Abstract:
A compliant carrying case is provided that includes an integrated rigid member for generally preventing the transmission of external loads therein. More specifically, a stiffened panel is associated with at least one side of the storage case so that the screen and/or buttons of the electronic device are isolated from outside loads.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of 60/853,335, filed May 30, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to carrying cases for electronic devices. One embodiment of the present invention includes a stiffened member integrated into a panel of the storage device such that forces originating from the outside of the case are reacted and do not damage or effect the electronic device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Carrying cases are commonly used to secure and protect sensitive and expensive electronic devices. As used herein, “electronic devices” include PDAs, MP3 players, cellphones, cameras, radios, calculators, CD players, televisions, IPods(t computers and any other similar device that employs a display screen or other sensitive componentry. Many electronic devices include a screen that is easily damaged by scratching, cracking or application of pressure that generally creates a “hot spot” on the screen. Some electronic devices known in the art include screens that occupy 80 to 95 percent of the space on at least one side of the device. It is very desirous to protect the screen of stored electronic devices because any damage to the screen may render the electronic device difficult to use or inoperable. It is also desirable to maintain the integrity of display screens of the electronic devices when they are stored by ensuring that they do not become scratched or otherwise damaged inside a storage case. Further, it is a related goal to substantially prevent the unintended actuation of any buttons the device may employ. 
         [0004]    Many methods have been used to protect the screen of an electronic device including the utilization of cases with rigid panels. However, cases constructed of a rigid material are heavier than those constructed out of lighter, compliant materials, are bulky, and are relatively expensive to make. Conversely, compliant cases common in the art are constructed of soft and resilient materials and often include cushioning. However, soft cases utilized in the past do not include specific protection of the screen or buttons positioned on the electronic device. 
         [0005]    Thus, it is a long felt need in the field of electronic device carrying cases to provide a carrying case that protects fragile components of the stored item and prevents inadvertent activation of the device. The following disclosure describes an improved carrying case that includes a stiffening member integrated into a panel of the storage case to dissipate one or more forces acting on the panel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a storage case for securing an electronic device. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a storage case comprising a front member that is selectively interconnected to a back member via a zipper or other closure mechanism. 
         [0007]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a compliant storage case that includes a stiffened area for substantially preventing loads from penetrating the interior of the storage case. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention include a stiffening member integrated into at least one of the front member and the back member. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the front member and the back member may be interconnected via a selectively openable device, such as a zipper, to provide access to the storage area of the case. The stiffened area of embodiments of the present invention is comprised of a panel of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as polyethylene (PE) board, aluminum, plastic, cardboard, rubber, to name a few. It is contemplated that the stiffened area be integrated into the thickness of the front member and/or the back member such that the stiffened area does not contact any portion of the electronic device, thereby preventing screen damage from the more rigid stiffening member. In operation, forces emanating from the outside of the storage case will be reacted by the stiffened area and not be transmitted to the electronic device. An added advantage of the present invention is that the stiffened area may be enlarged to encompass other portions of the electronic device such as the buttons of a cellular telephone or PDA to prevent unattended actuation thereof. Further, since the members of the storage case are constructed of a resilient or cushioning material, it is an added advantage that the device is shock and impact resistant. 
         [0008]    It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide an auxiliary pocket integrated into the front member or back member of the storage case. Specifically, the auxiliary pocket is adapted to secure small items, such as batteries and film, earbuds, and/or small accessories to the protected device. 
         [0009]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a storage case that is constructed of commonly used materials that provide cushioning and protection from the elements. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of nylon, rubber, leather, koskin, foam, and other commonly used materials that are stitched together. The resilient front and back members of one embodiment of the present invention are constructed of an elastic material that returns to its nominal shape after use. That is, embodiments of the present invention employ resiliently deflectable materials, thereby allowing for the accommodation of various sizes of electronic devices in a single case. In addition, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, materials as described herein and those similar thereto are generally lightweight and compact. Further, the materials in construction of the carrying case are apt to be highly durable and easy to clean. 
         [0010]    Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a carrying case is provided which generally comprises: 
         [0011]    a front member that includes an inner panel interconnected to an outer panel; 
         [0012]    a rear member interconnected to said front member that includes an inner panel and an outer panel each interconnected to an outer edge panel, said outer edge panel including an aperture therethrough such that said inner and outer panel of said rear panel define a compartment that receives a stiffening member; and 
         [0013]    wherein said inner panel of said front member and aid inner panel of said rear member define a storage area that is adapted to receive an electronic device with at least one of a screen and a button, and wherein the screen and the button is located adjacent to said stiffening area when the electronic device is stored to substantially prevent damage to the electronic device associated from loads being transmitted into said storage case. 
         [0014]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the fill extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a rear elevation view of the storage case of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the storage case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a right elevation view of the storage case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the storage case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of an inner panel of a front member of the storage case; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of an outer panel of a front member of the storage case; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of an outer edge panel of a rear panel of the storage case; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a stiffening member of the storage case of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the storage case of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Storage case 
               
