Abstract:
Disclosed is a new and unique way to use, transport and retain electrical cords, ear pieces, and other accessories associated with portable hand-held electronic devices. The invention keeps the cord and plurality of accessories in a defined compact space that facilitates use of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device of this invention is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal music player, an MP3 player, a CD player, a DVD player, an audio storage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a hand-held computer and a personal television set.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS &amp; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/985,160, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM,” filed Nov. 13, 2007, which is a utility application which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/858,895, filed Nov. 14, 2006. All of these related applications are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. Moreover, any and all U. S. patents, U. S. patent applications, and other documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this application are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a new and unique way to use, transport and retain primarily electrical cords and other accessories used with a plurality of portable electronic devices. The electronic devices may be corded or cordless, such as “Blue Tooth” devices. More specifically, the invention keeps the device and its accessories in a defined, compact space that facilitates retrieval and use of the portable electronic device. Even more specifically, the electronic device of interest in this invention is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal music player, a CD player, a DVD player, an audio storage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held computer, and a personal television set. 
       Background and Related Art 
       [0003]    The popularity of portable hand-held electronic devices is widespread internationally and is growing. Cellular telephone use has become very widespread and it is not uncommon for people to have family-plan cell phone use (with each family member having his or her own number and phone unit) as well as those having only cellular phone service with no hard-wired installed telephone. The present invention recognizes the popularity and extensive use of cell phones as well as the increasing use of portable cordless personal music players, including CD and DVD players and other, small portable personal entertainment devices and hand held computers. 
         [0004]    In the past, some inventions have touched on the issue of headset cord retention for this type of portable electronic device. For example, in published US patent application number 2005/0148313 Chee described a device that allows a user to limit the length of cord associated with a small electronic device. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,080 Edwards et al describe a retractable device with spools devices. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,978 Zoller describes a cord retainer that has a base and a flange: 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is an electronic device containment system that comprises at least one elastic pocket that attaches to the back of a portable hand-held electronic device. The invention is designed for containing handless ear attachments, cords, and the device&#39;s other accessories when they are not in use. There is a series of pockets stacked one upon another to organize and contain various accessories of the portable hand-held electronic device. There is also consideration given in this invention to the storage of various small personal items that a user may find helpful to conveniently contain and retrieve as well as the electronic device itself. 
         [0006]    Oftentimes the average user of a portable hand-held electronic device does not need or use the whole length of cord that is supplied with the ear set of the electronic device. Too much cord length creates excess slack in the cord that can get tangled or be bothersome to a user. If the electronic device of interest is cordless, it will still have ear pieces and/or other attachments. The electronic device containment system of this invention can handle such attachments with its series of pockets and other organizing compartments. The first pocket, closest to the back of the electronic device, is designed to store the excess length of cord. The invention also comprises a storage compartment which is a small compartment within the first pocket of the invention. The storage compartment is for storing any excess or unneeded length of the cord. Additional elastic pockets used can be appropriately sized to hold items selected from the group consisting of keys, coins, paper money and paper notes, or other small, useful items that users need to keep handy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts the headset cord retainer of this invention, including the device, cord, socket, and a plurality of elastic pockets and accompanying hook and loop members. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts the various members shown in  FIG. 1  being fitted into various compartments of the electronic device containment system of this invention and also depicts a typical storage location for the electronic device containment system. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS OF SOME TERMS USED IN THIS INVENTION 
       [0009]    In this invention, the ‘female’ socket will mean the open end of the output jack that is built into the electronic device and into which will fit the plug or male aspect of the output jack for the ear piece. 
         [0010]    In this invention, the ‘male’ device will mean the plug end of the jack used for sound transmittal. 
         [0011]    Please note: The male/female distinction used in this invention is by direct analogy with animal gentalia; the part bearing one or more protrusions, or which fits inside the other being designated male and the part containing the corresponding indentations or fitting outside the other being female. 
         [0012]    In this invention, ‘ear set’ will mean the ear piece or pieces that allow a user to hear sound directly into a user&#39;s ear from the electronic device of this invention. 
