned on a user'"'"'s belt or pocket;

at least one strap positioned adjacent to said lower end and extending from at least one of said front panel and said opposing lateral surface to said back panel that is capable of supporting the handheld device, wherein access to the handheld device is facilitated by contacting the handheld device through an aperture adjacent to said at least one strap and pushing a portion of said handheld device above said upper; and

wherein said front panel and said opposing lateral surfaces are generally comprised of a resiliently deflectable material of a first length that is folded upon itself, a crease resulting from said fold being a portion of said lower end, and wherein said at least one storage sleeve is defined by a conforming volume between the folded portion of said first length and said opposing lateral surfaces.

11. The flexible case of claim 10, wherein the handheld device includes an antenna, and wherein the antenna is adapted to fit through said aperture when said handheld device is inverted and positioned within said flexible case.

12. The flexible case of claim 10, further comprising at least one secondary storage means interconnected to said at least one stretchable storage sleeve, said at least one secondary storage means comprising an elastic material capable of storing at least one of a flashlight, a knife, a battery and a tool.

13. The flexible case of claim 10, further comprising a support member having a free end, a connecting end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member being reversibly bendable along substantially an entire length and interconnected on said connecting end to said case body, wherein said support member can be maintained closely adjacent to said case body or selectively bent to either support or hang said flexible case in a plurality of positions.

14. The flexible case of claim 10, wherein said at least one stretchable storage sleeve is capable of resiliently deflecting to secure a tool, a writing device, a flashlight, an item with a substantiality constant cross section, or an item with a varied cross section.

15. The flexible case of claim 10, wherein said at least one stretchable storage sleeve is a resiliently deflectable material selected from at least one of a spandex, a rubber, a plastic, a lycra, a nylon, a neoprene, and a leather material.

17. The flexible case of claim 10, further comprising a support member having a free end, a connecting end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member being generally rigid along substantially an entire length and interconnected on said connecting end to said case body, wherein said support member can be maintained substantially adjacent to said case body or selectively rotated therefrom to support said flexible case.