Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/883,826 filed Sep. 16, 2010, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 12/038,514 filed Feb. 27, 2008, both of which are related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684, each naming the same inventor as the present application, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for capturing items, such as for handling or storage of electrical cords or cables or other applications. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Handling and/or storage of items has presented numerous challenges, and despite the various handling and storage devices that have been devised, several problems continue to be difficult to resolve. 
         [0004]    One example is the problem of storage of electrical cords or cables. Many people tend to leave their cords simply in a pile. Such an approach is unsightly and can be unsafe. Indeed, without better organization of the cords, storage can become a nightmare. One need only consider the PC laptop user trying to untangle the mess of cables from the briefcase in a busy airport. 
         [0005]    Typically, wire-ties, tie wraps, cable ties, or twist-ties may be used to store cords in an effort to reduce such problems. However, such items are very difficult to use and require a great deal of manual dexterity. In particular, closing these ties around the bundled cord is quite challenging because the ends are free to go wherever they are pushed. Some of those items, and particularly twist-ties such as are used to close garbage bags, are unsightly, have only a short useful life, and can present a risk of injury due to the metal wire contained therein. Other cable management devices have been proposed, but they are usually quite bulky and again require a great deal of manipulation. By way of example, some cable management devices are molded into a split ring with the ends normally urged together. The ends may be temporarily held apart by the user while a cable is inserted into the device. Such a device is difficult to load with the bundled wire because the ends are normally urged together into a closed or nearly-closed position. The ends may be temporarily held apart by the user while a cable is inserted into the device. Such a device is difficult to load with the bundled wire because the ends are normally urged together into a closed or nearly-closed position. 
         [0006]    When not attached to a cable or wire, a small wire tie or similar device is easy to lose. Also, such devices are typically designed for limited use, e.g., they cannot be non-destructively removed, or will experience substantial wear (e.g., metal fatigue) if repeatedly opened and closed. Thus, one cannot avoid losing a twist tie or wire tie by attaching it to the unbundled cable, since doing so will require destruction or damage to the twist tie or wire tie. This is a particular drawback in storage of cables which must be repeatedly bundled and unbundled, e.g., extension cords used with hand tools, portable computer cabling, and other similar applications. 
         [0007]    Aside from bundles of wires, in various other situations, objects must be wrapped and held for storage, handling or other reasons; often wire ties, twist ties, or lengths of string are used in such situation, with unsatisfactory results for the same reasons as those noted above: difficulty in use, likelihood of loss, and destruction and wear resulting from repeated use. 
         [0008]    Recent patents by the present inventor, Ser. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, have improved upon the situation described above by introducing handcuff-like elements having a pair of jaws that can self-sustain an open position while a bundled item is inserted, and then the jaws follow a fixed path or trajectory to close and latch around the bundled item. These devices are unlatched by generally pulling against a force generated by a living hinge or spring that keeps the two jaws engaged at their latching ends. This pulling action can be difficult and inconvenient depending upon the orientation, size, and location of the bundle. The person using the existing devices may have to locate and orient their bundles in a way that can accommodate the needed access for unlatching even though they would prefer a different orientation or location. 
         [0009]    Recent U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,223 shows an alternative bundling device having a first jaw with a tooth on its interior surface, that is matable to a second jaw having a plurality of outwardly-facing teeth. Spring force tends to pivot the first jaw&#39;s tooth into engagement with the second jaw. This device seeks to provide an alternate engagement that does not have teeth on the exterior surface; however, the device has the drawback that pressure from the interior of the device (such as might occur with a bundle that is tightly bound, or in the event a bundle is dropped or manipulated) tends to press the first jaw outwards and may cause the jaws to release from each other. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be released with a different motion and/or direction than is currently available without suffering the drawbacks noted above. 
         [0011]    There is also a need for a device that is usable on a very small bundle, such as the wires leading to ear buds for portable entertainment devices. Ear buds, need only use a very small device since ear buds use a very thin wire. Devices such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,872 and 6,101,684 could benefit the user of ear buds if they could be made in very small sizes, but their unlatching actions tend to limit how small they can go and still be easily used by the human hand. Therefor, a different unlatching action, able to be used when incorporated into a small device, is a desirable improvement. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    In one aspect, the invention features a device for handling or storing items using jaw members that hinge to one of several closed positions, in which one jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the other, and an external release member is used to move the engagement device between an engaging and a disengaged position. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the invention features a device with hinged jaws in which the inner surface of a first jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the second jaw, in which the second jaw also incorporates a retaining surface, positioned opposite the outer surface of the first jaw when the jaws are closed, which opposes outward flexing of said first jaw member, and thus reduces the opportunity for disengagement due to forces from inside the jaws. 
