Expandable sockets for use with portable media players
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
- a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case;
a button that is spaced from the platform;
a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that move relative to one another as the collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings are substantially concentrically arranged when the collapsible mechanism is in the collapsed configuration;
a first projection carried by the platform and arranged to extending radially inward to engage a portion of a first one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the button to the collapsible mechanism; and
a second projection carried by the platform and extending radially outward to engage a portion of a second one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the platform to the collapsible mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case. The expandable socket generally includes a platform, a button spaced from the platform, and a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button. The platform is adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case. The collapsible mechanism includes a plurality of discrete sections movable relative to one another to move the expandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
82 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
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a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case; a button that is spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that move relative to one another as the collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings are substantially concentrically arranged when the collapsible mechanism is in the collapsed configuration; a first projection carried by the platform and arranged to extending radially inward to engage a portion of a first one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the button to the collapsible mechanism; and
a second projection carried by the platform and extending radially outward to engage a portion of a second one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the platform to the collapsible mechanism.
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2. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
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a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case; a button that is spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of discrete sections movable relative to one another to move the expandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; a first projection carried by the button and configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of discrete sections is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the first projection; and a second projection carried by the platform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of discrete sections is disposed radially outward of an inner surface of the second projection. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
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a platform adapted to engage to engage a portion of the portable media player or the protable media player case; a button that is spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that telescope within one another as the collapsible mechanism moves from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration; a first projection carried by the button and the configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the first projection; and a second projection carried by the platform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposed radially outward of an inner surface of the second projection. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
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a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case; a button that is spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that telescope within one another as the collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, wherein each of the rings frictionally engages at least one other ring of the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings to releasably lock the collapsible mechanism in the expanded configuration; a first projection carried by the button and configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism; and a second projection carried by the platform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the first projection and radially outward of an inner surface of the second projection. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification