Abstract:
The current invention comprises a mechanical enclosure capable of unifying a plurality of individual personal organization devices into one interchangeable platform. The apparatus maintains high spatial efficiency by use of materials and geometry allowing miscellaneous items to be carried in single compact space, while also allowing for convenient attachment and removal of modular elements for a variety of applications and uses.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/395,764 filed on May 17, 2010, currently pending, entitled MODULAR ORGANIZATION CASE, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing items in a modular fashion. In particular the invention provides a base enclosure, which allows various “attachments” to easily and quickly connect to it allowing for organized transportation, removal, and convenient use of supported items. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    The mechanical design of typical hinges and dovetails is well established in the prior art. The applicant for the present invention considered several common mechanical casing designs with common features and noted the deficiencies below. 
         [0004]    Existing personal carrying cases (especially wallets) are designed to carry common personal items by either creating an array of common sized dividers or a single space in which multiple items are jumbled together without a dividing system. Many attempts to improve the form and function of a typical bifold wallet have been made, but none of prior art inventions have brought the unique features, function, and structural elements of the current invention together. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,981,591-modular display cases, 7,117,990-modular wallet reader set, 2,748,821-pass case with sliding pass holder, 6,607,122-combined detachable filing wallet device, 5,103,884-wallet with removable clip were each considered by the applicant for this present invention. The resulting array of dividers or single space design utilized in most cases, bags, packs results in spatial inefficiency and lack of customization for the user. There is therefore need for providing a robust carrier of personal items such that by use of various “attachments” to a modular structure a more efficient and customized carrier is provided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The current invention comprises a mechanical enclosure capable of unifying a plurality of individual pocket organization devices into one interchangeable platform. Most wallet designs and variations only carry two mediums such as credit cards and paper currency. These designs do not provide for proper dispensing and storage of other commonly carried items such as coinage, business cards, keys, electronic devices, self defense items, multitools etc. The apparatus defined and described in the current invention maintains high spatial efficiency by use of materials and geometry allowing miscellaneous items to be carried in single compact device. 
         [0006]    Thus one aspect of the invention is its inherent modular design including a “base case” element, which is designed to accommodate one or more individual attachment elements. In the exemplary embodiment the base case element is shaped and sized to be used as a wallet, and comprises of two opposing halves that hinge together and lock utilizing a mechanical clasp element. A plurality of attachment elements are contemplated which are designed to be operatively attached and removed from the base case. As will be appreciated from the detailed description below, the attachment elements may include coin holders, key holders, money clips, mp3 or other electronic device holders, and many other elements with additional utility designed to be coupled to the base case. The attachment elements are attached mechanically as shown in the exemplary embodiments, but may be attached magnetically, or via other electromechanical or electromagnetic means. 
         [0007]    A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments and which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description reading conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the closed base case of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the open base case of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side cutaway of the closed base case of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the base case in the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the card attachment for the base case in the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the card attachment showing its function and use for the base case in the present embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a clip attachment for the base case in the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a clip attachment showing its function for the base case in the present embodiment 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the utility tray attachment for the base case in the present embodiment 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view showing the utility tray attachments function for the base case in the present embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an electronic device adaptor attachment for the base case in the present embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view showing the function of an electronic device attachment for the base case in the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the base case with four attachments on it. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    The present description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0023]    The present invention can find utility in a variety of implementations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as will be apparent form an understanding of the principles that underlie the invention. For instance, the present invention is best described used in conjunction with pocket items (including, cell phones, smart phones, credit cards, paper currency, coinage, personal media (mp3) devices, receipts, keys, personal defense items, flashlights, multitools, ect) such that the modular case can store, dispense, and facilitate the use of these items. However the present invention may find utility when used in a larger scale such as backpacks, briefcases, ect. 