         [0014]    The detailed embodiments disclosed herein include a number of specific features, which although not necessary to the inventive aspects, may facilitate the implementation thereof. For example, teeth may be used in the engagement surface and the engagement device. A moveable member and cam may be used in the engagement device, the moveable member being actuated from the outside to move internal members of the engagement device and disengage the jaws. Handles, hooks or wedges of V- or C-shaped section, other may be incorporated in either jaw to aid in the use of the device. Also, the device may itself be incorporated into another device to increase availability. Finally, the jaw members may be hingedly connected in any number of ways, including the use of a hinge strap. 
         [0015]    These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a side view, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an unlatched and open condition ready to receive a bundle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a side view with cutaway, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an unlatched and open condition. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a side view with cutaway, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a latched condition. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a detail cutaway of the embodiment of  FIG. 2B  at the beginning of the unlatching process. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a side view with a cutaway, of an embodiment of the invention that is actuated by a central top button, shown in the latched condition. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a detail side cutaway view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  at the beginning of the unlatching process. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A and 3B . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3D  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 3C  showing an embodiment that does not have access to release tabs, in the latched condition. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3E  is a view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3D , with the unlatching process having begun. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in the latched condition. This embodiment has 2 side buttons. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  in the unlatched condition. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  is a cross section as indicated in  FIG. 4 , with arrows showing the direction of motion necessary to unlatch. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  is the cross section of  FIG. 6A  after the initial movement for unlatching, as indicated in  FIG. 6A , has taken place. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is an elevational side cut away view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an embodiment having side teeth. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of an embodiment having outside teeth. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9A  is an elevational view of an embodiment with an open surface handle. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9B  is an elevational view of an embodiment with a closed surface handle. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9C  is an embodiment with a closed surface handle with side buttons at the handle area. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9D  is an elevational view of an embodiment with a hinge strap, sometimes known as a “living hinge”. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment clipped to a set of ear buds and bundling them. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment clipped to an extension cord, and alternately a blow dryer or another electrical device. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 12 and 12  are views of two embodiments that are integrated with a consumer device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2 A, and  2 B there is shown a handcuff-like element  10  having an interior area  11 , a cap  12 , and a pair of generally rigid jaw members  14  and  16  each having a proximal hinge end  18 ,  20  and a distal attachment end  22 ,  24 . Hinge ends  18 ,  20  are directly connected together and held by a screw  26  or a similar fastening device that may act as an axle. Additionally, or instead of the screw  26  acting as an axle, the inside cylindrical surface  28  and the outside cylindrical surface  30  along with appropriate snap fit confronting faces or shoulders, may create an accurate axle system. The axle system causes jaw members  14  and  16  to self align relative to one another when they are pivoted between the self sustaining wide open position ( FIG. 2A ) and the closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2C  that encloses the interior area  11 . Alternately, as illustrated in  FIG. 9D  below, a hinge strap, also known as a “living hinge” may be used in place of the axle system to similarly cause the jaws to self align when closed. 
         [0043]    Cap  12  rests on shoulder  32  of jaw member  16  and is held in place by a pin  34  through holes as shown in cap  12  and jaw member  16 , but cap  12  could be attached by other methods, for example gluing or ultrasonic welding. On each side face of the cap are apertures  36  that are in line with two release tabs  38  that will be described below. 
         [0044]    The cap  12  creates a passageway  40  ( FIG. 2B ) having a retaining surface  42  for guiding the attachment end  22 . Although jaws  14  and  16  are self aligning, and so retaining surface  42  is not required to guide attachment end  22  into a closed position, the retaining surface  42  aids in maintaining a latched condition by its close proximity to attachment end  22 , so that retaining surface  42  opposes flexing of attachment end  22  outwardly, such as might occur under forces from a bundle retained by jaw  44 . The “outwardly directed forces” would be most prevalent, for instance, if a person captured an oversized bundle of cord, preventing the device  10  from closing past just a few teeth of engagement, and thus the bundle exerts a force against the tooth portion of jaw  14  that may tend to open the jaws. The details of opening and closing of the jaws will be explained later. The outwardly directed forces would be a particular problem, if an oversized bundle were to receive an additive force such as by bumping or dropping of the bundle and device  10 . This embodiment of the device  10  could function in most circumstances even if cap  12  were not present, although it may not remain latched as well under the situations just described. 