               
                 6 
                 Front member 
               
               
                 10 
                 Rear member 
               
               
                 12 
                 Closure 
               
               
                 14 
                 Stiffened area 
               
               
                 22 
                 Outer panel of front member 
               
               
                 26 
                 Inner panel of front member 
               
               
                 30 
                 Stiffened member 
               
               
                 34 
                 Outer edge panel of rear member 
               
               
                 38 
                 Inner panel of rear member 
               
               
                 42 
                 Outer panel of rear member 
               
               
                 46 
                 Webbing loop 
               
               
                 50 
                 Ring 
               
               
                 54 
                 Male rubber snap 
               
               
                 58 
                 Female rubber snap 
               
               
                 66 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-10 , a storage case  2  of one embodiment of the present invention is provided that includes a front member  6  interconnected to a rear member  10  to define a storage space that is adapted to receive an electronic device. The front member  6  is interconnected to the rear member  10  of the storage case  2 , at least partially, by a selective interconnection mechanism such as a zipper  12  that provides selective access to the contents stored within the storage case  2 . In addition, at least one of the front member  6  and the rear member  10  includes a stiffened area  14  integrated therein, which will be described in further detail below. 
         [0029]    The front member  6  is comprised of a compliant outer panel  22  that is sewn to a compliant inner panel  26 . The rear member  10  includes an outer edge panel  34  that receives an inner panel  38  and an outer panel  42 . The space between the inner panel  38  and the outer panel  42  of the rear member  10  receives the stiffening member  30 . During assembly the stiffened member  30  is sandwiched between two compliant panels and is thus not exposed to the outside environment or in contact with the stored electronic device. 
         [0030]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 10 , an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. During fabrication, the outer panel  22  of the front member  6  is interconnected to the inner panel  26  of the front member  6 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that added cushioning may be also included between the outer panel  22  of the front member  6  and the inner panel  26  of the front member  6  to provide added shock protection. A male snap  54  may be integrated into the front member. For example, the inner panel  26  may include an aperture  66  for receipt of a male snap  54 . The male snap  54  is additionally held in place with the outer panel  22  of the front member. Next, the inner panel  38  of the rear member  10  and the outer panel  42  of the rear member  10  are sewn together with the stiffening member  30  positioned therebetween. A female snap  58  may be integrated into the rear member. For example, the inner panel  38  may include an aperture  66  for receipt of a female snap  58 . The female snap  58  is additionally held in place with the outer panel  42  of the rear member. Once the front member and the rear member sub-assemblies are completed, they are interconnected to provide a storage case that is adapted to receive the electronic device. In addition, optional items may be interconnected to the storage case during production such as webbing  46  that receives a ring  50  to allow for the interconnection of a strap. 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-10 , the storage case  2  of embodiments of the present invention may be constructed out of any compliant and/or commonly used materials, made to any shape or size, and employ any colors or logos. That is, it is contemplated that the present invention be constructed out of materials that are inexpensive and easy to interconnect and fabricate, thereby providing a storage case  2  that is easy and cost effective to manufacture. 
         [0032]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.