         [0013]    In this invention, using the electronic device in a traditional manner will mean its use without a handless external ear set, but rather with the speakers and microphone that are built into the device 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is a system for the containment of accessories of a portable hand-held electronic device  1  comprising a first pocket  3 , made of elastic fabric and a plurality of hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B, and  19  that can attach to at least one side of the outside of the hand-held electronic device  1 . The device&#39;s folded length of cord  7  and the device&#39;s ear set  9  are inserted into the elastic pocket  3  at a time when the device  1  is not in active use by a user  25 . The electronic device containment system of this invention may or may not be built into the back of the electronic device  1  of interest or onto the device&#39;s case. 
         [0015]    The system also comprises a plurality of hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B, and  19  that work in conjunction with the elastic pocket  3  and additional elastic pockets  11  to make the containment system of this invention. The first elastic pocket  3  contains a folded length of the device&#39;s cord  7  and ear set  9  that keeps them untangled and away from the user  25 . The first pocket  3  contains a small opening in its side  13  that allows the user  25  access to the cord  7  and the ear set  9  easily by pulling the ear set  9  out of said elastic pocket  3 . A plurality of additional elastic pockets  11  which use additional pairs of hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B and  19  that hold the additional elastic pockets  11  in series on top of the first elastic pocket  3  wherein the elastic nature of the pockets  3  and  11  keep their contents firmly and securely enclosed and attached within the electronic device containment system of this invention. 
         [0016]    At least one tension adjustment strap  8  is built into the elastic pockets  3  and  11  such that shortening of the tension adjustment straps  8  can reduce the effective volume of the elastic pockets  3  and  11 . Likewise, lengthening of the tension adjustment straps can increase the capacity of the elastic pockets  3  and  11 . This allows the elastic pockets  3  and  11  to accommodate different sizes of electronic devices  1  The tension adjustment straps  8  can be made of either elastic strings or elastic fabric with hook and loop members on their distal ends. Adjusting the length of the tension adjustment straps  8  can be accomplished by either using the hook and loop members or by tying or fastening the elastic strings as needed. There can be from one to about four tension straps present. The number of tension straps present will be directly proportional to the size and number of accessories required by a particular electronic device  1  and the pocket size 
         [0017]    Although the electronic device  1  held by the electronic device containment system of this invention may be cordless, the detailed description of the invention will be written as if a cord  7  were present. If there is no cord  7 , the containment system will still function and provide storage and retrieval of the device&#39;s ear set  9  and other small accessories. 
         [0018]    It should be noted that the total number of elastic pockets  11  attached to the first elastic pocket  3  the electronic device  1  of this invention can vary from about two to about six. The number of pocket possible depends on the size of the electronic device  1  and the size and nature of the accessories associated with it.  FIG. 1  of this invention shows additional elastic pockets  11  held together with interlocking hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B, and  19 . 
         [0019]    Furthermore, when using this invention the user  25  is afforded easy storage and quick retrieval of the cord  7  and ear set  9  of the electronic device  1  as one piece from a user location  27  selected from the group consisting of a pocket, a backpack, a briefcase, a purse and the like.  FIG. 2  depicts the electronic device  1  and various members of the electronic device  1  fitted into various compartments of the electronic device containment system of this invention and also depicts a typical storage location as detailed above. 
         [0020]    Prior to fastening pocket  3  to device  1  the plug end of the cord  15  is inserted through hole  13  and then out of hole  4  in the first elastic pocket  3 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , hole  4  is situated on the same side of the pocket  3  as the hook and loop members  5 A. The plug  15  is then inserted into to female socket  2 . Next the hook and loop members  5 A and  5 B are affixed together to fasten first elastic pocket  3  to electronic device  1 . In doing so, the few centimeters of cord  7  adjacent to plug  15 , are sandwiched between hook and loop members  5 A and  5 B to help secure the cord  7 . Attached as such, the cord&#39;s plug  15  can then be plugged into or detached from socket  2  as needed to activate or deactivate the ear set  9 . When activated, the user  25  can remove ear set  9  and cord  7  through hole  13  and use the ear set  9  as desired. When deactivated, the user  25  can leave the ear set  9  and cord  7  in the pocket  3  and use the electronic device  1  without the ear set  9 , but rather can use the microphone and/or speakers that are built into the electronic device  1 . 
         [0021]    Additionally, the electronic device containment system of this invention is designed for a portable hand-held electronic device  1  that is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal music player (such as an MP3 player or a CD player), a DVD player, an audio storage device, an audio recording device, a radio, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held computer, and a personal television set. It should be noted that any of the elastic pockets  3  and  11  of the containment system of this invention can be appropriately sized to hold small necessary items selected from the group consisting of keys, coins and paper money, other small electronic gadgets, and paper notes. 