         [0024]    Looking now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  various views of exemplary base case apparatus  100  of the modular organization case are shown to schematically illustrate one aspect of the current invention. Generally, base case  100  comprises two halves  110  and  120  connected by a hinge  7  to form an enclosure. In the present embodiment illustrated herein each half is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with rounded edges suitable for use as a wallet.  FIG. 1  shows the closed position of the two main halves  110  and  120  with the mating of female clasp  5  and male clasp  6 . The present embodiment  100  is created by forming sheet metal halves using a metal stamping press or such other means as may be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art of metal forming and shaping. Outside indentation feature  1  is a sheet metal formed channel that progresses along symmetrical outside surfaces of base case halves  110  and  120 . Inside embossed rib  3  is a result of the manufacturing process of outside indentation feature  1  and follows the geometry of outside indentation  1  through the sheet metal thickness on the inside of base case half  110  and  120 .  FIG. 3  shows the cross sectional profile of case half  110  and  120  to form base case  100 . Outside indentation  1  and inside embossed rib  3  are symmetrical about the width of case half  110  and  120 , which forms an inside and outside dovetail feature on case half  110  and  120 . Outside indentation  1  and inside embossed rib  3  are also symmetrical over the mating surface of case half  110  and  120  because base case half  110  and  120  are identical except for female clasp  5  and male clasp  6 . This symmetry of outside indentation feature  1  and inside embossed rib  3  is the basis for connecting and disconnecting attachments from base case  100 . It will be understood that various geometries of de-bossed groves such as exemplary outside indentation features  1  can provide the same functionality as shown in the present embodiment. Slots in the side of the base case, magnets and embossed relief&#39;s may be adapted by one skilled in the art to create the same functionality as shown in outside indentation feature  1 . 
         [0025]    Outside catch  2  is a domed emboss formed into outside indentation feature  1  and acts as a permanent and semi permanent catch for fixed and moving attachments as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  10 , 12  and  13 . It will be understood that magnets, debossed domes, hooks, and holes may be adapted by one skilled in the art to create appropriate variations to outside catch  2 . Inside catch  4  is a result of the manufacturing process of outside catch  2  and also acts as a permanent and semi permanent catch for fixed and moving attachments as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 13 . 
         [0026]    Female clasp  5 , male clasp  6  and hinge  7  are well established mechanisms for allowing case half  110  and  120  to mechanically open and clasp together. It will be understood that depending on the material of base case  100 , living hinges, folding textiles, rubbers, magnets, interlocking sheets, and other mechanisms may be adapted by one skilled in the art to create a suitable hinge and clasp elements that will not depart from the spirit of the invention. Female clasp  5  and male clasp  6  in the present embodiment use a slot and barb formed from sheet metal to clasp base case  100  together. It will be understood that magnetic elements, rotational clasps, and interference fitting of clasp geometries will create suitable alternate embodiments of female clasp  5  and male clasp  6 . 
         [0027]    Lip  8  is an elongated tab on one end of each side of base case half  110  and  120 . Lip  8  is used as a backstop on one side while the opposing side of each half remains open for sliding attachments and/or any enclosed items. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of base case  100  in which halves  110  and  120  are designed as identical case half  130 . Case half  130  hinges longitudinally (90 degrees to that of base case  100 ). Female clasp  5 , male clasp  6  and hinge  7 &#39;s functionality from base case  100  is incorporated into button  23  and hole tab  24  of embodiment  130  to create a single hinge clasp design. It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown and described in  FIG. 4  lends itself to more efficient and cost effective design and manufacturability due to the fact that only one base case element  130  needs to be fabricated in pairs in order to create a mechanically operable case. 
         [0029]    Looking now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , attachment  200  inserts into the inside of base case half  110  or  120  or both for storage and dispensing of removable cards  210  (credit cards, business cards, or other similarly sized cards according to the present embodiment). In the present embodiment attachment  200  is constructed from formed sheet metal. It shall be understood that attachment  200  can be fabricated from a combination of materials, or a singular material, such as sheet metal, plastic, wood, and rubber. Indentation  201  is operatively sized and shaped to match the profile of inside embossed rib  3  on both sides of the inside of case halves  110  or  120 . The matching profiles of inside embossed rib  3  and indentation  201  allow attachment  200  to securely connect onto the inside of base case half  110  or  120 . Moreover inside catch  4  and emboss  202  lock attachment  200  into the base case when it is fully installed along direction B. Tabs  203  and  204  act as guides when sliding removable cards  210  along direction B. Side tabs  203  and top tab  204  exert a force on the removable cards  210  to hold the cards in place at any length along attachment  200 . Removable cards  210  are able to be slid in and out of attachment  200  with fingers along the large open slot. It shall be understood that other embodiments of attachment  200  could be implemented to dispense and store a large variety of items including business cards, stun guns, pepper spray, note pads, battery packs, flash lights, paper currency etc. Furthermore, attachment  200  can be installed on the inside of halves  110  and  120  of base case  100  simultaneously while still allowing base case  100  to close. In another embodiment the functional aspects and part features of attachment  200  can be adapted for use on the outside of both case half  110  and  120 . This would require indentation  201  to be changed such that it could mate with outside indentation  1  instead of inside embossed rib  3 . 
