Abstract:
An arm band case for portable electronic device is disclosed. The arm band case may be secured to the user with straps and includes a pocket having a transparent window that provides visibility to the touchscreen of the electronic device and a plurality of powered light sources that are configured to illuminate the arm band and thereby provide added visibility to the user when in use. The arm band case is formed of multiple layers that encapsulate the light sources while allowing access to the battery housed therein and while facilitating the transmission and dispersion of light to illuminate the arm band.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/222,854, filed on Sep. 24, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This patent document relates to protective enclosures or cases for mobile electronic devices and more particularly to such cases that are configured to be strapped to a user&#39;s limb and illuminated. 
         [0004]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Mobile electronic devices with interactive touch screen interfaces such as smart phones, PDA, MP3 players, computing tablets and the like have become ubiquitous in today&#39;s society. As functionality and features sets of these devices expand and become more and more integral to our lives, users are increasingly carrying such devices during work and recreational activities (e.g., running, biking, skiing, playing sports, working with hands, etc.) to stay connected while monitoring their activities. Carrying the device in a pocket can be uncomfortable, detract from the activity being performed, and make it inconvenient or difficult to readily interface with and/or monitor the functionalities of the device while performing the activity. Moreover, it is not uncommon for users to participate in such activities at night or in other low-light or dark conditions where the user may not be readily seen by motorists and others and thereby expose the user to unsafe conditions that can lead to accidents. 
         [0006]    It is here recognized, therefore, that there is a need to develop a comfortable protective case for such mobile electronic devices that is capable of providing the user with convenient access to the device while providing illumination to increase visibility of the user to motorists and others and thereby mitigate against accidents. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Disclosed are numerous aspects of a unique and inventive protective case configured to receive, retain and protect a mobile device. The case may be configured for a mobile electronic device that is in the form of a tablet, a smart or mobile phone, an MP3 audio player, a gaming device, or other portable handheld electronic or computing device and may have one or more touchscreens on its front face and/or back face and one or more biometric sensors or fingerprint scanners. 
         [0008]    The protective case is configured to house the electronic device in a transparent pocket while also be illuminated on its outer surface by an internal light source, such as plurality of light emitting diodes. The illumination enhances visibility at night or in other low-light or dark conditions where the user may not be readily seen by motorists and others and thereby is capable of mitigating against accidents. The transparent pocket allows visibility to and interaction with the electronic device without the user removing the device from the case. 
         [0009]    Aspects, shown in the illustrated implementation, include a protective case being comprised of a multi-layered arm band having a front face and an opposing back face and extending from a first end section to a second end section with a mid-section residing there between. The arm band being configured to be wrapped around a user&#39;s arm and adjustably secured thereto. The arm band includes a pocket formed in the mid-section. The pocket is dimensioned to receive and house the portable electronic device and may include a transparent screen window on the front face that is configured to provide visibility to the touchscreen of the electronic device when the device is housed within the pocket. The pocket may also include an aperture that allows for user interaction with a fingerprint scanner on the electronic device. A strap is provided at the first end section that is dimensioned to being received through one or more rings provided in the second end section and configured to being secured into a fixed position via a fastener, such as a loop and hook Velcro® type fastener. The arm band further includes a lighting assembly comprising a plurality of light sources electrically connected to and powered by battery. The arm band is configured so that the light sources illuminate the exterior front face of the arm band. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects includes a front face of the arm band case being comprised of a front panel that is configured to facilitate the dispersion of light. One or more patterns of apertures or slots may be provided to allow the light emitted from the light sources to escape and illuminate the exterior of the arm band. 
         [0011]    Yet additional aspects includes a construction of the front panel that includes varied or faded thicknesses that tend to thin-out extend outward from the pocket toward the perimeter edges of the arm band case, which may further facilitate dispersion of light or illumination of the arm band case in a more desirable way. 
         [0012]    In yet additional aspects, the light sources may be mounted into a transparent polymer sheet that may facilitate piping of the light through the arm band. The transparent sheet may include etched or textured regions that may further assist in the manner by which the light illuminates the arm band. The etched/textured regions may be formed in patterns that correspond the slotted patterns in the front face panel. 
         [0013]    In yet additional aspects, the light sources can be directionally configured and mounted on a flexible printed circuit board and electrically connected to the battery via a cable that is connected to a battery housing via a strain relief component. 
         [0014]    In yet other aspects, the battery housing can include a removable battery access cover on one side and a button on the opposite side. The arm band can be configured to interface with the battery housing button and provide access to the removable battery access cover. 
         [0015]    Yet other aspects relate to the manufacture, construction, configuration, and attachment of the constituent components of the multi-layered construction of the arm band case and the manner by which light assembly is positioned and housed therein. 
