Portable electronic device case configuration

• US 8,505,718 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Griffin Technology
• Inventors: Griffin, Paul P. Jr., Collins, Jason C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Luan K
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
• Application Number:
  US11/786,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20080251512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,314 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/216, 206/316.1, 206/223, 220/4.21, 220/4.02, 220/4.26, 220/287, 150/165, 361/600, 361/679.01, 455/575.1, 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 206/320
• 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 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers

Abstract

A case assembly adapted to be assembled into a case for a portable electronic device has a single case front and multiple case backs packaged for sale in a single package. The case front is adapted to mate with each of the case backs to form a case dimensioned to hold a different size of portable electronic device. The case front has an opening such that a control of the portable device can be accessed through the case front. A two-way, mirrored finished may be constructed on the front such that light emitting elements of the case and display can only be viewed thorough the case exterior when the elements are lit. The case front and back form openings for the input/and outputs of the device when coupled together. A case back with and without a belt-clip or armband may be included.

Claims

1. A case for carrying an electronic device wherein said case is capable of carrying one of a first and a second electro device, said case comprising:

a first secondary case portion;

a second secondary case portion; and

a primary case portion that mates with said first secondary case portion to form a first device case dimensioned to substantially enclose the first electronic device wherein said primary case portion can be disconnected from said first secondary case portion and mated with said second secondary case portion to form a second device case dimensioned to substantially enclose the second electronic device;

wherein an internal volume of said first device case is smaller than an internal volume of said second device case;

wherein said primary case portion has a mating portion and said mating portion is used to alternatively couple said primary case portion with said first secondary case portion or said second secondary case portion;

wherein one of said primary case portion and said secondary case portion includes an opening such that a user control of an electronic device can be accessed through said opening when the electronic device is enclosed within said primary case portion and one of said secondary case portions;

wherein, said first secondary case portion is not used when said second secondary case portion is used; and

wherein an output port of an electronic device can be accessed through an opening in said case when the electronic device is enclosed within said primary case portion and one of said secondary case portions.

2. The case of claim 1 further comprising a single package that contains said primary case portion and said first and second secondary case portions.

3. The case of claim 1 wherein at least one of said case portions has a translucent portion and said case portion having said translucent portion is adapted to receive an insert, such that said insert is visible through said translucent portion when said case portion having said translucent portion is used to enclose the first or second electronic devices.

4. The case of claim 3 further comprising a single package that contains said primary case portion and said secondary case portions and at least two inserts such that a purchaser of said case portions can select an insert to mount such that said selected insert is visible through said translucent portion.

5. The case of claim 1 further comprising a two way mirrored surface positioned such that a display of a device is visible through said two way mirrored surface when the device is turned on and is in said case.

6. A case assembly adapted to be assembled into a case for a portable electronic device wherein said case assembly is packaged for sale in a single package, said case assembly comprising:

a case front;

a first case back; and

a second case back having a belt clip on a back portion thereof;

wherein said case front has a mating portion that mates with either said first case back to form a case dimensioned to hold the portable electronic device or said second case back to form a case dimensioned to hold the portable electronic device having a belt clip;

wherein said first case back cannot be used or mated with said case front when said second case back is mated with said case front; and

wherein an internal volume of a first case formed by said case front said first case back is smaller than an internal volume of a second case formed by said case front and said second case back.

7. The case assembly of claim 6 wherein said case front has an opening such that a control of the portable device can be accessed through said case front.

8. The case assembly of claim 6 wherein said case front has a mirrored finish.

9. A case assembly comprising:

a first mating case portion;

a second mating case portion; and

a primary case portion adapted to alternatively couple with either one of said first and second mating case portion wherein said case assembly forms a case that can enclose a first size portable electronic device when said primary case portion is coupled to said first mating case portion and said case assembly forms a case that can enclose a second size portable electronic device when said primary case portion is coupled to said second mating case portion;

wherein said primary case portion includes an opening that corresponds to a user control of electronic device enclosed within said primary case portion and one of said first or second mating case portions such that the user control can be accessed when the electronic device is enclosed within said primary case portion and one of said first and second mating case portions;

wherein an internal volume of a first device case formed by said primary case portion and said first mating case portion is smaller than an internal volume of a second device case formed by said primary case portion and said second mating case portion;

wherein said primary case portion has a mating portion and said mating portion is used to alternatively mate said primary case portion with said first mating case portion or said second mating case portion; and

wherein said first mating case portion cannot be used when said second mating case portion is used.

10. The case assembly of claim 9 wherein an opening for a device input or output is formed along a unction of said primary case portion with one of said first and second mating case portions.

11. The case assembly of claim 9 wherein said primary case portion has a two way mirrored finish.

12. The case assembly of claim 9 wherein an insert can be mounted between said one of said mating case portions and said portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is enclosed in said case such that said insert can be viewed through said mating case portion.

13. The case assembly of claim 9 wherein said mating portion further comprises mating projections and cavities that form a friction fit.