Carrying case with selectively adjustable stand

• US 20020017545A1
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Published: 02/14/2002
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 6,729,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/675
• 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 flexible case adapted for carrying and protecting a handheld apparatus and providing a selectively adjustable support stand, comprising:

a case body comprising a back support and a sheath for defining an interior space to receive the apparatus, said sheath comprising an upper end, a lower end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween;

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 carrying case in a plurality of positions.

2. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said support member comprises a bendable metallic material.

3. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said support member may be reversibly bent in at least two distinct directions.

4. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising a securing means interconnected to an exterior surface of said sheath and operably positioned to secure the handheld apparatus on an exterior surface of said carrying case.

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

6. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising a flap hingedly interconnected to said upper end of said sheath for securing the handheld apparatus within said interior of said sheath.

7. The flexible case of claim 6, wherein said flap further comprises a reflective surface positioned on at least a portion of an interior surface for reflecting a beam of light.

8. The flexible case of claim 6, wherein a portion of said support member is extended to interconnect along a substantial portion of said opposing lateral edges of said sheath.

9. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said flexible case and associated support stand is substantially rigid enough to support a portable, hand-held camera.

10. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support member further comprises an interconnection means positioned proximate to said free end for selective interconnection of said support member to said sheath.

11. The flexible case of claim 10, wherein said interconnection means comprises at least one of a snap, a hook and loop closure, a button, a clasp and an elastic cord.

12. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket interconnected to an exterior surface of said sheath and operably positioned for receiving an auxiliary item.

13. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising an elastic cord interconnected to said carrying case for operable interconnection to an external object.

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

15. The flexible case of claim 1, further comprising a non-skid material positioned on at least said lower end of said sheath to inhibit said flexible case from sliding on a surface on which it is resting.

16. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a pair of opposing arms which work together in conjunction with said sheath to create a support stand with at least three distinct points of support.

17. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein at least said sheath is comprised of a sewn and stitched material.

18. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said support member is comprised at least in part of a plastic material.

19. The flexible case of claim 1, wherein said sheath is designed to receive a handheld apparatus comprising at least one of a telephone, a radio, a global positioning system, a personal digital assistant, and a flashlight.

20. A handheld case adapted for receiving and protecting an apparatus, comprising:

a case body comprising a back support and a sheath for defining an interior space to receive the apparatus, said sheath having an upper end, a lower end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween;

a support member hingedly interconnected to said back support of said sheath, said support member having an upper end, a lower end and at least a portion therebetween comprised of a reversibly bendable material, wherein said support member can be maintained closely adjacent to said sheath, or adapted for supporting and hanging the handheld case from one of a plurality of positions; and

a securing means interconnected to at least one of said back support and said sheath, wherein the apparatus can be resiliently secured to a front exterior surface of said sheath during use.

21. The handheld case of claim 20, wherein said securing means comprises at least one of an elastic cord, a resilient mesh material, a flexible cover, a hook and loop closure, and combinations thereof.

22. The handheld case of claim 20, wherein said back support is comprised of a substantially rigid material, wherein said support member and said back support create at least three distinct points of support for said handheld case when it is placed upon a surface.

23. The handheld case of claim 20, further comprising a flap interconnected to an upper end of said sheath, wherein said apparatus may be secured within said interior of said sheath.

24. The handheld case of claim 20, wherein said support member further comprises a biasing means which automatically extends said support member when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to a lower portion of either said sheath or said back support.

25. The handheld case of claim 20, wherein said support member comprises two distinct legs pivoting in operable combination.

27. The carrying case of claim 26, wherein said support member has a hinge point positioned substantially at a mid-point between said first end and said second end.

28. The carrying case of claim 26, further comprising interconnection means to selectively secure a first end of said support member to a said second end.

29. The carrying case of claim 26, 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.

30. The carrying case of claim 26, further comprising a flap which is interconnected proximate to said upper end of said flexible sheath.

