Patent Publication Number: US-2012037535-A1

Title: Stand-up pouch

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to protecting and holding small electronic devices and, more specifically, to protect electronic devices from water or other ailments while keeping the device fully functioning and usable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Small cases are commonly used to protect handheld electronic devices. The cases can be constructed of various materials such as plastics, leather, rubber, and many fabrics or textiles. Many of these cases are constructed with attachments for cars, or have hooks or clips to secure the device. Some of these cases incorporate a clear screen protector so that the device display is still visible or even partially usable. Some cases for touch screen devices such as cell phones and mp3 players use a clear plastic material that still senses the touch for usability through the pouch. 
     When participating in outdoor activities such as kayaking, rafting, or riding all-terrain vehicles, users often place the device in a bag, pocket, or other case and have the device safely stowed away. Thus, the device is not easily accessible while recreating and often is not usable as it could be damaged when it is taken out of the pocket, bag, or case. 
     A pouch that allows the device to be used in the case, while protecting it from the elements will solve the current problems with electronic device use while recreating in the outdoors. The pouch must also be easily accessible while in use so that even when a call comes in, or other unexpected events happen, the device is safe, visible, and usable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pouches for small devices for protection when used in environments that could harm the small device, such as a smartphone, a gps, or other electronic device. More specifically to a pouch that secures to the vehicle whether that be a kayak, an ATV, or a raft and still allowing the device to be functional and accessible. The system comprises a pouch with an adjustable support leg to stand up the pouch and allow for clear viewing. The pouch works with touch screen devices and is made of water resistant materials. 
     The pouch includes a main compartment and a leg. The main compartment is at least slightly larger than the item to be inserted therein. The main compartment has a top end and a bottom end. The leg is pivotally connected to the main compartment. The leg has a bottom end that moves toward and away from the main compartment. A securement line is coupled to either the main compartment or the leg to hold the pouch in place on an implement, such as a vehicle. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a pivot limiter extends between the main compartment and the leg. The limiter is preferably adjustable in length. The pivot limiter is a strap with a coupler. 
     The present invention comprises a system for securing the pouch to the implement with the use of adjustable snaphooks for multiple configurations. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the adjustable support leg allows the pouch to stand up for clear viewing on the implement. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the pouch contains a roll top closure to seal out water with Velcro® to hold the roll top closed and secure. 
     In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the front face of the pouch is made with a clear plastic that allows use of touch screen devices and makes the front of the device visible. 
     In accordance with yet other aspects of the invention, the pouch secures to the kayak or implement with elastic straps extending from either side of the main compartment. The elastic straps on the pouch contain snaphooks to secure the pouch holding the device to the implement. The elastic straps are adjustable using the synching mechanism on the straps. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the stand-up leg contains Velcro® to secure it to the pouch when not in use. The leg also preferably contains a strap with a clip that is adjustable. The adjustable straps and clip allow the pouch to stand up at different angles to the kayak deck or implement. The leg also has two separated feet to provide additional stability to the pouch. 
     In accordance with additional aspects of the invention, the locking roll top seals and rolls to keep out water, dirt, and other harmful elements. The pouch itself is preferably made of water resistant materials to keep the elements away from contact with the device in the main compartment of the pouch. 
     In accordance with yet other aspects of the invention, the snaphook clips secure to any strap or edge that the clip can hook on to. The pouch preferably has more than one securing strap and snaphook to provide an added measure of security in securing the device to the implement. 
     In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the pouch has a clip hook on the bottom of the pouch to further secure the pouch or to allow for different methods of securing the pouch to different implements. 
