Abstract:
A protective device for a video player comprising a video screen, comprising a structure defining a main chamber, a support opening, and a screen opening. The protective device operates in first and second modes. In the first mode, at least a portion of the video player is located within the main chamber such that the video screen is within the main chamber. The structure protects the video player the video screen is at least partly visible through the screen opening when the protective device is in the first mode. In the second mode, at least a portion of the video player extends through the support opening such that the structure supports the video player such that the video screen is located outside the main chamber.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/832,103 filed Jul. 20, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to protective devices for portable video players and, more particularly, to protective devices that function in a first mode in which the portable video device is carried and in a second mode in which the portable video device is supported for hands free viewing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many small, portable electronic devices have the ability to display video images. In some cases, a portable electronic device is specifically designed for the display of video images and is physically constructed to facilitate the viewing of video images. In other cases, the portable electronic device is very small and/or is not specifically constructed for the purpose of displaying video images. For example, small, portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music players are provided with video screens on which video images can be viewed but which are not specifically designed for viewing video images. Small portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music players are typically held by hand when used and have no structural components that support the video screen thereof at a desirable viewing angle and location. 
         [0004]    Additionally, small, portable electronic devices are typically handheld and thus are susceptible to being dropped, scratched, or otherwise damaged during normal use. Accordingly, for most small, electronic devices, protective cases, holders, or the like have been developed to protect the device from damage. 
         [0005]    The need exists for improved protective systems and methods for portable video playing devices that function in a first mode in which the device is protected from physical damage and in a second mode in which the portable device may be supported in a hands free manner at a desirable viewing angle and location. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention may take the form of a protective device for a video player comprising a video screen, comprising a structure defining a main chamber, a support opening, and a screen opening. The protective device operates in first and second modes. In the first mode, at least a portion of the video player is located within the main chamber such that the video screen is within the main chamber. The structure protects the video player the video screen is at least partly visible through the screen opening when the protective device is in the first mode. In the second mode, at least a portion of the video player extends through the support opening such that the structure supports the video player such that the video screen is located outside the main chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view illustrating the insertion of a first example portable video player into a first example multi-mode protective device of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the protective device of  FIG. 1  carrying the first example video player in a first, carrying mode; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first example protective device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the first example protective device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the first example protective device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side cutaway view taken along lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side cutaway view of the first example protective device supporting the first example video player in a second, support mode; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a partial side cutaway view of an alternate configuration of the first example protective device operating in the second mode, where an engaging layer is formed on the protective device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view of a second example multi-mode protective device of the present invention in a support mode, with a second example portable video player depicted in broken lines; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side cutaway view taken along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view of the second example protective device supporting the second example video player in the support mode; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of a third example multi-mode protective device of the present invention in a support mode, with the second example portable video player depicted in broken lines; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a side cutaway view taken along lines  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11  illustrating the third example protective device supporting the second example video player in the support mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-7  of the drawing, depicted at  20  therein is a first example of a multi-mode protective device constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The protective device  20  is adapted to carry a first example portable video player  22  in a first or carrying mode as shown in  FIG. 2  and in a second or support mode as shown in  FIG. 7 . The protective device  20  is thus a multi-mode device that allows the portable video player  22  to be carried in the first mode and supported for hands-free viewing in the second mode. 
         [0021]    Referring initially to the example portable video player  22 , the video player  22  is not per se part of the present invention. As will become apparent from the following discussion, the present invention may be used in connection with portable video players in other configurations and with other controls, features, and input/output devices. 
         [0022]    The first example portable video player  22  is an iPod digital audio and video player comprising a housing  24  defining a front wall  26 , a rear wall  28 , first and second side walls  30  and  32 , and first and second end walls  34  and  36 . The first example portable video player  22  comprises a screen  40 , first control  42 , second control  44 , first connector  46 , and second connector  48 . The screen  40  conventionally displays a user interface, graphics, and video. The first control  42  allows the user to enter commands in response to the user interface. The second control  44  is an ON/OFF slide switch. The first connector  46  allows the transfer of data between the video player  22  and another device such as a computer, docking station, digital camera, or the like. The second connector  48  is configured to allow an audio signal to be transmitted to a playback system such as headphones, amplifier, or the like. 
         [0023]    In the model of iPod used as the first example digital video player, the screen  40  and first control  42  are mounted on the front wall  26 , the second connector  48  is mounted on the second end wall  36 , and the second control  44  and the first connector  46  are mounted on the first end wall  34 . The construction and operation of the first example video player  22  is not essential to an understanding of the present invention and will be described herein only to the extent necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. 
         [0024]    When the protective device  20  is used in the first mode, the portable video player  22  is at least partly surrounded by the protective device  20  to inhibit damage to the video player  22  during transportation and normal use. In this first mode, screen  40  is visible and the first and second controls  42  and  44  and first and second connectors  46  and  48  are accessible. When the protective device  20  is used in the second mode, the portable video player  22  is supported in an upright orientation with the screen  40  at a desirable angle and orientation for viewing. In this second mode, the first and second controls  42  and  44  and the first connector  46  are accessible. 