31. The carrying case of claim 26, wherein aid 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.

26. 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 support member having a first end, a second end and lateral edges positioned therebetween, said support member interconnected to said sheath at least substantially along said lateral edges and having at least a portion comprised of a metallic material, 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.

32. A method for selectively storing and adjusting a flexible portable case adapted for holding an apparatus, comprising the steps of:

removing said flexible portable case from a position of storage adjacent a person'"'"'s body;

bending an adjustable support member which is pivotally interconnected to said flexible, portable case, said adjustable support member being reversibly bendable in at least two distinct directions; and

securing said handheld case in a preferred position of use based on an orientation of said adjustable support member with respect to said portable case.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprises the step of returning the portable case to a position of storage adjacent the person'"'"'s body.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said adjustable support member can be hung or supported on an object.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of securing the apparatus on an exterior surface of said flexible, portable case to expose the apparatus for use.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein said flexible portable case comprises a sheath having an upper end, a lower end and opposing sides positioned therebetween to define an interior of said sheath, said open end adapted for receiving the handheld apparatus within said interior of said sheath.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein said apparatus is at least one of a cellular telephone, a handheld radio, a personal digital attendant, a global positioning system and a flashlight.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein said flexible portable case is comprised of a sewn and stitched material.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein said flexible portable case further comprises a flap for selectively covering an opening of the flexible portable case.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein said position of storage comprises placing said adjustable support member around a belt positioned on a person'"'"'s body.

41. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of storing at least one secondary apparatus in at least one secondary pocket interconnected to said flexible, portable case.

42. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of removing further comprises disengaging a securement means including at least one of a snap, a button, a buckle and a hook and loop material.

43. The method of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of said adjustable support member comprises a metallic material.

44. A combination of a handheld case and a selectively adjustable and removable support stand adapted for protecting an apparatus, comprising:

a case body having a top, a bottom and opposing sides positioned therebetween which define an interior compartment for receiving the apparatus; and

a plurality of selectively adjustable support members removably attached to said bottom of said case body, wherein said plurality of selectively adjustable support members may be arranged to form an adjustable support for said apparatus.

45. The combination of claim 44, wherein said case body further comprises an internal sleeve adapted to receive said plurality of selectively adjustable support members when not in use.

46. The combination of claim 44, wherein said plurality of selectively adjustable support members may be removably interconnected to form a stand having at least three independent legs of support.

47. The combination of claim 44, wherein said selectively adjustable support members are reversibly bendable along substantially an entire length.

48. The combination of claim 47, wherein said selectively adjustable support members are comprised of a bendable metallic material which can be bent in at least two distinct directions.

49. The combination of claim 48, wherein said bendable metallic material is covered with a fabric.

50. The case of claim 44, wherein said plurality of selectively adjustable support members have a central aperture positioned along a middle portion of each of said selectively adjustable support members for receiving an attachment means which is adapted for removable interconnection to said case.

51. The case of claim 50, wherein said at least one of said plurality of selectively adjustable support members further comprises a non-skid material positioned on a distal end and adapted for operable contact with a supporting surface to impede sliding.

52. A case adapted for receiving and supporting an illuminating device and deflecting a beam of light, comprising:

a sheath having a top end, a bottom end and opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween which define an interior compartment for receiving the illuminating device; and

a flap hingedly interconnected to said sheath proximate said top end, said flap comprising a reflective lining on an interior surface, wherein said reflective lining is adapted to reflect light from said illuminating device which is positioned in said case.

53. The case of claim 52, wherein said reflective lining is a metallic fabric.

54. The case of claim 52, wherein said flap further comprises an aperture of sufficient size to transmit and direct a beam of light.

55. The case of claim 52, wherein said illuminating device is a flashlight.

56. The case of claim 52, further comprising a selectively adjustable support member interconnected to said sheath which comprises a free end, a connecting end, opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween and reversibly bendable along substantially an entire length to support said case in a plurality of different orientations.

57. The case of claim 56, further comprising an interconnection means positioned proximate to said free end for selective interconnection of said support member to said sheath.