         [0045]    Jaw member  14  has a generally smooth retaining surface  44  and fixed teeth  46  on the inner surfaces and an outer press area  48  on the outer surface. Although smooth surfaces are shown in the FIGS., it will be appreciated that teeth  46  or other non-smooth features may extend along all of jaw member  14 , in other embodiments, such that there is not a smooth surface  44 . 
         [0046]    Jaw member  16  has a generally smooth retaining surface  50  near its hinge end, an outer press area  52  on the outer surface, and a pawl  54  on its attaching end  24 . The pawl has deflecting teeth  56  and the horizontal release tabs  38  on each side. The fixed teeth  46  and the deflecting teeth  56  are sized to interlock. Both sets of teeth  46 ,  56  may be backward angled as seen most clearly in  FIG. 2D , to enhance their ability to pass over each other in the closing direction, but resist movement in the opening direction. Although multiple teeth  56  are shown in the drawings, a single tooth may perform the desired function satisfactorily. As seen most clearly in  FIG. 2D , the pawl is at the end of a resilient cantilever portion  58  so that downward force on the top surface of release tab  38 , will cause the deflecting teeth  56  to move towards the interior of the device  10 . It should be noted that there are two release tabs  38  but a force on just one of them will deflect the teeth inwardly. 
         [0047]    In operation, as with some other handcuff like devices used for bundling, the device is put in the fully open position so that the retaining surfaces  44  and  50  define a bundle receiving space  60  ( FIG. 2A ). The device will remain in this position without any assistance, while the bundled item is placed in the space  60 . Once the bundle is positioned, the user presses on outer press surfaces  48  and  52  to close the device. During the closing the attachment end  22  enters passageway  40  and the teeth  46  make contact with and pass over the teeth  56  (best seen in  FIGS. 2C and 2D ) while the pawl  54  flexes as teeth  46  pass over deflecting teeth  56 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 2D  demonstrates the initiating actions to open the device. The exposed (as seen exposed in  FIG. 1 ) release tab portion  38  is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow toward the interior of the device, such as with a fingernail, so that the deflecting teeth  56  disengage from the fixed teeth  46  and then the jaw member  14  is removed from passageway  40  before the pressure is removed from tab  38 . It is only necessary to use one of the two release tabs  38 , thus, the device is operable even if access to one of the tabs is blocked, such as by a neighboring wall, a computer rack, or anything nearby. 
         [0049]    The embodiment of a device  110  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may be built with all of the same parts as the previous embodiment, except for using a different cap. Whereas cap  12  of the previous figures allowed the device to open only through the use of the two release tabs  38 , cap  112  of this embodiment additionally offers the user a button or spot  190  resiliently cantilevered as part of the cap&#39;s top surface  191 . Inside of the cap (see  FIGS. 3C ,  3 D and  3 E), integral to the push button are two tabs  192  that pass near the inside wall of the cap  112 , so that when the button  190  is depressed the two tabs  192  make contact with the two release tabs  38  resulting in the same releasing motion that would be provided by one or both release tabs being depressed directly. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3A  shows the device  110  in the latched condition with the teeth  56  on the pawl  54  in their raised position, interlocked with teeth  46 . The button  190  is approximately flush with the top surface  191  of the cap  112 . The arrow indicates the direction of movement to press button  190  to initiate unlatching. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3B  shows button  190  being pushed toward the interior of the device  110 , and tabs  192  are in contact with release tabs  38 . Pawl  54  is deflected toward the interior of the device under the pressure from tabs  192 , which causes teeth  56  to move toward the interior of the device, and disengage from teeth  46  so that jaw member  14  can be removed from passageway  40  to complete unlatching. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3C  is a cross sectional view of the device  110  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . It is latched as in  FIG. 3A . This cross sectional view shows two tabs  192 , apertures  36 , and release tabs  38  whereas only one of each is visible in the preceding views.  FIG. 3C  also shows the relative thickness of the sidewalls  193  of cap  112 , and the apertures  36  providing space for the release tabs  38 . Spaces  194  between tabs  192  and the sidewalls of cap  112  are visible. Teeth  46  and  56  are interlocked since the clamp  10  is shown latched. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3D  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 3C  but of an alternative embodiment. Again this figure shows the embodiment in a latched condition. In this embodiment there is a cap  312  that does not have any apertures  36  to provide access to release tabs  38 , that is, cap  312  fully encloses release tabs  38 . The only means provided for opening the device is the button or spot  190  on the cap&#39;s top surface  191 . Release tabs  38  are accommodated inside cap  312  by two vertical channels  195  inside the cap  312  defined by reduced thickness of the sidewall  193  of the cap  312  in the area of the release tabs  38 . Optionally, changes may also be made to reduce the extension of release tabs  38 , since it is not necessary for a finger or fingernail to make contact with release tabs  38  in this embodiment, although changes to the extensions of release tabs  38  are not necessary if channels  195  are provided. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3E  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 3D , with an arrow showing the directions the button  190  may be pushed to initiate unlatching. Pawl  54  has been deflected, and teeth  46  and  56  are disengaged so that the device can be opened in the same way as previously described for other embodiments. 