         [0030]    Looking now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , attachment  300  is a clip for holding paper currency  310 , receipts or other paper media to the outside of base case half  110  and  120 . In the present embodiment attachment  300  is made of formed sheet metal. It shall be under stood that other embodiments of attachment  300  can be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, metal and rubber without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Indentation  301  matches the geometry of outside indentation  1 . Indentation catch  302  allows attachment  300  to semi permanently locate itself to outside catch  2 . Bend  304  and tabs  303  exert a force on the outside of base case  100  in order to securely hold paper elements  310 . The entirety of attachment  300  is designed to slide along the length of the base case to better expose paper mediums for dispensing and storage. It is understood that attachment  300  can be implemented on the inside of the base case haft  110  or  120  or both if indentation  301  were to match inside emboss  3  instead of indentation  1  in alternate embodiment. 
         [0031]    Looking now to  FIGS. 9 and 10  utility tray attachment  400  is designed to hold keys  404 , coinage  405 , note pads, usb drives, multitools, electronic devices, gps devices, etc. in a tray that attaches to the outside of the base case. In the present embodiment attachment  400  is made from formed sheet metal. It will be understood that a variety of materials and geometries can be used in alternate embodiments of attachment  400 . Indention  401  is embossed on the inside of both sides to create an interlocking connection with outside indentation  1 , on base case half  110  or  120 . Insert element  403  in the present embodiment is a foam insert for attachment  400  in which cut-outs can be made for keys  403 , coinage  405 , and other miscellaneous items. Insert element  403  helps protect, divide, cushion and compress items within attachment  400 . Insert element  403  can be made from a variety of materials including memory foam, thermoplastic, putty, rubber, precut foam, etc without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Base case half  110  or  120  forms the topside enclosure for attachment  400  and indentation catch  402  creates a semi permanent locking feature with outside catch  2 . The entirety of attachment  400  slides along the base case to reveal tray contents to the user. It shall be understood that the present embodiment can be used on both outside base case halves  110  and  120  simultaneously. In another embodiment attachment  400  can be designed for the inside of the base case enclosure by mating with inside embossed rib  3  instead of outside indentation  1 . 
         [0032]    Looking now to  FIGS. 11 and 12  is an attachment for enclosing and protecting an electronic device  505  to the outside of the base case  100 . Indentation  501  and indentation catch  502  mate with base case elements outside indentation  1  and outside catch  2  to form a sliding connection. In the present embodiment attachment  500  is made from formed sheet metal. It shall be understood that a variety of materials such as plastic, wood and rubber can be used to create alternate embodiments. Attachment  500  is designed as an enclosure that can move along outside indentation  1  of base case to reveal items on the back of the electronic device such as a camera, speaker, microphone, antenna, signal receiver etc. Electronic device  505  represents gps devices, touch screen devices, mobile phones, digital displays (Oled, TFT, etc), MP3 players (iPod, Zune, etc), speakers, batteries, flashlights, anti theft devices, etc. Embossed cradle element  503  protects and locates electronic device  505  in attachment  500 . Embossed cradle element  503  is meant to allow use of the electronic device through singular or multiple cutouts in element  503 . 
         [0033]    Now looking at  FIG. 13  base case  100  has a total of 4 attachments installed. It shall be understood that attachments can be used with out obstructing each other because of the design of base case  100 . Removable cards  210  can be dispended on either side of the base case while have access to the utility tray  400  and outside clip  300 . Furthermore, utility tray  400  and outside clip  300  can be accessed by the user without opening the base case  100  enclosure, as will be the same with any attachment on the outside of base case  100 .