Abstract:
The invention relates to a case for an audio or video player having a front cover and a back cover, each having an inside wall and an outside wall. A speaker is placed between the inside and outside walls of the front cover, a cord is placed between the inside walls for connecting the speaker to the player through the inside wall of the front cover, and the speaker includes an output facing toward the outside wall. The speaker facing outwards permits the player to be heard when the case is closed without sacrificing sound quality.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/849,958, filed on Oct. 6, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a case for an audio and/or video player. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Portable audio or video players are known to typically allow a user to carry music and/or video wherever he/she may be, such as on a bus, at the airport, in an elevator, and other areas where transporting a complete stereo or television system complete would be difficult. In some situations, the complete stereo system may include speakers, a receiver, a CD player/burner, an equalizer, and surround sound and the complete television system may include a monitor, a DVD player/burner, and surround sound. A portable audio/video player is generally described to be a CD player, cassette player, iPod music player, MP3 player, DVD player, and the like. 
         [0004]    Although the portable audio/video player has the advantage of being small relative to a complete stereo/television system, the sound output of the audio/video player is usually inferior to the complete stereo system. Despite the inferior sound output, audio players are believed to have gained popularity due perhaps to their ability to store large amounts of songs, as in the case of the iPod or MP3 players. As the popularity increases, the prices generally increase as well. Further, the portable video player may have gained popularity, despite inferior sound, due to the advancements in the DVD to hold more video with higher resolution and the ability of the portable video player to be able to display the high resolution. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, cases are typically purchased because the cases protect the portable audio players. In some instances, cases have built in speakers to amplify the sound of the audio players. In other instances, the audio/video player does not have speakers and relies upon user-supplied headphones for the user to hear the music. Introducing headphones may also introduce another disadvantage, which is the cord that connects the headphones to the audio player and where the cord may become tangled or caught up with other objects, such as a jacket, a door, or anything that the user may encounter as the user moves about. One way to overcome the problems associated with the cord is to use the audio/video player when the user is stationary. However, this detracts from the portability of the audio/video player. 
         [0006]    Although some cases have speakers, these cases often must be in the open position in order to have the best sound available. With respect to the video player, the case often must be in the open position in order to view the video. In the open position, the case may be difficult to transport and this also detracts from the portability of the audio/video player. 
         [0007]    In addition, with the various types of audio and video players, and with many manufacturers making them, it may be difficult for case manufacturers to provide a case that universally fits two or more of the players. As a result a case made to fit around more two or more players usually results in an improper fit for at least one of the players. However, providing a case for each player to ensure a proper fit may be too cumbersome and expensive, especially if the audio or video player changes from year to year or from version to version. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,210 to Holland seems to relate to a brief case that includes a loudspeaker, where the brief case is large enough to hold a variety of portable audio players. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,085 to Tree seems to relate to a case for portable electronic devices, such as an audio player, where the case includes a speaker with a connection port for attachment to the electronic device. However, Tree does not seem to relate to a case with a rigid material to protect the electronic device or an internal cord to connect the device with the speaker. In fact, Tree seems to have a cord outside of the case, rather than being contained within the case, and this may be a hindrance to the user. Also, the speaker may need to be exposed in order to hear the audio player. 
         [0010]    U.S. Publication 2006/0016810 to Liporice may disclose a case for holding an audio player but there is no mention of a cord for attachment of the audio player with a speaker. 
         [0011]    What is desired, therefore, is a case that allows a user to move in a more unencumbered manner. Another desire is a case that protects the audio and/or video player better than traditional cases without sacrificing sound quality. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a case that permits the player to be heard with the case closed without sacrificing sound quality. 
         [0013]    Another object is a case that places all encumbrances inside of the case for reducing interference or tangling with other articles. 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a case for an audio or video player having a front cover and a back cover, each having an inside wall and an outside wall. A speaker is placed between the inside and outside walls of the front cover, a cord is placed between the inside walls for connecting the speaker to the player through the inside wall of the front cover, and the speaker includes an output facing toward the outside wall. The speaker facing outwards permits the player to be heard when the case is closed without sacrificing sound quality. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, an adapter is attached to the cord for coupling the player to the cord, which is particularly helpful when the cord does not fit directly into the player. In other embodiments, a holder is attached to the inside wall of the back cover for holding the player against the back cover. In a further embodiment, a headphone jack is attached to the outside wall of the front cover for accommodating a set of headphones. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the case has a layer of insulating material for reducing electric conductivity. The layer is located on either the inside or outside wall of each cover. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, a second speaker is placed between the inside and outside walls of the front cover and having an output facing toward the inside wall. This allows the player to be heard with the case opened without sacrificing sound quality. 