         [0055]    Although this embodiment shows the pawl  54  being actuated by tabs  192  being contacted by tabs  192  integral with and approximately directly below button  190 , other embodiments could be made that move the tabs  192  and button  190  to different positions. This change, however, may require that the embodiment of  FIGS. 3D-3E  would use different jaw members  16 , unless jaw member  16  was made to accommodate multiple positions of tabs  192 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 A and  6 B show another embodiment of device  210  that combines advantageous aspects from two previously described embodiments. The three digit numbers used in this embodiment with like ending digits designate similar elements as the numbers in the previous embodiments. This embodiment has two side pushbuttons  290  cantilevered in the side surface of cap  212  which are actuated for unlatching by pushing either one, or both, of the two available buttons on cap  212 . Although the appearances of jaw members  214  and  216  look substantially different in this embodiment when compared to earlier figures having jaw members  14  and  16 , many of the visual differences are a matter of styling or related to the fact that this embodiment shows how the device would look if it were sized for a small bundle, such as for a set of ear bud cables as used on small digital music devices that are currently common. Functionally, however, jaw member  214  remains the same, whereas jaw member  216  is changed to accommodate the two side buttons  290 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 6A  is a cross section showing the device  212  in the latched position, analogous with  FIG. 4 . Cap  212  defines a passageway  240  that defines on its surface a retaining surface  242 . Jaw member  214  has attaching end  222  and teeth  246 . Jaw member  216  has pawl  254 , deflecting teeth  256 , and tabs  238 . Teeth  246  are interlocked with teeth  256 . Tabs  238  do not have a top face as did release tabs  38 , but instead have angled side faces  239 . The reason for these angled side faces can best be understood by describing the unlatching actuation as follows. 
         [0058]    Two arrows in  FIG. 6A  show the buttons  290  being depressed towards the pawl  254  so that the device will unlatch. The lower inner corner  292  of either or both of buttons  290  makes contact with angled surface  239 , causing pawl  254  to deflect toward the interior of the device as indicated by the arrow. 
         [0059]      FIG. 6B  shows the same cross section as  FIG. 6A  with the following differences: Buttons  290  have moved towards each other and the pawl  254  and deflecting teeth  256  have moved inwardly and disengaged from teeth  246 . The device is ready to be opened by moving the jaw member  214  out of the passageway  240 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is shows a side partial sectional view of the device  210  in the latched position. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8A  shows yet another embodiment of the invention. A device  310  is shown having a jaw member  314  that has teeth  346  that are disposed on the side of the jaw member rather than on the inward surface as in the other embodiments. A side button  390  is pushed to begin unlatching the device, using internal structures such as those shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E . 
