Abstract:
A child &#39;s activity and storage case contains a top portion having a front side and a back side and a bottom portion having a front side and a back side. The back side of the bottom portion is connected to the back side of the top portion by at least one hinge. A clasp is positioned to latch the front side of the top portion to the front side of the bottom portion. A stylized clip is attached to the top portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to activity and storage cases. The activity and storage case of the present invention has particular utility as a combined storage case and clipboard for art activities for children and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One regular past time for children is drawing and coloring. Drawing and coloring by children is convenient for parents, in that the activity is quiet, contained, and reasonably easy to pick up. Quiet and contained activities for children are particularly desirable while traveling. However, drawing and coloring while traveling presents problems. Drawing pads and coloring books are difficult to use when simply placed on the lap of a child. The books and pads have a tendency to bow about the legs of the child. Often books are used beneath the coloring books and drawing pads, but the restless movement of the child inhibit this makeshift solution from staying in place. Further, when the child pauses or stops coloring or drawing, the crayon or writing utensil will regularly find its way between the cushions of the seat having no better place to be stored. When flying, the crayon or writing utensil will inevitably find its way beneath the airplane seats, which may be difficult to retrieve during flight. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a combined activity and storage case for a child. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the case, among others, can be implemented as follows. The activity and storage case contains a top portion having a front side and a back side and a bottom portion having a front side and a back side. The back side of the bottom portion is connected to the back side of the top portion by at least one hinge. A clasp is positioned to latch the front side of the top portion to the front side of the bottom portion. A stylized clip optionally is attached to the top portion. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a combined activity and storage case, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a bottom portion of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in an opened position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.4A  is a view, similar to  FIG. 4 , showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an underside view of the stylized clip of the combined activity and storage case of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a combined activity, and storage case, in accordance with the present invention, packaged in a display for sale. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a combined activity and storage case  10 , in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The combined activity and storage case  10  includes a top portion  12 . A handle  14  is provided for gripping and/or carrying the combined activity and storage case  10 . A clasp  16  is provided for locking the combined activity and storage case  10  at a front side  18  of the top portion  12 . At least one hinge  20  is provided at a back side  22  of the top portion  12  for allowing the combined activity and storage case  10  to pivotably open with relation to the bottom portion (not shown). A stylized clip  24  is attached to the top portion  12  using a clip bracket  26 . The stylized clip  24  allows the top portion  12  of the combined activity and storage case  10  to operate as a clipboard. Preferably, the stylized clip  24  may be a character image attractive to a child such as of a dog holding a bone. The stylized clip  24  may also be an image of another animal, a person, or an object that a child may find attractive. As shown, the handle  14  is proximate to the front side  18 , while the stylized clip  24  and clip bracket  26  are shown proximate to the back side  22 . The stylized clip  24  and clip bracket  26  may also be located proximate to the handle  14  and the front side  18 . Preferably, the top portion  12  may be at least partially translucent to allow viewing of the contents of the combined activity and storage case  10  without opening the case  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a bottom portion  28  of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The bottom portion  28  is attached to the hinge  20  at a back side  22 B of the bottom portion  28 , which allows the top portion  12  to open pivotably in relation to the bottom portion  28 . The bottom portion  28  is attached to the clasp  16 , which allows a front side  18 B of the bottom portion  28  to be locked to the front side  18  of the top portion  12 . When the clasp  16  is in a locked position, the clasp  16 , in combination with the hinge  20 , prevents the combined activity and storage case  10  from being opened, and the contents from spilling out. 
     The bottom portion  28  includes a bottom handle portion  14 B, which substantially aligns with the handle  14  when the bottom portion  28  is substantially aligned with the top portion  12 . The handle  14  and the bottom handle portion  14 B may include three notches  30  to receive four fingers comfortably for carrying the combined activity and storage case  10 . The handle  14  and bottom handle portion  14 B may be as wide as five or more inches, to comfortably receive a hand of an adult. The handle  14  and bottom handle portion  14 B may be as wide as four inches or narrower, to comfortably receive a hand of a child. 