         [0018]    To snugly hold the player within the case, a greatest distance between the front cover and the back cover from the player is less than 1 inch. In a further embodiment, the front and back covers each have rounded corners and a bowed outside wall for conforming to a shape and size of the player. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of the invention, a case for an audio or video player includes a front cover and a back cover, each having an inside wall and an outside wall. The case also has a speaker placed between the inside and outside walls of the front cover, the speaker having an output facing toward the outside wall, a holder attached to the inside wall of the back cover for securing the player, a power supply attached to the inside wall of the front cover for powering the speaker, a cord extending from the power supply to between the inside walls for connecting the speaker to the power supply, the speaker connected to the power supply for transmitting sound from the player, and a closer for securing the inside walls in a face to face position. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment, the front and back covers are each curved outwardly away from the inside wall, thereby defining an interior in which the player is placed. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the invention, a method for providing a case for an audio or video player includes the steps of providing a front cover and a back cover, each having an inside wall and an outside wall. The method also places a speaker between the inside and outside walls of the front cover and faces an output of the speaker toward the outside wall. Moreover, the method attaches a holder to the inside wall of the back cover for securing the player and attaches a power supply to the inside wall of the front cover for powering the speaker. 
         [0022]    The method also includes the steps of extending a cord from the power supply to between the inside walls for connecting the speaker to the power supply, connecting the power supply to the speaker for transmitting sound from the player, and connecting the inside walls together with a closer, wherein the closer brings the inside walls together for defining the case in a closed position face to face position and permitting the inside walls to be separated from each other for defining the case in an open position. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts the case for a music player in accordance with the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts the case of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts a player inserted into the case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  depicts the case of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts an inside view of the case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment of the case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts a kit of the cases shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  depicts a method of providing the case of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  depicts case  10  in a closed position. As shown, case  10  includes carrying strap  12 , front cover  20 , back cover  30 , hinge  16  for connecting front and back covers together, and closer  14  for bringing front and back covers together. Although closer  14  is depicted to be a zipper, other embodiments use hook and loop fasteners as closer  14 . In some embodiments, closer  14  is a button. As shown, hinge  16  is a continuation of the fabric of the outside of front cover  20  to back cover  30 . In another embodiment, hinge  16  is hardware, such as a piano hinge, door hinge, and the like. In further embodiments, closer  14  continues all around the peripheries of the covers  20 ,  30 . In the case of the closer being a zipper, the zipper goes all around the entire peripheries, thereby making the covers separable from one another. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show case  10  in an open position, where back cover  30  includes holder  32  for placement of audio/video player  18  (hereinafter called “player”). In some embodiments, holder  32  is a stretchable, elastic netting such that player  18  is held snugly in place against back cover  30 . In other embodiments, back cover  30  is lined with felt, leather, or other material for cushioning and reducing scuffing to player  18 . 
         [0033]    Cord  40  extends from inside front cover  20  to player  18  for connecting player  18  to power source  50  (cord  40  extends to power source  50  after passing through inside wall  24 , wherein this part of cord  40  is hidden from view due to inside wall  24 ), which includes battery or other electrical source, amplifier, and the like. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, adapter  42  is placed between cord  40  and player  18  in the event the connection point between cord  40  and player  18  do not match. Adapter  42  is any coupling device for connecting player  18  to cord  40 . 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, case  10  is wireless and therefore cord  40  is obviated. In this embodiment, audio or video information is transmitted from player  18  to speaker  28  via wireless transmission through known or novel manners. In some embodiments, a transmitter is placed between inside and outside walls  24 ,  26  for transmitting the audio or video information, or signal, from player  18  to speaker  28 . The transmitter is placed next to power source  50 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , front cover  20  includes inside wall  24  and outside wall  26 . It is understood that in some instances back cover  30  includes the same limitations as front cover, such as inside wall  34  and outside wall  36 . Speaker  28  is attached between inside and outside walls  24 ,  26 . In further embodiments, speaker  28  faces toward outside wall  26  when inside and outside walls  24 ,  26  are assembled together. Moreover, cord  40  connects player  18  to power source  50  and cord  40 ′ connects power source  50  to speaker  28 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the advantage of having speaker  28  facing toward outside wall  26  is so the user may listen to player  18  while case  10  is in the closed position. This is a benefit over the prior art, which tended to muffle sound emitted from player  18  when case  10  was in the closed position. As shown, cord  40  is inside case whether or not connected to player  18  so that it will not tangle with objects outside of case  10 , thereby allowing the user to walk about with case  10  in an unencumbered manner. 
