Abstract:
A case for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The case may be adapted to be supported by a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod. The flexible tripod may include ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The flexible support apparatus allows the user to view the device in a variety of locations with enhanced ease, comfort, and allows for a variety of viewing or use angles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/895,020 to Bevirt et al., filed Aug. 22, 2007, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/637,611 to Bevirt et al., filed Dec. 12, 2006, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt, filed Jan. 3, 2006, which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a device case and clip, and a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod, adapted to support an item mounted in the device case. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Modern portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, may now be used for viewing as well. However, these items are typically small, flat, rectangular objects which may be difficult to place in an appropriate position for hands-free use while viewing. Also, when used as communications devices, they may also suffer from a lack of a practical way to place or hold the device. Such devices may also be enhanced with the use of a protective case which affords impact protection for the device. 
         [0006]    The use of a portable electronic device may be enhanced with the use of a tripod or other support structure. Typical tripod assemblies consist of three rigid legs which are splayed out to form a support structure for devices such as cameras. The legs are usually rigid and adapted to provide support off of the ground or other flat surface. Some tripods have some adjustment to leg length which may allow for some deviation from flatness in the surface upon which they are mounted. 
         [0007]    Such tripods are limited in the manner in which they support devices such as cameras. What is called for is a mounting apparatus that may function as a tripod and also as a grip mount for the mounting to vertical members. What is also called for is a case for an electronic device which allows the mounting of the electronic device to a support structure such as a tripod. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed towards a case for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The case may be adapted to be supported by a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod. The flexible tripod may include ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The flexible support apparatus allows the user to view the device in a variety of locations with enhanced ease, comfort, and allows for a variety of viewing or use angles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIGS. 1A-E  illustrate an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrate an electronic device mounted to a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a device mount according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate an electronic device mounted into a device mount according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate a flexible support structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device mounted in a mount attached to a flexible tripod  20 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device with an integral clip mounted onto a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an end view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11 and 11A  are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 13 and 13A  are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a picture of a flexible tripod holding a video player according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a picture of a flexible tripod holding a video player according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a shaded perspective view of a case according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of a case according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a case according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view of a case according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a case and electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a top view of a case and electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a back view of a case and electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a bottom view of a case and electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a case and electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a case and tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a front view of a case and tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a side view of a case and tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a case, electronic device, and tripod assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a rear perspective view of a case, electronic device, and tripod assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  is a sketch of a flexible leg wrapped around an object according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  is a sketch of a flexible leg wrapped around an object according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a clip illustrating aspects of clips according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  is a side view of a clip illustrating aspects of clips according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  is a top view of a clip illustrating aspects of clips according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]      FIGS. 1A-E  illustrate an electronic device  10  according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the electronic device is a video player. The electronic device may also be a GPS device, a remote monitor, or other device. The electronic device may have a screen  12  and control features  11 . 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the electronic device  10  has a mounting clip  13  mounted to its back surface  16 . The mounting clip  13  is adapted to clip into a support structure such as a tripod, or a flexible tripod. The clip  13  may have a recess  14  on its bottom surface adapted to receive a tab from its mating interface. The clip  13  may have rails  15  around some of its bottom edges adapted to mate into the receiver of the support structure. In some embodiments, the clip may be mounted to a different surface or edge of the electronic device  10 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrate an electronic device  10  mounted to a flexible tripod  20  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The electronic device  10  may be attached to the interconnect portion  21  of the tripod. A release button  23  may release the mounting clip from the receiver of the interconnect portion. In some embodiments, the receiver is adapted to receive the clip and to latch a tab into the recess  14  such that although the device  10  may be easily inserted into the receiver, the tab must be pushed to allow for easy removal of the device  10  from the tripod  20 . 