         [0025]    The details of the example protective device  20  will now be described in further detail. The protective device  20  comprises a front panel  50 , a rear panel  52 , a first side panel  54 , a second side panel  56 , and an end panel  58 . The panels  50 - 58  define a player chamber  60 . One end of the protective device  20  defines a main opening  62 . A screen opening  64  and a control opening  66  are formed in the front panel  50 . A support opening  68  is formed in the rear panel  52 . A connector opening  70  is formed in the end panel  58 . First and second corner openings  72  and  74  are formed in the end panel  58 , while first and second corner notches  76  and  78  are formed in the first and second side panels  54  and  56 , respectively. First and second support edges  80  and  82  are defined by the rear panel  52  on opposite sides of the support opening  68 . 
         [0026]    As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the protective device  20  is used in its first, carrying mode, the example video player  22  is inserted into the player chamber  60  through the main opening  62  such that the front wall  26  engages the front panel  50  and the second end wall  36  engages the end panel  58 . In this first mode of using the device  20 , the screen  40  is visible through the screen opening  64 , the first control  42  is accessible through the control opening  66 , the second control  44  and first connector  46  are accessible through the main opening  62 , and the second connector  48  is accessible through the connector opening  70 . 
         [0027]    In the first mode, the protective device  20  protects the video player  22  and also allows the player  22  to be used in a conventional manner. The video player  22  may be removed from the protective device  20  by gripping the first and/or second side walls  30  and  32  through the corner notches  76  and/or  78  and/or by pushing up on the second end wall  36  through one or both of the corner openings  72  and  74 . 
         [0028]    When the protective device  20  is used in the second mode, the second end wall  36  of the player  22  is displaced through the support opening  68  in the rear panel  52  until the second end wall  36  engages the front panel  50  as shown in  FIG. 7 . At this point, the video player  22  is released such that the front and rear walls  26  and  28  thereof engage the support edges  80  and  82  of the rear panel  52 . 
         [0029]    With the video player engaging the front panel  50  and the support edges  80  and  82  in this second mode, the video player  22  is held at a desirable viewing angle with respect to the rear panel  52 . The protective device  20  may be placed on a support surface or otherwise supported in a horizontal manner as shown in  FIG. 7  to allow hands-free viewing of the screen  40 . In addition, the first control  42 , the second control  44 , and the first connector  46  are all accessible in this second mode, as generally indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0030]    Referring now for a moment to  FIG. 7A  of the drawing, depicted therein is an optional support layer  90  that may be applied to an inner surface  92  of the front wall  50 . The example support layer  90  is formed from a relatively high friction material that will not damage the finish of the video player  22 . A rubber, rubber-like, or gel-like material, perhaps with a tacky or gummy surface, may be used to increase friction between the video player  22  and the inner surface  92  of the front wall  50  while also not damaging the finish of the video player  22 . The increased friction provided by the example support layer  90  may allow more control of the viewing angle between the video player  22  and the rear surface  52 . Other examples of support layers, perhaps including notches or seats that correspond to different viewing angles, may be used in place of the example support layer  90 . 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8-10  of the drawing, depicted at  120  therein is a second example of a multi-mode protective device constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The second example protective device  120  is adapted to carry a second example portable video player  122  in a first or carrying mode (similar to  FIGS. 2 and 5  above) and in a second or support mode as represented in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . The protective device  120  is thus also a multi-mode device that allows the portable video player  122  to be carried in the first mode and supported for hands-free viewing in the second mode. 
         [0032]    Referring initially to the example portable video player  122 , the video player  122  is not per se part of the present invention. As with the first example protective device  20 , the present invention may be used in connection with portable video players in other configurations and with other controls, features, and input/output devices. 
         [0033]    The first example portable video player  122  is an iPod digital audio and video player comprising a housing  124  defining a front wall  126 , a rear wall  128 , first and second side walls  130  and  132 , and first and second end walls  134  and  136 . The first example portable video player  122  comprises a screen  140  and one or more controls and/or connectors (not shown). The example screen  140  conventionally displays a user interface, graphics, and video. In the second example video player  122 , the screen  140  extends along almost the entire front wall  126  and is touch sensitive to form a control that allows user input in response to the user interface. The exact configuration of the controls and connectors is not important to the principles of the present invention except as will be described below. 
         [0034]    In the model of iPod used as the second example digital video player  122 , the screen  140  is mounted on the front wall  126 . The screen is typically viewed with its long dimension horizontally arranged. The first side wall  130  thus lies under the screen  140 , while the second side wall  132  is above the screen  140 . The construction and operation of the second example video player  122  is not essential to an understanding of the present invention and will be described herein only to the extent necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. 
         [0035]    When the protective device  120  is used in the first mode, the portable video player  122  is at least partly surrounded by the protective device  120  to inhibit damage to the video player  122  during transportation and normal use. In this first mode, screen  140  is visible. When the protective device  120  is used in the second mode, the portable video player  122  is supported in an upright orientation with the screen  140  at a desirable angle and orientation for viewing. In the first and second modes, any other controls and connectors defined by the portable video player  122  should be accessible as necessary to operate the video player in that mode. 