         [0038]    In a variation of this embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , second speaker  28 ′ is placed between inside and outside walls  24 ,  26  of front cover  20 , where second speaker  28 ′ faces toward inside wall  24 . In this fashion, case  10  has optimal sound and/or audio emission whether or not case  10  is open or closed. 
         [0039]    As shown in the figures, case  10  has rounded corners for providing a better fit for player  18 . Front and back covers  20 ,  30  also include an outwardly bowed shape so that internal space is sufficient for player  18  yet the amount of play for player  18  to float about between inside walls  24 ,  34  is reduced. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, back cover  30  is without inside wall  34  or where inside wall  34  is directly contacting outside wall  36 . In this fashion, front cover  20  includes power source  50  between inside and outside walls  24 ,  26  but back cover  30  is simply outside wall  36 , and therefore has sufficient room for placement of player  18 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user listens to player  18  without headphones. Optionally, case  10  includes headphone jack  11  on the outside of case  10  so that player  18  can be listened with the user wearing headphones, in which case the headphones and cord from the headphones are located on the outside of case  10 . This is beneficial if the user is using case  10  and listening to music from player  18  in an area where noise is undesired, such as an office or library. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , case  10  snugly holds player  18 , which results in a reduction of player  18  floating around within case  10  and which further results in a reduction of damage to player  18 . Also as shown, front and back covers  20 ,  30  each have rounded corners and a bowed outside wall curved outwardly for conforming to a shape and size of player  18 . In some embodiments, case  10  fits around player  18  in such a snug fashion that the greatest distance from any point of case  10  to player  18  is less than 1 inch. In a preferred embodiment, the greatest distance from any point of case  10  to player  18  is less than ½ inch. In a more preferred embodiment, case  10  fits around player  18  in such a snug fashion that the greatest distance from any point of case  10  to player  18  is less than ¼ inch. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , kit  47  of cases is provided, each case has a different dimension for holding a different sized player, such as a video player, iPod player, MP3 player, walkman player, discman player, and the like. The greatest distance between each case and each corresponding player includes the same limitations as the paragraph immediately above. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the speaker is a NXT flat panel speaker. NXT panels generally include uniform dispersion characteristics, reduced room interaction, and a flat surface which can sit on the wall or even be integrated right into it (as with front cover  20 ). 
         [0045]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , front and back covers  20 ,  30  includes layer  44  of electrically insulating material for reducing electric conductivity or shock from stray current, such as static or other ungrounded electric current that can damage player  18 . In this manner, case  10  protects player  18  from mechanical shock, such as being dropped or dinged, as well as electrical shock, such as static electricity or other stray current. 
         [0046]    As shown, layer  44  is between the inside and outside walls of each cover. In another embodiment, layer  44  of insulating material completely envelopes player  18  by covering the entire front and back covers  20 ,  30 . In a further embodiment, holder  32  is also made of the insulating material. In another embodiment, layer  44  covers inside walls  24 ,  36 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  depicts method  100  for providing the case for an audio or video player, where method  100  includes the steps of providing  102  a front cover and a back cover, each having an inside wall and an outside wall, and placing  104  at least one speaker between the inside and outside walls of the front cover. 
         [0048]    Method  100  also includes the steps of facing  108  an output of the speaker toward the outside wall so that sound is optimized when the case is closed, attaching  112  a holder to the inside wall of the back cover for securing the player, attaching  1   16  a power supply to the inside wall of the front cover for powering the speaker, and extending  120  a cord from the power supply to between the inside walls for connecting the speaker to the power supply. 
         [0049]    Method  100  also connects  124  the power supply to the speaker for transmitting sound from the player, connects  128  the inside walls together with a closer, and wherein the closer brings the inside walls together for defining the case in a closed position face to face position and permitting the inside walls to be separated from each other for defining the case in an open position.