     As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a secure and safe pouch to attach to kayak or other implement while allowing full usability and visibility of the face of the device at hand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of the pouch on a kayak; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the pouch in a stand-up position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the pouch folded and closed; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the pouch open with electronic device inside; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the pouch standing; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the pouch; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of the pouch closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stand-up pouch  5  includes an adjustable support leg  40  which allows the pouch  5  to stand up for clear viewing of the device  55  inside the pouch  5  while the pouch  5  is secured to the implement  60 . This support leg  40  has a stiffness great enough to be rigid to support the device  55  in the pouch  5 . The support leg  40  is smaller than the pouch  5  so that the pouch  5  can recline and the device inside be easily visible. The support leg  40  is sewn to the stand-up pouch  5  and the pouch  5  material is flexible to allow it to pivot or bend away from the pouch  5  so that the stand-up pouch  5  can sit in a tri-pod fashion on the implement  60 . The support leg  40  also has a curved shape designed onto the bottom edge of the leg, essentially providing two feet to the bottom of the leg. This allows the support leg  40  to rest on curved surfaces and other varying surfaces easily and remain stable. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the support leg  40  uses a strap and snap clip  45  to secure the pouch  5  to the vehicle or implement  60 , and to control the adjustment of the angle of the stand-up pouch  5  from the support leg  40 , thus changing the viewing angle of the device  55  inside the pouch  5 . This strap  20  is secured to the pouch by sewn thread and secured to the bottom center of the curve on the support leg (i.e., between the feet). In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the stand-up leg  40  contains Velcro® to secure it to the pouch  5  when not in use. There is Velcro® sewn on to the inside of the leg  40  and the back of the pouch  5  for securing. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stand-up pouch  5  comprises two sides: the back side having an outer fabric material with an interior coating and the other a clear plastic face  10 . The plastic face  10  is thin enough that it allows for use of the device  55  inside the pouch  5 . The plastic face  10  is clear so that the device  55  is clearly visible while safely inside the pouch  5 . Also, this plastic face  10  is thin enough and has capabilities for use with touch screen devices  55  inside the pouch  5 , making use of the device  55  while the pouch  5  is secured and waterproof possible. 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the system comprises a roll-top closure  15  with a Ziploc® style seal and Velcro® to secure and seal the pouch. The roll top closure  15  is long enough to roll down twice before secured to keep ailments out of the pouch  5 . Once the device  55  is placed inside the pouch  5 , the Ziploc® style seal can be closed. This helps keep water, dirt, and any other ailments out of the pouch  5  and away from the device  55  enclosed. Then the roll top  15  is rolled down twice for extra protection and security and the Velcro® tab is then pressed on the rolled top  15  Velcro® surface to hold the roll top of the pouch  5  in place and secure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pouch  5  contains straps  20  to secure the pouch  5  to the implement  60 . These straps  20  are elastic and have a limited stretch allowing the pouch  5  to be secured to the implement  60 . These straps  20  are connected to the pouch  5  by means of plastic fasteners  50  that the straps  20  loop through. These straps  20  contain snaphooks  25  to secure the pouch  5  with device  55  to the implement  60 . These snaphooks  25  have a hole in them the diameter of the elastic strap  20  of which the elastic strap  20  fits inside and loops through to hold the snaphooks  25  to the elastic straps. There are two of these elastic straps  20 , one on each side of the pouch  5  to hold the pouch  5  and keep it even. The elastic straps  20  are adjustable in length and can be adjusted using the synching mechanism  30  on the straps  20 . The snaphook clips  25  secure to any strap or edge that can be clipped and hooked on to. Also, as the pouch  5  has multiple securing straps  20 , an added measure of security is added as the device  55  will less likely fall off the implement  60  with backup straps  20  and clips  25 ,  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pouch  5  has a clip hook  35  on the bottom edge of the pouch  5  in the front to further secure the pouch  5  or to allow for different methods of securing the pouch  5  to different straps or parts of different implements  60 . 
     As shown in Figures, the pouch  5  is constructed of all water resistant materials to keep the elements away from the enclosed device  55 . The device  55  is also completely enclosed and water tight when the roll top  15  is engaged with seal and Velcro® closed. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the location of the straps  20  can be moved for different applications. Also, the size of the pouch  5  and support leg  40  can be altered to provide enclosure for devices  55  of differing shapes and sizes. Also, more or less straps and methods of securement can be used depending on the needs of the user. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.