         [0022]    The plurality of pockets  3  and  11  that comprise the electronic device containment system of this invention may be made of fabric, elastic, plastic, or combinations of these suitable materials. The size of the electronic device containment system and accompanying pockets may therefore made to be more accommodating to accept the items that are to be inserted therein by the user  25 . 
         [0023]    The shapes of the pockets  3  and  11  can be designed specifically for various electronic devices  1  or other accessories that are to be enclosed in the electronic device containment system of this invention. In many instances, the pockets&#39; elastic nature allow them to be stretched to accommodate the approximate size of the items carried in said pockets  3  and  11  and holds the contained items securely in place. Also, the ear set  9  and only a portion of the length of the folded cord  7  is pulled through the hole  13  of the elastic pocket  3  and the rest of the cord  7  and is put into a storage compartment  6  of the elastic pocket  3 . 
         [0024]    The electronic device containment system of this invention is used to contain, manage and retrieve a length of cord  7  and a plurality of accessories for a portable hand-held electronic device  1 . To successfully do this the following steps are undertaken by a user  25 : 
         [0025]    The headset containment system of this invention can be designed to custom fit and protect a specific electronic device  1 . The user  25  attaches a hook and loop member of two parts  5 A and  5 B, with both parts available so that the user  25  can attach the first part  5 A to an electronic device  1 . Alternatively, if the electronic device has a carrying or protective case designed to hold it, the hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B and  19  can be attached to said case. If the hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B, and  19  are built into one side of the pocket  3 , it it allows user  25  to insert or remove items from pocket  3  from electronic device  1  as desired. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, the pockets  3  and  11  can be directly built into or fastened by other means to the protective or carrying case of the electronic device  1 . Instead of hook and loop members the pockets  3  and  11  could be held on to the electronic device  1  by fasteners such as tongue and groove snaps, buttons, and the like. 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the user  25  can fold the length of cord  7  multiple times in order to make the size of the folded cord  7  fit into the elastic pocket  3 . The arrangement allows the elastic pocket  3  the capability of snugly containing said ear set  9  and a user  25  in retrieving the ear set  9 . 
         [0028]    The method for containing, managing and retrieving a length of cord and a variety of accessories for a portable hand-held electronic device  1  includes the steps of 
         [0029]    attaching at least one set of hook and loop member of two parts comprising a first part and a second part with both parts available so that a user can attach the first part to an electronic device; and 
         [0030]    attaching the second part of the hook and loop member to one side of a first elastic pocket; allowing the pocket to be secured and removed when desired by aligning the two hook and loop members and subsequently separating the two hook and loop members from the device and reattached when desired 
         [0031]    folding the length of cord multiple times in order to make the size of the folded cord fit into the elastic pocket and subsequently 
         [0032]    inserting into the elastic pocket that is firmly attached to the back of the hand-held electronic device the folded length of the device&#39;s cord and ear set when the device is not in active use by a user 
         [0033]    The method of this invention allows the first elastic pocket  3  that contains the length of the device&#39;s cord  7  and ear set  9  and keeps them untangled and away from the user  25  for easy transporting and use. The elastic pocket  3  contains an opening  13  which allows the user  25  access to the cord  7  and the set  9 . 
         [0034]    The method allows a plurality of additional elastic pockets  11  which use additional pairs of hook and loop members  5 A,  5 B, and  19  to hold the pockets  11  in series on top of the first elastic pocket  3  wherein the elastic nature of the pockets  3  and  11  keep their contents firmly and securely enclosed and attached to the electronic device  1 . 
         [0035]    The method of this invention allows for a plurality of additional pockets  11  to be added separately to the outside of the electronic device  1  and not attached to each other. The additional elastic pockets  11  used can be appropriately sized to hold items selected from the group consisting of keys, coins, paper money and paper notes. 
         [0036]    The hook and loop members  19 , attached to the elastic pocket  3  are built into and are a part of the pocket  3 . The cord  7  is easily wrapped up around the fingers of a user  25  to coil or fold the cord  7  when replacing the accessories stored by the electronic device containment system of this invention. More specifically, hook and loop member  19  is built in to the pocket  3  and is fastened to electronic device  1  and is attached to hook and loop member  19  when desired. 
       SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention: