Patent Publication Number: US-2023139982-A1

Title: Phone case wall display and organizer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/191,219, filed Mar. 3, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the invention relate generally to mobile electronic device accessories. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a wall display and organizer for cases for electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and the like. 
     2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     Cell phone cases have made the transition from a tech accessory to a fashion accessory, with many people accumulating a collection of phone cases that they switch between regularly, rather than just having one or two. This has created the need for a way to keep cases protected, organized and accessible so that a person can easily pick from their collection to choose which phone case they want to use/wear on a given day. 
     The only consumer solution for phone cases is to put them a drawer, basket or storage bin. One problem with this solution is that the cases can become deformed or damaged by being stacked or squished in small spaces or crowded together. This solution is also lacking because it does not allow the person to see the various designs next to each other in order to accessorize an outfit. Finally, putting the cases away in a drawer or basket tends to make the user forget about what they have and not use them. Displaying cases in a way that encourages use creates more consumer satisfaction. The only other solutions for displaying multiple phone cases are in the retail space, with the phone case typically in a box and hanging from a hook. This approach, however, does not transfer to the consumer environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for displaying and organizing a plurality of phone cases comprising disposing a plurality of hooks on a back member; and hanging each of the plurality of phone cases on respective ones of the plurality of hooks so that a back side of each of the plurality of phone cases are visible, wherein the plurality of hooks extends from the back member with an upward bend proximate the back member, followed by a distal downward bend to form a front surface; and the plurality of hooks attaches to the back member along a back surface of each of the plurality of hooks. 
     Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for displaying and organizing a plurality of phone cases comprising disposing a plurality of hooks on a back member surrounded by a frame; hanging each of the plurality of phone cases on respective ones of the plurality of hooks so that a back side of each of the plurality of phone cases are visible; and positioning a lip of each of the plurality of phone cases into a depression formed along a length of the plurality of hooks extending from the back member, wherein the plurality of hooks extends from the back member with an upward bend proximate the back member, followed by a distal downward bend to form a front surface; and the front surface extends downward a distance greater than a thickness of the hook and the front surface is generally parallel to the back member. 
     Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for displaying and organizing a plurality of phone cases comprising disposing a plurality of hooks on a back member surrounded by a frame; hanging each of the plurality of phone cases on respective ones of the plurality of hooks so that a back side of each of the plurality of phone cases are visible; and positioning a lip of each of the plurality of phone cases into a depression formed along a length of the plurality of hooks extending from the back member, wherein the plurality of hooks extends from the back member with an upward bend proximate the back member, followed by a distal downward bend to form a front surface; the front surface extends downward a distance greater than a thickness of the hook and the front surface is generally parallel to the back member; the plurality of hooks attaches to the back member along a back surface of each of the plurality of hooks; and the back surface is formed from terminating a top surface of the hook without any bends formed adjacent the back member. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a phone case display and organizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of a phone case display and organizer of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an alternate arrangement of a phone case display and organizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a plurality of phone cases displayed on the phone case display and organizer of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates another exemplary hook configuration for a phone case display and organizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a hook member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a side view of the hook member of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a front view of the hook member of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a back view of the hook member of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a top view of the hook member of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a hook member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a side view of the hook member of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a front view of the hook member of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a back view of the hook member of  FIG.  12   ; and 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a top view of the hook member of  FIG.  12   . 
     
    
    
     Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a phone case display and organizer that can display multiple mobile phone cases in such a way as to see the design on the back of the cases in a convenient and decorative way that organizes and protects them. The display case and organizer provide a solution for the clutter of multiple phone cases in a decorative and organized way such that the design is visible, and the individual cases are easily accessible for the customer to choose from and use. 
     Typically, phone cases can get damaged when stacked or crowded into small spaces. The display and organizer provide ample room to display the cases in a way that does not damage them while allowing the consumer to see the entire collection side by side in order to use them as fashion accessories. Having the cases displayed out in the open rather than stacked in a drawer allows the consumer to enjoy their collection and remember to use them regularly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a phone case display and organizer  10  (also referred to as display  10 , organizer  10 , or display and organizer  10 ) can include an outer frame  12  that retains a back member  14  therewithin. The outer frame  12  can be similar to a picture frame, for example. While the Figures illustrate a rectangular frame, other shapes may be used within the scope of the present invention. The frame  12  may also be excluded from the organizer  10 , provided that the back member  14  has sufficient rigidity to hold phone case, as described below. 
     A plurality of hooks  16  are attached to a front face of the back member  14 . The hooks  16  can have various sizes and shapes. The hooks  16  have a length smaller than a width of a phone case to be hung on the hook  16 . The hooks  16  may be equally spaced or may be unequally spaced so that the organizer  10  can hold cases of different sizes. 
     The back side of the back member  14  can include various hanging / displaying options as may be known in the art. For example, one or more eyes or saw-tooth bars may be disposed on the back side of the back member  14  or on the back side of the frame  12 , for example. In some embodiments, a stand may be integrated into the back side of the back member  14 , where the stand may be deployed to rest the organizer  10  on a surface, such as a dresser or nightstand, at an angle. Such stands are often employed by picture frames, for example. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the hooks can have a round cross section, where a depression  52  is formed where the hook attaches to the back member. The depression  52  may be lower than a top  50  of the hook. A phone case  54  typically includes a lip  54  for retaining the phone case  54  on a phone. The lip  54  can fit into the depression  52  to prevent inadvertent removal of the phone case  54  from the organizer  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , an organizer  30  can be formed in a landscape format. While  FIGS.  1  and  3    provide two different arrangements for organizers  10 ,  30 , it should be understood that other arrangements may be used within the scope of the present invention. The organizer  30  can include a frame  32 , a back member  34  and a plurality of hooks  36 , similar to that described above with respect to  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
       FIG.  4    shows the organizer  30  of  FIG.  3    having a plurality of phone cases  40  displayed thereupon. As can be seen, a user can readily see the back sides of the phone cases  40  and can easily choose a phone case based on the user’s mood, outfit, or the like. 
     While the Figures show the phone cases hanging vertically, the organizer may be designed to hold phone cases horizontally as well. Further, while a single hook is illustrated for each phone case, in some embodiments, two hooks may be used to retain each of the phone cases on the organizer. 
     While the Figures show the organizer assembled, in some embodiments, a kit can be provided that includes the back member, optional frame, a plurality of hooks, and a mounting mechanism for attaching the hooks on the back member. The mounting mechanism can include glue, epoxy, a hook and slot design, hook and loop fastener, or the like. In some embodiments, the hooks may include one or more magnets (or be formed from a magnetic material) and the back member may be formed of a magnetically attractive material. This design can permit the user to attach the hooks on the back member at a desired spacing based on the cases they own, including cases for phones, tablets, and the like. 
     While the size and shape of the organizer can vary, typically the organizer can be sized to hold at least 8 or more, often at least 12 or more, phone cases. While multiple rows and columns are shown, various configurations may be used, including single rows or columns, offset rows or columns or the like. While the figures show a single case on each hook, in some embodiments, multiple cases may be stacked on one hook, such as a smaller case nested inside a larger case, for example. Typically, a plurality of hooks may be provided, such as at least 4 hooks, at least 6 hooks, or even at least 8 hooks, however, the organizer may be designed to hold anywhere from two or more phone cases. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  6   , a hook  58  can be designed as a hollow arc, where the lip  56  of the phone case  54  can fit behind the raised distal end of the arc. While  FIG.  6    shows a rounded arc shape, the shape could be hook shaped, where the distal end of the arc curves around to point toward the back member of the organizer. The hook  58  can cause the inside edge of the phone case to be disposed closer to the hook such that the hook is not visible through the camera/light opening of the phone case. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7  through  11   , the hooks  16  described above for the organizer  10  may be designed as a hook member  60  that can include an upper surface  62  configured to support a portion of a phone case  40  (see  FIG.  4   ). The upper surface  62  can curve upward along a bend  68  to reach an uppermost portion  70  of the hook member  60 . From the uppermost portion  70 , a bend  72  may angle the hook member  60  downward along downward projecting portion  66  to end at a narrowed front bottom portion  74 . 
     The hook member  60  may attach to the back member  14  of the organizer  10  (see  FIG.  2   , for example) along a back surface  64  of the hook member  60 . In some embodiments, the back surface  64  may be permanently affixed to the back member  14 , either directly to the back member  14 , or in a slot formed in the back member. In other embodiments, a slot (not shown) may be formed in the back member  14  to permit the hook members  60  to be removably engaged into the back member  14  as desired locations. In the latter embodiment, any slots not used may be filled by a blank, configured to hide unused slots in the back member  14 . 
     The upward bend  68  can prevent the phone cases from slipping off the hook member  60 , which the downward projecting portion  66  may help support the phone case by contacting an inner surface of the phone case when the phone case is disposed on the hook member  60 . 
     As shown in the  FIGS.  7  through  11   , the hook member  60  can have a first length  76  of the back end  64  thereof. The length can widen through the upward bend  68  to a maximum length  78  at the uppermost portion  70 . The length can narrow through the downward bend  72  to form the downward projecting portion  66 , which further narrows to curved point  79  at the front bottom portion  74 . 
     The maximum length  78  may be sufficient to support the phone case without the phone case tipping. This length  78  may be from about 20% to about 90%, typically over 50% of the overall width of the phone case. In some embodiments, the hook member  60  may not be visible through a photo lens opening in the phone case. While, in some embodiments, the hook member  60  may extend above the photo lens opening of the phone case, due to the bends and shape of the hook member  60 , the hook member  60  may not be visible from a front view of the organizer  10 , thus the phone cases may appear to be floating on the back member  14  of the organizer. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12  through  16   , a hook member  80  may be formed similar to the hook member  60 , however, its top may bend downward to provide an increased surface area for attachment of the hook member  80  to the back member  14  of the organizer  14 . 
     More specifically, the hooks  16  described above for the organizer  10  may be designed as a hook member  80  that can include an upper surface  82  configured to support a portion of a phone case  40  (see  FIG.  4   ). The upper surface  82  can curve upward along a bend  88  to reach an uppermost portion  90  of the hook member  80 . From the uppermost portion  90 , a bend  92  may angle the hook member  80  downward along downward projecting portion  86  to end at a narrowed front bottom portion  94 . 
     The hook member  80  may attach to the back member  14  of the organizer  10  (see  FIG.  2   , for example) along a back surface  84  of the hook member  80 . The back surface  84  may be formed as an extension  85  that extends downward at a rear end  87  of the upper surface  82  of the hook member  80 . 
     In some embodiments, the back surface  84  may be permanently affixed to the back member  14 , either directly to the back member  14 , or in a slot formed in the back member. In other embodiments, a slot (not shown) may be formed in the back member  14  to permit the hook members  80  to be removably engaged into the back member  14  as desired locations. In some embodiments, the extension  80  may insert into the slots and be hidden behind the back member  14 . In the latter embodiment, any slots not used may be filled by a blank, configured to hide unused slots in the back member  14 . 
     The upward bend  88  can prevent the phone cases from slipping off the hook member  80 , which the downward projecting portion  86  may help support the phone case by contacting an inner surface of the phone case when the phone case is disposed on the hook member  80 . 
     As shown in the  FIGS.  12  through  16   , the hook member  80  can have a first length  96  of the back end  84  thereof. The length can widen through the upward bend  88  to a maximum length  98  at the uppermost portion  90 . The length can narrow through the downward bend  92  to form the downward projecting portion  86 , which further narrows to curved point  99  at the front bottom portion  94 . 
     The maximum length  98  may be sufficient to support the phone case without the phone case tipping. This length  98  may be from about 20% to about 90%, typically over 50% of the overall width of the phone case. In some embodiments, the hook member  80  may not be visible through a photo lens opening in the phone case. While, in some embodiments, the hook member  80  may extend above the photo lens opening of the phone case, due to the bends and shape of the hook member  80 , the hook member  80  may not be visible from a front view of the organizer  10 , thus the phone cases may appear to be floating on the back member  14  of the organizer. 
     All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements. 
     The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
     The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.