         [0016]    It should be understood that each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the drawings, may be combined to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or use without limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    These and other features, aspects and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters or numerals denote corresponding features consistently throughout disclosed embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a front face view of the arm band portable electronic device case illustrating insertion of an electronic device into the pocket of the case. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a front face view of the arm band portable electronic device case depicted in  FIG. 1A . with the electronic device inserted into the pocket of the case. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1C . is a back face view of the arm band portable electronic device case depicted in  FIG. 1A-B . 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a partial front face view of the arm band portable electronic device case depicted in  FIG. 1A  illustrating the location of cross section line D-D. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the arm band portable electronic device case taken a long cross-section line D-D illustrating the various components of the case. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a representation of the slotting in the front panel of the arm band portable electronic device case revealing the mesh substrate bonded thereto. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a diagram of the front panel and mesh substrate components of the arm band portable electronic device case illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The diagram further illustrates the location of cross-section lines A-A, B-B, and C-C and provides dimensions for those components for a case configured to receive and house a Samsung Galaxy 5S® mobile or smart phone. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4B-4D  are diagrams illustrating more detailed cross-sectional views of the front panel and mesh substrate components of the arm band portable electronic case taken along cross-section lines A-A, B-B, and C-C of  FIG. 4A , respectively. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of illustrating the lay-up of the arm band portable electronic device case illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The diagram illustrates the base panel, the transparent polymer layer that forms the transparent screen window and adjacent regions thereto, and the front panel mounted to the mesh substrate as well as the positioning and orientation of the battery housing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the positioning of the light sources and battery housing and electrical connections there-between on the adjacent regions of the transparent polymer layer, which is positioned at top the base panel of the of the arm band portable electronic device case illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the transparent polymer layer positioned over the base panel of the of the arm band portable electronic device case illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The diagram provides a more detailed illustration of the pattern of etching that creates a texture on the surface of the adjacent regions of the transparent polymer layer that corresponds with the slotted pattern on the front panel. Close-up views are provided of the side light emitting diode (LED) light sources, which when powered emit light sideways into the side of the transparent polymer layer, which can result in achieving a light pipe effect. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a close-up view of the light and battery housing assembly illustrating the LED light sources mounted to flexible printed circuit boards and connected to the battery housing. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  are additional close-up views of the battery housing assembly including the circuit board, the battery, and the removable battery cover. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is an illustration and close up views of the strain relief component that connects the battery housing to the cable. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the back cover to the battery housing in the closed and open position. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    Each drawing is generally to scale and hence relative dimensions of the various layers can be determined from the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    As summarized above and illustrated in the drawings, disclosed herein are various aspects of a protective case for a mobile device capable of providing additional reinforcing support to mitigate or prevent bending of the device while minimizing bulkiness and weight, yet maintaining a high level of protection. Aspects of which are summarized above and illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0035]    As set forth above,  FIGS. 1-11  illustrate various views and constituent components of an arm band portable electronic device case  100 . The drawings illustrate, by way of example only, various of the configuration and construction aspects of the case. In the particular implementation illustrated, the case is configured for Samsung Galaxy 5S® mobile or smart phone device  200 , which includes a touchscreen  210  and a biometric fingerprint sensor or scanner  220  on the front surface thereof. It should be understood, however, that the case  100  may be configured for any mobile or electronic device, including but not limited to portable or cellular phones, PDAs, MP3 or audio/video devices, gaming devices, or computing tablets or devices. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in the drawings the case  100  is in the form of an arm band adapted to being wrapped around a user&#39;s arm and adjustably secured thereto. It is generally comprised of a multi-layered structure having a front face  110  and an opposing back face  120  and extends from a first end section  130  to a second end section  140  with a mid-section  150  residing there between and as described below includes battery powered light sources that are capable of illuminating the exterior of the case  100 . 
         [0037]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 2B , a strap  160  is provided at the first end section  130  that is configured to be received through one or more rings  170  in the second end section  140  and secured into a fixed position via a fastener, which in the illustrated embodiment is a loop and hook fastener configured to adhere to one another when pressed together such as that marketed under the Velcro® brand. The strap  160  includes a first region  161  comprising a panel  162  having plurality of loops and a second region  163  comprising a panel  164  of a plurality of hooks. The first region  161  being positioned nearer the second end section  140  than said second region  163 . Passing the strap  160  through the ring  170  and folding it over itself allows for the panel of hooks  164  at the end of the strap  160  to be positioned over and facing the panel of loops  162  such that when the two panels are pressed together they adhere to one another and thereby fix the position of the strap  160 . 