     The bottom portion  28  preferably also includes one or more raised barriers  32 . The raised barriers  32  serve two functions. For one, the barriers create compartments  34  within the combined activity and storage case  10 , for organizing items stored within the case  10 , and for preventing items from sliding out of the created compartments  34  when the storage case  10  is carried or otherwise jostled in a closed position. The created compartments  34  may exist between raised barriers  32  or between at least one raised barrier  32  and a side of the combined activity and storage case  10 . The raised barriers  32  preferably extend to the inside wall of the top portion  12  when the combined activity and storage case  10  is in a closed position. The top portion  12  may also have raised barriers (not shown) that meet the raised barriers  32  of the bottom portion  28 . The raised barriers also serve to stiffen the case. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  shows the clip bracket  26  mounted to the top portion  12 , although the stylized clip  24  is not shown. The top portion  12  is attached to the bottom portion  28  at the hinge  20 , located at the back side  22  of the top portion  12  and the back side  22 B of the bottom portion  28 . The clasp  16  locks the front side  18  of the top portion  12  to the front side  18 B of the bottom portion  28 . At least one raised barrier  32  runs between the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  28  to create the compartments  34 . A lip  36  preferably is provided along a perimeter of either the top portion  12  or the bottom portion  28 , overlapping the edge of the other portion when the combined activity and storage case  10  is in a closed position. The lip  36  may cover minor gaps that might otherwise exist between the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  28  when the combined activity and storage case  10  is in a closed position, and also serves to stiffen the case. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in an opened position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  shows the clip bracket  26  mounted to the top portion  12 , although the stylized clip  24  is not shown. The top portion  12  is attached to the bottom portion  28  at the hinge  20 , located at the back side  22  of the top portion  12  and the back side  22 B of the bottom portion  28 . The clasp  16  locks the front side  18  of the top portion  12  to the front side  18 B of the bottom portion  28 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a lip  36 A may be provided along a perimeter of the bottom portion  28 , and overlapping the edge of the top portion  12  when the combined activity and storage case  10  is in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The clasp  16  locks the front side  18  of the top portion  12  to the front side  18 B of the bottom portion  28 . The clasp  16  may feature a two-dimensional design  38  or the design  38  may be raised or the clasp  16  may be stylized, in a manner similar to the stylized clip  24 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp  16  of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  also shows the clasp  16  in an opened position using phantom lines. The clasp  16  is connected to the storage case  10  by a top hinge pin  40 , upon which the clasp  16  pivots. The top hinge pin  38  is connected to the top portion  12  of the combined activity and storage case  10  at the front side  18  of the top portion  12 . When moved into a locked position, the clasp  16  latches onto a bottom latch pin  40 . The bottom latch pin  40  is connected to the bottom portion  28  of the storage case  10  at the front side  18 B of the bottom portion  28 . 
       FIG. 7  is a back view of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in a closed position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The back view shows the top portion  12  attached to the bottom portion  28  by two hinges  20 . The hinges  20  include back hinge pins  42 . The back hinge pins  42  are held within hinge slots  44 , which are attached to both the back side  22  of the top portion  12  and the back side  22 B of the bottom portion  28 .  FIG. 7  also shows the clip bracket  26  mounted to the top portion  12 , although the stylized clip  24  is not shown. 
       FIG. 8  is an underside view of the stylized clip  24  of the combined activity and storage case  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The stylized clip  24  includes a stylized article  46  attached to a clip mount  48 . The clip mount  48  is attached to the clip bracket  26  by a clip hinge  52 . The clip bracket  26  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 , is attached to the back side  22  of the top portion  12  of the storage case  10 . The stylized clip  24  is held in a fastening position by a spring  50  enveloping the clip hinge  52  and biased against both the stylized clip  24  and the top portion  12 . 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of a combined activity and storage case  10  of the present invention, packaged for sale. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the combined activity and storage case  10  is packaged within a molded translucent plastic cover  150  that includes a plurality of  1  contours for accommodating and displaying a plurality of items or contents. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the plurality of items may include a box of crayons  152 , a 3″×5″ notebook  154 , an 8½×11″ notebook  156 , an open container  158  of markers  160 , a plurality of stickers  162 , and a pen  166 . The plastic cover  150  should be contoured to keep the plurality of items separated from one another within the plastic cover  150 . If desired the plastic cover  150  also may be molded with fanciful shapes to store certain items. By way of example, a necklace  164  may be stored in a molded star shape  170  within the plastic cover  150 . The back of the plastic cover  150  (not shown) should be shaped to closely conform to the back of the case, and the top and back of the plastic cover may be molded to meet at the handle  14 , and joined to one another at a perimeter  172  of the covers. The 8½″×11″ notebook  156  may be held in position beneath the stylized clip  124 . 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.