Patent ID: 8336807

Claim:
A clamshell case apparatus ( 10 ) for protecting a helicopter ( 50 ) comprising: a base ( 12 ) having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first edge, and a second edge located opposite said first edge, said first and second edges extending between said front and back; a first side section ( 14 ) having an exterior and a substantially concave interior ( 62 a , 62 b ) and attached by a first hinge ( 72 a , 40 a ) to said first edge of said base 12 ; and a second side section ( 16 ) having an exterior and a substantially concave interior ( 60 a , 60 b ) and attached by a second hinge ( 72 b , 40 b ) to said second edge of said base 12 , wherein said case apparatus ( 10 ) has an open position for receiving said helicopter ( 50 ) on said base ( 12 ) and a closed position wherein said first ( 14 ) and second ( 16 ) side sections are rotated towards each other substantially enclosing said helicopter ( 50 ) in the concave interiors ( 60 a , 60 b , 62 a , 62 b ) of said first ( 14 ) and second ( 16 ) side sections.