         [0046]    The use of a flexible support, such as a flexible tripod, gives the distinct advantage of allowing the user to position an electronic device, such as a personal video player, in a convenient position for viewing. For example, the tripod may be placed upon a table, or an airplane seat&#39;s foldout tray, for viewing and use. The flexible legs may be used to attach and hang the device in a position where heretofore no such viewing was possible. In the case of other electronic devices, for example a baby monitor, the flexible legs of the tripod may be wrapped around the vertical ribs of a baby&#39;s crib, for example. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a device mount  30  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device mount  30  is adapted to receive and hold an electronic device, or other device, and to allow for easy attachment and removal to a support structure, such as a flexible tripod. The device mount  30  may have a frame consisting of two side rails  31 ,  32  and a center rail  33 . The rails may have a channel  35  with somewhat flexible yet rigid walls such that a device, such as a personal video player, may be inserted therein and be restrained within the mount to allow for attachment of the mounted device to a support structure such as a flexible tripod.  FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate an electronic device mounted into a device mount  30  according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the device mount  30  may be adapted for a particular device. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate a flexible support structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tripod may have a plurality of flexible legs  22 . The receiver  31  is adapted to receive a clip, which may be part of an electronic device, or may be from a mount, or other piece of apparatus. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device  10  mounted in a mount  30  attached to a flexible tripod  20 . An apparatus such as this affords the user the convenience of using a flexible tripod as a support stand for watching video on a personal player, for example, and the use of the device mount allows the user to custom tailor their system using a mount that is designed for the player being viewed.  FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device with an integral clip mounted onto a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  illustrate a plurality of ball and socket joint connectors  101  according to some embodiments of the present invention. A connector  101  has a first end portion  102  and a second end portion  103 . A socket engaging end surface  104  is present at the first end  102 . The first end portion  102  is substantially hollowed out. At the end of the chain of connectors, a gripping pod  207  may be present. 
         [0051]    The second end portion  103  has a body  106  with an internal socket receiving cavity  107 . The inner surface  110  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  107  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  104  of another connector  101 , or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  105  separates the first end portion  102  from the second end portion  103 . A stop nub  108  acts as a mechanical stop to prevent over angulation and possible unintentional separation of a ball and socket joint connector pair. 
         [0052]    As seen in  FIGS. 11 and 11A , the connector  101  has a primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The connector  101  may be symmetric around the primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The end surface planes of the first and second end portions of the connector may be perpendicular to the primary axis  111  in some embodiments. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  13 A, a connector  120  includes a gripping portion  122 . The connector  120  has a first end portion  125  and a second end portion  123 . A socket engaging end surface  124  is present at the first end  125 . The first end portion  125  is substantially hollowed out. 
         [0054]    The second end  123  has a body  121  with an internal socket receiving cavity  130 . The inner surface  129  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  130  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  124  of another connector, or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  128  separates the first end portion  125  from the second end portion  123 . A gripping portion  122  allows the connector to grip surfaces more readily. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is co-molded into the connector body. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a rubberized compound. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a circumferential ring molded into the outer surface of the connector. The gripping portion may provide a higher friction interface when the connector is set upon or wrapped around an object. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the use of a flexible tripod used to hold and position a video player in a position that allows a user to view the device. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 16 ,  17 ,  18 , and  19 , a case  200  is adapted to receive and hold an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The case  200  may have a main body  202  and a clip  201 . The clip  201  is adapted to clip into a clip receiver on a support structure such as a tripod, monopod, or other support structure. The main body  202  of the case  200  is adapted to receive and hold a device such as an electronic communications device. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, the case  200  has sides  203 ,  204  which are adapted to wrap around an electronic device. The sides  203 ,  204  may have a lip which is adapted to capture the electronic device. The case  200  and sides  203 ,  204  may be elastic enough such that the sides  203 ,  204  may be slightly spread open as the electronic device is inserted, and then the lips of the sides reside over the top edge of the electronic device and capture the device therein. The corners  205 ,  206  may also have lips which are adapted to capture an inserted electronic device. 
         [0058]    The case  200  is adapted to provide protection to the electronic device, as well as being able to allow for the attachment of the electronic device to a support structure such as a flexible tripod. Although the case provides functionality as a clip for the device to the support structure, the case may also be used at all times as a protective case. The case  200  may have cutouts  207 ,  212 ,  213 ,  208  adapted to allow access to ports or other features of the electronic device such that the interfaces of the electronic device while the device is mounted within the case  200 . In some embodiments, the case  200  may be of ABS material. In some embodiments, the case  200  may be of polycarbonate plastic. 