         [0036]    The details of the second example protective device  120  will now be described in further detail. The protective device  120  comprises a front panel  150 , a rear panel  152 , a first side panel  154 , a second side panel  156 , and an end panel  158 . The panels  150 - 158  define a player chamber  160 . One end of the protective device  120  defines a main opening  162 . A screen opening  164  is formed in the front panel  150 . A support opening  168  is formed in the rear panel  152 . A connector opening  170  is formed in the end panel  158 . First and second corner openings  172  and  174  are formed in the end panel  158 . First and second corner notches  176  and  178  are formed in the side panels  154  and  156 . First and second support edges  180  and  182  are defined by the rear panel  152  on opposite sides of the support opening  168 . First and second side notches  190  and  192  are formed in the side panels  154  and  156 , respectively. First and second support surfaces  194  and  196  are formed by the first and second side panels  154  and  156  at the first and second side notches  190  and  192 , respectively. 
         [0037]    The protective device  120  is used in its first, carrying mode with the front wall  126  engaging the front panel  150  and the second end wall  136  engaging the end panel  158 . In this first mode of using the device  120 , the screen  140  is visible through the screen opening  164 . Additionally, any other controls or connectors formed on or defined by the video player are accessible as desirable when operating the video player  122  with the protective device  120  in this first mode. In the first mode, the protective device  120  protects the video player  122  and also allows the player  122  to be used in a conventional manner. 
         [0038]    When the protective device  120  is used in the second mode, the first side wall  130  thereof is displaced through the support opening  168  in the rear panel  152  until the first side wall  130  engages the side panels  154  and  156  as shown in  FIG. 10 . At this point, the video player  122  is released such that the front and rear walls  126  and  128  thereof engage the first and second support edges  180  and  182  of the rear panel  152  and the first side edge  130  engages the first and second support surfaces  194  and  196 . 
         [0039]    With the video player engaging the front panel  150  and side panels  154  and  156  in this second mode, the video player  122  is held at a desirable viewing angle with respect to the rear surface  152 . The protective device  120  may be placed on a support surface or otherwise supported in a horizontal manner to allow hands-free viewing of the screen  140 . In addition, any controls or connectors should be accessible in this second mode. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIGS. 11 and 12  of the drawing, depicted at  220  therein is a third example of a multi-mode protective device constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The third example protective device  220  is adapted to carry the second example portable video player  122  described above in a first or carrying mode and in a second or support mode as represented in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The protective device  220  is thus also a multi-mode device that allows the portable video player  222  to be carried in the first mode and supported for hands-free viewing in the second mode. 
         [0041]    When the protective device  220  is used in the first mode, the portable video player  122  is at least partly surrounded by the protective device  220  to inhibit damage to the video player  122  during transportation and normal use. In this first mode, screen  140  is visible. When the protective device  220  is used in the second mode, the portable video player  122  is supported in an upright orientation with the screen  140  at a desirable angle and orientation for viewing. In the first and second modes, any other controls and connectors defined by the portable video player  122  should be accessible as necessary to operate the video player in that mode. 
         [0042]    The details of the second example protective device  220  will now be described in further detail. The protective device  220  comprises a front panel  250 , a rear panel  252 , a first side panel  254 , a second side panel  256 , and an end panel  258 . The panels  250 - 258  define a player chamber  260 . One end of the protective device  220  defines a main opening  262 . A screen opening  264  is formed in the front panel  250 . A support opening  268  is formed in the rear panel  252 . A connector opening  270  is formed in the end panel  258 . First and second corner openings  272  and  274  are formed in the end panel  258 . First and second corner notches  276  and  278  are formed in the side panels  254  and  256 . First and second support edges  280  and  282  are defined by the rear panel  252  on opposite sides of the support opening  268 . 
         [0043]    The protective device  220  is used in its first, carrying mode with the front wall  126  engaging the front panel  250  and the second end wall  136  engaging the end panel  258 . In this first mode of using the device  220 , the screen  140  is visible through the screen opening  264 . Additionally, any other controls or connectors formed on or defined by the video player are accessible as desirable when operating the video player  122  with the protective device  220  in this first mode. In the first mode, the protective device  220  protects the video player  122  and also allows the player  122  to be used in a conventional manner. 
         [0044]    When the protective device  220  is used in the second mode, the first side wall  130  thereof is displaced through the support opening  268  in the rear panel  252  until the first side wall  130  engages the front panel  250  as shown in  FIG. 12 . At this point, the video player  122  is released such that the front and rear walls  126  and  128  thereof engage the first and second support edges  280  and  282  of the rear panel  252 . 
         [0045]    With the video player engaging the front panel  250  and rear panel  252  this second mode, the video player  122  is held at a desirable viewing angle with respect to the rear surface  252 . The protective device  220  may be placed on a support surface or otherwise supported in a horizontal manner to allow hands-free viewing of the screen  140 . In addition, any controls or connectors should be accessible in this second mode. 
         [0046]    As generally indicated above, a protective device of the present invention may be configured based on the particular form factor and control and connector layout of a particular video player.