         [0062]      FIG. 8B  shows yet another embodiment of the invention. A device  410  is shown having a jaw member  414  that has teeth  446  that are disposed on the outside of the jaw member rather than on the inward surface as in the other embodiments. A side button  490  is pushed to begin unlatching the device, using internal structures such as those shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0063]      FIG. 9A  shows an embodiment of a size similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but using two side buttons such as those in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 A,  6 B and  7 . A frame  294  has been added to so that a person&#39;s fingers could pass through or grip the open area  296  and frame  294  to provide an easy way for a person to carry device  212  and its contents. Frame  294  could be roughened or knurled to assist in gripping. A handle such as the one formed by frame  294  is especially convenient when the size of the device  210  is small, in which case grasping the combination of the device and a bundle could result in accidentally depressing a button  290 , causing the device  210  to unlatch. The frame  294  and open area  296  also forms a convenient way to hang a bundle and device combination. For instance, a coiled extension cord, captured by the device  210 , could be hung on peg on a garage wall by passing open area  296  over the peg. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9B  shows an embodiment with two side buttons as in  FIG. 9A , in which, instead of a frame  294  creating an open space  296 , a gripping wall  298  is provided. Wall  298  may be knurled or roughened to facilitate gripping. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9B  further illustrates optional wedges  300   a,    300   b  and  300   c  incorporated into wall  298 , used for mounting the device. Wedges may mount the device onto the object to be bundled (such as a headphone or extension cord) or to another cylindrically-shaped item such as a peg in a pegboard. The device may incorporate wedge structures of varying sizes thus allowing the user to select the wedge  300  that is sized to accommodate the particular size of cord or tubular structure to attach to the device. The use and operation of wedge structures is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,945, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. By selecting a wedge  300  that is slightly smaller than the cord or tubular structure, sufficient friction may be generated to prevent the cord or tubular structure from sliding in the wedge. On the other hand, if such sliding is desired, a wedge that is slightly larger than the cord or tubular structure may be selected. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9C  shows an embodiment as in  FIGS. 9A  or  9 B except that in this case there are two optional walls rather than just one as shown in  FIG. 9B . The necessary internal workings for the two buttons are situated between the two walls. The two walls may define therein various wedges such as  300   d  and  300   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9C . One way of constructing this embodiment is for the jaw member  216  to be able to accommodate a bigger cap  412 . The internal workings can include structures extending from the buttons that reach to the pawl, or the pawl can be made larger to extend to the buttons. 
         [0067]      FIG. 9D  shows a further alternate embodiment  510  having jaw members  514 ,  516  that are integrally joined by a hinge strap or “living hinge”  526 . This integral resilient hinge  526  performs the same alignment function as the screw  26  or cylindrical portion  30  disclosed in the embodiments of earlier figures. The contour at  526  can be of many shapes, and it is a function of the materials, thicknesses and curvatures used for a particular design of clamp  510 . Although this hinge strap is only shown in this  FIG. 9D , the concept can be used for any of the device embodiments shown. 
         [0068]      FIG. 10  shows a method of use for any one of the embodiments such as device  10 . Any one of the embodiments can be provided with one or more hooks  62  that could be of a variety of shapes and at a variety of locations either in the interior  11  of elsewhere on the device. This hook could either removably, or permanently, attach the device  10  to an object  64  suitable for bundling. Other embodiments might use a wedge as described above to grip the cord being bundled, or other parts of the device  64 . The device  64  shown in  FIG. 10  is a set of ear buds and attached cords, as typically used for listening to music from portable audio devices. 
         [0069]      FIG. 11  shows another example of an environment of use similar to that shown in  FIG. 10 . In this example the device  62  is an electrical device, such as a power drill, blow dryer, or extension cord. Any corded device or other device in need of bundling (such as a piece of rope) could be bundled in the manner shown in this drawing. 
         [0070]      FIG. 12  shows an example of a device  210  permanently or removably attached to an object  65  that uses a cord  64  needing bundling. In this embodiment the device  210  is attached to the object  65  rather than to the cord  64  that needs bundling. 
         [0071]      FIG. 12A  shows a further embodiment, in which an object  66  incorporates into its structure, a device  610  utilizing principles previously illustrated. Specifically, the device  610  creates a space  11  in which, for example, a cord  64  may be bundled. Whereas in previous embodiments, for example the embodiment  210  ( FIG. 12 ) included two jaw members such as  214  and  216 , in the present embodiment, only one jaw member  614  may be included. The functional portions, such as the pawl  54  and moving teeth  56  of the jaw member  216  shown in previous embodiments, are incorporated within the body of the object  66 . Button  690  is outwardly visible and leads to internal moving parts controlling pawl  54  as discussed with reference to prior embodiments. In  FIG. 12A , jaw member  614  has fixed teeth  646  on the inner surface, and button  690  moves a pawl into and out of engagement with teeth  646 , similar to button  290  of previous figures. Alternatively, a button such as  190  of  FIG. 3A  may be used along with side teeth (such as  346  in  FIG. 8A ). Similarly, teeth on the outer surface of jaw  614  (such as teeth  446  in  FIG. 8B ) could be used on jaw member  614 , with appropriate arrangement of a pawl to interlock with those teeth. 
         [0072]    Although  FIGS. 12 and 12A  shown a portable music player that does not have a protective carrying case, in many examples of these portable players, the user may elect to use an exterior case surrounding the device for decorative and/or protective reasons. The principles of this invention, shown in  FIGS. 12 and 12A , may be applied to a carrying case as readily as to the object itself; that is, the device  210  may be attached to a case and/or a device  610  may be integrated into a case. 
         [0073]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the general inventive concept.

Technology Category: y