         [0038]    The front face  110  includes a transparent screen window  180  that is configured to overlie the touchscreen of the smart phone  200  when the smart phone  200  is positioned within a pocket  190  formed between the transparent screen window  180  and a base panel  300  (best illustrated in  FIGS. 1C and 2B ) that forms the back face  120  of the case  100 . The base panel  300  includes a pocket opening  301  that extends through the base panel  300  into the pocket  190  and is dimensioned to allow the portable electronic device  200  to pass into and out of the pocket  190 . The transparent screen window  180  may further include an aperture  181  configured to overlie the fingerprint scanner  220  when the device is positioned within the pocket  190 . The base panel  300  may also include one or more apertures or openings  302  that extend into the pocket  190  that may serve to facilitate functionality of the portable electronic device  200 . 
         [0039]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the case  100  is comprised of a multi-layered structure that includes the base panel  300  that extends from the first end section  130  to the second end section  140 , a front panel  310  bonded to a mesh substrate  320  that extends from the second end section  140  to the mid-section  150 , a transparent polymer layer  330  that forms the transparent screen window  180  and adjacent regions  338  thereto, and a plurality of LED light sources  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406  mounted on flexible printed circuit board and electrically connected via a cable  430  to a battery  410  contained within a housing  420  having a removable battery access cover  421  on one side and a button  422  on the opposite side. As best illustrated in  FIG. 10  the cable  430  may be connected to the battery housing  420  via a strain relief component  440  interposed there-between. 
         [0040]    In addition to the pocket opening  301  described above, the base panel  300  (as well as the overlying layers) also includes openings for each of the two rings  170 , which in the present embodiment are defined by polymer D-ring structures  171 , and a battery access opening  303 , which is covered by a back cover  340  that is connected to the back panel  300  and movable from a closed position to an open position as best illustrated in  FIG. 11 . When the back cover  340  is in the closed position, the back cover  340  overlies the battery access opening  303  in the arm band to the battery housing  420 . In the open position the back cover  340  is displaced from the battery access opening  303 , relative to its position in the closed position, to allow access to the battery housing  420  and the removable battery access cover  421  so that the user can access the battery  410  contained therein. The battery housing may be made of plastic. The base panel  300  and back cover  340  may be formed of synthetic polymer such as neoprene or SBR coated spandex, or other suitable material. 
         [0041]    The front panel  310  includes a front side and an opposing underside with the underside being bonded to the mesh substrate layer  320 . The front panel  310  further includes a pattern of slots  311  extending there-through that reveal the underlying mesh substrate  320 . The patterns of slots  311  and the thicknesses are best illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B, 2A, 3, 4A  and the cross-sectional views depicted in  FIGS. 2B, and 4B-4D . Notably, the thickness of the front panel  310  (between the front side and the underside of the front panel) is not uniform bur rather may include one or more faded regions that thin-out the front panel  300  as it extends along its slots outward from the pocket  190  toward the perimeter edges of the case  100 , which may facilitate dispersion of light so as to more desirably illuminate the case  100 . The front panel may be made of a polymer, such as poured polyurethane (PU). 
         [0042]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 5 , the transparent polymer layer  330 , which is located over the base panel  300  and under the front panel and mesh substrate  310 ,  320 , may further include etching that creates a texture on the surface of the adjacent regions next to the transparent screen window  180  of the transparent polymer layer  330 . The etching is configured to correspond with the slotted patterns  311  on the front panel. The transparent polymer layer  330  may be formed of thermo plastic polyurethane (TPU) that can meet anti-fog standards at 60 degrees temperature, 95% humidity for a period of 72 hours. 
         [0043]    The electrical assembly components (e.g., LEDs, battery housing) are positioned within corresponding apertures  331 - 337  disposed on the transparent polymer layer  330  (best depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) so that they are housed between the front panel  310  and mesh substrate  320  on the front side of the case  100  and the base panel  300  on the back side of the case  100 . The base panel  300 , front panel  310 , mesh substrate  320 , the transparent polymer layer  330  are attached to each other via stitching  500  (best depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) such that the electrical components reside in compartments defined by the stitched layers. When the LEDs  401 - 406  are positioned within the apertures of the transparent polymer layer  330  and powered light is emitted sideways away from the pocket  190  and into the adjacent regions of the transparent polymer layer, which in turn may serve to create a light pipe effect. The combination of the slotted regions and the fading thickness of the front panel  310  together with the light pipe effect of the transparent polymer layer  330  serves to allow light emitted by the internally positioned LEDs to illuminate the front face  110  of the case  100 . 
         [0044]    Each of the foregoing and various aspects, or teachings herein together with those set forth in the claims and described in connection with the embodiments of the protective cases summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein including the drawings and the written description may be combined to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or use without limitation. 
         [0045]    Although the various inventive aspects are herein disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments, implementations, and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while various aspects have been shown and described in detail, modifications of such aspects will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of this disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation, and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with one another in whole or in part. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments or implementations described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims. 
         [0046]    Similarly, this method of disclosure, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Claims are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.