         [0059]    The rear of the main body  202  has a clip  201  adapted to clip in the mating receiver of a support structure such as a tripod. The clip  201  may reside in a well  209  within back of the main body  202  of the clip  200 . The front  210  of the well  209  is adapted to allow sufficient clearance for the clip to be clipped into a mating receiver. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 32 ,  33 , and  34  in related clip types in other embodiments, the clip and its rails may have geometries adapted to allow for a good fit to a mating receiver. The mating receive may have reciprocal geometries, and the fit achieved with these reciprocal geometries may be more stable, tighter, and provide for better function of the item being supported by the clip and the supporting structure to which the clipped is attached. For example, a stable connecting interface may be sought after in the case where the clip is attached to a camera, and a more stable connection between the clip and the support structure may work to reduce jitter in the camera. 
         [0061]    A clip according to embodiments of this invention may have variations in the width of the clip, as well as variations in the height (thickness) of the rail around the main flat plate of the clip. The clip has a main body consisting at least in part of a plate  1260 , the flat plate having rails  1261 ,  1262  around its periphery. The width of the clip, which in some embodiments will be defined as the distance between the outer edges of the two rails on opposing sides of the plate, may vary along the length of the clip. In some embodiments the clip may have a first neckdown portion  1241  which narrows the clip width along the direction towards the insertion end of the clip, that is to say, the end of the clip adapted to be inserted into a mating receiver. Closer to the insertion end of the clip, there may be a second neckdown portion  1242 . In some embodiments, the angle of the neckdown may be different in the second neckdown portion  1242  than the angle of the neckdown in the first neckdown portion  1241 . In some embodiments, the angle of the neckdown in the second neckdown portion  1242  may be steeper than the angle of the neckdown in the first neckdown portion  1241 . The steeper neckdown in the second neckdown portion  1242  may be useful in allowing for easier insertion of the clip into a mating receiver, as the narrower portion need not be as closely aligned as one attempts to clip the clip into the receiver, gradual widening of the clip may allow for self-alignment of the clip in the receiver as the clip is further inserted into the receiver. 
         [0062]    In some embodiments, there may be an intermediate portion  1243  of the clip wherein the width of the clip does not change. The variation of the clip width in this fashion may allow for both easier insertion of the clip into a receiver, and also provide for firmer, more stable attachment of the clip into the receiver. In some embodiments, a clip as described above may be a clip adapted to be attached to another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. In some embodiments, a clip as described above may be part of another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. 
         [0063]    The height (thickness) of the clip rails may vary along the length of the rail. In some embodiments, the rail height may lower along one or more areas of the length of the rail at different rates of change. In some embodiments, both the width of the clip and the height of the clip rail may vary along the length of the rail. In some embodiments, the rail may decrease in thickness along a first portion  1244  at a first rate. The rail thickness may decrease in thickness along a second portion  1246 , at the same or a different rate. There may be an intermediate portion  1245  which may not have a change of thickness. 
         [0064]    In some embodiments, the first portion  1244  of the height change of the rail may coincide with the first neckdown portion  1141 , the intermediate portion  1245  of the rail height may coincide with the intermediate portion  1243  of the rail width, and the second portion  1246  of the rail height may coincide with the with the second neckdown portion  1242  of the rail width. In some embodiments, the clip may be adapted to clip into a receiver with reciprocal geometries with regard to the rails. In some embodiments, the clip may not be adapted to be an intermediate bridge to another device but instead may be part of another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. 
         [0065]    In some or all of the embodiments of the clip, the clip may have recess  211  on its bottom surface adapted to be filled by a tab on a spring loaded lever that is part of the mating receiver. 
         [0066]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 20-24 , a case  200  is adapted to receive and hold an electronic device  220 , which may be a cellular telephone. The rim of the case  200  is adapted to capture the electronic device  220 . Functional interfaces or other operational aspects  222 ,  221  of the electronic device  220  are located within cutouts  212 ,  208  in the case such that the electronic device  220  may be fully operated while in the case  200 . The case  200  provides a clip interface to a support structure, when desired, and also provides protection to the electronic device  220 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 25-27  illustrate the clip  200  clipped into a tripod  230  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tripod  230  may have flexible legs  231 ,  232 ,  233  which are also adapted to wrap around items in order to allow the positioning of the mounted items on the tripod in a variety of places.  FIGS. 30 and 31  illustrate aspects of the flexibility of the legs and the use of the gripping portions of the legs when wrapped around an object. 
         [0068]    In some embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for the holding of an electronic device is seen in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . An electronic device  220  is held in a case  200  and attached to a flexible tripod  230 . 
         [0069]    As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.