Patent Publication Number: US-2007113306-A1

Title: Soft case with three-dimensional plush toy figure for mobile telephone

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The following applications are referenced in the present application:  
     1. CASE FOR A FOLDING-TYPE MOBILE PHONE  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,344 Jun. 22, 2004  
      A case for a folding-type mobile phone which is divisible into two sections.  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      This invention relates to cases for mobile phones and particularly to cases having a soft, plush component that would offer improved protection from damage to the phone as well as an attractive and entertaining look.  
      2. Description of Prior Art  
      There is a large variety of mobile phone cases on the market today. Manufacturers have responded to consumer demand for personalized and customized mobile phone accessories by providing phone cases in different colors and with designs such as hearts, flowers, smiley faces, and other various patterns and styles. However, these cases are two-dimensional and are made of plastic or other hard material, which does not protect a phone from damage if the phone is accidentally dropped.  
      A hard case may actually cause damage to a phone over time because many hard cases are designed so that the user must “snap” the phone into the case by using force to push the case onto the phone. Over time, the action of inserting and removing the phone from the case creates scratches on the phone in areas where the phone rubs against the case.  
      Leather cases are another type of phone case on the market. They may feel softer than the plastic cases, yet leather cases also do not provide protection from damage or shock from dropping the phone since leather is very thin. Also, manufacturers of leather cases are limited in their ability to personalize or customize the cases because the texture cannot be changed greatly and leather is usually available in only a few colors.  
      What is needed is a soft, plush phone case comprised of a suitable filling and designed to look like a plush toy figure such as a character, mascot or play object that serves to protect and shelter the phone from damage, while also appealing to consumers with the plush toy figure on the case that is available in a wide variety of different styles, colors, patterns and textures.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a unique protective case for a mobile phone with a three-dimensional plush toy figure. In a first aspect, the invention provides a soft, plush case. The plush filling of the three-dimensional toy figure aids in reducing damage to a phone that is dropped as well as preventing the phone from scratches and scrapes that can occur when the phone is bumped into other objects during day-to-day use. In another aspect, the invention provides a bright, colorful case that is appealing and entertaining. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      FIG. 1  illustrates a soft case with three-dimensional plush toy figure for mobile telephone according to the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the case of  FIG. 1 , showing the case having two spaces for the mobile phone body and mobile phone cover, including a clear plastic holder for the mobile phone body so that the keypad of the mobile phone may be visible through the holder.  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 1  in use.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view in cross section of the case of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a back view of the case of  FIG. 1  in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A typical embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  5 . A case ( 10 ) is shown that includes two spaces ( 12 )( 14 ) so that the mobile phone body and the mobile phone cover may be respectively and separately inserted into it. This invention has a construction under which a portion of stretchy fabric ( 16 ) is attached to the top of case ( 10 ) so that both the mobile phone body and mobile phone cover are secured in spaces ( 12 )( 14 ) while allowing phone to pivot from a closed position to an open position.  
      The space ( 12 ) is comprised of a clear, flexible plastic holder ( 18 ) that is sewn on case ( 10 ) to secure mobile phone body and allow keypad to be visible through holder. The space ( 14 ) is comprised of a soft fabric ( 20 ) that is sewn on stretchy fabric ( 16 ) to secure mobile phone cover. The back of case ( 10 ) includes a three-dimensional plush toy figure ( 22 ). The toy figure in this embodiment is a soft, plush three-dimensional figure of a type that will protect the phone from damage if dropped.  
      The toy figure ( 22 ) is a stuffed animal in this embodiment, though the toy ( 22 ) could take the form of any soft, three-dimensional toy figure such as a character, mascot, or entertaining toy object. The toy ( 22 ) of this embodiment comprises a soft, three-dimensional toy shell ( 24 ) and stuffing or filling ( 26 ) to provide protection and shock-absorption for the phone as well as create the three-dimensional effect.  
      Filling ( 26 ) is a polyester stuffing used to fill conventional plush toys. However, one skilled in the art will find it apparent that filling ( 26 ) could be fiberfill, beans, beads, or any other natural or synthetic stuffing used to stuff plush toys. One skilled in the art would further understand that shell ( 24 ) could be created from a variety of materials used to create the shells of soft or plush toys.  
      The toy ( 22 ) could also not be comprised of shell and stuffing, but rather be created into a three-dimensional figure using other materials such as foam, fabric, or other soft, plush materials as described and otherwise. Toy figure ( 22 ) could also include simulated features ( 28 ) such as eyes, nose, or other features without compromising the overall soft and plush feel of the toy.  
      The present invention also includes zippered compartment ( 30 ) for storage of small items such as keys, money, etc. The present invention further includes cord loop ( 32 ) for attachment of clip ( 34 ). The cord loop ( 32 ) and clip ( 34 ) allow case ( 10 ) to be easily attached to a belt loop, purse, or other object.